AP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:54 p.m. EST

NFL playoffs: Packed Week 18 slate will decide playoff field

If you enjoy high stakes professional football combined with scoreboard watching and slightly convoluted tiebreakers, then the NFL’s Week 18 slate of games is a must-watch. It’s been an eventful week for NFL players and fans, who watched in horror Monday night as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and had to be given CPR before leaving the field in an ambulance. A few days later, those same players and fans have watched with joy as Hamlin recovers. That makes it much easier to focus on the NFL’s stacked Week 18, which will determine the playoff fate of numerous teams.

Carr, tough defense lead No. 6 Texas past Oklahoma St. 56-46

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Marcus Carr scored 12 points to help No. 6 Texas defeat Oklahoma State 56-46 in the Longhorns’ first game since coach Chris Beard was fired. Beard faces a felony domestic family violence charge stemming from a Dec. 12 incident involving his fiancée. Texas improved to 6-1 under interim coach Rodney Terry. The Longhorns were coming off a 116-103 loss to Kansas State. Kalib Boone had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma State.

Dodgers cut pitcher Trevor Bauer after suspension reduced

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are cutting ties with pitcher Trevor Bauer, whose unprecedented 324-game suspension over sexual misconduct allegations was reduced two weeks ago, allowing him to resume his career with the start of the new season. The team says the 31-year-old right-hander will not be part of the organization. Bauer has maintained he did nothing wrong, saying that everything that happened between him and a San Diego woman he met online was consensual. A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that Bauer was designated for assignment, which means the Dodgers have seven days to pull off an unlikely trade or just release him. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the roster move.

Phillies acquire All-Star reliever Gregory Soto from Tigers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired All-Star reliever Gregory Soto and utility player Kody Clemens, son of seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for infielder Nick Maton, outfielder Matt Vierling and catcher Donny Sands. The teams announced the trade Saturday. Soto was an AL All-Star the last two years. He had career highs with 30 saves and 64 games last season with 60 strkeouts in 60 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old left-hander has a career record of 8-20 with 50 saves in 186 appearances over four years with the Tigers.

Bigger than Dakota Marker: SD State-ND State for FCS title

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — North Dakota State and South Dakota State are used to playing each other in a rivalry that dates back 120 years. Now they will play for the first time with a national championship on the line. Their 114th meeting will be for the Football Championship Subdivision title Sunday in north Texas. Top-seeded South Dakota State lost in its only FCS title game two seasons ago to Sam Houston State. Reigning national champion North Dakota State has won a record nine FCS titles the last 11 seasons. The Bison are 9-0 when making the title game in North Texas.

Hamlin’s recovery continues, still in critical condition

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Doctors describe Damar Hamlin’s neurological function as “excellent,” and the Buffalo Bills safety is still making progress in his recovery. He was resuscitated on the field in a game at Cincinnati on Monday. The Bills’ daily update also says Hamlin continues to breathe on his own but remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Hamlin took a major step forward in his recovery Friday when he was taken off a ventilator and showed an ability to speak. The NFL will show support for Hamlin during Week 18 games, which start Saturday afternoon, including his No. 3 painted on 30-yard lines.

Pray for Damar: Public prayer blitz follows Hamlin collapse

The intersection of prayer and sports has been especially prominent in the aftermath of Damar Hamlin’s frightening collapse during an NFL game. All 32 NFL teams have included “Pray for Damar” on their Twitter avatars. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky prayed for the Buffalo Bills’ safety on live TV. Countless fans and other concerned observers said on social media they were praying, and dozens linked arms outside his Cincinnati hospital. Experts on religion and sports say prayer is a common response to health scares. It was amplified in this case by social media and the high-profile “Monday Night Football” game.

NFL owners approve playoff plan after Bills-Bengals canceled

NFL owners have approved a resolution that could lead to a neutral site for the AFC championship in response to the cancellation of Monday night’s Bills-Bengals game after Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field. NFL teams held a special meeting to consider the recommendation of Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league’s competition committee. Hamlin is breathing on his own and able to talk after having his breathing tube removed, his agent said. It’s the latest step in his remarkable recovery in the four days since going into cardiac arrest during the game at Cincinnati. Hamlin even joined the Bills’ team meeting via videoconference.