La Crosse Tribune Sports News

Smiling or frowning.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Sergio Romo tested free agency, had some offers and ultimately decided he wanted to stay put in San Francisco pitching for the only team he has known.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy was among 90 players who already have qualified and are expected to compete in the 2015 Masters.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Quarterback Jay Cutler is returning to the Chicago Bears' lineup and will start the final game of the season after Jimmy Clausen suffered a concussion.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco Giants second baseman Marco Scutaro underwent back surgery that could end his career.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — New documents detailing sexual assault allegations against former San Francisco 49er Ray McDonald show that a woman claims the attack happened at his home after they drank…

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher says there's a sense of relief after quarterback Jameis Winston was cleared of any student code of conduct violations.

With five of the six playoff slots in the NFC and four in the AFC decided, some would think much of the drama of the schedule's final week has been removed.

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Former Masters champion Adam Scott has picked Mike Kerr to be his next caddie.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Phil Hughes finished his first season in Minnesota one out shy of a $500,000 bonus. His new deal with the Twins more than takes care of that.

South Carolina is No. 1 in The Associated Press women's poll for the fifth straight week while Stanford has its lowest ranking in nearly nine years.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The team coached by former NBA player Carl Herrera says his condition is improving following a shooting in Venezuela.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A dozen people are recovering after they were injured by an indirect lightning strike at Raymond James Stadium after a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Green Ba…

The best development in the playoff-clinching win was that Green Bay's defense turned in a dominant performance.

The Packers don't need (or get) much in the way of points thanks to a defense that allows just 109 yards, three points.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins are out of the market for a new coach, even though they're also out of the playoff race for the sixth year in a row.

NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly two months have passed since the San Antonio Spurs collected their championship rings and began their title defense.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Julio Jones needed only two offensive snaps to dispel any notion that he'd be merely a decoy for the Atlanta Falcons, too hampered by his injured hip to be truly effective.

Count Joe Flacco's Ravens and Drew Brees' Saints among the playoff candidates that came out completely flat.

Now that they've qualified for the postseason, there's no relaxing for the Packers, Lions, and Steelers.