playoff spot

The 49ers have already secured a playoff spot. So have the Steelers. But there's plenty on the line in San Francisco as both teams try to boost their hopes of a first-round bye.

S.F. leads 6-0.

Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller recorded his fourth shutout of the season in a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday that helped the Sabres retain their hold on the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

ATLANTA (AP) Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls turned a heartbreaking loss in Atlanta into more motivation for their surge to the top of the Eastern Conference.

From PittsburghFan CHICAGO The way Mark Sanchez was picking them apart early, the Chicago Bears looked as though they were in for a rough afternoon against the New York Jets.

Jay Bruce raised both index fingers as he rounded first base and took the final steps toward a long-awaited championship.

The most impressive team this spring? Many scouts point to the Rays. Tampa Bay has the talent to steal a playoff spot, but it isn't the only potential surprise team, writes Jon Heyman.

The Dallas Cowboys returned to the playoffs Sunday night, dominating their 100th meeting with the Washington Redskins and setting up an NFC East title showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The chase for the last playoff spot in the NFC is getting ugly, says Don Banks. The reeling Cowboys are still holding the No. 6 seed, but slipped three spots in this week's Power Rankings.

While the Atlanta Braves missed the National League wild card by six full games that is not a real indication of how good of a season they had.

It seems no matter who they have on the roster this team just knows how to win. Granted they were a better road team than a home one, but who can argue with results.

It seems in the end the Braves were on big bat away from making a serious run at a playoff spot and regardless of who is in their starting five, their starters can go out there and get it done