Full Weekend Behind, Full Super Bowl Week Ahead

The AFC rebounded from a 20-3 halftime deficit to beat the NFC 24-23 in the Pro Bowl on Sunday in Orlando.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr led three second-half scoring drives and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller was the defensive MVP. Offensive MVP went to Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker.

Consider that the official kickoff to Super Bowl week, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots in six days at Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium. The stadium is enclosed, but Minnesota is not. Weather forecast for Sunday: 10 degrees.

NHL: The Pacific Division All-Stars defeated the Atlantic Division 5-2 in the final of the three-on-three tournament at the NHL All-Star Game in Tampa. The 11 players on the Pacific team split a $1 million prize.

HORSE RACING: Gun Runner dashed into retirement with a victory on Saturday at the $16 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. The 2017 Horse of the Year earned $7 million and the 5-year-old closed out his career with five consecutive victories.

GOLF: Jason Day and Alex Noren played five extra holes before darkness postponed the Farmers Insurance Open on Sunday at Torrey Pines. They’re back on the course as of 11 a.m. ET (Golf Channel) on Monday to conclude the event. Tiger Woods, in his return to competitive play after numerous back surgeries, finished 23rd.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The weekend’s biggie was No. 2 Virginia holding off No. 4 Duke 65-63 in Durham, N.C., on Saturday The Cavaliers snapped a 17-game losing streak at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Saturday’s other beauty was unranked Kentucky coming from behind to knock off No. 6 West Virginia 83-76 on the road. The Wildcats trailed by 15 at the half. … On Sunday, No. 1 Villanova topped Marquette 85-82. The new Associated Press poll is released on Monday afternoon.

TENNIS: Roger Federer won a record 20th Grand Slam title, beating Marin Cilic in five sets at the Australian Open. Caroline Wozniacki won the women’s crown, defeating Simona Halep in three sets on Saturday.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman