Week in sports: Dec. 9-15

Nashville Predators right wing Jordin Tootoo celebrates after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings in the second period of an NHL game on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. Shea Weber scored two goals late in the third period, including one with the man advantage, to give the Predators a 4-3 win over the Red Wings.

Newly acquired Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul holds up his jersey during an NBA news conference to introduce him on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, in Los Angeles.

John Abraham sacks Blaine Gabbert — AP Photo/John Bazemore

Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham (55) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert (11) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, in Atlanta. The Falcons clinched a fourth straight winning record with a 41-14 rout of the Jaguars. Matt Ryan had another big game, throwing three touchdown passes in less than three quarters of work, and John Abraham terrorized rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert with 3

St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott keeps his eye on the puck as he makes a save during the third period of an NHL game against the New York Rangers Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, in St. Louis. The Blues won 4-1.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) tries to break away from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Kevin Rutland (22) during the second half of an NFL game, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, in Atlanta. The Falcons clinched a fourth straight winning record with a 41-14 rout of the Jaguars.

Shane Doan falls to the ice — AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan, center, falls to the ice on the face-off as Anaheim Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey, left, takes it along with center Brandon McMillan during the third period, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. The Ducks won 4-1.

Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan listens to a question from the media during an NBA news conference in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011. The Bobcats traded away their best two players last year, raising questions about where they're headed in year four of the Michael Jordan era.

Colin Fraser goes flying after colliding with Andrew Ference — AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Los Angeles Kings center Colin Fraser (24) goes flying after colliding with Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference (21) as referee Dave Jackson (8) protects himself in the second period in Boston, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The Bruins won 3-0.

Keith Ballard is checked by Antoine Vermette — AP Photo/Terry Gilliam

Vancouver Canucks' Keith Ballard (4) is checked by Columbus Blue Jackets' Antoine Vermette (50) and John Moore (4) during the third period, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in a shootout.

Boston Celtics Ray Allen is seen on a monitor posing during NBA basketball media day — AP Photo/Winslow Townson

Boston Celtics' Ray Allen is seen on a monitor posing during NBA media day in Waltham, Mass. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011.

Rutgers' Dane Miller dunks during the first half against Monmouth on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Piscataway, N.J. Miller had 13 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocked shots and four steals to lead Rutgers to an 81-66 win.

Doug Baldwin jumps over Ben Obomanu — AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (15) jumps over Seahawks' Ben Obomanu, bottom left, and St. Louis Rams cornerback Roderick Hood, bottom right, in the second half, Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Seattle. Baldwin blocked a first-quarter punt that was returned by Michael Robinson 17 yards for a touchdown, then caught a 29-yard TD pass from Tarvaris Jackson in the third period as the Seattle Seahawks pulled away for a 30-13 victory.

Cincinnati forward Yancy Gates wipes tears from his eyes, Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at a news conference in Cincinnati where he apologized for his part in a fight that broke out at the end of an NCAA college basketball game between Cincinnati and Xavier, on Saturday.

Deon Grant eyes the ball as Felix Jones fumbles — AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

New York Giants defensive back Deon Grant (34) eyes the ball as Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones (28) fumbles with under two minutes to go in the first half on Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants recovered the fumble but the Cowboys held them to a field goal following the recovery. The Giants put together two touchdown drives in the final 3:14 and Jean Pierre-Paul preserved it with a blocked field goal for a 37-34 victory.

NFL: Week 14

Lucas Lobos holds up the Mexican League soccer championship — AP Photo/Daniel Jayo

Tigres' Lucas Lobos, center top, holds up the Mexican League soccer championship trophy as he celebrates with teammates a 3-1 victory over Santos de Torreon in Monterrey, Mexico, Dec. 11, 2011.

Aaron Curry tackles Aaron Rodgers — AP Photo/Mike Roemer

Oakland Raiders' Aaron Curry (51) tackles Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers (12) during the first half on Dec. 11, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. The play was ruled an incomplete pass. The Packers crushed the Raiders 46-16.

NFL: Week 14

Ice dance gold medallists Meryl Davis and Charlie White — AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson

Ice dance gold medallists Meryl Davis, top, and Charlie White, of the United States, perform their free dance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Dec. 11, 2011, in Quebec City.

Josh Wilson intercepts a pass — AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson (26) intercepts against New England Patriots wide receiver Tiquan Underwood (10) during the second half on Dec., 11, 2011, in Landover, Md. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 34-27.

NFL: Week 14

Mexico's CF Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco fails to save a penalty shootout by Japan's Kashiwa Reysol final taker Ryohei Hayashi, right, in their quarterfinal match of the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Toyota, central Japan, Dec. 11, 2011. Kashiwa advanced to the semifinals after the 4-3 penalty shootout win.

Cliff Avril celebrates his sack — AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril (92) celebrates his sack of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder in the first quarter in Detroit, Dec. 11, 2011. The Lions won 34-28.

NFL: Week 14

Thomas Gipson dunks the ball — AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Kansas State forward Thomas Gipson (42) dunks the ball during the second half against North Florida, Dec. 11, 2011, in Manhattan, Kan. Gipson had 23 points and 12 rebounds as Kansas State won 79-68 in overtime.

Kevin Walter catches a 6-yard touchdown pass — AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Smiley N. Pool

Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) catches a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback T.J. Yates (13) in the final seconds against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 11, 2011, in Cincinnati. Walter's catch with 2 seconds left gave the Texans a 20-19 victory over the Bengals that sent the expansion team into the playoffs for the first time.

NFL: Week 14

Lee Ho-suk and his compatriot Seo Yi-ra tumble — AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

South Korea's Lee Ho-suk, left, and his compatriot Seo Yi-ra tumble after the men's 500-meter second final C race at the ISU World Cup short track speed skating competition at Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China, Dec. 11, 2011.

World Boxing Organization Flyweight champion Brian Viloria shows off his belt after defeating Mexican challenger Giovani Segura during their title bout, Dec. 11, 2011 in Pasig City, Philippines. Viloria retained his WBO Flyweight championship belt via an 8-round TKO against Segura.

St. Joseph's Carl Jones raises his arms in celebration in the closing seconds of an NCAA college basketball game against Creighton, Dec. 10, 2011, in Philadelphia. St. Joseph's won 80-71.

Bryce Salvador slaps the puck in front of Erik Cole — AP Photo/Mel Evans

New Jersey Devils' Bryce Salvador (24), falls as he slaps the puck in front of Montreal Canadiens' Erik Cole (72) during the first period in Newark, N.J., Dec. 10, 2011. Tomas Kaberle had two assists leading Montreal to a 2-1 victory over New Jersey.

Akiko Suzuki performs her free program — AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson

Akiko Suzuki of Japan performs her free program to win the silver medal in the women's competition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Dec. 10, 2011, in Quebec City.

Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson — AP Photo/Alex Gallardo

Los Angeles Angels new players Albert Pujols, left, and C.J. Wilson pose for a photograph during a baseball news conference in Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 12, 2011.

Albert Pujols
2012 MLB Free Agents

Kriss Proctor sings Navy's alma mater — AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Navy quarterback Kriss Proctor, bottom left, sings Navy's alma mater with teammates and Midshipmen in the stands after an NCAA college football game against Army in Landover, Md., Dec. 10, 2011. Navy won 27-21.

Cody Zeller puts up a shot — AP Photo/Darron Cummings

Indiana's Cody Zeller, center, puts up a shot against Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Anthony Davis as Doron Lamb looks on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Dec. 10, 2011, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 73-72.

Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III — AP Photo/Kelly Kline

Robert Griffin III, of Baylor University, holds the Heisman Trophy award after being named the winner, Dec. 10, 2011, in New York.

St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott prepares for the start of the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Dec. 10, 2011, in St. Louis. Elliott made 24 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the Blues won 1-0.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant is surrounded by members of the media as he is interviewed at NBA basketball practice in El Segundo, Calif., Dec. 9, 2011.