SUNDAY SPORTS

NFL

A record-setting defensive performance has helped the Carolina Panthers advance to the NFC’s divisional playoffs.

The Panthers held Arizona to 78 yards, intercepted Ryan Lindley twice and recorded four sacks in a 27-16 triumph over the Cardinals. Carolina broke the NFL playoff record for fewest yards allowed, set by the 1958 Giants against Cleveland. The Panthers didn’t allow a touchdown after Marion Grice scored on a one-yard run to put the Cardinals ahead 14-10 with 2:58 left in the first half.

Cam Newton threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns in his first post-season victory. Jonathan Stewart ran for 122 yards and a TD to help Carolina earn its first playoff win in nine years.

Carolina advanced to the post-season by winning the NFC South with a 7-8-1 record.

Lindley had just 82 passing yards for the Cardinals, who lost five of their last seven games following an NFL-best 9-1 start.

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Defence also played a major role in Baltimore’s AFC wild-card win at Pittsburgh. The Ravens surrendered 387 total yards but held the Steelers to one touchdown in a 30-17 victory for Baltimore.

The Steelers had to settle for field goals while the Ravens were building a 20-9 lead. Pittsburgh finally reached the end zone on Ben Roethlisberger’s 6-yard pass to Martavis Bryant with 11:01 remaining. The Ravens regained control of the game on Joe Flacco’s 21-yard scoring pass to Crockett Gillmore with under eight minutes to play, one play after Terrell Suggs picked off Roethlisberger.

Flacco was 18 of 29 for 259 yards and no interceptions as the Ravens earned the right to play the Patriots in New England next weekend. He has seven road playoff victories, more than any quarterback since the 1970 merger.

Roethlisberger passed for 334 yards but had two interceptions and was sacked five times.

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The road to the Super Bowl continues today with two more wild card games. First up, the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Indianapolis Colts (1:05 p-m ET) in an A-F-C playoff battle. Later, the Detroit Lions visit the Dallas Cowboys (4:40 p-m ET) in an N-F-C matchup.

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NHL

Ryan Miller has his 20th win this season. Miller made 29 saves for Vancouver as the Canucks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1. Vancouver benefited from a pair of power-play goals by Alexander Edler and Radim Vrbata . Captain Henrik Sedin sealed the win with a pair of empty-net goals. Tomas Tatar scored for the Red Wings.

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Bryan Little continued his hot stretch in the Winnipeg Jets’ 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He now has a six-game point streak after three points against the Leafs. Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Chariot also scored for Winnipeg. Toronto’s lone goal came from Mike Santorelli.

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The Eastern Conference has a new look today. Thanks to a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Montreal Canadiens moved into top spot in the conference, one point ahead of the Islanders. Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais scored for the Habs. Montreal has won six straight. Elsewhere, Bobby Ryan scored 46 seconds into overtime as the Ottawa Senators beat the Boston Bruins 3-2.

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WJHC

A chance for a berth in the gold medal game is on the line tonight at the world junior hockey championship. Canada is set to play Slovakia in the semifinals (8:00 pm ET). In the opening game of the tournament for both teams, the Canadians beat Slovakia 8-0. Zach Fucale will start in net for Canada.

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NBA

Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors will try to end a six-game road trip on a winning note tonight against the Phoenix Suns. The Raptors have won twice on the western swing, but have lost back-to-back games. There are five other games around the NBA today.

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UFC

Jon (Bones) Jones is still the UFC’s light-heavyweight champion. He beat Daniel (DC) Cormier in five rounds at UFC 182. All three judges scored the fight 49-46 in favour of Jones. It was a gruelling, relentless fight between two opponents who do not like each other.

(Canadian Press)