WJPA Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike McCarthy’s first win as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers came against the backdrop of cornerback Joey Porter’s absence. McCarthy opted to make Porter inactive for a season-opening victory over Atlanta, citing a back issue that forced Porter to miss a chunk of training camp. The decision came as a deadline for Porter to sign a long-term deal to remain in Pittsburgh came and went without an agreement. McCarthy said he is hopeful Porter will take a step forward in practice this week. The Steelers will take a step up in class in Week 2 when they visit defending AFC champion New England.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kenneth Walker III ran for 173 yards and scored two touchdowns in his Chiefs debut, and Kansas City exacted some revenge on the Denver Broncos for stealing their AFC West crown with a 31-10 victory. Walker stole some of the spotlight from Patrick Mahomes and his surgically repaired left knee. Mahomes didn’t appear to be affected by the knee, or the brace he wore on it. He threw for 184 yards and two scores while running for another to help the Chiefs snap a three-game skid against the rival that ended their nine-year run as division champs.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his first home run since May 24 as the New York Yankees clinched their record 61st postseason berth and ninth in 10 years. Spencer Jones was batting with two outs in the eighth inning of an 8-3 win against Minnesota when Toronto lost to Detroit, assuring the Yankees of at least an AL wild card berth Judge, who returned last week after missing more than three months because of a fractured rib, hit a three-run homer off A.J. Minter earlier in the six-run eighth to give the Yankees a 7-2 lead. The Yankees captain had been 3 for 20 with 11 strikeouts since returning.