WJPA Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns to rally the Pittsburgh Steelers from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to a 26-19 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rodgers shrugged off a slow start to lead four fourth-quarter scoring drives, then finished off a 12-play, 70-yard march with a 7-yard TD throw to Germie Bernard to give Pittsburgh the lead for good with 3:15 remaining in OT. Rookie Jalon Daniels drove the Bucs to midfield on the ensuing possession, but Jalen Ramsey sacked the undrafted free agent on fourth down for an 11-yard loss to end the game. Pittsburgh improved to 4-2. Tampa Bay fell to 1-5.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy was able to laugh off an injury after spending halftime of the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the medical tent after his foot was stepped on. The team’s medical staff and overcoming a 13-point, second-half deficit to win 26-19 in overtime Sunday made him feel a lot better. McCarthy limped across the field toward the visiting locker room at Raymond James Stadium before turning and walking slowly to the tent behind Pittsburgh’s bench. He returned to the sideline for the second half with the Steelers trailing 13-3. McCarthy joked he doesn’t recommend spending time in the tent because it’s hot.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Drew Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings for his second postseason win, Tampa Bay’s offense kept on constant pressure and the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the AL Championship Series. The Rays will try to capture their third AL pennant and first since 2020 on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Since the LCS expanded to seven games in 1985, road teams winning Game 5 for a 3-2 lead have won the series four of five times. Game 7 if needed would be Tuesday. The World Series starts Friday at NL champion Milwaukee.

Miami is now No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2002. No. 2 BYU has reached its highest ranking since its 1984 national championship season. Notre Dame and Georgia remain in the top five despite close losses. This week, five of the top seven teams lost, marking a first in the AP poll’s 90-year history. Miami and BYU benefited most from the chaos, joined by Ohio State in a tightly packed top three.