- Australian tennis star Purcell provisionally suspended for doping
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate fears
- Luxury Western goods line Russian stores, three years into sanctions
- Wallace and Gromit return with comic warning about AI dystopia
- Philippine military says will acquire US Typhon missile system
- Afghan bread, the humble centrepiece of every meal
- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - December 23
- Melrose Group Publicly Files Complaint to the Ontario Securities Commission
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
Surgical Brady readies for Rams operation
Tom Brady says the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' regular season drubbing by the Los Angeles Rams will count for little when the two sides collide in the NFL playoffs on Sunday.
Brady's Bucs were roughed up when the two teams met in California in September, with the Rams barrelling past the reigning Super Bowl champions 34-24.
On Sunday, the NFC heavyweights meet again at the Buccaneers' Raymond James Stadium where a place in the NFC Championship game will be on the line.
Bucs quarterback Brady, who looked close to his clinical best in dispatching the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend, says the September loss to the Rams has no bearing on Sunday's showdown.
"They're each their own type of game," Brady said. "They're going to require their own individual type of game and are going to require their own individual performances.
"The point is it doesn't really matter what happened when we played in (September)."
That early season loss did provide Brady with invaluable intelligence on this weekend's opponents though.
"Anytime you play your opponent it gives you an understanding of what they do well, things you wish you would have done," said the 44-year-old seven-time Super Bowl champion, renowned for poring over hours of footage of opponents.
That could spell trouble for the Rams.
Or as Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians put it: "Once Tom Brady figures you out -- you're in trouble. He's a surgeon."
Typically, Brady has prepared for the postseason by marginalizing extra-curricular activities.
"This isn't the time for trips to movie theaters," he said. "This is the time to lock in on football. This is all we have."
The Buccaneers' offensive arsenal could be bolstered by the possible return of running back Leonard Fournette, who is on the mend after missing last Sunday's win over the Eagles with a hamstring injury.
The Rams meanwhile arrive in Florida on a high after an emphatic 34-11 dismantling of the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.
The Los Angeles defense laid the foundation for that win, with two sacks and two interceptions.
Rams linebacker Von Miller is under no illusions that Brady is a different class of opponent.
"It's Tom Brady. He does everything well," Miller said. "We just got to find a way to rattle him. We got to find a way to get to the quarterback."
- Bills aiming high -
Sunday's other divisional round game sees the Kansas City Chiefs attempt to return to the AFC Championship game for a fourth consecutive season when they face the Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs beat the Bills 38-24 in last year's AFC Championship to reach the Super Bowl, but are hosting a Buffalo team who have hit form at the right time.
The Bills thrashed the New England Patriots 47-17 last week, with quarterback Josh Allen outstanding in a devastating offensive display.
"He's a tremendous player," Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of his Buffalo counterpart.
"They put a lot on his shoulders and he rises to the occasion. He's able to run the ball, he can throw the ball, he has the arm strength to throw it anywhere on the football field and he makes great decisions."
The Bills have already beaten the Chiefs this season, romping to a 38-20 win at Arrowhead Stadium in October.
Since then, however, the Chiefs have improved steadily. A dazzling burst of scoring against the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, when Mahomes tossed five touchdowns in just over 11 minutes, served as a reminder that the Chiefs remain one of the most lethal offensive sides in the NFL when on song.
Allen says Mahomes and the Chiefs have set the standard for every other team in the AFC over the past three seasons.
"I don't know if rivalry is the right word, but they are the Mecca of the AFC," Allen said of the Chiefs.
"And that's the team that everybody wants to aspire to be, to be in three AFC championships in a row and being in two Super Bowls in a row.
"That's the type of level that we want to be. In order to be the best, you gotta beat the best. And they've really been one of the, if not the, best team in the last four years.
"We've got a good opportunity here and we're excited for it, as I'm sure they are as well."
Y.Aukaiv--AMWN