Tony Stewart lost races this year with last-lap passes, late blown tires and mechanical failures.

After 11 consecutive losses and two straight playoff sweeps, the Los Angeles Angels had grown tired of being a bump in Boston's road to the World Series. "I don't ever want to hear about that streak again. Ever. It's over," center fielder Torii Hunter said Sunday night after the Angels beat the Red Sox 5-4 in 12 innings to force their first-round AL playoff series to a fourth game.

Ben Roethlisberger had Reggie Hayward draped on his back one play and John Henderson breathing down his neck a few snaps later. Either one could have been a sack. Both almost were. But Big Ben turned them into big completions, maybe the highlights of his big night that gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a big boost in the AFC North.

With every rock-solid read and on-target spiral, Matt Ryan takes another step toward making everybody forget Michael Vick, Bobby Petrino and everything else in the Atlanta Falcons' ugly recent past. The rookie quarterback turned in another sharp performance as the Falcons beat the Green Bay Packers 27-24 at Lambeau Field on Sunday, upstaging a gritty showing by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Thanks to John Danks and the White Sox, Chicago still has one team standing. For the second time in less than a week, Danks pitched a strong game to save the season as the White Sox beat Tampa Bay 5-3 Sunday and trimmed the Rays' lead in the opening-round AL playoff series to 2-1. "If Danks loses in either game he pitches, we're not here right now," manager Ozzie Guillen said.