Leading Off: Forget Frivolity: Lakers On Verge Of Finals

Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins is raising the stakes — or rather, the steaks — in a friendly bet against his New York counterpart ahead of the Broncos’ Sunday wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills. Erie County Sheriff John Garcia bet the city’s most famous appetizer, Buffalo wings, in a video posted Tuesday. Diggins accepted the challenge hours later, stating he’s confident in quarterback Bo Nix, cornerback Pat Surtain II and the rest of the Broncos team. “If the Bills happen to win, some of Colorado’s finest steaks will be headed your way – but we look forward to a win on Sunday,” Diggins said. The Broncos face the Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, for their first playoffs since 2016.

Eight months since he joined the Broncos, there is nothing Bo Nix cannot fix. After producing a winning record and a playoff berth, Nix burst the thought bubble hanging over the franchise’s head since the 2018 draft. Should the Broncos have selected Wyoming star quarterback Josh Allen instead of defensive end Bradley Chubb?

Denver Post Broncos beat reporters Parker Gabriel and Ryan McFadden are joined by columnist Troy Renck to break down the Broncos’ Week 18, playoff-clinching win against Kansas City and look ahead to Sunday’s Wild Card game at Buffalo. How did Sean Payton’s team exceed expectations? What can we expect to see Sunday from rookie quarterback Bo Nix and company?

CHICAGO — Jonathan Drouin‘s frustrating season has reached a new phase. Drouin will miss the Colorado Avalanche’s game Wednesday night at United Center against the Chicago Blackhawks. It will be the 33rd game he’s missed this season. RELATED: Avalanche has found steadier waters, but Colorado’s ultimate ceiling still a mystery Avs coach Jared Bednar said the team will go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Blackhawks, and he hopes Drouin will be able to return Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild. “It’s not an injury you need to manage,” Avs coach Jared Bednar told reporters after Drouin missed practice Tuesday in Denver.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix finished his regular season with one more accolade. The rookie was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance Week 18 in Denver’s playoff-clinching, 38-0 blowout of a largely starter-less Kansas City team Sunday. Nix threw for a career-high 321 yards and four touchdowns while completing 26 of 29 pass attempts overall.

Brian Matusz, a former Orioles left-handed pitcher and first-round draft pick, died Tuesday, the ballclub announced. He was 37. Matusz pitched parts of eight seasons in Baltimore after the club selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 draft. “Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz,” the Orioles said in a statement.