SAINTS over BEARS 31 to 15

STEELERS over FALCONS 27 to 20

GIANTS over REDSKINS 24 to 13

PATRIOTS over DOLPHINS 41 to 13

CHIEFS over RAIDERS 31 to 13

COLTS over TEXANS 17 to 10

RAVENS over JAGUARS 20 to 12

BILLS over PACKERS 21 to 13

PANTHERS over BUCCANEERS 19 to 17

BENGALS over BROWNS 30 to 0

JETS over TITANS 16 to 11

BRONCOS over CHARGERS 22 to 10

LIONS over VIKINGS 16 to 14

SEAHAWKS over 49ERS 17 to 7

COWBOYS over EAGLES 38 to 27

CARDINALS over RAMS 12 to 6

WARRIORS over PELICANS 128 to 122

BULLS over HEAT 93 to 75

WIZARDS over JAZZ 93 to 84

LAKERS over TIMBERWOLVES 100 to 94

THUNDER over SUNS 112 to 88

RAPTORS over KNICKS 95 to 90

SPURS over NUGGETS 99 to 91

WARRIORS over MAVERICKS 105 to 98

NETS over HORNETS 114 to 87

TRAIL BLAZERS over PACERS 95 to 85

MAGIC over HAWKS 100 to 99

BUCKS over CLIPPERS 111 to 106

GRIZZLIES over 76ERS 120 to 115

ROCKETS over NUGGETS 108 to 96

PISTONS over KINGS 95 to 90

CAVALIERS over HORNETS 97 to 88

PACERS over LAKERS 110 to 91

CELTICS over 76ERS 105 to 87

HAWKS over BULLS 93 to 86

RAPTORS over MAGIC 95 to 82

BUCKS over SUNS 96 to 94

TRAIL BLAZERS over SPURS 108 to 95

CLIPPERS over PISTONS 113 to 91

PENGUINS over FLAMES 3 to 1

CANADIENS over KINGS 6 to 2

PANTHERS over RED WINGS 3 to 2

DUCKS over OILERS 4 to 2

BLACKHAWKS over BRUINS 3 to 2

SABRES over FLAMES 4 to 3

FLYERS over DEVILS 4 to 1

BLUE JACKETS over CAPITALS 3 to 2

KINGS over SENATORS 5 to 3

LIGHTNING over HURRICANES 2 to 1

BLUES over ISLANDERS 6 to 3

PREDATORS over COYOTES 5 to 1

AVALANCHE over JETS 4 to 3

SHARKS over WILD 2 to 1

BULLS over TRAIL BLAZERS 115 to 106

WIZZARDS over CLIPPERS 104 to 96

HAWKS over MAGIC 87 to 81

KNICKS over CELTICS 101 to 95

NETS over 76ERS 88 to 70

RAPTORS over PACERS 106 to 94

GRIZZLIES over HORNETS 113 to 107

THUNDER over TIMBERWOLVES 111 to 92

PELICANS over CAVALIERS 119 to 114

PISTONS over SUNS 105 to 103

HEAT over JAZZ 100 to 95

LAKERS over SPURS 112 to 110

THUNDER over CAVALIERS 103 to 94

ROCKETS over KINGS 113 to 109

Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy has been cleared by doctors. McCoy had suffered an aggravated nerve in his neck in Sunday's 24-0 loss to St. Louis and couldn't finish the game. But he practiced all week and took every first-team snap Friday. Coach Jay Gruden called Friday's visit to a neck specialist a formality, as he said McCoy had not shown any reason to suggest he wouldn't play.

Gruden said the team wanted McCoy to see the doctor one more time "to make sure we're 100 percent sure there's no risk of him doing damage to his neck." The team wanted to know McCoy could withstand punishment during the game. In practice this week, McCoy showed no ill effects on the field when throwing the ball or running.

McCoy's neck was injured against the Rams on a Robert Quinn sack, but he stayed in for five more plays over two series. Robert Griffin III replaced him at the two-minute warning. If McCoy had been unable to play Sunday, Griffin would have gotten the start. Instead, McCoy will make his third straight start and fourth of the season. Gruden said that McCoy remains the best option for Washington (3-10). "His decision-making is the best right now because he's been in the NFL the longest," Gruden said. "His ability to see coverage, get the ball out, probably sets him ahead of the other guys by a little bit. That's really the No. 1 reason. He still has the mobility, obviously. He's a tough guy. He's a good leader, and players respond to him."

The Denver Broncos placed Montee Ball on injured reserve, ending a disappointing season for the once-heralded running back. The Broncos needed to create roster space in order to activate linebacker Danny Trevathan from injured reserve/designated to return, prompting the team to place Ball on season-ending IR. Ball has not played since aggravating a groin injury in a loss to the Rams. He originally suffered the injury against the Cardinals.

Ball, who entered the season as Denver's top running back, appeared in just five games this year, rushing for 172 yards and one touchdown on 55 carries. C.J. Anderson recently has emerged as a productive lead back for the Broncos, rushing for 393 yards and four touchdowns in Denver's last three games. Juwan Thompson and Ronnie Hillman, who has been sidelined with a foot injury but hopes to return by Week 17, also have provided depth at the position for the Broncos. A second-round draft pick in 2013, Ball also missed two preseason games after undergoing an emergency appendectomy in August. The Broncos also placed safety Quinton Carter on season-ending IR with a knee injury and signed tight end Dominique Jones to their practice squad.

All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson’s appeal of a league suspension for a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy has been denied. Peterson's appeal was heard by former NFL executive Harold Henderson last week in Washington, D.C. Henderson was appointed by commissioner Roger Goodell as arbitrator to hear the sides' cases and issue a ruling. In upholding the NFL’s initial ruling, Henderson concluded that Peterson "has not demonstrated that the process and procedures surrounding his discipline were not fair and consistent." He wrote: "He was afforded all the protections and rights to which he is entitled, and I find no basis to vacate or reduce the discipline."

Peterson said in a phone interview, "I feel like they're handling the situation absolutely wrong," he said. "I think I've been made an example out of. It kind of baffles me how -- I have nothing but love for Ray Rice, I'm happy he has the chance to play. But it's like, how did Ray Rice get reinstated before me, a team has a chance to pick him up, but I don't have the opportunity to come back until April. When has that happened in any other case in the NFL, ever?" Peterson said he has considered retiring. He also said he will appeal the decision in federal court. "I don't really know," he said when asked whether he thought the decision to pursue legal action would delay his reinstatement. "That's something I have to sit back and talk to my team about. I haven't talked to anyone today. To this point, any type of process with the NFL is not the way to go. It's a business; the outcome is going to be in their favor no matter what. Did they appoint Harold Henderson to Ray Rice's case? No. They knew the situation and the facts about that case and what was going to come out. They clearly wanted to get an arbitrator that would rule in their favor." According to a person with direct knowledge of the situation, a lawsuit will be filed against the NFL on Peterson's behalf in federal court in Minnesota as early as Monday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the lawsuit had not yet been filed.

"The NFLPA expected this outcome, given the hearing officer's relationship and financial ties to the NFL," the union's statement read. "The decision itself ignores the facts, the evidence and the collective bargaining agreement. This decision also represents the NFL's repeated failure to adhere to due process and confirms its inconsistent treatment of players. Our union is considering immediate legal remedies." Peterson, the 2012 NFL MVP, hasn't played for the Minnesota Vikings since Week 1 after he was charged with child abuse in Texas. He was placed on paid leave while the legal process played out, and he pleaded no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault for injuring his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch. He avoided jail time by reaching the plea deal.

On Nov. 18, Peterson was suspended without pay by Goodell for at least the rest of the season. He will remain suspended and won't be considered for reinstatement before April 15, though he will get to keep the money accrued while on the exempt list. However, Peterson will not serve a three-game suspension at the start of the 2015 season as was initially reported. Rather, he will be charged three additional game checks on this season's salary for a total of six games. Peterson will have the choice of paying the salary back now, or having his wages garnished in 2015 if he plays. The docked game checks are based on this year's salary of $11.75 million and amount to $4.15 million, game payments are based on 17 weeks, not 16 games.

"The facts in this appeal are uncontested," Henderson wrote. "The player entered a plea which effectively admitted guilt to a criminal charge of child abuse after inflicting serious injuries to his four-year old son in the course of administering discipline. No direct evidence of the beating was entered in the record here, but numerous court documents, investigative reports, photographs and news reports, all accepted into evidence without objection, make it clear that Mr. Peterson's conduct was egregious and aggravated as those terms are used in the Policy, and merits substantial discipline. "His public comments do not reflect remorse or appreciation for the seriousness of his actions and their impact on his family, community, fans and the NFL, although at the close of the hearing he said he has learned from his mistake, he regrets that it happened and it will never happen again. I reject the argument that placement in Commissioner Exempt status is discipline."

At the crux of the NFLPA's argument for reinstatement was what NFL executive vice president for football operations Troy Vincent told Peterson last month when the dispute was at its height. Vincent told Peterson he would receive a two-game ban if he attended a hearing on Nov. 14 with Goodell. Peterson declined to meet that day with Goodell, citing uncertainty about the NFL's intent to question him. Goodell then announced on Nov. 18 that Peterson would be suspended for the six games that remained for the Vikings at the time and not be considered for reinstatement until April. A recording and a transcript of what Vincent told Peterson was presented by the NFLPA to Henderson, who oversaw a hearing on Dec. 2. Peterson attended that and listened via telephone as the hearing continued Dec. 4, when Vincent was questioned.

MAPLE LEAFS over RED WINGS 2 to 1

DUCKS over OILERS 2 to 1

BLACKHAWKS over DEVILS 3 to 2

BLUE JACKETS over FLYERS 3 to 2

SABRES over KINGS 1 to 0

MAPLE LEAFS over FLAMES 4 to 1

CANADIENS over CANUCKS 3 to 1

CAPITALS over LIGHTNING 5 to 3

WILD over ISLANDERS 5 to 4

JETS over STARS 5 to 2

PREDATORS over AVALANCHE 3 to 0

SHARKS over OILERS 5 to 2

PACKERS over FALCONS 43 to 37

HORNETS over CELTICS 96 to 87

CLIPPERS over PACERS 103 to 96

WIZARDS over MAGIC 91 to 89

HAWKS over 76ERS 95 to 79

BULLS over NETS 105 to 80

TIMBERWOLVES over TRAIL BLAZERS 90 to 82

MAVERICKS over PELICANS 112 to 107

SPURS over KNICKS 109 to 95

WARRIORS over ROCKETS 105 to 93

NUGGETS over HEAT 102 to 82

CAVALIERS over RAPTORS 105 to 101

TRAIL BLAZERS over PISTONS 98 to 86

GRIZZLIES over MAVERICKS 114 to 105

PELICANS over KNICKS 104 to 93

THUNDER over BUCKS 114 to 101

HEAT over SUNS 103 to 97

JAZZ over SPURS 100 to 96

LAKERS over KINGS 98 to 95

Minnesota Wild’s Keith Ballard has been released from the hospital, diagnosed with multiple facial fractures and a concussion after colliding with the boards. The Wild announced Wednesday that Ballard will be out indefinitely. Ballard was hurt when he tried to turn away from Matt Martin as the left wing charged toward him. Ballard was driven face-forward into the dasher board, and his head bounced hard on the ice after he fell. At one point, Ballard appeared to be convulsing as medics hustled out a stretcher, but he was able to get up after a few minutes and walk slowly to the locker room with assistance. The Wild recalled defenseman Justin Falk from their AHL affiliate in Iowa to fill in.

Hundreds of fans, many clad in his famed No. 4 jersey, and a who's who of hockey stars and politicians paid an emotional farewell to Montreal Canadiens great Jean Beliveau on a snowy Wednesday. The afternoon funeral for Beliveau, who died last week at 83, was held at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral and featured affectionate eulogies from former Canadiens teammates Dickie Moore, Yvan Cournoyer, Serge Savard and Ken Dryden, as well as Canadiens owner Geoff Molson.

"It is a tremendous honor to stand here for my teammate and friend, Jean Beliveau," Moore said. "Everyone has said so many wonderful words about him, words like strength, dedication, devotion and elegance. I was lucky to have been with Jean for many glorious years with the Canadiens, lucky to share amazing moments together, lucky to have him as a friend. "Would you rather be good or lucky? I was lucky. He was good." Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was among those who attended the service, along with Gov. Gen. David Johnston, former prime ministers Jean Chretien and Brian Mulroney, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, and former Quebec premiers Jean Charest, Bernard Landry and Lucien Bouchard. Montreal mayor Denis Coderre and federal opposition leaders Justin Trudeau of the Liberals and Thomas Mulcair of the NDP also attended. Moore was followed to the podium by Cournoyer, one of six pallbearers. Cournoyer spoke about Beliveau in revered tones as his "captain" and described what he called almost a father-son relationship with the late icon.

"Oh captain, my captain, bon voyage," Cournoyer said, his voice choking. Dryden recalled being Beliveau's roommate toward the end of the 1970-71 season when the big goaltender was an NHL rookie. "He treated everyone with respect," Dryden said. "He said the right things and in the right way, in French and in English, because that's what he believed and that's what he was. He made every occasion better. He made everyone who was there feel that their town, their organization, their province, their country, their event mattered. That they mattered. "This is not the time to say goodbye," Dryden said in closing. "This is the time to say thank you." Molson spoke of Beliveau as an athlete, a friend, a champion and an example to follow. "He was a special man -- a Jean Beliveau like no other," Molson said of the star center, who won 10 Stanley Cups in 21 years as a player and another seven as a team executive. The other designated pallbearers were Savard and former Canadiens players Phil Goyette, Guy Lafleur, Robert Rousseau and Jean-Guy Talbot.

The Dodgers have agreed on a trade that will send Matt Kemp to the Padres. Los Angeles will receive catcher Yasmani Grandal, pitcher Joe Wieland and another prospect, the source said, while the Padres get Kemp and catcher Tim Federwicz. The prospect is right-hander Zach Eflin, according to multiple media reports. The Dodgers will also send about $32 million to San Diego to cover part of Kemp's remaining $107 million salary. The trade helps alleviate a logjam of outfielders in the organization.

The Dodgers' new front office has been looking to move bulky long-term contracts and to improve the atmosphere in the clubhouse, which was described as "dysfunctional" by several team sources last season. The glut of outfielders became a source of tension at various times throughout the season. Kemp, 30, looked rejuvenated this season after the All-Star break, hitting 17 of his 25 home runs and leading the major leagues in slugging percentage over that time period. Kemp finished second in voting for the National League MVP award in 2011, when he batted .324 with 39 home runs and 126 RBIs. He signed an eight-year, $160 million contract that winter. Injuries cost him more than 150 games over the last three seasons. He underwent a major shoulder operation after playing 106 games in 2012 and ankle surgery after playing 73 games in 2013.

Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland and receiver Andre Roberts exchanged punches during the individual portion of practice, adding yet another layer of drama to the team's season. Breeland and Roberts were involved in a play in which the rookie corner broke up a pass to Roberts. It appeared as they fell to the ground that Roberts accidentally kneed Breeland in the groin. As Breeland stood up, he grabbed his groin, walked a few steps and bent over; Roberts' back was turned at the time. A minute or so later, close to the line of scrimmage, Roberts and Breeland exchanged words. Roberts slammed his helmet to the ground and threw a punch immediately before Breeland, who hitched up his pants right before the punch, threw one of his own. Breeland then tried to tackle Roberts. Neither player was wearing his helmet.

The scuffle was broken up by a handful of players, including safety Ryan Clark, cornerback E.J. Biggers. Clark walked Roberts away, but then Roberts shoved him as well. Roberts and Breeland exchanged more words from about 10 yards apart. At that point, the practice became closed to the media; it is open for only 15 to 20 minutes, and the incident occurred near the end of the session. Both Roberts and Breeland declined comment. Roberts, however, addressed the incident in a tweet later Wednesday.

NFL owners Wednesday unanimously approved a revised personal conduct policy, commissioner Roger Goodell announced. The new policy takes effect immediately. Among the key changes:

• The policy embraces the use of independent investigations. To that end, the NFL will hire a special counsel for investigations and conduct who will oversee initial discipline.

• The policy will implement an element of leave with pay during investigations of people charged with violent crimes.

• The commissioner will maintain a role in the appeals process but also may appoint a panel of independent experts to participate in deciding an appeal.

Goodell said Wednesday that the person hired to fill the special counsel role will be a "highly qualified individual with a criminal justice background. The person will oversee our investigations and decide the discipline for violations of the policy," he added.

After the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson cases, a more extensive list of prohibited conduct will be included in the policy, as well as specific criteria for paid leave for anyone charged with a violent crime. A six-game suspension without pay for violations involving assault, sexual assault, battery, domestic violence, child abuse and other forms of family violence will be in effect, but with consideration given to mitigating or aggravating circumstances. "The policy is comprehensive," Goodell said. "It is strong. It is tough. And it is better for everyone associated with the NFL.

"I have stated it many times: Being part of the NFL is a privilege. It is not a right. The measures adopted today uphold that principle." The NFL Players Association issued a statement in which it expressed its displeasure with not being able to collectively bargain changes to the policy. "Our union has not been offered the professional courtesy of seeing the NFL's new personal conduct policy before it hit the presses," the union said. "Their unilateral decision and conduct today is the only thing that has been consistent over the past few months." The union could consider Wednesday's vote by the owners as a violation of the collective bargaining agreement reached in 2011, giving the union cause to file a grievance.

Among the union's options is pursuing an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. The players could argue this policy is a change in terms and conditions of employment; the National Labor Relations Act says such changes in unionized situations are subject to collective bargaining. NFL executive vice president and general counsel Jeff Pash said the NFLPA's claim that it has not seen the policy lacks credibility because of the ongoing discussions between the league and the union. "The union knows every element of what we've been talking about because we've talked to them about it already," he said. "I respect the fact that they may not agree with everything that's been done, and I respect the fact that there's an unfortunate [need] to react: 'They say X, so we will say not X.' But I think that the best thing for everybody would be to take a step back and recognize the issues of reputation, of standards, of conduct."

Troy Vincent, the NFL executive vice president of football operations and a former president of the NFLPA, said he is "ready to move on from the union and the statements. They've had ample amount of time to contribute to where we're going. It's always been that way," he said. "Farce, you hear the term farce, unilateral decisions. They’ve been part of the process the entire time. "The people who don't like discipline are those who have committed a criminal act. Nobody likes to visit the principal. That's a small number of players every year. Those are the ones who have a problem, whether it's the process, it's the amount of discipline or the fine."

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, the team's player representative, echoed the union's criticism of the NFL's actions. "I think it's interesting anytime you make changes to a policy that we collectively bargained for and you don't collectively bargain for it," he said. "So, like the [players association], said, it's [the NFL] doing it by the seat of its pants and making it up as they go along. You would hope anything having to do with that the players, we would have some say-so in the policy and at least something we could agree on and everybody is comfortable with. Obviously, that isn't what they saw fit."

Later Wednesday, Goodell sent a letter to fans on the new policy, also thanking them for their support of the league. "Our communities are the heart of our teams and we put everything into making a positive impact on them. While we are stewards of the game of football, we know that virtue isn't earned on the field alone. Character and values sits above everything else because we represent something that means so much to so many people," he wrote.

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DEVILS over HURRICANES 2 to 1

RANGERS over PENGUINS 4 to 3

BLUES over PANTHERS 4 to 2

DUCKS over JETS 4 to 3

RED WINGS over HURRICANES 3 to 1

SENATORS over CANUCKS 4 to 3

OILERS over SHARKS 2 to 1

STEELERS over BENGALS 42 to 21

RAMS over REDSKINS 24 to 0

GIANTS over TITANS 36 to 7

PANTHERS over SAINTS 41 to 10

VIKINGS over JETS 30 to 24

RAVENS over DOLPHINS 28 to 13

COLTS over BROWNS 25 to 24

LIONS over BUCCANEERS 34 to 17

TEXANS over JAGUARS 27 to 13

BRONCOS over BILLS 24 to 17

CARDINALS over CHIEFS 17 to 14

SEAHAWKS over EAGLES 24 to 14

RAIDERS over 49ERS 24 to 13

PATRIOTS over CHARGERS 23 to 14

PACKERS over FALCONS 43 to 37

HAWKS over PACERS 108 to 92

WIZARDS over CELTICS 133 to 132

CAVALIERS over NETS 110 to 88

RAPTORS over NUGGETS 112 to 107

WARRIORS over TIMBERWOLVES 102 to 86

KINGS over JAZZ 101 to 92

CLIPPERS over SUNS 121 to 120