The Yankees are headed back to the World Series thanks to a perfect mix of free agents and home-grown talent, Ken Rosenthal says.

  Even the Steelers admit to Alex Marvez that this year's defense can't match their Super Bowl team. But they're still good enough.

  That rout of Hawaii? Sorry, Boise State, but it doesn't carry much weight in the updated BCS rankings, Pete Fiutak says.

  In storming back from 21 down, the Saints have fans thinking of a certain game in February. That's one thing we learned on Sunday.

  

  CC Sabathia received a contract from the New York Yankees that matched his mountainous presence on the mound for one big reason: to lead them back to a World Series title.And, boy, has he delivered so far.Sabathia was picked MVP of the American League championship series after two dominant performances in the Yankees' six-game victory over the Los Angeles Angels."From Day 1 of spring training you could tell this was going to be a memorable year for us," Sabathia said.

  

  

  Baseball analyst Steve Phillips has been fired by ESPN after admitting to an affair with an assistant at the cable network.ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Sunday night the network determined Phillips' ability to be an effective analyst was "significantly and irreparably damaged."Phillips took a leave of absence Wednesday after acknowledging the affair with 22-year-old production assistant Brooke Hundley.According to a police report filed in Wilton, Conn.