Carolina favored by 4 vs. DenverLAS VEGAS — The Carolina Panthers will go to San Francisco favored by more than a field goal to win the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.Oddsmakers didn’t even wait until the Panthers finished off the Arizona Cardinals to install them as favorites for the game against the Denver Broncos on Feb. 7. At most books in this gambling city, the Panthers were a 4-point pick, though the early line varied, with the over/under settling in at 45.

North Carolina returning to No. 1?BLACKSBURG, Va. — Brice Johnson and North Carolina are hardly worried about moving back into the top spot in The Associated Press poll. They’re focused on playing better.Johnson scored 19 points and grabbed 17 rebounds Sunday, leading the No. 2 Tar Heels over Virginia Tech 75-70 for its 12th straight victory.With No. 1 Oklahoma losing to 19th-ranked Iowa State this week, North Carolina (18-2, 7-0 ACC) could find itself back atop the poll today.

Dufner wins playoff for PGA victoryLA QUINTA, Calif. — Jason Dufner won the CareerBuilder Challenge with a par on the second hole of a playoff Sunday, taking advantage of David Lingmerth’s shot off the rocks that bounced into the water.Dufner finished with a 2-under 70 on PGA West’s TPC Stadium Course to match Lingmerth at 25-under 263. Lingmerth shot a 65, matching the best score of the day on the difficult course that was used in the tournament for the first time since being dropped after its 1987 debut.

Vonn sets record with 11th triumphCORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Another day in Cortina, another record for Lindsey Vonn.The American won a World Cup super-G Sunday for her 11th career victory in Cortina, breaking the resort record of retired Austrian standout Renate Goetschl.Vonn beat Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein by 0.69 seconds.