NW Sports from the AP

AP-NW–1st SportsMinute,249
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from
The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) – David Akers kicked four field goals, including a
39-yarder with 2:57 left to give San Francisco the lead, and the
49ers held on for a 19-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on
Saturday. Larry Grant sealed the win by forcing Tarvaris Jackson’s
fumble that was recovered by Donte Whitner with 1:07 left. Akers
set an NFL record with his 42nd field goal of the season. Frank
Gore had a 4-yard touchdown run on the 49ers’ first drive of the
second half.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – Aaron Rodgers had the first
five-touchdown game of his career, and the Green Bay Packers
clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs with a 35-21 victory
over the rival Chicago Bears on Sunday night. Rodgers threw a pair
of touchdowns to Jordy Nelson, another two to James Jones, and
found Jermichael Finley for a score for the Packers, who secured
home-field advantage in the NFC. The Packers could have done so on
Saturday if San Francisco had lost to Seattle. But the 49ers went
to 12-3 with a 19-17 win over the Seahawks.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – The Grizzlies have signed Dante Cunningham
after the Charlotte Bobcats declined to match Memphis’ offer to the
restricted free agent. The 24-year-old forward played in 22 games
for the Bobcats last season after a mid-season trade from the
Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 9 points and four rebounds on
50.8 percent shooting. Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace made
the announcement Saturday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-12-26-11 0531EST