The Week in Sports Pictures: Jan. 9 - Jan. 15
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Dirt devil
Spain's Nani Roma and co-pilot Michel Perin of France drive their Mini Monster during the 10th stage of the South American edition of the Dakar Rally from Iquique to Arica in Chile on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
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Ganging up
Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith, right, loses his helmet as he and teammate Brooks Reed tackle Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff game in Baltimore on Sunday, Jan. 15. The Ravens won the contest, 20-13.
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Hang on!
Epke Zonderland of the Netherlands performs on the horizontal bar during the International Gymnastics competition in London on Tuesday, Jan. 10. The competition is the second and final chance for gymnasts to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
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Sun beams
Skiers perform during the men's ski cross World Cup event of the Alpe d'Huez, France, on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
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Bicycle blur
Belgium's Moreno De Pauw, center, rides in the middle of the pack during the Men's Scratch Race on the first day of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Beijing, China on Friday, Jan. 13.
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Parting shot
Gael Monfils of France throws his racket at a ball as he returns a shot to Jurgen Melzer of Austria during their third place match at the Kooyong Classic tournament in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday, Jan. 14.
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Roll Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide take the field before the BCS National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 9 in New Orleans. Alabama defeated LSU in the contest, 21-0.
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Out the door
A skier performs during the jumping portion of the Nordic Combined Ski World Cup in Chaux-Neuve, France on Friday, Jan. 13.
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Rough Brees
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hits the ground in front of San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois (95) during the second quarter of an NFL divisional playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 14 in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 36-32.
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Pumped up
Gabriel Gonzaga of Brazil reacts after defeating compatriot Ednaldo Oliveira during their heavyweight mixed martial arts bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship 142 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday, Jan. 15.
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Snow art
A skier makes his way downhill through fresh powder in Kuehtai, Austria, on Sunday, Jan. 15.
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Mad scramble
Kansas State center Jordan Henriquez, back, and Baylor's Perry Jones III, center, and guard A.J. Walton (22) compete for a rebound during the first half of a college basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 10 in Manhattan, Kansas.
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Heads up
Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak, left, tries to reach the ball, but is blocked by the shin of Cardiff City's Aron Gunnarsson during their English League Cup semifinal soccer match in London on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
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Crazy Karts
Ferrari F1 driver Fernando Alonso sits on a kart during a kart race on ice in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy on Friday, Jan. 13. The Ducati and Ferrari teams are jointly meeting the media in this mountain resort of the Dolomites.
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Keeping it together
Masaki Ito of Japan performs during the Gymnastics Trampoline Olympic Qualification round at North Greenwich Arena on Friday, Jan. 13 in London.
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Time for a game
Afghan boys play soccer in the sunset in Mazar-i-Sharif on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Soccer is one of the most popular games in Afghanistan and is played on dusty dry ground more often than grass.
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