SADASD2132's blog

The story reported in collaboration with nearly four dozen AP sports writers around the United States to examine how universities with top basketball programs were responding to a federal corruption investigation of the sport.

Other contest winners from the AP:

Tim Dahlberg won the Grimsley Award for body of work covering some of the biggest events of the year Colts Game Jerseys , including the Super Bowl , World Series Titans Elite Jerseys , the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight, the British Open and a look back at the 50th anniversary of the Ice Bowl – the 1967 NFL Championship game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys.

Paul Newberry won in the deadline writing category for his story on the Atlanta Falcons blowing a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots in the 2017 Super Bowl.

Aaron Beard won the enterprise writing category for his college corruption story on sports agents and the difficulty in prosecuting them despite alleged underhanded ways in which they target teenage athletes.

Steve Whyno won the final writing category as his feature story describing how financial advisors Terrell Edmunds Jersey Steelers , Zamboni drivers and others get the call to be a backup NHL goalkeeper.

Photographer Charles Krupa won for best portfolio for his collection of work including a series of photos featuring NASCAR at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

”Krupa’s portfolio was by far the best,” the judges said. ”He did some spectacular action photography. All of his images stood out.”

Other photography awards went to:

David Goldman won the award for feature photo for his image with people gathered outside to watch hockey on a big screen.

Bernat Armangue won the final award for action photo for his image of a man trying to move to avoid getting gored by a bull.

—

. Authentic Womens Joel Iyiegbuniwe Jersey , Authentic Womens Rashaan Evans Jersey , Adidas Tuukka Rask Jersey , Womens Kolton Miller Jersey ,

The former Washington Redskins quarterback has reached agreement on a 1-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens Customized Dallas Cowboys Jerseys , who love the idea of having the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner backing up 10-year starter Joe Flacco.

”Obviously, his personality, he’s a confident guy. He’s a very talented quarterback,” coach John Harbaugh said of Griffin on Wednesday. ”He’s had a lot of success in this league early on. We’re excited about it. We felt like we needed a No. 2 quarterback.”

Griffin’s last previous stop in an injury-riddled career came in 2016 with the Cleveland Browns. He started five games Youth Nyheim Hines Jersey , winning only one of them.

General manager Ozzie Newsome said Griffin, 28, didn’t have far to travel before showing the Ravens he can still fling the ball.

”He still lives in the D.C./Virginia area,” Newsome said. ”We were bringing in some receivers and we asked him if he would come in and throw and go through a full workout for us. He took a physical. He did all of that. After that Youth John Franklin-Myers Jersey , he went to visit another team. We just were able to come to an agreement.”

The terms were finalized late Tuesday night, and Newsome expects RG3 to sign the contract next week.

”I feel like we got a steal,” Harbaugh said. ”I felt like (Griffin) really wanted to be here. He really wanted to be a Raven.”

Griffin won the Heisman Trophy with Baylor before being selected second overall in the 2012 draft by the Redskins. He enjoyed a sensational rookie season, throwing 20 touchdown passes and only five interceptions Hayden Hurst Jersey Ravens , but his career took a decisive downturn after he tore knee ligaments in a playoff loss to Seattle.

RG3 returned in 2013 but was benched after throwing 16 TD passes and 13 interceptions. The following season, a dislocated ankle limited his effectiveness.

Griffin missed the 2015 season after sustaining a concussion during the preseason. After being released by Washington, he signed with the Browns in 2016.

He started the opener, sustained a shoulder injury and was put in injured reserve the following Monday. Griffin returned to play the final four games and was the starting quarterback the last time the Browns won Bears Game Jerseys , against San Diego on Dec. 24, 2016.

—

. Zack Cozart Jersey Womens , Womens Troy Niklas Jersey , Adidas Jake Guentzel Jersey , Authentic Womens Royce Freeman Jersey ,

”I think that when you look at just where I believe Zhaire can be Adrian Clayborn Jersey Patriots , there are some common denominators that Kawhi had when we first brought him to San Antonio,” Brown said.

High praise for the Texas Tech guard.

But why settle for a rookie who may never develop into a franchise player when the Sixers can try and aquire the real deal?

The 76ers are open for business this summer and an organization that has long preached patience is now in the market for marquee talent to team with blossoming stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

”We are star hunting or star developing,” Brown said Friday. ”You’re not going to win a championship any other way.”

Brown hit on the ”star hunter” phrase at Thursday’s draft and again when he introduced Smith, acquired from Phoenix in a swap of first-rounders, and Wichita State guard Landry Shamet at the team’s New Jersey headquarters.

Brown had called Smith the team’s 1-B choice in the draft after they traded their 1-A pick, Villanova forward Mikal Bridges, to the Suns in a trade that also saw the Sixers net an unprotected first-rounder in 2021.

Sure Youth Marshall Newhouse Jersey , the Sixers could keep that pick until `21 when draft rules are expected to change in time for high school graduates to again be eligible. But the real perk of the pick is the ability to dangle it as trade bait as the Sixers hunt in the rarefied air of NBA stars.

”It’s a tiny number of players,” Brown said. ”As we figure out who we deem to be stars, we understand that’s going to be a challenge. We also understand we don’t have to solve all this now.”

Meaning, the 2019 free-agent crop sure looks good, too.

Brown is calling the shots in the front office as the Sixers look for a new general manager in the wake of Bryan Colangelo’s resignation. Brown made the final decisions on draft night and – though he said he has no desire to balance dual roles – he’ll be the face of the franchise with plenty to offer in talent; success (52 wins; playoff series win); a first-class training facility; and at least $26 million in salary cap space.

The Sixers are also dealing with a wild card in Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft whose rookie season was slowed by shoulder and mental issues that resulted in a broken shot and no playing time in Philadelphia’s last seven playoff games.

Fultz has been working with noted skills coach Drew Hanlen on rebuilding his mechanics. Fultz will likely skip summer league as he works on his jumper and tries to join Embiid and Simmons to form a trio of homegrown talent capable of making the Sixers contenders in the East. There’s always a chance Fultz could be packaged with a pick to try and pry Leonard from the Spurs.

Brown was an assistant with the Spurs and has a solid relationship with Leonard. Leonard, the 2014 NBA Finals MVP and two-time NBA defensive player of the year Youth Rick Leonard Jersey , has requested a trade from San Antonio after missing most of last season with a right quadriceps injury. Spurs GM R.C. Buford said there was a fractured relationship between Leonard and the only franchise he has played for.

Leonard is due just over $20 million next season, and can become a free agent in the summer of 2019. He is eligible to sign a $220 million extension with San Antonio.

If the Sixers strike this summer, they’d have to be confident Leonard would be willing to re-sign with them instead of walking away with nothing to show for the gamble.

The Sixers have their own free agents to deal with, and they’d love to have 3-point ace JJ Redick return, perhaps on another one-year deal. Wayne Ellington and Tyreke Evans, both Philly-area natives, are unrestricted free agents that would fit in a happy homecoming. And Youth Taron Johnson Jersey , of course, Paul George and LeBron James are on just about every team’s wish list this summer.

The Cavs can offer James a five-year, $209 million deal this summer. It’s possible James could choose to sign a one-year deal again with a player option and go through the free-agency dance again next summer.

The Sixers will get to make a pitch after letting others do it for them.

At Barclays Center, the NBA draft site, a plane flying above the arena carried three banners. One had LeBron James’ No. 23 with a crown and the Liberty Bell; another urges him to ”Strive for GOATNESS”; and the last reads (hash)PHILLYWANTSLEBRON.

Power Home Remodeling, a Philadelphia-based company, has become a James recruiter Rams Game Jerseys , originally setting up three billboards in Cleveland urging him to come to the city. The company also flew Thursday’s billboards in Brooklyn.

”We’ll be aggressive and attractive in the free-agent marketplace,” Brown said.

But will it be enough?

—

. Kennys Vargas Jersey Womens , Authentic Womens Jihad Ward Jersey , Adidas Dylan Larkin Jersey , Cheap Larry Bird Jersey ,

Shiffrin became the first female skier to start a calendar year with five straight wins Jets Elite Jerseys , eclipsing the previous best mark by Swiss standout Vreni Schneider in 1989.

For the first time this season, Shiffrin was not leading after the opening part of a slalom. After a run in which the American struggled for rhythm throughout, she trailed first-run leader Bernadette Schild of Austria by 0.37 seconds.

But on a course set by her coach Mike Day, the defending overall champion was back to her best and posted the fastest second-run time to beat the Austrian by 0.94.

Frida Hansdotter of Sweden was 1.43 behind in third.

”My timing, my feeling, my rhythm was so much better than in the first run,” Shiffrin told The Associated Press. ”Actually, the biggest change was just my mindset. It was a nerves’ thing. If I am a little nervous or anxious Youth Denver Broncos Jerseys , my timing is off, then it can make everything look really terrible.”

Less than five weeks before the Olympic slalom in Pyeongchang, the American called her recovery in the final run ”a really big step for me.”

”This was the first time that I was coming from behind in the first run and I had to make a statement,” she said. ”That was really important for me, a really big checkmark on the way to the Olympics because when we are there, anything can happen, and I want to be mentally prepared for all those possibilities.”

Schild lost her first-run lead but still celebrated with both arms up after crossing the finish line.

The Austrian was on a World Cup podium five times before, most recently in Killington in November Cheap Arizona Cardinals T-Shirts , but has yet to win a race.

”I grew up in Saalfelden, nor far from here. So this is really a home race for me. It was amazing for me,” Schild said. ”I didn’t feel pressure, the audience gave me energy.”

The previous time she led a slalom after the opening run, in 2013 in Courchevel, she lost her advantage to her older sister Marlies Raich. Now retired, Raich holds the record for most slalom wins (35) on the women’s circuit. Shiffrin’s win on Tuesday was the American’s 30th in the discipline.

The Austrian women’s team has been waiting for a slalom win since Nicole Hosp triumphed in Aspen in 2014.

Shiffrin celebrated her 41st career win, matching the record for most World Cup wins by a 22-year-old skier Titans Authentic Jerseys , set by Annemarie Moser-Proell in the 1970s.

”She is such an amazing name, legend in ski racing,” Shiffrin said about the Austrian great. ”A lot of people say you can’t really compare (the eras) and I agree with them. It’s incredible, nevertheless. I wasn’t thinking about the 41st victory, I was just thinking, you know, ski this one like this is going to be that last one you’ll ever ski.”

It also was the 200th win for the U.S. ski team in the 50-year history of the women’s World Cup. Only Austria (372) and Switzerland (301) have won more races. Shiffrin and four-time overall champion Lindsey Vonn together have added 119 wins to the American total.

Shiffrin went further ahead in both the overall and the slalom standings as her main rivals, Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova and Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener Jason Sanders Jersey Dolphins , failed to finish their first runs.

After 19 of the season’s 38 races, Shiffrin has amassed 1,381 World Cup points. Four years ago, that amount would have been enough for the overall title as Anna Veith won it with a total of 1,371.

After seven races in 13 days, Shiffrin will skip the next World Cup – speed events in Bad Kleinkirchheim this weekend – to rest and have more time for training.

CLEVELAND Cheap Mike Hughes Jersey , Ohio — Of all the games in this four-years-running Finals saga between the Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, Game 3s have been Cleveland’s best.

As in, it’s the only game the Cavaliers have won more than once.

The Warriors are in Cleveland for Game 3 Wednesday with a 2-0 lead in this series. It was the same a year ago at this time and the Cavaliers were on the verge of winning another Game 3 but blew a six-point lead over the final 3:09 and lost, 118-113.

The year before, trailing 0-2, the Cavaliers hammered the Warriors by 30 in Game 3 and eventually won the series for their first championship.

“All three games were really, really difficult,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “So we’re used to that. We’re used to the dynamic of being ahead in a series and then having everything shift when you go on the road. But especially when you play Cleveland — LeBron, this crowd and their environment Jets Game Jerseys , we know the kind of force they’re going to bring.

“And we have to be prepared for that. We know it. We’ll see if we can do it.”

James is averaging 40 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 10.5 assists so far in this series. He became the first player to ever score at least 50 points (51) in a Finals game and lose in Game 1, when the Cavaliers lost 124-114 in overtime.

Only 20 teams have ever recovered from an 0-2 deficit in the playoffs, but James was responsible for three of those comebacks. The latest was the last round against Boston, when the Celtics won the first two games at TD Garden but James and the Cavaliers took the series in seven.

“I know it feels like we’re down 2-0, and I don’t like the way I feel,” James said. “I don’t like the way — the mood that I’m in right now, knowing whatever. There’s no Youth Royce Freeman Jersey , like, OK, you’re down 2-0 and you feel better than when you’re down 2-0 before.

“I mean, when you’re down like this, in a deficit like this versus a team like this, there’s no good feeling,” James continued. “So I don’t feel good about it.”

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said Rodney Hood, who fell out of the rotation for good early in the conference finals, would get a chance in Game 3.

Hood is 25 and 6-foot-8 who can score off the dribble in catch-and-shoot situations and can switch on defense. But he’s been miserable in the playoffs New Orleans Saints Jerseys Womens , averaging just 4.4 points and shooting 15 percent from 3-point range.

Lue didn’t say which player would lose minutes to Hood, nor did he address any other potential adjustments or lineup changes.

“We believe,” Lue said. “We watched tape. We watched film and see the things that we can get better at, very minor things. The most important thing, I think, is physicality. Just being able to be on bodies, being physical, not let Steph (Curry) and Klay (Thompson) and K.D. (Kevin Durant) roam freely.”

Curry set NBA Finals records for 3s (nine) and attempts (17) and is averaging 31 points and 8.5 rebounds in the series. Durant is giving the Warriors 26 points and nine boards so far in the Finals. Andre Iguodala (knee) was upgraded to questionable for Game 3. He hasn’t played since Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.

Curry is looking for his third championship in four years — all against Cleveland.

“In the Finals, this is the only building I know what that experience is like Cheap New York Giants Hoodie ,” Curry said. “We know how the atmosphere is here. We know how Cleveland plays here, with a lot of energy and force.

“We understand how hard it is to win in this building. No matter what’s gone on in the series, when you change venues, you’ve got to reassert your dominance and try to find that right momentum to start.”

Walker wants to work hard Terrelle Pryor Sr. Jersey Jets , do whatever Gregg Popovich asks of him, win and learn about the world outside of basketball.

The 6-foot-4 shooting guard out of Miami found the perfect landing spot with San Antonio and its veteran coach. The Spurs took Walker with the 18th overall pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday night.

”I feel like it’s just God’s message to put me in the right place with the right team,” Walker. ”It’s just time to work, time to prove everyone wrong and I know I’m in the right place at the right time to become something special.”

Walker was projected as a possible lottery selection, which is why the Spurs never worked out the 19-year-old from Reading, Pennsylvania.

”We had him ranked significantly higher,” San Antonio general manager R.C. Buford said. ”So Youth Rick Leonard Jersey , to see the opportunity to have Lonnie available in the draft, that was exciting.”

San Antonio’s staff did interview Walker, discovering he was a good fit for a franchise that prides itself on defense and unselfishness. Walker was forced to play point guard when injuries hit Miami. He averaged 11.5 points in his lone season with the Hurricanes while shooting 35 percent on 3-pointers.

”If Coach Popovich needs me to dive on the floor strictly, then I’ll strictly dive on the floor. I’m going to do whatever it takes for us to get that win sooner rather than later, hopefully receive that championship,” he said.

The Spurs drafted Chimeze Metu, a 6-foot-11 center from USC Youth Los Angeles Rams Jerseys , with the 49th overall pick in the second round. The native of Nigeria averaged 15.7 points and 7.4 rebounds as a junior for the Trojans.

”We added length and athleticism with both of our picks,” Buford said.

With uncertainty surrounding the future of Kawhi Leonard, who reportedly requested a trade, the Spurs opted to draft the athletic Walker and Metu. Walker will have to battle a crowded backcourt that includes Dejounte Murray, Danny Green, Patty Mills, Bryn Forbes and Brandon Paul.

”I’m ready to get after it right now Cheap Green Bay Packers Hoodie ,” Walker said. ”If they wanted me to work out and practice right now, I’d do it. I’m ready to compete, and at the end of the of the day, I want to be the best. I’m addicted to being the best. I’m obsessed with being the next great. It’s time to be a dog, and it’s just that simple I’ve got something to prove.”

The Spurs are hoping Walker can team with Murray to form a young, athletic backcourt to help counter the tandems of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in Golden State and Chris Paul and James Harden in Houston.

The Spurs remain optimistic they can persuade Leonard to remain, but the superstar forward reportedly wants to leave the only franchise he has played for. Leonard played in only nine games last season while battling a right leg injury. His absence along with injuries to Tony Parker Youth Washington Redskins Jerseys , Rudy Gay, Pau Gasol, Kyle Anderson led to San Antonio’s worst season in two decades.

The Spurs finished seventh in the Western Conference at 47-35, snapping a streak of 18 consecutive seasons with 50 victories. San Antonio battled until the season’s final week to extend its streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 21 straight.

—

. Authentic Womens Vinny Curry Jersey , Authentic Womens Johnny Townsend Jersey , Authentic Womens Josh Sweat Jersey , Seattle Seahawks Elite Jerseys ,

Ovechkin was held without a point but it hardly mattered. T.J. Oshie, Dmitry Orlov and Tom Wilson scored for Washington while Grubauer kept the NHL’s best power play in check as the Capitals assured themselves home-ice advantage through the first two rounds of the postseason.

The Penguins have the top power play in the league but went 0 for 5 with the man advantage. Patric Hornqvist picked up his 27th of the season late in the third period to avoid a shutout. Matt Murray stopped 31 shots but couldn’t quite match Grubauer.

A night after earning a playoff berth for a franchise-record 12th straight year, Pittsburgh lost at home in regulation for just the second time since Jan. 4.

Ovechkin downplayed his milestone game beforehand, half-jokingly saying it didn’t matter much. The 32-year-old knows his career has been equally defined by his 603 goals and his team’s inability to make a deep playoff run.

The Capitals have won 10 of 12 to create some breathing space in the cramped and crowded Metropolitan

DEVILS 2, CANADIENS 1

MONTREAL (AP) – Taylor Hall scored a short-handed goal late in the third period to lift New Jersey.

Nico Hischier tied the score early in the third and Keith Kinkaid stopped 25 shots in his sixth consecutive start for the Devils. New Jersey increased its lead to seven points on Florida for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Devils, vying for their first trip to the postseason since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2012, have three games remaining – two fewer than the Panthers.

Daniel Carr scored for the Canadiens Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey Packers , who have already been eliminated from playoff contention. Carey Price finished with 30 saves while playing his 556th game with Montreal, pulling into a tie with Jacques Plante for most games by a goaltender in franchise history.

PREDATORS 4, LIGHTNING 1

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Filip Forsbeg had two goals and an assist to lead the Nashville pastTampa Bay.

Forsberg returned to the Predators‘ lineup after being held out of Saturday’s loss to Buffalo for maintenance. Craig Smith and Ryan Johansen also scored to help Nashville move closer to clinching the Presidents’ Trophy with the league’s best record. Juuse Saros finished with 29 saves.

Tampa Bay, which went 0 for 5 on the power play, played the final two periods without captain Steven Stamkos, who left the game with an undisclosed lower-body injury.

Ondrej Palat scored for the Lightning Bills Elite Jerseys , and Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 21 saves while lost his third consecutive game.

The Lightning fell to 5-6-0 in the past 11 games and sit two points behind Boston for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

FLYERS 4, BRUINS 3, OT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Claude Giroux scored his second goal with 1:21 left in overtime and Philadelphia Flyers recovered from blowing a late lead to inch closer to returning to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

Travis Konecny added a dazzling goal and an assist, Nolan Patrick also scored and Petr Mrazek made 36 saves for the Flyers. Philadelphia who opened an eight-point lead over idle Florida, the last team that can overtake it for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – the Flyers have three games left and the Panthers five.

Patrice Bergeron tied it with 3.8 seconds left in regulation for the Bruins. With the goaltender pulled, Bergeron got his 30th goal on feed from Brad Marchand after the Flyers twice failed to clear the puck.

Noel Acciari and David Pasrnak scored and Anton Khudobin stopped 20 shots for the Bruins, who lost Brandon Carlo and Riley Nash to injuries a day earlier.

DUCKS 4 Youth Miami Dolphins Jerseys , AVALANCHE 3, OT

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Ondrej Kase scored 1:34 into overtime to cap Anaheim’s comeback from a two-goal deficit.

Andrew Cogliano had a goal and an assist, and Adam Henrique and Ryan Kesler also scored for the Ducks, who moved into third place in the Pacific Division. Anaheim is one point ahead of Los Angeles with three games remaining for both teams.

Kase was looking to shoot all the way on a 2-on-1 break and won it by going to the short side over Jonathan Bernier’s right shoulder.

Ryan Miller made 19 saves after replacing John Gibson at the start of the second period, helping the Ducks to their fifth straight home win. Gibson, who made 10 saves before departing Cheap Cleveland Browns T-Shirts , appeared to be shaken up late in the first when Gabriel Landeskog was cross-checked by Kesler into the goalie, who was being evaluated for an undisclosed injury.

PHILADELPHIA — The top-seeded Eagles are in search of their first trip to the Super Bowl since the 2004 season when they host the second-seeded Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Eagles (14-3) posted a 15-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round last Saturday and will participate in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2008 season. They dropped a 32-25 decision to the Arizona Cardinals in that contest.

Philadelphia hasn’t hosted an NFC Championship Game since recording a 27-10 win over the Falcons following the 2004 season.

The Vikings (14-3) advanced following a thrilling 29-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Stefon Diggs hauled in a 61-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Case Keenum on the final play of the game Sunday.

Like the Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys Womens , Minnesota has yet to win a Super Bowl. The Vikings have dropped five consecutive NFC Championship games.

Philadelphia will enter Sunday’s game as an underdog, especially with quarterback Carson Wentz out with a torn ACL.

“It’s about those players in that dressing room, whether we’re three-point underdogs or three-point favorites. They really don’t listen to that stuff,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “Of course, they have been sort of force-fed for about two weeks now, three weeks now Cody Latimer Jersey Giants , the information, and they just stick together. They just stick together and find a way and it’s been that way all season.”

Backup quarterback Nick Foles did an admirable job against the Falcons, completing 23 of 30 passes for 246 yards and a 100.1 passer rating. In two career playoff games with the Eagles — the other coming in a 26-24 loss to the Saints in 2014 — Foles is 46 of 63 for 441 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 102.7 passer rating.

“I am very humbled to win this game and to be a part of this team,” Foles said. “That’s what it’s always been about. I know there was a lot of people against us this last week. Just answering questions Falcons Cheap Jerseys , and just hearing about it.

“… The biggest thing in our locker room is we believe in one another. Everyone believes, and that was shown on display. The city of Philadelphia obviously believes because they were here and loud. So we are grateful for that. Honestly, it’s unbelievable to win this game and we are not finished.”

The Vikings are in search of their first trip to the Super Bowl since the 1976 season — Super Bowl XI.

During the regular season, the Vikings’ defense ranked first in points allowed per game (15.8) and yards given up per game (275.9). Defensive end Everson Griffen was tied for fourth in the league with a career-best 13 sacks this season.

While the Vikings likely have seen video of Diggs’ amazing catch a million times, another game awaits in the NFC Championship.

“We should celebrate this and enjoy this,” tight end Kyle Rudolph told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “It’s hard to win playoff games. There’s a lot of guys in this locker room Sam Hubbard Jersey Bengals , including myself, this is our first playoff win. But it’s just the beginning. We’ve still got a lot of work to do.

“It’d be a shame to let something like that go to waste by us not showing up.”

The incredible final play will be etched in viewers’ minds forever.

“I don’t think it’s still really sunk in as far as like what something like that’s going to be,” guard Jeremiah Sirles told ESPN.com. “That’s the stuff that in 20 years, you turn on NFL Films and it’s going to be the 2018 NFL Classic. Something like that that you can’t take away from any player that’s in this room right now. We’ll always be a part of something that happened that was super special like that.”

A win over the Eagles would not only clinch a trip to the Super Bowl, but it would also be the Vikings’ first playoff victory against Philadelphia in four tries. The last time the teams met was in the 2008 wild-card round.

The Vikings are 0-4 all-time in the Super Bowl. In order to get a fifth shot, they’ll have to travel to a hostile environment and knock out the No. 1 seed.

“They’re a pretty resilient bunch Derrius Guice Jersey Redskins ,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told ESPN.com. “They’re pretty determined in what they’re always trying to get done. They’re always trying to get better. They’re a good group of guys that work really hard.”

NEW YORK — The New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays will experience what it’s like to look across the field and feel as if they’re staring into a mirror for the last time this season on Sunday afternoon when the teams play the rubber game of a three-game series at Citi Field.

The Mets’ Chris Flexen (0-1 Rashaan Gaulden Jersey Panthers , 10.80 ERA) is scheduled to face the Rays’ Nathan Eovaldi (2-3, 3.92) in a battle of right-handers.

The Rays posted a 3-0 win Saturday afternoon when ace left-hander Blake Snell tossed 7 1/3 strong innings and Wilson Ramos collected two RBIs.

The Mets and Rays have combined for just nine runs in the first two games, four of which were registered when New York’s Jose Bautista hit a walk-off grand slam to lift the Mets to a 5-1 win on Friday night. The teams had just eight hits in 77 plate appearances with runners on base on Friday and Saturday.

Such struggles have become routine for the Rays and Mets, who ranked 26th and 27th in the majors in runs scored after Saturday’s game — during which Tampa Bay moved past New York.

The offensive woes have threatened to negate the strong work of both pitching staffs. The Rays (44-44) have a 2.77 ERA since May 19 Cheap Jordan Whitehead Jersey , when they began infusing their rotation with the “opener” in select games.

“I think that with the way we’ve pitched, we find ourselves being in a lot of ballgames,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said before Saturday’s game. “But when the bats are quiet, it just becomes really Youth Robert Golden Jersey , really tough to find ways to win ballgames.”

Starting pitchers for the Mets (35-50), meanwhile, have a 2.25 ERA in the last six games and a 3.94 ERA this year. New York’s three most utilized starters — Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz — are 11-16 despite a 3.06 ERA in 51 games.

“If we win just five games of deGrom’s and Matz’s and Wheeler’s — and that’s being conservative — we’re right where we want to be Michael Gallup Jersey Cowboys ,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said after Saturday’s game. “And it just hasn’t happened.”

Flexen will make his first start of the season and his first appearance since June 24, when he took the loss after giving up one run in one inning as the Mets fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 in 11 innings. He hasn’t started in the majors since last Oct 1, when Flexen allowed six runs (five earned) in 1 1/3 innings as New York fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 11-0 in the season finale.

Eovaldi didn’t factor into the decision in his most recent start Monday, when he gave up two runs in six innings as the Rays fell to the Miami Marlins 3-2 in 10 innings. He has allowed two runs or fewer three times in seven starts this season but has surrendered at least four runs three other times.

Flexen has never faced the Rays. Eovaldi is 1-4 with a 5.01 ERA in nine career starts against the Mets.

Team president Art Rooney II is optimistic the team can sign Bell to a long-term extension going into the 2018 season Saints Elite Jerseys , but didn’t rule out using the franchise tag for a second straight year as a precaution if the two sides can’t come to an agreement before free agency begins next month.

While allowing that contract negotiations can be hard to predict, Rooney stressed Wednesday that ”the good news is both sides want to get something done and hopefully that will lead us to getting it done.”

Bell played under the franchise tag this season after rejecting a new contract last summer. He responded by leading the NFL in touches (406) while finishing with 1,946 total yards and 11 touchdowns to earn his second All-Pro spot in four years as the Steelers finished 13-3 and won their second straight AFC North title before being upset in the divisional round by Jacksonville.

Bell told ESPN in the run-up to the playoff loss he would consider sitting out 2018 or retiring if Pittsburgh used the franchise tag again, but softened his stance prior to the Pro Bowl, saying he believes he’s close to signing a new deal Justin Bethel Jersey Falcons , one that would likely make him the highest-paid back in the league.

While Bell figures to be back next fall, defensive backs coach Carnell Lake will not. Lake stepped down on Wednesday after seven seasons, citing a desire to return to California to watch his youngest son finish up his high school football career.

Pittsburgh’s secondary underwent a massive overhaul during Lake’s tenure, as Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor and Ryan Clark gave way to Mike Mitchell Cheap Logan Woodside Jersey , Artie Burns and Sean Davis.

Rooney praised Lake’s contributions while adding that overall he believes the team still has work to do despite finishing with a franchise-record and NFL-high 56 sacks.

”I think at times we weren’t as solid against the run as we’d like to be and as we’ve been historically as a Steeler defense,” Rooney said.

”We’ve typically been able to stop the run, so we’ve had occasions where maybe we weren’t as consistent in that area as I think we’d like to be.”

Namely against the Jaguars. The Steelers allowed 231 yards rushing in a regular-season loss to Jacksonville and 164 more in a 45-42 playoff stunner.

Rooney, however, downplayed the idea the Steelers were looking ahead to a rematch with New England and defended coach Mike Tomlin’s approach.

”Anybody that wants to look at Mike’s track record since he’s been our coach Hayden Hurst Jersey Ravens , I think the record speaks for itself,” Rooney said.

Rooney praised the leadership among the coaching staff and in the locker room in general following a bumpy autumn sprinkled with off-the-field issues from a ”botched” attempt to sidestep the debate around the national anthem in Chicago to linebacker Ryan Shazier’s life-altering spinal injury to the decision to cut longtime linebacker James Harrison, who promptly signed with New England and reached the Super Bowl.

Rooney said there was blame to go around on both sides for the way Harrison’s tenure with Pittsburgh ended, adding he would have preferred Harrison’s year end with getting five sacks in a Super Bowl with the Steelers.

Shazier will have a role with Pittsburgh next season whether his playing career continues or not. The 25-year-old spent nearly two months in the hospital after injuring his spine against Cincinnati in December and is undergoing outpatient rehabilitation.

Shazier posted a picture of himself standing with a little help shortly before his discharge and he made several appearances at practices and games after getting hurt.

”I expect Ryan is going to be here one way or the other and have a role with the team one way or the other in 2018 for sure,” Rooney said.

—

. Authentic Womens Shaquem Griffin Jersey , Los Angeles Rams Customized Jerseys , Womens Saquon Barkley Jersey , Authentic Womens Will Dissly Jersey ,