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LAS VEGAS (AP) Nate Schmidt spent the previous four seasons playing for the Washington Capitals Wholesale Ronnie Harrison Jersey , and he personally experienced the heartbreak of their recent playoff disappointments. The defenseman understands why many people thought this talented, experienced team might never win a championship.

Schmidt and his many good friends with the Caps are finally in the Stanley Cup Final this week. Only they’re on opposite benches after the Vegas Golden Knights grabbed Schmidt in the expansion draft and wouldn’t give him back.

Schmidt was Washington’s sixth defenseman last season, but he now leads the Golden Knights in ice time. The improbable matchup in Monday night’s series opener puts a bewildered grin on Schmidt’s face.

”Yeah, I don’t think you could have written this up any better for me,” he said Sunday.

Both of his franchises are in the midst of banner years, and Schmidt won’t argue with the idea that he deserves a small part of the credit.

Or maybe the blame.

”I really enjoyed my time in Washington,” Schmidt said. ”I thought that team was special, and we still had a good chance to go and do something, and here they are Michael Gallup Super Bowl LI Jersey , proving it.”

Schmidt stops himself as another grin invades his serious interview session.

”I must have been the reason why!” he said. ”I must have been the problem.”

Not likely. Schmidt’s irrepressible personality and two-way acumen have made him one of the Golden Knights’ most valuable players during their improbable inaugural season.

He surpassed his previous career highs with five goals and 31 assists while doing steady work on the back end. Given extensive responsibilities in Vegas after playing a smaller role in Washington, Schmidt has taken a major step forward.

”The perception of your game could be remodeled and redone, and I think that’s the coolest part of what we’ve been able to do here in Vegas,” Schmidt said. ”You have guys that have been able to revamp their image or revamp their style, and for other guys to grow into the players that people may not have thought they could be.”

Schmidt might have had this success in Washington if he had stuck around. He had begun to assert himself in a pairing with John Carlson, the Caps’ No. 1 defenseman.

”We were playing together last season, and that’s probably how it would have started out again this season,” said Carlson, who led all NHL blueliners this season with 68 points. ”So there’s a little disappointment from that Roquan Smith Jersey Elite , but obviously he’s done really well for himself. That’s no surprise. I wish him all the best, but not for these next two weeks.”

Schmidt has been particularly effective in the playoffs. Partnered with former Kings defenseman Brayden McNabb in the Knights’ top pairing, Schmidt has provided energy, timely scoring and strong back-end play while Vegas roared past Los Angeles, San Jose and Winnipeg with just three losses.

Schmidt knows more about the Caps than his teammates, so he realizes the enormity of their task. He’ll lead the Golden Knights’ efforts to minimize Alex Ovechkin’s time and space with the puck.

”He’s a beast,” Schmidt said. ”I played against him in practice for a long time, so hopefully I know a few tendencies of his. But in reality, he’s a player that can shoot the puck from anywhere.”

Schmidt’s unusual perspective on this series is matched only by Vegas general manager George McPhee. Before the Caps fired him in 2014 Nyheim Hines Super Bowl LI Jersey , McPhee acquired many of the players on Washington’s roster – including Schmidt, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota, in 2013.

McPhee acquired him again last summer for Vegas, but Washington general manager Brian MacLellan tried hard to keep him with a post-draft trade. If anybody could have made a deal, it’s these two men, who have known each other for 44 years since their bantam playing days in Guelph, Ontario, followed by college careers at Bowling Green and several years together in Washington’s front office.

Not even a childhood friendship could keep Schmidt away from his new destiny in Vegas.

”We made our selection, and then he called and asked if there’s any way we could do a deal for him to get Schmidt back Wholesale Jonathan Allen Jersey ,” McPhee recalled. ”And I said, `I don’t see anything, but we’ll try to come up with something to give you a chance to say no.’ We made a proposal that I didn’t think would work, and it didn’t work. Our guys liked Schmidt.”

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ORCHARD PARK Authentic Tanner Lee Jersey , N.Y. (AP) Running back LeSean McCoy isn’t sure if the bad blood between the Bills and Patriots – and increased by tight end Rob Gronkowski’s hit on Buffalo cornerback Tre’Davious White – will carry over in three weeks when the AFC East rivals meet again in New England.

What the Bills running back is certain of is how much Buffalo needs to correct on offense if it plans to remain in the playoff hunt by then.

”Yeah, it was a nasty and dirty play. I’ve never seen him do that before,” McCoy said of how Gronkowski led with his shoulder in pile-driving a defenseless White in the back of the head in the fourth quarter of New England’s 23-3 win Sunday.

White sustained a potential concussion in being hit after he intercepted Tom Brady’s pass with 4:50 remaining.

Gronkowski was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

”He’s a hell of a player, and a good person. Surprising,” McCoy said. ”But there are more important things to talk about.”

One concern is an offense, which was limited to scoring a field goal, and came away with no points on two drives inside the Patriots 10. Another is Buffalo facing the possibility of being without starter Tyrod Taylor , who was sidelined by a left knee injury.

If Taylor’s injury proves serious Wholesale Adrian Clayborn Jersey , Buffalo (6-6) would be forced to continue its late-season playoff push with rookie Nathan Peterman, who two weeks ago threw five interceptions in the first half of a 54-24 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers.

”We’ll see,” McCoy said. ”If Tyrod can’t go, we’ll support Nate and try to make it easier for him.”

Taylor was hurt on the first play from scrimmage and continued playing through the first minute of the fourth quarter. He would only nod his head, ”yes,” when asked by The Associated Press if he was OK following the game.

The Patriots (10-2) won their eighth straight game and inched closer to clinching their ninth consecutive AFC East title.

After settling for field goals in building a 9-3 first-half lead, Rex Burkhead scored two touchdowns rushing on New England’s first two possessions of the third quarter.

New England won its 14th consecutive road game – the NFL’s second-best streak behind San Francisco’s 18-0 run spanning the 1988-90 seasons. The Patriots also improved to 30-5 over Buffalo since Bill Belichick took over in 2000.

Quarterback Tom Brady improved to 27-3 over the Bills to break Brett Favre’s NFL record for most wins by a quarterback against one opponent. Favre beat Detroit 26 times.

Brady’s frustrations spilled over in the first quarter after a 14-play drive ended with a 50-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski. TV cameras caught Brady and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in a heated discussion on the sideline.

”It’s just football,” Brady said. ”We’ve been around each other a lot. I love Josh.”

TOM TERRIFIC

Brady finished 21 of 30 for 256 yards and an interception Wholesale Courtland Sutton Jersey , and became the fourth player to top 65,000 career yards. Improving his total to 65,214, he joins Peyton Manning (71,940), Favre (71,838) and Drew Brees (69,409).

Brady also won his 55th career game in December Adrian Clayborn Jersey Elite , most by a quarterback in any calendar month.

TOM NOT-SO TERRIFIC

Brady, whose 66 touchdowns against the Bills are his most against any opponent, failed to throw one for just the fourth game against Buffalo. The previous time that happened was in a 17-9 loss in the 2014 season finale, when Brady played just one half. He was also shutout in a 31-0 loss in the 2003 season opener, as well as his first win against the Bills – 12-9 on Dec. 16, 2001.

FAMILIAR FADE

Buffalo has lost four of five since getting off to a 5-2 start. The Bills have failed to have a winning record through 12 games in all but two seasons (7-5 in both 2000 and 2014) during their 17-year playoff drought – the longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports.

WILDCAT

Third-string quarterback Joe Webb had three carries for 27 yards as the Bills introduced a wildcat wrinkle to their offense. Webb also had one incompletion, overthrowing a wide-open Travaris Cadet over the middle.

COLD WELCOME

Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore wasn’t received warmly upon his return to Buffalo. Gilmore, selected 10th by the Bills in the 2012 draft Wholesale Mike White Jersey , signed a five-year, $65 million contract with New England in March.

Credited with three tackles and two passes defensed, Gilmore was booed each time a pass was thrown in his direction.

”Yeah, I’m not surprised,” Gilmore said. ”They are fans and they feel some type of way that I am on the Patriots, so it’s all good.”

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SEATTLE (AP) No matter how much Deshaun Watson impersonated Russell Wilson on Sunday Clive Walford Jersey Elite , the original ended up coming out on top.

Wilson hit Jimmy Graham for an 18-yard touchdown with 21 seconds left, his second TD catch of the fourth quarter, and the Seattle Seahawks rallied for a wild 41-38 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Down 38-34 with 1:39 left and out of timeouts, Wilson took Seattle 80 yards in barely a minute. He hit Paul Richardson for 48 yards on a jump ball to start the drive, found Tyler Lockett for 19 yards, and drilled a strike to Graham for the winner.

Wilson finished 26 of 41 for a career-high 452 yards and four TDs. He hit Richardson for two TDs and found Graham on a 1-yard TD pass with 5:41 left.

It was an unexpected shootout that again highlighted Wilson’s greatness in the fourth quarter and Watson’s potential as the league’s next star QB.

”This to me might be (Wilson’s) finest work today,” Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin said.

Watson was nearly the equal of Wilson Mike Gesicki Jersey Elite , throwing for 402 yards and four touchdowns. But he couldn’t come up with a final answer and was intercepted by Richard Sherman with 7 seconds left on a desperation throw. Sherman had two interceptions, his first since Week 10 of last season, and Earl Thomas returned a pick 78 yards for a TD in the first quarter.

But they were the only mistakes by Watson in an otherwise stunning performance against one of the best defenses in the NFL – and an even better final rally by Wilson.

”Go ahead and give him rookie of the year. I love watching him,” Wilson said.

Watson threw touchdown passes of 59 and 20 yards to Will Fuller, 2 yards to Lamar Miller, and a wide receiver screen that DeAndre Hopkins took 72 yards for a score with 5:01 left to give Houston a 38-34 lead.

It was Watson’s TD pass to Miller that reminded everyone of Wilson. He spun away from a sack and flipped a pass to Miller as he was being brought to the ground.

”We definitely know how other teams feel now,” Sherman said.

Watson is the first rookie to throw at least three touchdown passes in four consecutive games. His 16 touchdown passes in his past four games are the most by a rookie in any four-game span.

And if he needed more accolades Natrell Jamerson Super Bowl LI Jersey , Watson became the first player in the Super Bowl era with 400 yards passing, four TD passes and 50 yards rushing in a game.

This season, Watson has 19 passing touchdowns, the most by a rookie in his first seven games of a season. Watson mimicked Wilson in nearly every manner, leaving the Seahawks mostly impressed and a little stunned by the performance.

”He played a better game than a lot of people come in here and play at that position,” Seattle defensive end Frank Clark said. ”And that’s just a credit to him, a credit to their team.”

Wilson and the Seahawks had two chances late to rally. Wilson drove the Seahawks to the Houston 20 with 2:55 left Authentic Sylvester Williams Jersey , but Marcus Williams intercepted at the Houston 6, undercutting a pass intended for Richardson. Seattle forced Houston to punt and this time Wilson didn’t make a mistake.

Wilson was the entirety of Seattle’s offense. He accounted for 482 yards running and passing. The two QBs combined for eight TD passes and 854 yards passing.

Hopkins finished with eight receptions for 224 yards, while Fuller had five catches for 125 yards.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

The day started with the majority of Houston’s roster kneeling during the national anthem in protest of owner Bob McNair’s ”inmates running the prison” comment that emerged this past week. Only 10 of Houston’s active players stood for the anthem.

Houston offensive lineman Duane Brown, who ended his holdout and reported to the team this week, said he believed there was universal support among the players that stood and those that knelt.

”Some people didn’t feel quite comfortable (kneeling) and some people did, but we all supported each other. That was what was important,” Brown said.

RUNNING NOWHERE

Seattle’s run game was again nonexistent. The Seahawks finished with 33 yards rushing on 21 carries. Wilson led the way with 30 yards Calvin Ridley Super Bowl LI Jersey , but Seattle’s running backs didn’t have a run go for more than 4 yards.

FULL(ER) HOUSE

Fuller continues to dazzle since he returned from a collarbone injury that kept him sidelined the first three games of the season. Since 1991, no player has reached seven TD receptions in fewer total receptions than Fuller. Fuller now has seven TDs on 13 receptions this season.

”I just got to keep clicking with Deshaun and hopefully we get better from here,” Fuller said.

INJURIES

Texans: Houston was already thin on the defensive line with both Joel Heath and Kendall Langford inactive. The Texans lost Christian Covington to an elbow injury suffered early in the second half.

Seahawks: Thomas said he pulled his hamstring on Hopkins’ long TD in the fourth quarter. He was unsure of his status going forward.

UP NEXT

Texans: Houston returns home to host Indianapolis next Sunday.

Seahawks: Seattle stays at home and will host Washington next Sunday.

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KRANJSKA GORA Wholesale Jihad Ward Jersey , Slovenia (AP) Shortly after winning her 40th career World Cup race on Sunday, overall champion Mikaela Shiffrin drew praise from one of her main rivals for ”taking the sport to another level.”

Beaten by 1.64 seconds in a slalom on the Podkoren course, Frida Hansdotter had mixed feelings about the American’s dominance.

”It’s frustrating, but it is also good for the sport,” said the Swede, the only skier other than Shiffrin to win the season-long World Cup slalom title in the past five years.

Shiffrin has won 20 of the last 25 slaloms she competed in, and finished on the podium in four of the other five races. Her 29 slalom wins in total leaves her six short of the record set by Austria’s Marlies Schild.

”She is super fast Nate Solder Jersey Elite ,” Hansdotter said. ”All of us want to ski faster than her but she is on another level. We need to train harder and ski faster.”

The Olympic slalom champion certainly was fast while taking a 1.47-second lead in Sunday’s opening leg, which Shiffrin called ”maybe the best run of slalom I have ever done in a race.”

It was the fourth straight slalom race where Shiffrin held a first-run lead of more than a second, a huge margin in a sport often decided by hundredths of a second.

”I let it go down the hill and I am really, really happy with my skiing that run,” said Shiffrin, who also triumphed in Saturday’s giant slalom on the same course. ”I am always looking to do the skiing that I do in training. That feels really good, it’s confident Taron Johnson Super Bowl LI Jersey , it’s flowing. The surface is incredible and froze overnight so it’s just so much fun to ski.”

Shiffrin posted the third-fastest time in the final leg and beat Hansdotter once again, while Wendy Holdener was 1.87 behind in third for the Swiss skier’s 13nd career slalom podium without winning – a World Cup record.

”Sometimes it’s frustrating but it is still a good fight,” Holdener said.

Petra Vlhova of Slovakia, the only skier to beat Shiffrin in a slalom this season, was 2.18 behind in fourth.

The result put the American level with Sweden great Ingemar Stenmark for the number of World Cup victories before turning 23.

Only Annemarie Moser-Proell won more races (41) at that age, and Shiffrin can match the Austrian great’s record at a night slalom in Flachau on Tuesday.

”I have so much fun skiing today,” said Shiffrin Authentic Courtland Sutton Jersey , who has won seven of the last eight races, including all four in 2018. ”I feel so like in a good place, it doesn’t feel like I am dreaming, it doesn’t feel like it’s something crazy that’s happening. It just feels like I am skiing really well and I am starting to feel that in the races more and more.”

Her two wins this weekend easily earned Shiffrin the Golden Fox Trophy, which adds the slalom results to those of Saturday’s GS.

It was another confirmation that Shiffrin, initially excelling in slalom, has become a consistent winner in both technical disciplines.

”That’s huge Authentic Kalen Ballage Jersey , that has been one of my goals since forever,” Shiffrin said. ”So it’s so cool now that I can be a contender for the win in both slalom and GS.”

Shiffrin’s triumphant run has seen her lead in the overall standings increase to 721 points over second-place Holdener, while she leads Vlhova in the slalom standings by 235 points.

Not that she will take anything for granted because, as Shiffrin said, ”there are quite a few who have the ability to win. It’s still competition.”

METAIRIE Kolton Miller Super Bowl LI Jersey , La. (AP) On paper, it looks as if coach Sean Payton has the Saints rolling once again.

They’ve won five straight and enter a second straight week atop the NFC South all by themselves.

Then there’s the more complicated, nuanced reality of how the past two games have gone.

When the Saints won at Green Bay in Week 7, they didn’t have to play against star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who hurt his collarbone the week before.

In a win over Chicago on Sunday, New Orleans had two pivotal replay reversals go in their favor and also were facing a rookie QB making his fourth start.

On Monday, Payton said his message to the team is that there are ”a lot of things we’re doing well and yet there’s a number of things we’re not doing as well, and I do believe when we play in a bigger game against a better team, those can catch up with you.”

”We’re still chasing a perfect four quarters of football as opposed to a good half Logan Paulsen Jersey Elite ,” Payton added.

What Payton won’t do is apologize for good fortune, such as a reversal of what was initially ruled a fumble by Saints running back Alvin Kamara, or the disputed reversal of what appeared to be a touchdown catch by Bears tight end Zach Miller, who seriously injured his knee as he came down with the ball.

”Our league each week is made up of breaks,” Payton said. ”We can’t control the quarterback (in Green Bay) and quite honestly I thought (officials) missed some calls” to New Orleans’ detriment against Chicago.

Regardless of breaks, the improvement of New Orleans’ defense is evident. The unit has closed out the past two victories with interceptions and hasn’t allowed as many as 350 yards in a game during the winning streak after allowing an average of 512.5 yards in New Orleans’ two losses during Weeks 1 and 2.

”As long as we’re winning, even when we’re not playing our best in all phases, that’s always good,” veteran safety Rafael Bush said. ”We’re getting those gritty wins. We’re closing out games on defense. That’s going to pay dividends when we get to the latter part of the season.”

Bush said confidence is growing with each victory Josh Sitton Super Bowl LI Jersey , but stressed he doesn’t ”want us to get ahead of ourselves or think we have arrived.”

The previous time New Orleans won five straight was 2013, when left tackle Terron Armstead was a rookie reserve. He became a starter later that season, after New Orleans had opened 5-0.

”It’s good to go on this win streak right now, but we’re far from satisfied,” Armstead said. ”It’s tough in this league to get wins. It doesn’t matter who’s on the field. We’re taking each win and claiming it as ours and trying to stack them up.”

The Saints went 7-9 each of the previous three seasons, meaning third-year defensive lineman Tyeler Davison has yet to experience a winning NFL campaign.

He said understanding how tough it can be to win consistently in the NFL makes him optimistic about New Orleans’ recent streak.

”Regardless of if the Packers didn’t have Aaron Rodgers or the Bears have a rookie quarterback, it’s still NFL football,” Davison said. ”I’m pretty sure the Bears had just come off winning a couple games themselves.”

Indeed, the Bears arrived in New Orleans having won two straight B.J. Hill Jersey Elite , but trailed by two scores for most of Sunday’s 20-12 loss to the Saints.

”We know that we’ve done a lot of good things these last five games. We also know there are still things we can get better at,” Davison said, noting that the Saints are ”not getting big-headed.”

”As long as we keep being objective about what we see, I feel like we’ll be good,” Davison said.

NOTES: CB Delvin Breaux, a starter when healthy the past two seasons, is eligible to come off injured reserve this week and said he feels ready to do so. ”I’m great. I’m there. I practiced full last week,” said Breaux, who had surgery in August for a fibula fracture. However Rasheem Green Super Bowl LI Jersey , Payton said the Saints won’t rush Breaux back, comparing his situation to that of receiver Willie Snead, who has seen minimal action since returning from an early season suspension. ”I don’t think you just flip the switch and then bang,” Payton said. … Bush, who was in coverage when Miller’s knee gave out Sunday, said it was upsetting to learn about the seriousness of the tight end’s injury, which required immediate surgery at a hospital. ”I’m praying for him and his family and I’m praying that he has a speedy recovery,” Bush said.

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CHARLOTTE Korey Toomer Super Bowl LI Jersey , N.C. (AP) The Carolina Panthers are faced with the difficult task of replacing three-time All-Pro Luke Kuechly for the third time in three seasons, the

Only this time they don’t have A.J. Klein to fill in at middle linebacker.

Kuechly is back in the NFL concussion protocol after taking a blow to the head in Carolina’s 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. He attended practice on Tuesday but did not participate. Coach Ron Rivera said Kuechly is ”advancing” in the NFL protocol, but said his status remains unclear for Sunday when the Panthers (4-2) visit the Chicago Bears (2-4).

Kuechly spent three weeks in the NFL concussion protocol in 2015 and 2016 and has missed nine games altogether in the previous two seasons.

”You can’t replace Luke Kuechly,” said Julius Peppers. ”… He leaves a void in the defense. He’s the main communicator, his leadership, all of those things we miss out there. … But you can’t replace players like that. He’s a special guy.”

With Klein having signed a big free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints this offseason Harrison Phillips Jersey Elite , the task of filling in for Kuechly falls on third-year linebacker David Mayo.

Mayo has never started a game and primarily plays on special teams.

The Panthers’ fifth-round draft pick in 2015 struggled in pass coverage against the Eagles. When Kuechly took a blow to the head and neck area and left the game in the second quarter the Panthers hadn’t allowed a touchdown. The Eagles scored three TDs after he left the game.

Panthers safety Mike Adams said trying to fill Kuechly’s shoes isn’t an easy task.

Adams has spent 16 seasons in the NFL and said he’s never played with a linebacker who has the ability to call out an opponent’s plays before they happen the way Kuechly can. When Adams arrived in Carolina, he made a point to start studying game film with Kuechly.

”I’m like, `I have to get in the room with that guy,”’ Adams said.

But Adams said after spending months with Kuechly he’s still not quite sure how he does it.

”If I could tell you how it happened, believe me I would do it myself,” Adams said with a laugh. ”That’s why he’s special. He just knows.”

Rivera played with Mike Singletary and coached Brian Urlacher in Chicago Sam Hubbard Jersey Elite , and said both linebackers have similar qualities to Kuechly in their ability to know what play was going to be run before it was called.

He also said teammates have come to rely on Kuechly, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

”Luke has built so much trust with his teammates that some guys may feel that if they don’t make the play then Luke will make it,” Rivera said. ”They expect Luke to do so much for them.”

Rivera believes Mayo has the same type of qualities, but hasn’t had the opportunities yet.

”He’s a smart football player, a physical guy and he plays downhill and handles things very well,” Rivera said.

Mayo said he’s up for the challenge if asked to start against the Bears this Sunday.

”I know they are going to try to run the ball first Wholesale Brandon Parker Jersey ,” Mayo said. ”They have two really good backs so that will be our main focus to stop the run.”

But Mayo knows Kuechly has set the bar high.

”Luke pushes me every day, more than he probably knows just from who he is and how he prepares for the game,” Mayo said. ”And obviously his motor and how hard he works every day, too. I have learned a lot from him and continue to learn a lot from him.”

Adams said if Mayo is asked to play, he has full confidence in him.

”I’m not going to blink,” Adams said. ”I will ready for it and I know (Mayo) will be ready for it. That is why he’s here.”

The Panthers signed free agent linebacker Andrew Gachkar and promoted quarterback Garrett Gilbert from the practice squad to the 53-man roster Authentic Uchenna Nwosu Jersey , while waiving quarterback Brad Kaaya and safety Dezmen Southward. The moves means Gachkar could play special teams and would allow Mayo to focus solely on defense until Kuechly returns.

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FLORHAM PARK Authentic Eric Staal Jersey , N.J. (AP) Austin Seferian-Jenkins is going back to Tampa Bay a different person than the one who left there just over a year ago.

The New York Jets tight end is a changed man, both mentally and physically. He’s beating the personal demons that threatened to derail his NFL career and, more importantly, his life.

”Unfortunately, I had to go down some pretty crappy roads and I had to go through some unfortunate things, all by my choice,” Seferian-Jenkins said.

”But all the bridges I burned brought me here to be a New York Jet, to be in the best city in the world, best organization in the league, the best coaches. It’s really phenomenal how life works.”

Seferian-Jenkins was a disappointment when the Buccaneers parted ways with him following a DUI arrest in September 2016 Authentic Steven Stamkos Jersey , capping a tumultuous time during which he wondered whether football would even be an option again.

Looking back now, he has no regrets about how things played out.

”It was a tough time in my life, it was a dark time in my life, and I give myself a lot of credit for pulling myself out of it and making adjustments and changes and being where I’m at today,” Seferian-Jenkins said.

”That’s really the cool thing to look back on. Obviously, things didn’t go well. It wasn’t how I wanted things to go and not how they wanted things to go, but we can’t rewrite the past. We can only write our futures and that starts here being in the present moment.

”God, it feels good to be a Jet.”

It took a lot of hard work for Seferian-Jenkins to reach this point, where he could look back on his mistakes and know that they helped set up the success he is having today.

He leads the Jets with a career-high 33 receptions for 221 yards and three touchdowns despite missing the first two games of the season because of a suspension that stemmed from his time with the Buccaneers.

He’ll step on the field at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday for the first time as an opponent – with a chance to get a measure of revenge on Tampa Bay for giving up on him.

”I was thinking about this the other day: Am I going to feel some type of way about it? Will I want to do a little extra?” Seferian-Jenkins said. ”But that’s not me. I’m going to prepare the same way that I always prepare.”

He was a second-round draft pick of the Buccaneers in 2014 out of the University of Washington, expected to become a key part of Tampa Bay’s offense.

Instead Buccaneers Vita Vea Jersey , he struggled on and off the field.

”I had off-the-field issues and I understand I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain,” Seferian-Jenkins said.

There were questions about his mental approach, and concerns about being out of shape. Alcohol was a big problem, and it all came to a head with the arrest in Florida.

”When someone gives up on you, they believe you won’t get better and that you can’t pull yourself out of whatever hole you’re in,” Seferian-Jenkins said.

”To be here, standing here, competing at the level I am, playing on such a great team, that in itself is a win and says they were wrong. That in itself says they were wrong. That in itself speaks volumes about my character. That speaks volumes of this organization Authentic Jeremiah Attaochu Jersey , that they can bring a guy in like myself and help mold me into what I’m today.”

After coming to the Jets a few days after being cut, Seferian-Jenkins began working on improving himself. He sought help for his alcohol addiction and began taking his health more seriously.

Seferian-Jenkins had minimal impact as a player last season for the Jets, finishing with just 10 catches for 110 yards in seven games while also dealing with hamstring issues.

But he showed promise, both on the field and off, and New York wanted him to stick around this season in new coordinator John Morton’s offense. He dropped more than 30 pounds and has been sober since early last winter.

”What you’re doing in essence is trying to invest in the person, but of course he’s the one who has to do the heavy lifting and he’s done that,” general manager Mike Maccagnan said.

”But honestly when you see where he is in terms of not only what he’s done on the field but just as a person, it’s actually something you feel very good about. Those are issues he’s going to deal with the rest of his life, but we’ll be as supportive as we can of him to help him with anything he needs.”

Seferian-Jenkins has gone from troubled talent to inspirational fan favorite. He regularly posts positive messages on his Instagram and Twitter pages, things that help him begin each day – and might help others who are experiencing the kind of tough http://www.baltimoreravensteamauthentic.com/robert-griffin-iii-jersey , dark moments like he dealt with not too long ago.

”I’m thankful I got the help that help put me on this path and I’m going to stay on this path,” Seferian-Jenkins said. ”I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Mike, the upper management, the owner, coaches and my teammates. Those people are instrumental in helping me change. Those guys were right there with me and didn’t give up on me as a person and I think that’s why I’m playing better than I ever have before.

”I’m going to continue to get better. I’m only 25. It’s like a rookie year for me. I’m doing it all over again. I know the best is yet to come for me.”

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CHICAGO (AP) Organized tackle football would be banned for Illinois children younger than 12 years old under a bill unveiled Thursday.

The Dave Duerson Act to Prevent CTE is named for the Chicago Bears defensive back who was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy after he killed himself at the age of 50. Duerson shot himself in the chest so his brain could be studied for signs of the disease that has been linked to concussions or repeated head trauma.

”When my father tragically took his own life Authentic Michael Gallup Jersey , he donated his brain to science in hopes of being part of the solution,” said Tregg Duerson, who like his father played football at Notre Dame.

”Thanks to increased attention and research on brain trauma, we know that part of the solution is to guard young children’s developing brains from the risks of tackle football Lions Akeem Spence Jersey ,” Tregg Duerson said in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press in advance of the announcement. ”This bill honors my family’s hopes and my father’s legacy to protect future athletes and the future of football.”

State Rep. Carol Sente, a Democrat from Vernon Hills, announced the proposal at a news conference Thursday along with Chris Nowinski Cheap Bo Scarbrough Jersey , the head of the Concussion Legacy Foundation. Also in attendance were former Bears players Mike Adamle and Otis Wilson – a teammate of Dave Duerson’s on the 1985 championship team – and Liz Nicholson, the wife of former Cleveland Brown Gerry Sullivan, who has sued the NFL over its handling of concussions.

”We all want kids to have fun playing football and to learn to play the game the right way early on,” Sente said in a statement. ”But the overwhelming data and powerful stories of our supporters here today show the risks of playing tackle football before turning 12 just aren’t worth it.”

Wilson said he hasn’t had any CTE symptoms but he plans to donate his brain to research.

”I don’t need it where I’m going so might as well be able to help the process Cheap Akeem Spence Jersey ,” he said. ”There are a lot of individuals that have this issue and the more research that’s being done, hopefully we can have something to combat it.”

CTE is a degenerative disease known to cause memory loss, violent moods and other cognitive difficulties in football players, members of the military and others who have endured repeated head trauma. It can only be diagnosed after death. Researchers believe the severity of the symptoms is increased for those who began playing football at a younger age.

After years of denials Cheap Dorance Armstrong Jr. Jersey , the NFL has acknowledged a link between head blows and brain disease and agreed in 2015 to a $1 billion settlement with former players.

The Illinois bill is similar to a proposal in New York, and Nowinski said lawmakers in at least one other state are working to raise the age at which children begin playing tackle football. He said studies have shown that starting tackle football before the age of 12 can lead to great neurological impairment later in life.

”This isn’t about an act to ban tackle football,” Nowinski said. ”This is about an act to prevent children from being hit in the head hundreds of times through sports each season.”

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Golen reported from Boston.

SCOREBOARD

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Denver at Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN. Kansas City has won three straight in the series. Broncos RB Jamaal Charles needs 44 yards from scrimmage to reach 10,000. Most of those yards came as a member of the Chiefs. … Denver LB Von Miller has a sack in five straight games. Denver (3-3) has won a franchise-record 31 straight games when winning the turnover battle. … Denver is 3-0 when leading at halftime. … The Chiefs (5-2) had won 12 straight vs. the AFC West before last week’s loss at Oakland. … Chiefs QB Alex Smith has 15 TD passes and no interceptions. … RB Kareem Hunt is the only player in NFL history to start his career with seven straight 100-yard scrimmage games.

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STARS

Passing

– Russell Wilson, Seahawks, was 26 for 41 for 452 yards and four touchdowns and an interception in Seattle’s 41-38 win over Houston. Deshaun Watson, Texans, was 19 for 30 for 402 yards and four touchdowns and three interceptions. Watson has thrown three touchdown passes in four consecutive games and is the first rookie in NFL history to accomplish the feat. He has 16 touchdown passes in his past four games, the most by a rookie in any four-game span.

– Tom Brady, Patriots, was 32 for 47 for 333 yards and a touchdown pass in New England’s 21-13 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Brady has 44 games with at least 300 passing yards and no interceptions. That is tied with New Orleans’ Drew Brees for the most such games with a team in NFL history.

– Case Keenum, Vikings http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/jeff-locke-jersey , was 27 for 43 for 288 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception in Minnesota’s 33-16 win over Cleveland in London.

– Matt Ryan, Falcons, finished 18 for 29 for 254 yards and two touchdowns in the driving rain in Atlanta’s 25-20 win over the New York Jets.

– Andy Dalton, Bengals, was 17 for 29 for 243 yards and two touchdowns in Cincinnati’s 24-23 win over Indianapolis.

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Rushing

– LeSean McCoy, Bills, had 27 carries for a season-high 151 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown, in a 34-14 win over Oakland.

– Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas, had 33 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns in Dallas’ 33-19 win over Washington.

– Melvin Gordon, Chargers Authentic Corey Perry Jersey , finished with 14 carries for 132 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown in Los Angeles’ 21-13 loss to New England.

– Jordan Howard, Bears, had 23 carries for 102 yards in Chicago’s 20-12 loss to New Orleans.

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Receiving

– DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, Texans. Hopkins had eight catches for 224 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown, and Fuller had five receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns in Houston’s 41-38 loss to Seattle. Paul Richardson and Tyler Lockett of the Seahawks also had huge games. Lockett had six catches for 121 yards and Richardson had six catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

– Jamison Crowder, Redskins, had nine catches for 123 yards in Washington’s 33-19 loss to Dallas.

– Jack Doyle, Colts, had 12 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown in Indianapolis’ 24-23 loss to Cincinnati.

– Robby Anderson, Jets Authentic Jason Sanders Jersey , had six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown in New York’s 25-20 loss to Atlanta.

– Adam Thielen, Vikings, had five receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown in Minnesota’s 33-16 win over Cleveland in London.

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Special Teams

– Matt Bryant, Falcons, was 4 for 4 on field goals and added an extra point in a driving rainstorm in Atlanta’s 25-20 over the New York Jets.

– Kai Forbath, Vikings, was 4 for 4 on field goals and 1 of 2 on PATs in Minnesota’s 33-16 win over Cleveland in London.

– Mike Nugent, Cowboys, was 4 for 5 on field goals and 3 of 3 on PATs in Dallas’ 33-19 win over Washington.

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Defense

– Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman, Seahawks. Thomas returned an interception 78 yards for a touchdown and Sherman had two interceptions in Seattle’s 41-38 win over against Houston.

– Matt Milano, Bills, returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown in Buffalo’s 34-14 win over Oakland.

– Jalen Mills Cheap Michael Dickson Jersey , Eagles, returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown in Philadelphia’s 33-10 win over San Francisco.

– Byron Jones, Cowboys, returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown in Dallas’ 33-19 win over Washington.

– Carlos Dunlap, Bengals, returned an interception 16 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of Cincinnati’s 24-23 win over Indianapolis.

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STREAKS & STATS

The Eagles (7-1) overcame a slow start to rout the 49ers on the way to their sixth straight win. … The Saints extended their winning streak to five with a 20-12 victory over the Bears. … The Patriots edged the Chargers 21-13 and have won four in a row. … The Bills improved to 5-2 to match their best start during a 17-year postseason drought – the longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports leagues with a 34-14 win over Oakland. … The Browns and 49ers are the league’s remaining winless teams at 0-8. … The Colts fell to the Bengals 24-23 and have lost three in a row for the first time since 2015. Oakland has dropped four of five after its loss to Buffalo. … The Colts’ Frank Gore passed Barry Sanders for sixth on the NFL career list for carries. He started his 100th consecutive game, the first running back to do so since Curtis Martin started 119 in a row from 1998-2005.Womens Tracy Walker Jersey , Womens JK Scott Jersey , Womens Kerryon Johnson Jersey , Derek Holland Jersey Womens ,

MINNESOTA (14-3) vs. PHILADELPHIA (14-3)

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OPENING LINE – Vikings by 3 1/2

RECORD VS. SPREAD – Minnesota 12-4-1, Philadelphia 11-5-1

SERIES RECORD – Tied 13-13

LAST MEETING – Eagles beat Vikings 21-10, Oct. 23, 2016

LAST WEEK – Vikings beat Saints 29-24; Eagles beat Falcons 15-10

AP PRO32 RANKING – Vikings No. 2, Eagles No. 5

VIKINGS OFFENSE – OVERALL (11), RUSH (7) Cheap Paul Worrilow Jersey , PASS (11).

VIKINGS DEFENSE – OVERALL (1), RUSH (2), PASS (2).

EAGLES OFFENSE – OVERALL (7), RUSH (3), PASS (13).

EAGLES DEFENSE – OVERALL (4), RUSH (1), PASS (17).

STREAKS Authentic Braden Smith Jersey , STATS AND NOTES – Eagles are 3-0 vs. Vikings in playoffs. … Vikings seeking first trip to Super Bowl in 41 years. Eagles seeking first Super Bowl appearance in 13 years. Neither team has won a Super Bowl. … Vikings are 6-16 on road in playoffs. … Vikings were 6-2 on road this season. … Minnesota led NFL in fewest yards allowed per game (275.9) for first time since 1993 and also allowed fewest points (15.8). … Vikings held opponents to 25.2 percent conversion on third downs, best mark in league. … Offense converted 43.5 percent on third down, third in league. … QB Case Keenum was second in NFL with 67.6 completion percentage. … RB Latavius Murray had 842 yards rushing and eight TDs. RB Jerick McKinnon had 570 yards rushing and three TDs. … WR Adam Thielen was fifth in NFL with 1,276 yards receiving and eighth with 91 receptions. … DE Everson Griffen tied for fourth in league with career-high 13 sacks. … LB Eric Kendricks has led team in tackles each of his first three seasons. His brother, Mychal, is LB for Philadelphia. … All-Pro S Harrison Smith tied career high with five picks. … WR Stefon Diggs had 137 yards receiving vs. Saints last week, including 61-yard game-winning reception on final play. … Eagles have reached conference championship six times since 2000 Authentic Dustin McGowan Jersey , most appearances by NFC team in that span. … Eagles in NFC championship game for first time since losing 32-25 at Arizona on Jan. 18, 2009. … Eagles host NFC title game for first time since beating Atlanta 27-10 on Jan. 23, 2005. … Philadelphia is 14-7 at home in playoffs, including 5-3 at Linc. … Eagles are 14-3 at home under coach Doug Pederson, best home record in NFL over last two seasons. … Philly has outscored opponents 244-117 at home this season. … QB Nick Foles set franchise playoff record with 76.7 completion percentage vs. Falcons. … Foles has completed 46 of 63 (73 percent) for 441 yards, two TDs, no picks and 102.7 passer rating in two playoff starts. … RB LeGarrette Blount scored ninth career postseason rushing TD last week. … RB Jay Ajayi had 98 scrimmage yards (54 rushing Authentic Chris Herndon Jersey , 44 receiving) vs. Atlanta. … K Jake Elliott’s 53-yard field goal vs. Falcons last week was longest in team’s postseason history. Elliott is 6 of 7 from 50 or more yards, but he’s 39 of 43 on extra points and missed one against Atlanta.

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