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NASHVILLE Matt Bryant Jersey , Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans sure hope they’ve found the combination to help them get to the quarterback, and now they’ve set a standard they want to continue.

An eight-sack performance will do that for a team.

The Titans finished with eight sacks in last week’s 20-16 win in Indianapolis, the franchise’s best single-game performance since Nov. 10, 1985, when the then-Houston Oilers had eight sacks. That tied for the team’s third-best total all time.

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”It puts the standards a little higher,” Titans coach Mike Mularkey said. ”I think all the work and the effort that they’ve been having in other games Matt Bosher Jersey , it was good to see it come to light with what they did. Hopefully it’s going to give us a little confidence and certainly nothing negative about … what they did.”

Combined with three sacks in a loss at Pittsburgh, the Titans have racked up 11 sacks over the past two games. That is the defense’s best two-game stretch taking down a quarterback since having 12 sacks in October last season.

The Titans (7-4) rank 18th in the NFL with 25 sacks thanks to what they’ve done in the past two games.

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said they’ve been getting consistent pressure on quarterbacks all season, and Tennessee lists 168 quarterback pressures already. Linebacker Brian Orakpo has a team-high 48 yet only four sacks, while linebacker Derrick Morgan has 45 and a team-high seven sacks.

”If you’re playing good ball, good things happen. That’s kind of unusual,” LeBeau said of getting eight sacks in one game. ”It’s just like turnovers. If you’re getting to the ball and you’re hitting people Ricardo Allen Jersey , you’re going to get some good turnovers. We had some good breaks in there, and the guys played great.”

Seven Titans got at least half a sack against the Colts, and DaQuon Jones got his first two this season to nearly match the 2+ sacks he had combined through his first three seasons. The fourth-year end has eight pressures but hadn’t gotten to the quarterback until last week.

”It’s very frustrating,” Jones said. ”At the end of the day, you have to keep believing in yourself and the ability to play football. It’s going to come. You might miss them early. We still have five games left, so a lot can happen.”

Morgan gives credit to the back end of the defense covering receivers long enough to let linebackers and linemen get to quarterbacks.

Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton was thrown at five times Ryan Schraeder Jersey , but caught only two passes for 15 yards. Safety Kevin Byard leads the NFL with six interceptions, while cornerbacks Logan Ryan and rookie Adoree Jackson have been sticking with their man.

”They’ve been doing an excellent job of covering up their guys and making the quarterback double-pump the ball and giving us time,” Morgan said.

Now the Titans’ challenge is keeping this up Sunday against Houston (4-7). The Texans have allowed 34 sacks this season, eighth-most in the NFL. Four more sacks for Tennessee would match the best two-game total in franchise history.

”It’s definitely huge,” lineman Jurrell Casey said. ”You want to make sure we stay with that drive, that same momentum going into this game.

”But at the end of the day Andy Levitre Jersey , they can kill you going up in the air. No matter who that quarterback is back there, we got to make sure we put the pressure on them.”

NOTES: WR Rishard Matthews (hamstring) and RB DeMarco Murray (illness) did not practice. Orakpo (rest) S Da’Norris Searcy (ankle), OL Brian Schwenke (illness) all returned after missing practice Wednesday.

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL .

Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker

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PARIS (AP) French downhill skier David Poisson Matt Bryant Jersey , a former medalist at the world championships, died on Monday following a training crash in Canada. He was 35.

The French Ski Federation said Poisson, who won the downhill bronze medal at the 2013 worlds Matt Bosher Jersey , was training in the Canadian resort of Nakiska for World Cup races in North America. The federation did not elaborate.

French sports minister Laura Flessel expressed her ”sadness” and said she will look carefully into the circumstances of the crash.

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Poisson, a bulky racer with a broad smile nicknamed ”Caillou” (“small stone”), was a popular figure on the World Cup circuit.

He secured his only World Cup podium in 2015 when he came third in the Santa Caterina downhill in Italy Ricardo Allen Jersey , and was fourth in the prestigious Kitzbuehel downhill in 2013. He also competed in the last Winter Olympics, and hoped to qualify for the Pyeongchang Games.

The International Ski Federation expressed its condolences to Poisson’s family and friends in a statement, praising ”a respected and accomplished athlete on the World Cup tour ever since his debut in 2004.”

American ski racer Steven Nyman tweeted: ”My heart goes out to David Poisson’s family Ryan Schraeder Jersey , friends and teammates. He was a good man, a beast and a friend. I will miss him. The whole World Cup Tour will miss him.”

Poisson’s death came 16 years after super-G world champion Regine Cavagnoud, a prominent French skier Andy Levitre Jersey , died in Austria from brain injuries following a collision in training.

”There is no word for that,” former French downhiller Luc Alphand told L’Equipe newspaper. ”Eliminating risk entirely in downhill is impossible.”

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METAIRIE Eric Wood Jersey , La. (AP) Saints rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore derives a certain satisfaction from seeing New Orleans’ younger players assume pivotal roles in the club’s longest winning streak in seven years.

”I love it,” said Lattimore, whose coverage skills have helped the Saints rise to first place in the NFC South.

”It’s just great to see young players bring the Saints back up, because a lot of people just wrote the Saints off and said that we were a bad team and everything.”

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When the 2017 campaign began, it was clear the Saints would need a number of players with less than two years of NFL experience to come of age quickly in order to break out of a three-season run of mediocrity in which the club never had a winning record.

Halfway through this season, the Saints (6-2) look like one of the top teams in the NFC, having won six straight for the first time since 2011 as they prepare to visit Buffalo on Sunday.

The club’s recent success has hinged on the play of rookies such as Lattimore, running back Alvin Kamara, offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk Colton Schmidt Jersey , and safety Marcus Williams, as well as second-year players including receiver Michael Thomas, cornerback Ken Crawley, and interior defensive linemen Sheldon Rankins and David Onyemata.

Meanwhile, rookie Trey Hendrickson has been effective in a reserve role with two sacks and a forced fumble, while undrafted rookie Justin Hardee broke through with a big special teams play in last week’s victory over Tampa Bay , blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown.

Rookie running back Trey Edmunds and second-year pro DeVante Harris, who both joined the Saints as undrafted free agents, have been regulars on special teams.

Saints coach Sean Payton said his club appears to have a group of players that have ”acclimated quickly Cordy Glenn Jersey ,” and added that a lot of credit goes to former Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, who has overseen college scouting in New Orleans since 2015.

It wasn’t necessarily apparent that so many of New Orleans’ youngest players would quickly emerge as effective pros.

Kamara, for example, wasn’t a starter for most of his college career, which began at Alabama and ended at Tennessee.

But he has been a key contributor in both the running and passing games, with 654 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns through his first eight NFL games.

”I’ve improved a lot, but I think it’s a lot of credit to the system,” Kamara said. ”As an organization, you get players and you find the best ways to use their skills. I’m just grateful I’m in a position where my skills are being used.”

Ramczyk Jerry Hughes Jersey , who played only one season of Division I college football at Wisconsin in 2016, has started at either left or right tackle in every game this season.

Two years ago, Onyemata looked like a longer-term project. Having grown up in Nigeria and having learned to play American-style football at a Canadian college, he was hardly NFL-ready when he arrived for 2016 rookie camp.

Now he’s a starting defensive tackle with 1+ sacks and three tackles for losses this season.

”It’s astronomical from where he was (during) rookie minicamp last year to where he is today,” said Rankins, adding that when Onyemata arrived, ”He couldn’t tell you any formation. But now he’s out there calling out things, identifying protections and knowing where plays are going. So it’s a huge leap.”

Rankins, a 2016 first-round pick Preston Brown Jersey , hasn’t been impressive statistically, but defensive end Cameron Jordan credits much of his success this season to how well Rankins has taken on double-teams.

”When you talk about how fast our young guys have been able to learn and grow, that’s what’s impressive,” Jordan said.

Rankins said the Saints’ current mix of hungry young players and established leaders such as Jordan and quarterback Drew Brees seem to have synergy.

”When you’re led by guys like Cam and Drew – guys who have consistently done it at a high level – it does nothing but make you want to raise your level of play,” Rankins said.

Brees, meanwhile, sounds rejuvenated by the emerging young players helping New Orleans win.

”You just never know when that light bulb is going to come on and I think for a lot of guys it’s come on in a big way,” Brees said.

”They’re big contributors and that’s another thing that makes it exciting around here is you’ve got this young talent where all of a sudden the light bulb is coming on and you feel like the sky’s the limit.”

NOTES: LT Terron Armstead (chest) and Kenny Vaccaro (groin) both missed practice on Wednesday as they try to recover from injuries which occurred during last Sunday’s game.

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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EDEN PRAIRIE Eric Wood Jersey , Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Vikings took a 6-2 record, control of the NFC North and deep confidence in the depth of their roster into their bye week.

The most remarkable aspect of their standing at midseason is that the quarterback situation for the second half remains a mystery.

Case Keenum has started four and finished five of the six victories, throwing only three interceptions and taking just five sacks. His 88.8 passer rating ranks 16th in the NFL among players with a qualifying amount of attempts, a middle-of-the-pack statistic that’s better than a bunch of starters around the league who are far more established.

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His mobility has added a dimension to a vastly improved offense, and his energy on the field has inspired his teammates. With a defense as fierce as the one the Vikings have, Keenum has been the ideal complement on the other side of the ball.

So was Sam Bradford, before his left knee started bothering him. So was Teddy Bridgewater Colton Schmidt Jersey , before his left knee was badly damaged in practice 14 months ago to send him down an arduous road of rehabilitation. So what are the Vikings going to do?

”I haven’t decided that yet,” coach Mike Zimmer said. ”We’ll continue to take it one day at a time.”

Bridgewater will be eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list next week once the Vikings return from their mini-vacation. Zimmer said the team was prepared to make that move, but stopped short of promising it.

”Just see where he is at, where the team is at, how Case is doing. The whole deal. Sam, how he is doing,” Zimmer said.

So how is he doing?

”He’s getting better. I thought this was going to be a one-week injury. I never thought that it would linger on this long Cordy Glenn Jersey ,” Zimmer said. ”But he is getting better. We’ll just go from there. When I told you guys that I thought he was close, I thought he was. It just hasn’t worked that way.”

Bradford was brilliant in the season-opening win over New Orleans, which has won five of six games since then, but he’s only played in half of a game because of the discomfort and weakness that has been described by the team as wear and tear from old injuries.

Bridgewater returned to practice two weeks ago, taking the field where he dislocated his left knee and tore multiple ligaments in a freak non-contact instant that forced the Vikings to send Philadelphia a first-round draft pick for Bradford right before the 2016 season.

”He’s been slinging it,” said Keenum, who true to form as a career backup has refused to express any frustration about the uncertainty of his status.

Having made it this far Jerry Hughes Jersey , Bridgewater will undoubtedly start a game for the Vikings again, and the chance of that occurring in 2017 has significantly increased. Furthering the ambiguity is that the contracts for all three quarterbacks are currently set to expire after the season.

”It’s my job to be the best quarterback that I can be for this team, whatever role that is,” Keenum said.

Last year, the Vikings lost four straight games after their bye as the injuries piled up, particularly on the offensive line. They’re already endured their share of health setbacks this season, from Bradford to running back Dalvin Cook being lost for the season to being on their third starter at left guard.

While the schedule will stiffen Preston Brown Jersey , including five of the next seven games on the road, such adversity is nothing new to this team.

”Injuries are going to happen. It’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when. You hate to see it, but it happens. Guys are going to miss games,” Keenum said. ”To have guys be able to step up and make plays in crucial situations and win big ballgames, I think that’s a really good trait of a good football team.”

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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ORCHARD PARK Matt Bryant Jersey , N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills have placed wide receiver Jordan Matthews and defensive end Shaq Lawson on injured reserve, ending their seasons.

Both starters had difficult seasons for Buffalo Matt Bosher Jersey , dealing with injuries and inconsistent play.

Matthews was acquired in a preseason trade with Philadelphia and was expected to become one of Buffalo’s top options in the passing game following the trade of Sammy Watkins.

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However, Matthews struggled with injuries throughout his time in Buffalo. Shortly after his arrival Ricardo Allen Jersey , Matthews fractured his sternum. He broke his thumb in a Week 4 win over the Atlanta Falcons and has spent much of the past month dealing with a knee injury, which ended his season.

Matthews finished the season with 25 receptions for 282 yards and one touchdown. He’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this spring.

Lawson Ryan Schraeder Jersey , Buffalo’s first-round pick from 2016, took on a starting role but struggled with inconsistent play. He finished with 33 tackles Andy Levitre Jersey , four sacks and a forced fumble. Lawson injured an ankle in Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots; he also dealt with a groin injury earlier this season.

The Bills promoted receiver Brandon Reilly and defensive end Cap Capi to fill their open roster spots. Reilly was a preseason fan favorite after impressing among Buffalo’s reserves and has spent the first 13 weeks of the season on Buffalo’s practice squad. Capi joined Buffalo’s practice squad on Nov. 21.

The Bills also added safety Dean Marlowe and punter Cory Carter to their practice squad.

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL

BOSTON (AP) One of college football’s oldest rivalries will be visiting major league baseball’s oldest ballpark.

The Game between Harvard and Yale will be played at Fenway Park next year. It’s the first new site for the longtime football rivals since 1912.

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Fenway Park hosted college football since it opened in 1912 and was the home of the Boston Patriots in the 1960s. This month Antonio Garcia Jersey , it was the site for several college games, including a Boston College victory over UConn.

The 135th edition of The Game is also the 50th anniversary of the historic 1968 tie, when Harvard scored 16 points in the final 42 seconds to escape defeat.

The school paper commemorated the comeback with the headline: ”Harvard Beats Yale 29-29.”

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – A federal lawsuit claims the University of Southern Mississippi discriminated against a student athlete who says the school wouldn’t clear him to play football because he only has one kidney.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday says 20-year-old Deven Hammond never has had any kidney-related problems during football games or practices in high school or college.

But his suit claims Southern Miss officials repeatedly raised ”liability” concerns after learning of Hammond’s medical condition.

Hammond transferred from Louisiana State University after his freshman year and began practicing with the Southern Miss football team earlier this year. Hammond’s suit says he had offered to sign a waiver and had been cleared to play by the university’s Student Health Services Center.

Southern Miss athletics department spokesman Jack Duggan says he can’t comment on pending litigation.

BASEBALL

NEW YORK (AP) – A unanimous winner of the AL Rookie of the Year Award and runner-up in Most Valuable Player voting, Aaron Judge also received ballots in another election: for New York City mayor.

The New York Yankees right fielder was listed on 10 ballots as a write-in candidate for mayor, according to final totals released late Tuesday by the New York City Board of Elections.

Judge received three votes in New York County (Manhattan and the Marble Hill section of the Bronx), four in Brooklyn Derek Rivers Jersey , two in Queens and one in Staten Island.

He was far behind Bill de Blasio, who won re-election with 713,634 votes on the Democratic line and 46,478 on the Working Families line.

Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi and former Yankees captain Derek Jeter, now CEO of the Miami Marlins, got two write-in votes apiece.

Kristaps Porzingis, a Latvian player on the NBA’s New York Knicks Nate Solder Jersey , received nine write-in votes. There was an additional vote for each of two misspelled variations of his name: Kristaps Porzinais and Kristops Porzingis.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who was benched this week, got one vote.

SOCCER

NEW YORK (AP) – Nashville, Tennessee, is among four finalists for a pair of Major League Soccer expansion teams after government financing for a new stadium was approved this month.

Sacramento, California, is considered a front-runner along with Nashville for the teams Devin McCourty Jersey , which the league intends to award next month. Each winner will pay a $150 million expansion fee.

Cincinnati and Detroit also remain in contention, but without firm plans for new stadiums, they are viewed as long shots.

Presentations to the league’s expansion committee are scheduled for Dec. 6, and MLS owners will discuss expansion when they meet eight days later in New York.

Eight areas were cut from the list Wednesday but remain in contention for later expansion teams: Charlotte, North Carolina; Indianapolis; Phoenix; Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina; St. Louis; San Antonio; San Diego; and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Metro Nashville City Council on Nov. 7 approved $225 million in revenue bonds to construct a 27 Stephen Gostkowski Jersey ,500-seat soccer stadium and an additional $50 million in bonds for renovations and improvements around the site at the current fairgrounds. Nashville’s group includes John Ingram, the chairman of Ingram Industries Inc., and the Wilf family, owner of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.

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GREEN BAY Nick Boyle Jersey , Wis. (AP) Slowly but surely, Brett Hundley is getting more comfortable as Packers starting quarterback.

Getting his first win after four games behind center was a sorely needed confidence boost .

It’s time for Hundley to build on the positives from the 23-16 win last week over the Chicago Bears as the Packers get ready to host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

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”I feel a lot more comfortable now. But time flies, man, I’ll tell you that much,” Hundley said Wednesday. ”My head’s been down. I’m just grinding and trying to make sure I play the best for my teammates. Time is flying.”

Hundley took over after two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone on Oct. 15 at Minnesota. Hundley lost his first two starts Terrance West Jersey , against New Orleans and Detroit, before making clutch throws in the victory at Chicago.

He finished 18 of 25 for 212 yards with a touchdown pass to Davante Adams. A productive running game provided balance.

A key moment in Hundley’s development came in the fourth quarter, when Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy called for a deep pass down the right sideline to Adams for a 42-yard gain to the Chicago 23 with 2:12 left. Adams made a nifty one-handed grab of an accurate pass into tight man coverage.

”I think confidence plays a huge factor and they’re building that right now,” receiver Jordy Nelson said about the connection between Hundley and Adams. ”For Brett to be able to just put it out there and let it happen is huge.”

Hundley tweaked a hamstring in the game, but did not miss a series. He was listed as a full participant in practice Wednesday Mike Wallace Jersey , and Hundley said he felt no limitations with his mobility, which is a strength.

”I can’t give a percentage, but I feel good,” he said when asked if he would be ready for the Ravens.

In another positive development for the injury-riddled Packers, Rodgers took part in rehab and conditioning work on Wednesday. It’s the first time he was spotted working out while teammates practiced since the injury.

The earliest Rodgers might be able to return to practice would be about Dec. 1 Eric Weddle Jersey , which would be six weeks since he went on injured reserve. The earliest that Rodgers might be able to eligible to play would be Week 15 at Carolina.

”For a guy who just had surgery several weeks, you wouldn’t be able to tell,” linebacker Clay Matthews said.

The Packers have said Rodgers could be out of the year. Rodgers has said the conversation about coming back only starts if his collarbone is healed.

It will also depend on if the Packers are still in the playoff hunt. The win over the Bears snapped a three-game losing streak and kept them two games behind NFC North-leading Minnesota. A wild-card berth is also still within reach.

”At the same time, we’ve still got to hold up our end of the bargain and steal a few wins throughout these next several weeks in hopes that we’ve got a shot with (Rodgers) coming back,” Matthews said. ”We started with one last week. Hopefully we can get another one this week.”

Notes: RB Ty Montgomery (ribs) did not take part in practice Matt Judon Jersey , though coach Mike McCarthy has said there is a chance Montgomery could play Sunday. Otherwise, Jamaal Williams is likely to get the start at running back, with fellow rookie Aaron Jones (knee) expected to miss a few weeks. … Starting S Morgan Burnett (groin) missed practice, while CB Kevin King (shoulder) and OL Justin McCray (ankle) were limited.

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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SEATTLE (AP) When he was in the early stages of his professional career Matt Bryant Jersey , the Seattle Seahawks asked Russell Wilson just to do his part.

At that time, Seattle’s defense was elite. Their roster was young and ambitious and the depth they amassed could overcome seemingly any loss.

That’s not the case anymore, putting the bulk of the responsibility on Wilson now as the Seahawks try to make something out of this season and find their way into the playoffs.

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”He was a huge factor in the game,” coach Pete Carroll said after Monday’s 34-31 loss to Atlanta. ”He was all over the place.”

Numerous issues arose from Seattle’s second straight home loss. Most centered on a couple of questionable special teams decisions by Carroll, including his call to go for a fake field goal late in the first half rather than attempt a 35-yard kick. The fake was blown up by Atlanta’s Grady Jarrett and Luke Willson was thrown for a 4-yard loss.

Carroll defended the decision after the game and again Tuesday morning on his radio show.

”I like being aggressive when we have our chances. That was an opportunity to score a touchdown and we thought we had a good one Matt Bosher Jersey ,” Carroll said on KIRO-AM in Seattle.

Aside from the special teams issues is how dependent the Seahawks have become on Wilson offensively. It’s one thing to ask the quarterback to be a leader, an efficient passer and occasionally run when the opportunity presents itself. It’s another to do what Seattle has asked of Wilson through the first 10 games.

Seattle’s three currently healthy running backs – Eddie Lacy, Thomas Rawls and J.D. McKissic – have combined for exactly one more yard rushing (377) than Wilson has run for this season (376). And it doesn’t help that Seattle’s stellar defense has been devastated by injuries to starters Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril.

It’s all been on Wilson’s shoulders, and likely will continue to be going forward. Between passing and rushing Ricardo Allen Jersey , Wilson has been responsible for 81.9 percent of Seattle’s total offensive yards this season. Impressive? Yes. Too much for Seattle’s desire to be balanced and have an established run game? Yes.

”I don’t think that it’s a lack of talent at running back. We have some great running backs, we just have to do a little bit better, that’s all,” Wilson said after the loss.

Part of the problem has been the inconsistency. Seattle started the season sharing carries between its running backs. When they decided to have Lacy be the primary ball carrier, he suffered a groin injury. Seattle then went back to Rawls Ryan Schraeder Jersey , but he appeared to be missing open holes and was a healthy scratch from Monday’s loss.

Mike Davis brought a jolt to Seattle’s run game on Monday night, but he left early in the third quarter with a groin injury.

Because of the constant changes at running back, Wilson and his scrambling have been Seattle’s most consistent running threat. Wilson is averaging 6.5 yards per attempt, which would lead the league if Wilson had enough carries to qualify.

”We just need to see our guys get out there, stay out there Andy Levitre Jersey , let them show what they can do,” Carroll said on his radio show. ”Everybody keeps coming in and out and we can’t get a good feel for it. It’s been unfortunate. Nobody’s really jumped out. Some of that is the (offensive) line and how we’ve played. But it’s just been unfortunate it’s been so changing.”

NOTES: Seattle made a surprise roster move Tuesday by waiving veteran DE Dwight Freeney after just four games. Freeney had three sacks in his first two games but didn’t record a sack or tackle in the past two games. Freeney is in his 16th season and Seattle was his fifth team. … Carroll said on his radio show that G Oday Aboushi will miss Sunday’s game at San Francisco due to a dislocated shoulder and that it’s unlikely Davis will make it back after leaving with a groin strain.

For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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PRO FOOTBALL

NEW YORK (AP) Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will play at least one more game before another ruling from a federal judge on his six-game suspension over domestic violence allegations.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla in an order posted Monday turned down the NFL’s request for an expedited hearing on a preliminary injunction. She set one for Oct. 30 Eric Wood Jersey , a day after the Cowboys visit Washington.

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A restraining order granted last week cleared Elliott to play in Sunday’s 40-10 win at San Francisco. Last year’s NFL rushing leader had a career-best 219 yards from scrimmage, including a season-high 147 yards rushing.

The 22-year-old Elliott was suspended in August by Commissioner Roger Goodell after the league concluded following a yearlong investigation that he had several physical confrontations in the summer of 2016 with Tiffany Thompson, his girlfriend at the time. Prosecutors in Ohio declined to pursue the case, citing conflicting evidence.

SOCCER

LONDON (AP) – Cristiano Ronaldo has caught up with Lionel Messi to become a five-time winner of FIFA’s best player award.

The Real Madrid forward was crowned player of the year on Monday at the FIFA Best ceremony at the London Palladium theater attended by runner-up Messi and third-placed Neymar.

A second successive honor for Ronaldo was expected after a season in which the Portuguese eclipsed his award counterparts in the trophy stakes.

As well as Spanish league and Spanish Super Cup success, Ronaldo scored twice in the Champions League final against Juventus to win European soccer’s elite competition for the third time in four seasons.

Ronaldo’s coach at Madrid Colton Schmidt Jersey , Zinedine Zidane, was crowned coach of the year.

FIFA has shifted its award ceremony from its usual January slot to October so players are judged across a season – based on the typical European schedule – rather than the calendar year.

The women’s award honored the Netherlands’ success at the European Championship in August. Lieke Martens, who scored in the final win over Denmark, won the player’s award and Sarina Wiegman collected the coaching accolade.

The Puskas Award for best goal went to Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud for a scorpion-style kick. The Puskas Award-winning goal from an overhead back-heeled strike came on New Year’s Day in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the English Premier League.

NBA

NEW YORK (AP) – Stephen Curry has been fined $50,000 for throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of an official during the final minute of Golden State’s loss at Memphis on Saturday night.

Teammate Andre Iguodala received a $15 Cordy Glenn Jersey ,000 fine for his response and ”verbally abusing a game official” late in the 111-101 loss that sent the defending NBA champions to a 1-2 start.

The NBA announced the penalties Monday, when the Warriors were set to play at Dallas to conclude their three-game road trip. Curry knew he faced a stiff fine, saying after the game, ”My pockets will be a lot lighter for sure.”

Curry became angry because he thought he was fouled on a lay-in with 43.1 seconds left. Kevin Durant also was ejected following the play.

HOCKEY

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) – The Calgary Flames have placed Jaromir Jagr on injured reserve.

Jagr left Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild in the first period and did not return to the game.

The 45-year-old right wing broke his stick attempting a shot on the Wild net Jerry Hughes Jersey , skated to the bench and walked to the dressing room.

The Flames said he was being evaluated for a lower-body injury. A player placed on injured reserve is ineligible to play in NHL games for seven days.

Calgary has back-to-back road games Tuesday in Nashville and Wednesday in St. Louis and is at home to Dallas on Friday.

Jagr has two assists in five games this season.

Second only to Wayne Gretzky in all-time NHL scoring with 1,914 points, Jagr didn’t participate in Calgary’s training camp and he signed a one-year contract just days before the regular season.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina point guard Joel Berry II will miss about four weeks after suffering a broken bone in his right hand.

The school announced Berry’s injury Monday but didn’t provide details on how Berry was hurt. The reigning national champion’s opener is less than three weeks away, coming Nov. 10 against Northern Iowa.

Berry averaged 14.7 points last season. He was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player after scoring 22 points in the win against Gonzaga for the program’s sixth NCAA championship. That also made him only the seventh player to score at least 20 points in consecutive national-title games dating to UNC’s 2016 loss to Villanova.

Berry’s injury could mean sophomore Seventh Woods or freshman Jalek Felton see more time at the point until the senior’s return.

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Winning in daily fantasy isn’t always about outsmarting everyone else through contrarian picks. Yes Eric Wood Jersey , you want to differentiate your lineup to increase your odds at winning in tournaments, but you can’t ignore the studs that are worth their high price tags.

Here are top players to consider actually playing during Week 6:

DREW BREES, QB, New Orleans ($7,200 DraftKings/$8,600 FanDuel)

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Since 2008, Brees averages 364 yards, 3.2 touchdowns and 25.5 fantasy points when he comes off a by. Those numbers jump to 382, 3.6 and 27.6 when it’s a home or dome game. This wek, the Saints are at home (in a dome) after a bye. The Lions have been better on defense this year, but even so Colton Schmidt Jersey , they are still only mediocre. With or without Willie Snead, the Lions will have lots of trouble slowing down Brees. It’s rare to see 3X-plus value staring you in the face, but the post-bye numbers from Brees show evidence of that.

C.J. ANDERSON, RB, Denver ($6,600/$7,000)

The Giants are in disarray. Not only have they lost their entire receiving corps, their run defense was left in 2016. The Giants were a feared defense in the second half last season, but now they are giving up the 10th most fantasy points to running backs. On top of that, the Giants could easily get shut out facing this Broncos defense with Roger Lewis as their top receiver. With the Broncos likely easily in control during the second half, they’ll be playing ball control and grinding out the clock. That means Anderson is in line for a heavy workload Cordy Glenn Jersey , and Melvin Gordon put up 163 yards and two touchdowns in a close game against the Giants last week.

JARVIS LANDRY, WR, Miami ($6,600/$6,500)

While Landry’s season isn’t overly impressive, he does have 43 targets in four games. Landry would have more than 31 receptions if not for Jay Cutler, but that’s still a nice total for point-per-reception or half-point PPR scoring – and the matchup makes it even more promising. Brian Poole mans the slot and has been one of the worst cover cornerbacks in the league. With DeVante Parker banged up even if he plays, Landry is guaranteed to see double-digit targets yet again. With this matchup, Landry can finally get his first 100-plus yard game of the season and maybe even a score.

EVAN ENGRAM, TE, New York Giants ($3 Jerry Hughes Jersey ,800/$5,300)

Back to those Giants, Eli Manning needs to throw to someone. While the Broncos defense isn’t a unit you want to face when lacking weapons, they’re actually allowing the seventh most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Before last week’s zero, Engram had at least four receptions and 44 yards in each game with 30 targets. Jason Witten had 13 targets for 10 receptions, 97 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against this defense. The Giants can only hope and pray that Engram can come close to those numbers, as he might just be their top weapon left. All of that said, if you can afford Rob Gronkowski and/or Travis Kelce and he’s playing, please pay up for those studs.

BRONCOS DEFENSE ($4,000/$5,400)

While Engram is a strong play Preston Brown Jersey , the Broncos defense is even better. As mentioned already, the Giants have fallen apart and are without Odell Beckham, Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard. Lewis, Tavarres King and Travis Rudolph are their top three receivers. How many of you knew those names before this week? Additionally, the offense line is still one of the worst in the league, particularly in run blocking. That’s a big problem as the Broncos are the most dominant team against the run. With no run game to keep the defense honest, Eli Manning can easily become overly aggressive and turn the ball over multiple times. Sacks, turnovers and potential DST touchdowns make the Broncos defense a lock.

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com

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