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The Washington Capitals‘ annual visits to California have ended in futility in recent years. The San Jose Sharks have been unkind hosts for much longer.

The Sharks continue a lengthy homestand on Saturday night against the Capitals Adidas Nolan Patrick Jersey , who have one last chance this season to snap a long losing streak in the Golden State and notch a rare win in Silicon Valley.

Both teams are jockeying for playoff positioning in the season’s final weeks. Washington (37-23-7) is one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Metropolitan Division lead with a game in hand. San Jose (36-22-9) is second in the Pacific Division and battling the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames.

But the Capitals head into the Shark Tank on a seven-game losing streak on the Left Coast in which they been outscored 29-12 since defeating the Ducks in a shootout on March 9, 2016.

After collecting five goals in an outdoor game last Saturday, the Capitals managed a total of one in losses to Anaheim and Los Angeles. Jakub Vrana lit the lamp for Washington in a 3-1 loss to the Kings on Thursday.

“We’ve got to figure out a way to get two points and to raise our game,” center Lars Eller said. “We have another gear or two that we need to find (Saturday).”

That may be easier said than done. The Sharks are 11-0-2 in their last 13 home meetings versus the Capitals going back to 1998.

“Right now, it’s a little bit dry for us and it’s hard to beat teams 1-0. We’re going to have to put some pucks in the back of the net Josh Sitton Super Bowl LI Jersey ,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said Friday.

One player who may be gripping the stick a little tighter than normal is Alex Ovechkin, who’s approaching yet another milestone. The three-time Hart Trophy winner leads the league with 40 goals and needs two more to become 20th player with 600 for his career.

Ovechkin has two goals and four assists over nine career games in San Jose, where he has not scored since Feb. 17, 2011.

Washington also needs to keep pucks out of the net. Braden Holtby (29-15-4, 3.03 goals-against average) was lifted after stopping six of nine shots versus Anaheim this week. He’s surrendered 31 goals over his last eight starts, going 1-5-2.

Philipp Grubauer (8-8-3 Wholesale Kyzir White Jersey , 2.35 GAA, one shutout) finished up against the Ducks and started versus the Kings, stopping 34 of 36 shots.

The Sharks improved to 3-1-0 on their six-game homestand with a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Martin Jones made 16 saves for his fourth shutout this season, and Mikkel Boedker and Tomas Hertl scored third-period goals.

“It’s been a good little homestand here, so we need to continue to get better here,” said Jones (22-17-6 Wholesale Alex Cappa Jersey , 2.49 GAA). “The games are just going to keep getting tougher and tougher down the stretch.”

Defenseman Brent Burns has four goals and four assists in his last five home games against Washington, but San Jose has gotten recent contributions from fellow blueliner Dylan DeMelo (five assists in a three-game streak) and Boedker (one goal, four assists in a four-game run).

For Sharks coach Peter DeBoer, it doesn’t matter who’s scoring.

“Everyone’s fighting for a playoff spot. We know how important the points are,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said.

Washington defeated San Jose, 4-1 Authentic Nathan Shepherd Jersey , on Nov. 17 in a chippy game that featured a combined 61 penalty minutes.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump says he should have left three UCLA basketball players accused of shoplifting in China in jail.

Trump’s tweet Sunday comes after the father of player LiAngelo Ball minimized Trump’s involvement in winning the players’ release in comments to ESPN.

”Who?” LaVar Ball told ESPN on Friday Weston Richburg Super Bowl LI Jersey , when asked about Trump’s involvement in the matter. ”What was he over there for? Don’t tell me nothing. Everybody wants to make it seem like he helped me out.”

Trump has said he raised the players’ detention with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the leaders’ recent meeting in Beijing.

The players returned to the U.S. last week. They have been indefinitely suspended from the team.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Florida has seemingly zeroed in on Chip Kelly to be the program’s next football coach.

The Gators met with Kelly about the vacant job Sunday, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person said athletic director Scott Stricklin and five key staffers met with Kelly in New Hampshire. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Gators are not publicly discussing the coaching search.

Stricklin and his assistants flew in and out of Ocala, Florida, about a half hour from Florida’s campus.

Stricklin vowed to make Florida fun again when he parted ways with coach Jim McElwain last month.

Kelly’s high-octane, spread scheme would do it.

The 53-year-old Kelly went 46-7 in four years (2009-12) at Oregon, which averaged 44.7 points a game during that span. The Gators would welcome anything close to that after slogging through the post-Tim Tebow era.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Jim Mora’s tenure at UCLA began with three years of enormous promise. It ended with the school abruptly firing the coach late in his sixth season – and on his birthday, no less.

UCLA dismissed Mora on Sunday with one game left in the regular season. Athletic director Dan Guerrero announced the shocking move one day after rival Southern California’s 28-23 victory over the Bruins (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) Wholesale Tremaine Edmunds Jersey , who have lost six of nine while going winless on the road this season.

Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch will coach the Bruins in their regular-season home finale against California on Friday night.

UCLA must pay more than $12 million to buy out the remainder of Mora’s contract, which runs through 2021. The school announced that Mora’s contract will be ”honored by UCLA Athletics, exclusively using department-generated funds.”

UNDATED (AP) – The top nine teams in The Associated Press college football poll have held onto their spots, led by No. 1 Alabama, while Northwestern and Boise State moved into the Top 25 for the first time this season.

A Saturday with few surprises and a lot of blowouts produced mostly expected ranking results heading into what figures to be an intriguing final two weeks of the season. Alabama, top ranked since the preseason, received 58 first-place votes on Sunday. No. 2 Miami received three first-place votes.

Oklahoma is No. 3, Clemson is No. 4 and Wisconsin is No. 5. Auburn Authentic Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey , Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and TCU round out the top 10.

There was some shuffling at the bottom of the rankings, with Michigan, North Carolina State and West Virginia dropping out after losses. Northwestern, which has won six straight, is No. 23, and Boise State is No. 25. Virginia Tech returned to the rankings at No. 24.

PRO FOOTBALL

DENVER (AP) – The Denver Broncos saved some of their best defense for after the game.

At issue: boss John Elway labeling them soft. It didn’t sit too well with a few of the players Kevin Hogan Jersey Elite , though others welcomed the critique.

Yet the comments didn’t stoke the necessary fire, either, as the Broncos lost 20-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals, extending their losing streak to six games.

”None of us are soft,” said linebacker Brandon Marshall, whose team met Saturday night to discuss the remarks by their Hall of Fame QB turned general manager. ”For him to call us soft, it just rubbed us the wrong way.

”You get shunned out of this league for being soft.”

It’s been an awful stretch for the Broncos (3-7), who’ve dropped six in a row in the same season for the first time since 1990. What’s more Wholesale Keke Coutee Jersey , it’s the first time they’ve lost to the Bengals (4-6) at home since 1975.

”This isn’t the culture here,” said quarterback Brock Osweiler, who two seasons ago helped lead the Broncos to a win in Super Bowl 50. ”The standard here is to win championships, get to the playoffs every year and contend for Super Bowls, and right now we’re not playing football like that. So, it’s very frustrating.”

NEW ORLEANS (AP) 锟斤拷 After aggravating a lingering shoulder injury Authentic Kareem Martin Jersey , Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston never left the sideline in the second half against the New Orleans Saints.

The way the Buccaneers struggled with and without him, it might not matter when he returns.

In desperate need of a victory, the Bucs instead dropped their fifth in a row in ugly fashion – a 30-10 loss to the surging Saints on Sunday that severely dampened Tampa Bay’s hopes of making the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

With Winston laboring, Tampa Bay has scored 13 points combined during back-to-back defeats to NFC South foes Carolina and New Orleans.

“I have to do my job better,” said Winston, who went 7 of 13 for 67 yards and was sacked twice. “The quarterback has to get the ball in the end zone Authentic Trent Brown Jersey , and I’m not doing that.”

The Bucs did almost nothing right against the Saints.

Bryan Anger’s first punt was blocked and returned for a touchdown. The offense produced 88 yards in the first half, a total the Saints surpassed with a 93-yard drive right after the Bucs pulled within 9-3 on a 50-yard field goal.

Running back Alvin Kamara capped it off, breaking three tackles on a 33-yard touchdown off a screen pass.

“I’m totally embarrassed,” Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said. “I would hope they (the players) are.”

With Ryan Fitzpatrick relieving Winston, the second half was even worse. The Saints scored two third-quarter touchdowns around a fumble by Tampa Bay tight end O.J. Howard, putting the game away. The Bucs then lost defensive end William Gholston to a neck injury that caused nearly a 10-minute delay before he was taken off on a stretcher.

Koetter said Gholston Su'a Cravens Jersey Elite , who moved his arms and legs while the Bucs medical staff treated him on the field, was getting neurological tests at a hospital.

Winston’s status is up in the air, too. He sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder on Oct. 15 at Arizona, and he landed hard on the shoulder when he was sacked in the final minute of the first half against the Saints.

“It’s the same thing that’s been happening every week,” Winston said. “I don’t know whose call it was, but they pulled me.”

Fitzpatrick went 8 of 15 for 68 yards Trent Murphy Super Bowl LI Jersey , finally getting the Bucs into the end zone on an 8-yard scoring toss to tight end Luke Stocker midway through the fourth quarter when they trailed 30-3.

Tampa Bay’s longest completion was 15 yards despite having three-time Pro Bowl selection DeSean Jackson and 2016 second-team All-Pro pick Mike Evans at wide receiver. The duo combined for three catches for 38 yards.

“We’re too talented to be 2-6,” Evans said. “We better come together and fix it. We have to try.”

Evans was not sure he would be available for next Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. In the third quarter, he raced over and slammed Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the ground from behind after seeing Lattimore shove Winston on the sideline.

Winston, who had pointed a finger against Lattimore’s helmet, said he told Lattimore to go to his sideline. Evans, who did not see that part Authentic Daryl Worley Jersey , was penalized for a personal foul and could be subject to a fine or suspension.

“I just let my emotions get the best of me,” he said. “I saw (Lattimore) pick a fight with my quarterback. I shouldn’t have hit him in his back like that. That was kind of malicious.”

With frustration mounting, Winston spoke candidly in the locker room after getting an X-ray on his shoulder.

“We should want to be motivated because we don’t want to finish the season with two” wins, he said. “I hate losing. Do you hate losing? Do all of you hate losing? We hate losing, too. So we are going to fix things. We have to start playing better.”

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SUNRISE Wholesale Alex Cappa Jersey , Fla. — Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin is in for quite a battle.

Malkin has an amazing 20 goals and 37 points since Jan. 1. He has 34 goals this season, tied with fellow Russian Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals for the league lead.

“I do believe there’s a competition (among them),” Penguins assistant coach Sergei Gonchar told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It’s an honor to be the top goal-scorer in the league. But if it (were) an American or Canadian (they were competing against), they’re going to compete just as hard.”

Malkin, who continued his roll with one goal and two assists in Friday’s 6-1 Penguins win over the Carolina Hurricanes, will try to add to his total on Saturday night when the Penguins visit the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center.

The Penguins continued their roll as well, winning their sixth straight on Friday while also acquiring

forward Derick Brassard in a three-team trade with the Ottawa Senators and Vegas Golden Knights. The Penguins also received a 2018 third-round draft pick and prospect forward Vincent Dunn from the Senators; and the Pens also received prospect forward Tobias Lindberg from the Golden Knights.

Pittsburgh traded defenseman Ian Cole Adidas Frans Nielsen Jersey , goalie Filip Gustavsson, a 2018 first-round draft pick and a 2019 third-round selection to the Senators, and forward Ryan Reaves and a 2018 fourth-round draft pick originally acquired from Vancouver to the Golden Knights.

Brassard has averaged 19 goals and 48 points over the past five seasons (including this one factored in). Three years ago, he had a career-best 27 goals with the New York Rangers, so his addition strengthens the Penguins down the middle.

The Panthers are coming off an incredibly emotional game as they rallied with two goals in the final four minutes to defeat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Thursday night.

Vincent Trocheck scored a power-play goal with 18.7 seconds left, and that stood as the game-winner.

But there was major drama before the game, too.

Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo fought back tears as he spoke to the BB&T Center crowd just a couple of minutes before the start of the game.

This was the Panthers’ first home game since last week’s deadly shooting at nearby Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Royce Freeman Super Bowl LI Jersey , Fla. Luongo, a resident of Parkland, spoke to the crowd about his admiration for the students, who have loudly pushed for change after yet another school shooting.

“I’ve been watching the news. I’ve been seeing what the kids from Douglas have been doing,” Luongo told the crowd. “You guys are brave. You guys are an inspiration to all of us. You guys are what is giving us hope for the future.”

Things should be a bit more normalized on Saturday, and the Panthers — winners of eight of their past 11 games — have thrust themselves into the playoff race.

The Panthers are led by Trocheck, with a team-best 23 goals Authentic Trent Murphy Jersey , and Aleksander Barkov, with a team-high 55 points. Both have made the All-Star Game — Trocheck in 2017 and Barkov in 2018.

Another Panthers star is Jonathan Huberdeau, who leads the team with 36 assists.

The Penguins, meanwhile, have Malkin and the incomparable Sidney Crosby, a seven-time All-Star, two-time regular season MVP P.J. Hall Jersey Elite , two-time Stanley Cup MVP, two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champ.

Then again, nobody has been hotter lately than Malkin, who has 11 goals and 18 points in his past seven home games.

“When he’s feeling it like this, you can’t take the puck off of him,” Crosby told the Post-Gazette. “He’s taking the puck from end to end. He’s taking it to the net. He’s shooting. He’s good in every area.

“You can tell he has that extra step. He has that right now.”

The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a stirring comeback win — their fourth straight — yet not all is well as they prepare to welcome the walking wounded of the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

The Seahawks Mike Gesicki Super Bowl LI Jersey , held to a season-low 33 rushing yards on 21 carries Sunday, are ranked 21st in rushing in the NFL, averaging 97.6 yards per game.

Seattle (5-2) did a couple of things this week aimed at shoring up the offensive line and sparking the running game in particular. First, the Seahawks acquired three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown from the Houston Texans on the eve of the trade deadline.

“He’s a big, strong, smart guy that I think is really going to help our guys,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said.

Then on Wednesday, the Seahawks decided that, rather than splitting carries, it is time to make one running back the main guy, and that guy appears to be Eddie Lacy.

“We’re going to start with Eddie and let him go a bit and see where it goes from there,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell told the Seattle Times on Wednesday Chukwuma Okorafor Jersey Elite , remarks that were echoed by Carroll.

Lacy, signed as a free agent in the offseason, has rushed for 108 yards on 42 carries, just 2.6 yards per carry. His high carry total in a game this season is 11, which he reached twice.

A successful Lacy against Washington would take pressure off Russell Wilson. However, the quarterback thrived under pressure Sunday, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after passing for a career-high 452 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-38 win over the Houston Texans.

Washington (3-4) haven’t been much better at running the ball. They are ranked 17th in the league, averaging 105.4 yards per game. They basically abandoned the run Sunday in a 33-19 loss to the Cowboys.

The Redskins started Sunday minus three starting offensive linemen and one of their top backups, then proceeded to lose two more of their front five. They are banged up on the other side of the ball as well.

Missing Wednesday’s practice were linebacker Zach Brown (back), wide receiver Jamison Crowder (hamstring), defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis (hand), guards Shawn Lauvao (stinger) and Brandon Scherff (knee) Rashaan Evans Super Bowl LI Jersey , center Spencer Long (knee), tackles Trent Williams (knee) and Ty Nsekhe (core muscle) and tight ends Niles Paul (concussion) and Jordan Reed (hamstring).

Four players were limited, including cornerback Bashaud Breeland (knee/groin) and running back Rob Kelley (ankle).

“Get your pens out,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden cracked as he began his injury report.

Washington signed three offensive lineman last week, and the trio will at least have had the benefit of a full week of practice before Sunday.

“They’re learning. It’s new to them. They’re playing together for the first time, really,” Gruden said of guards T.J. Clemmings and Tyler Catalina and center Chase Roullier. “So it’s just about communication, playing together, trying to play in unison, which is hard to do at this stage of the season, but I think (the coaching staff is) getting them ready to go.”

The Redskins have lost two straight to start a five-game stretch that includes contests at Philadelphia, vs. Dallas Adidas Steven Stamkos Jersey , at Seattle, vs. Minnesota and at New Orleans.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins and the offense are averaging 357.1 yards per game despite limited production from the wide receiver position, though Crowder had nine catches for 123 yards against Dallas. Sunday will be Cousins’ first experience in front of a Seattle crowd.

“I’m sure that Seattle may be even louder than anywhere else,” Cousins said. “We’ll be ready for it the best we can. We understand what we’re walking into from that standpoint, and we know we have to communicate very well, verbally and visually, and be ready to go, from the first snap to the last.”

On defense, Washington ranks slightly ahead of Seattle (allowing 322.6 yards per game to 333.7) and has at least one sack in 31 consecutive regular-season games, the longest streak in the NFL.

“Well, you’ve got to worry about (linebacker) Ryan (Kerrigan),” Carroll said. “He is really an effective player. He’s a problem every snap Ed Dickson Jersey Elite , run and pass. He’s such an aggressive player. That’s a guy that we’re really tuned in to. (Linebacker) Preston Smith has done well, too. Those guys, the edge guys, as so often is the case in the 3-4 schemes, they’re really highlighted players, and they’ve got just what they want there.”

The Redskins are 6-1 against the Seahawks in regular-season games since 2001. However, Seattle won the last regular-season meeting 27-17 on a Monday night in Washington in 2014.

HOUSTON (AP) Coach Bill O’Brien kept his job despite Houston’s 4-12 finish and looks to be returning for next season.

His status beyond that is far less certain.

O’Brien Wholesale Jeremy Kerley Jersey , who has one season left on his contract, was asked repeatedly on Tuesday if he’ll be with the Texans next season and if he’s been offered a contract extension. He never refused comment, but avoided answering the questions directly with the skill of a veteran politician.

”These are things that are being discussed,” he said when asked if he’ll coach the team next season. ”I feel like I will be here in 2018, but again, these are ongoing discussions that maybe we can clarify with you guys, maybe Wholesale Nathan Shepherd Jersey , at a later date. I’m sure we will, but this is where it’s at right now.”

When asked if he’d like to sign an extension, he again refused to give a direct answer, instead talking broadly about his relationship with owner Bob McNair and his son Cal McNair.

”We’re having great discussions, very productive,” O’Brien said. ”They’re very easy to talk to. They really do a great job of working with us, with me Wholesale Keke Coutee Jersey , of listening, back and forth, a lot of great ideas … these are really good discussions that we’re having and we’ll move from there.”

O’Brien has a 31-33 record in four seasons in Houston and this was his first losing season after he led the team to 9-7 records in each of his first three years.

The Texans won the AFC South the past two seasons before failing to make the postseason in 2017 as they dealt with injuries to quarterback Deshaun Watson and superstar defensive end J.J. Watt.

Along with firming up O’Brien’s future with the team, the Texans also must find someone to fill in at general manager after Rick Smith announced that he’s taking a leave of absence of at least a year to care for his wife as she fights breast cancer.

O’Brien said he isn’t looking to have more personnel power in Smith’s absence, but that he has been involved in discussions with the McNairs about his replacement and that he hopes they hire someone who shares his thoughts on the team’s needs.

”The big thing for me and I think the big thing for the McNairs, and I don’t want to speak for them, but I would just say is alignment Authentic Terrelle Pryor Sr. Jersey , being aligned philosophically on what type of team we want,” O’Brien said.

Some things to know about the Texans as they wrap up the season:

WATSON’S HEALTH

Watson is recovering well since having surgery on his right knee in November, and O’Brien said there’s a chance he could be healthy enough to do some things in organized team activities in May. The 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft showed that he could be the solution to Houston’s long-term quarterback woes with his work before the injury.

He appeared in seven games with six starts and threw for 1,699 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

”He’s an exciting player,” O’Brien said. ”He’s just a very coachable guy, eager to learn, eager to get better. He’s got great poise on the field. We’re all excited about his future.”

WATT’S THOUGHTS

Watt is already looking ahead to next season after seeing a second straight season cut short by an injury. Watt has played just eight games over the past two seasons after a back injury ended his 2016 season after just three games and he broke his left leg in Houston’s fifth game this season.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year said he is careful not to get caught up in negative thoughts after his tough stretch and is optimistic for the future.

”That’s what gets me to work my hardest every single day is what this team is capable of and what we can do with these guys Authentic Bryce Petty Jersey ,” he said.

And although he’s on the other side of the ball, Watt is thrilled to have Watson on his team after seeing the revolving door at quarterback over the past few years.

”We have won a few division titles with like 15 different quarterbacks,” Watt said. ”So if we have one quarterback who is back there who can play the way that he plays, who has the potential and has the abilities he has … we are really excited to see what he can do with a full season. I’m definitely excited to have a franchise quarterback.”

CLOWNEY’S CAMPAIGN

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney’s play was one of the few bright spots during Houston’s tough season. The top overall pick in the 2014 draft had the best season of his career to earn his second straight Pro Bowl nod.

Clowney finished second in the NFL with a career-high 21 tackles for losses and his 9+ sacks, 21 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles were also career bests. He also had a career-high 59 tackles and started all 16 games for the first time in his career after struggling with injuries in his first two NFL seasons before playing 14 games last season.

”I’m going to keep getting better,” he said. ”I get excited about it because I know my potential and I just say I’m going to keep improving year-in and year-out as long as I stay healthy.”

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DALLAS (AP) Pharoh Cooper of the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill split 10 of the 11 first-place votes in The Associated Press kick returner rankings. The overall tally wasn’t nearly that close.

Cooper finished with 102 points Wholesale Jason McCourty Jersey , 43 ahead of the Chiefs’ speedy multipurpose man because Hill was left off two ballots and barely made three others on the voting panel that includes Hall of Fame receiver James Lofton and 10 AP pro football writers.

Hill’s diminished role – he is no longer returning kickoffs and isn’t in the top 10 in average yards on punt returns – was the difference. The second-year player finished fourth with 59 points, also behind a pair of rookies in runner-up Jamal Agnew of Detroit and Dallas’ Ryan Switzer.

”For sheer excitement, he’d be No. 1,” wrote AP lead NFL writer Barry Wilner, who is based in New York. ”But the Chiefs hardly use him on returns the way they once did. He has only an 8.8-yard average on punt runbacks.”

The surprising Rams could be part of the reason Cooper was one of just two returners named on all 11 ballots (Switzer was the other). LA leads the NFC West and at 9-4 has clinched its first winning season since 2003.

Cooper, also a second-year man, had one of just three kickoff returns for touchdowns in the NFL going into Week 15, a 103-yarder in a 27-17 win at AFC South-leading Jacksonville. His 28.3-yard average on kickoff returns leads the league, and he has a solid 11.9-yard average on punt returns.

”Cooper has been a dynamic presence on special teams for the Rams Markus Wheaton Super Bowl LI Jersey , returning both kickoffs and punts, and establishing himself as a threat in both cases,” New York-based AP writer Dennis Waszak wrote.

”Big plays and a difference-maker,” wrote Lofton. Cooper was first or second on 10 of the 11 ballots.

Hill figures to get a few nominations for NFL play of the year – but it wasn’t on special teams. The 5-foot-10 dynamo stunned the Cowboys with a touchdown on the final play of the first half in a game Kansas City lost.

The Chiefs were on their 44 with 2 seconds left before halftime when Hill caught a short pass from Alex Smith with most of the Dallas defense playing near the goal line. With three blockers in front, Hill motored around Orlando Scandrick at the 25, cut behind two blocks from Demarcus Robinson inside the 10 and sidestepped linebacker Anthony Hitchens to finish the stunning TD.

”He’s as special a guy as I’ve ever seen in person,” said Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, who worked out Hill before last year’s draft. ”There is not a guy with more juice than that guy. He’s a special, special athlete and his burst Darius Leonard Jersey Elite , his acceleration, his patience, he has it all.”

Agnew, a fifth-round pick, is the only player with two returns for touchdowns this season – both on punts. He got the other first-place vote and had 68 points to Switzer’s 60.

”The rookie from San Diego leads the league in punt return average (16.8 yards), longest runback (88 yards) and touchdowns (two), so he’s an easy pick,” Wilner wrote of Agnew. ”Besides, with the lack of kickoff returns Tracy Walker Jersey Elite , guys who field punts should get priority.”

Switzer finished a somewhat surprising third considering he hadn’t done much before returning a punt 83 yards for a touchdown two weeks ago. It was a pivotal moment in a win over NFC East rival Washington because it gave quarterback Dak Prescott enough time to get the swelling down on a hand injury and not miss any snaps.

Tarik Cohen of Chicago finished fifth with 57 points, and Seattle’s Tyler Lockett was sixth.

”Cohen handles both kicks and punts and deserves to make this list on the 61-yard punt return for a TD against San Francisco, much less everything he’s done,” wrote San Francisco-based AP writer Josh Dubow.

Lockett was named on the second-most ballots – 10.

”He hasn’t scored since his rookie year in 2015, but his ability to handle both punts and kickoffs among the league’s best is a rare skill,” AP’s Minnesota-based Dave Campbell wrote.

Oakland’s Cordarrelle Patterson was seventh, followed by New England’s Dion Lewis, Tennessee’s Adoree’ Jackson and Baltimore’s Michael Campanaro to round out the top 10.

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EDITOR’S NOTE – The Associated Press is ranking the top 10 players at a different position every week of the NFL season, based on votes by Pro Football Hall of Famer James Lofton and AP football writers Simmi Buttar Jeremy Kerley Jersey Elite , Dave Campbell, Schuyler Dixon, Josh Dubow, Howard Fendrich, Rob Maaddi, Arnie Stapleton, Teresa M. Walker, Dennis Waszak Jr. and Barry Wilner. This feature is sent on Fridays.

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NASHVILLE Wholesale Markus Wheaton Jersey , Tenn. (AP) Mike Fisher insists he never thought of returning to the NHL and that watching players come out of retirement always bugged him.

Fisher can add his name to that list.

He and the Nashville Predators announced Wednesday that the veteran center is coming out of retirement for his 18th NHL season as they try to win the Stanley Cup.

”I believe this team is built to win and has a very good chance, so that is part of the reason why I want to come back and compete and be a part of it,” Fisher said. ”But we didn’t win last year, and it was the best time in my career and we didn’t win. So I believe that this year can be our year, and that’s why I want to be a part of and have some fun.”

Fisher started skating Wednesday and will spend the next few weeks working himself into shape to rejoin the team. Fisher has not signed a contract yet Breeland Speaks Super Bowl LI Jersey , and general manager David Poile said they will sign Fisher officially at some point before the Feb. 26 trade deadline for the stretch run in what he called one of his better moves.

Poile believes Fisher has some unfinished business and wants to help the Predators win two more games than they did last year when they lost the Stanley Cup Final in six games to Pittsburgh . The current leadership with defenseman Roman Josi as captain will not change.

”All this is really for getting ready for the playoffs,” Poile said.

The Predators ranked second in the Central Division after Tuesday night’s games with 65 points, putting them three points behind Winnipeg for first. But Nashville has three games in hand on the Jets chasing the franchise’s first division title. The Predators also rank fifth overall in the NHL.

Defenseman P.K. Subban said he is excited to have Fisher back after welcoming the defenseman into the locker room after being traded to Nashville. Subban also expects a quick transition for Fisher once he joins the team.

”He knows our system, he knows everything,” Subban said. ”I think that’s the thing. When you go and get someone from somewhere else Authentic Dallas Goedert Jersey , it’s tough. There’s an adjustment period. You got to come in and learn our system. … He’s been playing under Lavi (coach Peter Laviolette) for a few years, knows our system. It’s just a matter of getting back in skating shape and stuff.”

Nashville wanted Fisher back last summer. But Fisher, 37, announced his retirement Aug. 3. Fisher had 18 goals and 24 assists last season as Nashville earned its first Western Conference title. He’s also husband to country star Carrie Underwood, and they have a son together.

Coach Peter Laviolette said the locker room door remained open to Fisher for practices and games. The Predators started talking in December about what they might need with a possible return by Fisher at the top of the possibilities. Fisher Wholesale Nathan Shepherd Jersey , who had a hunting show last fall and was building a house, said he started talking with his family about a potential return.

Fisher said his wife kept asking him almost every day what he was going to do.

”She wanted me to do it,” Fisher said of playing again. ”She’s usually right.”

Fisher has 51 points in 134 career playoff games. He played in 20 of the Predators’ 22 postseason games last spring in winning their first Western Conference title. He has 276 goals and 309 assists in 1,088 career games.

What his role will be remains to be seen. The Predators signed center Nick Bonino in free agency and landed center Kyle Turris in November from Ottawa in a three-way trade. With Ryan Johansen centering the top line, the fourth line is the likeliest spot for Fisher.

”I’m here to help the team Ito Smith Super Bowl LI Jersey ,” Fisher said. ”I’m not here for me personally … I believe I can contribute and play and come back and help this team whatever that role is.”

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On a short week Adidas Bo Horvat Jersey , having a backup quarterback start usually means trouble.

Not so for the Miami Dolphins, who saw Matt Moore come on for the injured Jay Cutler – to cheers at Hard Rock Stadium – and rally the troops past the Jets.

Right now, the Ravens aren’t as good as the Jets, either, which isn’t saying much.

For Miami, no deficit seems to be intimidating. The Dolphins came back from a 17-point hole at Atlanta to win. Then they overcame a 14-point Jets lead in the fourth quarter for a victory last Sunday.

”A lot of it has to do with the personality of the players,” coach Adam Gase says.

”Guys around here seem to embrace it more than worrying about failing. They enjoy being in that moment Adidas Wayne Simmonds Jersey , and when they get opportunities, somebody seems to step up and make the play.”

That’s been true for a while now: Miami is 13-4 under Gase since starting out 1-4 with him in 2016.

The Ravens have a terrific coach in John Harbaugh. What they don’t have is anything near a healthy roster, with receiver a particularly thin unit now.

”I don’t know how many other teams have had this many injuries on offense,” Harbaugh says.

”We’ll just see how it plays out. We have a lot of tough guys. It’s about mental toughness. You have to put everything aside, ignore the noise and go out there and fight. We have a bunch of guys I know who will do that.”

Miami, tied for 15th in the AP Pro 32, is a 3+-point underdog at No. 25 Baltimore. We don’t see that.

UPSET SPECIAL: DOLPHINS Terrelle Pryor Sr. Super Bowl LI Jersey , 20-10

KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIP

Rams were a very solid choice last week. This choice is so obvious: MINNESOTA in game at London.

No. 6 (tie) Minnesota (minus 8) vs. No. 32 Cleveland at London

It’s gotten so ugly in Cleveland we’re surprised Browns were allowed to leave U.S.

BEST BET: VIKINGS, 24-9

No. 11 Dallas (minus 2 1-2) at No. 15 (tie) Washington

One of the NFL’s great rivalries. Go with home side.

REDSKINS, 30-28

No. 20 Denver (plus 6) at No. 4 Kansas City, Monday night

One of the NFL’s great rivalries. Go with home side.

CHIEFS, 24-16

No. 10 Houston (plus 5) at No. 6 (tie) Seattle

Tough matchup for Seahawks, whose offense remains sporadic.

SEAHAWKS, 20-17

No. 4 Pittsburgh (minus 3) at No. 18 (tie) Detroit

Rested Lions will give Steelers plenty of trouble.

LIONS Bo Scarbrough Super Bowl LI Jersey , 28-27

No. 23 Chicago (plus 8) at No. 8 New Orleans

Somehow, this game has lots of meaning in Week 8.

SAINTS, 23-9

No. 14 Atlanta (minus 7) at No. 24 New York Jets

Time to worry in the ATL if Falcons fall here.

FALCONS, 24-20

No. 13 Carolina (plus 2) at No. 28 Tampa Bay

Really disliked what we saw from Panthers at Chicago.

BUCCANEERS, 23-19

No. 21 (tie) Los Angeles Chargers (plus 7) at No. 2 New England

Really liked what we saw from both teams on three-game winning streaks.

PATRIOTS, 26-17

No. 31 San Francisco (plus 11) at No. 1 Philadelphia

Niners got exposed by Dallas last week. More of same …

EAGLES, 30-10

No. 21 Oakland (plus 2 1-2) at No. 9 Buffalo

Raiders haven’t won here since 2002.

BILLS Wholesale Sebastian Janikowski Jersey , 22-20

No. 30 Indianapolis (plus 10) at No. 26 Cincinnati

When Bengals are this big a favorite, we know how bad Colts are.

BENGALS, 23-14

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2017 RECORD:

Last week: Against spread (5-9). Straight up (12-3)

Season Totals: Against spread (48-52-1). Straight up: (65-41)

Best Bet: 3-4 against spread, 5-2 straight up.

Upset special: 6-1 against spread, 6-1 straight up

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CHARLOTTE Wholesale Sylvester Williams Jersey , N.C. (AP) Cam Newton was tired of the Carolina Panthers’ defense getting all of the glory.

Newton took it as a challenge when the defense vaulted to the league’s No. 1 ranking last week, saying it was time for the offense to strive to match them.

Newton did his part on Monday night, throwing for 254 yards and four touchdowns and running for 95 more as the Panthers piled up a franchise-record 548 yards in a 45-21 rout of the Miami Dolphins.

”It’s nice to see them have this type of breakout game,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said of the offense, which had 30 first downs and converted 11 of 14 third downs.

Said Newton: ”I still feel like we are scratching the surface of our potential in this offense. We have to trust in our ability to execute our coach’s plan.”

Newton improved to 5-1 in Monday night games, while averaging 270.5 yards per game with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.

”There is something about this stage with him,” Rivera said. ”He played a tremendous game.”

Jonathan Stewart ran for a season-high 110 yards Patrick Omameh Jersey Elite , and Newton had a 69-yard jaunt on a read option as the Panthers racked up 294 yards on the ground. It was Stewart’s first 100-yard game since last December at Washington.

Rookie Christian McCaffrey scored touchdowns rushing and receiving, and Devin Funchess caught five passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers (7-3) remained a half-game behind the NFC South-leading Saints heading into their bye week.

Newton had his share of fun on the field.

After being tackled on his 69-yard run, an exhausted Newton laid on the ground smiling and shaking his body as if trying to get feeling back into his legs.

Teammates joked with Newton that backup quarterback Derek Anderson could have scored on the play.

”When you ain’t got no gas left and your check engine light is on and blinking, get gas at the next stop or so, man, you just have to try to celebrate when you can celebrate, brother Authentic Russell Bodine Jersey ,” Newton said. ”I was just hoping coach didn’t come back with another run play for me.”

He tiredly handed off on the next two plays.

”Everything was fun out there,” said Funchess, who became the team’s No. 1 receiver when Kelvin Benjamin was traded to Buffalo two weeks ago.

Jay Cutler had 213 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception for the Dolphins (4-5), who have lost three straight. Jarvis Landry and Julian Thomas both caught TD passes for Miami.

The game turned with 41 seconds left in the first half, when Luke Kuechly made a leaping interception along the sideline with Carolina leading 10-7.

Four plays later, Newton connected with tight end Ed Dickson on a 7-yard touchdown pass. That opened the floodgates as the Panthers scored touchdowns on five straight possessions in their most explosive output of the season.

”In an eight-minute span, the game got away from us Authentic Logan Cooke Jersey ,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said. ”It snowballed. We couldn’t prevent the big runs once they got going.”

The Panthers had entered the game 21st in the league in total offense and 24th in scoring.

”We get to watch them – that’s the fun part,” Kuechly said of the offense.

It was a big game for Stewart, who fumbled twice in last week’s 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

”He might have been playing with a chip on his shoulder, but we just wanted to get him to that second level,” Panthers offensive tackle Matt Kalil said.

The Dolphins have put themselves in a difficult situation in a tight AFC playoff race.

”There are pieces in the locker room. I truly believe that,” Cutler said.

McCAFFREY STARTS

The Panthers gave McCaffrey the start at running back over Stewart, who fumbled twice last week against the Falcons. McCaffrey didn’t let them down Wholesale Mike Hughes Jersey , combining for 50 yards and two scores, including a nifty 4-yard touchdown run where he faked out two Miami defenders.

McDONALD RETURNS

Dolphins safety T.J. McDonald returned to the starting lineup after serving an eight-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, but it didn’t help the struggling Dolphins defense.

DRAKE’S BIG RUN

Kenyan Drake provided the big play for the Dolphins, breaking free for a 66-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

NEWTON’S NUMBERS

Newton passed Dan Marino for the third-most total yards (passing and rushing) in a quarterback’s first seven seasons. Newton trails only Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan in that category.

INJURIES

Dolphins: Reported no injuries.

Panthers: Rookie wide receiver Curtis Samuel left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury after dropping a would-be touchdown pass in the end zone. … Center Tyler Larsen suffered a foot injury but returned to the game.

UP NEXT

Dolphins: Host the Buccaneers on Sunday in a game that was rescheduled from Week 1 because of Hurricane Irma.

Panthers: Visit the Jets on Nov. 26 after a bye.

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