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It’s time.
After 15 weeks of the NFL season Cardinals Mason Cole Jersey , it’s time to acknowledge a whole bunch of items that have become apparent.
Some did so over the course of the schedule, and some became crystallized Sunday.
Article continues below ...Such as:
– Teams get antsy and/or dumb when they play the Patriots.
Looks as if the AFC road to the Super Bowl will go through Foxborough again, but not because an opponent played with fear against New England. Many do, of course. And others make ridiculous decisions with a chance to beat Tom Brady and Company; think back to the two most recent NFL championships the Patriots won, against Seattle and Atlanta.
The Steelers had no fear Sunday. And they had some real bad luck once more; in the AFC title contest last January, they lost Le’Veon Bell early. This time, it was Antonio Brown.
Yet they were in position to win, or at worst, force overtime. But Ben Roethlisberger gambled when he didn’t need to – and lost.
”We’re not going to look back and second-guess anything or anybody,” Roethlisberger said. ”We lost a game and I threw a pick in the end zone at the end of the game to lose it.”
Just as bad Ravens Robert Griffin III Jersey , the Steelers were in control in the fourth quarter and didn’t look comfortable. Happens all the time against the Patriots, especially for Pittsburgh.
– The Seahawks are out of control.
Pete Carroll is one of the NFL’s best coaches; nobody gets his guys to play harder. However, what Carroll has been getting for more than a month will cost Seattle a playoff berth, ending five straight appearances. The Seahawks commit far too many penalties, lose their minds over some flags, and are as undisciplined as any team. It’s a shame, because Russell Wilson has enhanced his game so much, but has little to show for it.
”No, there is nothing to be happy about. That was a really dismal performance by us,” Carroll said after getting hammered by the Rams http://www.tennesseetitansteamonline.com/rashaan-evans-jersey , 42-7.
– The NFC is the place to go in the postseason.
Sure, Patriots-Steelers was entertaining Sunday. Whether it will be so in a month if the teams meet again, who knows?
It’s time to recognize the wide-open NFC is a can’t-miss prospect, from the wild-card round throughout.
The Eagles, despite major injuries, have showed spunk to go with impressive depth. The defense needs to get stingy again, but that offense, even with Nick Foles replacing Carson Wentz, is a challenge for everyone.
Minnesota has a defense to play with anyone, and like Philly Cheap Uchenna Nwosu Jersey , terrific coaching. The Rams have an offense to play with anyone and, like Philly and Minnesota, terrific coaching.
New Orleans hasn’t looked as strong recently, but it has Drew Brees, the most proven NFC QB likely to make these playoffs. For once, the Saints have a running game and an impressive D.
The other NFC South members probably going to the postseason, the Panthers and Falcons, are capable of beating anyone anywhere. Or losing to anyone.
For 2017, you can take the AFC. We’ll revel in the NFC.
– Change must come in Ohio.
The Bengals sure seem to have quit on Marvin Lewis, the second-longest tenured coach with the same team in the league. It’s time for Cincinnati to move on from the coach who is 0-7 in the playoffs and whose team has regressed in all facets.
It’s even worse across the state in Cleveland. In a league where teams commonly leap from the bottom toward the top – the Eagles http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/braden-smith-jersey , Rams, Jaguars and Saints this year -the Browns remain bottom feeders. Unless they pull a repeat of 2016 by winning their 15th game after 14 straight defeats, they’ll almost certainly match Detroit’s 0-16 ignominy of 2008.
Who should go? Downtrodden Cleveland fans will sum it up succinctly: ”Everyone.”
– Green Bay should shut down Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers quarterback is one of the best ever, headed for Canton. Watching him at Carolina on Sunday was almost as painful as the shots he was taking and the looks on his face after them. Yes, Rodgers is a courageous performer and leader, but with the Pack headed home on New Year’s Day (barring some major collapses throughout the NFC), let him fully heal for 2018.
– Jimmy Garoppolo is the real deal.
Hey, Niners, sign the guy this week to a long-term deal. He’ll be worth it.
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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
.PITTSBURGH (AP) Danny Smith wasn’t just looking for somebody who can kick. A lot of guys can kick. The Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator was searching for something more on that raw fall day at Heinz Field two years ago.
Over the course of an hour or so http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/fred-warner-jersey , Kai Forbath, Randy Bullock and Chris Boswell went through the paces, doing what they could in cold and wet conditions in a notoriously difficult stadium that makes their job tricky at best and nightmarish at worst. When it came time for Smith to make his recommendation to head coach Mike Tomlin, the deciding factor wasn’t necessarily performance but potential.
Smith opted for Boswell, who’d bounced around four different clubs but always seemed to finish runner-up. Not this time.
Article continues below ...”I wanted to take a guy that wasn’t scarred,” Smith said. ”The other two had been, not in a negative sense … but I just thought it was time to go with a guy who wasn’t scarred Cheap Braden Smith Jersey , develop him, teach him, mold him, and it worked.”
The tall, quiet athletic Texan who won Smith over was on the verge of looking for another line of work in 2015 when the Steelers called looking to settle an unsettled position shaken by an season-ending injury to Shaun Suisham followed by a month’s worth of meh from Josh Scobee.
Two years later, Boswell is one of the reasons Pittsburgh (11-2) is tied for the NFL’s best record going into Sunday’s showdown with New England (10-3). The Steelers have ripped off eight straight victories over the last two months, four of them coming courtesy of game-winning kicks by Boswell in the final minute of regulation http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/kentavius-street-jersey , three of them on the final snap.
While Boswell insists he’s just doing his job, there’s more to it than that. He’s made 90 percent (45 of 50) of his field goals at Heinz Field, including all 21 he’s attempted this season. The most notable among them a bending 53-yarder against Green Bay two weeks ago that provided the final margin in a 31-28 victory. Boswell didn’t offer any sort of range to Tomlin before Pittsburgh’s final drive, and Tomlin didn’t ask. Boswell didn’t focus on the distance but making sure he could get the proper footing, never a guarantee on turf turned into a choppy maw from three hours of trampling.
The kick was good all the way, tucking inside the left upright as time expired. One celebratory headbutt with punter/holder Jordan Berry, and Boswell found himself mobbed at midfield.
”If you watch it on the film Bills Taron Johnson Jersey , it curves almost half the width of the whole goal, which is quite a lot,” Berry said. ”It’s probably one of the best kicks I’ve ever seen anybody make.”
Not that Boswell wants to talk about it much. On an team that features Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, Boswell figures the best he can do is not mess it up for everyone else.
”He’s always prepared,” Smith said. ”Nothing surprises him. Nothing ever surprises him.”
Certainly not the pressure, maybe because Boswell does a pretty good job of occupying himself until the moment arrives. He admits he will intentionally get himself playfully worked up over something that has nothing to do with the stakes.
Maybe it’s a teammate’s helmet that got inadvertently plopped into Boswell’s spot on the bench or the sea of cameras that seem to surround his kicking net when the clock is ticking down and it becomes apparent the thin line between victory and defeat will rest on the powerful right leg at the bottom of his wiry 6-foot-2 frame.
”It’s always something else that’s got absolutely nothing to do with the game so when he goes out there to kick he’s just kicking the ball http://www.cincinnatibengalsteamonline.com/sam-hubbard-jersey ,” Berry said.
Something Boswell is doing as well as anyone in the league right now. His 32 field goals rank second in the league and are two behind Norm Johnson’s club record set in 1995. Boswell remains fresh thanks in part to Smith’s regiment that only requires Boswell to kick twice during the week. He also doesn’t spent too much time on the field during pregame trying to see how far out he can go on a given day. If he makes a 40-yarder with plenty to spare, he knows he’s good.
The guy who graduated from Rice in 2014 with a degree in sports medicine and had given himself until the end of the 2015 season to land a full-time NFL gig is now likely headed to his first Pro Bowl. Asked what he’d be doing if he wasn’t trying to help the Steelers win a seventh Super Bowl, Boswell shrugs his slender shoulders.
”Personal trainer, coach, something around sports,” he said. ”I don’t think I could go to an office or a desk job. I can’t sit still for that long.”
NOTES: CB Joe Haden (fractured left leg) was limited on Friday and is questionable against the Patriots. … WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) and CB Coty Sensabaugh (shoulder) are also questionable. … TE Vance McDonald (shoulder) is out.
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.HOUSTON (AP) Tom Savage knows he has a lot of work to do to rebound this week against the Los Angeles Rams after what he called a ”cringe-worthy” performance in his first start for the Houston Texans on Sunday since Deshaun Watson sustained a season-ending knee injury.
Savage failed to move the offense for much of the day in a 20-14 loss to the Colts on Sunday. The defense scored a touchdown in the first half Cheap Taron Johnson Jersey , but Savage didn’t lead the team to any points until he threw his first career touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins with about six minutes remaining.
The Texans had a chance to win it on the last play, but he was sacked and fumbled for his third lost fumble in just 1+ games after he was benched at halftime of the opener after losing the ball twice.
Article continues below ...”I’m my worst critic. I really am. I mean, I know you guys probably write some bad stuff,” he said referring to reporters. ”But I can promise you that there’s no one more hard on myself than me. And so, obviously, I just look at everything I can work on and try and get better from there.”
Savage used the term ”cringe-worthy” when he was asked what it was like to watch video of the game.
”Because … I know that I can make these plays Bills Harrison Phillips Jersey ,” he said. ”That was the most frustrating part … it was a very frustrating game for me because I was coming off the sideline like I’m seeing everything, it’s not like too fast or the lights are too bright or anything. It’s just the way it is. I’ve done it all training camp, all preseason and I’ve done it my whole career.”
Coach Bill O’Brien wasn’t in the mood on Wednesday to discuss details of what Savage has to do to improve this week, instead speaking in broad terms about what he wants him to do.
”Play loose, play free, let it rip Jets Sam Darnold Jersey ,” he said. ”Go out there, have some fun. Don’t worry about anything other than making the right reads, getting us into the right play and let it rip.”
No one wanted to make excuses for his struggles on Sunday, but Savage and his coaches agree that he should be helped by an entire week of practice with the first team. Last week he had just one full day of practice to prepare as the starter after Watson was injured in practice on Thursday.
He had a really tough time early on Sunday when he completed just one of his first nine passes for 10 yards on Houston’s first three drives.
Savage moved the team much better in the fourth quarter when connected with Hopkins on a 34-yard touchdown pass before leading Houston to the 7-yard line on the next drive before the offense stalled.
”He knows the game plan, he knows the offense,” O’Brien said. ”He’s very Titans Luke Falk Jersey , very schooled up on how to run our offense. He’s a smart guy. He’s going to have a full week of practice under his belt, which I think is a big deal … so hopefully he can go out there and play well.”
Although Savage hasn’t had a good performance in either of his games this season, he believes that he can turn things around and help the Texans end a two-game skid on Sunday.
”I’m really confident in myself,” he said. ”I really do believe that I’m a starting quarterback in this league and I do believe that I can throw the ball really well and accurate, and that’s never been an issue for me. I know that I just got to go out there and do it.”
His confidence is helped by having a pair of receivers in Hopkins and Will Fuller who rank first and second in the NFL with eight and seven touchdown receptions respectively.
”It just makes quarterbacks’ jobs a lot easier,” Savage said. ”Not many guys are blessed with two guys like that that can go up and get it and have the vertical aspect of their game and still be able to be really good route runners. So http://www.tennesseetitansteamonline.com/luke-falk-jersey , it’s a blessing to have them.”
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.HUNTERSVILLE Cheap David Andrews Jersey , N.C. (AP) A North Carolina man has filed a lawsuit against an NFL player who he says seduced his wife.
The Charlotte Observer reports Joshua Jeffords, of Huntersville Cheap Vincent Valentine Jersey , filed a lawsuit against Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox in Mecklenburg County Civil Court on Nov. 22. The 26-year-old Cox is being sued for alienation of affection. He has yet to respond to the lawsuit.
Jeffords said in the filing that he learned in September of text and Snapchat messages between his wife and Cox, including explicit photos and discussions of having children together. He says his wife met Cox during a work trip to Pennsylvania in April and she moved there in October.
Article continues below ...Jeffords says he sought mental health treatment for ”substantial emotional distress.” He’s seeking at least $50 Cheap Breeland Speaks Jersey ,000 in damages.
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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotteobserver.com
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Carlton Davis Jersey , what you are wearing becomes very important.
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You will be warm: The modern life jackets are made of fabric and materials that help to keep you warm while you are dipping in the cold waters. If you are floating in the waters waiting for your boat to arrive, the ski jackets would be perfect for you.
In case you are not in your senses: Well, there are many who love to go on a leisure boat trip, and sip away some alcohol matching the day’s pleasant weather. Not hard to guess that such people may sometimes fall off the boat due to their drunkenness. This is when the life jackets come into the picture, and help to save their precious lives.
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.WASHINGTON (2-1) at KANSAS CITY (3-0)
Monday Cheap John Hannah Jersey , 8:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN
OPENING LINE – Chiefs by 8 1/2
Article continues below ...RECORD VS. SPREAD – Washington 2-1, Kansas City 3-0
SERIES RECORD – Chiefs lead 8-1
LAST MEETING – Chiefs beat Redskins 45-10, Dec. 8, 2013
LAST WEEK – Redskins beat Raiders 27-10; Chiefs beat Rams 24-10
AP PRO32 RANKING – Redskins No. 13 Cheap Quenton Nelson Jersey , Chiefs No. 1
REDSKINS OFFENSE – OVERALL (31), RUSH (21), PASS (28)
REDSKINS DEFENSE – OVERALL (7), RUSH (25), PASS (19)
CHIEFS OFFENSE – OVERALL (16) Cheap Antonio Callaway Jersey , RUSH (24), PASS (13)
CHIEFS DEFENSE – OVERALL (11), RUSH (14), PASS (4)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Redskins’ only win over Chiefs was Sept. 18 Cheap Malcom Brown Jersey , 1983. Washington has been outscored 191-69 in six games since. … Teams have never met on Monday night. … Redskins’ Chris Thompson (13.0) and Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt (9.6) are tops among NFL RBs in scrimmage yards per touch this season. … Redskins and Cardinals are only two teams never to win at Arrowhead Stadium. … Washington has not started 3-1 or better since 2011. … Redskins have not had two wins against AFC opponents since 2008. They beat Raiders last week. … Washington LB Zach Brown is second in NFL with 32 tackles. … Redskins did not allow Raiders to convert on third down last week (0 for 11). …. Washington has allowed 57 sacks since 2015 season, tied for best in NFL with Giants and Raiders. … Redskins OT Trent Williams is expected to start 100th career game. Ryan Kerrigan will start his 100th straight regular-season game, longest streak among LBs. … Chiefs are plus-4 in turnover margin, tied for third best in NFL. They have not allowed any points off turnovers. … Kansas City averages league-leading 162 yards rushing, and 397.3 yards total offense is third best in league. … Hunt had 172 yards rushing last week vs. Rams. He leads league with 401 yards rushing. … Hunt has six TDs through his first three career games Cheap Marcus Cannon Jersey , most by rookie since 1981. … Travis Kelce needs 96 yards receiving to pass Fred Arbanas (3,101) for second among Chiefs TEs. … QB Alex Smith has thrown seven TD passes without interception. He leads NFL with 132.7 rating. … Kansas City placed K Cairo Santos on IR and signed rookie Harrison Butker off Carolina practice squad. Santos is franchise’s career leader in FG success rate at 84.8 percent. … Fantasy Tip: Cousins could have hands full against Chiefs this week. CBs Marcus Peters and Terrence Mitchell combined for three picks of Philip Rivers last week, and pass rushers Justin Houston, Dee Ford and Chris Jones should keep pressure on him all night.
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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL.
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CLEVELAND (AP) Every day he stays committed and sober Cheap Malcolm Butler Jersey , Josh Gordon takes another step toward playing again in the NFL.
The long walk and wait are nearly over.
The wide receiver, who squandered millions in potential earnings and derailed a promising career because of substance abuse, will practice with the Browns on Wednesday for the first time in 14 months – a return that once seemed unimaginable.
Article continues below ...Gordon was recently reinstated on a conditional basis by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being suspended for the past two seasons. So far, the enigmatic 26-year-old has fulfilled every requirement placed on him by Goodell, and on Monday he threw with Cleveland’s quarterbacks.
Gordon, who has been suspended for the Browns’ past 43 games and 53 of 58, has impressed teammates with his attitude since rejoining the team on Nov. 7. He’s been working out under the team’s guidance, and on Sunday he was on the sideline when the winless Browns lost to Jacksonville.
”First and foremost Cheap Marcus Cannon Jersey , I’m just happy for him,” guard Joel Bitonio said. ”I think he’s in a good place. You can kind of tell that he’s just mentally refreshed almost. He’s been away from the game and I think it was a little humbling for him.”
Gordon was poised to make a comeback last year, but after spending training camp with the Browns and playing in the exhibition season, he checked himself into a rehab facility.
One of the worries about Gordon is that he will relapse, but coach Hue Jackson believes the Browns have a strong support system in place to aid him inside and outside the team’s facility.
”Josh knows that we’re always available to him,” Jackson said. ”But he’s entitled to be a man and make his decisions and do the right thing, and we truly believe and support that he will. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do thus far. He’s working extremely hard. He’s excited about being back and about having the opportunity. I know every chance I get to be around him, he was on our sideline yesterday and it was a treat just dialoguing with him Cheap Mike Hughes Jersey , the things he saw, the ways he thinks he can help.
”To me, that was exciting. He’s doing well and hopefully that will continue.”
Gordon’s return is a boost for the Browns, who have gone 1-25 over the past two seasons and don’t have a playmaker close to his stature. Gordon led the league with 1,646 yards receiving and scored nine touchdowns in 2013 despite being suspended for two games.
With a dazzling blend of size, speed and strength, he was one of the league’s most dynamic wide receivers. The Browns can’t wait to see if he can get close to that level again.
”It’s like Christmas,” Jackson said. ”I’m going to open a new toy. I know what’s in that box. I just want to see how good it is.”
As long as Gordon abides by the league’s guidelines – he’s subject to random drug testing – Gordon will be eligible to play on Dec. 3 when the Browns visit the Los Angeles Chargers. Gordon hasn’t played in a regular season game since Dec. 21 Jets Thomas Rawls Jersey , 2014.
While he was in a Florida rehab facility, Gordon did all he could to stay in shape, and he’s been seen in the Browns’ weight room with the team’s strength and conditioning staff. He’s leaner than when he last played.
”From what I’ve heard from our strength staff, he’s looking in pristine shape,” Bitonio said. ”So I’m excited even to see him run a few routes on the scout team or whatever this week. The dynamic he brings to the team is something that can’t be replaced.”
The Browns need Gordon, as their receiving group has been a major
disappointment. But with Gordon’s return and Corey Coleman back after missing
nine weeks with a broken hand, things could change dramatically for Cleveland’s
struggling offense. Coleman caught six passes for 80 yards on Sunday.
For Bitonio, there’s a bigger story with Gordon.
”I just hope he’s in a good place Cheap Pernell McPhee Jersey ,” Bitonio said. ”If he can get back on the field, that’s one of the stories of the Cleveland Browns that, hey, this guy was down in the dumps and he’s kind of risen from the ashes, so to say, and hopefully gets back out there and helps us get some wins.”
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.FLOWERY BRANCH Raiders Daryl Worley Jersey , Ga. (AP) Julio Jones is still making some dynamic plays for the Atlanta Falcons.
There was his touchdown catch at New England , where he went up over Malcolm Butler in the corner of the end zone and snatched the ball away, as if to say, ”Get that weak stuff outta here!”
Not to mention a 53-yard grab against the New York Jets, when Jones breathtakingly accelerated down the middle of the field, beating two defenders with a speed of 21.13 mph (faster than any other player in Week 8, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats ) and hauled in the pass from Matt Ryan.
Article continues below ...Even so, there’s no doubt that Jones’ numbers are down rather significantly in several key areas – most notably, touchdowns and yards per game – which has sparked a running stream of questions about his role in the Atlanta offense.
Jones doesn’t sound the least bit concerned.
”I don’t need validation from anybody,” he said Thursday, standing at his locker before practice Raiders Ryan Switzer Jersey , ”or numbers to tell me throughout the year what type of player I am.”
Jones is not having a poor season by any stretch. Projected over a full season, he’d finish with 85 receptions for 1,234 yards.
But he’s got only one TD – that catch against the Patriots in the closing minutes of an ugly 23-7 loss – and his average of 77.1 yards per game would be his lowest since 2012, after four straight seasons of producing more than 100 yards each time out.
Frankly, it’s more than a little odd to look at the NFL’s receiving stats and see Jones only fifth in yards per game – he led the league in that category the past two seasons – and way down in 20th with just 37 receptions.
A year ago, Jones had 83 receptions for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns despite missing two games with an injury.
In 2015, playing all 16 games, he turned in one of the greatest receiving seasons in NFL history: 136 catches, 1,871 yards and eight TDs.
With the Falcons (4-3) heading into a crucial NFC South game against the Carolina Panthers (5-3) Eagles Paul Worrilow Jersey , coach Dan Quinn is constantly stressing to the offense that it needs to find ways to get Jones more involved.
”We think that all the time,” Quinn said Thursday. ”He’s always a factor to me.”
Specifically, Quinn wants his best receiver to have more of an impact on third down.
”He leads our team in explosive plays by quite a bit,” the coach said. ”He hasn’t had as many opportunities on third down, so for sure that’s a part of our game that we know we can improve upon.”
Jones is not one of those diva receivers who constantly demands the ball. He has said over and over again – and he did again Thursday – that the only stat of concern to him is the won-loss record.
”If we dial the play up, I’m going to go out there and try to make the best of it,” Jones said. ”I’m very explosive down the field, but people can’t see what we see on the field. A lot of people try to take me away early on. You can’t see it. There might be one guy, but the safety’s cheating over and things like that.”
Certainly, there’s no fretting about making sure he winds up with roughly the same numbers as other years.
”I don’t look in the past,” Jones said. ”I’m a day-to-day guy. I’m in that game. I do my best in that game. After it’s over and done with Buccaneers Ronald Jones II Jersey , it’s behind me.”
While first-year coordinator Steve Sarkisian has taken much of the rap for a dip in the entire Atlanta offense, which led the league in scoring a year ago but is in the middle of the pack this season, quarterback Matt Ryan said the Falcons have always operated on the philosophy of taking what the defense gives.
Some weeks, it’s Jones’ time to shine.
Other weeks, someone else steps up.
Against the Jets, Mohamed Sanu had six catches for 74 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter that put the Falcons ahead to stay . Jones was double-covered on the play, and Ryan found the open man.
”(The ball) is going to find different guys at different times,” Ryan said. ”When the matchup calls for it, certain people are going to step up and have a big games. Last week, Mohamed Sanu had a bunch of really good opps for us and I thought played really well.”
This might be Jones’ week to shine. The Panthers have an aggressive Rams Brian Allen Jersey , gambling defense, which can lead to game-turning plays but also gives the offense chances to strike for big chunks.
Last season, Jones had 12 catches for a career-best 300 yards against
Carolina.
”They know us, we know them,” he said. ”So you’ve got to take advantage of it, like we have in the past.”
If not, Jones won’t sweat it.
As long as the Falcons win, he’s good.
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Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/paul%20newberry
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.FRISCO Cheap Dont'a Hightower Jersey , Texas (AP) Alfred Morris bristled when asked what has changed for him now that Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is serving a six-game suspension over domestic violence allegations with fading hopes for a third reprieve in court.
Presumably the top candidate to replace last year’s NFL rushing leader, Morris sternly reminded the swarm of a dozen-plus reporters that little had changed from his work week when he was Elliott’s backup.
”I mean, other than all these cameras in my face,” Morris said.
Article continues below ...The usually affable Morris was more pointed than angry, and admittedly a little wound up since he stumbled over his words a couple of times and finally interrupted an answer to say he was just talking too fast.
After all, Morris is looking at his first start in almost two years when Kansas City (6-2) visits Dallas (4-3) on Sunday. It’s been even longer since he was the featured back in Washington.
Speaking of which, it will be quarterback Dak Prescott’s first meaningful start without Elliott since the dynamic rookies led the Cowboys to the best record in the NFC last season.
”This team was built on the run game before me or Zeke even got here,” Prescott said. ”We’ve got those running backs. Darren McFadden had a great year before Zeke even got here and we know what Alfred Morris can do. I don’t think it changes. It is how this team is built.”
Prescott said he exchanged text messages with Elliott after a federal judge in New York on Monday night turned down the NFL players’ union request for an injunction that would have let him play while the case was in the courts.
Elliott’s attorneys are seeking an emergency stay from a federal appeals court Cheap Tremaine Edmunds Jersey , but there’s no indication when the court will rule or schedule a hearing. Without another injunction, Elliott will be out until the final three games of the season, starting Dec. 17 at Oakland.
Prescott said Elliott ”obviously feels bad with the ruling coming down” but wouldn’t share his take on Elliott’s frame of mind.
”I know he is looking forward. He is moving forward,” Prescott said . ”He is going to do the best he can to have his body and his mind ready to go when he returns.”
Meantime, the Cowboys have said repeatedly through the twists and turns of the Elliott case that they are comfortable with their options.
Four years before the Prescott-Elliott pairing, Morris and Robert Griffin III shared standout rookie years with the Redskins. Morris followed that 1,613-yard season with 1,275 yards rushing in 2013 before fading from the lead role following a coaching change.
After the Cowboys let 2014 rushing leader DeMarco Murray go in free agency Cheap Shaquem Griffin Jersey , McFadden led them with 1,089 yards even though he started just 10 games in 2015.
McFadden was Elliott’s backup when he was healthy last season, but has been inactive all seven games this season in favor of Morris, who had 70 of his 105 yards this season rushing on one carry in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Dallas also has been pleased with seldom-used Rod Smith, the older brother of linebacker Jaylon Smith and a special teams contributor who also has found an occasional role on third down.
”I’ve played a lot of football in this league, Alfred has played a lot of football in this league and Rod’s done a heck of a job,” McFadden said. ”We’re just going to go out there and make a play a different way.”
Morris signed with Dallas as a free agent last year, a little less than two months before the Cowboys drafted Elliott with the fourth overall pick. By the end of last season Cheap Harold Landry Jersey , he was inactive, something he never imagined happening in his career.
So the uncertainty surrounding Elliott’s status wasn’t much different for him.
”It’s just like, `OK, you stay here and be ready. Whenever Zeke needs you, you be ready,”’ Morris said. ”That’s just my role and I have to accept that. Am I a starter? I’m definitely a starter. I would never sit here and say I’m not a starter.”
For now, Morris is the starter.
NOTES: WR Dez Bryant was added to the injury report Wednesday, listed as limited with a knee injury. … DE DeMarcus Lawrence Cheap Lawrence Guy Jersey , the NFL leader with 10+ sacks, was another add, listed as limited with a calf injury.
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.NASHVILLE Cheap Dallas Goedert Jersey , Tenn. (AP) Tom Savage came in without starting wide receiver Will Fuller, then the Houston quarterback lost wide receiver Bruce Ellington early with a hamstring injury followed by tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz and receiver Braxton Miller with concussions.
Then running back Alfred Blue was forced out by a concussion.
Four offensive players gone, forcing the Texans to mix and match on the fly. Even Savage was evaluated for a concussion at halftime, though he didn’t miss a snap.
Article continues below ...Savage turned in a gutsy performance along with the best passing game of his career Sunday, throwing for 365 yards and driving the Texans to the go-ahead touchdown. He took good care of the football – until his final throw.
Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims beat DeAndre Hopkins for an interception in the end zone with 1:02 left Cheap Tedy Bruschi Jersey , and Tennessee won 24-13.
”It was just a weird game,” Savage said. ”I’ve never been a part of something like that with that many guys out.”
The battered Texans (4-8) have lost two straight and five of six with the latest defeat close to extinguishing the last hope of reaching the playoffs for the two-time AFC South champs.
Houston coach Bill O’Brien complimented Savage for hanging in and making some nice throws. The quarterback’s best work may have come at helping running back Andre Ellington, claimed Oct. 22 off waivers from Arizona and in his first game with Houston, line up at slot receiver after the injuries.
”On every single play, Tom had to get him lined up and basically help him with what to do Cheap Mason Cole Jersey ,” O’Brien said.
”So as an example right there, I thought Tom did a great job. We have a lot of respect for Tom and he hung in there today and tried to bring us back. It just didn’t work out.”
Savage’s play of the game may have come after Jeff Allen, at left tackle after starting at right guard most of the season, was flagged for false starts three straight times to turn fourth-and-4 into fourth-and-19.
Savage slipped away from pressure up the middle and found Stephen Anderson for a 22-yard pass to keep the Texans alive.
The interception came on the very next play for Savage, who made his fifth straight start since the season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson. It was the sixth this season for Savage.
”I knew they were going to go to Hopkins Cheap Logan Paulsen Jersey , so when he broke inside the quarterback threw it outside,” Sims said. ”So I just turned around and tried to make a play on the ball.”
It was Savage’s fifth pass in the fourth quarter to Hopkins, who finished with eight catches for 80 yards. O’Brien said they called a double move on the play, which didn’t work out.
”I thought he played well,” O’Brien said. ”Tom can sling it … We had a lot of injuries today Cheap Elandon Roberts Jersey , a lot of things we had to piece together on offense and we just came up short.”
Teammates complimented Savage, who was sacked four 
times. The quarterback
wasn’t in the mood to enjoy a game that was 105 yards better than his previous
best, saying he’d rather complete only one pass in a win.
”It’s just not swinging our way right now,” Savage said.
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AP freelance writer Brian Hinchman contributed to this report.
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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL .
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Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker
.