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LANDOVER Eric Wood Jersey , Md. (AP) Jay Gruden was hardly happy after this victory. That subdued reaction signifies progress, according to Washington’s coach.

Kirk Cousins and the Redskins sweated it out and barely held on to beat past – and possibly future – mentor Kyle Shanahan’s winless San Francisco 49ers 26-24 on Sunday. The Redskins (3-2) blew a 17-point lead amid injuries and a pair of turnovers and survived a last-minute drive by 49ers rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard.

”You can see that we’re starting to turn a corner a little bit when you’re not quite as ecstatic as you normally would be after a win,” Gruden said. ”I know we can play a lot better.”

That includes Cousins, who threw for two touchdowns, ran for one and had an interception against the team he has been linked to for next season because of his connection with Shanahan. Gruden called Cousins’ play ”efficient” after the quarterback was 25 of 37 for 330 yards passing and added 27 yards on the ground.

Despite the inconsistencies, Cousins came away smiling.

”I think we did a good job as an offense Colton Schmidt Jersey ,” said Cousins, who had TD passes to Josh Doctson and Samaje Perine . ”It wasn’t perfect. There were a couple mistakes, but all in all (we) did a lot of good things.”

Shanahan benched Brian Hoyer for Beathard, who threw for 245 yards, a touchdown and an interception and nearly led an impressive comeback.

Beathard, a third-round pick out of Iowa and grandson of former Redskins Super Bowl-winning general manager Bobby Beathard Cordy Glenn Jersey , took over for Hoyer with about six and a half minutes left in the first half and the 49ers (0-6) down 14-0. After Hoyer was 4 of 11 for 34 yards, Beathard went 19 of 36 in his first NFL action.

Running back Carlos Hyde said Beathard looked ”like he’d been out there before.” Shanahan said Beathard had done enough to supplant Hoyer as the starter.

With the 49ers down by two in the final minute, Beathard led them toward field goal range with a 12-yard pass to former Washington receiver Pierre Garcon along the sideline. He was intercepted by Kendall Fuller on fourth down to seal the result that was much closer than many expected.

”We didn’t think we had to make the game that close,” said Redskins left tackle Trent Williams, who played through a knee injury. ”It shouldn’t have been a nail-biter coming down towards the end.”

San Francisco is now the first in NFL history to lose five consecutive games by three points or fewer – a combined 13 points.

DAVIS IN CHARGE

Redskins tight end Vernon Davis had a fumble to set up a 49ers touchdown and a 51-yard catch against the team he played his prime years with. Davis fumbled after making a catch in the third quarter, and Hyde ran for a 1-yard touchdown on the next play to tie the score.

Davis made up for that mistake by catching a pass from Cousins at the Washington 45 and running 33 more yards to the San Francisco 22. Cousins scored not long after.

”Up the seams Jerry Hughes Jersey , just run as fast as you possibly can, that’s what coach always says,” Davis said. ”I saw an opening so I just went right around the defender and looked up for the ball and Kirk … he’s good at those, he put it right there and I didn’t have to do much.”

KEY PENALTY

A key call on San Francisco’s last drive came on second-and-10 at Washington’s 40 with less than a half-minute left.

Garcon was called for offensive pass interference, which pushed the Niners back to midfield. They wouldn’t gain another yard. Garcon argued the ruling on the field; asked about it in the locker room, he replied: ”I cannot talk about the referees.”

Shanahan said he would have let Robbie Gould attempt a 57-yard field goal had the 49ers wound up with fourth down at the 40.

INJURIES

49ers: DE Arik Armstead left with a hand injury. … DE Aaron Lynch left with a calf injury. … Rookie LB Reuben Foster missed his fifth consecutive game with an ankle injury.

Redskins: CB Bashaud Breeland will have an MRI on his left knee after being on the receiving end of a low block. Gruden said it was an MCL issue. … Rookie DL Jonathan Allen left with a foot injury in the fourth quarter and will also have an MRI. … S Stefan McClure left with a sprained left knee. … RB Rob Kelley (ankle) and CB Josh Norman (rib) were inactive.

UP NEXT

49ers: Host Dallas on Sunday still looking for their first victory.

Redskins: Visit the NFC East-leading Eagles on Monday Preston Brown Jersey , Oct. 23.

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Pro Football Writer Howard Fendrich contributed.

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ALAMEDA Graham Gano Jersey , Calif. (AP) Jon Gruden has never had a promising, young quarterback like Derek Carr to develop in 11 seasons as an NFL head coach.

Carr hasn’t had the opportunity to play for a coach like Gruden, an offensive mastermind known for his maniacal work ethic and attention to detail.

The way those two fare together will determine whether Gruden’s return for a second stint as coach of the Oakland Raiders will end up as the resounding success owner Mark Davis hoped for while pining for a reunion the past six years.

”I had a chance to visit with Derek Carr this morning and I said, `Derek, this is an unbelievable opportunity and if you’ll just take advantage of the opportunity, there’s so many great things in store for you, not only professionally but personally,”’ said Rich Gannon Charles Johnson Jersey , whose career took off after joining Gruden in Oakland in 1999.

”Jon’s excited to work with Derek and Derek’s already a good player but he’s got a chance to be a Hall of Famer and win multiple Super Bowls if he’ll just do the work.”

Carr will be tested and challenged like he hasn’t in his first four seasons. Gruden is famous for arriving at work each day at 3:17 a.m., putting in long hours each week.

He will also ride Carr hard if necessary in order to bring out the best in his game.

”I don’t care how hard Derek worked before, he’s going to have to change his work habits a little bit to fit in,” Gannon said.

Gannon became a star when he joined up with Gruden after 12 seasons as a journeyman in Minnesota, Washington and Kansas City. He became a first-team All-Pro in his second season with Gruden and won the league MVP the year after Gruden was traded to Tampa Bay.

Carr showed he was capable of being a top quarterback when he garnered MVP support in a breakthrough 2016 season. But he took a major step back this past year after signing a $125 million, five-year extension.

He matched his career high with 13 interceptions and recorded his worst totals in yards, touchdown and passer rating since his rookie year in 2014.

”I think there is a huge ceiling in Derek Carr,” Gruden said. ”I think he has proven that. Up to us as a coaching staff to improve around him Andrew Norwell Jersey , get more consistent, and come up with an offense that really allows him to soar into another level.”

Fixing Carr is just one of Gruden’s tasks. Getting receiver Amari Cooper back on track is nearly as important. After beginning his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Cooper took a major step back in 2017. He was plagued by the drops that hurt him as a rookie and only topped the 100-yard mark twice all season while finishing with career lows with 48 catches for 680 yards.

It was a puzzling drop-off for a receiver who entered the year considered one of the top in the game. Hall of Famer Tim Brown said he believes Cooper could be in for a 120-catch season if he listens to Gruden’s advice.

”Even for a guy like me, who was having a pretty good career, he was able to take me to another level, showing me how much better I could be,” Brown said. ”I thought I was doing pretty good. Sometimes you just have to turn your brain off and buy in. If you can do that great things can happen.”

Even some of the greatest players in the game’s history credit Gruden for some of their success. Hall of Famer Jerry Rice arrived in Oakland in 2001 as the most accomplished receiver in NFL history but appeared to be on the decline after failing to reach 1 Daryl Williams Jersey ,000 yards in each of his final two seasons in San Francisco.

But he had a rebirth in Oakland under Gruden, catching 83 passes for 1,139 yards at age 39. He followed that up with 92 catches for 1,211 yards the following season and compared Gruden to his former coach in San Francisco, Bill Walsh.

”Could be your best friend or your worst enemy, that’s going to keep you on your toes,” he said. ”Maybe that was something that the players, they were lacking this year. Sometimes you fall into listening to the talk but you need a coach that’s going to keep you focused. With Jon Gruden Mario Addison Jersey , he’s that type of coach.”

While Gruden’s biggest impact is on offense, his leadership and intensity translate to the entire team. Hall of Famer Howie Long has seen just about everything. He played for 13 years, announced for more than two decades and has two sons in the NFL.

So Long knows what players want in a coach.

”They want to be great and they want to be led,” he said. ”They want to believe in the guy in front of the room. I call it the Saran Wrap factor. Players see right through that in the front of the room if you’re not authentic, you’re not genuine, you’re not that way every day. … Jon has that.”

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BEREA Eric Wood Jersey , Ohio (AP) Through the haze of his troubled past, Josh Gordon still sees a bright future.

Only he can save it.

Declaring himself ”clean and sober” and committed to reviving his NFL career, Gordon embarked on yet another new start with the Cleveland Browns, a team he has teased with his immense talent and deeply disappointed.

One week after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally reinstated the oft-suspended former Pro Bowl wide receiver, Gordon, who hasn’t played since the end of the 2014 season, said his long-term professional goal hasn’t changed from making an indelible mark on the game.

”Ultimately my goal is to be the best wide receiver of all time,” he said in his first media session since returning to the Browns. ”For me, that’s always been my goal, and it’s just been re-affirmed for me time and time again and now being back in the situation to do it, I plan on seeing it through.”

But before he can get back on the field Colton Schmidt Jersey , Gordon has to prove he can maintain his sobriety while earning the trust of new teammates who only know him through highlight tapes.

His body hardened by a renewed commitment to training, the 26-year-old Gordon remained mostly guarded during two interview sessions on Wednesday.

His first had to be cut short because Gordon had to be at a team meeting, so he was later brought into the facility’s media center where Gordon answered questions while standing next to black-and-white photos of Hall of Famers Otto Graham, Marion Motely and Dante Lavelli.

Once a budding superstar, Gordon has become better known for blowing his chances along with millions of dollars in the process.

But following a nearly three-year absence from the field and a recent rehab stay of more than 100 days, Gordon feels he’s finally on the right path.

”I’m in a good spot,” he said. ”I know I have the support in place outside and inside the building. My life is just in a conducive space of where I need to be for me psychologically, physically. It’s all come together. Right now at this point in my life I’m feeling well. I’m feeling great.”

After reporting to the Browns on Tuesday, Gordon met with coach Hue Jackson, who outlined his expectations for the receiver.

”I was really impressed sitting across from Josh and talking to him,” said Jackson Cordy Glenn Jersey , who had Gordon in training camp last year before he checked into rehab. ”It was different than the time a year ago. I saw a young man who was a lot more mature, who understood exactly where he is and what he was trying to accomplish and do. We touched several different subjects, and I will keep that between me and him. I was very pleased with where Josh was.

”He looks in tremendous shape, and there is a different look in his eye. I am excited that he is here.”

Gordon is only permitted to attend team meetings and work out on his own until Nov. 20, when he can begin practicing with the Browns. As long as there are no setbacks, and Gordon remains clean, he’ll be eligible to play on Dec. 3 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.

In the meantime, the Browns intend to help Gordon in any way they can. Jackson said he will be monitored, but not like a child.

”It starts with him,” Jackson said. ”He is a grown man and so we are going to treat him that way, but we are going to do everything we can to support him. He knows my phone is on 24-7 Jerry Hughes Jersey , and that is not just with him but with all of our players. I just think that is one of the huge keys. If you know that somebody is going to be there for you and going to help you through whatever, you have a chance of making it.

”We wish the best for him, and we want him to make it. Obviously, I think he does too this time.”

Gordon was on a trajectory to fame and fortune when he caught 87 passes for a league-leading 1,646 yards in 2013. His blend of size and speed separated Gordon from his peers and there seemed to be no limits to his potential.

Gordon, though, couldn’t escape the allure of alcohol and drugs that first seduced him in his early teens and a cycle of suspensions, rehab stays and appeals for forgiveness followed. He has broken promises, betrayed trusts and risked his life to get high.

Earlier this week, Gordon revealed in an interview with GQ magazine that he either drank or smoked marijuana before every game of his career in college and the pros. Gordon, who has been suspended for 51 of Cleveland’s past 56 games Preston Brown Jersey , refused to detail any of his prior abuse and said all that matters is how he feels presently.

”I know I’m clean and sober,” Gordon said. ”I’m looking forward to that. I think the ceiling is very high.”

NOTES: Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas, who is out for the season following triceps surgery, coached Cleveland’s offensive linemen during practice. Jackson said he has asked Thomas to be around the team as much as possible. ”He is invited to anything we have,” Jackson said. ”He can run the meeting if he wants. As long as you give him the right information, we are all good.”

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OFTERSCHWANG Matt Bryant Jersey , Germany (AP) Mikaela Shiffrin added a second crystal globe in as many days to her ever growing collection on Saturday.

A day after locking up her second straight World Cup overall championship, the American secured her fifth season title in the slalom.

Shiffrin formally won the discipline title as soon as the only remaining challenger, Petra Vlhova, failed to get the top-two result which the Slovakian skier needed in the penultimate event of the season.

However, Shiffrin wrapped up the title in style by winning the race, edging Wendy Holdener of Switzerland by 0.09 seconds. Olympic champion Frida Hansdotter of Sweden was 0.72 behind in third Matt Bosher Jersey , and Vlhova finished fourth.

”I was happy yesterday but I was still thinking how I could prepare best for the race today and what I needed to do to come out and be motivated and ski really fast again,” said Shiffrin, who finished third in Friday’s giant slalom on the same hill to secure the overall title before skipping the public bib draw in the evening.

”It’s a big challenge to do that at the end of the season but Wendy really wants to win, Frida is coming off her gold medal in slalom in South Korea, so everybody has her own motivation,” Shiffrin said.

Saturday’s result stretched the American’s lead over Vlhova in the slalom standings to 225 points with just the season-ending race at the World Cup finals in Sweden remaining.

It was the American’s fifth slalom title in the past six seasons after only failing to win the discipline in 2016 when she missed five races due to a knee injury. Only Swiss great Vreni Schneider won more slalom titles in her career – six.

Shiffrin Ricardo Allen Jersey , who turns 23 on Tuesday, set a World Cup record on Saturday as she became the first 22-year-old skier, male or female, with 42 World Cup wins.

Also, getting her 11th win of the season was a personal best, though Schneider (14 in 1988-89) and American teammate Lindsey Vonn (12 in 2011-12) won more races in a single season.

Shiffrin was planning to take a few days off before flying to Are and compete in the last GS and slalom races of the season Ryan Schraeder Jersey , with nothing more at stake than just the race win.

”It’s still my goal to finish the season as strong as I can,” Shiffrin said, adding she would ”try to have some fire” for the final races of the season.

On a course set by her coach Mike Day, Shiffrin was the fastest in the opening run of Saturday’s slalom, leading Austrians Katharina Gallhuber and Bernadette Schild by 0.30 and 0.39 seconds, respectively.

While the Austrians dropped to fifth and sixth in the final run Andy Levitre Jersey , Holdener put pressure on Shiffrin by posting the fastest time.

The American lost fractions of her lead at every split time but the margin was still 0.09 to her advantage when she crossed the finish, denying Holdener a maiden slalom victory once more.

The Swiss skier has racked up 16 podiums in the discipline but is yet to win a race – a record in the women’s World Cup.

Both hampered by recent knee injuries, Austria’s Michaela Kirchgasser and Slovakia’s Veronika Velez Zuzulova retired from the sport on Saturday. Wearing clothes inspired by folklore, they used the opening leg for a farewell run at a leisurely pace while hugging coaches along the way.

NEW YORK (AP) Teddy Bridgewater is getting a fresh start in a new place that suddenly has a crowded quarterbacks room – and could be adding another signal caller soon.

The New York Jets signed the former Minnesota Vikings star to a one-year contract Frostee Rucker Jersey , making the deal official Sunday.

Bridgewater’s signing comes a day after the Jets traded up to acquire the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft from the Colts – likely with the intention of assuring themselves of getting one of the top available quarterbacks. New York dealt its first-rounder – No. 6 overall – along with two second-rounders and next year’s second-rounder for Indianapolis‘ top pick this year.

The Jets have re-signed Josh McCown , who will likely head into the offseason programs as the starting quarterback, but both he and Bridgewater are on one-year deals.

So, the focus next month in the draft will be on finding the future of the franchise. New York also has Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg on the roster, along with Joel Stave, but none appear to be viable candidates for the starting job – and their roster spots could be in serious jeopardy.

On a busy Sunday, New York also announced the signings of former Titans linebacker Avery Williamson and former Redskins center Spencer Long, along with the re-signings of cornerback Morris Claiborne Jared Veldheer Jersey , defensive lineman Mike Pennel and safety Terrence Brooks.

The 25-year-old Bridgewater could give McCown – and presumably whomever New York takes in the draft – a run in training camp if completely healthy. He’s still looking to return from a serious knee injury in August 2016 that sidelined him for most of the past two years. He threw just two passes last season for the Vikings, including one that was intercepted.

”I’m excited about the direction we’re headed in,” Bridgewater told the Jets’ website. ”I’m excited to be a part of something that can be very special and I just look forward to getting to work with the guys and a great year.”

Bridgewater was a first-round pick in 2014 out of Louisville and was largely considered a rising star at his position. He made the Pro Bowl after his second NFL season, but his career was thrust into uncertainty when he suffered a serious non-contact knee injury during a team practice the following summer. Bridgewater tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and dislocated the knee joint, along with other structural damage.

For his career, Bridgewater has thrown for 6,150 yards and 28 touchdowns with 22 interceptions and a 64.7 percent completion rate. He has also run for four touchdowns. Financial details were not immediately released, but it is believed to be worth $6 million – not including additional incentives.

The 26-year-old Williamson spent his first four NFL seasons with Tennessee and led the Titans in tackles in two of those years. He’ll be the replacement at inside linebacker for 29-year-old Demario Davis Tyvon Branch Jersey , who led the Jets in tackles last year with a career season but signed with New Orleans as a free agent after he said New York never offered him a deal.

Instead, the Jets went with the younger Williamson, who has 11 sacks and 377 tackles with two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He was given a three-year, $22.5 million deal and will combine with Darron Lee to man the middle of New York’s linebacker group.

Williamson was a fifth-round pick out of Kentucky in 2014. He became a starter for the Titans early in his rookie season and was a consistent playmaker during his four years with the team.

”I know the defense,” Williamson told the team’s website of the Jets’ 3-4 defensive alignment. ”They have great guys up here that can play. This defense is hungry. You have young guys on it who are talented and I feel like I’m going to fit right in. I just have to get in and learn the playbook and get to work.”

The Jets also addressed one of their other major needs by signing Long to a four-year deal worth $28 million.

Wesley Johnson was the starting center last season as the replacement for Nick Mangold, but struggled at times and is now a free agent. Long was a third-round draft pick out of Nebraska in 2014 and played both center and guard for the Redskins. He became Washington’s starter at center early in the 2016 season after a season-ending injury to Kory Lichtensteiger.

”It took a lot of adjustment physically and mentally,” Long said. ”It’s definitely different having the ball in your hands. In the meeting rooms is where the big changes came because I grew so much mentally as a player when I had to learn the center position. Ever since then, I’ve been able to build on a solid foundation. I’m excited. I think my best ball is yet to come at that position.”

The 27-year-old Long was limited to just seven games last season J. J. Nelson Jersey , though, as he dealt with injuries to both legs and needed surgery on his quadriceps tendon.

Claiborne rejoins the Jets on a one-year deal worth $7 million, including a $3 million signing bonus. He was the team’s top cornerback last season, but will now combine with Trumaine Johnson, who signed a five-year, $72.5 million deal earlier this week, to form one of the NFL’s most promising secondaries.

Pennel, back on a three-year deal worth $12 million A.Q. Shipley Jersey , was a key backup for Todd Bowles’ defense last season. He had a career-high 35 tackles in 16 games.

Brooks, who saw lots of playing time at safety and on special teams, was the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after Week 3 with two interceptions against Miami. He signed a two-year contract.

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JACKSONVILLE Eric Wood Jersey , Fla. (AP) The Jacksonville Jaguars have activated rookie receiver Dede Westbrook and safety Calvin Pryor from injured reserve and promoted Larry Pinkard from the practice squad.

To make room on the 53-man roster Saturday, the Jaguars (6-3) waived defensive tackle Sheldon Day and receiver Jaelen Strong and placed receiver Arrelious Benn (knee) on injured reserve.

Westbrook Colton Schmidt Jersey , a fourth-round draft pick from Oklahoma and the 2016 Biletnikoff Award winner, missed the first nine games following core muscle surgery in early September. He will make his NFL debut at Cleveland on Sunday and should see significant playing time since starter Allen Hurns (ankle) is out.

Pryor Cordy Glenn Jersey , a first-round draft pick by the New York Jets in 2014, has appeared in 44 career games. He has 191 tackles and two interceptions in three seasons.

Pinkard spent time with Green Bay and Oakland before signing with Jacksonville in April. He has yet to play in an NFL game.

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ARLINGTON Graham Gano Jersey , Texas (AP) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has been traded – from the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees.

The MLB’s Rangers selected Wilson in the Triple-A portion of the Rule 5 draft during the winter meetings in December 2013, about two months before he led the Seahawks to a win over Denver in the Super Bowl.

On Wednesday, Texas traded Wilson to the Yankees for future considerations.

Wilson spent a day in uniform with the Rangers at spring training in Surprise, Arizona, in 2014 without appearing in a game Charles Johnson Jersey , and made another cameo appearance at camp the following spring. An infielder, Wilson hit .229 in two seasons in the low minor leagues in Colorado’s system in 2010-11.

The 29-year-old Wilson is expected to be in the Yankees major league camp in March, where he will participate in pregame workouts and watch games from the Yankees dugout while in Florida. He will be assigned to the Double-A Trenton roster.

”We’ve admired Russell’s career from afar for quite some time,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

”This is a unique opportunity for us to learn from an extraordinary athlete who has reached the pinnacle of his profession. After talking to a number of our players, there is a genuine excitement in having Russell join us for a short time in camp.”

Wilson issued a statement thanking the Rangers for giving him the chance to experience professional baseball again.

”Growing up taking grounders Andrew Norwell Jersey , hitting BP, and throwing deep post routes early in the mornings with my dad and brother is where my love of sports came from, and those memories stick with me every morning I wake up,” Wilson said.

”I remember how excited I was when Texas selected me in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2013. During my two springs in Arizona with the Rangers, I was reminded just how much I love the game of baseball.”

A two-sport athlete in college Daryl Williams Jersey , Wilson graduated from North Carolina State University in 2010. In 2011, he left the Rockies organization for football to be a graduate transfer at Wisconsin, leading to the Badgers to a share of the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance before the Seahawks took him in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft.

”While football is my passion and my livelihood, baseball remains a huge part of where I came from and who I am today,” Wilson said.

”I’ve learned so much on the baseball field that translates to my game physically and mentally playing quarterback in the NFL. … While I embrace the chance to be a New York Yankee Mario Addison Jersey , I will forever be grateful to have been a part of a world class organization like the Texas Rangers.”

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FOXBOROUGH Nick Boyle Jersey , Mass. (AP) Chargers punt returner Travis Benjamin fielded the punt at his 11, running to his right to get to the ball just a step from the sideline.

Then he muffed it.

Picking up his fumble at the 8, he circled back toward the end zone in an attempt to make something out of the play. With three members of the New England coverage team closing in, he skidded to a stop just in front of the goal line.

And then he managed to make things even worse: Benjamin stutter-stepped backward into the end zone to avoid New England’s Brandon King, who was diving at his feet. The Chargers returner was quickly brought down for a safety that gave the Patriots a 9-7 lead and sent them on their way to a fourth straight victory. (There was also a holding penalty on the play against the Chargers, which was summarily declined.)

”Last week Terrance West Jersey , he made a play on a punt return to help us win the game. This week he made a bad decision,” coach Anthony Lynn said. ”That was a huge play in the game. You have to have some awareness of where you are on the football field. And he did not.”

The Chargers were toyed with by Tom Brady – at least until he got in field-goal range – and squelched by New England’s previously porous defense. But the Patriots’ almost-comical domination on special teams turned what could have been a routine victory by the defending Super Bowl champions into a slapstick farce.

In addition to the safety on a punt return, the Chargers also missed a field goal, gave up a 71-yard kickoff return to Dion Lewis and botched a series of kickoff returns that repeatedly left them inside their 20. Midway through the fourth quarter, after Los Angeles cut the deficit to five points and forced a punt, the Chargers committed two penalties on the return and got backed up from the 18-yard line to their 9.

”We knew coming in here that we couldn’t give that team anything Mike Wallace Jersey ,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. ”They are too good of a football team.”

But the turning point was Benjamin’s safety, which also gave the Patriots a short field. Starting at their 43, they moved into position for Stephen Gostkowski’s 25-yard field goal.

”Here we are punting the ball, giving the ball back to them, and at the end of the play, we’ve got 2 points Eric Weddle Jersey , and we’re getting the ball back,” New England special teamer Matthew Slater said. ”I think the guys were really feeding off the plays that a lot of us were making in the kicking game and that’s huge for us.”

Benjamin wasn’t the only problem for the Chargers – not by a long shot. Phillip Rivers managed just 192 passing yards – 51 on the failed final drive – against a defense that had been ranked last in the NFL. The L.A. defense was better, but forced just one three-and-out while allowing five drives of 10 plays or more.

Lynn said he used cornerback Michael Davis along with running back Austin Ekeler on kickoffs because previous returners hadn’t produced much. But that left the Chargers pinned inside their 25 four times.

”We were off our flow,” Ekeler said. ”We weren’t as coordinated as well as we were last week, so we just started taking a knee in the end zone and taking the secure route. It wasn’t acceptable.”

Asked if he still had faith in Benjamin returning punts, Lynn noted that the receiver caught a 24-yard touchdown pass and had another score called back because of an illegal pick penalty. In last week’s victory over the Broncos – their third in a row – Benjamin pulled down a 42-yard TD catch and ran back a punt 65 yards for a score.

”It’s one of those things where no one played a perfect game Matt Judon Jersey ,” Rivers said. ”He’s going to tell you that you made a bad decision, and you move on and live with it. I made some myself today. … We all had our share of mistakes, we just had too many to overcome.”

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CINCINNATI (AP) Coach Marvin Lewis got a two-year contract extension Tuesday Frostee Rucker Jersey , providing more chances to try to get the Cincinnati Bengals that playoff victory that has eluded him for 15 seasons.

The agreement came after a second straight losing season and two days of discussions with owner Mike Brown. Lewis has the second-longest active coaching tenure in the NFL, behind Bill Belichick’s 18 seasons with New England.

Unlike Belichick, who has won five Super Bowls and made two other appearances in the title game, Lewis is 0-7 in the playoffs, the worst coaching record in NFL history. The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since the 1990 season, the sixth-longest streak of futility in league history.

Paul Brown Stadium was half-empty for the final home game Jared Veldheer Jersey , an indication fans had given up on the team and were hoping for change.

Instead, Brown decided to stay the course and keep Lewis, who wanted more say over the coaching staff and the roster if he stayed.

Brown’s aversion to change won out.

”Marvin has made significant contributions during his time here,” Brown said in a statement.

Lewis planned to meet the media on Wednesday. He said in a statement that he was committed ”to making the necessary improvements to put this team in the best position to win.”

Lewis has acknowledged that he would have been fired in any other NFL city. Instead, he’s gotten second and third chances – and now a 16th chance – to lead the Bengals to a postseason win. Brown, an owner who values loyalty Tyvon Branch Jersey , has decided to keep Lewis around.

It marks a stay-the-course coaching offseason for both of Ohio’s teams. The Browns are keeping coach Hue Jackson after they became only the second team in NFL history to go 0-16.

On Monday, Lewis said he was interested in staying only if he and ownership had a common vision for changes that needed to happen. He said the organization needs to do a better job building a roster that can contend for an AFC North title.

Lewis has by far the longest coaching tenure in team history – founder Paul Brown and Sam Wyche are tied for second at eight years – and a 125-119-3 record, including that 0-7 playoff mark.

Under Lewis, the Bengals have had some of their best regular seasons and some of the worst playoff moments.

The mastermind of Baltimore’s Super Bowl championship defense in 2000, Lewis came to Cincinnati before the 2003 season – a rare outside hire by the Brown family. Lewis turned the Bengals into a competitive team and then a playoff team after years of languishing as a laughingstock.

He hasn’t been able to win a playoff game, though. His best chance came in 2015 J. J. Nelson Jersey , when the Bengals matched the franchise record with 12 wins and were in control in the final minutes of a playoff game against rival Pittsburgh at Paul Brown Stadium.

Lewis’ team unraveled, fumbling to give Pittsburgh a final chance and then committing two unthinkable penalties – Vontaze Burfict and Adam ”Pacman” Jones got 15-yard fouls – that set up the Steelers’ field goal for an 18-16 win. It was one of the worst meltdowns in NFL playoff history.

At yet, Lewis survived it. His team never recovered. The Bengals won only six games last season. When Lewis and Brown met afterward, they couldn’t agree on terms of an extension of his deal that ended after the 2017 season.

A 23-20 Monday night loss to Pittsburgh on Dec. 4 essentially ended the Bengals’ chances. Paul Brown Stadium was less than half-full for the final home game, a 26-17 victory over the Lions on Dec. 24. In the final game at Baltimore, the Bengals rallied for a 31-27 win that eliminated the Ravens.

The Bengals now have to sell tickets by convincing fans that things are changing A.Q. Shipley Jersey , even if the head coach is the same.

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KANSAS CITY Graham Gano Jersey , Mo. (AP) The final pass Alex Smith threw this season was an incompletion over the middle on fourth down, one that would have given the Kansas City Chiefs a chance to kick a winning field goal had he completed it.

It may ultimately be his final pass with the Chiefs, too.

Smith is under contract next season, but the cash-strapped Chiefs are expected to trade or release the veteran quarterback and turn the franchise over to first-round pick Patrick Mahomes II. And if that is the case, Smith’s career in Kansas City will be summed up by that errant throw over the middle.

He was good enough to lead the Chiefs to the playoffs.

He wasn’t good enough to lead them much farther.

”I’ll get into all that in the next couple of weeks,” said Smith, who did say that he wants to remain with Kansas City, but ultimately knows the decision is out of his hands.

”I’m under contract for another year Charles Johnson Jersey ,” he said. ”Like I said, I’m not thinking about anything else. Right now, I’m obviously disappointed. Like I said, I felt like we had a good chance. It’s gone. It’s over.”

As the Chiefs head into the offseason after a 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, a game in which they blew a 21-3 halftime lead, the biggest question mark becomes their quarterback situation.

Smith certainly made it a tougher decision than most had expected.

He threw for more than 4,000 yards for the first time, and he had 26 touchdown passes with just five interceptions during the regular season. He led the Chiefs to back-to-back AFC West titles for the first time in franchise history Andrew Norwell Jersey , made the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons and set all kinds of club records along the way, including pass attempts and postseason touchdown passes.

Reid has professed his admiration for Smith countless times over the years, and he was in favor of the trade that brought him to Kansas City from San Francisco. But the coach is also aware that the NFL is a business, and sometimes finances dictate difficult decisions.

”I can’t get into all that right now,” Reid said. ”I don’t know. We’ve got to go back and go through all of that. It’s a long process and surely after that game isn’t where you go with that.”

As the Chiefs head into the offseason, Smith isn’t the only topic of conversation:

RETIREMENT QUESTIONS: Chiefs linebackers Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali could consider hanging it up after another letdown. Johnson still played at a reasonably high level, and said he’ll head home to Texas and ponder his future, while Hali was reduced to a part-time role because of his ailing knees. If he does not retire Daryl Williams Jersey , the Chiefs will almost certainly release him.

PROMISING YOUNGSTERS: The Chiefs have reason for optimism in that most of their biggest stars are young. Tyreek Hill had a breakout second season as a wide receiver, Kareem Hunt led the league in rushing as a rookie and defensive tackle Chris Jones is an emerging star on the other side of the ball.

COACHING CHANGES: Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and special teams coach Dave Toub are expected to interview for head coaching vacancies in Indianapolis and possibly Chicago. Nagy has become a hot target after taking over play-calling with great success midway through the season, while Toub had interviews last season for head coaching vacancies.

DRAFT DEARTH: The Chiefs have traded away many of their future picks to acquire talent, including their first-round selection this year as part of the deal that landed Mahomes last year. So, they have only a second, third, fourth and sixth in the upcoming draft, putting new general manager Brett Veach in quite a predicament as he tries to bolster a roster that was not quite good enough.

SNAKE-BIT FRANCHISE: Despite all the good that came of this season Mario Addison Jersey , the Chiefs still must feel like they’re a bit cursed. What would have happened had star safety Eric Berry not been lost for the season in their opener? Or if star tight end Travis Kelce didn’t go down in the first half against Tennessee with a concussion? ”The tendency is to look back and say, ”What happened?’ I don’t think that’s the way to go about it,” offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz said. ”We just have to figure out how to play better.”

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