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Raiders defensive end Bruce Irvin didn’t filter himself when he posted an initial reaction to the team’s decision to trade Khalil Mack last weekend.

Irving wrote “no f—ing way” on Twitter Leonte Carroo Jersey , but he quickly progressed through the five stages of grief to come to acceptance. Irvin’s next tweet came 15 minutes later聽and said that the trade was a shock, but that the Raiders now had to “move on and win.”

Irvin has continued to look to the future since those social media posts, particularly when it comes to his expanded role as a leader in the front seven for Oakland.

“I’m excited, man,” Irvin said, via ESPN.com. “I’ve got my young boys working with me, four days a week. Arden [Key], Fadol [Brown] and Shilique [Calhoun], we work out four days a week at 7 a.m. If one do it Aaron Rodgers Jersey , we all going to do it. It’s great, man. I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge and I think we’re going to be pretty good.”

Key is joined by two more rookies on the interior of the defensive line, which gives the group a younger look than the Raiders are generally employing this season. If they make good on their potential, Irvin’s prediction could wind up being on the mark.

DALLAS COWBOYS (9-7)

New faces: LB Leighton Vander Esch, G Connor Williams, WR Allen Hurns, WR/KR Tavon Austin, WR Michael Gallup, LB Joe Thomas Kyle Williams Jersey , DT Jihad Ward, T Cameron Fleming, TE Dalton Schultz, WR Deonte Thompson.

Key losses: TE Jason Witten, WR Dez Bryant, LB Anthony Hitchens, CB Orlando Scandrick, WR Brice Butler, WR/KR Ryan Switzer Kenny Stills Jersey , TE James Hanna, RB Alfred Morris.

Strengths: Running game with Ezekiel Elliott, now free of suspension that loomed last year and had to be served halfway through season. Cowboys want passing game that’s in transition to feed off rushing attack. Offensive line still strong but facing big question with center Travis Frederick battling Guillain-Barre syndrome. Condition that affects nervous system has sidelined four-time Pro Bowler indefinitely. Defense looked stout in preseason and returns DE DeMarcus Lawrence, who tied for second in NFL with 14½ sacks last season.

Weaknesses: Safety dangerously thin with move of Byron Jones to cornerback and hamstring injury that could sideline Xavier Woods at least for opener. Cowboys fans have constant eye on Earl Thomas holdout in Seattle. Former Texas standout has made no secret of desire to play for Dallas. Receiving corps largely unproven after retirement of Witten, release of Bryant. Gallup, third-round pick, has looked good in preseason. Cole Beasley, dean of Dallas group, was strong in camp. Cowboys have high hopes that Hurns can have impact as newcomer.

Fantasy Players To Watch: Elliott is new Tony Romo for Cowboys as player they can’t live without and best fantasy option. Former Ohio State star and 2016 NFL rushing champ as rookie won’t be around long in drafts. Backup Rod Smith could get some TDs while Elliott rests. Will be difficult to pinpoint best options at receiver before season starts.

Vegas Says: Super Bowl 30-1. Over/under wins 8.5.

Expectations: Cowboys counting on bounce-back year from QB Dak Prescott Kyle Murphy Jersey , who slipped in second season and missed playoffs after winning NFL Offensive Rookie of Year award for 13-3 team. Missing playoffs again will raise questions about future of coach Jason Garrett, who has reached postseason twice in seven full seasons. Formula for Cowboys has often been offense-first in 10 years with Garrett on staff (three-plus as offensive coordinator). Could be defense-first year for Dallas with Lawrence, linebacker Sean Lee and host of promising young players, including CB Chidobe Awuzie. Cowboys expect to challenge Super Bowl champion Eagles in NFC East.

Any time seems to be the right time for the Chicago Cubs to play the NL Central Reds. After all Alex Okafor Jersey , Chicago took 43 of 62 from Cincinnati over the last four seasons.

Maybe this time, for a change, isn’t the right time.

Sure, the Cubs just got done taking two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field, and they’re competing with the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the division. They also took three of four from the Reds in Cincinnati only a month ago.

“To be able to take two of three (from the Dodgers) after losing the first game in the manner we did, I give our guys a lot of credit,” said Cubs manager Joe Maddon, whose team lost a ninth-inning lead in the series opener.

But as the Cubs and Reds open a four-game series Thursday night at Great American Ball Park Marquel Lee Jersey , the Cubs — winners of four of their last six games and 13 of their last 19 — aren’t the only team that’s trending well. The Reds, still trying to rebound from their horrific 8-27 start, have won six of eight and are coming off a two-game sweep of the AL Central-contending Detroit Tigers.

“Hopefully we can run off a few wins and make the season a little interesting for everybody (at the ballpark) — and for us in the clubhouse, too,” Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart said following a 5-3 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday.

That would take quite a few wins given the Reds’ double-digit deficit in the NL Central race. But they’ve begun making life difficult for teams with better records than they have.

“As people have said through the history of the game, momentum is only as good as your next day’s starting pitcher,” Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said. “We’re just trying to win the game today. You enjoy (winning) … but we will come here (the next day) and try to get the next one.”

The Reds will send still-inconsistent right-hander Matt Harvey (1-5, 5.92 ERA) to the mound Thursday to face Kyle Hendricks (5-6 Mackensie Alexander Jersey , 3.55). The Cubs right-hander can only hope to supply the momentum that Cubs starter Jon Lester did Wednesday while winning his fifth in a row, a 4-0 victory over the Dodgers.

Lester (9-2) walked three and struck out only one but limited the Dodgers to five base hits over seven innings before right-hander Anthony Bass pitched the final two innings.

Hendricks is 4-1 with a 3.57 ERA in 11 career starts against the Reds but didn’t figure in the decision the last time he opposed them on May 19, a 5-4 Reds victory in which he gave up three earned runs and six hits in five innings.

Hendricks would like to get the same offensive support from shortstop Javier Baez that Lester did Wednesday, as Baez had two doubles and a triple for his first career three-extra-base-hit game. In his last 10 games, Baez is 10-for-24 (.417).

“I’m seeing the game (well),” Baez said. “And trying to do the small things.”

The Cubs generally see the big picture quite well against the Reds, given their recent domination of them, but Harvey will try to change that.

He’s still trying to gain traction since coming over to the Reds from the Mets. Harvey is only 1-3 with a 5.09 ERA in seven starts with Cincinnati — and 0-3 since last his last win on May 22. Harvey also has allowed 16 earned runs and 23 hits in 21 1/3 innings over his last four starts Jason Pierre-Paul Jersey , all of them Reds losses.

Harvey is 1-1 with a 4.57 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs, but most of their current hitters don’t have much experience against him. Only Jason Heyward (3-for-11, .272) has double-digit at-bats against him.

Barnhart had five hits and reached base eight times in his last two games but is 6-for-25 (.240) against Hendricks. Joey Votto, who hit a grand slam Tuesday, is 8-for-16 (.500) with two homers against him. Scooter Gennett is 8-for-31 (.258).

In a scheduling quirk, this is the Cubs’ third trip to Great American Ball Park already this season, while the Reds have yet to play in Wrigley Field. The final 10 games of the season between the two division opponents will be in Chicago.

The Arizona Cardinals released one of the team’s most popular players, safety Tyrann Mathieu Bruce Smith Jersey , on Wednesday after the two sides couldn’t rework his contract.

Mathieu was due for $18.75 million of his contract to be guaranteed when the league year officially begins. By cutting him, Arizona will save close to $5 million in cap space.

Mathieu became a star in the Arizona secondary and a fiery leader of the defense after being selected in the third round of the 2013 draft following a troubled college career at LSU. He was an All-Pro in 2015, when he had five interceptions and 17 passes defensed.

But he also has been plagued by injuries and only last season did Mathieu appear in all 16 games.

”I’ve never made a secret that Tyrann has always had a special place in my heart and always will,” Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said in a statement announcing the release. ”While we all understand this is a part of the business, that certainly doesn’t make it any easier. We all wish Tyrann nothing but continued success in his career and beyond.”

 Womens Harrison Phillips Jersey

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays continue to wait for the return of third baseman Josh Donaldson from tightness in his left calf.

He did not play in the opener of the three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Friday night Chris Godwin Jersey , a 6-5 Toronto win, and he is not expected to play in the second game on Saturday at the Rogers Centre.

The Nationals (37-29) will start right-hander Max Scherzer (10-2, 2.00 ERA), and the Blue Jays (31-38) will start right-hander Marco Estrada (3-5, 4.33).

Scherzer is 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA in eight career starts against the Blue Jays.

A sixth-round draft pick by the Nationals in 2005, Estrada is 2-1 with a 4.34 ERA in six career starts against Washington.

Meanwhile, Yangervis Solarte, the player who often fills in at third for Donaldson when he is not playing shortstop or second base Vonn Bell Jersey , did well Friday night.

Solarte hit two home runs against the Nationals — a two-run shot and a solo blast — and added a double. He became the ninth Blue Jays batter to hit home runs from each side of the plate in a game. It is the second time in his career that the switch-hitter has homered from each side of the plate in a game. He has 14 homers and 40 RBIs for the season.

By defeating Washington starter Gio Gonzalez, who allowed a season-high five runs in six-plus innings, the Blue Jays ended a streak of 11 straight losses when opposing a left-handed starter. It was the longest such streak in franchise history. Their previous long drought against left-handed starter was eight losses in a row in 1993.

Donaldson was eligible to return from the disabled list a week ago but has not played because he has been unable to run well enough during drills at the Rogers Centre on Thursday, an off-day in the schedule.

“I was here watching him (Thursday) when he was running the bases, and he still couldn’t cut it loose,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “That’s all I’ve got. He’s feeling better, but he’s still a little bit hesitant.”

He has been on the DL since May 29. The Blue Jays are 6-9 in the games he has missed. He probably will need a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Buffalo before returning.

“I think he needs to go down and at least play a game and test it,” Gibbons said. “Game-like conditions. I think that would be smart.”

The Nationals lost first baseman Matt Adams when he took a pitch off his left index finger on a foul bunt attempt in the second inning. He finished the at-bat and struck out. He played in the field in the bottom of the second before being replaced by Mark Reynolds. The finger was swollen and will be re-evaluated Saturday.

“It’s just part of the game Dion Dawkins Jersey , stuff like this happens,” Adams said. “Come in tomorrow and get some treatment and see how it feels.”

The Nationals did have some good news from the game Friday. Daniel Murphy picked up his first hit of the season, an RBI single in the eighth. It was his third game after being sidelined following right knee surgery.

The Nationals came back Friday with two runs in the eighth after falling behind 6-3 in the seventh and had the potential tying run at third in the ninth.

“I like the way that we didn’t give up, came back, and we had a chance to tie the game at the end,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said.

For those of you who spend most of your available sports-following time following football, I have a suggestion: Transition to hockey during the football offseason.

Some would say that I’m merely trying to promote an NBC property, which is a fair and obvious criticism given that I work for NBC. But I don’t really promote any of the NBC properties other than football. I choose to promote hockey because it’s a vastly underrated sport that deserve a much bigger audience Marshall Newhouse Jersey , especially in the playoffs.

My interest reached new heights two years ago when: (1) the Penquins were marching toward their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history; and (2) the PFT barn had four TV screens and plenty of available liquor and cigars to support the enjoyment of televised sports. So hockey it was, and hockey it has been, whenever there has been no football to enjoy.

Last year, it continued when the Penguins chased, and caught, Stanley Cup No. 5. This year, I thought I’d lose my hockey jones once the Pens were eliminated. Instead, I got even more interested.

Without having one team to obsess over Jordan Poyer Jersey , watching hockey can be simply about watching hockey. The combination of grace and speed with violence and hatred. The unnatural bending of the stick during a slap shot. The crazy path of a puck through traffic, where the chances of the thing being intentionally redirected are roughly the same as having it unintentionally crash into a sensitive area of the male anatomy. The sound of the frozen rubber projectile hitting the hard steel tube. And the endless near-miss goals, which make the game as much about dumb luck as it it about raw skill.

So hockey is a more-than-adequate replacement for football. And with the ongoing Stanley Cup Final hopefully in the early stages of a potential seven-game classic (the series is tied at one), I strongly encourage you to tune in to NBCSN on Saturday night for Game Three, as the Washington Capitals host the Vegas Golden Knights.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-8)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Tyvon Branch; CB Justin Bethel and Tramon Williams; QBs Drew Stanton Jaron Brown Jersey , Blaine Gabbert and Matt Barkley; DT Frostee Rucker; WRs John Brown, Brittan Golden and Jaron Brown; OLBs Karlos Dansby and Kareem Martin; RB Kerwyn Williams; G Alex Boone; ILB Josh Bynes, OT Khalif Barnes; OL Earl Watford; TE Troy Niklas; LS Aaron Brewer,.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DT Xavier Williams.

NEEDS: With no QB on roster, team’s No. 1 need is obvious. General manager Steve Keim seems to want to sign veteran, with Cardinals in Kirk Cousins sweepstakes despite salary cap challenges, especially considering large number of departing free agents, some of whom could be re-signed. Expect Cardinals also to address QB in draft. Other needs are at WR Ty Sambrailo Jersey , where ranks are thin to nonexistent behind Larry Fitzgerald. With big contracts of aging, oft-injured G Mike Iupati and T Jared Veldeer, Cardinals will be looking at OL help as well as in secondary. With entire new coaching regime and system, team might look for someone to play FB.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $21 million.

ATLANTA FALCONS (11-7)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Adrian Clayborn; FB Derrick Coleman; WRs Taylor Gabriel, Andre Roberts and Nick Williams; G Ben Garland; LBs Jordan Tripp, Sean Weatherspoon and Kemal Ishmael; DB Leon McFadden; OT Austin Pasztor; DTs Dontari Poe, Courtney Upshaw and Ahtyba Rubin; CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: FS Ricardo Allen; RBs Terron Ward and Terrence Magee.

NEEDS: Tight end is priority following release of Levine Toilolo. Veteran could be signed to challenge Austin Hooper. Team cut Derrick Shelby and could lose Clayborn, so more pass rush help at defensive end may be needed. If team loses Poe and Upshaw in free agency Danny Shelton Jersey , another veteran defensive tackle may be signed. Guard is another priority that may be addressed high in draft or in free agency. General manager Thomas Dimitroff said at NFL scouting combine that Gabriel would not be re-signed. Kicker Matt Bryant avoided free agency by agreeing to three-year deal.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $14.8 million.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-6)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: Gs Andrew Norwell and Amini Silatolu; DEs Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson; DT Star Lotulelei; QB Derek Anderson; TE Ed Dickson, Ss Jairus Byrd and Kurt Coleman; CB Teddy Williams; LB Andrew Gachkar; WR Brenton Bersin; RB Jonathan Stewart.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: TE Scott Simonson; G David Yankey; WR Kaelin Clay; CB LaDarius Gunter.

NEEDS: Panthers need thumper at safety after releasing Coleman, as well as pass rushing defensive ends after release of Johnson and with 37-year-old Peppers’ future uncertain. Team allowed All-Pro guard Norwell to walk, but believes last year’s draft pick Taylor Moton can step into that spot. Center Ryan Kalil and outside linebacker Thomas Davis said they will retire after season, so it’s time to address those areas. Carolina cut Stewart, its all-time leading rusher; team needs complement to Christian McCaffrey in backfield. Finding speedy wide receiver remains priority. Don’t be surprised if Carolina drafts quarterback at some point and parts with Anderson.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $24 million.

CHICAGO BEARS (5-11)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: CB Kyle Fuller (transition tag), Prince Amukamara, Bryce Callahan and Sherrick McManis; WRs Josh Bellamy Tony Gonzalez Jersey , Dontrelle Inman and Kendall Wright; QB Mark Sanchez; RB Benny Cunningham; TE Zach Miller; G Josh Sitton; DE Mitch Unrein; LBs Sam Acho, Lamarr Houston and Christian Jones.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Cameron Meredith.

NEEDS: Bears have glaring need for playmaking receivers and could make run at Jacksonville’s Allen Robinson and Rams’ Sammy Watkins in free agency. Chicago needs help on offensive line after declining option on Sitton and with Kyle Long recovering from multiple surgeries. On defense, Bears could use more pass rushers to go with LB Leonard Floyd. Chicago placed transition tag on Fuller, giving them right to match any offer he receives in free agency.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $64 million.

DALLAS COWBOYS (9-7)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE DeMarcus Lawrence; RB Alfred Morris; WR Brice Butler; T Byron Bell; G Jonathan Cooper; LBs Anthony Hitchens and Kyle Wilber; LS L.P. LaDouceur; C Joe Looney; CB Bene Benwikere.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE David Irving; FB Keith Smith.

NEEDS: Lawrence will be back after signing for $17.1 million under franchise tag as sides work on long-term deal. Team plans to tender Irving and wants him back. Dallas also wants Hitchens back but likely won’t overpay in scenario that could be similar to last year, when S Barry Church left for Jacksonville. Morris and Butler probably not coming back, and Cowboys could target LG in draft if Cooper doesn’t return. Days of headline-grabbing free agents mostly over with owner Jerry Jones’ son, executive VP Stephen Jones, having strong influence and preferring to avoid big-money deals with players outside organization.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $3.2 million.

DETROIT LIONS (9-7)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DTs Haloti Ngata and Jordan Hill; LBs Tahir Whitehead Sheldon Rankins Jersey , Nick Bellore, Dwight Freeney and LB Paul Worrilow; CBs D.J. Hayden and Nevin Lawson; C Travis Swanson; Ss Don Carey and S Tavon Wilson; TE Darren Fells; OTs Greg Robinson and Don Barclay; RB Mike James.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR TJ Jones; LB Brandon Copeland; OL Zac Kerin; RB Zach Zenner.

NEEDS: Lions’ weakness is defensive line and improving it will be priority under first-year coach Matt Patricia. Former New England Patriots

Packers linebacker Jake Ryan left Monday’s practice on a cart after injuring his right knee and there was no update on his prognosis from head coach Mike McCarthy on Tuesday.

McCarthy said that Ryan is still undergoing tests, but the reaction on Monday from teammates and Ryan himself was that Ryan was seriously injured.

“He was just devastated,” linebacker Blake Martinez said, via ESPN.com. “Obviously, he was super-excited about the season. He’s been putting a tremendous amount of work in. He’s been awesome throughout OTAs and these past four practices. It’s been good for him. It’s just really tough.”

Safety Kentrell Brice was also carted off on Monday and McCarthy said he would not practice on Tuesday without offering any other details about his outlook.

”When he’s going, he’s got a high motor, pushing the basketball,” Davis said of Rondo. ”If we want shots, we have to run with him. He’s making sure we’re making the effort to get back into the offense and get some assists for him.”

Davis had 22 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and three steals, Rondo had 19 points and 14 assists and the Pelicans captured the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 122-98 victory over San Antonio on Wednesday night.

Rondo set up all three of Davis’ dunks – including a soaring roundhouse jam on a cut to the basket in the first half and a reverse alley-oop in the fourth quarter that drove the crowd wild.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker and Dejounte Murray each scored 11 points for the Spurs, who were already playoff bound but went to the locker room after their loss in New Orleans knowing they’d be at best a seventh seed, and that’s where they ended up. With his team struggling to keep pace with the Pelicans, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich pulled his regulars early in the fourth quarter Devonta Freeman Jersey , limiting all of his key players to fewer than 30 minutes on the court.

Popovich didn’t sound at all concerned about whether his club entered the playoffs with momentum.

”I think that is all psycho-babble,” he said. ”We have been on both ends of everything for all of these years, so, you just go play.”

Spurs veterans also downplayed their late-season stumbles, which included an eight-game road losing streak.

”We got in and now it is time to fine-tune things and try to get better,” Aldridge said. ”There is no pressure on us, so we’ve just got go play and be better and just be locked in.”

Nikola Mirotic had 21 points and 15 rebounds, Jrue Holiday added 19 points and E’Twaun Moore added 13 points for the Pelicans, who led by double-digits throughout the second half, with their largest lead topping out at 25.

The Pelicans finished with 78 points in the paint and shot 59.1 percent (52 of 88). New Orleans also had 32 points on fast breaks, compared to 17 for the Spurs.

”In transition, with Rondo leading us Tahir Whitehead Jersey , and A.D. running the floor, and we got E’Twaun on the wing and Niko shooting 3s – I feel like we’ve got a pretty good chance,” Holiday said.

TIP-INS

Spurs: Kyle Anderson and Bryn Forbes each scored 10 points. … Remained without Kawhi Leonard, who wound up playing in only nine games during the regular season because of a lingering right quadriceps injury. His availability for the playoffs remains unclear. … Finished 14-27 on the road, where they’ll start the playoffs.

Pelicans: Won the season series against San Antonio, 3-1. … Mirotic hasn’t scored fewer than 21 in any of New Orleans’ past five games. …. New Orleans’ 48 victories is the third most in franchise history, which officially dates back to the NBA’s return to the city in 2002-03. When Chris Paul played in New Orleans, the club won 56 games in 2007-08 and 49 in 2008-09.

GETTING SEPARATION

The game was competitive until 4:32 remained in the second quarter, when Pau Gasol sank a short turnaround to cut New Orleans’ lead to 42-39.

Soon after, New Orleans began clamping down on defense and ramping up its tempo in transition, closing the second quarter on a 19-4 run that earned the Pelicans a standing ovation as they walked off the floor at halftime with a 61-43 lead.

Mirotic scored seven points during the spurt, all on layups set up by Rondo Cassius Marsh Jersey , including one as he was fouled by Gasol.

”We want to play fast. They want to play slow. We wanted to try to dictate the tempo of game and I thought we did that, especially in the second quarter,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said ”We got out and ran and had good ball movement.”

UP NEXT:

Spurs: Open the playoffs against defending champion and second seed Golden State.

Pelicans: Start their postseason in Portland.

—

With Calvin Ridley signing his four-year deal with the Falcons, 15 drafted players remain unsigned.

Eleven of those are first-round choices, including the top four overall picks. In fact, only three of the top-10 picks have signed.

The 49ers, Browns and Giants all have two players left to get under contract.

49ers

OT Mike McGlinchey (1st round, 9th overall)

WR Dante Pettis (2nd round, 44th overall)

Bears

LB Roquan Smith (1st round, 8th overall)

Bills

QB Josh Allen (1st round, 7th overall)

Broncos

RB Royce Freeman (3rd round, 71st overall)

Browns

QB Baker Mayfield (1st round Armani Watts Jersey , 1st overall)

CB Denzel Ward (1st round, 4th overall)

Colts

LB Darius Leonard (2nd round, 36th overall)

Giants

RB Saquon Barkley (1st round, 2nd overall)

DL RJ McIntosh (5th round, 139th overall)

Jaguars

DT Taven Bryan (1st round, 29th overall)

Jets

QB Sam Darnold (1st round, 3rd overall)

Patriots

RB Sony Michel (1st round, 31st overall)

Steelers

S Terrell Edmunds (1st round, 28th overall)

Vikings

CB Mike Hughes (1st round, 30th overall)

LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw’s comeback from a third back injury in three years will continue Thursday afternoon when he faces the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a four-game series.

It is the last time the Dodgers and Cubs will meet in the regular season Marquise Goodwin Jersey , but as the last two National League Championship Series have shown, a high-profile series in October is a possibility.

Thursday’s afternoon game at Dodger Stadium is also the end of a jammed-packed run that will see the Cubs and Dodgers face each other for the seventh time in 10 days. Each team has beaten the other three times after the Dodgers earned a 7-5 victory Wednesday.

Kershaw (1-4, 2.94 ERA) has already had two disabled list stints this season. He missed nearly four weeks in May with left biceps tendinitis, and after only five innings of his return from that injury, he hit the DL again with a lower back strain.

In his return Saturday at New York against the Mets, Kershaw gave up two runs on five hits over three innings, as he was held to 55 pitches. He was supposed to have a minor league rehab start that day, but a poor weather forecast for their Triple-A Oklahoma team led the Dodgers to shift gears.

While Kershaw is expected to get more leeway Thursday, he still figures to be on a pitch restriction that manager Dave Roberts will determine.

“I feel 100 percent,” Kershaw told ESPN this week. “It’s just a matter of building up pitch-count wise and just make sure we’re getting to that 110-, 120-pitch count limit.”

Kershaw is 5-3 with a 2.64 ERA in nine career starts against the Cubs.

Kershaw will square off against fellow left-hander Jose Quintana (6-6 Ty Sambrailo Jersey , 4.26) on Thursday. Quintana has not thrown 100 pitches in any of his last six starts and has completed six innings once in four June starts.

Quintana has not won a start since May 31 while posting a 4.15 ERA over 21 2/3 June innings. He has not given up an earned run in two career starts against the Dodgers, but is 0-1 against Los Angeles

The Cubs have scored 14 runs in two nights after hitting coach Chili Davis held a meeting with the offense. And while the improved offense was much needed, the Cubs are 1-1 in those two games since the meeting.

Now comes a matchup with Kershaw, who is never a pushover, whether he is coming off an injury or not.

“I’m still looking forward to, as we get more mature in the batter’s box, that we chase less,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I like homers just like everybody else does, but there are so many other ways to score. Industry-wide, that’s probably everybody’s biggest problem. I want power and I want that little dumper to the right side.”

For the Dodgers, it has been all about power in June. They hit three more home runs Wednesday and now have 51 in June Kalen Ballage Jersey , two short of the club record for a single month.

Joc Pederson, Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger hit home runs Wednesday. Pederson has a major league-leading 10 home runs in June, Muncy has nine and Bellinger has eight.

The Cubs are 1-6 on their eight-game road trip to Cincinnati and L.A. and are 3-9 in regular-season games at Dodger Stadium since the start of 2015.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The two most pivotal players in the first-round series between Oklahoma City and Utah are the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook and the Jazz’s Rudy Gobert.

That happens when one is perhaps the most athletic player in the league and regularly gets to the rim against virtually everyone and the other is the 7-foot-1 rim protector.

But Paul George and Donovan Mitchell are very important too, for their teams.

In the Thunder’s 116-108 Game 1 win, George was mostly lights-out for Oklahoma City. He hit 8-of-11 from behind the 3-point line and scored 36 points to help lift the Thunder.

Mitchell, one of the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year honors, scored 27 points in his playoff debut, going 11-of-22 from the floor.

Entering Wednesday night’s Game 2, both are hobbled.

While both George and Mitchell are officially listed as questionable, George with a hip contusion and Mitchell with a left foot contusion, there’s little doubt they will both play even after they were both limited in practice Tuesday.

The question is Bo Jackson Jersey , though, how effective will either be after suffering their injuries Sunday.

Mitchell brushed off the injury after the game. He initially returned after suffering the injury but came out of the game for good about a minute later.

“I just stubbed my toe,” Mitchell said. “Nothing major.”

George was hurt driving on Gobert in the second quarter.

“I fell on my left side and from there is just got a little sore on me,” George said, adding that it was an aggravation of an injury he suffered March 13 against Atlanta.

Thunder coach Billy Donovan said it would largely be up to George how much he was able to play.

“Paul’s a tough guy,” Donovan said. “Paul wants to be out there. We’re never going to put a player’s health at risk in any way. So, I think that’s probably going to be a little bit more of his decision on how he’s feeling in terms of the way he’s moving.”

In addition to Mitchell being ready to contribute, the Jazz also need Ricky Rubio to play under control if they are to head back home for Game 3 with a tied series.

The seventh-year guard is making his first playoff appearance and went 5-of-18 from the field, finishing with 13 points.

“Well, some of them were good shots, some of them not Fred Warner Jersey ,” Rubio told the Salt Lake Tribune. “Just have to do a better job on getting involved (with) some of my teammates sometimes. Do a better job of knowing when to shoot and when to pass the ball.”

For the Thunder, being able to deal with Utah’s tough, hard-nosed defense — keyed by Gobert — remains a major point of emphasis.

“I think the word ‘physicality’ gets used in a way that sometimes people think it’s just, like, guys banging into each other,” Donovan said. “Some of it is just really getting over screens, legally and physically getting over it, trying to avoid being screened. Some of it is running back in transition and being able to get into spots where you can absorb drives. Some of it is, there’s a pick-and-roll and someone’s rolling to the basket and being there to provide help.”

Browns tie! Browns tie! Browns tie!

It’s not a win Tyreek Hill Jersey , but Cleveland will take it after going 0-16 last year and 1-15 in 2016.

The Browns rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter against the rival Steelers and snapped a 17-game losing streak with a 21-21 result that left fans celebrating in the rain. They had a chance to win the game, but Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt blocked Zane Gonzalez’s 43-yard field-goal attempt with 9 seconds left in overtime.

For a while, it seemed the Steelers would cruise to another easy win over the Browns even without Le’Veon Bell. The All-Pro running back is still holding out over a bitter contract dispute, causing some animosity among his teammates. Backup James Conner had 135 yards rushing and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 57 yards. But Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions and fumbled twice, and Conner’s fumble in the fourth quarter helped the Browns rally.

Conner, a star at Pitt who became a city favorite while recovering from a cancer diagnosis in November 2015, may have cost Bell some leverage with his strong performance.

Tyrod Taylor’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Josh Gordon sent it to overtime, and neither team could find a way to win it on a wet, sloppy field.

In case you missed it, here are the other top topics after the NFL season’s opening Sunday:

BREATHE EASY, WISCONSIN: Aaron Rodgers returned in the second half after being carted off the field with a knee injury and led the Packers back from a 20-0 deficit to a 24-23 win over the Bears. Rodgers threw three touchdown passes, including a 75-yarder to Randall Cobb with 2:13 left in the game. The stadium fell silent and everyone in Green Bay panicked when Rodgers went down. The Packers missed the playoffs after losing Rodgers last season and are 6-10-1 without him since 2013. Backup DeShone Kizer threw a pick six to Khalil Mack, who disappeared in the second half after a dominant start in his first game for Chicago.

BIG PLAY BUCS: Ryan Fitzpatrick had a 417-yard Brent Grimes Jersey , four-touchdown performance filling in for the suspended Jameis Winston in a 48-40 upset at New Orleans. Fitzpatrick threw touchdown passes of 50 yards to Mike Evans and 58 and 36 yards to DeSean Jackson. The Buccaneers had 529 total yards against the Saints, who countered with 475. Tampa Bay, coming off a 5-11 season, was the biggest underdog of the weekend at 9 1/2 points.

BECKHAM IS BACK: Odell Beckham Jr. had 11 catches for 111 yards and drew two pass interference penalties on the same drive in his first game since last October following ankle surgery. Beckham won the 1-on-1 battle against outspoken All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, but the New York Giants lost the game. The Jaguars got a pick six by Myles Jack in a 20-15 victory on the road.

PHILLY PHILLY: Needing a spark for his sputtering offense, Eagles coach Doug Pederson turned to a familiar trick play in the third quarter of Philadelphia’s 18-12 victory over Atlanta on Thursday night. Quarterback Nick Foles caught a 15-yard pass from wide receiver Nelson Agholor to extend a drive that ended with a touchdown. Foles caught a 1-yard TD pass from tight end Trey Burton in the first half of Philadelphia’s 41-33 win over New England in the Super Bowl. That play was called “Philly Special.” This one was “Philly Philly.” Pederson used the same personnel group, but a different formation this time around.

NATIONAL ANTHEM: Miami Dolphins receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson were the only two players to kneel during the national anthem opening weekend. Colin Kaepernick called them “brothers” and thanked them on social media. Dolphins teammate Robert Quinn raised his fist. Niners receiver Marquise Goodwin did the same at San Francisco’s game at Minnesota. Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas and linebacker Brandon Marshall, and Seahawks linemen Duane Brown and Quinton Jefferson, retreated to their respective tunnels while the anthem played. In Los Angeles, Chargers left tackle Russell Okung raised his fist.

TROLLING THE BOYS: Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant had fun taking shots at his old team during an 18-6 loss at Carolina. Bryant wrote on Twitter: “It’s kind of cool calling out all of the signals and knowing which route players are about run.” He engaged with fans, suggested he’d have success in New England or Washington and said he didn’t think Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wanted him out of Dallas.

JIMMY GAROPPO(NOOOOO): Playing his first game since signing his megadeal with San Francisco following seven career starts, Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t look like a $137.5 million quarterback. He tossed three interceptions in a 24-16 loss to Minnesota, including a pick six. Garoppolo was 2-0 as a starter for the Patriots in 2016 and 5-0 for the 49ers last year.

”Yes Kerry Wynn Jersey , hurry. HURRY,” the woman shouts at the beginning of the call released Tuesday.

Asked by a male dispatcher what the emergency is, she tells him a 19-month-old girl fell into a backyard pool, is not breathing and has no pulse.

”We don’t know,” the woman, who sounds near tears, replies when asked how long the girl was in the water.

”Are you doing CPR or do you need me to coach you through it?,” he asks.

”Coach me through it, please,” she replies.

Neither her voice nor others heard on the call are identified.

”I have a small pulse. I have a small pulse,” a man says urgently at one point.

”I need an oxygen machine here. Like now,” he adds.

”Ok. They’re coming as fast as they can,” the dispatcher replies as he continues to give instructions.

”Come on Keanu Neal Jersey , Emmy. Come on baby girl,” the woman pleads.

As the minutes tick off, the man swears as he asks where the ambulance is.

”They’re on their way. They’ve been on their way for several minutes. Ok? They’re just about there, they’ right there on the street,” he says shortly before emergency sirens are heard.

Paramedics continued to try to revive the girl as they rushed her to the hospital, said Capt. Tony Bommarito of the Orange County Fire Authority, which released the 911 call.

There have been 13 drownings in Orange County so far this year, according to statistics released Tuesday by the agency. Three involved children under 5 while other victims were 15 or older.

The fire authority reposted its rules for staying safe in the water on its Facebook page Tuesday. Among them are always having adult supervision at pools where children are present, keeping pools behind a barricade that includes a locked gate and knowing CPR.

Miller, who lives in Coto de Caza, is the most decorated male U.S. skier with 33 World Cup wins, two overall titles, four world championships and six Olympic medals Matt Judon Jersey , including gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games in the super-combined. At the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia, he was the oldest alpine skier – at age 36 – to win a medal.

It was at his fifth and final Olympics in Sochi that Miller was brought to tears as he reminisced about his younger brother, Chelone, a promising snowboarder who died at age 29 after a seizure the year before.

Since retiring from skiing he’s worked as an NBC sports analyst. His wife, Morgan, is a professional volleyball player.

On Tuesday Miller posted a recent photograph of himself holding his blonde-haired daughter, along with the message, ”Thank you for all the love and support.”

In a previous post he said, ”Never in a million years did we think we would experience a pain like this,” adding that Emeline’s love and spirit would never be forgotten.

Miller and his wife have three older children.

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Associated Press Writer Brian Melley contributed to this story.

It sure seems possible with Julio Jones in camp Albert McClellan Jersey , first-round pick Calvin Ridley ready to make an impact and – perhaps most important – a full season in the books with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

While Ryan put up his seventh straight year with more than 4,000 yards through the air, he didn’t come close to matching the best season of his career under previous coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

In 2017, Ryan’s yardage dipped significantly (4,944 to 4,095). So did his TDs (38 to 20) and quarterback rating (117.1 to 91.4). His interceptions went up (7 to 12).

Most tellingly, the Falcons went from leading the league in scoring (33.75 points per game) to a middle-of-the-pack 15th position (22.06). Coming off an MVP season, Ryan wasn’t even in the conversation for the league’s top player.

The slide in production had some people wondering if head coach Dan Quinn would give Sarkisian another chance .

But Quinn was mindful that Shanahan’s first season in Atlanta also was a bit of a struggle. He found his groove in 2016, overseeing a dynamic offense that helped carry the Falcons all the way to the Super Bowl and earn Shanahan his first head coaching job with the San Francisco 49ers.

”I’ve got a lot of confidence,” Ryan said of Year 2 with Sarkisian. ”Obviously, I think Sark is a lot more comfortable with the personnel, knowing what guys to use in certain situations. I think that just comes with experience. We all kind of have a feel for his flavor as well. I think he did a great job for us last year and will continue to do a great job this year.”

Quinn is certainly expecting a more comfortable relationship between Ryan and Sarkisian. For good measure Ed Dickson Jersey , the Falcons also hired Greg Knapp, a former Atlanta offensive coordinator, to serve as quarterbacks coach.

”Like most relationships, there’s probably some situations that you need to go through together,” Quinn said. ”OK, how did that person respond? How did he get through it? Generally as it goes, the communication improves.”

For a while, it looked as though Ryan might have to make do without one of the league’s top receivers .

Unhappy with his contract, Jones skipped offseason workouts in Atlanta as well as a mandatory minicamp. But on the eve of training camp, he agreed to report after the Falcons figured out a way to give him a bit more money this season, along with a promise to negotiate a new deal in 2019.

No one was more pleased than Ryan to have No. 11 on the receiving end of his throws.

”He’s the best teammate you could ask for,” Ryan said. ”He’s just a great worker and such a good teacher for the young guys Kurt Coleman Jersey , too.”

Jones is already spreading his knowledge to Ridley , who is expected to take over the third receiver role filled so ably the past two years by Taylor Gabriel.

Ryan is impressed by what he’s seen so far from the rookie.

”He’s a talented player who can do a lot of different things,” Ryan said. ”Certainly through the offseason and through the first couple of days of camp, he showcased his talent level. I kind of see him having a really good year for us and really fitting in with the receiving corps that we have.”

Ryan certainly has no complaints about his contract. He expects to remain with the Falcons for the rest of his career after signing a new five-year, $150 million deal, the most lucrative in NFL history and the first with $100 million in guaranteed earnings.

To justify all that money, Ryan is focused on being more efficient in the red zone. Far too many times last season, the Falcons settled for field goals instead of touchdowns after driving inside the 20-yard line.

In the early days of training camp, the team already looks much crisper in those situations.

”A point of emphasis for us is improving in the red area, so we can have more touchdowns than we did last year,” Ryan said. ”We’ve got a lot of work to do before the season, but it’s a good start.”

With Jones Donald Penn Jersey , Ridley and Mohammad Sanu catching passes, an offensive line bolstered by the signing of free-agent guard Brandon Fusco, and a dynamic backfield duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, Ryan certainly has plenty of options at his disposal.

Enough to play like an MVP.

”We’ve got a really, really scary offense,” Freeman said.

Notes: The Falcons agreed to terms with OL Kendall Calhoun, LB Jonathan Celestin and WR Colby Pearson. All three players were undrafted out of college. To make room on the roster, team has waived S Jason Hall, DB Terrance Parks and FB Daniel Marx. … Quinn split up his players Monday’s practice, essentially creating two teams roughly the size of a regular-season roster, even putting offensive line coach Chris Morgan and defensive coach Jerome Henderson in charge of the squads. ”We wanted to create some game-like, stressful situations to really evaluate the players in that environment Joe Thuney Jersey ,” Quinn said.

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In 12 NFL seasons, Brandon Marshall has never been to the playoffs.

Now, he’s joining a team that would conceivably give him a chance.

Marshall sent out word via Instagram today that he had joined the Seahawks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that it’s a one-year deal, worth a maximum of $2 million if he hits all his incentives.

The 34-year-old wide receiver was released by the Giants this offseason, after playing just five games last year because of an ankle injury. He’s a few years removed from peak productivity, but caught 109 passes for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Jets in 2015.

The Seahawks are in the midst of a considerable retooling, and clearly needed to reinforce their offense after a number of offseason departures including wide receiver Paul Richardson.

Instead, they became one of the biggest winners at the NHL draft by acquiring 23-year-old forward Elias Lindholm and 21-year-old defenseman Noah Hanifin in a five-player trade with Carolina on Saturday. It cost the Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton, winger Micheal Ferland and prospect Adam Fox, but they got younger and may have restored their lineup to its rightful order.

Lindholm is a natural center, but could be the perfect fit on Calgary’s first line alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Moving Hamilton will allow T.J. Brodie to slide back on to the first defensive pairing with Mark Giordano, while Hanifin could benefit from playing with those veterans on the blue line.

”I think Noah is just scratching the surface,” general manager Brad Treliving said. ”We’ve got some guys on the blue line who can produce. We also want guys who want to be in Calgary. Both players talking today Bob Griese Jersey , in Elias and Noah, they’re excited to get out there.”

Beyond the Flames, here are some more winners and losers from the NHL draft:

WINNER: PHILIPP GRUBAUER

After lifting the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals, Grubauer was traded to the Colorado Avalanche where he’ll initially split time with Semyon Varlamov but should take over as the starter after next season. Grubauer signed a $10 million, three-year contract in the biggest payday of his career.

LOSER: NEW YORK ISLANDERS

They got strong value in first-round picks Oliver Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson, but didn’t agree to terms on a new deal with John Tavares before he could begin meeting with other teams Sunday. Tavares will host five teams in the coming days and could become a free agent July 1, which would be devastating for the Islanders.

”I have no disappointment Alex McGough Jersey , no discouragement,” GM Lou Lamoriello said. ”He’s earned every right to make whatever choice he has. The most important thing is that we hope in the end that he’s an Islander.”

WINNER: BUFFALO SABRES

After years of wandering and floundering, the Sabres have a franchise defenseman in No. 1 pick Rasmus Dahlin. This was set in stone in April when Buffalo won the lottery, but the organization will get an up-close look at the Swedish playmaker at prospect camp and has every reason to be excited about the future.

”He’s a young player, he’s 18 years old, there’s high expectations down the road,” GM Jason Botterill said. ”But it’s going to be imperative to us to protect him Jimmy Graham Jersey , put him in and put him in the right situations so he can have success.”

LOSER: ENTERTAINMENT

The only trades involving NHL players were the deal by Carolina and Calgary and the Capitals trading Grubauer and defenseman Brooks Orpik to Colorado. None of the top 10 picks changed hands, and most of the two days went off without drama.

WINNER: ILYA KOVALCHUK

The Kontinental Hockey League’s leading scorer and Olympic MVP had plenty of suitors and wound up agreeing to a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings worth $6.25 million a season. The 35-year-old is returning to the NHL on the same deal Patrick Marleau got from the Toronto Maple Leafs a year ago, which is a coup for Kovalchuk.

LOSER: MONTREAL CANADIENS

Rumors persisted about Montreal trading captain Max Pacioretty or even acquiring center Ryan O’Reilly from Buffalo. Neither move happened, leaving Marc Bergevin with a lengthy to-do list after already trading Alex Galchenyuk to Arizona for Max Domi.

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Steelers guard Ramon Foster will soon begin his 10th season with the team. Some think it could be his last.

Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review explains that the Steelers could choose to go with B.J. Finney in 2019. Finney will be a restricted free agent; Foster, who is in the final year of his current contract, will be an unrestricted free agent.

Foster is under contract for 2018, at a base salary of $2.675 million and a cap charge of $3.591 million.

He joined the Steelers in 2009 Joe Williams Jersey , the first season after the team’s most recent Super Bowl win. He became a full-time starter in 2011, missing only eight regular-season games in seven seasons.

Foster also has started 11 postseason games, including Super Bowl XLV.

Tom Brady has survived yet another trip around the sun.

He’s 41 as of today Kenny Clark Jersey , a rare starting quarterback still functioning at a high level a year into his fifth decade, and still (supposedly) determined to play until he’s 45.

Whether he means it remains to be seen. For the past few years, I’ve believed that Brady simply wants to never have a Jeter-style farewell season, for a variety of reasons. Brady instead wants to be done when he’s done, with no advance warning or notice. Saying he intends to play longer than he actually plays would be the only practical way to pull it off.

Some think that he’ll walk away with one more Super Bowl win. Others think he’s got two years left, Super Bowl win or not. Both positions assume that he’ll ultimately be able to walk away on his own terms.

As a league source pointed out a year or so ago, the thing to watch with Brady isn’t his arm but his legs. Although when he decides to go vertical he looks like he’s chasing a kid who just stole his skis J'Mon Moore Jersey , Brady continues to have the ability to adroitly and effectively move and slide in the pocket, avoiding pressure and ducking big hits. The moment he can’t do that is the moment his performance begins to crumble, with every game becoming like one of those rare games when the defensive line gets to Brady early and often enough to make him look mortal.

He definitely is mortal. And he definitely won’t continue to play football indefnitely. I think.

Either way, happy birthday.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t talk like someone eyeing the finish line.

If anything, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is doing what he can to push it further into the distance.

The 36-year-old overhauled his diet in preparation for his 15th season and points to the lack of time spent in the trainer’s room during camp as proof the choices he’s made are working.

Asked if he feels rejuvenated and Roethlisberger nods.

“I really like where this team is,” the two-time Super Bowl winner said. “I think if you didn’t have a good feeling about this team it probably wouldn’t be as exciting, but I am excited about this group.”

The feeling George Fant Jersey , however, could be fleeting. Eight months removed from a stunning home playoff loss to Jacksonville , the Steelers are well aware the missed opportunities in recent seasons are starting to pile up. While Pittsburgh has reached the postseason in each of the past four years, the Steelers have just three playoff victories to show for it.

Though Pittsburgh is heavily favored to win a third consecutive AFC North title, the window that once seemed so wide open could be starting to close. All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell is likely playing his final season in black-and-gold after failing to come to terms on a new contract. The offensive line features three Pro Bowlers but also three starters in their 30s.

While Roethlisberger downplays any additional sense of urgency — he’s been around long enough to know that any season that doesn’t end with a victory parade through downtown Pittsburgh in early February is considered a disappointment — he’s also well aware the standard coach Mike Tomlin mentions so frequently has not been met.

“Winning games can lead to Super Bowl opportunities is always our ultimate goal,” he said. “There are 31 other teams doing the same, but that needs to be our singular focus.”

A focus that was lacking at times in 2017 even as the Steelers rolled to a 13-3 record.

There was the national anthem debacle in Chicago. The drama surrounding enigmatic wide receiver Martavis Bryant. The late season decision to cut linebacker James Harrison. The devastating spinal injury to budding star linebacker Ryan Shazier. Social media chatter of a rematch with New England in the AFC title game Josh Jones Jersey , chatter that looked foolish after the Jaguars beat the Steelers at Heinz Field for the second time in four months.

The front office has done what it can to limit the distractions heading into 2018. Bryant was traded to Oakland. Harrison is retired. Longtime quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner takes over as offensive coordinator for Todd Haley. Shazier is walking again and serving as a de facto coach/scout as his body continues to recover.

The message could not be clearer: the team that’s built to win now needs to win. Now.

“Time is running out for everybody,” center Maurkice Pouncey said. “I know it’s all fun and games for everybody at the beginning but man it’s time to win. It’s been too long.”

Other things to look for as Pittsburgh vies for a fifth consecutive playoff berth for only the third time in franchise history:

REMODELED BACK END: The Steelers gave the secondary a massive overhaul after the Jaguars lit them up for 45 points in January, drafting safety Terrell Edmunds in the first round and signing veteran Morgan Burnett from Green Bay. The goal is to reduce the number of big plays allowed. Pittsburgh gave up 13 passes of more than 40 yards, tied for third-most in the league. Burnett’s sure tackling will help in the run game and Pittsburgh believes third-year safety Sean Davis‘ athleticism will allow him to be an effective center fielder at free safety.

FLIP FLOP: Pittsburgh exercised the fifth-year option on the contract of outside linebacker Bud Dupree in the offseason, a sign it believes the 2015 first-round pick’s best days are ahead of him despite uneven results in his first three years. The Steelers moved Dupree from the left side to the right side in the spring, confident he’ll be a more effective pass rusher attacking the quarterback’s blind side. Either way, Dupree understands he’s still in the “prove it” mode in his career and needs to become more consistent at a position that’s long been a focal point in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense.

BELL’S BET: There may not be a player in the NFL with more at stake in 2018 than Bell. The 26-year-old believes he’s in a class by himself among running backs and wants to be paid accordingly. He’ll make $14.4 million this season playing under his one-year franchise tender Dion Dawkins Jersey , but thinks he’ll be even more valuable on the open market next spring. Bell shouldn’t lack for opportunities to show he’s worth a massive payday. He led the NFL in touches last season and Tomlin could opt to use him even more extensively knowing he’ll be out the door in the spring.

TIGHT SPOT: The Steelers are still trying to find a legit heir to tight end Heath Miller, who quietly stepped away in the spring of 2016. While Jesse James has evolved into a solid complementary player, Vance McDonald is the closest thing to a complete package Pittsburgh has at a vital position. One problem: McDonald has struggled to stay on the field. He missed practically all of camp with a foot injury. The Steelers need him to be a factor in the passing game to help take some of the attention off Brown and second-year wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.