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WASHINGTON REDSKINS (7-9)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: QB Kirk Cousins; WRs Terrelle Pryor Eric Wood Jersey , WR Brian Quick and Ryan Grant; LBs Zach Brown, Will Compton, Junior Galette Colton Schmidt Jersey , Trent Murphy and Chris Carter; CB Bashaud Breeland; G Shawn Lauvao; S DeAngelo Hall; TE Niles Paul; C Tony Bergstrom; DTs Arthur Jones and Phil Taylor.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: T Ty Nsekhe; G Tyler Catalina.

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NEEDS: With Cousins gone, new QB Alex Smith needs offensive targets, especially speed at wide receiver to complement third-year WR Josh Doctson and possession guy Jamison Crowder. Allen Robinson would be perfect Cordy Glenn Jersey , if expensive fit, though top priority is still replacing contributions of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, who departed in free agency last spring. Running back must be addressed in free agency or draft. Trading CB Kendall Fuller to Kansas City in deal for Smith Jerry Hughes Jersey , expected departure of Breeland and lack of depth at safety make secondary area of concern. Left guard and linebacker could be crucial spots depending on statuses of Lauvao, Brown and Compton.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $31 million.

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ALAMEDA Eric Wood Jersey , Calif. (AP) The Raiders are still planning to host the Los Angeles Chargers in Oakland on Sunday despite concerns about poor air quality resulting from wildfires in California’s wine country.

The team said Friday that officials will continue to monitor the air quality in the Bay Area and would update fans if there were changes regarding the game.

Thick smoke and ash have filled Bay Area skies since the wildfires started Sunday about 50 miles north of Oakland. The fires have killed 31 people and destroyed at least 3,500 homes and businesses.

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The NFL has been monitoring the air quality, which forced the Raiders to alter their outdoor schedule this week and raised the possibility that the game would be moved.

”I think we’re going to be fine,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. ”Obviously it’s a serious situation what’s going on up north. A lot of people have had their lives turned upside down. Some people have lost their lives so it’s a tough deal.”

Del Rio said that the conditions near the team’s facilities have improved over the past two days. Even so, the Raiders have advised players on precautionary steps to take Colton Schmidt Jersey , including the use of masks while outside.

League spokesman Joe Lockhart had said previously that because of the logistics involved in moving the game, a decision would most likely come Friday. Lockhart also noted that no decision had been made regarding the Raiders’ home game next Thursday against Kansas City.

”Historically when we need to move to an alternative site, we can’t wait until the day before,” Lockhart said. ”I think the primary factor here is air quality. If we believe the air quality is at a level that playing the game would not be in the best interest or the safety of our players, we would move the game. If we believe it is at an acceptable level Cordy Glenn Jersey , we would play there.”

Numerous high schools in the Bay Area canceled their Friday night games earlier in the week. Conditions in Berkeley and Stanford, where a pair of college games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, were also being monitored.

Del Rio said the Raiders ”shrunk everything a little bit” when it came to practice.

”The reps that we typically get, we got looks at,” he said. ”We didn’t do it in pads on Wednesday like we would have. The pacing was reduced a little but we got the looks we needed to get.”

Del Rio confirmed that quarterback Derek Carr will play after sitting out last week’s loss to Baltimore with a broken bone in his back.

”He’ll be ready to play Jerry Hughes Jersey ,” Del Rio said. ”I think it was smart to give him the week, which we did. Even though he was pushing for last week. He’s cleared to go and got the green light. Doctors and trainers all gave him the go. He had a full week of practice for the most part, so we’re ready to go.”

Notes: Del Rio indicated that rookie safety Obi Melifonwu is likely to come off injured reserve and could begin practicing next week. The team’s second-round draft pick underwent knee surgery late in the preseason. Wide receiver Amari Cooper (knee), right guard Gabe Jackson (foot) and tight end Lee Smith (knee) all came off the injury report and will play. First-round draft pick Gareon Conley (shin), cornerback Antonio Hamilton (knee) Preston Brown Jersey , linebacker Marquel Lee (knee) and fullback Jamize Olawale (concussion) are out.

More AP NFL: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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CINCINNATI (AP) The first shutout in 15 years of the Colts left the team on the verge of coming apart at midseason.

Receiver T.Y. Hilton criticized the offensive line and then apologized.

Questions about coach Chuck Pagano’s future in Indianapolis heated up.

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Indianapolis responded by pulling together and playing its best game in nearly a month. It still wasn’t enough Frostee Rucker Jersey , leaving the Colts adrift at the halfway point.

Carlos Dunlap’s interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter rallied the Cincinnati Bengals to a 24-23 victory Sunday.

The Colts (2-6) came away with their third straight loss – their deepest slump since 2015 – and a feeling of: What’s next?

”If you don’t give up, it will turn,” Pagano said. ”When that is, I don’t have a crystal ball. But if you go the other way Jared Veldheer Jersey , I know what the outcome will be. That’s not this team. They will never do that.”

The Colts have no idea when Andrew Luck will be back from shoulder surgery. They had to shut him down earlier this month because of a setback in his throwing program.

Asked on Sunday if there’s any better idea of when the Colts’ best player might be able to throw again, Pagano simply said, ”I don’t know.”

They outplayed the Bengals (3-4) for much of the game, getting constant pressure on Andy Dalton and bottling up Cincinnati’s running game.

The Bengals managed only 58 yards on the ground Tyvon Branch Jersey , and that included Dalton’s 10 yards in scrambles and receiver Alex Erickson’s 14-yard run.

An Indianapolis offense that did next to nothing during a 27-0 loss to Jacksonville a week earlier regained its balance. Jacoby Brissett targeted tight end Jack Doyle on half of his completions, including one of his two touchdown passes. Doyle caught 12 passes for 121 yards. Brissett was 25 of 39 for 233 yards.

Hilton criticized the offensive line after Brissett was sacked 10 times by the Jaguars and hit 20 times overall.

The comments didn’t go over well with teammates, and Hilton apologized. The receiver was targeted seven times on Sunday, but had only two catches for 15 yards.

Hilton was the intended receiver on the ball that Dunlap batted into the air and returned for a touchdown. Hilton also was the target on the Colts’ final play J. J. Nelson Jersey , a fourth down pass that didn’t come close because Brissett was hit as he threw.

”I didn’t play really well, but we still had a chance to win the game,” Hilton said. ”I need to make more plays and help us win.”

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

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It’s time for Patrick Mahomes to save Kansas City’s season.

Alex Smith was an MVP candidate after leading the Chiefs to a 5-0 start with impressive wins at New England (9-2) and over Philadelphia (10-1) in the first two weeks. Smith had 18 touchdown passes and zero interceptions at one point. Since then Nick Boyle Jersey , he’s thrown four picks and only TD.

Mahomes was drafted to be the quarterback of the future. Teammates rave about his practice performance. The season is slipping away from Kansas City (6-5).

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Coach Andy Reid has to bench Smith and start Mahomes if the Chiefs want to make the playoffs, right?

Wrong!

Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy need to let Smith do the things he did early in the season when the offense was unstoppable. Smith took shots deep Terrance West Jersey , the game plan featured creativity and defenses couldn’t figure them out.

Now, the Chiefs are boring and predictable.

The problem isn’t Smith . It’s the playcalling.

Here are more overreactions following Week 12:

OVERREACTION: AJ McCarron will be the next quarterback for the Browns (0-11). Hue Jackson’s pre-game hug sealed it.

REALISTIC REACTION: Jackson is 1-26. Will he be around to make that decision?

OVERREACTION: The Falcons (7-4) are going to win the NFC South thanks to the return of an explosive offense .

REALISTIC REACTION: Check back after they play Minnesota’s stingy defense this week.

OVERREACTION: Tom Brady threw an interception because Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills says he got in his head.

REALISTIC REACTION: Stills should focus on catching the ball instead of trash-talking Brady.

OVERREACTION: Jay Ajayi is not happy with his role in Philadelphia.

REALISTIC REACTION: Ajayi will not become a distraction.

OVERREACTION: Blake Bortles proved against the Cardinals why the Jaguars (7-4) can’t win with him at quarterback.

REALISTIC REACTION: They’ve managed to win seven games with a strong defense Mike Wallace Jersey , a solid run game and Bortles under center.

OVERREACTION: Dak Prescott is an ordinary quarterback without Ezekiel Elliott.

REALISTIC REACTION: Spread the blame around.

OVERREACTION: The Broncos have a better chance with Tim Tebow than Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch or Brock Osweiler.

REALISTIC REACTION: Beating the Steelers in the playoffs wasn’t enough for John Elway to keep Tebow around six years ago.

OVERREACTION: Michael Crabtree and Aqib Talib will headline Wrestlemania 34.

REALISTIC REACTION: Ric Flair Eric Weddle Jersey , at 68 years old, is more entertaining.

Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO Nick Boyle Jersey , Italy (AP) Without a falling drone to stop him, Marcel Hirscher finally reclaimed his superiority on Italy’s most challenging slalom hill.

After setting the fastest opening run, the six-time defending overall champion from Austria recovered from a major error toward the end of his second trip down the steep Canalone Miramonti course and claimed his 49th World Cup win on Friday.

Hirscher finished 0.04 seconds ahead of combined world champion Luca Aerni of Switzerland, who recorded the first podium result of his career.

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Henrik Kristoffersen Terrance West Jersey , the Norwegian who won this race the past two years, finished third, 0.05 behind.

Two years ago, Hirscher narrowly escaped getting hit by a camera drone that fell from the sky within inches of his head as he was competing in this race.

Hirscher finished second in Campiglio the last two years Mike Wallace Jersey , with his only previous win in the Trentino resort coming in 2012.

”Today I’m the lucky one – finally,” Hirscher said.

Hirscher had built a lead of nearly seven-tenths when he misjudged a gate and skied far off line, prompting him to jam on the brakes in order to clear the next gate – which he did just barely.

”I was shocked after this mistake,” Hirscher said. ”I thought after this moment Eric Weddle Jersey , `Full gas.”’

The performance was reminiscent of when Italian great Alberto Tomba nearly came to a stop during a slalom in Lech, Austria, in 1994 but also recovered and won.

Tomba was in attendance to see Hirscher’s victory and awarded the Austrian during the podium ceremony.

Alexander Khoroshilov, the Russian who stood second after the opening run Matt Judon Jersey , straddled a gate shortly into his second trip down.

Hirscher reclaimed the overall lead from Kristoffersen, moving 29 points ahead.

In the slalom standings, Kristoffersen holds a six-point lead over Hirscher even though he has yet to win a race this season.

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GREEN BAY Frostee Rucker Jersey , Wis. (AP) Minus a consistent running game, the Detroit Lions are having trouble scoring touchdowns in the red zone.

Without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers are working on getting their passing attack back on track.

The NFC North rivals meet at Lambeau Field in a game Monday night that could be decided by which team first figures out how to fix its offense.

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The loser faces an uphill climb trying to keep pace with division-leading Minnesota.

”I think it is just execution and (being) detail-oriented,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said about improving in the red zone . ”I don’t think there’s any massive scheme overhaul … We’ve just got to find a way to get it in.”

A 20-15 loss last week to the Steelers included three lackluster second-half possessions inside the 10 for the Lions (3-4). They failed to score on two of the drives and had to settle for a field goal on the third. Detroit fell to 28th in the NFL in red-zone offense, converting on just 45 percent of opportunities.

Another 400-yard passing game for Stafford won’t mean much if the Lions’ struggles inside the 20 continue. Detroit has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark as a team just once this year, a 24-10 win over the New York Giants in Week 2.

”I’m more interested in winning, more so than anything else. And how we go about it Jared Veldheer Jersey , it could vary,” coach Jim Caldwell said.

In Green Bay (4-3), the passing game is the more pressing problem with Rodgers out with a collarbone injury. Third-year quarterback Brett Hundley is slated to make his second NFL start.

The first start, two weeks ago against New Orleans, started impressively enough thanks to the quarterback’s scrambling ability and a career-high 131 yards rushing for rooking running back Aaron Jones.

But a once-potent passing game struggled down the stretch. Coach Mike McCarthy has said that he needs to get Hundley more comfortable dropping back in the pocket . The Packers must also do a better job of getting the ball into the hands of their playmaking receivers.

Wideouts Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams, along with tight end Martellus Bennett Tyvon Branch Jersey , combined for just seven catches, 57 yards and no touchdowns against the Saints.

”Now, why? There are things that Brett can improve on, and we’re working on it,” McCarthy said. ”But we’re going to go out there and we’re going to be a balanced offense … and Brett’s going to lead the charge on offense.”

Other things to watch in the matchup between the Lions and Packers:

ON THE LINE: A bye week gave McCarthy’s banged-up squad some needed rest. Especially important for Hundley will be the potential reunion of the starting offensive line after left guard Lane Taylor missed the Saints game with an ankle injury. Standout tackles David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga have also missed some time this year because of injuries.

”We’re getting close to being fully healthy as a team,” McCarthy said at midweek.

REVERSING COURSE: The Lions are slumping after starting the season with two wins. They’ve lost three straight and four of five dating to a 30-26 loss to Atlanta in Week 3 that ended with a 10-second runoff rule.

Stafford isn’t panicking.

”You kind of win one in the division, it counts for two J. J. Nelson Jersey , right? … So, you kind of control your destiny in that regard,” the quarterback said.

SLAYING IT: Lions cornerback Darius Slay, who is second in the NFC with nine pass deflections, has played well of late. He helped contain Steelers star Antonio Brown to five catches and 70 yards. Watch the matchup against Green Bay’s deep receiving corps with Nelson, Adams and Cobb all capable of big games.

DEFENSIVE QB: Green Bay’s secondary could get a boost with the potential return of Morgan Burnett after the safety missed two games with a hamstring injury. The eight-year veteran usually calls the defensive signals and takes on an inside linebacker-type role in certain schemes, allowing the Packers to keep a solid run defender on the field against spread looks.

HEY ROOKIE: Jones has gone from a Week 1 inactive to the Packers’ best option in the run game. A slasher who has shown ability to break out for big gains A.Q. Shipley Jersey , Jones is second in the NFL behind Baltimore’s Alex Collins in averaging 5.58 yards per carry.

”His natural run instincts obviously stand out but he’s still working on the other aspects of our offense,” McCarthy said. ”I think he’s done a heck of a job.”

AP Sports Writer Larry Lage in Detroit contributed to this story.

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

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DENVER BRONCOS (5-11)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: ILBs Todd Davis and Corey Nelson; DEs Jared Crick and Billy Wynn; QB Brock Osweiler; WR Cody Latimer; TE Virgil Green; RB Jamaal Charles; OL Allen Barbre; OT Donald Stephenson; G Billy Turner.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: G Shaquil Barrett; WR Bennie Fowler; C Matt Paradis.

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NEEDS: After last year’s deflating draft class produced so little Matt Bryant Jersey , Broncos need upgrades throughout roster but especially on offense. GM John Elway said high-priced WRs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, both of whom underperformed last season Matt Bosher Jersey , will be back. That would make for attractive draw for veteran QB. They need to bolster running backs corps and do usual O-line fix, which has become annual rite of spring in Denver. Even with Jake Butt back from ACL surgery Ricardo Allen Jersey , they could use some more tight end prowess. On defense, they’re no longer elite unit that carried them to Super Bowl 50 title Ryan Schraeder Jersey , but still very good behind Von Miller, MVP of Pro Bowl. They could use some jolts at linebacker and even in secondary Andy Levitre Jersey , which for years was among league’s best.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE: $24 million.

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STANFORD Graham Gano Jersey , Calif. (AP) Free agent safety Eric Reid said Thursday he is not planning to protest during the national anthem this upcoming season.

Reid has been among the NFL’s most visible protesters since former San Francisco teammate Colin Kaepernick decided not to stand for the national anthem in 2016.

Reid continued the protest of racial injustice and police brutality against minorities by kneeling during the anthem last season as Kaepernick was unable to find a job. But Reid said he will take a different approach in 2018.

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”We understand you have to change with the times,” he said after watching his brother, Justin, take part in his Pro Day at Stanford.

”I’m not saying I’m going to stop being active because I won’t. I’m just going to consider different ways to be active, different ways to bring awareness to the issues of this country and improve on the issues happening in this country. I don’t think it will be in the form of protesting during the anthem. I say during because it’s crazy that the narrative changed to we were protesting the anthem and that wasn’t the case. I think we’re going to take a different approach to how we’re going to be active.”

Reid has gotten no contract offers more than a week into free agency despite a record of strong play on the field and versatility that many teams usually covet.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said the team is monitoring the market for Reid but the Niners are mostly set at safety with Jaquiski Tartt Charles Johnson Jersey , Jimmie Ward and Adrian Colbert under contract.

Reid said his agent has heard from a ”couple” of teams but money hasn’t been discussed and he is still awaiting an opportunity. Reid has said that he understands his activism could affect his employment, especially after watching Kaepernick go unsigned for more than a year.

”I said before, I stand by what I’ve done,” he said. ”I know why I’ve done it. My faith in God is the reason. I can go to sleep at night confident that I did what I was taught to do. I’m just going to stay positive, keep training Andrew Norwell Jersey , keep staying in shape and we’ll see what happens.”

Reid was a first-round pick by the 49ers in 2013 and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. He has been a strong player throughout his career, playing strong safety, free safety and even some linebacker last season when San Francisco was short-handed at the position.

He has 10 interceptions and 36 passes defensed in 70 career games.

”Eric played and played well for us last year,” Lynch said. ”I think he’s kind of stuck in a safety market that’s been quiet. I would anticipate things starting to shake for him. We’ll see.”

While Eric Reid looks for a team, he spent Thursday helping his brother prepare for his Pro Day. Justin Reid is considered one of the top safeties eligible for the draft and will likely get picked on the first two days of next month’s draft.

Justin Reid said he has visits planned with Minnesota Daryl Williams Jersey , Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Seattle and Carolina. He also met with 29 teams at the combine but said no one has asked him about his brother or if he would protest during the anthem.

Justin Reid said he’s prepared for those questions if they come and that he won’t protest.

”We each have our own beliefs,” he said. ”He felt like that’s what he needed to do. I have my own ways that I feel like I’m going to go about it. I’m not as much of a vocal person in that situation. I don’t really like drama. I don’t want to deal with that.”

More AP NFL: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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JACKSONVILLE Graham Gano Jersey , Fla. (AP) Jacksonville’s success last season gave owner Shad Khan hope for the future and increased faith in the team’s leadership.

Khan gave two-year extensions to coach Doug Marrone, executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin and general manager Dave Caldwell on Friday. All three had two years remaining on their deals, which now will run through the 2021 season.

”The decision to extend the contracts of Tom, Dave and Doug isn’t so much a reward for last season Charles Johnson Jersey , which no doubt was impressive, as it is to recognize their importance to our football team this coming season and for years to follow,” Khan said in a statement. ”We’re past celebrating the accomplishments of our division title and playoff run, and now it’s time to take the next step.

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”We need the right leadership firmly in place to make that happen Andrew Norwell Jersey , and it’s good to know we’ll have that with Tom, Dave and Doug secure in their roles with the Jacksonville Jaguars.”

The Jaguars won the AFC South for the first time in franchise history, made the playoffs for the first time in a decade and advanced to the AFC title game for the first time since 2000.

Khan hired Coughlin and Marrone in January 2017. Coughlin returned to the franchise he helped build from a trailer in the early 1990s and gave him full control over all football matters. That meant fewer decisions for Caldwell.

But Khan credits Caldwell for drafting and assembling much of the roster that turn a laughingstock into a contender, earning the team’s first home playoff game since 2000.

Jacksonville won thanks mostly to one of the league’s best defenses. Caldwell drafted many of those defenders Daryl Williams Jersey , including All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue and linebackers Telvin Smith and Myles Jack. Coughlin, Caldwell and Marrone also landed the best free-agent class in franchise history by signing defensive end Calais Campbell, cornerback A.J. Bouye and safety Barry Church.

The defense nearly led the Jaguars to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. They held a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter at New England before Tom Brady and the Patriots scored twice late and won 24-20.

”The success we had last season was due to the efforts of many people Mario Addison Jersey , but Doug and Dave certainly played key leadership roles in guiding our team,” Coughlin said in a statement. ”They set the tone and managed the process on a daily basis, and we look forward to building on that process throughout this offseason and the coming season.”

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FLOWERY BRANCH Nick Boyle Jersey , Ga. (AP) Falcons players are guarded against letting four losses in their last five games rattle their confidence.

The Falcons (4-4) have fallen to .500, two games behind NFC South leader New Orleans.

Atlanta’s offense shows little resemblance to the unit which led the league in scoring last season. The Falcons have scored no more than 17 points in any of their losses, even though quarterback Matt Ryan has most of the same weapons from last year’s Super Bowl season.

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At the midpoint of the season, Atlanta is trying to recapture last season’s winning formula. Center Alex Mack said that’s no reason to look for changes.

”I think the key is just to try to do what you do, trust in the process you have Terrance West Jersey ,” Mack said Wednesday. ”What we’ve been doing has been good. We just need to make a couple more plays. I don’t think anything drastic needs to change.”

The Falcons need a quick turnaround in the second half of the season if they hope to return to the playoffs. That sense of urgency could lead players to press.

It’s a concern for coach Dan Quinn, who wants his players to avoid ”white-knuckling” as they prepare for Sunday’s visit from the Dallas Cowboys.

”Sometimes with more pressing, more white-knuckling, you lose the focus and that’s what you really want to avoid getting into,” Quinn said.

Atlanta’s offense has done a better job moving the ball than scoring. Ryan is seventh with 2 Mike Wallace Jersey ,157 yards passing but only tied for 16th with 11 scoring passes .

Quinn said the struggles, which continued in last week’s 20-17 loss at Carolina , forced him to ask ”is our process right in terms of getting all the preparations and details right.”

Added Quinn: ”If it is we’ve got to stick to that course and don’t waver off of it. If it’s not, then what part of your game can you improve on moving forward.”

Quinn said he told players they ”have got to have the conviction to stay on course and do better.”

Safety Ricardo Allen says players aren’t losing confidence.

”The tone was we know what we can do,” Allen said of the message in Monday’s team meeting. ”We know as a team what we’re capable of. Just go out there and do our job. Just give a little more Eric Weddle Jersey , take it to another level.

”We have another whole half of the season. Get it rolling. Get the small things right.”

Allen said he’s seen no frustration or panic from Quinn.

”No, he never does,” Allen said. ”For him to stay so level-headed, that’s what makes you want to keep fighting for him. You know that he really believes in us and he knows that we can get it done, and we will.”

NOTES: PK Matt Bryant (right calf) did not practice Wednesday. With Bryant’s status for Sunday’s game still uncertain Matt Judon Jersey , the Falcons re-signed PK Mike Meyer to the practice squad. Meyer made three of four field goal attempts in the preseason. Meyer was released before the season and then was signed to the practice squad on Oct. 11 for one week when Bryant was slowed with a back injury but did not miss a game. … QB Garrett Grayson was released from the practice squad. … LB Duke Riley (knee) did not practice but is ”getting closer” after missing two games, according to Quinn. … WR Julio Jones (lower leg) also was held out.

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

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