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**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 12:47 AM

Tech Trends - Week 11

November 17, 2015

THURSDAY, NOV. 19

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

JACKSONVILLE at TENNESSEE (NFL Network, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Jags "over" 7-2 last nine since late LY though last three and four of last six "under" vs. Titans. Jags 7-1-1 vs. spread last nine in series. Titans "over" 3-1 on road TY.

Tech Edge: Jags and "over," based on series and "totals" trends.

SUNDAY, NOV. 22

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

WASHINGTON at CAROLINA (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Panthers 13-0 SU, 9-3-1 vs. spread last 13 reg.-season games. They're 4-1 vs. line as host this season. Also "over" 6-3-1 since late LY. Skins 5-13 vs. spread last 18 as visitor.

Tech Edge: Panthers and slight to "over," based on team and "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

OAKLAND at DETROIT (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Lions 2-6-1 vs. line TY, 0-4-1 last five vs. spread at Ford Field. Also "over" 5-2 last seven as host. Raiders "over" last three and 6-2 this season, also 3-1 vs. line away in 2015.

Tech Edge: Raiders and "over," based on team and "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

DALLAS at MIAMI (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Super Bowl VI rematch! Dallas 0-7 SU, 1-6 vs. line last seven TY, though Dolphins 3-5 vs. line last eight in 2015. Dolphins on 4-10 spread skid since late 2014. Dolphins also "over" 8-4 last 12, Cowboys "over" 8-4 last 12 reg.-season games.

Tech Edge: "Over," based on "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

INDIANAPOLIS at ATLANTA (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Falcons no covers last five TY after quick start. Indy has covered 4 of last 5 TY but now no Luck for a bit. Falcs now "under" 9-2-1 since late 2014 ("under" 6-2-1 for Dan Quinn TY).

Tech Edge: Colts and slight to "under," based on team and "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

ST. LOUIS at BALTIMORE (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Ravens 2-10 vs. line last 12 reg season games, no covers last seven at M&T Bank Stadium. Ravens "over" 3-1 as host as host TY but Rams "under" 6-2 in 2015.

Tech Edge: Rams, based on recent Ravens woes.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

NY JETS at HOUSTON (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Jets no covers last three as they begin to wobble. Also "over" 4-1 last five TY. Texans "over" 6-3-1 since late 2014.

Tech Edge: "Over" and slight to Texans, based on "totals" and recent trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

TAMPA BAY at PHILADELPHIA (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Jameis Winston 3-1 vs. line on road TY and Lovie 8-3 vs. spread last 11 away! Birds however 9-5 vs. spread last 14 reg.-season games at Linc. Lovie "under" 10-2 away since LY and Chip "under" 7-2 in 2015.

Tech Edge: "Under," base don "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

DENVER at CHICAGO (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)

John Fox vs. Broncos. Denver 3-2 vs. line away TY but no covers last two. Fox 4-1-1 vs. line last six TY. Bears "under" 7-4-1 last 12 since late 2014.

Tech Edge: Slight to "under," based on "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

KANSAS CITY at SAN DIEGO (CBS, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Last six and eight of last nine in series "under" including Seattle 20-3 win at Levi's on Oct. 22. Seattle "under" 10-5 last 14 reg season games. Hawks also have won and covered last four at home vs. Niners. SF 1-5 vs. spread last six away.

Tech Edge: Chiefs, based on series and recent trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

SAN FRANCISCO at SEATTLE (FOX, 4:25 p.m. ET)

KC surging with wins and covers in last three. Chiefs have covered last three in series and Bolts on extended 5-15 spread skid since early 2014.

Tech Edge: Slight to "under," based on "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

GREEN BAY at MINNESOTA (FOX, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Vikings have covered a remarkable eight in a row and are 4-0 vs. line at Gopher Stadium this season. Vikes 3-1 vs. line last four as series host. Pack no covers last four TY and also "under" 5-2 last seven away in reg.-season games. Vikes "under" 7-3-1 at home since 2014.

Tech Edge: Vikes and "under" based on team and "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

CINCINNATI at ARIZONA (NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Cards just 1-2 vs. line at home TY but they were 11-4-1 vs. spread for Arians at Glendale the previous two seasons. Cards also "over" 6-2 TY and "over" 4-1 last five at home. Bengals 7-1-1 vs. line TY.

Tech Edge: "Over," based on "totals" trends.

MONDAY, NOV. 23

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups

BUFFALO at NEW ENGLAND (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Bills won at Foxborough LY and are actually 3-3 vs. line last 6, though they've beaten Pats just twice SU since 2003 opener. Rex Ryan 4-1 last five vs. line against Belichick. Pats 7-1-1 vs. spread last 9 reg season at home. "Overs" 7-2 last nine meetings and Belichick "over" 58-31 in reg season since late 2009.

Tech Edge: "Over" and slight to Patriots, based on totals" and series trends.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 12:51 AM

NFL Week 11 Essentials

November 17, 2015

As Week 11 arrives, more than two-thirds of the NFL’s teams have legitimate reason to believe they can reach the playoffs. The time to separate pretenders from contenders is here, so let’s get to an early snapshot of the upcoming card.

Thursday, Nov. 19

Jacksonville at Tennessee: Thursday night is date night, kids. Jacksonville hosting Tennessee is for die-hards only, even though the surging Jags have won one in a row and are only one game behind Indianapolis and Houston for first place in the AFC South. It’s too bad they lost that OT game in Indy that Matt Hasselbeck started for Andrew Luck back in Week 4, falling short after rookie kicker Jason Myers missed a pair of would-be game-winners. If he’d connected, the Jags would be the team tied with Houston for first place in the division right now, not the Colts.

Myers redeemed himself with a 53-yarder to beat Baltimore on Sunday, giving Jacksonville its second win in three contests and delivering an opportunity to win consecutive games for the first time since ’13 since they’ll be favored here. The Titans have scored 10 points or fewer in four of the last five games, exploding for 34 points in New Orleans as the anomaly.

Sunday, Nov. 22

Washington at Carolina:

QB Kirk Cousins torched the New Orleans defense for a career-high four touchdowns and now has thrown eight touchdowns and just one interception over his last three contests. The ‘Skins have not won consecutive games all season and are 0-4 on the road, where Cousins has thrown for four scores and seven interceptions. It won’t be easy for him to rectify his struggles outside Landover this weekend since he’ll face a Panthers defense tied for the NFL lead in picks and limiting quarterbacks to a league low 69.1 QBR. Rookie Marcus Mariota became their latest victim in a 27-10 home loss, continuing a run that has seen Carolina generate a turnover against the last four quarterbacks they’ve faced (Sam Bradford, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Mariota), running their tally to eight of nine games picking off a pass this season. Only Seattle’s Russell Wilson has escaped a matchup with the Panthers defense without a miscue.

Oakland at Detroit:

The Raiders face a huge matchup after losing at home to Minnesota, dropping their fourth game over the last six. Although the AFC Wild Card race remains wide open, Oakland must take advantage of playing these Lions and Titans on the road before a grueling stretch that features a pair of matchups with surging Kansas City, a visit to Denver and home dates with the Packers and Chargers. If they’re going to seriously challenge for a playoff berth, the Raiders are going to need to handle business trips these next few weeks. RB Latavius Murray got through concussion protocol in time to play against the Vikings but ran for just 48 yards, his lowest total since Oct. 11. He’ll look to give Oakland more balance on offense against a Detroit defense that held the Packers to 16 points – 3 through three quarters – and made their run game a non-factor. The Raiders have lost three straight against the Lions, last beating them in 1996.

Dallas at Miami:

The Cowboys failed to win a game in seven tries without Tony Romo, so he’ll step back into must-win situations the rest of the way. Welcome back. Now go win them all and save the season. The Dolphins are up first, opening a stretch that sees them finish out their schedule with five home dates in seven weeks. Ndamakong Suh had a big game in an upset of Philadelphia, fueling hopes that he’ll be able to deliver a big second half of the season and live up to his massive contract. Miami RB Lamar Miller has been a force catching the ball out of the backfield over the last two games, making 13 receptions for 147 yards and a score. The Dolphins have only beaten Dallas once in five meetings since ‘96.

Indianapolis at Atlanta:

Hasselbeck begins his run as Colts starting QB for the foreseeable future with a challenging game against the slumping Falcons, who come off their bye week looking to stop the bleeding on a two-game losing streak against sub-.500 teams. Atlanta has been its own worst enemy in losses to the Saints, Bucs and 49ers, beating only slumping Tennessee within the last month. Matt Ryan threw for 700 combined yards in the setbacks against Tampa Bay and San Francisco, but issues with turnovers in and around the red zone have routinely foiled promising drives. The ‘under’ has come in five consecutive times in Falcons games, all of which have been ATS losses. Hasselbeck is 2-0 as a starter this season, beating Houston and Jacksonville. He hasn’t thrown an interception since 2013.

St. Louis at Baltimore:

Consecutive losses to the Vikings and Bears have cost Nick Foles his starting job. Case Keenum takes the reins looking to lead the Rams on a season-salvaging run with the playoffs still a possibility. Despite getting torched for 37 points by visiting Chicago, a formidable defense looks to have gotten healthier and should remain the team’s driving force. A historically bad third-down conversion rate (28-for-115, 24.3 pct) has been a massive weakness that has dragged down St. Louis on both sides of the ball, wearing down the defense and obviously hindering its ability to put points on the board. The 2-7 Ravens seem to be inventing ways to lose games this season and have a massive injury list that suggests the team might be best off tanking the rest of the way for an unexpected high draft pick. Despite entering the season as a Super Bowl contender, Baltimore is just 1-3 at M&T Bank Stadium and probably won’t be favored the rest of the way after this one since home dates with Seattle, Kansas City and Pittsburgh remain. They’ve already lost more home games this season than any other in the John Harbaugh era.

N.Y. Jets at Houston:

Although New York lost Rex Bowl I at home, it remains optimistic it can return to the playoffs for the first time since its run to the 2010 AFC Championship game. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had successful surgery on his left thumb and will start if the can handle post-operation pain. If he suffers a setback or needs the week off, Geno Smith would start here. The Texans have won consecutive games for the first time all season, surrendering just six points in wins over Tennessee and Cincinnati. LB Jadeveon Clowney (back) and CB Kareem Jackson (ankle) could both return to aid the cause defensively, but head coach Bill O’Brien may have to start a third different QB since Brian Hoyer was knocked out of Monday night’s win with a concussion. T.J. Yates, who was signed late last month when the team cut Ryan Mallett, threw a TD pass to beat the Bengals and could line up under center if Hoyer isn’t cleared. Yates hasn’t started an NFL game since helping the Texans reach the AFC playoff divisional round in January of 2012.

Tampa Bay at Philadelphia:

Jameis Winston hasn’t seen .500 since Week 2 and still hasn’t delivered consecutive victories, but he can rectify both those matters with a victory over the struggling Eagles. He may get back TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins from a shoulder injury, which should lighten the load on top wideout Mike Evans, who has been targeted 53 times over the past four games, catching 27 passes. WR Vincent Jackson has also been out with a knee injury but may not be as close. Although the Eagles defense has gotten healthier, the offense has question marks regarding absent left tackle Jason Peters and ailing QB Bradford, who is dealing with a shoulder injury and concussion symptoms. Mark Sanchez, who threw a costly INT on the Eagles penultimate possession, may get his first start of the season. He went 14-for-23 for 156 yards against Miami in his first action of 2015 and may give Philly a more dynamic look since he’s more of a threat to run than Bradford has been.

Denver at Chicago:

Brock Osweiler will make his first career NFL start in place of an injured and ineffective Peyton Manning. He’ll be going up against the coach who drafted him, veteran John Fox. A fourth-year pro with limited experience outside of the preseason, Osweiler threw his second career TD pass against Kansas City last week and should have the services of top WR Emmanuel Sanders, who has been limited by an ankle injury. The Bears have won consecutive road games at San Diego and St. Louis, shining despite the absence of an injured Matt Forte (knee). Rookie Jeremy Langford has done a tremendous job filling in. After getting more than a single carry only once in his first four appearances, he’s run for 145 yards over the last two games and added 179 receiving yards on 10 catches over the past two weeks, scoring three times. The Broncos formidable defense will get top corner Aqib Talib back from suspension but will against be without DE DeMarcus Ware.

Kansas City at San Diego:

The Chiefs are now 4-5 after trouncing Denver and have officially recovered from losing star RB Jamaal Charles by rattling off three straight wins behind an improved defense and young back Charcandrick West. Getting to .500 would put Kansas City right in the thick of the AFC Wild Card race and it will see these injury-plagued Chargers twice in the next four weeks. San Diego has dropped five consecutive games but comes off a much-needed bye that should afford Philip Rivers’ offensive line some time to heal. Key defensive players like Eric Weddle, Corey Liuget and Manti Te’o also went into the break banged up, so monitor their availability for this one.

Green Bay at Minnesota:

The Packers are in turmoil, losing three consecutive games for the first time since ’13. They’ve only lost four straight once in the Mike McCarthy era (’08) but must fix major offensive line issues to pull out a difficult road trip against a Vikings squad that has passed them and taken over the NFC Central lead. Adrian Peterson ran for 203 yards to take over the NFL rushing lead in a 30-14 win at Oakland, securing Minnesota’s fifth win in a row and eight consecutive cover. Teddy Bridgewater came through concussion protocol no worse for the wear, posting his highest QBR of the season in an efficient performance. Including their 2012 playoff meeting, Green Bay is 8-1-1 against the Vikings since 2010.

San Francisco at Seattle:

The Seahawks hadn’t lost consecutive home games since 2011 before coming out of their bye week with a crippling Sunday night loss to Arizona. Back under .500 at 4-5, Seattle is now three full games behind the Cardinals for the NFC West lead and two behind Green Bay and Atlanta for the Wild cards. The two-time defending NFC champs are in real danger of missing the postseason for the first time since the aforementioned ’11 season. The 49ers come out of their bye week with Blaine Gabbert as the starting quarterback, giving them a different look than the Colin Kaepernick-led version that fell to Seattle 20-3 at home on Oct. 22.

Cincinnati at Arizona:

By far the most attractive matchup of the week, this contest was flexed to Sunday night so a national audience can see a potential Super Bowl preview. The Bengals have been dominant behind Andy Dalton’s finest season, while the guy who had the job prior to him, Carson Palmer, has lifted the Cardinals with 23 touchdown passes, including three on this very stage last week against the mighty Seahawks secondary. Palmer has thrown for a TD in every game and looks like an MVP candidate alongside Dalton in the race to catch Tom Brady. Dalton will be looking to rebound from his worst performance of the season in a Monday night loss to Houston where he threw for under 200 yards and fail to complete a TD pass for the first time all season.

Monday, Nov. 23

Buffalo at New England:

Speaking of Brady, he dodged a bullet last week against the Giants, but probably would’ve been able to lead the Patriots into the end zone if replay hadn’t negated Odell Beckham Jr.’s touchdown catch. New England only needed three points and got them from kicker Stephen Gostkowski to remain unbeaten, but it certainly has major issues to face due to a hobbled offensive line and a foot injury that will remove Julian Edelman from the equation for the next few weeks. Edelman torched the Bills for 11 catches and two TDs in a 40-32 Week 2 win at Buffalo, so replacing his production is going to be essential if the Pats are to secure a series sweep. Rex Ryan’s win over the Jets put the team in position to make the playoffs if the season ended today, but they’re embarked on a stretch of five road games in six weeks that will leave little room for error.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 12:53 AM

Raiders LB Aldon Smith suspended a year
November 17, 2015

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith was suspended Tuesday by the NFL for one calendar year because of violations of the league's substance-abuse policy, a person with direct knowledge of the decision said.

The penalty is effective immediately, said the person, who was speaking on condition of anonymity because the decision hadn't been formally announced.

Smith, 26, was released by the San Francisco 49ers in August after a list of run-ins with the law before landing across the bay with the Raiders. Smith went through the locker room and told teammates goodbye Tuesday. The Raiders had no official word on Smith's status, and agent Doug Hendrickson didn't immediately respond to phone or text messages.

It's unclear for which infraction Smith is being suspended. The Niners released him Aug. 7 following his fifth run-in with the law a night earlier on an off day from training camp. The franchise parted ways with one of football's most menacing pass-rushers after Santa Clara police accused him of drunken driving, hit and run and vandalism.

Smith was in a contract year. He started seven games and played in nine for the Raiders, finishing his second straight suspension-shortened season with 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

He missed the first nine games of the 2014 season while serving an NFL suspension for violations of the league's substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies.

Police said in the August incident that Smith collided with a parked vehicle while parking his car, then caused further damage to the parked vehicle with his car door. The scene was only a couple of miles from 49ers team headquarters, at or on the street of Smith's former luxury apartment complex.

Authorities said Smith left without reporting the collision or providing any identifying information. He later returned and was contacted by officers. Smith displayed ''objective symptoms of being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage'' and officers conducted a field sobriety test, police said.

Smith was drafted seventh overall in the first round by San Francisco in 2011 out of Missouri. He emerged as one of the NFL's top defenders in 2012 with a franchise-record 19 1/2 sacks during the team's run to the Super Bowl. Smith finished with 8 1/2 sacks and 34 tackles in 11 games in 2013.

ESPN first reported the suspension.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 12:54 AM

Manziel named Browns' new starting QB
November 17, 2015

Browns coach Mike Pettine simply pulled Johnny Manziel aside and told him he would be Cleveland's starting quarterback for the remainder of this season.

No longer just a celebrated bad-boy backup, Manziel joined an elite class.

The trick will be staying there.

Manziel's budding pro career, dotted mostly by missteps on and off the field to this point -the NFL said Tuesday he will not be disciplined for a domestic case - seems to be finally headed in the right direction for him. Now, the Browns will find out if he can be their franchise QB.

Fresh off a strong start at Pittsburgh on Sunday, Manziel moved ahead of veteran Josh McCown on the depth chart, a switch that will either usher in a new era for the Browns or send them scrambling again to fill a troublesome position.

''I wanted the chance to be the guy and that was always my goal,'' said Manziel, who was watching film before Pettine told him the news. ''I'm excited, I think as I should be. This is a great opportunity with a great group of guys that are going to go out and fight with me every week.''

Pettine made the change before the team's first bye-week practice, two days after Manziel passed for a career-high 372 yards in a 30-9 loss to the Steelers. He also flashed a few of those Johnny Football moments that won him the Heisman Trophy at Texas A&M.

After fumbling on his first play, Manziel regrouped and completed 33 of 45 passes with one touchdown. He didn't lead the Browns (2-8) to victory, but Manziel showed he's learning from his mistakes, growing more comfortable in the pocket and ready to take his biggest step yet.

''The performance against Pittsburgh validated for us the progress he's made and the improvement he's shown and that he deserves this opportunity,'' Pettine said. ''We understand where our season is at this point and this is a kid we've invested a lot in. This will give us an opportunity to see how far he's come and what he's capable of.''

On the same day he was named a starter, Manziel also learned he will not be fined or suspended for his actions in a domestic incident last month in Avon, Ohio. The 22-year-old was questioned on Oct. 12 by police following an in-car argument with his girlfriend.

The league said it interviewed several people, including Manziel and his girlfriend, who told police he had been violent with her. Manziel admitted to drinking before the argument. He was not arrested.

For Manziel, being named a starter is both a personal milestone and evidence that he's turned his life around following a disappointing first season and 10-week stay in a Pennsylvania rehab facility for an unspecified condition.

Pettine is giving his players the bye weekend off. He spoke to Manziel about his behavior and the club's expectations for him away from the field as the face of the franchise.

''He's done some things to affect that trust, clearly,'' Pettine said. ''He understands it. He knows with these expectations comes great responsibility. That's something he knows he has to return.''

Manziel promised his coach he would be a model citizen.

''I let him know that I'm not going to do anything that's going to be a distraction to this team or be an embarrassment to the organization,'' Manziel said. ''I don't think they're going to have to worry about me this week.''

Once back to work, the Browns, who have dropped five straight games, will prepare for a Nov. 30 game against Baltimore, a Monday night matchup between two struggling teams certain to draw more TV viewers with Manziel starting.

''Coach Pett said I couldn't ask for a better stage,'' Manziel said.

And, it's an ideal platform for the Browns to further evaluate Manziel's growth as a quarterback and leader. Now 1-4 as a starter, the final six games could be an audition for 2016 and beyond.

''I was just looking forward to coming out and trying to have a little bit of a spark and more than anything, get some wins,'' Manziel said. ''That's what I told coach Pett, no matter what happens, whether you think this may be for next year or whatever the case is, we're going to win some of these games down the road.''

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 12:55 AM

Steelers secondary providing presence
November 17, 2015

PITTSBURGH (AP) Keith Butler can come clean now. The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator had no clue what was coming this fall while trying to piece together a revamped secondary after Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor faded into retirement.

''I didn't know what I had,'' Butler said in his typically folksy drawl.

Turns out, more than he thought.

While the numbers aren't particularly impressive - the Steelers (6-4) are 27th against the pass and let Johnny Manziel revive his career by moving up and down Heinz Field last Sunday - Butler is encouraged by the responsible recklessness he sees.

For all the yards Pittsburgh is giving up, the one thing the Steelers are pretty stingy with is points. Pittsburgh is only giving up 19 a game, one of the main reasons the Steelers head into their bye week with the top wild card spot in the AFC despite a spate of injuries on offense.

''I don't think we're as bad as people thought we originally were,'' safety Mike Mitchell said. ''This is what we expected to be done and there's still tons of room for us to improve.''

Between the 20s at least. Not so much inside the red zone, where touchdowns for opponents have been difficult to come by. The Steelers are allowing teams to cross the goal line on just over 50 percent of their red zone possessions, good enough for 10th in the league. The last time Pittsburgh finished in the top 10 in defensive red zone touchdown percentage, it reached the 2011 Super Bowl.

Mitchell isn't quite ready to call the Steelers contenders, but they are playing with an edge they've lacked in recent years as the core that led to three Super Bowl appearances in six seasons was phased out and the next wave was brought in.

Sacks are up. Turnovers are up. So are the ''splash plays'' coach Mike Tomlin so dearly covets.

Limited by nagging groin trouble last year, Mitchell is back to playing the role of hammer that made Pittsburgh sign him to a five-year, $25 million deal in the first place. It's a responsibility Mitchell savors, one he's learned to handle without having to write checks to the league office, a common occurrence early in his career when he would be fined regularly for illegal hits.

''I think I'm just trying to play smarter and the rules are the rules,'' Mitchell said. ''It makes you feel a certain type of way when you know you're going low on a guy but I can't continue to donate and risk penalizing my teammates.''

Mitchell is doing more than making hits. His three interceptions are one off his career high and they tend to come in important moments. He sealed a victory against Arizona last month by picking off Carson Palmer in the end zone late in the fourth quarter and put an end to any hopes of a Cleveland rally when he stepped in front of a fourth-down Manziel pass last Sunday.

It was the second red zone trip by the Browns that ended without Cleveland coming on for an extra point. The Browns had first-and-goal at the Pittsburgh 10 in the first quarter only settle for a field goal after coming nowhere near the goal line. Mitchell's pick came at the end of a sequence in which the Browns somehow turned a first down at the Pittsburgh 1 into fourth-and-goal from the 7.

Call it the byproduct of a near relentless fixation on short field situations during the offseason. The Steelers start nearly every practice with a drill called ''seven shots.'' The offense gets the ball at the 2 and the defense has seven plays to get at least four stops, the equivalent of a win.

''The coaches put us in the hardest position possible,'' safety Will Allen said. ''It's something that we use. I enjoy it, everybody enjoys it in practice, but everybody wants to win. It's something that helps us come game time.''

The secondary is forced to rely on that confidence thanks to Butler's commitment to the blitz. It forces the defensive backs into plenty of one-on-one situations, sparring battles they are winning just as often as not. And even when the opponents do come down with the ball, it can come with a hefty price. Between Allen and Mitchell the Steelers have two savvy veterans who aren't afraid to light up a wide receiver when given the chance.

''It's got to be legal and as long as it's legal I've got no problem with it,'' Butler said. ''It gives (opponents) an idea of what they're going to get if they get stretched out over the middle.''

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 12:57 AM

Bills view Patriots game as barometer
November 17, 2015

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills are not ready to concede the AFC East title to the New England Patriots.

The Bills (5-4) are four games back of the Patriots (9-0) in the division and play Monday night at New England.

''They haven't won yet, so we have to keep fighting,'' Bills linebacker Preston Brown said Tuesday. ''You never know what's going to happen in the NFL.''

The Super Bowl-champion Patriots also haven't lost yet this season.

''It's exciting to know that you can be the first team to beat them,'' Brown said. ''It's going to be a tough task, but we are up for the challenge.''

The Bills have won two straight coming off their bye week and are in the thick of the AFC wild card race as one of just six teams in the conference with a winning record.

Bills coach Rex Ryan said the game against the Patriots will be a ''great barometer'' of how much his team has improved.

''I know we have improved as a football team,'' Ryan said. ''How much have we improved? We are going to find out on Monday.''

This is the sixth time since 2000, when the Bills' 15-year playoff drought began, that the Bills have a winning record through nine games. The Bills have not been over .500 after 10 games since 2000.

Buffalo is 3-1 on the road this season following Thursday night's 22-17 victory over the New York Jets. They are in the midst of playing five of six on the road.

The Bills are 3-27 in their past 30 meetings with New England and have won just once at Gillette Stadium, in last season's finale, when the Patriots rested several key players.

In the Patriots' 40-32 win in Buffalo on Sept. 20, Tom Brady threw for 466 yards, the second-highest total of his career and the most ever allowed by one of Ryan's defenses.

''We played so poorly in that game,'' Ryan said. ''We played New England's game, the way New England wanted us to play, that is how we played. And we can't let them, or anybody else in this league, dictate that to us.''

The Bills believe their defense is better than it was in the first matchup.

''We honestly feel like we are a lot better defense,'' linebacker Nigel Bradham said. ''We've gotten better each and every week since the last time we played.''

Buffalo's defense is not at full strength, however. Safety Aaron Williams (neck) is out until December and defensive tackle Kyle Williams (knee) is likely to miss his fourth straight game, Ryan said.

All-Pro defensive tackle Marcell Dareus missed Tuesdays practice for personal reasons, but is expected to rejoin the team Thursday, Ryan said.

The Bills have also toned down their rhetoric from earlier this season, when players proclaimed their dislike for the Patriots prior to the Week 2 matchup.

''You can't blow that game up and be so hyped to where you go out and want to fight,'' wide receiver Sammy Watkins said. ''You got to stay level-headed throughout the whole game.''

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 12:58 AM

Giants sign WR Nicks to rejoin team
November 17, 2015

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Hakeem Nicks is back with the New York Giants.

The team announced Tuesday that its first-round draft pick in 2009 was signed to replace fellow wide receiver Victor Cruz on the roster.

Cruz, who did not play this season, was placed on injured reserve because he needs surgery on his left calf.

Nicks played last season with the Indianapolis Colts. He had 38 catches for 405 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season, and six receptions for 98 yards and a score in the playoffs.

''This is home,'' Nicks said. ''You know what they say, `Let a dog roam, he'll find his way home.' They left the backdoor open for me.''

Nicks played five seasons with the Giants and was their leading receiver in the 2010 regular season and 2011 postseason. His five-year totals included 311 catches for 4,622 yards and 27 touchdowns. The 311 receptions and 4,622 yards are each the ninth-highest totals in Giants history.

Nicks has caught more passes (306) for more yards (4,538) from Eli Manning than any other receiver.

The Giants (5-5) have a bye this week and it will allow Nicks time to learn coordinator Ben McAdoo's West Coast offense, a system the Giants put in after Nicks left.

Nicks has not played this season, although he did have an earlier tryout with the Giants.

''I told myself, `Just be patient, man, there's a lot of football left,''' Nicks said. ''I knew I could help a lot of teams. I knew once November, December football came around I was going to be getting a phone call. I wanted it to be from here and it happened like this. I'm just ecstatic and happy that I'm back in the building.''

New York also signed tackle Emmett Cleary from the practice squad and waived linebacker James Morris and cornerback Tramain Jacobs from the 53-man roster. Wide receiver Julian Talley and cornerback Dax Swanson were released from the practice squad.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 01:00 AM

Cowboys waive QB Brandon Weeden
November 17, 2015

IRVING, Texas (AP) The Dallas Cowboys waived quarterback Brandon Weeden on Tuesday with the possibility of Tony Romo's return this weekend after missing seven games with a broken collarbone.

Weeden went 0-3 filling in for Romo and Matt Cassel was 0-4. It's the longest slide by Dallas since the team lost the last seven games of 1989 to finish 1-15 the year owner Jerry Jones bought the team and hired coach Jimmy Johnson out of the college ranks at Miami.

The Cowboys also waived cornerback Corey White and running back Christine Michael. White was acquired off waivers from New Orleans in the offseason, and Dallas traded a late-round pick to Seattle for Michael the first week of the season.

The dumping of Michael leaves Dallas with two rookie backups to Darren McFadden with two career carries combined - both by Rod Smith for Seattle before he was waived by the Seahawks last month.

Trey Williams, an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M, was signed off Washington's practice squad on Nov. 4.

Weeden got the first three starts after Romo's injury, but didn't present much of a threat down the field. He was replaced by Cassel after a 30-6 loss to New England that was the Cowboys' first game without a touchdown in four years.

Cassel stays as Romo's backup even though Dallas twice went without a touchdown in his four losses, which dropped his career record to 33-42. He threw three interceptions in his first start and had a critical pick-6 despite playing well in a loss to Philadelphia.

Executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said on his radio show this week that backup quarterback was ''obviously something we're going to have to address'' in the offseason.

Jones suggested the team would consider spending more after Weeden entered the season as the backup on a base salary of just $660,000.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 01:02 AM

Manning supports Osweiler but won't be in his ear
November 17, 2015

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Peyton Manning isn't giving Brock Osweiler any unsolicited advice this week as his longtime understudy prepares for his first NFL start.

''I'm not a coach, for one thing,'' Manning said. ''As I shared with him, he's probably going to have a lot of coaches this week - some who aren't coaches - that are going to be offering him tips of advice.''

So, Manning told Osweiler he'd be there for any questions he might have, ''but I'm not going to be one of those extra voices in his ear.''

Manning will be too busy trying to get healthy from a variety of injuries - foot, shoulder, ribs - that led to his playing the worst game of his career on the same day he became the league's all-time passing yards leader Sunday.

That prompted coach Gary Kubiak to make the switch with the Broncos (7-2) in a two-game slide heading into their game at Chicago (4-5).

Instead of making his 265th regular-season start Sunday, Manning will be in street clothes for the first time in his career, other than the season he missed following neck fusion surgery.

Osweiler will be making his first start since Dec. 22, 2011, when he threw for nearly 400 yards in Arizona State's 56-24 loss to Boise State in the MAACO Bowl.

''Peyton has been extremely supportive of me. He just said, `If you need anything throughout the week, I'm here for you. I support you 100 percent and go get a win in Chicago,''' Osweiler said.

Manning will spend all week with head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos while the Broncos coaches put in a game plan for Osweiler, the fourth-year QB from Arizona State who turns 25 Sunday.

''I told Brock when I first walked in, `This is totally a blessing for you to be behind Peyton learning from him.' I think that it's a great opportunity for Brock to get in, play this game and show what he can do,'' said tight end Vernon Davis, whom the Broncos obtained in a trade from the 49ers earlier this month.

''I'm not worried. I'm not worried at all,'' Davis said. ''I think that he'll do a tremendous job leading this team, being a leader and taking over until Peyton is able to come back.''

Osweiler said he didn't expect many changes in the play calls, saying, ''we have one offense here.''

But two very different quarterbacks.

Instead of dialing down things for Osweiler's debut, Kubiak might actually be able to open up his playbook for the strong, mobile QB. The Broncos had to modify the system for Manning, putting their 39-year-old quarterback in the pistol or shotgun, which affected the run game and the play-action possibilities.

Osweiler has looked adept running the roll-outs, bootlegs and sprint-outs that might get more use this weekend.

Manning's play began to dip last season after he pulled a thigh muscle, so GM John Elway and Kubiak entered this season with a new plan to keep Manning fresh for the stretch run. They had Osweiler run the team every third day in training camp and then every Wednesday during the season.

While Manning hasn't been a big beneficiary of that, with injuries making the O-line a turnstile, Osweiler has taken advantage of his extra work with the starters, which showed Sunday when he led Denver on two late touchdown drives.

''He's grown from that,'' Kubiak said. ''He went in there and he played with a lot of confidence the other night.''

In some ways, Osweiler still has the mindset of a backup.

Asked what it was like when Kubiak announced in the team meeting Monday that he'd be starting, Osweiler said: ''First of all, it's very exciting, but at the same time, Peyton is still our guy. He's one of the best to ever do it. He's been extremely supportive of me since Day 1. He's taught me so many things, so I'm going to continue to support him.''

Nobody's sure when Manning will return to action, but Osweiler is only looking at this as a spot start.

''I'm the starter for this week at Chicago, but that's all it is,'' Osweiler said. ''We're focused this week, and then we'll reevaluate everything next week, but I stand by Peyton and support him 100 percent.''

And Manning stands behind Osweiler.

Quietly.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 01:04 AM

Saints fire defensive coordinator Ryan
November 16, 2015

METAIRIE, La. (AP) Saints coach Sean Payton promised changes were coming to his sagging defense. He started by firing defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Senior defensive assistant Dennis Allen will assume Ryan's duties.

The move, announced Monday night on Payton's weekly radio show on WWL-AM, comes a day after the Saints allowed 526 yards in a 47-14 loss to the Washington Redskins. The Saints rank last in the NFL in yards allowed per game with 424.7, yards allowed per play with 6.7 and points allowed per game with 31.5.

''I'm disappointed for Rob it didn't work out,'' Payton said. ''He's a fantastic staff guy. He's a guy that was respected greatly, not only in the locker room but by his peers. We just had to at some point look closely (at making a change) because the direction we were going wasn't good. We really struggled with substitutions, getting lined up, getting our guys the defensive call and being able to function.''

Injuries have hampered the unit lately, but New Orleans has ranked consistently low defensively for a season and a half, having finished last year ranked 31st.

Ryan was hired in 2013 and his unit ranked fourth that season, but has struggled since. Allen, a former NFL defensive coordinator and head coach, was hired by this past offseason by New Orleans, where he'd previously been a Payton assistant from 2006 to 2010.

''He's someone that I'm very familiar with,'' Payton said of Allen, who was the secondary coach for the 2009 Saints squad that won the Super Bowl.

Allen left New Orleans in 2011 to become Denver's defensive coordinator for a season before taking over as Oakland's head coach in 2012. The Raiders fired Allen during the 2014 season.

His return to New Orleans was unconventional in that he was not initially hired to replace Ryan, but work alongside him while shoring up the secondary.

But that setup had not produced the results for which Payton had hoped.

Even in some of their victories, such as a 52-49 victory over the New York Giants three weeks ago, New Orleans defense often appeared to botch coverages and leave gaps that led to explosive plays.

Opposing quarterbacks have consistently had their best games of the season against New Orleans.

Washington's Kirk Cousins had the best game of his career on Sunday, throwing for 324 yards and four touchdowns, producing a perfect QB rating of 158.3.

Earlier Monday, Payton had insisted that Ryan was ''absolutely'' still a member of his staff, and defensive end Cameron Jordan said Ryan assumed his usual role in team meetings before players departed team headquarters for the club's bye week.

But even as Payton refused to acknowledge he'd made up us mind to fire Ryan, he made it clear that change was coming to the struggling unit.

''I do know this - continuing just along the same course we're taking right now is not something that we're going to do. And I'm talking about players. I'm talking about us as a staff, all of us collectively.'' Payton said. ''But you've got to look closely at what's winning and what's keeping you from winning. And in fairness to the players and fans and everyone else, we've got to look at that specifically.

''There's some things on tape that have to be better. And we'll get that right,'' Payton added in his earlier comments. ''It might take a little bit of time. And it might hurt going down for some people. But we'll get it squared away.''

Opposing quarterbacks have consistently had their best games against New Orleans. The Giants' Eli Manning threw for a personal-best six TDs against the Saints. The next week, Titans rookie Marcus Mariota returned from an injury to have his best game yet, passing for 371 yards and four TDs. Then came Cousins' career day.

''It's a success-driven business,'' Payton said, echoing comments he'd made to players in a team meeting earlier Monday. ''We've got some young guys that want to do well, want to please, some veterans the same way. Yet we've got to look closely at what we're doing and how well they're doing. But the main thing was, it wasn't going to be the same when they got back. It was going to be different. And it needs to be.''

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 01:06 AM

Rams replace QB Foles with Keenum
November 16, 2015

St. Louis (AP) Case Keenum will replace Nick Foles as the starting quarterback, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Monday.

Fisher said he had been over the last ''four to five weeks'' looking at the ''big picture'' in the production of the offense.

''Decided to make a quarterback change,'' Fisher said. ''This is my decision. Nobody came down the hall and said this is what we need to do.''

Foles went 17 for 36 for 200 yards in Sunday's 37-13 loss at home to Chicago. Foles had with no touchdowns and an interception for a passing rating of 53. He overthrew open receivers and other passes were poorly thrown.

Foles has just one touchdown pass in his last four games. For the season, Foles has thrown for 1,678 yards, ranking last in the league; he's 29th in passer rating.

Keenum played the last series against the Bears.

The Rams (4-5) will play Sunday at Baltimore (2-7). St. Louis has lost its last two games and ranks 31st in offense. The Rams average 309.6 yards a game.

''The lack of production is not Nick's fault,'' Fisher said. ''The lack of production is a collective offensive effort. It needs more production and it starts with that position.''

For the foreseeable future, Keenum will be under center.

''I've told Case he doesn't have a short leash,'' Fisher said.

The Rams acquired Foles, a 2015 fourth-round pick, and a 2016 second-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams sent their former No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford and a 2015 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia.

In August during training camp, the Rams gave Foles to a two-year extension with $13.8 million guaranteed.

Now, Foles is out.

Fisher explained his motive for the switch.

''You know, Nick just needs a break,'' Fisher said. ''Nick understands he eventually will be under center for us again.''

Keenum was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2012 after playing in college at Houston. Keenum started eight games in 2013 for the Texans, throwing for 1,760 yards and nine touchdowns. The Texans waived him on Aug. 31, 2014, and the Rams signed him for their practice squad. The Texans got him back from that practice squad in December.

Last March, the Rams traded a draft pick to the Texans for Keenum. Fisher wanted him in St. Louis because of what Keenum showed previously.

''What we saw here on the practice field with Case was special,'' Fisher said. ''His instincts. His mobility. His arm strength. His anticipation.

''He's won games. He's proven he's won games at Houston with a team that had significant injuries around him and he found ways to win games.''

In four seasons as a pro, Keenum has started 10 times. He gets No. 11 against Baltimore.

''This is my decision based on what I think is best for this team offensively to go in this direction,'' Fisher said. ''By no means do we regret the trade (for Foles). By no means do we regret the extension. Nick is a good quarterback.

''But at this point right now, based on where we are offensively, I feel this is the direction we have to go.''

There is no quarterback controversy, Fisher added.

''I don't expect Nick to like it because he's a competitor, but he understands,'' Fisher said. ''We're going to move forward here. I'm not saying this is week to week. This is best right now for our team. I'm confident this is the right move for us.''

The offense has to play better, Fisher said. He pointed out that the receivers and tight ends have to improve.

Fisher also called out second-year offensive tackle Greg Robinson, a No. 1 draft pick. Robinson was called for three holding penalties Sunday.

''Greg Robinson needs to play better,'' Fisher said.

NOTES: Two Rams will be out for the rest of the season. G Jamon Brown will have surgery later this week for a broken leg. Rookie T Darrell Williams had surgery Sunday night for a wrist injury. Fisher said both were hurt on the play when Foles threw an interception late in the game. ... Fisher said the Rams will promote T Isaiah Battle from the practice squad. Fisher added St. Louis will look for outside help on the offensive line. ... T Rob Havenstein (calf) left Sunday's game, but Fisher said it's not ''significant'' and he will be listed as day to day.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 01:08 AM

Brady: tough to replace WR Edelman
November 16, 2015

The New England Patriots are celebrating another victory and lamenting the loss of another key contributor.

The Patriots (9-0) remained unbeaten with a last-minute, 27-26 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, but it came at the cost of receiver Julian Edelman. The 5-foot-10 former college quarterback went down grabbing for his left foot in the first half and did not return.

''Julian has been incredible for us. Incredible,'' quarterback Tom Brady said on his weekly radio show on Monday. ''It's just unfortunate to lose such a critical player. But you've just got to try to figure it out different ways to get it done.''

Edelman caught four passes for 53 yards before leaving the game on Sunday. Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to comment on the severity of Edelman's injury, but media reports said Edelman had a broken bone in his foot.

''When someone's really integral to part of basically everything you're doing, and then you lose that person, it may take a little bit to kind of figure out how you can move things around and get comfortable with what you're doing,'' Brady said. ''Because you want to have a lot of confidence in the things that you're doing.''

Edelman has caught 197 passes for 2,028 yards over the past two seasons, and was on pace for a 1,000-yard season when he left Sunday's game. His loss comes a week after running back Dion Lewis was knocked out for the season with a torn ACL; the Patriots have also been shuffling their offensive line to cover for injuries to Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, Bryan Stork, Nate Solder and Ryan Wendell.

''Every team deals with injuries,'' Brady said on WEEI. ''We've been pretty banged-up. Hopefully at some point we can get some guys back.''

Without Edelman, Brady will have to rely on Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola. Keshawn Martin could become available when he recovers from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Week 6.

''There's nothing that's really seamless when you lose a great player,'' Brady said. ''When it's someone that's been the leading receiver on your team for multiple years and you lose them, it's not like you go, `OK, well, let just put someone else in.' He's too good of a player for that.''

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 01:10 AM

Resilient Roethlisberger keeps Steelers rolling
November 16, 2015

PITTSBURGH (AP) Most days when the starting quarterback limps off the field, the resulting emotion as the backup jogs out to the huddle isn't relief.

Sunday, however, wasn't most days. And Ben Roethlisberger isn't most backups.

Wearing a modified cleat to protect his sprained left foot, Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers tormented the Cleveland Browns yet again in a 30-9 triumph that sent the Steelers surging into their bye week while providing a reminder that even on one good leg, Roethlisberger remains at the height of his considerable powers.

Roethlisberger laid out the proof over three sometimes spectacular hours, throwing for 379 yards and three scores and hardly looking like the same guy taken to the locker room in a cart a week earlier.

''The guy was literally in a boot and on crutches Monday,'' wide receiver Antonio Brown said. ''I can't speak highly enough about him. He is a tremendous warrior. You never know what he is capable of doing. He is on the brink of greatness.''

And when he's on the field, so is Pittsburgh's offense. The Steelers (6-4) rolled up 459 yards of total offense, not including the 141 yards Pittsburgh picked up thanks to a series of pass interference penalties against the Browns, whose depleted secondary simply couldn't keep up.

All this from a player who began the sun-splashed afternoon posing with former teammates who gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pittsburgh's fifth Super Bowl title and walked onto Heinz Field as the ''in case of emergency, break glass'' option behind Landry Jones. Head coach Mike Tomlin gave the start to Jones after Jones took the majority of reps in practice while Roethlisberger gave his foot more time to heal.

It's a decision Roethlisberger hardly argued, though one that made his coach look a little too cautious in retrospect. When Jones' left ankle turned awkwardly after getting stepped on during Pittsburgh's second possession, Roethlisberger and his familiar No. 7 jersey started warming up.

Roethlisberger's first drive ended with a Pittsburgh field goal. His third with a touchdown flip to a wide-open Brown. By the time the half ended, the Steelers led by 18 and Roethlisberger had already piled up 286 yards through the air.

''I knew when he came in, he was going to be great for us,'' Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller said.

Roethlisberger was quick to deflect the praise, something he might not have done during that breakout season 10 years ago when he became the youngest quarterback ever to win it all. He has a far deeper respect for his station in life and for the talent around him. He's also largely ditched the swashbuckling tactics that used to be his trademark.

Roethlisberger no longer tries to hold onto the ball like a cranky toddler does a blankie. He only took one sack after stepping in for Jones and was rarely hit, instead getting rid of the ball and letting Brown and Martavis Bryant go to work.

''We needed to go out there and say that no one is going to stop us,'' Roethlisberger said. ''The only time we get stopped is when we stop ourselves.''

The performance put the Steelers into the top of the AFC wild card race heading into their week off. Heady territory for a team missing running back Le'Veon Bell and center Maurkice Pouncey, both out for the season with injuries.

The steady play of replacements DeAngelo Williams and Cody Wallace have enabled Pittsburgh to survive. The Steelers are even 3-2 in games Roethlisberger didn't start, though he had more than a little to do with that last victory.

Jones managed to make it back to the sideline with his ankle heavily taped but there was no discussion about him coming back in even with Pittsburgh comfortably in front, a decision Jones jokingly figured came down to economics.

''(Ben) is maybe the most expensive backup in the NFL,'' Jones said with a laugh.

If only for a couple of series. When Pittsburgh returns from its break to prepare for a trip west to face Seattle, Roethlisberger will be back in his customary spot. So will his team as it battles for playoff position.

''We've got a heck of a stretch run coming up after the bye,'' he said. ''We're just trying to get as healthy as we can and be ready to go.''

**StarDust Bum** · 11-18-2015, 01:11 AM

Bears in playoff hunt after strong run
November 16, 2015

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) In a week's time, coach John Fox's Chicago Bears have used two road victories to go from rebuilders to potential contenders in an NFC with only one runaway team.

So with a home game approaching against his old club, the Denver Broncos, Fox has his attention focused entirely on the future rather than the circumstances that led to his departure from the Mile High City and subsquent hiring in Chicago.

''I think we probably clicked as well as we have all season long, in a short week, on the road, against an NFC opponent, which we hadn't done yet,'' Fox said Monday, a day after the Bears beat the St. Louis Rams 37-13. ''From that standpoint, it's gratifying after the fact.''

The Bears (4-5) were missing their top defensive player, Pernell McPhee, due to a knee injury. The same reason deprived them of running back Matt Forte for a second straight game, and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery played despite a groin injury. There were injuries on the offensive line, as well, but they emerged with their first easy victory of the year and drew within two games of the last NFC wild-card spot.

''The way we are trending, I like the way the guys are going about their business,'' Fox said.

Jay Cutler continues to improve under offensive coordinator Adam Gase. His passer rating Sunday of 151 was a single-game high and came against one of the league's best defenses. Cutler raised his season passer rating to a career-best 95.3.

''I think he's playing the quarterback position exceptionally well,'' Fox said. ''I think he's converted us on third down - although yesterday (25 percent) wasn't our highest totals in that area.

''We've tried to eliminate the turnovers, whether it be sack/fumbles or interceptions.''

Cutler had several situations when he audibled into a different play.

''He studies extremely hard to get that done,'' Fox said. ''I think our offensive staff has done a terrific job of managing that, and he's done a great job responding to it.''

The Bears' defense allowed opponents into the end zone only once in each of the last three games, and in the last two that came on the first drive.

''For whatever reason, we haven't started fast,'' Fox said. ''I don't know, jitters or what it might be, I can't put my finger on it, but we're working at it. The good news is we've responded and kind of made adjustments and gotten better the rest of the game.''

Inside linebacker Shea McClellin's return from three weeks away due to a knee sprain brought direction and leadership back on Sunday.

''We obviously missed him,'' Fox said. ''His leadership, his communication skills, a lot of guys leaned on."

McClellin forced a fumble and recovered it to set up a Bears score. After starting his career as a defensive end and then moving to outside linebacker, McClellin seems to have found his game at inside linebacker. He doesn't mind admitting he wishes he could have started there.

''I think you always have those thoughts,'' he said. ''And definitely, with (Brian) Urlacher and Lance (Briggs) here (then), that would have helped out at a young age just learning from those guys.''

The Bears are unsure whether they'll have McPhee, their best pass rusher, back against Denver.

The players say they hadn't given up on making the playoffs after an 0-3 start, so to be back in the picture is no surprise.

''That's what you play the game for,'' tight end Zach Miller said. ''We play to make it to the playoffs, make it to the tournament and win the championship.

''Obviously, we had a slow start.''

For Fox, overall football issues are much bigger than the fact he is playing his former team.

''When you've been doing this for 26 years, you kind of run into a lot of people you know,'' Fox said. ''When you're with your eighth team, you end up playing your ex-team a bunch.''

McClellin took the same tone regarding the annoucement the Bears would be facing Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler instead of injured Peyton Manning.

''Nameless and faceless, that's how we look at (opposing) guys,'' McClellin said.

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