The Bum's 2016 NFL Regular Season Best Bets, Opinions, Trends, News !

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Best Bets - Week 15
December 15, 2016

There are plenty of intriguing matchups on the Week 15 board, as multiple teams are doing everything they can to maintain their position in the playoff picture.

Division matchups are starting to litter the board as rivalry games take on heightened stakes and it's two of those contests that I've isolated as the best wagering opportunity this week.

Best Bet #1: Jacksonville/Houston Under 39.5

The Houston Texans are looking to do everything they can to hold onto 1st place in the AFC South and recently they've relied on their defense to lead the way. The Texans held Andrew Luck and the Colts offense – who were coming off a 40-point performance the week before – to just 17 points last week in a must win game for both sides.

It marked the fifth time in six weeks that Houston has held their opponent to 21 points or less and one of those games includes the first meeting with Jacksonville. That initial meeting saw the Texans win 24-21, sailing 'over' the total of 42, but we should see a reversal of fortunes this week for total bettors.

Jacksonville has been a complete mess this year as the calamity of errors they commit on a weekly basis continually puts them in the loss column. This is an organization that has to seriously consider moving on from QB Blake Bortles in the off-season as the offense hasn't been able to put up more than 22 points in nine straight games.

It's no surprise that the Jags are 1-8 SU (3-6 ATS) in those contests and this week should be no different. If it wasn't for a late TD with just over two minutes left in that first meeting with Houston, 'under' bettors would have cashed their ticket.

On the other side of things, Jacksonville's defense isn't half bad (5th overall in yards allowed) and they'll get to go up against a Houston offense that has serious QB issues of their own.

Brock Osweiller has failed in living up to the big contract he signed this spring and while it's the running game that typically carries the Texans, the Jags have enough talent in their front seven to mitigate Lamar Miller's success.

Houston has stayed 'under' the total in three straight games and have a 2-8 O/U run going in their last 10 at home. Meanwhile, Jacksonville is 2-5 O/U in their last seven games against a winning team and with the spoiler role firmly tattooed on the Jags here, look for a defensive battle – or in better terms, an offensive struggle from both sides.

Best Bet #2: Pittsburgh/Cincinnati Over 44

There is definitely no love lost in this AFC North rivalry and the Bengals would love to cling onto their slim playoff hopes with a win and put a dent in Pittsburgh's at the same time. Many of the storylines coming into this game is the fact that it will be the first time Vontaze Burfict will face the Steelers since injuring LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown a season ago and while that's good for headlines, it does have a practical implication on this total.

Everyone will be waiting for Burfict to do something stupid and tempers to flare given the nature of this rivalry, but chances are we see a relatively tame game in that regards. Tame football typically means limited defense and given the ability of both offenses to put up points, and the fact that they know each other so well, getting a 27-24 type game is very possible.

The first time these two teams met in September it was a 24-16 Steelers win, but the total closed at 48.5. Obviously weather conditions play more of a factor this time around, but other then it being a little cold on Sunday, it shouldn't hinder these offenses too much.

Furthermore, we've got over four points of value in backing this 'over' compared to the first meeting, one which saw more than 80% of bets come in on the high side of the total. Bettors who took that side then got burned, and it appears that many remember that as nearly 70% of the money so far has come in on the 'under' this week.

Yet, the Steelers offense is much more in sync these days then it was then as they've scored 24+ in five straight games, and while the defense has been making headlines recently, I'm not so sure that will be the case against a Bengals team that has learned how to attack them over the years.

These two rivals have not played two consecutive regular season matchups 'under' the total since 2012, and with the Bengals sporting a 4-1 O/U run at home against a team with a winning road record, and a 13-6 O/U run after failing to pass for 150+ yards last time out, don't get caught following the herd on the 'under' in this contest.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s six-pack

— Seahawks 24, Rams 3– Seattle clinches the NFC West title.

— Rams were first NFL team with a logo on their helmet; it was designed by Fred Gehrke, who played for the Rams and whose grandson is Christian Yelich, the Marlins’ left-fielder.

— Former Villanova/NBA star Kerry Kittles is now an assistant coach at Princeton.

— Monmouth 82, Memphis 79— Statement win for the Hawks.

— 5-9 Marcus Keene has been a dynamo for Central Michigan this season; when he played at Youngstown State, he was listed at 5-11. Apparently the move to CMU cost him a couple of inches.

— Michael Floyd gets a DUI, is cut by Arizona, gets signed by the 1st-place Patriots. Players on cruddy teams will be driving drunk all weekend, trying to get cut so they can hook up with good teams.

Friday’s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……..

13) RIP Craig Sager; the TNT sideline reporter passed away Thursday at age 65, after a courageous battle with leukemia. Known for his colorful wardrobe, Sager inspired us with his toughness as he would commute from chemo treatments to NBA playoff games last spring, then go back for chemo treatments the next day.

“Time is something that cannot be bought, it cannot be wagered with God, and it is not in endless supply, time is simply how we live our lives.” RIP sir.

12) Derek Dooley is the Cowboys’ WR coach; he was fired as Tennessee’s football coach four years ago. This month he got the last of his payments from Tennessee for having coached there. Four years of checks without stepping foot in Knoxville; not bad.

11) Jordy Nelson has 17 red zone receptions (plays inside opponents’ 20-yard line), the most of anyone in the NFL.

10) Tom Brady’s career record against Denver is 6-9, the only NFL team he is under.500 against.

9) Our thoughts and prayers are with baseball great Rod Carew, who received both a new heart and a new kidney Thursday. What a hitter Carew was, a career .328 batter.

8) Chicago Bulls are the only NBA team this season that has scored more points on the foul line than they have on the 3-point arc.

7) Ole Miss signed a new offensive coordinator from I-AA Sam Houston State, a team that ran the Air Raid offense. Ole Miss HC Hugh Freeze was once a high school coach, so hiring a guy from a I-AA program is no big deal.

6) Sean Woods “resigned” as basketball coach at Morehead State, which probably means they gave him some money so he would go away and they wouldn’t have to fire him. One parent claimed Woods head-butted his son, one of the Morehead players, which obviously is not good.

5) NFL salary cap is expected to go up around $12M next year, so next time Richard Sherman whines about Thursday night games, maybe he should say whether or not he would be willing to take less of a salary if the NFL eliminated Thursday games. Maybe he would, maybe not.

4) 20 of 80 teams playing in bowl games had a 6-6 or worse record, part of the reason ESPN is having a harder time finding title sponsors for these games that featured such mediocre teams.

3) SEC Network is showing lot of basketball this month, but by God, except for Kentucky, does anyone in the SEC go to any of these games? Games at Alabama-Tennessee-Miss State-LSU, they seemed more like funerals than games on a college campus. After New Year’s, when conference games start, things will pick up but these December games have had practice-like atmospheres.

2) If you care about such things, Golden State Warriors are 4-0 as a road favorite when laying 7 or less points, 3-8 when laying 8+ points.

1) Given what happened earlier today, I’m not sure how any NBA player can simply take a day off now to “rest”. Live your life, use the gifts God gave you to entertain the public. Ron Boone played in 1,041 consecutive ABA/NBA games and his team didn’t travel on a chartered plane. Life is short, we need to do what we can, while we can.

[StarDust Bum]

Broncos' beat-down of Brady led to changes
December 16, 2016

DENVER (AP) Tom Brady returns this weekend to Denver, where he was bruised and battered in the AFC championship game last season.

The Denver Broncos hit him nearly two dozen times that frigid January night.

Von Miller parlayed his performance - 2+ sacks, four QB hits and an interception - into one of the greatest showings by a defensive player in Super Bowl history two weeks later, bringing home both the Lombardi and the Super Bowl 50 MVP trophies.

Brady limped out of Denver, his visions of playing well into his 40s nothing more than a pipe dream unless the Patriots could find a way to fix his porous protection.

They did.

Brady's jersey is hardly soiled anymore and he has the Patriots (11-2) rolling again.

''He's only been sacked 12 times this year,'' noted Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the architect of that January game. ''He hasn't been hit that much so the protection seems to be a lot better than they were last year.

''But he plays great all the time whether there's protection or not. We hit him a lot of times last year, but if you remember in the two games, he still came back at the end of both games. He's a phenomenal quarterback. There's nobody playing like him.''

A victory Sunday would not only give the Patriots an NFL record eighth consecutive division title, it would deal a severe blow to Denver's designs on defending its Super Bowl title.

Clinging to the sixth and final playoff spot, the Broncos (8-5) will have to get through New England, Kansas City and Oakland, who are a combined 31-8, for that chance.

''Last year, we were one game out of not even making the playoffs and then we go ahead and win the Super Bowl,'' Chris Harris Jr. said.

''We kind of piggybacked on that, but we have to play better now. We have to start getting games rolling now and nothing will feel better than to get back on track by beating the Patriots.''

Miller channeled his inner Aaron Rodgers, imploring restless Broncos fans to relax.

''I mean, I'm still going to be here, right?'' said the star pass rusher whose 13+ sacks are tied for the league lead.

The question is whether he can get to Brady as he did last season when the Patriots spread out their offense and essentially asked Brady to be his own protector and get rid of the ball if an edge rusher came free.

That philosophy worked against most teams, but the Broncos blew it up in the conference championship, hitting him a career-high 23 times, forcing him into 29 incompletions, two fourth-down flops and two interceptions, including one with 12 seconds left on a 2-point try that would have tied the game.

The performance cost former offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo his job in the offseason.

It also led Bill Belichick to entice veteran former Patriots assistant Dante Scarnecchia out of retirement to reassume the role.

Add in LeGarrette Blount's huge season and some personnel changes up front and the Patriots have done a much better job protecting their 39-year-old QB who's been sacked just twice in the past month.

They'll find out just how much progress they've made when they face the NFL's top-ranked pass defense and its best pass rusher in Miller on Sunday.

Here are other things to watch:

SIEMIAN'S GROWTH: Greg Knapp, Trevor Siemian's position coach, said he agrees with Kubiak's tough-love approach to the young QB by demanding more of him.

Siemian is ''showing us he's got a great knack to handle a lot of pressure,'' Knapp said. ''When a guy's like that, you want to keep pushing him.''

Demaryius Thomas said Siemian ''can be great. He gets better and better every week. He hasn't been the healthiest guy this season, but he's been able to put out good footballs when he's hurt. I imagine when he has the time, guys get open, he can take us the distance.''

MILE HIGH STRUGGLES: The Broncos are the only team with a winning record against Brady (9-6), and they've won seven of nine against him in Denver.

By bucking that trend, Brady would set yet another NFL record. His 52 career victories in December are tied with Hall of Famer Brett Favre for most wins by a starting quarterback in any month.

WHAT ABOUT BLOUNT?: As impressive as Brady has been throwing the ball, much of the credit for New England's offensive success goes to Blount, who has a career-high 1,029 yards and an NFL-best 14 TDs.

''Because they play the pass so well, I think we've got to find ways to make yards in the run game,'' Brady said. ''We've done a pretty good job of that this year.''

SOFT UNDERBELLY? The Broncos' bugaboo this season is their run defense. After leading the league last year, they've nosedived to 29th against the run, which thwarts their advantage of having the league's top secondary and best pass rush.

Linebacker Brandon Marshall (hamstring) was replaced by Corey Nelson last week at Tennessee and when Todd Davis (ribs) went out, fellow backup Zaire Anderson came in and had five tackles.

''He got thrown in there last week and we played our best half,'' Kubiak said.

[StarDust Bum]

RB Forte game-time decision for Jets
December 15, 2016

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) New York Jets running back Matt Forte practiced on a limited basis and will likely be a game-time decision against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night.

Forte sat out practice Wednesday with an injured right knee, but was able to participate in some of Thursday's session. That's an encouraging sign for the 31-year-old running back who leads the Jets with 792 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

Defensive tackle Steve McLendon (hamstring) was ruled out for the third straight game by coach Todd Bowles, who's hopeful the veteran will play again this season.

Linebackers Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle) and Mike Catapano (knee), offensive tackle Brent Qvale (hamstring), running back Khiry Robinson (lower leg) and cornerback Buster Skrine (concussion) all didn't practice. Bowles has not ruled out any of them for the game.

Wide receivers Brandon Marshall (knee, foot, back), Quincy Enunwa (ribs) and Jalin Marshall (concussion), tight end Brandon Bostick (ankle) and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle) were limited.

[StarDust Bum]

Rivera: QB Cam Newton fine after MRI
December 15, 2016

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Panthers coach Ron Rivera says an MRI on quarterback Cam Newton's right shoulder revealed no serious damage and he anticipates the 2015 NFL MVP will play Monday night against the Washington Redskins.

Newton was listed as limited Thursday.

Rivera says Newton's shoulder is sore and the Panthers ''don't want to aggravate it, so we're bringing him along slowly.''

Newton sustained the injury in Carolina's 28-16 win over San Diego on Sunday, but Rivera wasn't specific on which play. Newton has struggled of late, completing just 43 percent of passes his last four games.

Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was also limited after hurting his back when he landed hard on the ground in practice Wednesday.

Running back Jonathan Stewart (rest), defensive end Charles Johnson (hamstring) and offensive tackle Daryl Williams did not practice.

[StarDust Bum]

Luck faces his biggest test yet in Zimmer's defense
December 16, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) From Aaron Rodgers to Eli Manning, Cam Newton to Marcus Mariota, Mike Zimmer has devised game plans that have made some of the league's best and most dynamic quarterbacks look like lifelong backups.

Next up for the Minnesota Vikings' defensive mastermind: Andrew Luck .

The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) come to Minnesota on Sunday on the outside of the playoff chase, and Luck knows that he'll be facing one of his most difficult tests of the season.

''Coach Zimmer is obviously an incredible defensive mind,'' Luck said. ''You have to be able to run and throw the football, have to protect the football, have to be able to stay ahead of the chains. You don't want to get caught in third-and-long. When you get down in the red zone, you better score some points.''

Luck comes in ranked fifth in the league in yards per game, having topped 300 yards four times this season. He's also an underrated running threat with 304 yards rushing, good for second on the team behind starting running back Frank Gore.

''He's a tough guy. I really admire guys like him,'' Zimmer said. ''He gets hit, and he doesn't complain to the official or anything like that. He just goes about his business, and like I say, he's a tremendous, tremendous quarterback.''

The Vikings (7-6) are one of just three teams in the league that has yet to allow a 300-yard passer this season. The defense ranks second overall, third against the pass and first in points allowed, serving as the backbone of the Vikings' desperate push for the postseason.

With an offense that has struggled to put up points this season behind a patchwork offensive line, and a special teams unit that had to change kickers midseason because of Blair Walsh's shaky right leg, the defense has been left to carry the load. And that's just the way Zimmer likes it.

Here are some key angles about the game:

ADRIAN LOOMS: Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson has missed the last 11 games have having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He returned to practice this week and said he is taking things day by day. Initially, he targeted the game at Green Bay on Dec. 24 to come back. But Peterson also said he likely wouldn't risk playing again this year if the Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention. A home loss to the Colts would push them pretty close to that edge.

HARRISON SMITH UPDATE: Vikings standout safety Harrison Smith missed last week's game against Jacksonville with a severely sprained ankle. Zimmer expressed optimism this week that Smith could defy the odds and return sooner rather than later. Smith missed practice the first two days of the week, leaving his status in doubt for the game. The Vikings certainly could use one of their biggest playmakers back to help them against the Colts, Packers and Bears.

PLAYOFF WATCH: Nine AFC teams already have more wins than the Colts, and four of those hold head-to-head tiebreakers over Indianapolis. Add the Colts' 4-6 record against conference foes and that it's worse than any of the teams in front of them. It's obvious just how precarious their situation is: Win, and they can keep playoff hope alive, lose and they could easily be eliminated.

PAGANO WATCH: Chuck Pagano got his first win as a head coach over the Vikings on Sept. 16, 2012. Since then, the Colts have gone to the playoffs three times, won two division titles and reached the AFC championship game in 2015. They also missed the playoffs last year and if they miss them this year, it would be the first time Indy has failed to make the postseason in back-to-back years since 1997 and 1998. Critics already are calling for Pagano's ouster, and a second straight loss to a playoff contender would only increase the calls for the coaching change.

MILESTONE WATCH: Gore has been passing Hall of Famers all season on the NFL's career rushing list. This week, he needs 77 yards from scrimmage to pass Tony Dorsett (16,293) for No. 10 on the league's career list. WR T.Y. Hilton needs five receptions to post a career high (82 in 2013 and 2014) and 143 yards to surpass his previous career best (1,345 in 2014). Luck's next 300-yard game will move him into a tie with the late John Unitas (26) for No. 3 on the franchise's career list, and K Adam Vinatieri's next victory will give him 200 regular-season wins in his career.

[StarDust Bum]

Texans look to continue playoff push against Jaguars
December 16, 2016

HOUSTON (AP) The Houston Texans are being careful to avoid a letdown Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are losers of eight straight, after their huge win at Indianapolis last week that left them in control of the AFC South.

''We keep it all in perspective no matter what their record is,'' Houston left tackle Duane Brown said. ''We know that they're going to play us very tough. ... We're not overlooking them by any means and we're not resting on our accomplishment from last week. So we're all pretty focused on them and the challenges that they have.''

Houston's victory over the Colts last week extended the team's division winning streak to nine games and left the Texans tied with the Titans atop the AFC South standings at 7-6. But the Texans control their own destiny and hold the tiebreaker because of a 4-0 mark in the division .

The Texans won last week, thanks to Lamar Miller's running and a defense which forced three turnovers. Quarterback Brock Osweiler still hasn't morphed into the player many hoped he would be when he signed a $72 million contract to leave Denver for Houston this offseason. Under Osweiler's direction, Houston is averaging just 190 yards passing a game, which ranks 30th in the NFL and he has thrown the same number of touchdowns (14) as interceptions.

Osweiler believes he learned from being in a playoff race last season with the Broncos and is ready to lead the Texans in this important stretch.

''The most important thing this time of year is not looking too far ahead,'' he said. ''It's very easy to get into the playoff scenarios, the division scenarios ... I think the most important thing is just focus on your next opponent because if you look past an opponent, you're not going to end up with the results that you want.''

The Jaguars (2-11) know that upsetting the Texans could hurt their playoff chances. But instead of focusing on that, they want to use their last three games, which are all in the division, to try and improve and set a good tone for 2017.

''I don't think `spoiler' is the right word to use,'' quarterback Blake Bortles said. ''I think you want to get the chance to say: `How are we against one of these playoff teams and (how do we) stack up?' You really don't want to talk about it or think about it, but let's build something going into the offseason for next year.''

Some things to know about the Jaguars-Texans game:

FOUR-PEAT?: Bortles can't possibly throw another interception for a touchdown against Houston, can he?

Bortles has had a pick returned for a score in three consecutive games against the Texans, tying an NFL record set by Peyton Manning.

''I've got to be a better tackler,'' Bortles joked.

If Bortles has another INT taken to the house Sunday, he would become the first player in NFL history to throw four pick-6's against the same team in four straight games. Manning had three returned for scores in three consecutive games against San Diego (2010-12). ''That's something I'll try not to do,'' Bortles said.

He might want to throw away from Houston cornerback Kareem Jackson after he has returned an interception for a touchdown in the Texans' last two games against the Jaguars.

THIS IS THE GUY WE DRAFTED: Houston defensive end Jadeveon Clowney had perhaps the best game of his career last week against Indianapolis.

Andrew Luck threw an interception early in the third quarter under heavy pressure from Clowney and fumbled late in the quarter on a strip-sack by the top overall pick in the 2014 draft. Clowney, who was slowed by injuries in his first two seasons, returned last week after missing a game because of elbow and wrist injuries. He leads AFC defensive ends with 12 tackles for losses and needs one sack to surpass his career high of 4 1/2 set last season.

CLOSE CALLS: Jacksonville had had plenty of chances to end its eight-game losing streak. The Jaguars have had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead in the fourth quarter in five of their last six games. In those 11 possessions, they have six punts, three turnovers on downs, an interception and a fumble. The only game where Jacksonville didn't have a chance late? Against Houston.

MILLER TIME: Miller has been great in his first season in Houston after spending his first four years with the Dolphins. He ranks sixth in the NFL with 1,010 yards rushing and is just 90 yards away from surpassing his career high of 1,099 yards set in 2014.

Miller hasn't missed a game this season despite dealing with numerous injuries, and Sunday will be his 67th straight start, which is the third-longest active streak among running backs.

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[StarDust Bum]

Rodgers, Packers look to keep roll going against Bears
December 16, 2016

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are once again handing out decisive victories over top teams, and they are hoping to jump to the top of the NFC North.

It might take a Lambeau Leap.

The Packers come into Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field with three straight wins after dropping four in a row and renewed hope - if not much room for error.

Green Bay (7-6) wiped out NFC West leader Seattle last week, intercepting Russell Wilson five times in a 38-10 romp, and will try to keep rolling against a team that has looked lost all season. Whether it has been injuries, suspensions or poor execution, just about everything has gone wrong for Chicago (3-10).

''You know, letdown, trap game, we don't use these types of terms in the locker room and in our meeting rooms,'' Rodgers said. ''But being a sports fan, you know those are terms that get thrown around when you look at the records of opponents matching up. We just don't approach the game like that.''

The Packers simply can't afford a letdown.

Tied with Minnesota for second in the division and two behind Detroit as it enters a three-game stretch against NFC North rivals, Green Bay needs help to make the playoffs for the eighth straight year.

The Packers will have to contend with one of Chicago's top playmakers, with receiver Alshon Jeffery returning from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing drugs. Having one of their stars back is small consolation for the Bears with the team missing the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years.

Here are some things to look for when Green Bay meets Chicago:

LINE `EM UP: The Packers' decision to release veteran guard Josh Sitton before the start of the season was a surprise. Sitton is now with the Bears, but replacement Lane Taylor has been solid.

The offensive line overall has played well especially over the last three games, allowing two sacks in that span and just one last week to the Seahawks' formidable defense. The return of veteran right guard T.J. Lang against the Seattle from a three-game absence because of a foot injury was an added boost. Protecting Rodgers is especially vital now that the quarterback is nursing injuries to his left hamstring and right calf.

BETTER BARKLEY: Chicago's Matt Barkley didn't make a great impression in a loss at Green Bay two months ago. He's been doing better lately.

''I definitely have grown a lot since that game in my knowledge of the offense, my comfort level with running this offense in and out of the huddle, getting plays out, so I think it'll be definitely a better finish than what I showed last time,'' he said.

Barkley has made the most of his opportunity the past three games with Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer sidelined by season-ending injuries. He has thrown for 720 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions despite being victimized by drops, and is showing he at least belongs on an NFL roster.

That's an improvement from the first game against Green Bay . He came in after Hoyer broke his left arm and completed just six of 15 passes for 81 yards with two interceptions.

POTENTIAL PAIN: With the National Weather Service predicting single-digit temperatures for Sunday, it could be a painful day, particularly for the banged-up Rodgers.

''You still have to hydrate in the cold, actually even more,'' he said. ''The conditions obviously affect the field, the surface.''

Rodgers was already dealing with the hamstring issue when he hurt his calf throwing a 66-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams early last week. Despite the limited mobility, he tore up Seattle for 246 yards and three scores.

''Having a hamstring and a calf and being able to play the way he did, that's pretty outstanding,'' right tackle Bryan Bulaga said.

ON THE CORNER: The last time these teams met, Jeffery was held to 33 yards after catching three of 11 targets. Barkley is playing better, but the Packers are deeper now at cornerback. Damarious Randall and Quentin Rollins both missed the first Bears game with groin injuries. They're back now, part of a defense that shut down Wilson last week.

JEFFERY'S RETURN: The team leader with 630 yards receiving, Jeffery will be making his first appearance since an embarrassing blowout loss at Tampa Bay on Nov. 13.

He hasn't played much with Barkley, though they've known each other since they were prized high school recruits. Barkley tried to convince Jeffery to play with him at Southern California. Instead, Jeffery chose to stay home and play for the other USC: South Carolina.

[StarDust Bum]

Raiders look to clinch playoff spot with win vs fading Bolts
December 16, 2016

SAN DIEGO (AP) It could be a remarkable scene Sunday when the Oakland Raiders, closing in on their first playoff berth since their Super Bowl season of 2002, face a fading Chargers franchise that could be nearing the end of its 56-season run in San Diego.

The Raiders (10-3), who have their own relocation saga brewing back home in Oakland, simply need to beat the Chargers (5-8) for the fourth straight time to clinch a playoff berth.

They'll be backed by thousands of their loyal fans, who could turn 70,000-seat Qualcomm Stadium into a sea of Silver and Black.

The Raiders are looking to bounce back from a 21-13 loss in Kansas City that cost them the AFC West lead and, for the time being, a first-round playoff bye.

''We're looking forward to everything that we have in front of us,'' running back Latavius Murray said. ''Our goals, they're still right in front of us. That's how we re-focusing. We want to be playing postseason so we can give ourselves a chance to play for the big one. It starts Sunday.''

The Raiders can clinch a playoff spot on the same field where they were embarrassed in their previous postseason appearance, a 48-21 Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay on Jan. 26, 2003.

In their second year under coach Jack Del Rio, they finally have their first winning record since 2002.

The Chargers, meanwhile, are in dismal decline, heading toward missing the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons, and maybe headed toward a new home in Los Angeles.

There have been games in the past few years in which the Chargers have felt as if they were the road team in their own stadium.

Anticipating a pro-Raiders crowd Sunday, the Chargers practiced Wednesday with piped-in crowd noise, which they usually do only in preparation for road games.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, coming off a five-turnover performance in a loss at Carolina, couldn't recall the tea
''It's just being aware of what it's going to be like,'' said Rivers, who leads the NFL with 17 interceptions.

Asked if he had a guess at the percentage of Raiders fans vs. Chargers fans will be, he said: ''We'll find out. I have no expectations.''

Some things to look for in what could be the last time this rivalry dating to the birth of the AFL in 1960 is played in San Diego:

STADIUM SAGAS: Raiders owner Mark Davis says he's committed to moving the team to Las Vegas, where a $1.9 billion stadium project has been approved, including $750 million in public money. Davis has from the end of the Raiders' season until Feb. 15 to apply for relocation.

Chargers chairman Dean Spanos, son of owner Alex Spanos, appears to be leaning toward moving to Los Angeles and eventually joining the Rams in a stadium in Inglewood scheduled to open in 2019. Spanos' efforts to land a large public subsidy to replace Qualcomm Stadium have failed. He angered the fan base last year with a failed attempt to move to Carson and share a stadium with the archrival Raiders.

Spanos has said he won't announce a decision until after the season. The Chargers' run in San Diego could end with their season finale on New Year's Day.

RESTART THE CARR: Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will try to bounce back from perhaps the worst game of his career. Carr went 17 for 41 for 117 yards in the 21-13 loss to the Chiefs, posting a career-low 49.1 rating. Carr has his second-lowest completion percentage in a game and set a worst with 2.85 yards per attempt. Carr has won his past three starts against the Chargers with six TD passes, two INTs and a 98.8 rating.

''It was just execution,'' Carr said. ''It was literally inches. There were a whole bunch of plays I think about that we always hit that for whatever reason, sometimes it was good feet and the route was good, and we just missed by an inch. Sometimes that happens in practice and you never want it to happen in games.''

SACK STREAK: Raiders pass rusher Khalil Mack is on quite a roll when it comes to getting the quarterback. Mack has sacks in eight straight games, tying the franchise record set by Lance Johnstone in 1998. The previous NFL player with a sack in nine straight was Dwight Freeney, who did it in 2008-09. Mack leads the NFL with nine sacks overall during the streak. Mack has also managed to get the ball out when he records a sack with forced fumbles in three straight games and five of the past six.

RUN TO DAYLIGHT: After being held to 86 yards on the ground during two wins against Houston and Carolina, the Raiders have found their running game in recent weeks. Oakland has rushed for 274 yards the past two games, led by Latavius Murray, who ran for 185 yards and three TDs in those games. Murray has run for 12 TDs already this season, tied for third most in franchise history, behind Marcus Allen's 13 in 1984 and Pete Banaszak's 16 in 1975.

CHARGERS WOES: Running back Melvin Gordon is expected to miss the game with a hip injury, and cornerback Brandon Flowers went on season-ending injured reserve with a concussion.

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Panthers are down, but still in Redskins' path to playoffs
December 16, 2016

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) More than a year has passed since the Carolina Panthers crushed the Washington Redskins to remain undefeated on their way to the Super Bowl, and, oh, how things have changed.

All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman signed with the Redskins after the Panthers removed the franchise tag to make him a free agent.

While Carolina's younger defense and quarterback Cam Newton have struggled and failed to meet expectations, Washington (7-5-1) remains in the NFC wild-card hunt with three games to go.

These aren't the same Panthers (5-8) who beat the Redskins 44-16 in November 2015, but they're still a formidable group in the way of Kirk Cousins and Co. returning to the playoffs.

''A lot of the same players are back, so we're going to have our hands full,'' said Cousins, who needs 122 yards to break his single-season franchise passing record from last year.

''I remember we had five turnovers and if we turn the ball over again we can expect a similar result. We've got to protect the football and if we do that, we've got a chance, but if we turn it over, we'll put ourselves in a hole just like we did last year.''

Without Norman, Carolina starts two rookie cornerbacks in James Bradberry and Daryl Worley. But Charles Johnson, Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short are still there on the Panthers' defensive line and can rush Cousins, who has 23 touchdowns to nine interceptions this season.

The Redskins' offense hasn't been the problem. Ricky Jean Francois said the defense, which has struggled on third down and in the red zone, is aiming to do two things: ''Win and stop Cam Newton.''

Last year's NFL MVP is banged up and struggling, but Washington doesn't see him as a hobbled star or the Panthers as a hobbled team.

''I understand what their record is, but that's still a team at any given time that can still come out and become the Carolina they once were last year with the quarterback they have,'' Jean Francois said.

''And they got a great head coach so I know he's pushing those guys up front to keep being the team that they are - not the team they are now but the team he knows they're capable of being.''

---

Some things to watch when the Panthers visit the Redskins on Monday night:

SACK ATTACK: The Panthers don't have anyone in double digits in sacks this season, but still lead the NFL in that category with 39. Eighteen different players have been in on a sack this season for the Panthers, led by situational pass rusher Mario Addison with 7+.

''It's never one thing,'' defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said of the team's rise up the leaderboard in sacks. ''I know sometimes you guys want me to say, `Well, it's just this. Here was the magic deal.' No, it's working hard. It's earning the right to be good.

''We got off to maybe a slow start in that (sacks) category. But the guys have worked extremely hard. The coaches have worked extremely hard to get it to where it is right now.''

NORMAN FIRED UP: Redskins coach Jay Gruden believes Norman gets up for every game, but this one against his former team will have some extra juice.

Norman said he almost felt ''stabbed in the back'' when the Panthers removed the franchise tag. ''I think come Monday night, those emotions I think they will probably come out and show themselves,'' Norman said.

BENJAMIN EXPECTS TRASH TALK: Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin anticipates he will be matched up against Norman for most of the game and expects to hear plenty of trash talk from his former teammate.

''Oh yeah, I know he will'' talk trash, Benjamin said with a wide smile. ''I'm looking forward to it.'' Norman and Benjamin exchanged trash talk when the two practiced against each other, but said he never let the cornerback get in his head.

''Not at all, actually,'' Benjamin said with a smile. ''I would probably say I used to get in Josh's head more than he got in mine. I just came in with an attitude (my rookie year) to compete.''

SO MUCH FOR MVP: Newton has struggled with accuracy all season and has completed just 43 percent of his passes over his past four games with no more than 14 completions in any of those matchups. Newton is completing 53.5 percent of his passes for the season, the worst mark among starting quarterbacks in the NFL.

Newton said Wednesday that he ''couldn't care less'' about his completion percentage and his only concern is wins and losses.

SPAIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT: With middle linebacker Will Compton injured, Martrell Spaight could make his first pro start for the Redskins. Spaight filled in for Compton in a victory at the Philadelphia Eagles and will be given the headset and the controls to the defense against Carolina.

''He's a young football player still with limited starting reps, but this is a great opportunity for him,'' Gruden said. ''We'll see what he can do. We have a good feeling of what he can do. We know he can play the run, he's very physical.''

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Lions and Giants look to move closer to playoffs
December 16, 2016

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Having nine wins with three games left in the regular season used to be almost a guaranteed ticket to the NFL playoffs.

It's not for the Detroit Lions and New York Giants as they head into Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium.

Both are 9-4, in good position, and either team can make the postseason with a win and a combination of other results.

The Lions are riding a five-game winning streak that has given them a two-game lead over Minnesota and Green Bay in the NFC North. The Giants are two games behind Dallas (11-2) in the NFC East but they hold a one-game lead in the wild-card race after winning seven of eight.

The problem for the loser will be the schedule. After the Giants, the Lions close at Dallas and then return home to face the Packers, who have are playing much better after a midseason slump.

The Giants close with road games against division rivals. They have a quick turnaround for a Thursday night game against the Eagles (5-8) and finish at Washington (7-5-1), which beat them earlier this season.

''They're playing for a lot, we're playing for a lot,'' said Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford , who will be playing with an injured middle finger on his throwing hand. ''It's an NFC game, it's going to be a big one. We're excited about the opportunity, obviously, great to be in this type of a position. Just got to go out there and play well.''

The Lions, who made the playoffs as a wild card in coach Jim Caldwell's first season in 2014 with an 11-5 record, are looking to get back to the postseason after going 7-9 last year. The Giants are looking to end a four-year playoff drought in Ben McAdoo's first season as coach.

''For us to be here where we are, standing at 9-4 with playoff contention right there on the horizon, it is definitely fun to be here and to understand that the offense hasn't reached that top pinnacle of where we want to be, and we know it is coming,'' said receiver Victor Cruz, a member of New York's Super Bowl-winning team in February 2012. ''We know it is only a matter of time and hopefully it is this week.''

The defense has been the strength of both teams, with New York's group preserving probably all nine wins. The Giants' offense has yet to score 30 points. The Lions' offense has played well in the fourth quarter, posting comeback wins eight times.

Some things to consider for Sunday's game:

MATCHING MANNINGS: Caldwell is close with Peyton Manning, dating to their years with the Indianapolis Colts. While he has watched Eli Manning from afar, he sees a lot of similarities.

''He has the same sort of mental makeup and you'd have to certainly attribute that to Archie and Olivia,'' Caldwell said of the quarterbacks' parents. ''They've had some young guys in that family, or the men in that family, that have performed very, very well under pressure. They've been built for it. He's had maybe some of the best tutelage that one can have watching his older brother play, and then obviously both of them watching their dad play.''

ELI WOES: The Giants' offense has been horrible in recent weeks, and so has Eli Manning. His passing yards have been in the 190s in the last three games and he has thrown three interceptions and lost two fumbles. He has not had a 300-yard game since throwing for 403 against Baltimore on Oct. 16.

''I got to play better,'' Manning said. ''Got to find completions, got to protect the football better. That's what's got to happen in these type of games, and you get into December, you got to protect the football. That's the most important thing right now.''

LEANING ON THE OL: Detroit desperately needs its offensive line to keep the Giants' line off Stafford, who hurt the middle finger on his right hand early in last week's win over Chicago . The line, which includes first-round pick Taylor Decker at left tackle and third-round pick Graham Glasgow at center, will have to block 350-pound defensive tackle Damon Harrison and defensive end Oliver Vernon.

The Giants have 26 sacks since mid-October, second best in the league in that span.

FIELD POSITION: Giants punter Brad Wing has placed 10 of his last 22 punts inside the opposition's 20. He was the NFC special teams player of the week for netting 42.9 yards in the win over the Cowboys. Watch New York long snapper Zak DeOssie; he is dealing with a hamstring issue.

NO RUNNING: The Lions and Giants are among the NFL's worst rushing teams. Detroit is ranked No. 29, averaging 83.7 yards. The Giants are No. 31, averaging 78.7 yards. Theo Riddick leads the Lions with 357 yards on 92 carries, a 3.9 yard average, but is a major threat as a receiver. Rashad Jennings has 459 yards on 136 carries for New York, a 3.4 yard average.

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Cooled-off Cowboys set to host hot Buccaneers in prime time
December 16, 2016

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Dallas Cowboys, with rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, were the hottest team in the NFL before their 11-game winning streak ended last week.

Now they're playing one of the hottest teams in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose five-game streak is the club's longest since the Super Bowl-winning season of 2002.

First-year coach Dirk Koetter just isn't sure which team is hotter going into the Sunday night spotlight, a first for Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston.

''Yeah, we're playing with confidence and I think these guys have earned a certain amount of swagger,'' Koetter said. ''I think that comes with the territory, but if we've earned some swagger, how much has Dallas earned? They just had an 11-game winning streak snapped and we're sitting there with Detroit at a five-game winning streak.

''That looks kind of puny compared to Dallas' 11.''

The Cowboys (11-2) are struggling for the first time with Prescott and Elliott. Even though they beat Minnesota two weeks ago, Prescott had a season low in passing yardage and Elliott needed a 30-yard run late to get to 86.

Then came the 10-7 loss to the New York Giants , Prescott's worst game as a pro when Dallas had a chance to wrap up the NFC East title and a first-round bye. The Cowboys will try again this week, but will need this time a Giants loss or tie against Detroit.

''I just worry about the next game,'' Prescott said. ''But coming off a bad game, you have that chip on your shoulder. You want to go back out there and that's what it's about for me each and every day, is coming in and proving myself, not just after a loss.''

Defense has led a surge by the Buccaneers (8-5) to a tie for the NFC South lead with Atlanta, capped by a 16-11 win in which New Orleans was held without a touchdown for just the second time since quarterback Drew Brees joined the Saints in 2006. Tampa Bay has an NFL-high 14 takeaways during the winning streak.

''They are extremely fast,'' Dallas offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. ''They get a lot of people around the ball. That's why they have so many turnovers. That's a combination of their speed and pursuit.''

Things to consider in the second meeting in as many years between the Cowboys and Buccaneers, who snapped a five-game skid against Dallas with a win at home last season:

PRIME TIME FOR JAMEIS: This game was moved from early Sunday, offering Tampa Bay a chance to shine against a storied franchise that's tied for the best record in the NFL this season. The Bucs are chasing their first playoff berth since 2007 and on the verge of ending a string of five straight last-place finishes in their division.

But the biggest focal point is Winston, last year's No. 1 overall pick.

''Not really taking that away from the Cowboys because they are a prestigious franchise,'' Winston said. ''But we have to focus on the Bucs.''

THIRD AND LONG: The Cowboys were one of the best teams in the NFL on third down most of the season before slumping to 2 of 24 combined against the Vikings and Giants. Penalties and negative plays led to a high number of third-and-long situations, and the passing game frequently broke down from more manageable distances. Dallas also didn't convert on first or second down as much.

''If you have 15 third downs in a game (against the Giants) it's probably going to be a struggle,'' Garrett said.

STINGY CREW: Tampa Bay's defense has played much better since allowing more than 1,000 yards within a five-day span during losses to Oakland and Atlanta.

The team has allowed only 17 second-half points during its surge, one of the best stretches in franchise history.

''For whatever reason, after that Thursday night game (against Atlanta), it just became a new defense,'' tight end Cameron Brate said. ''Those guys are playing with so much confidence and energy, which carries over to the rest of the team.''

McFADDEN MYSTERY: Darren McFadden, Dallas' leading rusher last season, is active for the first time in 2016 after breaking his right elbow in a household accident during the offseason. Garrett isn't saying whether he'll make the game-day roster, or what role he will have if he does. Backup running back Alfred Morris' role has diminished significantly in recent weeks.

MUTUAL RESPECT: Winston and Dak Prescott are meeting for the first time, but aren't strangers.

They were roommates at Peyton Manning's quarterback camp. And Prescott, a fourth-round pick who was expected to be the third quarterback before injuries to backup Kellen Moore and 10-year starter Tony Romo, appreciates what Winston has done in the spotlight from the beginning.

''I definitely admire the work he does, just being a great leader,''' Prescott said.

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Titans, Chiefs meet with plenty of playoff implications
December 16, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Andy Reid has been around long enough to know that focusing on the playoffs with three games left in the regular season is foolish, a trap that can derail a team capable of much bigger things.

He also knows something about human nature.

So, try as he might to stop his Chiefs from pondering what the future could hold on Sunday, the old coach reluctantly acknowledged that everybody on his sideline will be well aware of the stakes.

Probably everyone on the Tennessee sideline, too.

''I know it's an important time of the year. I know that. And if you're in the hunt, every game becomes an important game, right?'' Reid asked. ''If you can just keep it that simple from a coach and player standpoint, you're doing OK. It's going to get blown up around you, but we don't talk about it.''

The Chiefs (10-3), tied atop the AFC West after last week's win over Oakland, are among three teams that can clinch a playoff spot this week. Beating the Titans is the easiest way, but they could back into a playoff spot if things break their way in games involving Denver, Pittsburgh and Miami.

But there is more at stake than just the playoffs, which is why Reid and Co. are focused solely on beating the red-hot Titans. They still believe they can earn a first-round bye and the AFC's No. 2 seed.

''There's a lot of incentives to put on this game,'' Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. ''You want a ticket to the dance. You can't win it unless you get in, so you want to clinch it, for sure.''

There are nearly as many incentives for the Titans (7-6), who are tied with Houston atop the AFC South. But while the Chiefs are almost certain to make the playoffs as a wild-card if they can't hold off Oakland in the division, the Titans' only hope for the postseason may be as a division champ.

''I know they know the big picture,'' Titans coach Mike Mularkey said, echoing his counterpart, ''but I'm going to keep them on the same picture we've been on that we've got to win this game. We have to win. We have to go to a tough environment in Kansas City, a team that's playing extremely well, and we've got to win this game or everything else is irrelevant.''

As two playoff contenders prepare to tangle at Arrowhead Stadium, here are some key story lines:

BUNDLE UP: The Chiefs-Raiders game Thursday night ended with temperatures in the low-20s, and that's going to feel balmy. Snow is in the forecast on Saturday with temps at kickoff Sunday in the low-teens.

''Probably one of my last college games'' at Oregon, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota said, ''it got down into the high-20s. So this will be the coldest game I've played, for sure.''

RUN, RUN, RUN: The Titans roll into the game with the league's third-best rushing offense, buoyed by DeMarco Murray's resurgent season and Derrick Henry's increased role in the offense. And they'll be facing a Chiefs defense missing linebacker Derrick Johnson, who ruptured his Achilles tendon last week.

''Next man up. That's what happened with me,'' Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston said. ''They played the first eight games this season without me and they did a great job. So it's next man up. I'm going to pray for him and hope he stays strong. I know he'll stay strong. But the next man needs to be prepared.''

SPEAKING OF RUNNING: The Chiefs have struggled to run the ball for weeks, and much of the shine has worn off Spencer Ware, who was a fantasy football darling through the first six weeks.

''It's not one person, one scheme. It's been hit or miss on all the different schemes,'' Reid said. ''We can tighten it up, and we can give the players some things that might be a little better for what they do.''

TYREEK THE FREAK: Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill was the AFC special teams player of the week after his punt return touchdown against Oakland. He also caught a TD pass in the game. And with a kick return TD and a TD run, he's the first rookie since Gale Sayers to score each of those ways.

''I have to give a shoutout to my brothers out there on the field fighting for me, doing everything that they're supposed to do,'' Hill said. ''Without those guys, I wouldn't be standing here in front of you.''

RED ZONE EFFICIENCY: The Titans are among the best in the NFL at scoring touchdowns in the red zone, while the Chiefs are among the worst. Mariota has thrown 32 TD passes without a pick in those spots.

''He has a very quick release and there's not a lot of room for error down there, a lot of tight windows,'' Mularkey said, ''and I think he's been very good with that.''

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2 teams headed nowhere collide in desert
December 16, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Two teams almost certainly headed nowhere collide in the desert on Sunday.

The New Orleans Saints (5-8) and Arizona Cardinals (5-7-1) are on the home stretch of disappointing seasons.

There are some far-fetched scenarios that have either team reaching the playoffs. The New York Times put the chances of New Orleans making the postseason at 1 percent, Arizona at 2 percent.

So most everyone involved with this game is resigned that the season will end in three weeks.

''Just being real,'' Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said.

That doesn't mean the game is meaningless.

''That's what we're paid to do. We're paid to play games,'' Arizona center A.Q. Shipley said. ''We have to go out and perform to the highest level. Some of us are playing for futures. Some of us are playing for right now.''

The Saints have to win out to avoid a third consecutive losing season. But coach Sean Payton said this is a different team than those two 7-9 squads and he's encouraged by its progress.

''I'm encouraged with young guys we had a chance to play through injury,'' he said. ''We've overcome some, tough, hard-fought games. ... It's going to be important that this team finishes well though.''

One more loss and the Cardinals will have their first losing season in Arians' four years as coach.

New Orleans has lost three in a row in Arizona, most recently a 31-19 defeat in last year's season opener. Drew Brees completed 30 of 48 passes for 355 yards, but had only one touchdown with one interception.

''We haven't played real well when we've played there, so I think that's another challenge for us - turning that streak around,'' Brees said. ''We need to go to a place like that, a hostile environment, and be able to play well on the road.''

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer will try to survive behind a makeshift offensive line. If tackle D.J. Humphries, who is in the concussion protocol, can't go, the lineup probably would include John Wetzel at left tackle, Taylor Boggs at right guard and Earl Watford at right tackle.

Here are some things to consider when New Orleans meets the Cardinals:

JOHNSON MARCHES ON: Arizona's David Johnson can set an NFL record if he amasses 100 yards from scrimmage again Sunday. He would be the first player to top that mark in each of the first 14 games of a season. Right now he and Edgerrin James are tied at 13 in a row.

Johnson has his eyes on an even more impressive stat. He needs 255 yards receiving to join Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk as the only players to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a single season.

NO FLOYD: Wide receiver Michael Floyd was released by Arizona on Wednesday, two days after police say he was found unconscious behind the wheel of a running vehicle at a Scottsdale intersection. Floyd was charged with driving under the influence and failure to obey a police officer.

He signed with New England on Thursday.

The abrupt departure of the team's 2012 first-round draft pick should mean even more action for the Cardinals' diminutive wide receiver J.J. Nelson, who caught two TD passes in last Sunday's loss at Miami.

After Larry Fitzgerald and Nelson, ''a bunch of guys'' will fill in for Floyd, Arians said. One of them is John Brown, who has been slowed by fatigue related to a diagnosis of a sickle cell trait.

OFFENSE VS DEFENSE: The Saints have the No. 1-ranked offense in the league at 418 yards per game. The Cardinals have the No. 1 defense, giving up 298 yards per game.

So something has to give.

''I guess that's kind of exciting, isn't it?'' Brees said.

New Orleans' offense ranks first in passing, too, at 314 yards per game. The Cardinals are second in pass defense, giving up 202 yards per contest.

OFFENSIVE WASTE: While the Saints are ranked No. 1 on offense, their inability to reach the end zone during the past two games helped their playoff hopes fade to black. New Orleans has scored just one touchdown in the past two games against Detroit and Tampa Bay. Five drives during that span have ended with field goals and six with interceptions.

IMPROVING D: Five weeks into the season, the Saints allowed four opponents to score 34 or more points and ranked 31st in the NFL on defense. Since then, they've held five opponents to 23 or fewer points and have climbed seven spots in the defensive rankings to 24th.

Some of that has to do with players returning from injuries. And it's evidence that chemistry across the defense and players' understanding of coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme have improved.

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Titans, Chiefs meet with plenty of playoff implications
December 16, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Andy Reid has been around long enough to know that focusing on the playoffs with three games left in the regular season is foolish, a trap that can derail a team capable of much bigger things.

He also knows something about human nature.

So, try as he might to stop his Chiefs from pondering what the future could hold on Sunday, the old coach reluctantly acknowledged that everybody on his sideline will be well aware of the stakes.

Probably everyone on the Tennessee sideline, too.

''I know it's an important time of the year. I know that. And if you're in the hunt, every game becomes an important game, right?'' Reid asked. ''If you can just keep it that simple from a coach and player standpoint, you're doing OK. It's going to get blown up around you, but we don't talk about it.''

The Chiefs (10-3), tied atop the AFC West after last week's win over Oakland, are among three teams that can clinch a playoff spot this week. Beating the Titans is the easiest way, but they could back into a playoff spot if things break their way in games involving Denver, Pittsburgh and Miami.

But there is more at stake than just the playoffs, which is why Reid and Co. are focused solely on beating the red-hot Titans. They still believe they can earn a first-round bye and the AFC's No. 2 seed.

''There's a lot of incentives to put on this game,'' Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. ''You want a ticket to the dance. You can't win it unless you get in, so you want to clinch it, for sure.''

There are nearly as many incentives for the Titans (7-6), who are tied with Houston atop the AFC South. But while the Chiefs are almost certain to make the playoffs as a wild-card if they can't hold off Oakland in the division, the Titans' only hope for the postseason may be as a division champ.

''I know they know the big picture,'' Titans coach Mike Mularkey said, echoing his counterpart, ''but I'm going to keep them on the same picture we've been on that we've got to win this game. We have to win. We have to go to a tough environment in Kansas City, a team that's playing extremely well, and we've got to win this game or everything else is irrelevant.''

As two playoff contenders prepare to tangle at Arrowhead Stadium, here are some key story lines:

BUNDLE UP: The Chiefs-Raiders game Thursday night ended with temperatures in the low-20s, and that's going to feel balmy. Snow is in the forecast on Saturday with temps at kickoff Sunday in the low-teens.

''Probably one of my last college games'' at Oregon, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota said, ''it got down into the high-20s. So this will be the coldest game I've played, for sure.''

RUN, RUN, RUN: The Titans roll into the game with the league's third-best rushing offense, buoyed by DeMarco Murray's resurgent season and Derrick Henry's increased role in the offense. And they'll be facing a Chiefs defense missing linebacker Derrick Johnson, who ruptured his Achilles tendon last week.

''Next man up. That's what happened with me,'' Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston said. ''They played the first eight games this season without me and they did a great job. So it's next man up. I'm going to pray for him and hope he stays strong. I know he'll stay strong. But the next man needs to be prepared.''

SPEAKING OF RUNNING: The Chiefs have struggled to run the ball for weeks, and much of the shine has worn off Spencer Ware, who was a fantasy football darling through the first six weeks.

''It's not one person, one scheme. It's been hit or miss on all the different schemes,'' Reid said. ''We can tighten it up, and we can give the players some things that might be a little better for what they do.''

TYREEK THE FREAK: Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill was the AFC special teams player of the week after his punt return touchdown against Oakland. He also caught a TD pass in the game. And with a kick return TD and a TD run, he's the first rookie since Gale Sayers to score each of those ways.

''I have to give a shoutout to my brothers out there on the field fighting for me, doing everything that they're supposed to do,'' Hill said. ''Without those guys, I wouldn't be standing here in front of you.''

RED ZONE EFFICIENCY: The Titans are among the best in the NFL at scoring touchdowns in the red zone, while the Chiefs are among the worst. Mariota has thrown 32 TD passes without a pick in those spots.

''He has a very quick release and there's not a lot of room for error down there, a lot of tight windows,'' Mularkey said, ''and I think he's been very good with that.''