Dein erstes Forum » another major final and an Olympic si

The biggest defensive star in the Lone Star state is out. Thats a void for the Houston Texans as big as, well, J.J. Watts persona.In the mediocre AFC South, which Houston (2-1) leads, losing its best player could bring the defending division champion back to the field -- as uninspiring as the Titans, Colts and Jaguars might be.With the Texans coming off a no-show at New England, visiting Tennessee could be feeling pretty frisky about its chances Sunday.Im very disappointed about that, says Tennessee left tackle Taylor Lewan, who would have matched up a lot with Watt.Ive said before if you want to be the best youve got to go against the best. I want to be the best left tackle in this league. I want the opportunity to go against all the best guys.Houstons best on D for now will have to be Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus.Jadeveon is playing awesome, Whitney, Lewan adds. So a lot of those guys, theyre going to give me all theyve got. Ive got to come with my `A game for sure.The Texans didnt even bring their `D game to Foxborough in prime time . That 27-0 rout was more of an `F.And now, no J.J.When you have that kind of ability and that kind of playmaking its hard to replace with one guy, Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel notes. So were going to ask all the guys on defense to pick it up, to put a little extra in it and see if we can gain some of those plays that J.J. used to make.The action began Thursday night with Cincinnatis 22-7 home victory over Miami. A.J. Green had 10 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown, and the Bengals (3-1) were inspired by linebacker Vontaze Burficts return from a suspension.During the first three quarters, Green had 166 yards on catches while Miami (1-3) had 152 total yards.Burfict was suspended by the NFL for the first three games because of his illegal hits. The linebacker knocked down a pass and had three tackles.Philadelphia (3-0) and Green Bay (2-1) have the first byes of the season.Indianapolis (1-2) vs. Jacksonville (0-3) at LondonThe Jaguars make their annual trip to Wembley, and you have to wonder if Londoners would like to see the agreement with Jacksonville voided.A loss in this early kickoff (9:30 a.m. EDT) could push Jags coach Gus Bradley closer to the edge of unemployment, what with higher expectations the team (and owner Shahid Khan) had entering the schedule.Indianapolis has won six of the past seven in this series and has swept the Jaguars six times since becoming division foes in 2002. Frank Gore needs 88 yards rushing to pass Hall of Famer Marcus Allen (12,243), Colts rushing leader Edgerrin James (12,246), Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (12,279) and Hall of Famer Jim Brown (12,312) to become No. 9 on the NFL career list.Buffalo (1-2) at New England (3-0)While most everyone obsesses over the QB situation in Foxborough, the fact is New Englands defense and running game have turned downright nasty. In their final game before Tom Brady returns, the Patriots get their, uh, patsies: Buffalo has lost eight of the past nine meetings.Bills coach Rex Ryan gets more pleasure out of beating New England than any other opponent. If the Bills dont find a passing game or clamp down on opposing passers, theyre unlikely to find success.Denver (3-0) at Tampa Bay (1-2)Most everyone already believed in the Von Miller-led Denver defense. Now its quarterback Trevor Siemian making folks turn their heads and shout praise. Its a somewhat manufactured statistic, but still, Siemian became the first quarterback to throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns without an interception in his first road start, a win at Cincinnati.Few teams have been as inconsistent as Tampa Bay, and facing that mighty D without your best running back, Doug Martin, is a major obstacle.New York Giants (2-1) at Minnesota (3-0), Monday nightTwo things the Giants swore theyd improved over 2015 was an ability to finish, and their overall defense. In last weeks loss to Washington, they fell short in both areas, and they were wildly undisciplined. Yes, Ben McAdoos Giants looked eerily similar to the final version of Tom Coughlins Giants.Now they visit the Vikings, whose defense could give the Broncos a challenge as best in show. Minnesota doesnt do much with the ball, but can stop just about anyones run or pass game.Oakland (2-1) at Baltimore (3-0)The Ravens are one of the NFLs most pleasant surprises so far, in part because theyre relatively healthy after an epidemic of injuries in 2015. Their defense isnt reminiscent of the Ray Lewis-led units, which doesnt diminish its strong performances one bit.Oaklands work on D, meanwhile, has been as bad as anyones, and now the Raiders make their third long-distance trip in four weeks.Kansas City (2-1) at Pittsburgh (2-1)The Chiefs have lost all three visits to Heinz Field, last winning in the Steel City in 1986. If they can force eight turnovers again like they did against the Jets last weekend, that string of failure will end.Coming off their worst loss in 17 years -- that 34-3 phlop in Philly -- at least the Steelers get back star running back LeVeon Bell from a three-game suspension. But the running game was not a problem with DeAngelo Williams in for Bell.The two-back system would work here, but Bell is so dynamic when he plays the game I dont want him to come off the field, Williams says.Carolina (1-2) at Atlanta (2-1)With the other three members of the NFC South owning losing records, the Falcons could put themselves in great shape with a win over the divisions three-time defending champ. Also remember that Atlanta was 6-1 in 2015 and wound up 8-8.Carolina, of course, was 15-1 a year ago and went to the Super Bowl. If the Panthers dont protect Cam Newton better -- hes been sacked 12 times and hit plenty more -- another such trip is unlikely. So is a win in the ATL.Los Angeles (2-1) at Arizona (1-2)Two teams that once represented St. Louis meet in an important early NFC West matchup. The Cardinals are tough at home, but the Rams beat them in Arizona last season, and after struggling for two games, their offense came alive in a win over Tampa Bay.Arizona must beat the habit of starting slowly; the Cardinals havent scored in the first quarter yet. One good idea might be feeding star receiver Larry Fitzgerald. He has more receptions (153) and TDs (16) against the Rams than against any other franchise.Seattle (2-1) at New York Jets (1-2)Pete Carroll has a dilemma. Given the knee injury to Russell Wilson and the prospect of a bye next week, does the Seahawks coach sit his star quarterback and hope the running game and defense can sneak out of the Meadowlands with a win?One of many things that could make Jets fans shudder is having to take on Seattles aggressive, physical defense a week after Ryan Fitzpatrick was intercepted six times by Kansas City.Seattle is still definitely up there when you think or talk about the defense in this league, Fitzpatrick says. Theyve probably been the standard for the longest, its a lot of the same guys, same scheme and its tough.Cleveland (0-3) at Washington (1-2)So the Browns hire a substitute placekicker when the regular guy goes down in practice. That replacement, Cody Parkey, misses three field goals, including a potential winner on the final play of regulation.The Giants handed Washington a win last week, and the Redskins could be undermanned. They finished that contest minus two starters in the secondary and two on the offensive line, losing DB DeAngelo Hall and C Kory Lichtensteiger to injured reserve.Dallas (2-1) at San Francisco (1-2)A lot of silly questions arising in Big D about, uh, Big D -- as in Dak. Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has impressed while Tony Romo is sidelined, making Cowboys fans surmise the team is better off keeping him in the lineup when Romo is ready. Lets see how Prescott fares against a solid defense, which he has yet to face.And he wont this week, either.Ive been very impressed with him, 49ers coach Chip Kelly says. I think not only his athletic ability, but his poise and kind of sense of calm that he has about him in terms of playing the game. It doesnt seem like its happening too fast for him and hes done a great job in the first three games.New Orleans (0-3) at San Diego (1-2)Despite some key injuries, the Chargers havent looked too bad. Now they get to face their former QB, record-setting Drew Brees.Brees began his career in San Diego in 2001, left for Saints after 2005. This will be Brees first game at Qualcomm Stadium since suffering a right shoulder injury trying to recover his fumble in the 2005 finale. Brees became a free agent, signing with New Orleans, while Philip Rivers became the Chargers starter. Brees has led Saints to victories over San Diego in London in 2008 and New Orleans in 2012.Detroit (1-2) at Chicago (0-3)Once a great rivalry, theres not much to recommend in this one.Detroit has won six straight in the series, but could be short-handed with DL Ezekiel Ansah (left ankle) and LB DeAndre Levy (quadriceps) hobbling. Marvin Jones, the NFLs leading receiver, had a career-high 205 yards and two TDs last week in a loss to Green Bay.Bears QB Jay Cutler (sprained right thumb) sat out last weeks loss to Dallas.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Kerryon Johnson Lions Jersey . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons. T.J. Hockenson Womens Jersey . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. http://www.authenticnfllionslockroom.com/Youth-Jarrad-Davis-Elite-Jersey/ . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. Marvin Jones Jr Youth Jersey . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Barry Sanders Jersey . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. SINGAPORE -- The weeklong round-robin stage is over at the WTA Finals, and were down to the final four.What should we expect and who will prevail? We break it down:Svetlana Kuznetsova versus Dominika Cibulkova (Watch on ESPN3, Saturday, 4 a.m. ET)?Case for Kuznetsova: This week marked Svetlana Kuznetsovas first WTA Finals appearance since 2009, which is also the last time she ranked in the top 10. Her journey has been fascinating to follow, as she became the last player to qualify into this eight-player competition upon successful defense of her Moscow title last Saturday.The Russian is responsible for the two most dramatic matches of the round-robin contest. In her first two encounters, she beat Agnieszka Radwanska and Karolina Pliskova, both in three thrilling sets. (Kuznetsova also made headlines when she chopped off of a portion of her braided hair because it was getting in the way.) However, the four weeks of chasing the WTA Finals berth finally took its toll in her third round-robin match Friday, where she hit the wall against Garbine Muguruza. Kuznetsova remains the top seed in her group, but the question lingers: Is she too physically spent to turn it around without a day off?Case for Cibulkova: This is a big month for Cibulkova, who posted a career-high No. 8 ranking and is making her WTA Finals debut. Miraculously, she dropped her first two matches but managed to carve a path to the semifinals after Thursdays straight-sets win against Simona Halep. Cibulkovas impressive game is much bigger than her stature.Shes incredibly fit and a spark plug on the court. Shes versatile with powerful shot-making capabilities and can threaten any opponent across the net. CCibulkova holds a 5-3 career edge over Kuznetsova, including a win in their latest encounter, in the Wuhan semifinals a few weeks ago.ddddddddddddPrediction: Cibulkova in two setsAngelique Kerber versus Agnieszka Radwanska (Watch on ESPN3, Saturday, 7 a.m. ET)?Case for Kerber: The Kerber story this season is pretty simple when you break it down: With two Grand Slam titles, an appearance in another major final and an Olympic silver medal, she is the undeniable world No. 1. Hard to believe, but before 2016, Kerber appeared in the WTA Finals three times and never once successfully made it beyond the round-robin stage.This year, she was unstoppable in posting a perfect 3-0 record en route to the semifinals. Kerbers inventive shot-making and ability to use an opponents pace makes her perhaps the most well-rounded player in the game. Plus, she wants to prove once again why she is the No. 1 player in the land. Dont expect any kind of letdown from Kerber.Case for Radwanska: As the WTA Finals defending champion, Radwanska has a lot at stake in the semifinals. Last year, she became the only player to take home the season-ending trophy after finishing the round-robin stage 1-2. This year, she went 2-1, losing only to Kuznetsova. Radwanska has excellent shot placement, nimble touch and delivers deft drop shots to throw off her opponents.Radwanska holds a slim 6-5 advantage over Kerber and won their last encounter in the 2015 Beijing quarterfinals. But theres a new and very much improved Kerber waiting for her Saturday.Prediction: Kerber in three sets ' ' '