CLEVELAND (AP) With a smack-talking Authentic Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey , quarterback-sacking defense, Jacksonville is all alone atop the AFC South.

The Jaguars intend to stay there.

Blake Bortles threw a touchdown pass , linebacker Telvin Smith recovered a fumble for a TD with 1:14 remaining on Sunday and the surprising Jaguars won their fourth straight, 19-7 over the winless Browns to move into sole possession of first place in their division.

Jacksonville’s top-ranked ”Sacksonville” defense forced five turnovers, including two in the final two minutes when the Browns were still within six points.

”We’ve got some good players on that side of the ball,” Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said of a defense that has recorded 40 sacks and allowed a league-low 141 points. ”There’s not really a lot you can do, trying to win the game on the other side. It’s hard to sit back there. I see it in practice.

”You’ve got those cats coming at you and those guys covering. They did a nice job.”

The Jaguars (7-3) built a 10-0 lead and turned things over to a defense gaining confidence and developing a nasty reputation. They intercepted Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer twice, recorded five sacks and blanked the Browns (0-10) in the second half.

Cleveland’s last hopes ended when Yannick Ngakoue swarmed Kizer and knocked the ball into the end zone Authentic Harold Landry Jersey , where Smith recovered . Earlier, Ngakoue and Calais Campbell combined to sack Kizer, who fumbled as he fell and it was recovered near mid-field by Dante Fowler with 1:48 left.

With the win, Jacksonville is leading its division after 10 games for the first time since 1999, when the Jags were atop the AFC Central at 9-1.

It’s a stunning turnaround for a team that went 3-13 last year and wasn’t expected to do much.

Josh Lambo kicked a pair of field goals for the Jaguars, who have held six opponents to seven points or less.

On a blustery, rainy and snowy afternoon along Lake Erie, the warm-weather Jaguars were unable to move the ball with much success. But their defense came through again with another impressive performance Cheap D.J. Fluker Jersey , and backed up safety Tashaun Gipson’s prediction that Jacksonville would keep the Browns winless.

Earlier in the week, Gipson, a former Pro Bowler in Cleveland, ripped the Browns’ front office and said his former team will ”probably go 0-16.” He also predicted a shutout.

While his forecast was slightly off, the Jaguars extended their longest winning streak since 2007 and continued their climb.

”I would have had to play quarterback if I had to for us to get a win,” Gipson said. ”I knew we couldn’t leave out of here without a win, but they definitely kind of got me nervous a little bit at about the five-minute mark. Blood started rising a little bit like, `Man I can’t leave Cleveland with a loss http://www.jacksonvillejaguarsteamonline.com/ronnie-harrison-jersey , man.’ I’m going to have to delete my social media.”

The Browns fell to 1-25 under coach Hue Jackson and are 4-43 since Nov. 30, 2014 – the worst 47-game stretch in NFL history.

”I am trying to win,” he said. ”These players are trying to win. … This team is in games. This team is hanging around games. The defense is playing good. The offense will make a play here and there. We just do not make enough NFL plays to win the game. That is what we have to do, and we have to do it better.”

RUN AROUND

With the wind affecting every pass, the Jaguars stayed on the ground. Rookie Leonard Fournette, who has been slowed by a sore ankle, finished with 111 yards on 28 carries.

”He’s a tough kid,” Bortles said. ”He’s a guy that everyone loves to have on their team. The offensive lineman love blocking for him. I love giving him the ball as much as possible cause he runs his tail off.”

OGBAH OUT

Browns DE Emmanuel Ogbah will likely miss the rest of the season with a broken foot. Jackson said the second-year pro will be out for ”some significant time.” Ogbah has been playing well lately.

”I hate that for him Authentic Breeland Speaks Jersey , I really do,” cornerback Jason McCourty said. ”I saw the look in his eyes at halftime, and it was tough. He’s been playing really well and you just want to see him continue to grow.

INJURIES

Browns: WR Sammie Coates sustained an injury to his right knee and ankle in the first quarter and did not return. … DT Jamie Meder’s day was ended by a left ankle injury in the first.

Jaguars: WR Marqise Lee limped off the field in the first quarter but returned after having his left ankle re-taped. … WR Kellan Cole bruised his ribs in the first quarter but came back.

FLASH GORDON

Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon worked out on the field before the game. Gordon was recently re-instated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being suspended for the past two seasons. He can begin practicing this week and will be eligible to play for the first time since 2014 on Dec. 3 when Cleveland visits the Los Angeles Rams.

A Pro Bowler in 2013 when he led the league with 1,646 yards receiving, Gordon has missed 53 of Cleveland’s last 58 games.

UP NEXT

Jaguars: At Arizona.

Browns: At Cincinnati.

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CHARLOTTE Cheap Dontae Johnson Jersey , N.C. (AP) The Panthers will interview Marty Hurney, Jimmy Raye III and Lake Dawson for the team’s general manager position.

Panthers team spokesman Steven Drummond says all three candidates will interview this week. Drummond said new chief operating officer Tina Becker is leading the search.

Hurney is currently the Panthers interim GM Authentic Donte Jackson Jersey , but his contract expires June 30.

Raye is the vice president of the football operations and assistant GM with the Houston Texans. Dawson, a former NFL wide receiver http://www.miamidolphinsteamonline.com/jason-sanders-jersey , is the assistant director of college scouting with the Buffalo Bills. If either Raye or Dawson is hired, he would be the organization’s first minority general manager.

Hurney Authentic Markus Wheaton Jersey , who previously worked for Carolina from 1998-2012 in a stint that included 11 years as general manager, is considered the frontrunner for the job.

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TEMPE Cheap Ed Dickson Jersey , Ariz. (AP) Drew Stanton acknowledged he’s surprised that he’s back as the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals for the next-to-last game of the season.

Coach Bruce Arians benched Blaine Gabbert after five starts and turned back to Stanton, who still has soreness from a knee injury that gave the job to Gabbert in the first place.

Arians said he was making the move to give the Cardinals (6-8) their best shot at beating the New York Giants on Sunday in Arizona’s home finale.

”He’s as steady as they get,” Arians said after Wednesday’s practice with Stanton getting the starter’s reps. ”He’s moving around really good now, and that’s that veteran presence in the huddle.”

Arians said Stanton’s knee still hurts.

”It’s bad,” the coach said. ”He’s still going to play in a lot of pain but his mobility’s back.”

And Stanton said ”there’s a little bit of an unknown there” with his knee situation.

”I’m going to continue to do everything I can to try and get as healthy as I can leading up to the game,” he said, ”and feel good about it and get out there and not give it a second thought when I step inside those lines.”

Arians made the switch at quarterback after a particularly galling 20-15 loss last Sunday at Washington.

He said he made the decision to switch quarterbacks after reviewing the game tape on Monday.

”I think the biggest thing is we’re so close to winning that football game Cheap Kerryon Johnson Jersey ,” Stanton said, ”and (if Arizona won) maybe we’re not having this discussion at that point, but that’s not for me to say. I’ve been called upon to play this week so I’m going to go out there and do whatever I can to help this team win now.”

Gabbert was 2-3 as a starter but struggled, especially with the team in the red zone. Still, Stanton didn’t see the change coming.

”I’ve been in this business for a long period of time and I’ve been fortunate to survive for 11 years and see the whole picture and have tried to see everything from different angles throughout the course of my career,” Stanton said. ”So I understand the reason to stick with Blaine.”

Instead, Arians went back to the quarterback who’s been his backup for six seasons – one in Indianapolis and the last five in Arizona. Stanton is 7-4 as a starter in his five seasons as Carson Palmer’s backup http://www.seattleseahawksteamonline.com/will-dissly-jersey , 1-1 this year.

”The competitor in me loves the fact that I get a chance to go out there and do it again,” Stanton said. ”But at the same time the humanistic side of things is you feel bad for somebody that you’ve been around at this period of time with Blaine and stuff. And he’s handled it unbelievably well, which is no surprise to me, as a true professional.”

Gabbert completed only 16 of 41 passes for 189 yards with one interception and was sacked five times in the loss to the Redskins as Arizona was riddled by injuries up front, with its seventh different combination of offensive linemen this season.

But while the pass protection was sometimes shaky, the Cardinals ran the ball well for the second game in a row. Arizona finished with 141 yards rushing against the Redskins. Kerwynn Williams gained 61 yards in 17 carries, Elijhaa Penny Authentic Tremaine Edmunds Jersey , 45 yards in 10 attempts and Gabbert, 28 yards in six tries. Stanton, especially with a bad knee, won’t be nearly as much of a running threat as his predecessor.

But Arians is hoping that the overall offense operates better, particularly in the red zone.

Stanton inherits a beat-up team. Ten players didn’t practice Wednesday due to injuries.

”I’m hoping to get two or three back tomorrow and maybe four by Friday,” Arians said, ”but it’s going to be touch and go on some of those guys. And Redskins Jonathan Allen Jersey , the flu is kind of running through the team right now.”

Notes: Four Cardinals were chosen for the Pro Bowl: wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, outside linebacker Chandler Jones, cornerback Patrick Peterson and, on special teams, rookie Budda Baker. ”I’m just happy for my man,” teammate Justin Bethel said of Baker. ”He deserved it.” Bethel is a three-time Pro Bowl selection on special teams.

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The Seattle Seahawks cut ties on Friday with star cornerback Richard Sherman http://www.tampabaybuccaneersteamonline.com/vinny-curry-jersey , who became one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks during his seven seasons with the team.

The team informed Sherman early in the day he would be released, and he confirmed the decision in a text message to The Associated Press. The move appeared to be building after he met with the team Wednesday to discuss his future. Sherman declined to comment after the meeting.

”Thank you for helping win championships, shape our culture and define success in Seattle,” the team said in a statement announcing the decision.

”We love you and your unwavering competitiveness Authentic Kerryon Johnson Jersey , confidence and fierce passion for football and life. For that, you will always be a Hawk!”

Sherman was an overlooked fifth-round draft pick who went on to become a two-time All-Pro who helped anchor a defense that was the league’s best for several years.

He will be 30 years old going into next season and coming off an Achilles tendon injury that cost him half of the 2017 season.

But the biggest reason for his release was financial. Sherman was due $13 million for the 2018 season and his release gives Seattle a salary cap savings of about $11 million. Sherman was released with a ”failed physical” injury designation.

Sherman issued a statement later Friday thanking the Seahawks for ”taking a chance.”

”As this chapter comes to a close, I am looking forward to what the future holds,” Sherman said.

Sherman became a star in Seattle Authentic Kevin Hogan Jersey , bringing a brash attitude and willingness to speak out on any topic to go along with his stellar play. His best seasons came in 2013 and 2014 when Seattle made two Super Bowl appearances and he has 32 interceptions.

This may not be an end for Sherman and the Seahawks, depending on what he finds in free agency. Seattle could be open to bringing Sherman back at a reduced salary.

Sherman was open to the idea of a new place to call home last offseason when Seattle engaged in trade discussions surrounding Sherman, but said his preference was to remain with the Seahawks.

What’s still to be answered is how much of an impact the Achilles injury will have. Sherman has never been the fastest cornerback, often using his exquisite technique and smarts to make up for less than elite speed. But recovery from Achilles injuries can often be troublesome and Sherman also had a cleanup surgery on his opposite ankle during the offseason.

The questions about Sherman’s health account for Seattle’s position. The Seahawks don’t want to be paying a premium price for a cornerback entering the final year of his contract with an injury concern. Seattle could be sacrificing something greater Authentic Vinny Curry Jersey , though. Sherman has been a locker-room leader and mentor to younger players. Shaquill Griffin spoke regularly about Sherman’s influence last year.

But it’s clear the Seahawks are a team in transition, although it also remains to be seen how significant this makeover will be. Seattle already traded Michael Bennett to Philadelphia for two late-round draft picks and a little-used wide receiver. Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril both have neck injuries, and it’s uncertain if they’ll play again. Earl Thomas said at the Pro Bowl he wants a new contract and may hold out. Seattle also released cornerback Jeremy Lane on Friday. The move with Lane will save Seattle $4.75 million against the salary cap in 2018.

About the only sure thing for the defense is the return of All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner. General manager John Schneider, speaking at the NFL combine Authentic Byron Maxwell Jersey , called it a ”constant puzzle.”

”You’re trying to put stuff together all the time,” he said. ”It’s a big challenge.”

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FLORHAM PARK Chargers Justin Jones Jersey , N.J. (AP) Christopher Johnson knew early in the season that his New York Jets were heading in the right direction.

As the acting owner/CEO, he wanted to see clear progress – with wins and losses not necessarily being an overriding factor in whether he’d stick with coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan moving forward.

”I did see that progress,” Johnson said Tuesday, two days after the Jets completed a second straight 5-11 season. ”It might not have shown up on the final scores, but within the locker room, on the practice field, out during the games, I did see progress.”

That’s what led Johnson to give Bowles and Maccagnan two-year contract extensions, keeping both with the team through the 2020 season.

”It seemed the right choice to me,” Johnson said of giving two extra years rather than just one. ”I like the idea of some stability and going from year to year just didn’t seem right.”

Johnson sensed a positive vibe around the team, something he attributed to Bowles, and liked how young players emerged on a roster that had been overhauled in the offseason. All the changes led to low expectations outside the facility Cheap Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey , with some fans and media wondering how the Jets would even win a game.

Instead, New York got off to a 3-2 start as one of the NFL’s early season surprises. The Jets lost nine of their last 11, but the signs were there – as far as Johnson was concerned – that he has the right men in charge in leading the franchise back to respectability, and ultimately, the playoffs.

”I have no mandate,” Johnson said of his expectations for next season. ”Believe me, I want to get to the playoffs. I want to build a team with Mike and Todd that can compete for the playoffs every year. That can’t happen fast enough, but there is no mandate.”

Well, except, of course, the one he has in his sibling rivalry with brother Woody, who transferred control to Christopher before the season to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.

”I was serious about that desire to get back to the Super Bowl before my brother gets back here Cheap Will Dissly Jersey ,” Johnson said. ”I would love to have that happen, but there are no mandates. I think the fans are going to be happy with the way we move forward here.”

The Jets will have plenty of decisions to make over the next several months to prepare for next season:

QUARTERBACK QUESTIONS: The top priority for New York will be trying to find a signal caller for the future.

Josh McCown, who had a career season for the Jets before breaking his left hand, will be a free agent and turns 39 in July.

”I still think there’s good football left in Josh,” Maccagnan said. ”From an intangibles standpoint, he was outstanding. I would have no problem bringing him back.”

If he wants to return, that is. McCown might be ready to retire, but if not, will he be OK with serving as a backup to a rookie? The Jets have the No. 6 overall pick in the draft and could aim for one of the top QBs. New York could also choose to go with another veteran – Kirk Cousins or Drew Brees, perhaps – in free agency.

Christian Hackenberg remains a mystery, though. He hasn’t played a snap in the regular season despite being a second-round draft pick last year.

”The book on Christian is not closed,” Maccagnan said. But it appears unlikely he’ll be a franchise quarterback at this point.

FREE AGENCY: The Jets are expected to have somewhere between $90 million and $100 million in salary cap space Authentic Jeremy Kerley Jersey , so they’ll have plenty of money to spend.

They also have lots of needs to fill, starting with quarterback. But offensive line, pass rusher, cornerback, running back and defensive line depth could all be on New York’s shopping list.

”I think we’ll be very active in free agency,” Maccagnan said, adding that the Jets are still doing evaluations of their own players.

IN-HOUSE OPTIONS: Among the Jets’ current players who are scheduled to be free agents are McCown, linebacker Demario Davis, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, cornerback Morris Claiborne, kicker Chandler Catanzaro and center Wesley Johnson.

”We’d never go all-in on something that would last us only a year or two,” Christopher Johnson said. ”We’ll be active in free agency Jets Nathan Shepherd Jersey , but it’s only going to be adding pieces that can be with us a good, long time. We’re in a very good position to do that.”

NO MO’ MO?: One player not expected back next season is defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who was inactive the last three games of the season and is due to make $16.75 million.

Wilkerson, the team’s first-round pick in 2011, has dealt with injuries and tardiness issues the past few years and has not approached the level of play that made him a Pro Bowl pick in 2015. Johnson paused for about 10 seconds before declining to comment when asked about Wilkerson’s situation – surely not a good sign.

SUPER DROUGHT: It has been 49 years since the Jets’ only Super Bowl appearance in 1969, a stunning Joe Namath-led victory over the Colts. New York has failed to make the playoffs in seven straight seasons, and Johnson understands fans’ impatience.

”I know we’ve given them a lot more pain than glory recently,” the owner said. ”It’s been a long time since we had proper glory. I think they understand I’m trying to set this team up for glory.”

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SARASOTA Authentic Jordan Whitehead Jersey , Fla. (AP) Coming off a lopsided loss to the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said his team needs to regain its energy and start playing aggressive football again starting with next Sunday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

”As I said yesterday, I feel like we’ve earned this 3-5 through the first half of the year,” Del Rio said. ”Nobody is real happy about that. I think we all take responsibility and are accountable for that. We’re going to go into the second half and look to make it a whole lot better in the second half. We need to kind of get our mojo back a little bit.”

Del Rio believes the Raiders (3-5) need to get back to being the physical team they were when the season began.

Quarterback Derek Carr suggested the intensity in practice needs to be greater but Del Rio said that while poor execution remains a big issue, the Raiders just need to play hard and ”let it rip.”

”I know what a Raiders football team that I envisioned having Authentic Oren Burks Jersey ,” Del Rio said. ”We’re not playing like that – what my vision is. We’re not playing like that right now. We need to be more physical up front offensively and defensively. We need to be playmakers aggressively going for the ball, competing. That’s what I’m looking for. That’s what we’re looking to get this second half.”

Offensively, the Raiders failed to follow up on their last-second comeback victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. With Marshawn Lynch serving a one-game suspension for shoving an official, the Raiders ran the ball just 14 times for 54 yards in their 34-14 loss to the Bills on Sunday. Carr threw for 313 yards but had two interceptions while running backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard lost fumbles to put the Raiders at a minus-6 turnover differential this year.

Shalom Luani, who made his first NFL start at safety in place of Gareon Conley http://www.newyorkgiantsteamonline.com/will-hernandez-jersey , almost had the team’s first interception of the season Sunday but the ball fell off his hands.

”That would have been a great catch,” Del Rio said. But each game we’re getting our hands on balls. You got to catch the ball. I mean, we’ll keep working. We’re drilling it. We’re drilling stripping it. They did a great job yesterday getting four from us. That was the difference in the ball game.”

Lynch, who was reinstated to the active roster Monday, will join the Raiders in Sarasota on Tuesday.

The running back made headlines during his suspension when he participated in a practice with his high school alma mater Broncos Courtland Sutton Jersey , Oakland Tech. The high school could face discipline from the Oakland Unified School District for allowing Lynch to participate without providing notice.

Del Rio, however, said he had no issue.

”There’s nothing really to talk about,” Del Rio said. ”I think people at the school district have more of a problem with it than I do.”

To make room on the roster, the Raiders released running back Elijah Hood.

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The place to focus on this week is Down South Authentic Adrian Clayborn Jersey , as in NFC South.

All three contenders in the NFL’s best division have difficult matchups Sunday, two of them facing off when top dogs Carolina and New Orleans go at it in the Big Easy. Atlanta, meanwhile, hosts NFC North leader Minnesota.

The Panthers and Saints are 8-3, and New Orleans has a win in Charlotte. So a season’s sweep by Drew Brees and company would make for a tidy tiebreaker.

”The fact is we play in a really tough division and there are a lot tough teams sitting at the top fighting for that spot, and we are all within a game of each other,” Brees says. ”This is a tough stretch, the toughest stretch as we could possibly have, but it is good for us. We need this. Hopefully it brings out our best football.”

Maybe a comforting thought for the three teams involved is they all could be playing in January.

”It’s really crazy. You look at the NFC South, and there’s a chance that three teams actually make the playoffs Authentic Sam Darnold Jersey , which is absolutely crazy to me,” Panthers veteran linebacker Thomas Davis says. ”I think it’s just the NFC South and the way we’ve been playing this year.”

At 7-4, the Falcons trail by a game in the NFL’s toughest division. They go outside of it Sunday, but hardly get a relief: Minnesota (9-2) can beat you every which way and has won seven in a row.

The matchup of the Vikings’ powerful defense and the Falcons’ revitalized offense is a spicy one. Nowhere is that more true than Atlanta’s brilliant receiver Julio Jones against Minnesota’s shutdown cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

”Don’t believe in the hype, don’t be afraid of the name, just believe in the game,” Rhodes says. ”I know he’s one of the best receivers in the league, and I’ve just got to go out and play with the mindset of having confidence going against him.”

The week’s action began Thursday night with Dallas’ 38-14 home victory over Washington.

Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes, including a franchise record-breaker to Dez Bryant, and Dallas (66) finally won without suspended star running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Prescot shook off a hand injury and found Bryant on a 13-yard leaping grab in the end zone for the 2014 All-Pro’s first score in six games and 72nd of his career Authentic Saquon Barkley Jersey , one more than Hall of Famer Bob Hayes. Washington dropped to 5-7.

Philadelphia (10-1) at Seattle (7-4)

With the Eagles soaring toward the postseason behind the sensational work of second-year quarterback Carson Wentz and a dynamic defense that no one can run on, much attention will be centered on the hosts.

The Seahawks uncharacteristically need to win with offense as the Legion of Boom has been ravaged by injuries and penalties keep mounting.

Yet they can win that way thanks to Russell Wilson, who deserves consideration in the MVP race, and re-emerging tight end Jimmy Graham.

”I have to find ways to get him the football. It’s not just him, it’s everybody, but I think that he really stands out. He can do some special things,” Wilson says.

Philly has won nine in a row, four straight by at least 20 points. Only the 1999 St. Louis Rams did it five times. They won the Super Bowl.

Los Angeles Rams (8-3) at Arizona (5-6)

A nice bounce back by the Rams with a 26-20 win over New Orleans that followed a loss at Minnesota. This one can be tricky – witness what the undermanned Cardinals did to Jacksonville last Sunday.

These teams went at it in London in October, a 33-0 Rams win that was Arizona’s worst performance and cost it QB Carson Palmer (broken left arm). Los Angeles has displayed balance on both sides of the ball and was especially hard on Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 21 yards on 11 carries in London.

An LA win would even the series Giants B.J. Hill Jersey , which now is 38-37-2 for the Cardinals.

Pittsburgh (9-2) at Cincinnati (5-6), Monday night

The Bengals haven’t been bungling much lately, but this isn’t a matchup in their favor. Pittsburgh’s all-time edge in this series is 61-35, including two playoff wins at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers have won five straight and eight of nine in the rivalry. They also are 6-3 on Monday night vs. Cincinnati and have won 10 straight prime-time games. Pittsburgh is 11-2 on Monday nights under Mike Tomlin, including 6-2 on the road.

The Bengals are 11-23 on Monday nights, dropping its past three. During their loss in Pittsburgh on Oct. 22, the Bengals managed only one first down and 19 total yards in the second half.

New England (9-2) at Buffalo (6-5)

Shield your eyes, Bills fans, as we convey the numbers in this lopsided series. Under Bill Belichick:

– The Patriots are 29-5 overall vs. Buffalo;

– New England is 17-2 in games played after Halloween against the Bills;

– Tom Brady is 26-2 vs. Buffalo in games he plays more than one half;

– With a 15-2 record at Buffalo since 2000, Belichick has more wins at Orchard Park Authentic Taven Bryan Jersey , New York, than any Bills coach since Wade Phillips went 17-7 from 1998-2000.

And, Brady’s 26 wins against Buffalo are tied with Brett Favre for most by a quarterback against one opponent in NFL history. Favre had 26 wins against Detroit.

OK, Bills fans, you can look now.

Detroit (6-5) at Baltimore (6-5)

A pair of wild-card chasers looking up at strong division leaders.

Detroit blew its chance to really tighten the NFC North by losing at home on Thanksgiving Day to Minnesota. Now, the Lions must concentrate on getting a wild-card invitation.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are both defying expectations Authentic Bradley Chubb Jersey , albeit in markedly different ways.

Their divergent paths cross in a pivotal NFC South Division matchup on Sunday, with the Saints (5-2) aiming to consolidate their surprising hold on first place, and the Bucs (2-5) desperate to prevent their season from looking lost at the halfway point.

”We’ve been beating ourselves too often and somebody said a long time ago, more games in the NFL are lost than won, so it starts with not beating ourselves,” said Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter, whose team was widely expected to be a playoff contender after narrowly missing the postseason last season.

The Bucs have turned the ball over 12 times – tied for eighth most in the NFL. Tampa Bay has thrown eight interceptions – six by battered starting quarterback Jameis Winston – and has lost four fumbles.

”We have to win the turnover margin and we have to out-execute our opponent,” Keotter said. ”We’ve played well in spurts, but we just haven’t been consistent enough and the teams that have been beating us have beat us because they played better.”

While Saints quarterback Drew Brees had done a lot of winning in his 17-year career http://www.newenglandpatriotsteamonline.com/jason-mccourty-jersey , he’s riding his first five-game winning streak since 2013, which is also the previous time the Saints made the playoffs.

The previous six-game winning streak came in 2011, when the Saints fielded the league’s most potent offense.

This year’s Saints offense doesn’t look quite as dynamic as the ’11 edition, which set an NFL record with 7,474 yards.

It has looked more like the more balanced attack New Orleans had in 2009, which was good enough to propel the Saints to their only Super Bowl. But Brees contends the Saints still have plenty of potential to fulfil.

”We’re doing a lot of good things, but man just really scratching the surface in some areas,” Brees said. ”I feel like a lot of things can really bump us to the next level I think on both sides of the ball and yet we’re still finding ways to win games and we’re doing enough things well.

”That’s encouraging, but you also realize the games are only getting tougher and more important and more at stake and we’ve got to continue to fine tune and get better.”

Here are some other things to know about the Buccaneers and Saints:

MIXED FEELINGS: The Bucs have the NFL’s second-most productive passing attack in the NFL and are fourth in total offense Authentic Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey , yet they’re 18th in scoring at 21 per game and off to a 2-5 start.

The team has totaled 2,636 yards this season, most in franchise history through seven games. Part of that can be attributed to playing from behind much of time.

”With the statistics we have on offense, you can’t even imagine that we would be sitting in this position,” quarterback Jameis Winston said. ”But if we were sitting at 5-2, and we had worse stats, there really wouldn’t be a conversation.”

SECONDARY AMBITIONS: Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro sounds eager to see if New Orleans’ pass defense, which was statistically among the NFL’s worst the previous three seasons, can build on a string of solid performances throughout his club’s five-game winning streak.

That will mean containing receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson Authentic Taron Johnson Jersey , and tight end Cameron Brate, who’ve helped the Bucs gain 295.4 yards per game through the air.

”Our mentality is we’ve moved past that bend-but-not-break thing where you give up yards and still win. We want keep stopping people,” Vaccaro said.

”This will be our biggest test to date. … We want to prove a point. We want to challenge these guys and we’ll find out exactly what type of secondary we have.”

CLOSING GAPS: The Saints’ defensive front has been susceptible to giving up sporadic big gains on the ground in recent weeks. Two games ago, they allowed a 46-yard TD run to Green Bay’s Aaron Jones.

Last week, Chicago’s Jordan Howard had a 50-yard run and QB Mitchell Trubisky scrambled for 46. Now New Orleans faces Bucs running back Doug Martin , who has 247 yards and two TDs rushing in three games since serving a four-game drug suspension.

DEFENDING BREES: Containing Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a challenge everywhere, but Tampa Bay has had a particularly difficult time slowing him and the Saints in the Superdome.

In his past six home games against the Bucs, Brees has thrown for 1,871 yards http://www.pittsburghsteelersteamstore.com/chukwuma-okorafor-jersey , 14 touchdowns and five interceptions for a 102.6 passer rating.

Tampa Bay has the league’s 30th-ranked pass defense and is last in the NFL with seven sacks.

”Anytime you’re playing a really good quarterback and he is able to stay in rhythm, it’s going to be a tough out,” said Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith, who also had plenty of experience facing Brees as Atlanta’s head coach.

”It’s going to be imperative that we try to get him flustered a little bit, whether it’s by changing up the coverage, whether it’s by adding extra rushers. There are different ways you can do it.”

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AP Sports Writer Fred Goodall in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.

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