Clanregeln » goes to the Pac-12 title game.

Now this is more like it.The Silver and Black against the Orange Crush for the division lead. Well, at least the current Raiders and Broncos going head to head for first place in the AFC West.One of pro sports most storied, intense (yeah, you can say dirty) rivalries resumes Sunday in Oakland. Both teams are 6-2, a half-game ahead of Kansas City in the division.Even better, this spicy matchup takes place in prime time, and for once the Raiders , who have not made the playoffs since losing the Super Bowl in early 2003, seem ready.We put ourselves on display each week, says coach Jack Del Rio, a front-runner for Coach of the Year honors halfway through the schedule.I get that itll be more hyped this week, but it wont be any different in terms of preparing for it and then going out and playing good football. I think what we recognize as an organization is as you become relevant, as you play good football, youre going to have more of these opportunities.This is the natural progression in building a good football team. We should expect to be in these games. Were going to expect to win these games. Then were going to move forward and have more of these kinds of games.The Broncos know all about these kinds of games, making a habit of playing in them in the past five seasons. Led by Von Miller -- like Del Rio, a leading candidate for an award (Defensive Player of the Year) or two (MVP?) -- Denvers defense has been dynamic once more. It has the leagues best pass defense, and isnt exactly a sieve against the run.Star cornerback Chris Harris Jr. loves the idea of a high-profile Broncos vs. Raiders game.The thing is with the Raiders, when we go to the `Black Hole its never blowouts, Harris says. We never go there and run up the score on them. Its always tight games, so them being good now just raises the stakes another level of a championship game.The action began Thursday night, with Matt Ryan throwing for 344 yards and four touchdowns to help the Atlanta Falcons tighten their grip on first place in the NFC South with a 43-28 victory at Tampa Bay.Julio Jones had eight receptions for 111 yards and a TD for the Falcons (6-3). Tampa Bay was lost two straight to drop to 3-5.Off this week are Washington (4-3-1), Cincinnati (3-4-1), Houston (5-3), New England (7-1), Arizona (3-4-1) and Chicago (2-6).Pittsburgh (4-3) at Baltimore (3-4)Another terrific NFL rivalry, but one that has lost a bit of steam this season with both clubs struggling and banged-up. Even so, the winner here will be in first place.The big question for Pittsburgh, which actually leads the AFC North despite its mediocre record, is whether Ben Roethlisberger has recovered sufficiently from his left knee surgery of two weeks ago to play. Another mystery in the Steel City is whether the defense, ranked a disturbing 27th, can get stingy again.Baltimore comes off a bye after four straight defeats, but it generally has defended Antonio Brown well. Of course, the Ravens have a depleted secondary trying to deal with the 2015 All-Pro receiver.Dallas (6-1) at Cleveland (0-8)Although the Browns lead the all-time series 17-13, they havent beaten the Cowboys since 1994. Doing so Sunday is a long shot, although Cleveland manages to be competitive most every week while losing every week.Dallas last won seven in a row in 2007. Rookie QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott have been the focal points, of course, but the defense is vastly improved.Cleveland QBs Josh McCown and Cody Kessler were listed as co-starters on the depth chart. Kessler is coming off a concussion. Maybe if coach Hue Jackson combined their attributes ...Philadelphia (4-3) at New York Giants (4-3)Victor Cruz missed a year and a half of his career after he tore the patellar tendon in his right knee at Philly in a 2014 game. The injury was so ugly that Cruz cried when it occurred.Hes been New Yorks third receiver this season, but just being back on the field again has been an achievement.Its a different circumstance, a different year, he says. But definitely, Id be lying if I didnt say it is in my mind.Both teams have been challenged offensively, and the loser drops into the NFC East cellar.Jacksonville (2-5) at Kansas City (5-2)The Jaguars fired offensive coordinator Greg Olson this week, with quarterbacks coach Nathaniel Hackett taking over and charged with straightening out QB Blake Bortles and top receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson.KC was hit further by the injury bug in its win at Indianapolis, with star RB Jamaal Charles (knee) back on injured reserve and starting quarterback Alex Smith being held out with head issues. Nick Foles looked solid against the Colts in taking over for Smith.Chiefs coach Andy Reid has 177 wins, one behind Mike Shanahan for 12th in NFL history.Detroit (4-4) at Minnesota (5-2)One of the NFLs more lopsided rivalries; the Vikings lead 71-36-2 and have won 16 of their past 18 at home against the Lions. None, of course, was in the new stadium.Minnesota has issues, though. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner resigned this week in the wake of two successive losses in which the offense disappeared. Most at fault are a running game ranked 31st and an offensive line that has been, uh, rank lately.Detroit is like most of the league, very inconsistent. Matthew Stafford is having one of his best seasons: a 103.4 passer rating with 16 touchdowns and four picks.Tennessee (4-4) at San Diego (3-5)Big week on and off the field for the Chargers. This is their final game before Election Day, when San Diego voters will be asked to approve $1.15 billion in hotel occupancy taxes to help fund a $1.8 billion downtown stadium-convention center annex. The team still has the option to join the Rams in Los Angeles.Tennessee had lost nine in a row to San Diego before winning the previous meeting in 2013. The Titans find themselves in contention for the mediocre AFC South crown midway through the schedule.New York Jets (3-5) at Miami (3-4)With each of these also-rans coming off consecutive victories, look for the ground game to be decisive. Miamis Jay Ajayi has consecutive 200-yard rushing performances -- no one has had three in a row. His chore is more difficult this time because New York is allowing 3.3 yards per carry, third best in the NFL.If the Jets can protect the ball despite being tied for last in turnover differential at minus-8, they could get their fourth consecutive win over the Dolphins.Indianapolis (3-5) at Green Bay (4-3)What projected to be a cool showdown between Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers might have, well, cooled a bit. The Colts cant protect Luck, who has been sacked a whopping 31 times and has felt the sting on every one of them. And the Packers might be bringing Jim Taylor out of retirement considering the depletion in the running back group.But Rodgers loves playing AFC opponents at Lambeau Field. Hes averaging 312.4 yards per game with 15 TDs and no interceptions in the past five home games against the AFC.Buffalo (4-4) at Seattle (4-2-1), Monday nightWith both teams hurting in the running game -- Buffalo might rank second, but if it doesnt have star RB LeSean McCoy (hamstring) the ground attack is mediocre -- this could come down to how effective QBs Russell Wilson and Tyrod Taylor can be. At least the Seahawks have seen Jimmy Graham emerging at tight end as he finally approaches full health.The Bills, making their first trip to Seattle in 12 years, have beaten the other three NFC West teams so far. They face a Seahawks team that is going for an 11th straight win on Monday night. The Seahawks have the highest win percentage (.733) in the history of Monday night games.Carolina (2-5) at Los Angeles (3-4)For the defending NFC champion Panthers to scare anybody this season, they must go on a winning streak. Their victory over Arizona last Sunday was a solid start.Protecting Cam Newton, who spoke with Commissioner Roger Goodell this week about big hits, is the main job for Carolina. Rams 2015 All-Pro DT Aaron Donald says they wont change how they play after Newtons concerns went public, noting, youve got to bring your big boy pads if youre going to tackle him.New Orleans (3-4) at San Francisco (1-6)The Saints have turned around their season and could climb closer to playoff contention with an eighth win in the past 10 meetings with San Francisco, which has dropped six straight. Drew Brees is having yet another spectacular passing season and needs four TD passes to join Peyton Manning and Brett Favre as the only players with 450 in NFL history.San Francisco must keep the ball away from Brees, but it averages a league-low 4.9 yards per play. On the positive side -- yes, there is one -- the Niners have a league-low 31 penalties.---AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton and Sports Writer Josh Dubow contributed.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Bill Buckner Cubs Jersey . Louis. To which I would say two things: 1. Where there is smoke, there is or perhaps has been a little fire. Or, in other words, the two teams would appear to have at least spoken. And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less. Joe Girardi Jersey . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. https://www.cheapcubs.com/2370t-david-bote-jersey-cubs.html . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Kris Bryant Cubs Jersey . The Canadian squad, skipped by Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, got on the board first with two in the second end, and followed that with two more apiece in the fourth and sixth ends. Cole Hamels Cubs Jersey . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. STANFORD, Calif. -- Almost to a player, Colorado welcomed the idea of becoming bowl eligible for the first time in a decade with a collective shrug of the shoulders and a yawn.Outside of a brief celebration in the northwest corner end zone at Stanford Stadium and an acknowledgement later in the locker room, the Buffaloes didnt make much of their 10-5 win over the Cardinal other than it was another step toward their ultimate goal of winning the Pac-12 championship.Thats exactly how coach Mike MacIntyre expected and wanted his team to react, no matter the historical implications.We have one goal, and thats Pac-12 champions, said running back Phillip Lindsay after rushing for 131 yards before leaving midway through the third quarter with an ankle injury. Winning six games, thats cool, its cute. But we have to continue to move on. We have bigger things to worry about.That Colorado is even in the discussion for the Pac-12 championship seems far-fetched after the Buffaloes won only one conference game in 2015.MacIntyre isnt too surprised, though, and told his team in the offseason he believed they would be in the running. At a meeting with his players in May, McIntyre discovered the Buffaloes felt the same way.We gelled at that time, MacIntyre said. We were either going to get it done or we werent. And they got it done.Chris Graham kicked a 23-yard field goal with 2:13 remaining following two earlier misses, propelling the Buffaloes to their first win over the Cardinal since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.Colorado (6-2, 4-1) went into the day tied with Utah for first place in the South division and inched one step closer toward a possible berth in the conference title game despite an off day by the offense.The Buffaloes missed three field goals and had a touchdown called back by a pass interference penalty but held the Cardinal to three points while winning for the fourth time in five games. Quarterback Sefo Liufau passed for 135 yards with one touchdown despite being sacked six times.Liufau, one of three seniors starting on offense for Colorado, said the Buffaloes becoming bowl eligible was a reward to the teams older players who stuck it out through the lean years.No one left, no one from my class quit, Liufau said. Its a great feeling. We worked so haard.dddddddddddd To see it all come to fruition is a great feeling. Ill remember this season for the rest of my life no matter how it ends.Stanford (4-3, 2-3) failed to score a touchdown for the first time this season despite getting running back Christian McCaffrey back in the lineup. McCaffrey, a 2015 Heisman Trophy finalist, was had 92 yards on 21 carries but was held in check most of the afternoon by Colorados opportunistic defense.The Buffaloes intercepted Stanford quarterback Ryan Burns three times, twice on consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter to stall the Cardinals comeback hopes.At one point late in the first half the home crowd booed Stanford when it ran the ball on a 2nd-and-26 play.If you could see me on TV, I might have been the one booing, Cardinal coach David Shaw said. It was not good enough.THE TAKEAWAYCOLORADO: It wasnt pretty any stretch of the imagination but coach Mike MacIntyre will take the Buffaloes first win against the Cardinal since 1990. Colorado, which has a bye this week, continues to control its own destiny and has a Nov. 26 showdown with Utah looming that could decide which team goes to the Pac-12 title game.STANFORD: The Cardinal have lost three of four and are in danger of missing out on the postseason. Losing to a beefed-up Colorado team shouldnt hurt too much but this was a game Stanford needed to get back on track. Instead, its another loss and another week of pondering what went wrong. Offensively weve got to score more than three points . its as simple as that, Shaw said. There were a lot of things that we have to do better and some things that we have to look into tweaking.POLL IMPLICATIONSColorado is likely to move back into the Top 25 after being knocked out of the rankings earlier this season following its loss to USC.UP NEXTCOLORADO: The Buffaloes host UCLA on Nov. 3 and have put up nearly 1,100 yards of offense combined in the last two meetings with the Bruins but lost both times.STANFORD: The Cardinal play at Arizona next Saturday and have won four straight and nine of the last 11 games against the Wildcats.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '