numbers at the track (top-three finishes in both races and more

The Tennessee Titans are making believers out of lots of folks.The idea that they could win the AFC South is very much alive after their victory over Denver.Should the Titans come out of Kansas City with another win on Sunday, the question might become are they good enough to not only make the playoffs, but do damage there?With Marcus Mariota showing franchise-quarterback temperament and skills, DeMarco Murray leading a powerful running game behind an improving line, and a stingy run defense, Tennessee seems to be arriving a year early as a contender.Well continue to grow, Mariota says. Theres always areas to improve, but I think its fun to be around a group thats growing and learning at the same time. You can see the confidence throughout the locker room.That confidence has led to a 7-6 record -- Tennessee has won three of four -- and a meaningful final month of the year.Its a fun atmosphere to be a part of. This is what you work all year for is to have an opportunity in December to make a run at the playoffs, Mariota adds.Not only are the Chiefs (10-3) a factor in the AFC West, they could secure a playoff berth with a win and both Miami and Denver either losing or tying, or Denver and Baltimore or Pittsburgh losing.Coach Andy Reids eyes are focused only on the Titans, who knocked off defending Super Bowl champion Denver last week.Theyre hotter than a firecracker right now, Reid says. They play hard, they know what theyre doing. Their defense, Dick LeBeau is a Hall of Famer as a coach and a player. Hes very good at what he does, and the guys look like they believe in what theyre doing.Reid can tie Bill Parcells (183) for 10th on the NFL wins list.The action began Thursday night with Russell Wilson throwing three touchdown passes and Seattle beating Los Angeles 24-3 to win the NFC West title.Wilson was 19 of 26 for 229 yards, and Tyler Lockett had 130 yards receiving with a 57-yard scoring catch. Seattle (9-4-1) claimed its third NFC West title in four seasons, assuring itself of at least one home game in the playoffs.A tumultuous few days for the Rams (4-10) after the firing of Jeff Fisher as head coach culminated in their fifth straight loss and first under interim coach John Fassel.Miami (8-5) at New York Jets (4-9), Saturday nightThe Dolphins have won seven of eight and look to clinch their first winning season since 2008, when they went 11-5 and won the AFC East. Theyll try to stay in the wild-card hunt with veteran backup quarterback Matt Moore after Ryan Tannehill damaged his knee. Center Mike Pouncey also is out, so Miamis defense could be in the spotlight.New York also is using a backup QB, second-year man Bryce Petty in his third start trying out for the position next season. He led the Jets to a nice comeback OT win at San Francisco to break a four-game slide.Tampa Bay (8-5) at Dallas (11-2)This game was flexed to prime time and with good reason. Yes, the Cowboys had their 11-game win streak snapped by the Giants, the only team to beat them in 2016, but they still have the NFC East and the overall top seed in the conference in sight.The division belongs to Dallas if it wins and the Giants dont, or it ties and the Giants lose. Home-field advantage comes if the Cowboys win and the Giants tie the Lions.Tampa has won five straight; the previous time that happened, the Bucs won the NFL title in 2002. They have an NFL-high 10 interceptions in those five games. On offense, Jameis Winston to Mike Evans has been a top combination, and Doug Martin is averaging 102 yards from scrimmage in his past 13 road games.Yes, the Bucs might have the players to match up with Dallas star rookies, RB Ezekiel Elliott, the NFLs leading rusher, and QB Zak Prescott .Detroit (9-4) at New York Giants (9-4)Two more teams in the heart of the NFC chase, though the Lions are in a stronger spot. They lead the North and can secure a position if they win and the Packers dont, or if they tie and both the Packers and Vikings lose.A playoff berth is within a lengthy reach for the Giants. They must win and have Washington lose, Minnesota and Green Bay both lose or tie. They still can grab the NFC East if they stay hot and Dallas slumps.If this one is close, as it figures to be -- both teams rarely have lopsided contests, with Detroit winning eight times despite trailing in the fourth period -- watch out for Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. His game-breaking skills were on display in the 10-7 victory over Dallas last Sunday night.Oakland (10-3) at San Diego (5-8)OK, Raiders fans, here are some words youve been waiting to hear since Rich Gannon took you to the Super Bowl in 2002: Oakland makes the playoffs with a win.Tied for the lead in the AFC West (Kansas City holds the tiebreaker), the Raiders also can get in without a win, but that requires lots of help.San Diego is playing out the string, perhaps on the field for the penultimate time in Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers soon must exercise their option to move to Los Angeles, and any stadium deals to remain in San Diego appear to be a long shot.New England (11-2) at Denver (8-5)As usual, the Patriots are pushing for the AFCs best record. With a win they would become the first team in NFL history with eight consecutive division titles.While they cant clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs this weekend, they could grab the East simply by Miami not beating the Jets. A first-round bye comes with a Patriots win, too.Denver has not been one of Tom Bradys favorite places. The Broncos are the only team Brady has a losing record against: 6-9, 2-7 in Denver, including two losses last season, the second for the AFC championship. And the Broncos still have that strong defense.But Denvers offense has sputtered badly and cant afford a shootout with New England.For the Broncos to have a chance to repeat as champs, they must negotiate the toughest closing trio of opponents: New England, Kansas City and Oakland.Green Bay (7-6) at Chicago (3-10)Pro footballs longest rivalry could be deadlocked if Green Bay wins and keeps its playoff hopes breathing. Chicago leads 94-93-6, but the Packers have won six in a row at Soldier Field. Their defense has come alive in a three-game win streak that revitalized Cheeseheads everywhere.Aaron Rodgers is 14-4 against the Bears, including postseason. He leads the NFL with 32 TD passes, but hurt his right calf last week and missed some practice time.The Bears get back WR Alshon Jeffery from a four-game suspension for violating the leagues policy against performance enhancers.Indianapolis (6-7) at Minnesota (7-6)After falling at home to Houston in a first-place matchup, the Colts stagger into Minnesota, where the Vikings are barely in contention as well.Colts RB Frank Gore needs 77 yards from scrimmage to pass Tony Dorsett for 10th on the career list.Adrian Peterson told Dash Radio on Friday that he plans to return to the Minnesota Vikings backfield after missing 11 games with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Peterson had targeted next week against Green Bay for his return.Jacksonville (2-11) at Houston (7-6)Houston is tied with Tennessee for the AFC South lead. Its defense has made the difference recently, which is impressive considering its star player, J.J. Watt, has been sidelined for months.The Jaguars have lost eight straight, while Houston has won nine in a row in the division. Mismatch?San Francisco (1-12) at Atlanta (8-5)Doesnt look as if we need the question mark after mismatch for this one.The 49ers blew a big lead to the Jets, of all opponents, and havent won since their opener. Their defense is a sieve and now they take on Atlantas high-powered offense.Sure, the 49ers have won the past three games in this series, but those were different teams, different times.Falcons QB Matt Ryan is having his best season and Atlanta hopes to have back top receivers Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu.Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley is tied for the NFL lead with 13+ sacks and leads with six forced fumbles.Pittsburgh (8-5) at Cincinnati (5-7-1)The Bengals advertised tickets available for this one, so look for thousands of Terrible Towels to wave at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers feel comfortable there anyway, having taken the past three and six of seven, including that 18-16 wild-card playoff last January when penalties on Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict and CB Adam Pacman Jones set up Pittsburghs winning field goal in the final seconds.Pittsburghs offense is in gear behind RB LeVeon Bell, who set a club record with 236 yards rushing last week at Buffalo. WR Antonio Brown needs seven catches for a fourth straight season with 100, while Ben Roethlisberger and Brown have combined for 49 TDs, tied with Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann for the most in team history.Philadelphia (5-8) at Baltimore (7-6)Baltimore cant afford to stumble here and have a reasonable shot at the postseason. The Eagles are 1-6 on the road, with six losses in a row. Baltimore has the NFLs best defense in home games, allowing an average of 250.6 yards and 13.1 points.Perfection didnt suit Ravens placekicker Justin Tucker, who had a field goal blocked in the loss to New England, his first miss of any kind this season.Carolina (5-8) at Washington (7-5-1), Monday nightCornerback Josh Normans chance to meet up with the team that franchise-tagged him, then removed it and allowed him to head to the nations capital.Carolina has won four straight in the series. Washington struggles against tight ends, so watch for Panthers standout Greg Olsen.Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan has 11 sacks and presents a major threat to Cam Newton.Cleveland (0-13) at Buffalo (6-7)Ah yes, the winless Browns. Only three teams have gone 0-14. Cleveland hasnt tasted victory in a calendar year.Not to be outdone in the grand scheme of failure the Bills have lost two straight and are in jeopardy of extending the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 17 seasons -- the worst since New Orleans ended a 20-year streak in 1987.New Orleans (5-8) at Arizona (5-7-1)Few teams have been more disappointing this season than the Cardinals, who played for the NFC title in January. They play out the string now, with only RB David Johnsons accomplishments worth noting. He joined Edgerrin James as the only players to have at least 100 yards from scrimmage in the first 13 games of a season. No one has done it for the first 14.New Orleans and Jacksonville are the only teams not to have a winning record at any point in the past three seasons. Not the company you want to keep.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cam Reddish Hawks Jersey . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. Jeremy Lin Jersey . Hey!" The lower tier of the School End of Queens Park Rangers Loftus Road was packed solid with a very festive-sounding Chelsea choral section in this particular part of South Africa Road London, W12. https://www.thehawkslockerroom.com/Josh-Smith-City-Edition-Jersey/ . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. DeAndre Hunter Hawks Jersey . One game after a miserable showing in Oklahoma City, Gay tied a career high with 41 points and the Sacramento Kings cruised to a 114-97 victory at the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Dominique Wilkins Hawks Jersey . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. Last week at Kentucky, we were back with 1.5-mile track racing, and we were back with a familiar theme of the season, trust the pole-sitter.While Kevin Harvick may not have ended up getting the win, he led a race-high 128 laps (somebody has now led more than 100 laps in all six Kentucky races all-time), and finished with a race-best 81 points.Martin Truex Jr., one of my drivers to consider, like Harvick, couldnt stretch the fuel mileage, but finished up with a race-high 69 fastest laps led (to go along with his 46 laps led) for 77 points.My top pick for the week, Kyle Busch, didnt follow through with a third Kentucky win, but did put up 38.5 points on the day.The other theme for the day was drivers such as Joey Logano, Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Blaney all getting into trouble on the slick track. If all six of your drivers avoided trouble, you probably had a good day just by avoiding calamity.That mayhem also gave us some unusual drivers getting good finishes if you dipped into the bargain basement bin, such as Cole Whitt (21st for 38 points), Josh Wise (24th for 36 points) and Michael Annett (26th for 31.5 points). But you cant count on that sort of performance every week.This week, we head to New Hampshire, a fairly flat track measuring just over a mile. It might be over a mile, but I liken it more closely to the short tracks Martinsville or Richmond, or a better comparison might be Phoenix.There are laps led to be had at this track. The race goes 301 laps, and the trends there to watch are drivers finishing up front also starting up front; and the driver dominating in laps led recently hasnt gone on to win. But they dont need to win! They cant take those laps led points away!Last fall, Kevin Harvick led 216 laps and finished 21st, but still had 104.5 points. In the first race, Brad Keselowski led 100 laps and finished second for 106 points. The race before that, it was Harvick again leading 104 laps, finishing third, but still giving 87.5 points.So, what does this mean for this race? Here are my picks to get you started for the week. But check back again after qualifying for my final picks and fades for the week.Im starting my team with:There are two drivers I love at this point in the lead. The top spot goes to Kevin Harvick. His run of excellence at the track doesnt ggo back quite as far as No.dddddddddddd 2 on this list (just wait, hes right under this entry), but the recent numbers have been the best.Even with his drop-off to 21st in the last race there, his in-race domination has given him averages of 94.9 DraftKings points, 63.3 fastest laps and 126.3 laps led per race, all the race in the field. Given that he seemed to have one of the best cars on the track last week, and Im going to start my team here.Keep an eye on these four:Brad Keselowski: Hes right behind Harvick on my list early in the week. Harvick took the majority of laps led in the last race, but Keselowski led 100, 78 and 138 laps in the three races before that. Plus hes put up more than 20 fastest laps in six straight New Hampshire races. Going back to the start of 2013, his 76.5 DraftKings points average is more than 16 more than any other driver.Kyle Larson: Larson had one of the fastest cars in practice last week at Kentucky, but pit strategy let him down at the end. This week, Im thinking he can perform closer to his 2014 numbers at the track (top-three finishes in both races and more than 50 DraftKings points) instead of 2015 (17th and 31st and eight points per race). Hes had a top-15 finish in all three races on short, flat tracks this season.Austin Dillon: Dillon is a whole new driver this season, but hes always put up decent numbers at New Hampshire. Im tying his performance to qualifying. In three of his four starts at the track, he started 22nd or worse and finished 14th or better. In those three, hes averaging more than 45 points per race. Take him if hes starting mid-pack or worse.Ryan Newman: Newman might not be mega-low value, but he usually finds himself at the front of the field here and will come at a modest price. Last year, he was 10th and 11th in the two New Hampshire races. Im hoping he pulls off the qualifying/race combo that he did in the last two summer races here. Last year, he started 26th and finished 11th. The year before, he started 24th and finished fifth.Thats all I have for you this week. Sounds like the perfect time to go get a New England lobster roll. Butter only, no mayo. Mayo has no place on lobster. ' ' '