Bewerbungen » to the 43.Two weeks

CHICAGO -- Theo Epstein is restless in a way most of us are not.No one is more invested in finding out whether he can repeat in Chicago what he did in Boston a dozen years ago -- win a World Series in a town that measures its disappointment in decades.But its not just the short-term goal that commands Epsteins attention. In the middle of a vacation with family or the middle of an inning surrounded by staff -- sometimes even in mid-sentence -- Epstein will extricate himself from the group, pull out his mobile phone and laser-focus on the longer-term target: building a dynasty.Thats why no box has gone unchecked. Its why Epstein spent days poring over brochures for sectional sofas to furnish the Cubs luxurious new clubhouse, but also why he spent five years tracking the ups and downs of a former Red Sox prospect named Anthony Rizzo, then traded for him when the time -- not to mention the price -- was right.Weve made plenty of mistakes, Epstein said on the field at Wrigley hours before the Cubs beat the Dodgers to wrap the NLCS last week. But the ones that weve hit on, weve gotten lucky with; some impact guys back, some best-case scenarios as far as how the guys have turned out.We knew, he added a moment later, that we didnt have a chance to rebuild twice in a market like this.When Epstein came on board with the Cubs in 2011, his task was to turn around an aircraft carrier-sized organization. He put back together his sabermetric-styled band from earlier stints in San Diego and Boston -- front-office execs Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod -- and rolled up his sleeves.During the first phase, he set out to shed what was essentially a roster of bad contracts and spare parts, then went searching for difference-makers largely through the draft. Cub fans, meanwhile, struggled to see what difference all that attention to data and detail made.The team lost 101 games in Epsteins first season on the job, then 96 and 89. But in 2015 with manager Joe Maddon and a roster stocked with promising young talent and a few savvy veterans, it became clear the rebuild had paid off.Rizzo was a budding star at first base. Across the diamond was draft choice and soon-to-be Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant. Up the middle, Addison Russell locked down the starting shortstop job at 21, and Javier Baez began realizing his offensive promise. Behind them in center was Dexter Fowler, who hit for more power than ever before.Despite his reputation as a numbers guru, one factor in many of Epsteins trade and draft decisions was actually a hunch. He prioritized hitters with power instead of pitching, betting that one little-examined consequence of baseballs toughened-up drug policy would be a dearth of the former and a surplus of the latter. This season made him look like a genius.It didnt hurt, of course, that pitching coach Chris Bosio turned pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta from afterthoughts into tough-as-nails, front-of-the-rotation starters. Or that Epstein was given a Monopoly-money checkbook to add expensive complementary parts like veteran pitchers Jon Lester and John Lackey, and switch-hitting, infielder-outfielder Ben Zobrist, whom Maddon uses like a Swiss Army knife.None of this comes as a surprise to Cleveland manager Terry Francona, who had the same job in Boston when Epstein, only 31 and still regarded as a wunderkind, rebuilt the franchise and reversed his first curse. Hed seen him at work before. He knew how much the infighting in the wake of all that success in Boston had stung Epstein.I saw him in spring training when we played them. He made a point of coming down actually during the game. And we text every so often, Francona said on the eve of the Series. Something comes up or something happens that he thinks is funny, or jogs a memory. Weve texted back and forth during the last couple playoff series. We were together eight years.Eight years in Boston is, I would almost say miraculous. Theres a lot of fond memories and we got through some tough times together and came out in the end. I knew when things got tough, he said, where I could go.That kind of loyalty and toughness impressed itself on Maddon when he interviewed for the Red Sox job that Francona -- who had much more experience at the time -- wound up getting. What hes learned about Epstein since made him even a bigger admirer.When he scans the clubhouse and sees the team his boss has assembled, Maddon marvels that theres not a prima donna in sight. Just like the couch and the ottoman he plops down on occasionally, Epstein has covered every detail ahead of time. Not just the new-age business tools like NASA-caliber scouting reports, but the old-school nod to issues like personalities and character.I think sometimes in the game today, it gets to the point where its just about acquiring a number, Maddon said. Im a big believer in that, but I also like the balance between the person and what the back of his baseball card says. Our guys do a wonderful job of balancing the math with the actual person.Thank Theos restlessness for that. Four more wins and generations of Cub fans will be doing the same.---Jim Litke is a sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jlitke(at)ap.org and https://Twitter.com/JimLitke . Fake Yeezys Online . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Fake Yeezy 350 Cleat . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. http://www.fakeyeezysforsale.com/fake-yeezy-boost-350/ . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Cheap Fake Yeezys . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Fake Yeezy Boost 700 . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. NEW ORLEANS -- FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- This time, Seattle won it at the goal line.It certainly wont make up for the Super Bowl loss two seasons back, but the Seahawks goal-line stand lifted them to a 31-24 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday night.Tom Brady couldnt connect with Rob Gronkowski on a fade pattern on fourth down as New England (7-2) failed four times from inside the 2 in the dying moments.It was reminiscent of how the Seahawks (6-2-1) lost the 2015 Super Bowl when Malcolm Butler intercepted at the goal line to win the NFL title for the Patriots.Doug Baldwin caught three touchdown passes, including a 15-yarder for the final margin. Strangely, Seattle went for 2 points and failed on the conversion, leaving the Patriots a chance to tie with a touchdown and an extra point kick.But LeGarrette Blount, who earlier rushed for three touchdowns, couldnt get into the end zone from close range, nor could Brady on a pair of sneaks.BRONCOS 25, SAINTS 23NEW ORLEANS -- Denvers Justin Simmons used a perfectly timed leap over the offensive line to block an extra-point kick that would have given New Orleans a late lead, Will Parks ran it back 84 yards for a defensive 2-point conversion, and the Broncos pulled out a wild victory.The decisive play came while the Superdome crowd was still celebrating Brandin Cooks twisting, 32-yard touchdown catch between two defenders. That put New Orleans (4-5) in position to take the lead with 1:28 left. Simmons block of Wil Lutzs kick was scooped up by Parks, who nearly stepped out of bounds as he raced down the left sideline.It was the first such play to provide the winning points in an NFL game. The rule was instituted last year.The Broncos then recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.Safety Darian Stewart intercepted Drew Brees twice and recovered a fumble for the Broncos (7-3), while Trevor Siemian overcame two interceptions by passing for touchdowns to Jordan Taylor and Demaryius Thomas.COWBOYS 35, STEELERS 30PITTSBURGH -- Ezekiel Elliott ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns -- both in the final two minutes -- and had an 83-yard catch-and-run for a score as the Cowboys pulled off a thrilling victory for their eighth straight win.Dak Prescott overcame an early fumble to pass for 319 yards and two scores for Dallas (8-1), which matched the longest single-season win streak in club history behind the two rookies who hardly seem bothered by the stage. Dez Bryant added six catches for 116 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown reception.Ben Roethlisberger threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns. Antonio Brown caught 14 passes for 154 yards, including a 15-yard score with 42 seconds left after Roethlisberger faked a spike to surprise the Dallas defense.The heady play -- a throwback to Hall of Famer Dan Marinos move while leading Miami to a victory over the New York Jets in 1994 -- gave the Steelers (4-5) a one-point lead.It also gave Prescott and Elliott too much time.Dolphins 31, Chargers 24SAN DIEGO -- Kiko Alonso intercepted Philip Rivers pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown with 1:01 left to give Miami a fourth straight win. The Dolphins (5-4) intercepted Rivers four times, all in the fourth quarter.Alonso jumped in front of Tyrell Williams and outraced everybody into the end zone for the winning score.Two plays into the ensuing drive, Rivers was intercepted again, by Tony Lippett, his second of the game.Rivers threw three touchdown passes to move past John Elway for eighth place on the career list with 301. Rivers 51-yard touchdown pass to Williams with 4:04 left gave the Chargers (4-6) a 24-21 lead.Miami came right back to get a 27-yard field goal from Andrew Franks to tie it. That was set up by Ryan Tannehills 56-yard pass to DeVante Parker and a roughing-the-passer call that put the ball on the San Diego 10.CARDINALS 23, 49ERS 20GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired. Catanzaro missed twice on winning field goal tries earlier in the season, most memorably a 24-yarder in overtime of a 6-6 tie against Seattle.But this attempt was right down the middle as Arizona (4-4-1) narrowly averted a devastating loss.The 49ers (1-8) lost their eighth in a row despite a strong game by Colin Kaepernick, who tied it 20-20 on a 4-yard run with 1:55 to play.That was enough time for Carson Palmer to gain redemption after three second-half turnovers, the last an interception by Gerald Hodges that led to the tying touchdown. Palmer completed 4 of 7 passes for 64 yards, including a leaping 26-yard grab by Michael Floyd, as the Cardinals drove from their 15 to the San Francisco 16 to set up the winning kick.CHIEFS 20, PANTHERS 17CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Marcus Peters stripped Kelvin Benjamin with 20 seconds left, Cairo Santos kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired, and the Chiefs overcame a 17-point deficit.The game was tied when Benjamin caught a pass from Cam Newton, and Peters ripped the ball from his arms. Santos fourth field goal of the day split the uprights, lifting the Chiefs (7-2) to their fifth straight victory and 17th win in their last 19 games.Eric Berry also returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown as Kansas Citys defense came up withh big plays when needed.dddddddddddd The Chiefs failed to score an offensive touchdown.Newton threw for 261 yards and a touchdown and ran for 54 yards and a score for the Panthers (3-6).EAGLES 24, FALCONS 15PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Mathews ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns, while a tenacious defense held down the leagues highest-scoring offense.Carson Wentz threw for 231 yards and led the Eagles (5-4) to a comeback victory for the first time this season. Caleb Sturgis made three field goals, including a clutch kick from 48 yards to seal the win.Matt Ryan threw a 76-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Gabriel in the fourth quarter to give Atlanta (6-4) a 15-13 lead, but Philadelphia answered.Mathews ran in from the 5 and also converted the 2-point conversion for a 21-15 lead. On Atlantas ensuing possession, Julio Jones dropped a pass on third-and-12 and the Falcons punted. Jones couldnt make a difficult catch on fourth-and-5 on Atlantas next drive.REDSKINS 26, VIKINGS 20LANDOVER, Md. -- Kirk Cousins threw for two touchdowns, Preston Smith had two sacks and a game-altering interception in Washingtons first victory in almost a month.Washington (5-3-1) got all of its second-half points off the foot of Dustin Hopkins, who hit four field goals, including a 50-yarder. The Redskins shut out Minnesota (5-4) in the second half, and Smith sacked Sam Bradford in the final seconds to hand the Vikings their fourth consecutive loss.Cousins was 22 of 33 for 262 yards with touchdown passes to Vernon Davis and Jamison Crowder. Robert Kelley ran for 97 yards, helping Washington bounce back from a rough 6-minute stretch.Bradford was 31 of 39 for 307 yards, two touchdowns and the interception that Smith tipped and caught with 5:44 left. Stefon Diggs had 13 catches for 164 yards.TITANS 47, PACKERS 25NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Marcus Mariota threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns in the rout. Five Titans scored a touchdown in the first half as Tennessee put together its best scoring performance this season with 35 points.With the win, the Titans (5-5) also matched their five victories over the past two seasons combined.DeMarco Murray set the tone on the opening play from scrimmage, running 75 yards for a touchdown. He finished with 123 yards and also threw a TD pass, becoming the first non-quarterback to do that for this franchise in the same game since Earl Campbell on Sept. 7, 1980, for the then-Houston Oilers.Brian Orakpo had two of Tennessees five sacks, and the Titans also forced three turnovers.The Packers (4-5) started a three-game road swing by losing their third straight.TEXANS 24, JAGUARS 13JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Brock Osweiler threw two touchdown passes and Kareem Jackson returned an interception 42 yards for a score. The Texans (6-3) scored on offense and defense and set up another score with special teams, a complete team effort that led to their first road win of the season. It kept them perfect (3-0) against the AFC South. They won their fifth in a row against Jacksonville.The Jaguars (2-7) lost their fourth straight and fell to 0-4 at home. Coach Gus Bradleys team rallied late, with Blake Bortles hitting Allen Robinson for a touchdown and again for a 2-point conversion.The loss dropped Bradleys record to 14-43 in four seasons and prompted even the most loyal supporters to question why owner Shad Khan hasnt made a change.BUCCANEERS 36, BEARS 10TAMPA, Fla. -- Jameis Winston threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns against mistake-prone Chicago.Winston threw for TDs of 10 yards to Cameron Brate and 43 yards to Freddie Martino, the latter set up by a bizarre highlight-reel play. The No. 1 pick in last years draft scrambled 23 yards backward into his end zone before avoiding a safety and launching a 39-yard completion to Mike Evans at the Chicago 38.Martino, a former practice squad player with two career receptions, scored his first NFL touchdown after a delay-of-game penalty pushed the Bucs (4-5) back to the 43.Two weeks after returning from injury and helping the Bears (2-7) beat NFC North leader Minnesota, Jay Cutler threw two interceptions and fumbled twice, one resulting in a third-quarter safety that put the Bucs up 29-10.The Bucs forced four turnovers overall and sacked Cutler four times.RAMS 9, JETS 6EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Alec Ogletree intercepted Bryce Petty with just under two minutes left to clinch this snoozer. Petty made his first NFL start in place of an injured Ryan Fitzpatrick, but couldnt get much going against the Rams defense.After getting the ball with 2:55 remaining and down by three, Petty tried to lead the Jets (3-7) downfield. But Pettys pass to Quincy Enunwa was picked off by Ogletree and Enunwa tried to wrestle it away from the linebacker to no avail.Greg Zuerlein kicked three field goals, including a go-ahead 34-yarder with 6:52 left, helping the Rams (4-5) snap a four-game losing streak and avoid their first five-game skid since Weeks 9-13 last season.The game featured 15 punts -- eight by the Jets and seven by the Rams.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '