Dein erstes Forum » Since the opposing team is Army

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers are trying their best to emulate last seasons Kansas City Chiefs.To do that, they must beat this seasons Chiefs on Sunday.The 2015 Chiefs did what 90 other NFL teams since 1990 had failed to do -- rebound from a 1-5 start to make the playoffs. They did it by running the table, winning their final 10 regular-season games.Carolina started 1-5 this season. But it has won two games since the bye week and there is a renewed sense of confidence and momentum. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he shared the Chiefs story with his team a couple of weeks ago, telling them there is hope.Its been done before, Rivera said.Last years league MVP Cam Newton believes the Panthers have what it takes to bounce back.The seasons not over yet, Newton said. ... Were right where we want to be. Were in a position to compete and challenge teams and they know that.It wont be easy.The Chiefs are riding a four-game winning streak and have won 16 of their last 18 regular season games.Rivera said he briefly thought about calling Reid, whom he worked under as an assistant coach in Philadelphia, to get some advice, but thought better of it knowing the Chiefs were coming up on the schedule.If theres anybody that can turn things around for the NFC champions it would seem to be Newton. Although the Panthers started last season 14-0, they are typically slow starters -and strong finishers -- under the 2011 No. 1 pick. Newton has won 72 percent (31-12) of the games hes started from November through January, as opposed to 42 percent (17-24-1) in September and October.ALEX RETURNS: Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is back under center after missing last weeks game against Jacksonville with a head injury. Smith was never diagnosed with a concussion, but two hard hits he sustained in Indianapolis left him woozy on the field, and Reid decided early last week that sitting out a game would be in Smiths best interest.Nick Foles started in his place.I felt really good regardless, Smith said. Thankfully Nick and the rest of the guys got the W, thats what is most important. Obviously I was doing everything I could to try and help in whatever way it is. Im pumped and happy to get back and get going this week.FORD TOUGH: Chiefs pass rusher Dee Ford was a teammate with Newton at Auburn. Newton remembers it well.Hes always had that professional sense that you had to respect, and I saw that at Auburn, and its just great to see hard work pay off, Newton said.The Chiefs only have 16 sacks this season and nine of those belong to Ford. The 2014 first-round pick was largely considered a bust before coming on late last year, and hes been crucial as the Chiefs await Justin Houstons return from knee surgery. And 5 1-2 of those sacks have come in the last two weeks.I think hes very comfortable with the defense now, Reid said. Its a fairly complicated defense, but hes got a pretty good grasp of it. I think hes probably gotten stronger since weve gotten him. I think hes spent a ton of time in that weight room. Hes got himself in shape to where he can do this back-to-back thing.HOUSTON, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM: Chiefs linebacker Houston makes his first return to the lineup this week after recovering from a knee injury last season. The four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher was removed from the physically unable to perform list earlier this week, but has not played in a game since having surgery to repair his left ACL in February.SACK ATTACK: Carolina is getting after the QB. The Panthers have a dozen sacks in their last two games, matching their total from the first six games. A big part of that is the Panthers playing with the lead and playing less mobile quarterbacks in Carson Palmer and Case Keenum. This week theyll face Smith, who has deceiving speed and athleticism.CENTER OF ATTENTION: Keep an eye on the Panthers center situation. Two-time All-Pro Ryan Kalil and his backup Gino Gradkowski have been held out of practice this week, which means guard Chris Scott could be pressed into duty. Scott has very limited experience playing center, which could make it interesting if the Panthers limit the number of snaps Newton takes from the shotgun.---AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in Kansas City contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLAP Balenciaga Saldi . They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. Scarpe Nike Outlet .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. http://www.scontatescarpenikeoutlet.it/italia-air-max-plus-offerte.html . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. Yeezy 700 Scontate . Tevez, who has had conflicts with coaches in the past, has not been called up since Sabella was named coach in 2011. Argentina boasts Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria. Vans Scontate . James, who turned 29 on Monday, injured his groin Friday during the Heats overtime loss at Sacramento. He sat out the following game, a 108-107 win Saturday in Portland, before coming back to help send the Nuggets to their seventh consecutive loss. Under Armour celebrated its 20th anniversary Thursday night by unveiling some new college football uniforms, including two that had been highly anticipated: Notre Dames latest Shamrock Series design and the apparel outfitters first uniform under its new contract with Wisconsin.In one case, Under Armours designers may have done too little. In the other, they definitely did too much.Lets start with Wisconsin. Fans who thought the team might get one of Under Armours extreme makeovers will be relieved (or, depending on ones point of view, disappointed) to learn that the Badgers will still look like, well, the Badgers. At a glance, the biggest changes are the number font and the addition of the schools motion-W logo to the jerseys chest.In addition, a series of arrows have been incorporated into the striping on the jersey sleeves, pants, and helmet, symbolizing the programs new slogan, Forever Forward, which was inspired by the Wisconsin state motto, Forward.Overall: a slight downgrade. The new number font is too cartoonish, the arrows are too gimmicky (especially since some of them are pointing up, not forward, which doesnt match the program or state motto), and it all feels like change for changes sake, as if Under Armour said, This is our first uniform for you, you have to let us redesign something, and Wisconsin responded, Eh, OK, but only if its really small. The Badgers will still be a good-looking team this fall, but not quite as sharp as last year under Adidas.Then again, the Wisconsin uniform looks like a masterpiece compared to Notre Dames latest Shamrock Series design, which the Fighting Irish will unfortunately wear on Nov. 12 while facing Army at the Alamodome in San Antonio.By now everyone understands the basic idea behind the Shamrock Series uniforms: The Irish normally wear one of college footballs most conservative, traditional designs, so for one game each year they get to cut loose and wear some sort of wacky superhero costume.dddddddddddd Its like the premise behind the Purge movie series -- an annual day of mayhem, just to take the edge off.If you like that approach, youll love this years Shamrock Series uniform. Since the opposing team is Army, the Irish are wearing olive instead of their usual shade of green. Unfortunately, this color really puts the drab in olive drab -- sort of a down-on-your-luck of the Irish.As is typical for this type of uniform, there are lots of details that seem geared more toward a news conference than a football game. The helmets and sleeves, for example, feature an archway with a God, Country, Notre Dame inscription, which can be found at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus. Take a good look at them now, because theyll probably be reduced to a blur when youre watching the game.This type of uniform almost resists critique because its not really intended to be a uniform -- its intended to create the feel of a comic book, or even a movie. If thats your thing, then by all means, reach for the popcorn. If not, well, the Irish will be wearing their regular uniforms for their other 12 games.Paul Lukas writes about uniforms for ESPN.com. 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