munities and everyone has a feeling of animosity between the tw

One team is hoping to prevent a second-half slide like the one that derailed its season a year ago.The other is just trying to keep its head above water, knowing that one more loss could effectively end any chance it has left of making the playoffs for a third straight year.That and more are on the line Sunday at the Georgia Dome when the Arizona Cardinals (4-5-1) visit the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) in a pivotal NFC battle.This marks the seventh time in the past 11 years that the teams met, with each splitting the previous six meetings.Its a chance for the Falcons to extend their slim lead in the NFC South over the Buccaneers, Saints and Panthers. Its a chance for the Cardinals to possibly salvage their season -- at least for another week.Asked if his team had a sense of urgency, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, who had to spend a night in the hospital because of chest pains following his teams latest loss -- a 26-20 defeat at Minnesota -- just scowled.Oh yeah, he said. If you dont have one right now you dont belong in the business, and you damn sure dont belong in this locker room.The Cardinals have been searching for answers all season after a 13-3 regular season a year ago in which the offense set multiple franchise records and quarterback Carson Palmer was in the conversation for MVP candidacy upon setting several career firsts.Palmer and the offense, however, went missing in 2016 and other than second-year running back David Johnson, who ranks third in the league in rushing with 863 yards, there hasnt been any of the same consistency Arians and the Cardinals are used to enjoying.Palmer said theres only one thing on the teams mind as it gets ready for the Falcons.To win one game, he said. Cant worry about seeding or standings or division records; nothing matters other than this game. As leaders, as the older guys in the locker room, you just keep everybodys focus on one day at a time, finishing today. Weve got the practice part done. We have a lot of meetings and a lot of tape to watch. You finish day after day after day, and thats the mindset that we have.As for the Falcons, they still have last season on their mind. Atlanta began 6-1, but scuffled their way to a 2-7 finish over their last nine games to finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs for the third straight season.Another second-half collapse wouldnt only be punishing, it could lead to more changes once again for a franchise that hasnt been able to finish what it started. Head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged that still resonates across the organization, but that last seasons second-half fail could propel the Falcons moving forward.Well, we certainly hope so, Quinn said. The scars that you get when you finish poorly, they definitely leave a mark. Were a way different team than our 2015 team -- our mental toughness, our resilience; were just tighter, were better, were more complete in that way.Thats, I think, the biggest difference. Although we didnt finish all of them like wed like to this year, I would say were quite a bit different outfit than we were at the end of 2015.Atlanta boasts one of the leagues best offenses. Its ranked first in points per game (32.0), yards per play (6.7), passing yards per play (8.9) and touchdowns scored (36). Overall, the offense is ranked third, averaging 416.6 yards per game.Quarterback Matt Ryan is enjoying one of his finest season to date, ranking second in passing yards (3,247), third in passing touchdowns (24) and fourth in completion percentage (68.2). His favorite target, wide receiver Julio Jones, leads the league in receiving yards (1,105) and has been difficult for everyone to slow down.Jones had 10 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown in his last game against the Cardinals two years ago, torching Arizonas All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson. That was the season in which Peterson, however, was dealing with diabetes and it had to be diagnosed, which led to his worst season in the pros.Peterson is a completely different player now, however, and Jones can see that on film.He dropped that weight, looks like hes in better shape, Jones said. Hes always a good athlete, a guy who can make plays. He can pretty much do a lot of great things.Peterson will shadow Jones throughout the game, something other teams have tried and failed to do against Jones this season.Teams have been trying to do that, but theyve been playing a lot of two-man while they were doing it, Jones said. Theyll take their OK corner and put him over me and then just have safety help, and try to put the better corner on the other side, try to let him lock that side down. Pat P, its just usually one-on-one. Its always been great matchups between us.The Cardinals get Tyrann Mathieu, their playmaking safety, back this week after the Honey Badger missed the last two games because of a shoulder subluxation. His addition could make the leagues top-ranked defense, which is allowing a league-low 287.4 total yards per game as well as the fewest passing yards per game (190.2), that much more dangerous.As good as Arizonas defense has been, Mathieu said it hasnt been good enough.I think we could play better, he said. Every game, theres like three or four plays where were just giving up touchdowns or giving up big plays. Weve got to continue to create turnovers, weve got to create more turnovers, weve got to find a way to score and shorten the field for our offense.Mathieu said the Cardinals will have their hands full with Ryan, Jones and Atlantas running back tandem of Davonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, who is finally healthy.Theyre a dominating offense, obviously, he said. Matt Ryan is playing tremendous right now, Julio, it goes without saying, and theyve got two running backs that are definitely going to try and hurt us in the run and the pass game, so our front has to play well, our linebackers have to play well and then on the back end, weve got to do a good of containing Julio.Corey Knebel Jersey . They hope to persuade the other team owners and commissioner Roger Goodell to put pressure on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to drop the nickname they find offensive. "Given the way the meeting transpired," Ray Halbritter, an Oneida representative and leader of the "Change the Mascot Campaign," said Wednesday, "it became somewhat evident they were defending the continued use of the name. Milwaukee Brewers Store . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. 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Junior Guerra Brewers Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming.COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Five weeks ago, Maryland defeated Michigan State to move within a victory of becoming bowl eligible.The situation remains unchanged.Maryland still needs one win to earn a bowl bid under first-year coach DJ Durkin. Following an ugly four-game losing streak in which they were outscored 191-49, the Terrapins are left with one final opportunity to snag their elusive sixth victory of the season.The only encouraging aspect of this mess for Maryland is that Rutgers is coming to town Saturday.As badly as the Terps (5-6, 2-6 Big Ten) have been playing lately, the Scarlet Knights (2-9, 0-8) have been even worse.Rutgers is coming off a 39-0 loss to Penn State, which followed a 49-0 defeat at Michigan State. Earlier, there was a 58-0 spanking by Ohio State and a 78-0 embarrassment at home against Michigan State.The Scarlet Knights havent won since beating New Mexico on Sept. 17.There is no bowl bid at stake for Rutgers. The goal is to put a positive finish on a season that went awry before the calendar flipped to October.This game is the last game for this group of individuals to be together, and were going to cherish every day and every moment we get to go out and prepare, first-year coach Chris Ash said.The Terrapins hope to have one game left after this one.One of the great perks of college football is you get that opportunity to take your team to a bowl game and treat them right and reward them for all the work they put in, Durkin said. Its always something you have to earn, you have to go do it, and we have to opportunity to do it this weekend.Again.---Some things to know about the Rutgers-Maryland matchup:TO THE HILLS: The status of Maryland quarterback Perry Hills is expected to be a game-time decision. Hills hurt his left shoulder two weeks ago against Ohio State and did not play last Saturday in a 28-7 loss at Nebraska. A fifth-year senior, Hills has started in every one of Marylands wins this seasson.dddddddddddd Playing in his final home game is high atop his wish list. It really does mean a lot to the whole team, especially the seniors, he said. You get another chance to go out there and play with each other. We want to do it for each other.RIVALRY GAME: This marks the third straight year in which Rutgers and Maryland have closed the season. Its never going to be Ohio State-Michigan, but whos to say these East Coast teams cant become Big Ten rivals. It makes sense, Ash said. Theres a lot of rivalry games that the Big Ten has tried to create here in the last week of the season, and this would be a natural one. Wed love to make that happen. Durkin wasnt as enthusiastic. We can stamp anything and say, `Lets make this a rivalry, but its not that until all the fans, the universities, the communities and everyone has a feeling of animosity between the two teams, he said.DONT GET A LEAD: The common thread in the past two meetings between these teams is that no advantage is big enough. Two years ago, Rutgers rallied from a 25-point deficit to beat Maryland 41-38. It was the biggest comeback in school history. Last season, the Terrapins climbed from a 21-point hole to pull out a 46-41 victory.GROWING PAINS: Rutgers quarterback Giovanni Rescigno has struggled recently, in part because of hamstring and knee injuries. Also a factor: The sophomore didnt get his first college start until four weeks ago. He just hasnt been at full speed, Ash said. Gio is just a work in progress.KID STUFF: Maryland has started seven true freshmen this season, tied for most in the Football Bowl Subdivision with South Carolina. The Terps have also had 20 players make their first career start, tied for 11th-most in the FBS.---More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. ' ' '