has the flexibility to employ a variety of tactical formatio

Brady-Manning XVI was over before halftime.While Peyton Manning, by his own estimate, was stinking up the joint, Tom Brady was throwing for four touchdown passes, leading the New England Patriots to a 43-21 romp over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.New England (7-2) won its fifth straight, halting the four-game winning streak for Denver (6-2) in emphatic fashion. Brady has 18 TD passes and one interception in those five victories.At the end of the day one person cant do it alone, said Brady, who made his 200th start; he has won 155 of those, an NFL record. Ive been a part of so many great teams ... Ive been very privileged to play with great players and teammates that really work their butts off for each other. Thats why you string together five wins in a row like weve done.Its a lot of guys working hard who believe in each other, have confidence in each other and then when you get your one day a week to go out there, you go out there and you let it rip. I thought the guys try to do a great job of that.Manning thought it was an awful performance by the Broncos (6-2), starting with their quarterback.The quarterback stinks, usually youre not going to win many games, Manning said,Manning fell to 2-7 at Gillette Stadium and 5-11 overall against Brady, even though he threw for 438 yards and two touchdowns. He has at least two TD passes in 14 consecutive games, an NFL record.Julian Edelman returned a punt 84 yards for a score and also had a 5-yard TD catch as New England took a 27-3 halftime lead and coasted.I just saw a bunch of guys out there blocking their tails off and, you know, we got in the end zone, so it was a great team play, Edelman said.On Thursday night, it was New Orleans 28, Carolina 10, with the Saints (4-4) taking over first place in the NFC South over the Panthers (3-5-1).On Monday night, Indianapolis (5-3) is at the New York Giants (3-4).Off this week were Atlanta (2-6), Buffalo (5-3), Chicago (3-5), Detroit (6-2), Green Bay (5-3), and Tennessee (2-6).STEELERS 43, RAVENS 23At Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger threw for six scores to set an NFL record for touchdown passes in consecutive games.A week after passing for a franchise-record six touchdowns against Indianapolis, Roethlisberger duplicated the feat as Pittsburgh (6-3) earned its third consecutive win. Roethlisbergers 12 touchdown passes over the last two games broke the mark of 11 set by Tom Flores for Oakland in 1963 and matched by New Englands Tom Brady in 2007.This is a heck of a rivalry, Roethlisberger said. I know fans all around the world love this rivalry and its special when you come out on top.Antonio Brown caught 10 passes for 138 yards and a score. Rookie Martavis Bryant hauled in two scoring receptions and has five touchdowns in three games. Joe Flacco passed for 303 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, but the Ravens (5-4) were undone by a sloppy second quarter.CARDINALS 28, COWBOYS 17The Cardinals (7-1), who have sole possession of the best record in the NFC for the first time since 1974, won their fourth straight. They have beaten all five conference opponents.NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murrays record streak of eight 100-yard games to start the season for Dallas (6-3) ended against a defence that didnt allow a back over the century mark for the 18th consecutive time. He had 79 yards on 19 carries.Arizonas Andre Ellington outgained Murray on the ground with 95 yards and added another 39 receiving.You know we always want to outrush the opponent, Ellington said. Its a credit to our defence for shutting him down and giving me a chance to get out there on the field and get more carries and get more yards.Carson Palmer had three touchdown passes after an early interception the host Cowboys returned for a score, and the Dallas offence struggled without the injured Tony Romo (back).EAGLES 31, TEXANS 21At Houston, Mark Sanchez threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns.After starter Nick Foles injured his left shoulder late in the first quarter, Sanchez saw his first action since 2012 with the Jets. He also threw two interceptions.The Eagles (6-2) led by three when Jeremy Maclin grabbed a low throw from Sanchez for an 8-yard touchdown catch to clinch it. Maclin finished with two touchdowns and 158 yards receiving and LeSean McCoy had 117 yards rushing.Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 203 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Houston (4-5).RAMS 13, 49ERS 10With 2 seconds remaining, Colin Kaepernick fumbled at the goal line. James Laurinaitis recovered for the visiting Rams (3-5), who sacked the San Francisco quarterback eight times.I just went to kind of meet him head to head down there and as Im going down, I just see the ball sitting there, Laurinaitis Laurinaitis.Greg Zuerlein kicked a go-ahead 39-yard field goal for the Rams with 5:25 left. San Francisco (4-4) got the ball back at its 12 with 3:11 remaining before Kaepernicks bobble.SEAHAWKS 30, RAIDERS 24At Seattle, the Seahawks (5-3) rode Marshawn Lynchs for two first-half touchdowns. Bruce Irvin tipped and intercepted Derek Carrs pass and returned it 35 yards for another score as Oakland (0-8) remained the leagues only winless team. The Raiders have lost 14 straight dating to last season.After a tumultuous previous month, the Seahawks won their second straight behind a strong first half, three field goals from Steven Hauschka and a defence that made Carr look like a rookie much of the afternoon.DOLPHINS 37, CHARGERS 0Ryan Tannehill threw for 288 yards and three scores, and Miami forced four turnovers.Tannehill went 24 for 34 and threw touchdown passes to Charles Clay, Rishard Matthews and Jarvis Landry. San Diegos Philip Rivers threw three interceptions, two to Brent Grimes, and was sacked three times.The Dolphins (5-3) earned their third consecutive victory. The Chargers (5-4) lost their third game in a row and remain winless in South Florida since January 1982. San Diego was shut out for the first time since 1999, and the Dolphins earned their first shutout since 2006.BENGALS 33, JAGUARS 23At Cincinnati, rookie Jeremy Hill ran for a career-high 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 60-yarder in the fourth quarter.Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes, one to A.J. Green in the star receivers return from a toe injury, but also had a pair of interceptions that kept it close.The Jaguars (1-8) turned Daltons second interception into Denard Robinsons 5-yard touchdown run, cutting it to 26-23. Hill broke his 60-yard touchdown run on Cincinnatis next play from scrimmage.Rookie Blake Bortles, who leads the NFL in interceptions, helped the Bengals (5-2-1) seal it by throwing a pick to George Iloka in the end zone. Bortles threw two touchdown passes to Allen Hurns.CHIEFS 24, JETS 10At Kansas City, Alex Smith threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns, Jamaal Charles ran for another score and the Chiefs sent New York (1-8) to its eighth straight loss.Tight ends Travis Kelce and Anthony Fasano each caught touchdown passes, and the Chiefs (5-3) won their third straight and fifth in six games.Making his first start with the Jets, Michael Vick was 21 of 27 for 196 yards and a touchdown. He briefly left in the fourth quarter after taking a massive hit from the Chiefs Josh Mauga and walking unsteadily off the field, but eventually returned.VIKINGS 29, REDSKINS 26At Minneapolis, rookie Teddy Bridgewater outplayed Robert Griffin III down the stretch after a rough start, and Matt Asiata ran for three scores.Bridgewater completed 26 of 42 passes for 268 yards for the Vikings (4-5), who sacked Griffin five times in his return to the lineup from an ankle injury.Griffin went 18 for 28 for 251 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Redskins (3-6), who lost three leads despite 92 yards and two touchdowns rushing by Alfred Morris and 120 yards receiving from DeSean Jackson.It was a rough day for the Redskins, starting with a crash between their two buses on the way to the stadium.BROWNS 22, BUCCANEERS 17At Cleveland, Brian Hoyer threw a 34-yard TD pass to Taylor Gabriel with 8:59 remaining.Cleveland was trailing 17-16 when Hoyer completed his second TD pass. Hoyer finished 21 of 34 for 300 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. He improved to 8-3 as Clevelands starter.The Browns (5-3) have their best record at the midway point since 2007, when they won 10 and barely missed the playoffs.Mike Glennon threw a pair of 24-yard TDs passes to rookie Mike Evans for the Buccaneers (1-7), who have lost four in a row and five this season by six points or less.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Air Vapormax Flyknit Fake . Speaking with TSN 1050 following Brendan Shanahans introductory press conference, the Leafs GM also addressed the clubs perceived leadership issues and the type of working relationship that can be expected within Torontos front office. Air Foamposite Ireland . Floundering in the English Premier League, United has delivered better performances in Europe this season and stunned Bayern by taking the lead against the run of play through Nemanja Vidics header in the 58th minute. Bayern had dominated possession but struggled to create a clear-cut chance before Schweinsteiger arrowed a half-volley high into the net in the 67th to give the German side a slight advantage ahead of the second leg in Munich next week. http://www.outletvapormaxireland.com/air-foamposite-wholesale-china.html . Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed on Sunday that his starting goalie has a head injury and the team will take it day by day. Vapormax Flyknit Womens Ireland . -- The guys in green raced off the court and into the locker room where they danced and sang, compared whose shot was most likely to end up featured on "One Shining Moment," and checked Twitter to see who was giving them a shoutout. Vapormax Flyknit Ireland . CSKA received the heavier punishment of playing its next European home game behind closed doors, after its supporters displayed racist and far-right symbols in the Czech Republic during a 2-1 loss to Viktoria Plzen on Dec.Without question, Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen has better players at his disposal this season. The clubs remarkable off-season saw the addition of proven international players like Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley, Júlio César and Dwayne De Rosario, as well as seasoned MLS campaigners like Justin Morrow and Jackson. Throw in Brazilian designated player Gilberto and the sense of anticipation felt by TFC supporters is understandable. The big question is this: How will Nelsen utilize the talent at his disposal? Throughout the 2013 season, Nelsen chose to stick with a 1-4-4-2 formation, and if the 2014 pre-season is any indication, it is likely that he will stick with this formation. If that is the case, these are the players that, if everyone is fit and available, I think will take the field for Toronto FC: Goalkeeper - Julio Cesar Some have pointed out that despite TFCs struggles in 2013, Joe Bendik had a reasonably good season and doesnt deserve to be replaced by César. While it may be true that Bendik had a good season last year, it is complete and utter nonsense to suggest that he should be starting ahead of Júlio César, Brazils number one goalkeeper. Despite not playing regularly for Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship this season, César is still streets ahead of Bendik. Right Fullback - Bradley Orr When Richard Eckersley departed for the New York Red Bulls this year (his contract was structured in such a way that his cap hit was prohibitive, meaning Toronto needed to dump his salary), TFC needed to bring in someone to play this position. Nelsen has options - both Mark Bloom and Ryan Richter can play right back - but he is likely to select Englishman Bradley Orr as his first choice. Orr joined TFC on loan from Blackburn Rovers, and at 31, will add experience to the back four. Left Fullback - Justin Morrow With all of the big-name signings that Toronto has made this off-season, the addition of Justin Morrow slipped under the radar. After being drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes in 2010, Morrow struggled to hold down a regular place in the Quakes lineup until 2012, when his consistently strong performances were rewarded with a place in the MLS All-Star game. Not a flashy player by any means, Morrow will be expected to tidy up the left side of Torontos defence - an area that has been a problem for the team since the clubs inception. Central Defender - Steven Caldwell If Toronto is going to achieve success this season, captain Steven Caldwell will need to be ever-present. His leadership is not something that is measured by statistics; it is seen in the day-to-day interactions with his teammates, his work rate on the training ground and in his ability to remain calm under pressure and deliver consistent performances week after week. The Scot not only has to do his job, he also has a big role to play in the development of his young partner, Doneil Henry. With Caldwell in the team, Im confident that both will be taken care of. Central Defender - Doneil Henry Doneil Henry has everything needed to play at the very highest level of the game as a central defender; he is strong, aggressive, good in the air, can tackle and is quick and athletic. His distribution, technical skills and positional awareness are a work in progress, but at just 20 years of age, he has so much potential its scary. An off-season training stint with West Ham of the English Premier League went so well, in fact, that I wouldnt be at all surprised if Henry is destined for overseas at some point in the not-too-distant future. Which makes the cries of some that "TFC needs an upgrade at centreback" completely baffling. No, they dont. They need to let this promising youngster continue his development alongside the experience of Caldwell, and under the watchful eye of Nelsen. Right Midfield - Jackson The Brazilian, acquired in a trade with FC Dallas, will slot in nicely for TFC on the right. He is quick, strong, technically solid - and capable of not only providing scoring chances, but also of converting them. With the defensive experience of Orr behind him, expect Jackson to be comfortable pinning the opposing fullback high up the pitch. This will create space in midfield for the likes of Michael Bradley and Jonathan Osorio, but will also lead to more chances being delivered from wide areas. Left Midfield - Dwayne De Rosario Alvaro Rey could very well be Nelsens first choice at left midfield, but I am of the opinion that he should find a way to get his best players on the field as much as possible. If Nelsen subscribes to this philosophy as well, then De Rosario has to play on the left. It isnt his favourite position - he would much prefer to operate centrally, just behind the front two or off a single striker - but De Rosario has played on the left before for both club annd country.dddddddddddd. Given the strengths of other players in Torontos squad, De Rosario might have to accept a role on the left if he is to be in Nelsens starting lineup. Given his attacking flexibility, De Rosario could also be used as the first substitute off the bench, filling in where needed. If that is the case, Nelsen has an able deputy at left midfield in the Spaniard, Rey. Given the lack of preseason soccer that Gilberto has played, it is also likely that De Rosario will start the season partnering Defoe in attack. If that happens, Rey will play on the left. Central Midfield - Michael Bradley One of two major signings for Toronto in the off-season, it is crucial for the club to have Michael Bradley on the pitch as much as possible. If hes fit, he will be in the starting lineup. For the uninitiated, dont expect Bradley to score double digits from midfield - goal scoring has never been one of his major attributes. What he does bring is composure, tenacity, leadership and excellent passing range - he will anchor the midfield and serve as the fulcrum around which the team operates. If Bradley plays well, TFC will win games because he will limit chances defensively, and get the ball to the teams goal scorers in dangerous positions. "The General", as he was known in Italy, will be bossing the TFC midfield for years to come. Central Midfield - Jonathan Osorio A Toronto native, Osorio had a very good season in his rookie year - five goals and one assist in 28 games - despite the teams struggles. While Nelsen could choose to play De Rosario as an attacking midfielder in this position, doing so would put a greater defensive burden on Bradley. Osorio is a better option here, because he can not only be a creative force, providing scoring chances as well as converting them by arriving late in the box, he is also better equipped to do the defensive work required in central midfield. There are question marks over whether or not Osorio can operate as a true "number 10", but I dont think his role needs to be as such. He is more suited to be a double pivot with Bradley - covering when the American makes forward runs, and vice-versa. Regardless, the partnership between the two central midfielders will be one to watch develop over the course of the season. Striker - Jermain Defoe It was a bloody big deal, wasnt it? Jermain Defoe is going to be a star in Major League Soccer. Young (and healthy) enough to have some very productive years ahead of him, Defoe can do for TFC what Robbie Keane has done for the Los Angeles Galaxy - terrify defenders every time the ball enters the attacking third. Like Keane, it isnt size, strength or even speed that makes Jermain Defoe so dangerous - it is his movement and finishing ability. Watch for him to drop into midfield to link play and bring others into the game, to pull off on the shoulder of the last defender to exploit space, to make blind-side runs across the face of goal and to have a clinical finishing touch when presented with chances to score. Defoe has been a goal-scorer his entire career - and there is nothing to indicate that this pattern will end now that he is plying his trade in a TFC jersey. Striker - Gilberto The first of TFCs major off-season moves, Gilberto is very much the one with the most to prove. He carries neither the track record nor the pedigree of Defoe or Bradley, and as such, is something of an unknown quantity. Yet Nelsen felt strongly enough about him to make him the first of three designated player signings in the off-season - which means that Gilberto will be in the lineup at every opportunity. Worryingly, Gilberto has not played a great deal in preseason. This could see Nelsen prefer to start the season with De Rosario in attack - but that is likely to be short-lived, as the TFC coach will want to get his best players on the field as often as possible. Given the upgrades that Toronto FC has made - in virtually every position - Ryan Nelsen has the flexibility to employ a variety of tactical formations. He could, for example, slide De Rosario to the tip of a diamond midfield four, with Osorio sliding left and Bradley operating as a genuine holding midfielder. He could also push De Rosario forward to employ a 1-4-3-3 formation, with the Canadian prowling up front alongside Gilberto and Defoe. Another option, if Gilberto struggles to get himself fit, is to play a 1-4-2-3-1 formation, with the attacking midfield three of Rey, De Rosario and Jackson supporting Defoe in the lone striker role. For the first time ever, Toronto FC has options. If they are to achieve success this season, it will be because Nelsen has found a way to unlock their obvious potential. If not, then his position will come under scrutiny. Regardless, if you are a fan of Toronto FC, you are looking forward to the 2014 MLS season with anticipation. ' ' '