06-27-2019, 12:38 AM
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is trying to keep things as normal as he can these days, believing routine and repetition will lead to a sense of comfort and -- he hopes -- success. Good luck with that. Winless in North America in 2013, the Steelers (0-3) will try to snap out of their funk on Sunday in London when they face the Minnesota Vikings (0-3). While Minnesota is already overseas, Pittsburgh will remain on this side of the Atlantic until Thursday evening. By the time the Steelers arrive in London, they will have less than 48 hours to overcome jet lag and try to turn around their season. It isnt ideal, Tomlin said, but it beats the alternative. "I value normalcy in the early portions of the week from a preparation standpoint and from a practice standpoint -- use of our facilities, the comforts of home if you will," Tomlin said. Even if "home" isnt exactly comfortable these days. Pittsburgh is off to its worst start since 2000 after falling to Chicago 40-23 on Sunday night. While the beleaguered offence took a major step forward in piling up 458 yards -- the teams highest total in four years -- the Steelers also turned over the ball five times. Ben Roethlisberger threw two interceptions and fumbled twice, with two of the miscues leading to defensive touchdowns. Its the kind of sloppy play Roethlisberger has generally avoided during his 10 years at quarterback. Then again, he isnt getting much help from the guys in front of him. The Bears stunted and twisted their way into the backfield all night, leading to what Tomlin called "confusion" that gave Roethlisberger little time to get his feet set and throw. "All it takes is five to 10 (breakdowns) to produce catastrophic-like results, and thats some of the things that are occurring," he said. "Obviously, we need to strive for more consistency to minimize those things." A more productive running game would help. The Steelers actually took a significant step forward against the Bears, rushing for a season-high 80 yards, including a 25-yard burst from recently reacquired Jonathan Dwyer. While it gave Pittsburgh confidence it could run the ball, it didnt include any job security for either Dwyer or Felix Jones. Both figure to head back to the bench if rookie running back LeVeon Bell makes his season debut. Bell hasnt played since spraining his right foot in a preseason game against Washington last month. He has been cleared to participate in practice, and Tomlin is "optimistic" the second-round pick will be able to run onto the field at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night. Ditto cornerback Cortez Allen, who has missed the last two weeks with an ankle injury. Slated to start after Keenan Lewis left for New Orleans in free agency, Allen has been slowed almost from the start of training camp. He missed three weeks following a minor knee procedure before the ankle issues popped up. Though William Gay did a solid, if not, spectacular job in Allens absence, Allen has an ability to make things happen when he plays. The Steelers are the only team in the NFL not to create a turnover through the seasons first three weeks. Allen had a hand in two turnovers in the 2012 regular-season finale against Cleveland, the last time Pittsburgh was able to pry the ball away. And for all the progress the Steelers saw in certain areas against Chicago -- including a more consistent pass rush, and wide receiver Antonio Browns career-high 196 yards receiving -- the biggest issue is valuing the football. Pittsburgh hasnt done that through 12 quarters. The Steelers minus-9 turnover margin is tied with the Giants for the worst in the league. Tomlin doesnt like to lay blame in any one place, but allowed that Roethlisberger needs to keep himself and his team out of situations that lead to mistakes. "I expect Ben to be better, Ben expects himself to be better," Tomlin said. "Well continue to work to do that." NOTES: Tomlin said DE Brett Keisel and NT Steve McLendon are dealing with hamstring issues but are expected to play. ... TE Heath Miller, who had three receptions in his return from right knee surgery, will have an expanded role against Minnesota if there are no setbacks this week. ... Tomlin has no concerns about the turf at Wembley Stadium, saying punter Zoltan Mesko -- who played there for New England last season -- called it "awesome." Justin Reid Jersey . -- Packers cornerback Tramon Williams has been fined $26,250 for contact with an official, per NFL guidelines. Xavier Woodson-Luster Jersey . This was one of them. Omar Infante homered and tied a career high with six RBIs to carry the Kansas City Royals over the Baltimore Orioles 9-3 on Sunday. http://www.cheaptexansjerseysauthentic.c...ins-jersey. 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Scrivens stopped 48 shots and captain Andrew Ference scored in overtime as the Oilers pulled off a 4-3 upset of the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.NEW ORLEANS - Trying to stop their longest slide of the season at three games, Washington coach Randy Wittman gave his team a concrete goal: Hold the high-scoring Pelicans under 100 points.The focus on defence produced 18 New Orleans turnovers, seven blocked shots and opportunities for speedy guard John Wall to thrive in transition.Wall finished with 15 points and 12 assists, and the Wizards left New Orleans with a 92-85 victory on Monday night.We got back to our concepts of helping each other, Wall said. We blocked shots. We covered for each other.Paul Pierce scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting for Washington, which had five players in double figures. Andre Miller added 12 points, and Marcin Gortat and Kris Humphries each had 10.The Pelicans came in averaging nearly 102 points per game. Washington had allowed more than 100 in four straight, with the only win in that span being a 104-103 victory at Houston.When we dont give up 100 points were pretty much the best team in the league, Pierce said, alluding to Washingtons 13-1 record when holding opponents to 99 or fewer. We cant be a team that allows (opponents) easy opportunities in the paint. We cant be a team that turns the ball over more than we assist. ... So we got back to the basic principles of who we are today. Hopefully itll carry over.Anthony Davis had 21 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which led only once — by a single point in the first 4 minutes of the game.Tyreke Evans, playing despite an illness that kept him out of the teams shootaround earlier in the day, scored 21 points.Pelicans guard Eric Gordon, returning from a left shoulder injury, played for the first time in 21 games, but scored only six points on 2-of-8 shooting in 33 minutes.We were trying to make the right play, but (the Wizards) were covering up our options, Davis said. We have got to get our offence moving faster and push the ball.In the first half, Gordon attempted six shots, while Davis took three.Pelicans coach Monty Williams lamented that Davis 12 shots for the game were too few.We didnt get eenough touches for him because we kept turning the ball over, Williams said.ddddddddddddRyan Anderson scored 14 for New Orleans, including a 3-pointer that pulled the Pelicans to 81-77 with 5:13 left.At that point, New Orleans, which entered 11-4 at home, looked primed to make a run, but stumbled instead.Humphries tipped in Bradley Beals missed jumper, then Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, who had 13 points, lost the ball on the other end. Humphries struck again, sneaking behind New Orleans defence late in the shot clock for a dunk.Walls jumper made it 89-79, and Washington held on to close out a five-game Western Conference road swing on a winning note.Home teams tend to find ways to make a run. We found a way to hold them off, Miller said. Tonight was a night we are excited about, finishing out the road trip and getting our job done.Wall had 11 points in the first half, when Washington shot 56.4 per cent and led by as many as 10 in the second quarter. Pierces layup gave the Wizards a 52-44 halftime lead.Davis and Evans were the only Pelicans players to score in the third quarter, but their combined 20 points were enough to trim Washingtons lead to 69-64.___TIP-INSWizards: Washington has won seven straight against New Orleans. ... Washingtons only ugly stat was 2 for 10 from 3-point range. Pierce was perfect, though, making both 3s he attempted.Pelicans: Gordon wore a black compression undershirt during the game to help stabilize his left shoulder, which he sprained on Nov. 22, sidelining him for six weeks. ... The Pelicans (17-17) were trying to go two games above .500 for the first time since late November, when they were 7-5.TOUGH TRIPWashington (23-11) finished what might have been its toughest road trip this season at 2-3, starting with the victory at Houston, followed by losses at Dallas, Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Only the loss to the Mavericks wasnt close.The way we competed the last few games, we can deal with that, Wall said.UP NEXTWizards: Host New York on Wednesday.Pelicans: Visit Charlotte on Wednesday. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap NBA Jerseys Wholesale NHL Jerseys Wholesale MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Wholesale NCAA Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys Wholesale Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '