Jazz season has started with four playoff teams in their first six games, i

The playoff race remains predictably crowded early in the fourth quarter of this NFL season, creating a complicated bundle of scenarios for the division crowns and wild-card spots available for the taking.The afternoon game Sunday with the biggest impact on the postseason picture was likely Houstons 22-17 win at Indianapolis, considering the teams began the day in a three-way tie with Tennessee for first place in the underwhelming AFC South.The Titans, meanwhile, got a big boost with their 13-10 win over defending Super Bowl champion Denver, which fell into a tie with Miami for the final AFC wild card. The Broncos hold a tiebreaker over the Dolphins.Heres a closer look at the candidates:AFC EASTNEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-2)Remaining schedule: vs. Baltimore on Monday night, at Denver on Dec. 18, vs. New York Jets on Dec. 24, at Miami on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 7-1.Control top seed in AFC following Oaklands loss to Kansas City on Thursday night.MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-5)Remaining schedule: at New York Jets on Dec. 17, at Buffalo on Dec. 24, vs. New England on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 5-4.If the Dolphins are going to end an eight-year playoff drought, theyll probably have to do it with second-string quarterback Matt Moore. Miami starter Ryan Tannehill sustained a knee injury Sunday that will likely end his season.With a brutal finish to the Broncos schedule, Miami still has a chance to move up. Earlier win over Pittsburgh could come in handy, in case of head-to-head tiebreaker with Steelers. Rooting for Baltimore to win AFC North, because of loss last week to Ravens.Miami has won seven of eight and Moore has made 25 career starts -- but none since Tannehill was drafted in 2012.BUFFALO BILLS (6-7)Remaining schedule: vs. Cleveland on Dec. 18, vs. Miami on Dec. 24, at New York Jets on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 3-6.Favorable final stretch of games gives Bills long-shot hope in wild-card chase, but record against AFC competition will make tiebreakers tough. Loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday likely extends streak of postseason absences to 17 in a row.Thanks for playing: NEW YORK JETS (4-9).---AFC NORTHPITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-5)Remaining schedule: at Cincinnati on Dec. 18, vs. Baltimore on Dec. 25, vs. Cleveland on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 6-3.With potential tiebreakers not currently in favor and first wild-card spot under control of AFC West runner-up, division race is best route. Home game against Ravens in two weeks gives Steelers good chance. If they split season series, tiebreaker scenario could go all the way from division record, common games record, conference record to strength of victory at No. 5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-5)Remaining schedule: at New England on Monday night, vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 18, at Pittsburgh on Dec. 25, at Cincinnati on Jan. 1.Division record: 4-0. Conference record: 7-2.With Christmas Day grudge game against rival Steelers looming in two weeks, Ravens will be challenged to avoid falling behind until then. Win that one, though, and theyll own the tiebreaker thanks to earlier victory against Pittsburgh. Wild card also in play for loser of division race, and strong conference record could help.Thanks for playing: CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-7-1), CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-13).---AFC SOUTHHOUSTON TEXANS (7-6)Remaining schedule: vs. Jacksonville on Dec. 18, vs. Cincinnati on Dec. 24, at Tennessee on Jan. 1.Division record: 4-0. Conference record: 5-4.Most favorable remaining schedule of three AFC South competitors. Would need to pass three teams to get wild card, so this is all but certain to be a one-bid division.TENNESSEE TITANS (7-6)Remaining schedule: at Kansas City on Dec. 18, at Jacksonville on Dec. 24, vs. Houston on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 4-5.Unlikely to win two or three-way tiebreakers with Texans and/or Colts, so win over Broncos helped greatly. Home game against Jaguars could be soft setup for division title game in Week 17 vs. Texans now that Colts have fallen behind.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-7)Remaining schedule: at Minnesota on Dec. 18, at Oakland on Dec. 24, vs. Jacksonville on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-3. Conference record: 4-6.Crushing loss to Houston on Sunday with consecutive daunting road games looming after. Four wins in past seven games after collapse at Houston on Oct. 16 could be too little too late, but momentum can be an amazing thing.Thanks for playing: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-11).---AFC WESTKANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-3)Remaining schedule: vs. Tennessee on Dec. 18, vs. Denver on Dec. 25, at San Diego on Jan. 1.Division record: 4-0. Conference record: 7-2.Took control of division race with win over Raiders on Thursday to sweep season series. Might be able to lose out and still get wild card, but Chiefs are chasing first-round bye and unlikely to let up. Monday night 14 rooting interest: Ravens to beat Patriots.OAKLAND RAIDERS (10-3)Remaining schedule: at San Diego on Dec. 18, vs. Indianapolis on Dec. 24, at Denver on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-2. Conference record: 7-2.Loss to Chiefs eliminated chance of clinching first playoff spot in 14 years this weekend. One more win, plus a loss by Miami or Denver, would do it. Would have to finish one game ahead of Chiefs to win AFC West, but path to wild card could be clearer by Monday night.DENVER BRONCOS (8-5)Remaining schedule: vs. New England on Dec. 18, at Kansas City on Dec. 25, vs. Oakland on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 5-4.Good news for Broncos is theyve got the tiebreak edge over Miami at the moment. Bad news is their third-place status in division and daunting remaining schedule. Monday night rooting interest: Patriots to beat Ravens.Thanks for playing: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-8).---NFC EASTDALLAS COWBOYS (11-2)Remaining schedule: vs. Tampa Bay on Dec. 18, vs. Detroit on Dec. 26, at Philadelphia on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-2. Conference record: 7-2.Only team thats already clinched a postseason spot, Dallas had won 11 straight games before Sunday nights 10-7 loss to Giants prevented Cowboys from wrapping up division title and first-round bye -- for now. New York won both meetings this season, and Cowboys might want to avoid Giants in playoffs. But two wins in their final three regular-season games would guarantee Cowboys No. 1 seed and home playoff games until the Super Bowl thats a mere 4-hour drive away in Houston.NEW YORK GIANTS (9-4)Remaining schedule: vs. Detroit on Dec. 18, at Philadelphia on Dec. 22, at Washington on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 6-3.They own tiebreaker over Cowboys, but still need two losses by NFLs top team to have a shot at winning NFC East. Fortunately for Giants, wild-card race is in their control. Would lose head-to-head tiebreaker with Minnesota or Green Bay, but New York has a two-game lead on both those competitors.WASHINGTON REDSKINS (7-5-1)Remaining schedule: vs. Carolina on Dec. 19, at Chicago on Dec. 24, vs. New York Giants on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-2. Conference record: 5-4.Dreaded tie with Cincinnati on Oct. 30 could be what dooms postseason bid, but remaining slate appears promising. Unless a wild scenario emerges with Cardinals surging forward and Vikings and Packers fading, tiebreaker rules wont need to be deciphered for Washington. Currently first team to miss cut in wild-card race.Thanks for playing: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-8).---NFC NORTHDETROIT LIONS (9-4)Remaining schedule: at New York Giants on Dec. 18, at Dallas on Dec. 26, vs. Green Bay on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-2. Conference record: 7-2.Can clinch division crown with two more wins, or fewer with corresponding losses by Green Bay and Minnesota. Winning one more should put them in good position for wild card, at least. Strong finish could deliver No. 2 seed and first-round bye.GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-6)Remaining schedule: at Chicago on Dec. 18, vs. Minnesota on Dec. 24, at Detroit on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 5-4.To win division, need to make up one game on Detroit over next two weeks, beat Lions in finale and at least stay even with Minnesota, depending on upcoming results. Might need to win out but chances look pretty good -- especially after impressive victory Sunday over Seattle.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-6)Remaining schedule: vs. Indianapolis on Dec. 18, at Green Bay on Dec. 24, vs. Chicago on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 4-6.To win division, must finish one game ahead of Detroit given two losses last month to Lions. Could also lose tiebreaker to Green Bay, depending on upcoming results. To get wild card, must pass two teams and stay ahead of Packers. Likely need to win out and even in that case could still need some help.Thanks for playing: CHICAGO BEARS (3-10).---NFC SOUTHATLANTA FALCONS (8-5)Remaining schedule: vs. San Francisco on Dec. 18, at Carolina on Dec. 24, vs. New Orleans on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 6-3.Sudden surge by Tampa Bay has put Falcons and their playoff push on notice. Final four opponents all have losing records, giving them slight edge in division race, but momentum in December might be more important than schedule.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-5)Remaining schedule: at Dallas on Dec. 18, at New Orleans on Dec. 24, vs. Carolina on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 6-3.One of leagues most surprising teams, particularly considering 3-5 record after losing at home to Atlanta on Nov. 3. Bucs currently control second wild-card spot even if Falcons were to win NFC South tiebreaker. Need to stay ahead of Washington, Minnesota and Green Bay.Thanks for playing: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-8), CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-8).---NFC WESTSEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-4-1)Remaining schedule: vs. Los Angeles on Thursday, vs. Arizona on Dec. 24, at San Francisco on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-1-1. Conference record: 4-4-1.Can clinch division title with one more win or Arizona loss. Looking to beat out NFC North and NFC South winners for first-round bye, but loss Sunday at Green Bay made task more difficult.Thanks for playing: ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-7-1), LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-9), SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-12).---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Air Force 1 Canada . 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. Cheap Air Force 1 Outlet Canada . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. http://www.cheapnikeairforce1canada.com/ . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. Air Force 1 Clearance Sale . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. Wholesale Air Force 1 Canada .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder put it simply after his team lost to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, Kawhi Leonard was really good.Leonard scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Spurs avenged their lone loss of the season with a 100-86 victory over the Jazz.The Spurs bounced back from a 15-point home loss to the Jazz on Tuesday after losing just one game in San Antonio all of last season.I expected for them to come out and try to get off to a great start and just sustain, and they did that, Jazz forward Joe Johnson said. After we kind of hit first, they withstood the first five minutes and made a run of their own. We just never really got back.(Leonard) is shooting the ball unbelievable off picks. Hes handling off pick-and-rolls and making plays. Hes been tough to guard.The Jazz jumped to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter and an unhappy Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called a timeout just minutes into the game. The Spurs responded with a 29-7 run and the Jazz never led again.Utah got within seven points in the third quarter, but Leonard responded with five quick points and the Jazz never got within single digits the rest of the game.Leonard continued his MVP-caliber season by shooting 9 for 18 from the field while LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and six rebounds.Rodney Hood led the Jazz with 18 points, but they shot just 37.5 percent.Its only two games, Popovich said about facing the Jazz twice. You win some, you lose some. Its not necessarily (that we) discovered the Holy Grail and instituted it tonight and won the game because of it. We played better.TIP-INSSpurs: G Tony Parker missed the game due to right knee soreness. He did not travel with the team. ... Patty Mills started at point guard and scored 16 points to go wwith three rebounds and three assists.dddddddddddd Patty is a great offensive player and he has been playing really well running the offense, Spurs center Pau Gasol said. Tony is a very important player for us, but if he is taking this time off its because he needs it.Jazz: Gordon Hayward went through a pregame workout with the fingers on his left hand taped up. The star forward is out indefinitely with a broken finger on his non-shooting hand. ... F Boris Diaw missed his second consecutive game with a right leg contusion.NO WARMUPSThe Jazz season has started with four playoff teams in their first six games, including the Spurs twice. They hit the road for five straight and seven of nine away from Salt Lake City.The biggest thing for me is, you hope for your team to continue to improve, Snyder said. That is the primary thing. If competition early can accelerate that process, that is a good thing. Theres been times where that competition early can knock you back. So it can go either way.QUOTABLEOur identity as a defensive team has to be something we hold on tighter to, Snyder said. You can call that lack of focus. Its more subtle in some ways. For me its a lot of little things we werent doing. They add up.We have to know if were not focused and were not ready to play defense, we wont. Its not habitual yet. Its not who we are yet and its who we need to become who we are.UP NEXTSpurs: Host the Los Angeles Clippers and point guard Chris Paul, who entered Friday with a league-high 3.25 steals per game, on Saturday.Jazz: Travel to face a New York Knicks team on Sunday, that improved to 2/3 after a win over the Bulls on Friday. ' ' '