Falcons" turnaround sends them to brink of playoffs

It was a wave that would have made Queen Elizabeth proud: There was Atlanta Falcons defensive end Osi Umenyiora, the football in his right hand and 50 yards of unfettered green in his field of vision, turning back toward the north end zone of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday and using his left hand to say goodbye to the New Orleans Saints, figuratively and literally.

A few hours after completing the 86-yard fumble return that closed out the Falcons‘ 30-14 victory — setting up a winner-take-all showdown with the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome next Sunday for the NFC South title — Umenyiora put his team’s surprising revival in perspective, recalling a late-October collapse that would have made London Bridge seem historically sturdy by comparison.

Eight weeks earlier at Wembley Stadium, after blowing a 21-0 halftime lead and making a series of unconscionable late-game mistakes in a 22-21 defeat to the Detroit Lions, the Falcons flew home from London carrying a looming sense of doom. With a 2-6 record, a five-game losing streak and an embattled head coach in Mike Smith, Atlanta — just two seasons removed from a heartbreaking NFC championship game defeat — looked headed for oblivion.

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Falcons" turnaround sends them to brink of playoffs

Le"Veon Bell vs. C.J. Mosley among top Week 9 matchups

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In this episode of "Bucky’s Finest," former NFL player and lookout Bucky Brooks emphasizes the can’t-miss matchups to watch in Week 9:

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers, Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFL Network

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Le"Veon Bell vs. C.J. Mosley among top Week 9 matchups

Dak Prescott compared to Cam Newton by Auburn coach

Auburn plays at Mississippi State on Saturday in a huge SEC West showdown, and Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said the opposing quarterback conjures memories of a recent Auburn star.

On his weekly "Tiger Talk" radio show Monday night, Malzahn was asked to compare Mississippi State star Dak Prescott to former Auburn Heisman winner Cam Newton, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft and now plays for the Carolina Panthers.

"He’s got some similarities," Malzahn said, as per al.com writer Brandon Marcello "He’s a big, physical guy. A lot of times in short yardage, he’ll find a way to get it."

Malzahn was the offensive coordinator on the 2010 Auburn team quarterbacked by Newton that won the national title.

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Dak Prescott compared to Cam Newton by Auburn coach

Scout"s Notebook: Dak Prescott an intriguing prospect to follow

When I scouted for the Carolina Panthers from 2003-2007, I used to be required to give every player a crucial variable level according to five core features (intellect, leadership, competitiveness, clutch variable and perseverance) that we considered were vital to being a tournament player. I continue to utilize those characteristics as a barometer of a prospect’s potential at another level after I examine them for NFL Media. While I am not convinced that Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott possesses a skill set which is conducive to playing quarterback in the NFL, I undoubtedly consider that he demonstrates the qualities needed to be a tournament player in another degree.

Looking at the 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior lead the Bulldogs to an upset win over LSU in Death Valley, I saw a bright football player together with all the intangibles to be a winner at each degree. From his brilliant command of the Bulldogs’ offense to his charismatic leadership style, Prescott put in the type of show that leads lookouts to fall in love having a possibility effective at standing out to the greatest and brightest stages. Not to mention his brilliant show of athleticism and playmaking ability as an explosive double-threat quarterback around the margin.

So, I am intrigued by thinking of Prescott playing the position in another degree after seeing the likes of Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton love success as professionals with similar skill sets. While Prescott must continue to evolve as a pocket passer to improve his opportunities playing the position as a master, he definitely teases scouts along with his ability, athleticism and striking intangibles. Given the development of the match in the quarterback position, Prescott is an interesting possibility to observe during another couple years.

1. Florida State: Despite playing without Jameis Winston, the Seminoles found a means to knock off a ranked opponent in the home. While the Seminoles did not earn style points for the win, the fact that they were competent to hold on in a really competitive competition says a lot about Florida State’s stamina.

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Scout"s Notebook: Dak Prescott an intriguing prospect to follow

Steelers run crazy on Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ben Roethlisberger threw two 7-yard touchdown passes to Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell ran for 147 yards as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Carolina Panthers 37-19 on Sunday night.

The Steelers had gone eight quarters without a touchdown before Roethlisberger’s two scoring strikes in the third. They were set up by Cam Newton’s fumble and Bell’s 81-yard run.

Roethlisberger ended 22 of 30 for 196 yards, and Brown had 90 yards receiving on 10 catches to help the Steelers (2-1) centering Carolina’s eight-match home winning streak.

LaGarrette Blount ran for 118 yards as well as the Steelers outrushed the Panthers 264-42.

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Steelers run crazy on Panthers

Fines roundup: Muhammad Wilkerson docked $20K for fight

Muhammad Wilkerson’s ejection not only possibly cost his team a win from the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. It brought some cash from his pocket.

The New York Jets defensive lineman was penalized $20,000 for his part in an on-field altercation that contained a hit to the head of Packers guard Josh Sitton during the third quarter of his team’s 31-24 loss to Aaron Rodgers and Co. 

Here’s who else stood by their telephones (and checkbooks) Friday.

» Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Dwan Edwards fined $8,268 for a late hit on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

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Fines roundup: Muhammad Wilkerson docked $20K for fight

Buffalo Bills love breath of fresh air in favorable beginning to 2014

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Week 3 of the 2014 NFL season is finally here — and as she does every week, Judy Battista emphasizes the storylines and elements to pay attention to, starting using a fresh lease on life for the Buffalo Bills franchise and continuing with 10 more items to observe below.

It was a couple of hours after Adrian Peterson had effectively been banished in the Minnesota Vikings, and several hours before the Carolina Panthers would do exactly the same to Greg Hardy. A barren expanse of news and mishandlings had engulfed the NFL for almost two weeks, sending standings plummeting and matches to the borders.

But for a short while, there was a tiny sliver of good news coming in the NFL. Terry Pegula’s purchase of the Buffalo Bills to get a reported $1.4 billion was approved by the NFL’s finance committee this week, a positive development squeezed in among so much negativity. Pegula, who has been media self-conscious as whoever owns the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, prudently declined to answer questions after his acceptance was declared Wednesday, because he’s not yet been validated by the entire possession group. That probably saved him from being questioned how concerned he’s in regards to the league where he’s planning to invest so much.

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Buffalo Bills love breath of fresh air in favorable beginning to 2014

One Preview: Highest passers on display in Detroit

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One trusted preview. One crucial variable to decide the match. It is that straightforward.

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX) — One of the NFL’s longest-running competitions revives when the Lions host the Packers. The competition continues to be one sided lately: The Packers have won five of the past six matchups, and gone 22-4 against the Lions dating back to the 2001 season. All time, the Packers hold a 96-66-7 border.

After a hapless Week 1 performance from the Seattle Seahawks, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was his more recognizable self in a 31-24 win on the New York Jets in Week 2. His 346 yards passing last week helped him move previous Professional Football Hall of Famer Bart Starr for second in the team’s all time passing yardage list (24,732 yards to 24,718). Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had an opposite experience, flourishing in a Week 1 win on the New York Giants but fighting in a Week 2 defeat in the hands of the Carolina Panthers. To change the Lions’ fortunes from the Packers, Stafford must perform better than he’s lately against Green Bay. Stafford is 1-6 against the Packers, has thrown two or more touchdowns in only two of those seven matches and a couple of interceptions in five of these seven matches.

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One Preview: Highest passers on display in Detroit

Panthers" Greg Hardy to be put on Exempt List

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The Carolina Panthers declared on Wednesday that defensive end Greg Hardy will soon be put in the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission List, after the lead of the Minnesota Vikings’ handling of Adrian Peterson.

The Exempt List is the same one that Peterson landed on before in the day as he addresses the legal problems associated to an indictment on a charge of dangerous or negligent harm to your kid. The designation requires that Hardy stay away from all team tasks while on the exempt list.

"Greg had the choice to get this done and he took it," Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said Wednesday. & quot;This is what he picked. This really is the choice he selected."

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Panthers" Greg Hardy to be put on Exempt List