ALAMEDA, Calif. -- With the game on the line, the Carolina Panthers sent three blockers in Khalil Macks direction to no avail.He overpowered Trai Turner, beat a chip attempt by running back Fozzy Whittaker and then knocked the ball out of Cam Newtons hands for a game-sealing strip sack before guard Chris Scott could get over to help.Those types of plays are becoming commonplace for Mack, who has put together quite the encore following last seasons historic campaign when he became the first player ever picked as a first-team All-Pro at two positions in one season.With sacks in six straight games, his first career interception and first career touchdown last week and relentless pressure every game, Mack is a major reason for this years success for the Raiders (9-2) and perhaps the leagues most dominant defender.I think him and Von Miller are the two best in the league right now, the two best edge pass rushers and they can do it all, Bills coach Rex Ryan said on a conference call ahead of Buffalos game against the Raiders this Sunday. Thats what Im seeing from him, a guy that can play with speed, power, finesse. You name it, hes got it. When you look at those two, theyre the only two, in my opinion, that are comparable.Mack has showed continual improvement since coming into the league as the fifth overall pick out of Buffalo in 2014. He made a big impact as a rookie in Oakland although he only managed four sacks. He added a few new wrinkles last year and boosted his production to 15 sacks, including five in one game against eventual Super Bowl champion Denver.This year, hes doing it all. From his athletic interception and return for a score last week against Carolina to his nine sacks to his 60 quarterback pressures which lead all edge rushers, according to Pro Football Focus, to his new role as defensive leader now that Justin Tuck and Charles Woodson have retired.Mack gives motivational talks before games and has come up with the motto By any means that his teammates have adopted as the mantra for this years Raiders.Even though Im a younger player, Im just stepping in and doing my part and my role, he said. Its all about that for me. There are still a lot of things we have to do better defensively. Thats whats on my mind right now.That perfectionist streak helped Mack grow from a player who got near the quarterback so often as a rookie but was unable to generate sacks to one who leads the NFL in that category the past two seasons with 24.He has done it despite constantly getting extra attention and recording just one sack the first five weeks.I think the production has come and the stats have come to where everybody else recognizes what hes been doing, but to me hes been really good, coach Jack Del Rio said. Khalil is a rare combination because hes a supremely gifted athlete, but hes got terrific work ethic. This guy comes out and busts it every day for us. Hes a great teammate. Hes humble. He can bring it and he brings it every day. Thats why I had the confidence I had that someday the numbers would come.For Mack, the personal numbers mean far less than the teams success. He took it personally when the defense got off to a rough start, allowing more than 500 yards in each of the first two games of the season and ranking near the bottom of the league in most categories early.But there has been improvement lately, especially during a five-game winning streak that has carried Oakland into a tie for the top spot in the AFC with New England.Even when the defense gives up big plays, it has been stout late. Oakland has faced nine drives this season in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime when tied or leading by eight points or fewer and allowed no points on those possessions.The latest came in the win over the Panthers when the Raiders blew a 17-point halftime lead only to rally from eight points down to go up 35-32 before Macks strip sack ended the comeback attempt.You just see him go out there and he does exactly what he says hes going to do, quarterback Derek Carr said. He does exactly what he does out there at practice. Hes not a guy that just comes out here, shows up and shows up on Sunday and says, `Yeah, Im just freakishly talented and Im going to make all the plays. Which, he very well could, but I think what separates him is his work ethic.(corrects Trai Thomas to Trai Turner)---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Elie Okobo Jersey . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Swingman Basketball Draft Jerseys . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. http://www.cheapjerseysauthenticnba.com/kevin-knox-jersey/ . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Wendell Carter Jersey . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Cheap Nike NBA Draft Jerseys .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. ARLINGTON, Texas -- Early run support went a long way to helping Texas Rangers right-hander A.J. Griffin produce his best outing of the season and outpitch the best road pitcher in the major leagues this season.Mitch Morelands grand slam capped a bizarre, five-run first inning and Griffin pitched six strong innings as the Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 7-0 Saturday night.I kind of tried to put my blinders on a little bit and execute my game plan, Griffin said of the early lead. That was a big grand slam Mitch hit, for sure.Griffin (6-3) allowed five hits while winning for the first time since Aug. 4. In making his first scoreless start of the season, Griffin didnt allow a home run for the first time in 12 starts.Griffin has routinely lost effectiveness in the middle innings but kept hitters off balance throughout his 95-pitch performance.With A.J., we understand the pitch count, Texas manager Jeff Banister said. He elevates a little bit when hes trying to go down, not as sharp. I was proud of him tonight `cause he stayed sharp.The Indians were unable to get more than one hit in any inning.If you stay close, we felt we could string a couple hits together, Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. But once they spread it out, that makes it tough.Carlos Carrasco (9-7) allowed seven runs -- four unearned in the first -- and eight hits in four innings while striking out eight. He went into the game with a 1.74 road ERA this season, the best in the majors.After Ian Desmonds one-out single in the first, Carlos Beltran snapped a career-worst 0-for-32 hitless streak with an infield single to the left side against a shift. The runners moved up on a balk when Carrasco began a pickoff throw to first base but halted because first baseman Carlos Santana was 20 feet from the bag.On Adrian Beltres sharp grounder to third, Desmond dove back and beat Jose Ramirezs tag to load the bases. Rougned Odors hard grounder to first bounced off Santanas glove for a run-scoring error and Moreland pulled a first-pitch slider just inside the right-field fooul pole with two out for his second career slam.ddddddddddddElvis Andrus doubled in two runs in the third inning after Moreland was intentionally walked with two out.Texas has the American Leagues best record, two games ahead of Cleveland. The Rangers increased their West lead to 7 1/2 games.A BLOOP AND NO BLASTBeltran also dumped an opposite-field hit just inside the left-field line that eluded Ramirez and left fielder Abraham Almonte. Before the game, Banister lamented that the 39-year-old was hitting in bad luck during the hitless streak that tied a franchise record.Hey, anything can happen when you put the baseball in play, Banister said. That gets him back on that positive train.DARVISHS BAT TAKING A RESTRangers RHP Yu Darvish is scheduled to start Monday at home vs. Seattle after hitting his first big-league home run in his previous start last Wednesday in Cincinnati. Darvish said he wont lobby to bat in the AL game.I dont want to get tired, Darvish said. So, no, thank you for that.SHORT HOPSRHP Jeremy Jeffress spent his second day on the restricted list as Major League Baseball continued to look into the pitchers arrest on a drunken driving charge early Friday morning in Dallas. ... OF Carlos Gomez is 0-for-11 with six strikeouts since homering in his Texas debut at-bat on Thursday.TRAINERS ROOMIndians: Manager Terry Francona said theres no timetable for when C Yan Gomes (right shoulder separation) will begin a rehab session.Rangers: RHP Colby Lewis (right lat strain) is scheduled to make his second rehab start on Monday for Double-A Frisco. He last appeared in a major league game on June 21.UP NEXTIndians: RHP Danny Salazar (11-5) has compiled a 10.41 ERA over six starts in July and August, lasting only 11 total innings in his last four outings.Rangers: LHP Derek Holland (5-6) returned from the disabled list last Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits in six innings in a loss at Cincinnati. Youth NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys Online China Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL Hoodies Wholesale NFL T-shirts Stitched Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2020 ' ' '