(STATS) -- So the Southland Conference title that second-ranked Sam Houston State is supposed to run away with this season …Saturdays high-scoring night across the conference suggested it wont be as easy as expected for the Bearkats.The night was punctuated by Central Arkansas 28-23 win over Arkansas State -- the second over an FBS program since the Bears joined the FCS in 2006. Ironically, wide receiver Brandon Cox, an Arkansas State transfer, scored the winning touchdown.We played our butts off against Oklahoma State (last year), coach Steve Campbell said. We played our butts off against Texas Tech (two years ago). And we played out butts off tonight. And its great to be proud of a team for fighting their butts off and then getting rewarded for it by winning the football game.Last year, only four of the 11 Southland teams posted winning records, but there appears to be better depth this season.Like Sam Houston (3-0) and Central Arkansas (3-1), Stephen F. Austin (3-1) also is 2-0 in the conference race, and the Lumberjacks are threatening to join the national rankings. They will try to turn the race upside down when they face the Bearkats next weekend in Houston.Then theres McNeese, which rebounded from a three-point loss to SFA with a win over Incarnate Word. The defending conference champion also has a matchup ahead with Sam Houston.Nicholls, which had a 23-game losing streak as recently as last October, wasnt even supposed to be in the conversation, but the Colonels have come within three points of two FBS programs -- a 41-40 heartbreaker to South Alabama this past Saturday after a 26-24 setback to Georgia to open the season.With 2013 and 14 Southland champ Southeastern Louisiana as well as Lamar still anxious to cause trouble in the conference behind All-America running back Kade Harrington, the title race has some potential spoilers.With talk always on Sam Houston making another deep run in the FCS playoffs, the Bearkats may not want to look ahead too often.---=SECOND AND 10=Ten more observations from the FCS weekend:1.) The Missouri Valley Football Conference, which only has conference games remaining in the regular season, had quite the impressive September against FBS programs. Its teams finished 4-6 overall with one win on each of the four Saturdays. Western Illinois 28-23 triumph at Northern Illinois joined Northern Iowa (Iowa State), Illinois State (Northwestern) and North Dakota State (Iowa) for a single-season record in the MVFC. We came in, theres always that FBS-FCS middle line separating us, Leathernecks quarterback Sean McGuire said. But weve seen its a thin line and obviously a lot of teams have shown that this year. We showed it today.2.) If Cal Poly has been the team overlooked for the Top 25 -- OK, the Big Sky squad wont this week after a third straight win over Montana -- then the team which has been overrated is William & Mary. The Tribe (2-2) were much too high in the national poll at No. 8 last week and a loss at Elon with wins only over two MEAC teams leaves them searching for an identity as their CAA Football schedule really toughens. They probably need to at least split their next two games on the road at New Hampshire and James Madison.3.) Ohio Valley Conference power Jacksonville State, last years national runner-up to North Dakota State, heads into its bye week knowing Auburn transfer Roc Thomas has come on strong to take pressure off quarterback Eli Jenkins, who also has his top wide receiver, Josh Barge, back from injury. The triple threat combined to dominate Liberty 48-19 Saturday night.4.) Theres a reason preseason polls are conducted before training camp. Once teams pick up footballs, everything changes. Look at some of the rough starts conference favorites are having: Richmond suffered a 28-point loss to Stony Brook in its CAA Football opener. Big Sky favorite Northern Arizona lost the game and quarterback Case Cookus to a shoulder injury at home against Eastern Washington. Alcorn State, the two-time defending SWAC champ, already has two conference losses.5.) Speaking of Alcorn State, the rematch of last years SWAC Championship Game was one-sided as Grambling State handled the Braves 43-18. Transfer quarterback Devante Kincade had 482 total yards and a hand in all six Grambling touchdowns. The Braves, who travel to Arkansas next, arent the same team without injured QB Lenorris Footman.6.) San Diego played keep away from Dayton in winning 34-22 at home in the matchup of last years Pioneer Football League co-champs. The Toreros held the ball for 41 minutes, 25 seconds, only punting twice to Daytons eight times. Tevin Heywards 1-yard touchdown run gave the Toreros the lead with 4:31 left and Anthony Lawrences 62-yard scoring pass to Jonah Hodges sealed the win.7.) Just when it looked the Northeast Conference would remain without a signature win over an FCS scholarship program, Sacred Heart won 38-10 at No. 20 Stony Brook, just one week after Stony Brook pounded then-No. 2 Richmond 42-14. The Pioneers were mediocre last season after winning NEC titles in 2013 and 14, but coach Mark Nofri has an excellent senior class this season. Against Stony Brook, quarterback RJ Noel passed for a touchdown and also rushed for two scores, while the defense held an opponent scoreless in the second half for the fifth consecutive game.8.) Wofford (3-1) didnt allow East Tennessee State to reach its side of the field, surrendering only 76 yards in a 31-0 win that marked its second consecutive shutout. A program known for its triple option rushing, the Terriers also are taking away the run, allowing a mere 2.1 yards per carry and 56.5 yards per game. The Southern Conference squad wants to get back to the playoffs after a three-year absence, but its road schedule is brutally tough.9.) Georgetown struggles in the Patriot League as the only program not to offer football scholarships, but the Hoyas usually hold their own against other non-scholarship teams. Coach Rob Sgarlatas team beat Columbia 17-14 to improve to 3-0 -- all against non-scholarship teams. Quarterback Tim Barnes waited his turn to become the starter and has been efficient as a senior. A tough stretch await the Hoyas, beginning next Friday night at Harvard.10.) As expected, Delaware State was woefully overmatched in a 79-0 loss at Missouri, but second-year coach Kenny Carter sees the benefits for his MEAC program beyond the athletic departments much-needed payday: Lets do this comparison, he said. Compare it to being in the weight room and trying to get stronger. If youre in the weight room and youre lifting weights and youre lifting little weights, youre not going to get any stronger. Youve got to lift heavy weight to get stronger. And its the same thing in football. You go play opponents that you see are better than you, and on paper theyre definitely better than you, how are you going to refine your skill set or see where you are if you dont play people that are better?---=A LOOK AHEAD=Illinois State and North Dakota State, who have shared the last two Missouri Valley titles, meet for the first time in the regular season since 2013 next Saturday at the Fargodome.Other Top 25 matchups, depending on Mondays new STATS poll, have Western Illinois going to South Dakota State in the Missouri Valley and former Big South rivals Charleston Southern and Coastal Carolina squaring off on the teal turf at Coastal.Also, key conference matchups include: Big Sky, Cal Poly at North Dakota and Southern Utah at Montana; CAA, Delaware at James Madison and William & Mary at New Hampshire; Ivy, Penn at Dartmouth (Friday night); MEAC, North Carolina Central at a surprisingly winless Bethune-Cookman; Southland, Sam Houston State vs. Stephen F. Austin in the Battle of the Piney Woods at NRG Stadium in Houston; and SWAC, Prairie View A&M at Grambling State. Cheap Nike Flex Running Shoes . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Wholesale Nike Flex China . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. http://www.cheapnikeflex.com/ . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. Discount Nike Flex . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Wholesale Nike Flex Cheap . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. NFL Nation reporters assess the biggest injuries across the league for Week 13.AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC WestAFC EASTBuffalo BillsThe Bills had 12 starters listed on their Wednesday injury report, including six who did not practice. The biggest concerns are CB Ronald Darby (concussion) and S James Ihedigbo (ankle) because the Bills need all hands on deck in their secondary against the Raiders fourth-ranked passing offense. If Darby and Ihedigbo cannot play, the Bills will likely start Corey White at cornerback and Jonathan Meeks at safety. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsPro Bowl center Mike Pouncey continues to be a question mark. He missed Wednesdays practice because of a left hip injury, and his chances of playing Sunday against the Ravens dont appear strong. Backup Anthony Steen likely will get his sixth start of the season in place of Pouncey, who will definitely be missed down the stretch until his return.?-- James WalkerNew England PatriotsTE Rob Gronkowskis back injury is the main situation to monitor this week, as QB Tom Brady has already said his knee is feeling better. Gronkowski left Sundays win over the Jets late in the first quarter after playing seven snaps, and his availability for this weeks matchup against the Rams bears watching. As they have in recent years, the Patriots will likely err on the side of caution with Gronkowski, who didnt practice Wednesday. Brady and WR Julian Edelman (foot) also didnt practice Wednesday.?-- Mike ReissNew York JetsThe Jets will probably be down two defensive starters on Monday: S Calvin Pryor (concussion) and DT Steve McLendon (hamstring). Rontez Miles would replace Pryor, and the Jets could replace McLendon by adjusting their fronts. C Nick Mangold, sidelined four games with an ankle injury, is making strides and could return to face the Colts on Sunday.?-- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensCB Jimmy Smith returned to practice after missing the past two games. Smith, who is dealing with a back injury, was limited in drills on the turf of the indoor facility, where the Ravens practiced because of the rain. On Monday, coach John Harbaugh described Smith as close to playing. The return of Smith, Baltimores top cornerback, will help the Ravens slow Miamis wide receivers,?Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker. --?Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsWR A.J. Green made an appearance at practice Wednesday, but only to do some exercises on the rehab field. It doesnt look like Green will be suiting up anytime soon, which leaves the bulk of his receptions to rookie Tyler Boyd while Green recovers from a hamstring injury.?-- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsRG John Greco is out for the season with a mid-foot sprain. The Browns will give the first chance to replace Greco after the bye week to Jonathan Cooper, the former Cardinals first-round pick. Cooper was traded in the offseason to New England, which released him. The Browns then claimed him.?-- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers could get RB DeAngelo Williams back this week. Coach Mike Tomlin said Williams injured knee is perking up. Pittsburghs running game has been doing just fine, with 294 rushing yards the past two weeks. But LeVeon Bell has taken a pounding, with 51 rushes in that span. The presence of Williams would give the Steelers another option when they want to pound the rock. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansThe Texans have a long injury report this week, with 20 players listed, but so far only one starter is in danger of missing Sundays game against the Packers. Outside linebacker John Simon, who left Houstons Week 11 game against the Raiders with a chest injury, has a longer term injury, according to head coach Bill OBrien. Without Simon, the Texans shifted around the defense, and Benardrick McKinney has taken up most of Simons responsibility. McKinney had 12 combined tackles and a sack in last weeks loss to the Chargers. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsAll eyes remain on QB Andrew Luck until hes cleared from the NFLs concussion protocol. Luck took another step in being cleared by practicing Wednesday. The final step -- as long he doesnt experience a setback -- is to be cleared by an independent neurologist. Coach Chuck Pagano said he expects Luck to start against the Jets on Monday, once he clears the protocol. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsBoth of the Jaguars top running backs -- T.J. Yeldon (ankle) and Chris Ivory (hamstring) -- are banged up, and neither practiced Wednesday. Ivory was hurt in last weeks loss to Buffalo, and because Ivory was only about 75 percent from an ankle injury he sustained the week before, the Jaguars gave Denard Robinson a season-high 13 carries. It wouldnt be unexpected if neither Yeldon nor Ivory practiced all week but tested their injuries pregame and are able to play Sunday against Denver.?-- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansDL Jurrell Casey has a sprained foot, and CB Jason McCourty has a bruised knee. Both will rest through the bye week and are expected to be OK when the Titans season resumes Dec. 11 against the Broncos at Nissan Stadium.?-- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosIf the guy who just threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns in his previous start is suddenly wearing a walking boot on his left foot, it is a concern. The Broncos will keep an eye on QB Trevor Siemian, who suffered what coach Gary Kubiak called a foot sprain in the Broncos first possession of overtime Sunday night. Siemian did not practice Wednesday and would not be expected to practice Thursday, unless he had made significant improvement. However, the Broncos want him in the lineup. Kubiak said Siemian could play Sunday against the Jaguars, even if he didnt practice this week but could show by the weekend that he had enough mobility to play.?-- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsWR Jeremy Maclin and LB Dee Ford both returned to practice Wednesday after missing last weeks game, but each was a limited participant, which leaves their statuses uncertain for Sundays meeting with the Falcons. Maclin appears unlikely to be available Sunday, as it was his first practice since early November. After Atlanta, the Chiefs have their next game on a Thursday night against the Raiders. It could make more sense for the Chiefs to aim for the Oakland game as the return date for both players. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersQB Derek Carr and the most famous right pinkie in the Bay Area were full-go Wednesday in practice, three days after he dislocated the finger in two places after an errant snap while under center against the Panthers. Carr had the pinkie taped earlier in the day, though, and wore a black glove in practice. Barring a setback, he should be ready to roll against the Bills on Sunday in Oakland. Anytime?he was asked about his finger on Wednesday during his news conference, he gave a standard answer: It feels good. Thanks for asking. Sorry, Matt McGloin, your role is still as Carrs backup.?-- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersSan Diegos leading receiver,?Tyrell Williams, suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder last week against the Texans, which puts his availability for Sundays game against the Buccaneers in question. However, Chargers head coach Mike McCoy said Williams dealt with a similar injury two years ago, during his final season in college at Western Oregon, and still played. Williams did not practice Wednesday.?-- Eric D. WilliamsNFC EASTDallas CowboysWith J.J. Wilcox looking unlikely to play Thursday against Minnesota because of a thigh bruise, the Cowboys will welcome starting safety Barry Church back to the lineup after a four-game absence due to a fractured forearm. Church, who will wear a carbon fiber brace for added protection, leads the Dallas defense with two interceptions and is third on the team in tackles, despite misssing four games.dddddddddddd The Cowboys have given up 14 pass plays of 20 or more yards the past three weeks. Church can be a calming influence in the secondary. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsStarting left guard Justin Pugh returned to practice Wednesday after a minor setback late last week. He was limited and appears to be a long shot to return against the Steelers on Sunday. Pugh said after what happened recently that he needs to be careful about trying to get back for this weeks game. Instead, they need to focus on being healthy for the duration of the season. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesRB Ryan Mathews remains day-to-day with an MCL sprain that kept him out of Mondays game against the Packers. If he cant go, the Eagles will turn to rookie Wendell Smallwood to fill his role. WR Jordan Matthews is dealing with an ankle injury, but coach Doug Pederson expects him to play against the Bengals.?-- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsTE Jordan Reed has made slow progress, but the Redskins remain hopeful that hell possibly play Sunday against Arizona. Hes in a lot of pain, but hes got a few days to heal, Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. Reed wont need surgery to repair the Grade 3 separation of his left AC joint. Reed played with the injury in the second half of the Thanksgiving Day loss to Dallas, but hell have to show more progress by Friday to play Sunday. If he cant play, the Redskins have Vernon Davis and Derek Carrier to handle tight end duties. In their three-tight-end sets, theyd use an extra tackle, Vinston Painter. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsRookie linebacker Leonard Floyd returned to practice Wednesday but is still in the NFLs concussion protocol. Floyd, who wore a red no-contact jersey during the workout, is second on the team with five sacks. After a slow start to the year, the ninth overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft settled into a groove until he suffered what originally appeared to be a serious neck injury during Chicagos Week 11 road matchup against the New York Giants. Doctors discovered later that Floyd suffered only a concussion, but Chicago made him inactive for last weeks game against Tennessee. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsAnother week, another monitoring of linebacker DeAndre Levy, who has not played for Detroit since Week 1. He practiced on a limited basis the past two weeks and was inactive against both the Jaguars and Vikings. He was at practice Wednesday, but when coach Jim Caldwell was asked if Levy is being ramped up to play this week, Caldwell offered his typical response: We will see. The Lions will once again have to wait and see if their best linebacker will return to the field Sunday in New Orleans. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersOutside linebacker Clay Matthews had to take a pain-killing injection in his shoulder just to finish Monday nights game at Philadelphia and said Wednesday that his shoulder is still bruised and swollen. Matthews called the blind-side block by Allen Barbre that separated the AC joint in his left shoulder a cheap shot and said he didnt know if it would prevent him from playing Sunday against the Texans. QB Aaron Rodgers hamstring injury could limit his mobility, but it wont impact his status for Sunday, according to coach Mike McCarthy. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsWR Stefon Diggs sat out because of a knee injury Thursday against Detroit, but he seems likely to play this Thursday against Dallas after practicing in full Wednesday. Diggs sounded confident that he would be ready to return this week, and getting him back would help a Vikings offense that QB Sam Bradford said needs to be more explosive this week. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsPass-rusher Adrian Clayborn suffered a torn MCL and partially torn meniscus in his left knee that required repair, so Clayborn will be sidelined for up to a month. Falcons coach Dan Quinn said it isnt a season-ending injury, which is a good sign, considering how much Clayborn enhances the pass rush. At the same time, the Falcons dont want to rush him back. Theyll need Clayborn fresh for the playoffs. Until then, Vic Beasley Jr. and Dwight Freeney have to maintain consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks down the stretch.?-- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersSafety Kurt Coleman became the seventh Carolina player to be placed in the concussion protocol this season. Thats a league high. Veteran Michael Griffin will likely get the start for Coleman. RT Daryl Williams is in a walking boot with an ankle sprain, so RG Trai Turner will get his first start at tackle after finishing the game there Sunday.?-- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsRB Mark Ingram missed practice Wednesday because of a toe injury. It might not be too serious, as he was in attendance for the start of practice, but well know more as the week goes on. Ingram has been on a tear the past four weeks and was just named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, but the Saints?have a ready-made backup in veteran Tim Hightower, if needed. LT Terron Armstead?remains questionable this week, with his lingering knee and quad issues. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersDT Gerald McCoy missed Wednesdays practice with a foot injury, but neither he nor head coach Dirk Koetter seem to think it is serious. McCoy even said Tuesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he would be in San Diego playing. That leaves Chris Conte as the major injury concern. He isnt expected to play this week due to a chest injury, and?Keith Tandy is expected to step in for him. Considering Contes contributions the past three weeks (two interceptions) and the drastic improvements made on defense, how much will losing him on the back end disrupt that? -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsCB Patrick Peterson is expected back at practice Thursday, but how his left knee responds will be monitored closely after Atlantas Julio Jones kicked him during an interception return Sunday. The short-term status of WR John Brown is still unknown as he continues to deal with the symptoms of carrying the sickle-cell trait. He cramped Wednesday, and that forced him to miss practice.?-- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsVeteran OL Rodger Saffold had his left hand wrapped and his arm in a sleeve Tuesday. He injured the hand in the second quarter of Sundays loss, a game that saw him move from his normal position of left guard to take the place of a struggling Greg Robinson at left tackle. Robinson -- the No. 2 overall pick in 2014, who has been plagued by inconsistent play throughout his career -- was benched merely to catch his breath, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. He is expected to return to left tackle Sunday. If Saffold cant go, Jamon Brown will replace him at left guard. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersWR Quinton Patton looked like a player set to come into his own once Colin Kaepernick took over as starting quarterback, but that production tailed off the past couple of weeks before Patton suffered a concussion last week against Miami. Patton is now going through the protocol, and his status for Sunday wont be available until closer to game time. With Torrey Smith coming off a shoulder injury, the Niners cant afford many more hits to an already-thin receiving corps.?-- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksThe Seahawks are hoping to get DE Michael Bennett (knee) back after a five-game absence, but his status wont be determined until later in the week. The same goes for S Earl Thomas and right CB DeShawn Shead, both of whom missed last weeks game with hamstring injuries. If Bennett needs more time to recover, Frank Clark, who has 7.5 sacks this season, would continue to replace him. Steven Terrell would start again for Thomas, while Jeremy Lane would fill in for Shead. -- Sheil Kapadia China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '