and his first.TRAINERS ROOMDodgers: Roberts said p

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The bend-but-dont-break defense of the Kansas City Chiefs has so far done an exceptional job of making coach Andy Reid rip out whatever red-tinted fuzz is left of his hair.You see, the Chiefs are masters of giving up yards when it doesnt matter.Theyll give up passes under their coverage, long runs between the tackles, quick crossing routes as opponents drive downfield.When they get close to the end zone? Its a whole different story.The Chiefs have become one of the best teams in the NFL when it comes to red zone defense, a big reason why theyre off to a 2-1 start .Not only do they usually hold opponents to field goals rather than touchdowns, they also have forced a slew of turnovers.We do a good job with that. I dont know why, Reid said. You always talk about the 12th man there, the end zone. Our guys know how to space it out. We worked hard on it at training camp.There was reason for the emphasis. The Chiefs gave up a touchdown on three of every five trips opponents made inside their 20-yard line last season, putting them in the bottom third of the league.Through three games this season? Just three touchdowns on 13 trips.The Chiefs red-zone touchdown rate of 23.1 percent is best in the NFL, just ahead of the New York Giants -- a crucial mark considering only New Orleans and Oakland have allowed more red-zone scoring opportunities.Thats not just bend-but-dont-break. Thats Gumby doing yoga.Reid may not know exactly why Kansas City has become so adept at defending the end zone, but he is willing to hazard a guess. And for a guy who made his bones in the NFL on inventive schemes, studying trends and dissecting film, it only makes sense that he offered an Xs and Os solution.So much of that is just eliminating the seams in there, he said, because theyll just try to pull you apart. You only need a small area to deliver on. Teams will try to pull you apart and test your discipline. Everything is going a little faster down there. Your weaknesses are going to be exploited; your strengths are going to show up.So far, the Chiefs biggest weakness is getting pressure on the quarterback, a problem that could be alleviated later this season if star pass rusher Justin Houston returns from knee surgery.Otherwise, there are a whole bunch of strengths.The defensive front of Dontari Poe, Jaye Howard, Allen Bailey and Chris Jones has been able to plug up the run near the goal line, forcing teams to the air.And when they put it up, one of the most opportunistic secondary groups in the NFL has had a penchant for picking off passes.Three of the six interceptions thrown by the Jets Ryan Fitzpatrick last week were in the end zone.It was all about executing the game plan to a `T, said cornerback Marcus Peters, who had two picks and one of those in the end zone . We dotted our Is and crossed our Ts. We let our pass rush get there, we played underneath, we let our safeties play over the top and we made plays.As a result, the Chiefs have not allowed a touchdown in more than seven quarters.Building on that impressive streak should be a challenge Sunday night, when the Chiefs visit Pittsburgh and a prolific offense led by Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and recently returned LeVeon Bell.The Steelers are fifth in the NFL in percentage of touchdowns scored in the red zone.Our guys, Ill tell you right now, are staying disciplined, Reid said. This will be a good challenge for them because they are good in the red zone. You have to know how to space the field, particularly in the pass game, and then you have to trust it.Game notesCB Marcus Peters, the AFC defensive player of the week, missed practice for the second straight day. He has the flu. ... CB Phillip Gaines was held out of practice because of a knee injury. He was limited in Wednesdays workout. ... OL Jah Reid (knee) and RB Charcandrick West (ankle) also did not practice.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFLCheap Cardinals Jerseys .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Marcell Ozuna Jersey . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. https://www.cheapcardinalsonline.com/74t-gussie-busch-jersey-cardinals.html . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Jose Martinez Cardinals Jersey . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. St. Louis Cardinals Store . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday.PHOENIX -- This season is a lost cause for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and now some players are just trying to ensure themselves opportunities in the future.Brandon Drury strengthened his case with a timely hit Sunday.The 24-year-old utility player singled with two outs in the 12th inning to score Paul Goldschmidt, lifting the Diamondbacks over the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-9.Drury tied a career high with four hits, including a home run, and got his chance in the 12th after the Dodgers intentionally walked Jake Lamb. Ross Stripling (4-8) got the loss.It was Drurys third game-ending RBI since mid-July. He is batting .412 (33 for 80) with five doubles, five homers and 17 RBI in his last 22 games.Drury has also reached base safely in 15 straight games.The game lasted 4 hours, 29 minutes. Matt Koch (1-0) won for Arizona, his first career win.The Dodgers maintained their five-game lead in the NL West over San Francisco after the Giants lost earlier Sunday. Los Angeles hosts the Giants for a three-game series that starts Monday.Goldschmidt stretched a base hit into a double with two outs in the 12th, then Lamb was issued a walk to bring up Drury.A credit to Goldschmidt. Oh for 5 and hes still running out singles up the middle and he turns it into a double, Stripling said. And then we intentionally walk the lefty to get to Drury, whos had a good day. Get 1-1 and try to throw a heater up and it just kind of stays middle-middle.Howie Kendrick broke a 7-all tie in the eighth with a two-out, two-run double, but Chris Owings hit a two-run home run with two outs in the eighth to make it 9-9.The Diamondbacks loaded the bases with walks in the eighth and had a chance to regain the lead after blowing a 6-0 advantage, but Mitch Haniger grounded out sharply to third base to end the inning.Both teams had two runners on base in the ninth but couldnt deliver. Owings struck out against Stripling with the potential winning run at third base in the ninth.Adrian Gonzalezs pinch-hit double in the sixth with two outs and the bases loaded tied it at 7, part of a six-run inning for Los Angeles.Haniger, another young player trying to show well, had three hits, including a two-run homer.We dont worry about if were going to get a hit or score runs, Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said. We just worry about getting a good at-bat and hitting the ball hard. And thats their mindset.Starter Robbie Ray struck out eight of the first 14 batters and did not allow a hit until the fifth, when Kiike Hernandez homered with two outs.dddddddddddd Ray lasted 5 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on five hits, eight strikeouts and a pair of walks.The Diamondbacks tagged starter Jose De Leon for six runs, four of those earned, in 3 2/3 innings. De Leon, a rookie whod won his first two starts, gave up seven hits.Arizonas Jean Segura had his 22nd game with three or more hits this season, which tied a club record.WATSON OUTThe Diamondbacks are parting with senior vice president of baseball operations De Jon Watson, and chief baseball officer Tony La Russa said he and general manager Dave Stewart may also be fired after the season.La Russa announced Watsons departure and said he will meet with owner Ken Kendrick and president and CEO Derrick Hall eventually about his status. The Diamondbacks are a disappointing 63-86 this season.If it gets turned over the next person, you gladly turn it over, La Russa said. When were 20 games under .500, I felt if youre looking at the front office, the most responsible person, it would be me.Watson was in his second season with the club and oversaw the franchises player development and professional, amateur and international scouting departments.PEDERSON TOSSEDDodgers center fielder Joc Pederson was ejected for arguing a called third strike in the eighth inning, the fifth ejection for the team this season and his first.TRAINERS ROOMDodgers: Roberts said pitcher Scott Kazmir developed a blister while throwing a simulated game Sunday. Hes been on the disabled list with a neck problem since Aug. 23. ... Pitcher Alex Wood, normally a starter, will be activated from the 60-day disabled list on Monday, and Roberts plan is to start him out of the bullpen for an inning. It figures to be Woods role for however long the Dodgers season lasts.UP NEXTDodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (11-3, 1.81) gets the start against Giants ace Madison Bumgarner on Monday night in Los Angeles. Kershaw has had two starts since coming off the 60-day disabled list earlier this month. You look at the way our rotation is configured, the same way the Giants is configured, Roberts said. It gives the best chance against those guys and I think they feel the same about playing against us.Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks begin a 10-game trip in San Diego on Monday, with Braden Shipley (4-3, 5.56) on the mound against Clayton Richard. ' ' '