After Win Over Bears, Lions Still Face Uphill Climb
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SECTION B VISIT SAMOA NEWS ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2017 CLASSIFIEDS • CARTOONS • ALOHA BRIEFS & MORE ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ Panthers QB Newton optimistic about C M Y K ‘Caucasian Invasion’ CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The soon-to-be for sale Carolina Panthers have two more reasons to be optimistic about making a late postseason run before owner Jerry Richardson sells the team. Not only did rookie running back Christian McCaffrey have one of his most productive days as a pro, but the Panthers (10-4) fi nally got three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen fi rmly back in the offensive mix on Sunday. Olsen, who has missed most of the season with a broken foot, looked like his old self with nine catches for 116 yards and a touchdown in a 31-24 win over the Green Bay Packers . McCaf- frey had 136 yards from scrimmage and a TD. Panthers quarterback called it “The Caucasian Invasion.” “Those guys came in and had a great game,” said Newton, who threw for four touchdowns. “We are going to need that more moving forward.” Olsen had only four catches for 38 yards coming into the game. “Once you get going, it’s funny how the game really starts get- ting into a rhythm and you feel like every ball is going to come your way,” Olsen said. McCaffrey started the game for the Panthers and touched the ball nine times on the opening drive, which he capped with a Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (85) stretches over Chicago Bears inside linebacker Danny 7-yard TD catch. Trevathan (59) for an 8-yard reception for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football “The more football that he sees, the more that he understands,” game, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Newton said. “There is a lot of just being on the same page. That’s similar to Greg. Being back for a couple of weeks now, he’s starting to get back to his regular self. Finding the open zones and After win over Bears, Lions the open holes.” McCaffrey, who has 73 catches and fi ve receiving touchdowns this season, is the only rookie running back in NFL history with at least 70 receptions and fi ve touchdown catches. still face uphill climb DAVIS PUNISHMENT: The Panthers should be concerned about whether they’ll have linebacker Thomas Davis back for DETROIT (AP) — The Cincinnati (5-9) next weekend both Carolina and New Orleans Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. Davis delivered a helmet-to- Detroit Lions could enjoy the before hosting Green Bay to in the fi nal two weeks of the reg- helmet hit to Davante Adams, knocking the Packers wide receiver rest of their weekend, knowing end the regular season. ular season, but fi rst Atlanta has out of the game with a concussion — his second of the season. their playoff hopes were still The Lions did pull even with a good chance to add another (Continued on page 4) very much intact after a victory Seattle (8-6) on Sunday when win at Tampa Bay on Monday over Chicago on Saturday. the Seahawks were routed 42-7 night. On Sunday, however, the by the Rams, but even after For the Lions, meanwhile, scores from around the league that game, Detroit had only winning out is no sure thing. gave the Lions little reason for a 21 percent chance to make Matthew Stafford had another excitement. the postseason, according to effi cient game Saturday, going Victories by Carolina and fi vethirtyeight.com. If the Lions 25 of 33 for 237 yards and two New Orleans (10-4) left the win their fi nal two games, their touchdowns. He’s completed Lions two games behind those chance of making it would be 80.2 percent of his passes over C M teams with two to play. Detroit around 50 percent. the past three games, but the Y K (8-6) is also a half-game behind As much as the Lions try problems that have held the Atlanta. The Lions lost earlier to keep their focus on their offense back haven’t really this season to the Panthers, remaining games, it’s hard not been solved. Saints and Falcons, and Detroit to ponder what might have The Lions rushed for under has to beat out at least one of been. 100 yards as a team against the those NFC South teams if it’s “We did it to ourselves Bears, and Stafford was sacked going to make the playoffs as a though,” tight end Eric Ebron four times. Travis Swanson and wild card. said. “We’ve got to fend for Rick Wagner, two starters on Atlanta (8-5) plays Monday ourselves. That’s kind of how the offensive line, were inactive. night, so for Lions fans, the it works. That’s kind of how Detroit was able to over- scoreboard watching continues. you play the game and you just come those issues against Chi- “You can’t look back,” roll with the punches. So, right cago. Although the Lions were receiver Golden Tate said after now we’re just rolling with the outgained, they had only one the win over Chicago. “We punches and know what we’ve turnover and forced three. just got to go out and get the got to do.” That was enough to beat next one, control what we can Detroit’s loss to Atlanta in the last-place Bears, but what control.” September stings in particular. Detroit can’t do is change the Detroit’s schedule down the The Lions had a last-second past — the key games the Lions stretch has been manageable, touchdown overturned after a lost earlier in the season against Carolina Panthers’ Greg Olsen (88) is tackled by Green Bay and the Lions took advantage review and lost that game 30-26 teams that are now standing Packers’ Josh Jones (27) during the second half of an NFL football Saturday in their 20-10 vic- . between them and a playoff game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. tory over Chicago. Detroit is at The Falcons do have to play berth. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn) Page B2 samoa news, Monday, December 18, 2017 Patriots rally behind Gronkowski, edge Steelers 27-24 PITTSBURGH (AP) — The started with Pittsburgh safety New England Patriots have built Sean Davis letting a tipped pass a dynasty on second chances. slip off his fi ngertips. Instead Miss an opportunity to bury the of a game-sealing interception, Super Bowl champions and they the Steelers gave New England will fi nd a way to fi nd a way, another shot. Brady responded usually behind a mix of Tom by fi nding Gronkowski for Brady and Rob Gronkowski, gains of 26, 26 and 17 yards. and defensive playmaking at “I think they were trying just the right time. to challenge us and he made a It’s a lesson the Pittsburgh lot of good plays,” Brady said. Steelers have learned through “Other guys make a lot of good the years, one they were deter- plays, too, but when he’s open, mined to fi nally learn from this he gets it.” time around. Instead, more of It briefl y looked like it the same. wouldn’t be enough. Ben Roethlisberger was The Steelers (11-3) played intercepted in the end zone with most of the game without star 5 seconds remaining, securing wide receiver Antonio Brown, New England’s 27-24 come- who left in the second quarter back victory Sunday built on with a left calf injury. Still, the more Brady and Gronkowski AFC North champions gamely magic. hung in and appeared to take Brooklyn Nets’ Quincy Acy (13) prepares to shoot next to Indiana Pacers’ Victor Oladipo, le , Another AFC East title, a the lead when Roethlisberger during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in New York. record ninth in a row. connected with tight end Jesse (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki) Another shot at home-fi eld James for a 10-yard touchdown advantage throughout the AFC with 28 seconds to go. playoffs. The play was overturned on This one came with an assist review, with offi cial Tony Cor- Oladipo scores 26, leads from the NFL rule book that rente explaining that because will add “surviving the ground” the ball shifted as James twisted to the league’s ever-expanding his way into the end zone , it did and ever-perplexing lexicon. not “survive the ground” and Pacers over Nets 109-97 Plus, the risky decision by therefore wasn’t a catch. the Steelers quarterback not to “He lost complete control NEW YORK (AP) — Indiana Pacers coach pace, and getting stops down the stretch.” spike the ball and set up a tying of the football,” Corrente told a Nate McMillan came into the season trying to Quincy Acy, Caris LeVert and Joe Harris each fi eld goal, which could rever- pool reporter. fi gure out just what kind of contribution he would had 14 points in Brooklyn’s third straight loss. berate well into January. That decision that left James get from Victor Oladipo after he arrived in a trade Nets coach Kenny Atkinson thought his team “It was a tight game,” said stunned. for one the NBA’s best two-way players in Paul was outworked as it was in those previous two Brady, who fed Gronkowski “I guess I don’t know a lot George. games. repeatedly to set up Dion Lewis’ of things about football,” James The second overall pick in the 2013 draft has “I just felt like the whole game ..