what we are as an offensive line or as a team

TAMPA, Fla. -- Welcome to the NFC South, where two games over .500 gives the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a share of first place, and two under has the New Orleans Saints in position to make up ground in a hurry.Talk about playing meaningful games in December.The surging Bucs (7-5), and explosive, but inconsistent Saints (5-7) meet in a key divisional matchup Sunday, then play again in New Orleans in two weeks.In between, the Bucs travel to Dallas for a prime-time date against the NFL-best Cowboys (11-1). The Saints, meanwhile, visit Arizona (5-6-1), which is trying to stay in playoff contention, too.Tampa Bay closes the regular season against Carolina (4-8) and New Orleans finishes at NFC South co-leader Atlanta (7-5), meaning the Bucs and Saints both play three of their remaining four games within the division.The way our division is so tight right now, these games are huge, Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter said. Us and Atlanta sitting there at 7-5, New Orleans at 5-7. Just do the math for New Orleans, and were not too far ahead. So, its going to be huge.Part of the challenge for Koetter down the stretch will be keeping one of the NFLs youngest rosters even-keeled.With second-year quarterback Jameis Winston leading the way, the Bucs have won four straight -- six of eight overall -- to overcome a slow start. Tampa Bay hasnt made the playoffs since 2007, and the winning streak is the teams longest in four years.Koetter, whos in his first year as a NFL head coach, said hes not 100 percent sure of the best approach to helping the players cope with the mounting pressure of a playoff chase.Im feeling my way through, the coach said, adding that he tries to tell it to them straight.They know where they are, they know how important this game is. ... But how you gauge the team and how you feel even-keeled, thats a hard thing to figure exactly, Koetter said. I also count on the leadership of our players to help out with that.The Saints relish the opportunity to get back in the race, though it wont be easy playing three of their final four games on the road. Coach Sean Payton feels its imperative New Orleans focus on Sunday -- nothing beyond.We cant play all four Payton said. Weve just got to play this one.Some things to know about the Saints and Bucs:PUT IT ALL OUT THERE: Payton and Koetter both call offensive plays and insist they arent tempted to hold anything back on Sunday.I dont think youd ever go into a game saying lets hold this for the second game. Certainly were not in a position to save or hold anything, Payton said.Koetter agreed: Ive never been like that, I dont believe in that. Shoot. Who knows where were going to be in two weeks? Our most important game is right now.BRINGING PRESSURE: The overlapping returns from injury of linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins have resulted in considerable improvement by the New Orleans defense in quarterback pressure. Theyve combined for seven sacks in the past four games. Ellerbe, who has been featured in blitz packages, has a sack in each of the Saints past four games. Rankins, a rookie drafted 12th overall last spring, has three sacks in that span.FAMOUS JAMEIS: Winstons steady progress has been a big part of Tampa Bays surge. The first overall pick from last years draft has thrown 15 touchdown passes versus four interceptions over his past eight games. Hes on pace to top 4,000 yards passing again, as well as set a franchise record for TD passes in a season.CHEMISTRY QUESTIONS: New Orleans lack of rhythm on offense last weekend against Detroit begged the question whether there was a carry-over from the dissatisfaction receiver Brandin Cooks expressed after not having a pass thrown to him during a Week 12 win over Los Angeles. Drew Brees threw to Cooks nine times against the Lions, and the third-year receiver had seven catches for 73 yards. Nevertheless, New Orleans struggled to convert third downs -- and, ultimately, to score in a 28-13 loss.GREAT BREES: Brees, who leads the NFL in passing yards, completions, attempts, completion percentage and TD passes, is 87 yards shy of throwing for at least 4,000 yards in 11 consecutive seasons. The Bucs, by comparison, have had just two 4,000-yard seasons (Winston 2015, Josh Freeman 2012) in team history.---AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL. Nike Air Force 1 Just Do It Orange Pas Cher . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. Air Force 1 Low Homme Pas Cher . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. http://www.siteairforce1pascher.fr/air-force-1-shell-soldes.html . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. Nike Air Force 1 Low Soldes . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Nike Air Force 1 Just Do It Noir . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. CLEMSON, S.C. -- In the aftermath of allegations by some South Carolina players that Clemson players used racial slurs before their game last week, Tigers offensive lineman Jay Guillermo offered a figurative olive branch to the Gamecocks and coach Dabo Swinney attacked the media for its coverage of the story.While Clemson?has vehemently denied the allegations -- and some of the South Carolina players have since backed off the claims, suggesting that fans were responsible for the language -- Guillermo tried to mend fences.South Carolina defensive lineman Dante Sawyer had tweeted his outrage regarding racism at Clemson after the game, but on Sunday he tweeted that Guillermo had reached out to clear the air.Guillermo was asked about the conversation Tuesday and said he wanted to keep most of what was said private, but he said he assured Sawyer that Clemson was not a place that would tolerate racist behavior.We talked about it, and I let him know thats not what we do, Guillermo said. If anything was said, thats not how we are, not what we are as an offensive line or as a team. We have a good culture here, and its a classy culture. Thats something Coach Swinney prides himself on. We do have good people here.Swinney, meanwhile, said he is convinced his team didnnt use racial epithets before the game.dddddddddddd. Hes upset that the media picked up on the story, saying that journalists who covered the allegations showed zero accountability and should be fired.After Clemson beat South Carolina 56-7 on Saturday, Gamecocks defensive lineman Bryson Allen-Williams said an unnamed Tigers offensive lineman had used a racial slur, and several of his teammates echoed those allegations after the game on social media.On Sunday, Swinney was asked about the accusations and said hed talked to his team and believed the story was absolutely false.During his Tuesday news conference, Swinney was asked whether hed had any communication with South Carolina coach Will Muschamp regarding the situation. Swinney used the opportunity to slam the media for the way the story was handled.I dont have a problem giving young people some grace, Swinney said. Young people will say some things from time to time, emotional or whatever. Media people, I dont give them much grace. ... Its just like theres no credibility anymore. You dont need to confirm anything anymore. Just write it. ... Shoot first, ask questions later. ' ' '