The playoff race remains predictably crowded early in the fourth quarter of this NFL season, creating a complicated bundle of scenarios for the division crowns and wild-card spots available for the taking.The afternoon game Sunday with the biggest impact on the postseason picture was likely Houstons 22-17 win at Indianapolis, considering the teams began the day in a three-way tie with Tennessee for first place in the underwhelming AFC South.The Titans, meanwhile, got a big boost with their 13-10 win over defending Super Bowl champion Denver, which fell into a tie with Miami for the final AFC wild card. The Broncos hold a tiebreaker over the Dolphins.Heres a closer look at the candidates:AFC EASTNEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-2)Remaining schedule: vs. Baltimore on Monday, at Denver on Dec. 18, vs. New York Jets on Dec. 24, at Miami on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 7-1.Control top seed in AFC following Oaklands loss to Kansas City on Thursday night.MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-5)Remaining schedule: at New York Jets on Dec. 17, at Buffalo on Dec. 24, vs. New England on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 5-4.If the Dolphins are going to end an eight-year playoff drought, theyll probably have to do it with second-string quarterback Matt Moore. Miami starter Ryan Tannehill sustained a knee injury Sunday that will likely end his season.With brutal finish to schedule for Broncos, Miami still has a chance to move up. Earlier win over Pittsburgh could come in handy, in case of head-to-head tiebreaker with Steelers. Rooting for Baltimore to win AFC North, because of loss last week to Ravens.Miami has won seven of eight and Moore has made 25 career starts -- but none since Tannehill was drafted in 2012.BUFFALO BILLS (6-7)Remaining schedule: vs. Cleveland on Dec. 18, vs. Miami on Dec. 24, at New York Jets on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 3-6.Favorable final stretch of games gives Bills longshot hope in wild-card chase, but losing mark against AFC competition will make tiebreakers tough. Loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday likely extends streak of postseason absences to 17 in a row.Thanks for playing: NEW YORK JETS (4-9).---AFC NORTHBALTIMORE RAVENS (7-5)Remaining schedule: at New England on Monday, vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 18, at Pittsburgh on Dec. 25, at Cincinnati on Jan. 1.Division record: 4-0. Conference record: 7-2.With Christmas Day grudge game against rival Steelers looming in two weekends, Ravens will be challenged to avoid falling behind until then. Win that one, though, and theyll own the tiebreaker thanks to earlier victory against Pittsburgh. Wild card also in play for loser of division race, and strong conference record will help.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-5)Remaining schedule: at Cincinnati on Dec. 18, vs. Baltimore on Dec. 25, vs. Cleveland on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 6-3.With potential tiebreakers not currently in favor and first wild-card spot under control of AFC West runner-up, division race is best route. Home game against Ravens in two weeks gives them good chance. If they split season series, tiebreaker scenario could go all the way from division record, common games record, conference record to strength of victory at No. 5.Thanks for playing: CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-7-1), CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-13).---AFC SOUTHHOUSTON TEXANS (7-6)Remaining schedule: vs. Jacksonville on Dec. 18, vs. Cincinnati on Dec. 24, at Tennessee on Jan. 1.Division record: 4-0. Conference record: 5-4.Most favorable remaining schedule of three AFC South competitors. Would need to pass three teams to get wild card, so this is all but certain to be a one-bid division.TENNESSEE TITANS (7-6)Remaining schedule: at Kansas City on Dec. 18, at Jacksonville on Dec. 24, vs. Houston on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 4-5.Unlikely to win two or three-way tiebreakers with Texans and/or Colts, so win over Broncos helped greatly. Home game against Jaguars could be soft setup for division title game in Week 17 vs. Texans now that Colts have fallen behind.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-7)Remaining schedule: at Minnesota on Dec. 18, at Oakland on Dec. 24, vs. Jacksonville on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-3. Conference record: 4-6.Crushing loss to Houston on Sunday with consecutive daunting road games looming after. Four wins in past seven games after collapse at Houston on Oct. 16 could be too little too late, but momentum can be an amazing thing.Thanks for playing: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-11).---AFC WESTKANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-3)Remaining schedule: vs. Tennessee on Dec. 18, vs. Denver on Dec. 25, at San Diego on Jan. 1.Division record: 4-0. Conference record: 7-2.Took control of division race with win over Raiders on Thursday to sweep season series. Might be able to lose out and still get wild card, but Chiefs are chasing first-round bye and unlikely to let up. Monday night 14 rooting interest: Ravens to beat Patriots.OAKLAND RAIDERS (10-3)Remaining schedule: at San Diego on Dec. 18, vs. Indianapolis on Dec. 24, at Denver on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-2. Conference record: 7-2.Loss to Chiefs eliminated chance of clinching first playoff spot in 14 years this weekend. One more win, plus a loss by Miami or Denver, would do it. Would have to finish one game ahead of Chiefs to win AFC West, but path to wild card could be clearer by Monday night.DENVER BRONCOS (8-5)Remaining schedule: vs. New England on Dec. 18, at Kansas City on Dec. 25, vs. Oakland on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 5-4.Good news for Broncos is theyve got the tiebreak edge over Miami at the moment. Bad news is their third-place status in division and daunting remaining schedule. Monday night rooting interest: Patriots to beat Ravens.Thanks for playing: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-8).---NFC EASTDALLAS COWBOYS (11-1)Remaining schedule: at New York Giants on Sunday night, vs. Tampa Bay on Dec. 18, vs. Detroit on Dec. 26, at Philadelphia on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 7-1.Only team thats already clinched a postseason spot, Cowboys went into Sunday nights game against Giants knowing a win would secure division title and first-round bye. Dallas in prime position to earn No. 1 seed and guarantee itself home playoff games until the Super Bowl thats a mere 4-hour drive away in Houston.NEW YORK GIANTS (8-4)Remaining schedule: vs. Dallas on Sunday, vs. Detroit on Dec. 18, at Philadelphia on Dec. 22, at Washington on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 5-3.Winning out would give them tiebreaker over Cowboys, but still require two other losses by NFLs top team to win NFC East. Fortunately for Giants, wild-card race is in their control. Would lose head-to-head tiebreaker with both Minnesota and Green Bay, but New York is ahead of those competitors.WASHINGTON REDSKINS (7-5-1)Remaining schedule: vs. Carolina on Dec. 19, at Chicago on Dec. 24, vs. New York Giants on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-2. Conference record: 5-4.Dreaded tie with Cincinnati on Oct. 30 could be what dooms postseason bid, but remaining slate appears promising. Unless a wild scenario emerges with Cardinals surging forward and Vikings and Packers fading, tiebreaker rules wont need to be deciphered for Washington. Currently first team to miss cut in wild-card race.Thanks for playing: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-8).---NFC NORTHDETROIT LIONS (9-4):Remaining schedule: at New York Giants on Dec. 18, at Dallas on Dec. 26, vs. Green Bay on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-2. Conference record: 7-2.Can clinch division with two more wins, or fewer with corresponding losses by Minnesota and Green Bay. Winning at least twice more would put them in prime position for wild card, at least. Strong finish could deliver No. 2 seed and first-round bye.GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-6)Remaining schedule: at Chicago on Dec. 18, vs. Minnesota on Dec. 24, at Detroit on Jan. 1.Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 5-4.To win division, need to make up one game on Detroit over next two weeks, beat Lions in finale and at least stay even with Minnesota, depending on upcoming results. Might need to win out but chances look pretty good -- especially after impressive victory Sunday over Seattle.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-6)Remaining schedule: vs. Indianapolis on Dec. 18, at Green Bay on Dec. 24, vs. Chicago on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 4-6.To win division, must finish one game ahead of Detroit given two losses last month to Lions. Could also lose tiebreaker to Green Bay, depending on upcoming results. To get wild card, must pass two teams and stay ahead of Packers. Likely need to win out and even in that case could still need some help.Thanks for playing: CHICAGO BEARS (3-10).---NFC SOUTHTAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-5)Remaining schedule: at Dallas on Dec. 18, at New Orleans on Dec. 24, vs. Carolina on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 6-3.One of leagues most surprising teams, particularly considering 3-5 record after losing at home to Atlanta on Nov. 3. Bucs currently control second wild-card spot even if Falcons were to win NFC South tiebreaker. Need to stay ahead of Washington, Minnesota and Green Bay.ATLANTA FALCONS (8-5)Remaining schedule: vs. San Francisco on Dec. 18, at Carolina on Dec. 24, vs. New Orleans on Jan. 1.Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 6-3.Sudden surge by Buccaneers has put Falcons and playoff push on notice. Final four opponents all have losing records, giving them slight edge in division race, but momentum in December might be more important than schedule.Thanks for playing: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-8), CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-8).---NFC WESTSEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-4-1)Remaining schedule: vs. Los Angeles on Dec. 15, vs. Arizona on Dec. 24, at San Francisco on Jan. 1.Division record: 1-1-1. Conference record: 4-4-1.Can clinch division with one more win or Arizona loss. Looking to beat out Detroit and AFC South winner for first-round bye, but loss Sunday at Green Bay made task more difficult.Thanks for playing: ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-7-1), LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-9), SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-12).---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Swell Flaske Butikk . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Swell Bottle Butikk . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. http://www.swellflaskenorge.com/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Swell Flaske Liberty .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Swell Flaske Marble . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. TORONTO -- Aaron Sanchez was supposed to be in the Blue Jays bullpen by now. Instead, the All-Star right-hander will start against the Texas Rangers on Sunday night, hoping to pitch Toronto into the AL Championship Series.When the 24-year-old Sanchez cracked Torontos starting rotation after a solid performance in spring training, the team said it planned to move him to a relief role at some point to limit his workload. The thinking was a full season of starting would be too much for a pitcher whose previous career high was 133 1/3 innings, reached at three levels in 2014.We were all set that he was going to eventually end up in the bullpen, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said as both teams worked out Saturday for Game 3 of the AL Division Series. That was the plan in spring training.Those plans went out the window as Sanchez pitched like an ace, earned an All-Star berth, and led the AL with a 3.00 ERA.We thought it would be crazy to take him out of that role, Gibbons said. Hes been so good, one of the best pitchers in baseball.Sanchez got extra rest between starts over the final two months, even spending 10 days in the minor leagues, in order to stay fresh. Toronto also acquired left-hander Francisco Liriano at the trade deadline and briefly used a six-man rotation to spread the work out even more.Neither the extended rest, nor the 10 days he spent at Class A Dunedin, were any kind of issue to Sanchez.I knew we had something special with this club and I wanted to be a part of it, he said. To be here to pitch in a game like (Game 3), Im just blessed with the opportunity to go out there and compete.Sanchez hasnt pitched since allowing one run in seven innings to beat Boston on the final day of the regular season, a victory that ensured Toronto would host the AL wild-card game.Sanchez made one start against the Rangers this season, and it want his best. He allowed six earned runs, matching a season worst, and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 7-6 loss on May 15. That game also featured a brawl between Rangers infielder Rougned Odor and Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, an incident that happened after Sanchez had already left the game.With Texas facing ellimination after losing the first two games at home, Sanchez presents a tough test in an even tougher situation.dddddddddddd Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said the key is to stay aggressive at the plate.Hes a power pitcher and we know hes going to try and establish himself and his pitch early, Andrus said. Dont let him get comfortable. When you face guys like him, the last thing you want is them to feel comfortable on the mound.Right-hander Colby Lewis, who is 4-1 with a 2.38 ERA in nine career postseason games, will start for the Rangers.He can definitely be our stopper, Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy said.Texas has not been swept in a playoff series since back-to-back ALDS losses to the New York Yankees in 1998 and 1999. Dating to 2015, the Rangers have lost five straight postseason games, all to Toronto.Theres no panic in this club, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.Liriano, who has made two relief appearances this postseason, sustained a concussion when he was struck in the back of the head by Carlos Gomezs line drive in Torontos 5-3 win in Game 2 on Friday.Trainer George Poulis said Liriano felt good after undergoing tests Saturday but said there is no timetable for Lirianos return.The symptoms were very good, Poulis said. Were going to examine him each day and just go from there.Players who sustain a concussion must be cleared by Major League Baseball before returning.Liriano and Gomez were teammates in Minnesota and remain good friends. Gomez said he spoke to Liriano on the phone Friday night and was relieved to hear his friend was not seriously hurt.I slept better knowing he didnt have any problems, Gomez said, adding that he and Liriano had discussed going for dinner together on Saturday night.So, did Gomez plan on picking up the check after nailing his pal in the head?Were both rich, so it doesnt matter, he joked.Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis, who was scratched from Game 2 with a sore right knee, had an MRI Saturday morning. He is day-to-day with a bone bruise but has no structural damage, Poulis said. ' ' '