anking: No. 27Give kudos to Kevin Cash for keeping the Rays players together during this stretch of three wins in 27 games. You watch from afar with expectations of an outburst or player dissension, b

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- One week the Buffalo Bills offense is sputtering. The next its their defense.That leaves coach Rex Ryan having plenty of concerns he needs to address two weeks into his second season in Buffalo.Well, first off, obviously never expected this, Ryan said, opening his news conference following a 37-31 loss to the New York Jets on Thursday night. The Jets were a much better team than we were today, especially their offense against our defense. It looked like a mismatch.Ryans prized defense -- the one he vowed would be much improved over last year -- was porous.The Bills surrendered 493 yards offense, 28 first downs, allowed New York to convert eight of 13 third-down chances and forced just two punts -- the second with 10 seconds left. The only bright side was safety Nickell Robey-Coleman returning Jalin Marshalls fumble 36 yards for a touchdown to briefly put the Bills ahead 24-20.The Jets responded to score 17 consecutive points, capped by Matt Fortes third touchdown on a 12-yard run.Buffalo is 0-2 for the first time since 2010.And the loss to the Jets comes a week after the Bills offense managed just 160 yards in a 13-7 loss at Baltimore.The offense was much improved, with Tyrod Taylor going 18 of 30 for 297 yards and three touchdowns.Whats troubling is the Bills schedule doesnt get much easier. Buffalo hosts Arizona on Sept. 25, followed by a game at New England, where the Bills are 1-14 since 2001.Well right now it looks daunting against anybody, Ryan said. Weve got to get better, so weve got to look at the tape and realize it starts with us.Starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore had a particularly tough day as part of a defensive backfield that allowed Eric Decker to make six catches for 126 yards and Brandon Marshall six for 101.It wasnt one of my best days, Gilmore said. But Im not the person to put my head down. I know I have to step up and make those plays, so Ill do that.The Jets (1-1) snapped a five-game skid against Buffalo, which included a 22-17 season-ending loss in January that eliminated New York from the playoffs.New York also avoided its first 0-2 since 2007.FORTE ON THE RUNForte had 30 carries for 100 yards and matched a career-high and franchise record by becoming the 13th running back to score three touchdowns rushing. In two games, offseason free-agent addition has combined for 52 carries for 196 yards and added seven catches for 68 yards.I dont care, Forte said when told hes on pace for 450 touches. As long as we keep winning, I dont care if I have 1,000 touches.CATCHING ONEric Decker and Brandon Marshall re-established themselves as one of the NFLs top receiving tandems. Decker led New York with six catches for 126 yards and a touchdown, while Marshall had six catches for 101 yards. Marshall avoided a scare when he briefly left the game in the second quarter with what appeared to be a serious left knee injury.He missed only four plays spanning two series after having his knee examined.I thought it was over. I thought I was going to be fishing in my backyard in Florida, said Marshall , whose left knee twisted awkwardly beneath him when cornerback Stephon Gilmore pulled him down by his facemask.GOING DEEPWith an 84-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Goodwin and a 71-yard TD pass to Greg Salas , Taylor became Buffalos fifth quarterback to throw two touchdowns of 70-yards or longer in the same game. JP Losman was the last to do that in 2006.Goodwins touchdown was the longest by a Buffalo player in a home game.WATKINS WATCHBills receiver Sammy Watkins started despite experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired left foot this past week. He had two catches for 20 yards.FITZ-MAGICJets Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick went 24 of 34 for 374 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He bounced back after combining for four TDs and five interceptions -- including three in the season finale -- in two games against Buffalo, his former team, last year.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Tim Horton Jersey . 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. Evan Rodrigues Jersey . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. https://www.cheapsabres.com/793v-clark-gillies-jersey-sabres.html . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. Dale Hawerchuk Jersey .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. Michael Peca Jersey . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Another week, another No. 1 spot for the Chicago ... wait, no, scratch that.Another week, another No. 1 spot for the San Francisco Giants. Yes, thats better.One week after unseating the Cubs atop our MLB rankings -- the first time all season Chicago failed to win our poll -- the Giants, aided a bit by the All-Star break, have now held the lead for a fortnight. (After all, its an even year, right?)The rest of the top five remained the same, save for one change: after the Washington Nationals at No. 2, the Cubs at No. 3 and the Cleveland Indians at No. 4, the Boston Red Sox leapt from No. 9 to grab the No. 5 spot from the Texas Rangers.This weeks voters are Jim Bowden of ESPN Insider, Eric Karabell of ESPN Fantasy, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN, David Schoenfield of the SweetSpot Blog Network/ESPN.com and Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Most of the team comments come courtesy of the SweetSpot Blog Network.Past rankings: Week 14 |?Week 13 |?Week 12 |?Week 11 |?Week 10 | ?Week 9 |?Week 8 |?Week 7 |?Week 6 |?Week 5 |?Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | Preseason1. San Francisco GiantsRecord:?57-36 Week 14 ranking: No. 1The Giants returned from the All-Star break by losing a three-game set against the Padres, including a walk-off balk by closer Santiago Casilla on Saturday. San Francisco travels east to face the Red Sox and Yankees this week in what will be a challenging test for the NL West leaders. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona2. Washington NationalsRecord: 56-37 Week 14 ranking: No. 2After Sundays pinch-hit home run, Daniel Murphy is hitting .350 with 18 home runs and a .608 slugging percentage. The only second baseman to hit .350 and slug .600 with at least 20 home runs is Rogers Hornsby (who did it six times!). -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot3. Chicago CubsRecord:?55-36 Week 14 ranking: No. 3The Cubs begin the second half with a stretch of games that allows them to not have to board a plane until their Aug. 5 trip to Oakland. --?Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers4. Cleveland IndiansRecord:?54-37 Week 14 ranking: No. 4Even though the Indians attempted to appeal to the baseball gods in regard to the struggles and bad luck of Yan Gomes, it doesnt appear to have worked. After hitting .165/.198/.313 this season, Gomes sustained what appeared to be a serious injury in Sunday afternoons game. Maybe they shouldve gotten the live chicken. --?Stephanie Liscio (@stephanieliscio), Its Pronounced Lajaway5. Boston Red SoxRecord: 51-39 Week 14 ranking: No. 9After adding the underrated Brad Ziegler as a rental before the break, the Red Sox picked up Drew Pomeranz, who translated some relief success with the Athletics to a breakout in the Padres rotation. The team paid a high price for Pomeranz, who has thrown 102 innings this season, 35.1 short of his career high as a professional. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona6. Baltimore OriolesRecord:?53-37 Week 14 ranking: No. 7Is Dylan Bundy going to stay in the Orioles rotation? Buck Showalter made the somewhat surprising decision to give Bundy a start, but what happens now? Bundy cant handle a full starters workload, and the Os may need another starting pitcher anyway even if Bundy sticks. --?Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer), Camden Depot7. Texas RangersRecord:?55-38 Week 14 ranking: No. 5The Rangers, once with the best record in the American League, will need to pick things up if they want to do more than compete for a wild-card spot come October. How bad has it been? Since July 1, the pitching staff had put up an ERA of 7.43 heading into Sunday. --?Brandon Land (@onestrikeaway), One Strike Away8. Los Angeles DodgersRecord:?52-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 8Clayton Kershaws back passed another test Saturday with a 60-pitch simulated game at Dodger Stadium, and he is potentially lined up to pitch Thursday night for the Dodgers in Washington. Meanwhile, Los Angeles was among the clubs scouting the Friday night start of Tampa Bays Chris Archer. Archer was acquired by current Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in 2011 when he ran the Rays. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit9. Toronto Blue JaysRecord:?52-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 6The decision to sign first baseman Justin Smoak to a two-year extension does not mean Toronto has have given up on the possibility of bringing back Edwin Encarnacion this offseason. Toronto has eight players who are eligible for free agency at the end of the season: Jose Bautista, Michael Saunders, R.A. Dickey, Drew Storen, Jesse Chavez, Brett Cecil, Gavin Floyd and Encarnacion. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit10. Houston AstrosRecord: 50-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 10The signing of Cuban infielder Yulieski Gurriel to a five-year contract seemingly creates a logjam at third base, with top prospect Alex Bregman nearly ready as well. Luis Valbuena can slide over to first base and maybe Gurriel DHs, considering Evan Gattis has been terrible (.279 OBP). -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot11. New York MetsRecord: 49-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 11The Mets lead the majors with a 3.46 ERA on the road, but their record away from home is only 23-22. David Wright, who last played on May 27, leads the team in stolen bases with three.?--?Joe Janish (@metstoday),?MetsToday.com12. St. Louis CardinalsRecord:?47-44 Week 14 ranking: No. 13Maybe its time to bench Jhonny Peralta and see what Greg Garcia can do playing every day. Peralta is hitting .221/.258/.416 in 120 plate appearances while Garcia is hitting .333 in 75 at-bats, but with 16 walks for a .462 OBP. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot13. Miami MarlinsRecord: 49-42 Week 14 ranking: No. 14Miami, fully in the race for a wild-card berth, is looking to upgrade its rotation in advance of the Aug. 1 trade deadline, but the club remains resistant to dealing players off its active roster. The Marlins have been linked to starters such as?Rich Hill of the As, and Michael Pineda?and?Nathan Eovaldi of the Yankees, if New York decides to become a seller. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit14. Pittsburgh PiratesRecord:?47-45 Week 14 ranking: No. 12Were seeing the future of the Pirates, who are in the thick of the wild-card race: Tyler Glasnow held his own in a cameo before the break, Jameson Taillon is due back Tuesday, and Chad Kuhl is getting a chance to show his excellent minor league numberss were not a fluke.ddddddddddddJosh Bell collected two walks, a single and a home run in his first four MLB plate appearances before being sent down to shake off some fielding rust in the outfield. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona15. Detroit TigersRecord: 48-44 Week 14 ranking: No. 15Over the past few years, people were wondering if Justin Verlander was done. Though the 3.91 ERA doesnt scream elite, the fact that hes tied for second in the league in quality starts with 13 for a team that desperately needs consistency in its rotation suggests the Tigers are glad he still has some gas in the tank.?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers16. Kansas City RoyalsRecord:?46-45 Week 14 ranking: No. 16Theyll certainly be looking for starting pitching at just a game over .500, but maybe they can take solace that back in 2014 they were 47-44 at this point, and actually fell to 48-50 before heating up in late July. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot17. Seattle MarinersRecord: 46-46 Week 14 ranking: No. 18Seattle sits sixth in the AL in runs scored, but 10th in runs allowed. Pitching has been the issue for the Ms, who got a stellar seven-inning, eight-strikeout performance from Hisashi Iwakuma in shutting out the Astros on Saturday. Felix Hernandez will return Wednesday against the White Sox after a lengthy DL stint -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona18. Chicago White SoxRecord:?45-46 Week 14 ranking: No. 17On the road to start baseballs second half, the White Sox were blanked in back-to-back contests against the Angels. They wasted an excellent start Saturday by James Shields, who pitched eight innings of two-hit ball but couldnt find any run support in the loss. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona19. New York YankeesRecord: 45-46 Week 14 ranking: No. 19Taking three of four from the Indians before the All-Star break helped keep the Yankees feeble playoff hopes alive. If losing two of three at home to the Red Sox out of the break didnt completely snuff them out, it should have been enough to convince the entire front office that the time to sell is now. The next few weeks might be the most interesting ones in the entire 2016 Yankees season. --?Stacey Gotsulias (@StaceGots),?Its About the Money20. Philadelphia PhilliesRecord:?43-50 Week 14 ranking: No. 21In terms of the flashy stats, Jeanmar Gomez is in the middle of a career year with 25 saves and a career-low 2.53 ERA. In terms of the underlying metrics, he has been extremely lucky on base hits finding Phillies gloves, posting a .253 BABIP vs. a career rate of .296. In terms of the trade deadline, hes a sell-high candidate?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers21. Colorado RockiesRecord:?42-49 Week 14 ranking: No. 20If were going to discount Rockies hitters, then perhaps we should give extra credit to Jon Gray, who has become the ace of the Colorado Rockies staff. He has given the Rockies length, going at least six innings in eight of his past 10 starts and hasnt allowed more than four runs since May 19. Rate-stat wise, his 1.17 WHIP is stellar, and hes striking out more than a batter per inning (9.73 K/9)--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers22. Oakland AthleticsRecord: 40-52 Week 14 ranking: No. 25The As reportedly wanted Anderson Espinoza for Rich Hill, with the Red Sox instead dealing for Padres lefty Drew Pomeranz. Hill didnt help his trade value by leaving his start Sunday after five pitches with a blister issue. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot23. Los Angeles AngelsRecord: 40-52 Week 14 ranking: No. 23Matt Shoemaker continued his resurgence with a 13-strikeout shutout and has a 2.36 ERA over his past 11 starts. What if the Angels put him on the trade block? -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot24. Milwaukee BrewersRecord: 39-51 Week 14 ranking: No. 24Jimmy Nelson began the second half of the season on a high note, tossing seven scoreless innings against Cincinnati on Saturday night. It was his first time reaching the seventh inning since May 29. -- Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3), Disciples of Uecker25. San Diego PadresRecord: 41-51 Week 14 ranking: No. 22Teenage pitching phenoms carry a ton of risk, but the recently acquired Anderson Espinoza is one to dream on. Because of Espinozas small stature (6-foot, 160 pounds), big stuff and solid command, he draws some comparisons to Pedro Martinez. The resurgence of Melvin Upton Jr. (.262/.311/.454) is making him a trade candidate. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit26. Arizona DiamondbacksRecord: 40-53 Week 14 ranking: No. 26On Saturday, Jake Lamb doubled off Kenley Jansen in the ninth to tie the score and tripled in the 12th before scoring as the games walk-off run. Lambs 0.78 win probability added performance in that game left him with 4.17 WPA for the season, making him first in all of MLB. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona27. Tampa Bay RaysRecord: 35-56 Week 14 ranking: No. 27Give kudos to Kevin Cash for keeping the Rays players together during this stretch of three wins in 27 games. You watch from afar with expectations of an outburst or player dissension, but so far the band plays on. Poorly. The only question remaining is who will be left on Aug. 2. --?Jason Hanselman (@sandykazmir), The Process Report28. Minnesota TwinsRecord: 33-58 Week 14 ranking: No. 28With the trade deadline two weeks away, the last-place Twins are in seller mode. Their lone All-Star rep, Eduardo Nunez, is one candidate to help a contender. Other chips include catcher Kurt Suzuki and starter Ervin Santana. Terry Ryan has indicated that he will be open to listening to any offer. -- Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN), Twins Daily29. Cincinnati RedsRecord:?34-58 Week 14 ranking: No. 29Since May 30, Joey Votto is hitting .328/.462/.560. Despite a slow start this season, Votto has actually posted the highest OPS (.978) of any National League player since the 2015 All-Star break. --?Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation30. Atlanta BravesRecord: 32-60 Week 14 ranking:?No. 30The Braves spent more money than any other team in the 2016 draft, at just over $15.5 million. They maximized their pool allowance and stayed under the threshold by just $5. -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County ' ' '