rdan. And Im disappointed he didnt handle the ball well and obviously that was (the case) a few weeks ago, too. Hes got to handle the ball better, Kubiak sai

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Gary Kubiak isnt backing down from his defense of Jordan Norwood. He does acknowledge, however, that Emmanuel Sanders could return punts as the Denver Broncos scramble to get into the playoffs over the holidays.Rookie speedster Kalif Raymond provided a much-needed spark on special teams against Jacksonville and Tennessee after being promoted from the practice squad following Norwoods two muffed punts in an overtime loss to Kansas City last month.Needing his most experienced slot receiver for the up-tempo game plan against New England last weekend, Kubiak activated Norwood in place of Raymond, which returned Norwood to his punt return duties.That decision turned into a debacle when Norwood muffed his first punt return Sunday , which resulted in a turnover the Patriots turned into three points.Tough play that Ive got to make, said Norwood, who spent the rest of the day getting away from Ryan Allens punts, which resulted in poor field position for an already scuffling offense in Denvers 16-3 loss .Norwood also coughed up the football on his one and only catch in the closing seconds, giving him five fumbles on 50 touches on the season. The only players in the league with more than five fumbles are all quarterbacks.Norwood was shoved in the back by teammate Aqib Talib after a big muffed punt at midfield against the Chiefs on Nov. 27. This time, Kubiak had Norwoods back, defending him both after the game and again this week.Asked whether hed consider using the sure-handed Sanders, who has just one drop to go with his 78 receptions, as a punt returner as he did at times last season, Kubiak said, Yeah, it comes up, theres some thought there.But Im going to tell you guys again, Ive got a lot of confidence in Jordan. And Im disappointed he didnt handle the ball well and obviously that was (the case) a few weeks ago, too. Hes got to handle the ball better, Kubiak said. But hes also made some big plays for this team and I put him back there, Im the guy that put him back there. I believe in him.Kubiak said he was pleased with how Trevor Siemian ran Denvers no-huddle offense that set the tempo early on. Greg Knapp, the Broncos QB coach and passing coordinator called the plays instead of Kubiak or offensive coordinator Rick Dennison.When we go hurry-up, I feel very comfortable with `Knapper working with him because it cuts out the middle man, so to speak, Kubiak said. ... I like to cut them loose and go. Obviously I have opinions, but I just think that it makes us play a little faster. I think we responded to that. We had some good ball movement in the first half.That pace helped dictate the Patriots personnel and kept the pass rush at bay until Siemians second-quarter interception led to the games only touchdown and had the Broncos playing catch-up the rest of the afternoon.However, it stands to reason that Norwood will be active again against the Chiefs, at least in the slot, given Kubiaks pleasure with the no-huddle offense and his confidence in Norwood.Sanders said hes willing to return punts if asked but said he has confidence in Norwood.Sanders said returning punts is the hardest job in the NFL, because you have 11 guys running down the field trying to knock your head off.I have the utmost respect for Jordan and any punt returner thats in college, high school or NFL, Sanders said. That is a tough job and hes been doing well. He has the longest punt return in the history of the Super Bowl. He has done a great job for us. Is it fair that were being hard on him? Yes, it is fair because obviously he has to do his job. But it is a tough job.He said Norwood just hit a rough patch, not unlike any other player hitting a slump.It can happen to any receiver or quarterback, Sanders said. You have those two-game droughts where youre doing bad and everybody is trying to mash you on the head and tell you that youre not doing a great job. But you have to get back on the horse and ride and try to make them highs.The Patriots made stopping Sanders a priority, holding him to three catches for 48 yards. But Sanders took offense when cornerback Malcom Butler told reporters hed shut him down .He said he beat Butler on the one snap they were in man, and other than that, it was Cover 2. So, tell the truth. ... My 2-year-old son Princeton Sanders can play Cover-2 in this league.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton Nike Clearance Sale Australia . - 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. Cheap Nike Shoes Australia Free Shipping . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. http://www.cheapshoesaustralianike.com/ . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Wholesale Nike Shoes Australia . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Cheap Nike Shoes Australia . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzos two-run double helped spoil Yu Darvishs return to the Rangers as the Chicago Cubs beat Texas 3-1 on Saturday.In his first start since June 8 because of shoulder pain, Darvish (2-1) reached 98 mph and struck out nine while giving up two runs and two hits in 4 1/3 innings. The Japanese right-hander also walked four and was victimized by some shoddy defense.Jason Hammel (8-5) struck out seven in six innings for the Cubs, who won their second straight in the interleague matchup of division leaders. Hector Rondon pitched a perfect ninth to complete the three-hitter for his 15th save.Darvish, a three-time All-Star, was making his fourth start since missing all of 2015 following Tommy John surgery. He was lifted after 90 pitches when second baseman Rougned Odor dropped what could have been an inning-ending double play.MARINERS 1, ASTROS 0SEATTLE -- Hisashi Iwakuma limited Houston to two hits in seven innings, Robinson Cano provided the only scoring with a RBI single in the sixth and the Seattle Mariners beat the Astros.Iwakuma (10-6) won his fourth straight start to become the first Seattle pitcher to reach double-digit wins. He struck out eight and walked one.In the sixth, Leonys Martin led off with a triple -- his second extra-base hit of the game -- and Cano followed with the single to left.Houston starter Lance McCullers (4-4) was strong through the first five innings, allowing two hits and striking out five before giving up the run in the sixth. He struck out eight and walked four in 5 1/3 innings.Steve Cishek pitched the ninth for his 22th save of the season.RED SOX 5, YANKEES 2NEW YORK -- Sandy Leon homered and drove in four runs, Eduardo Rodriguezz again dominated the Yankees in his return from Triple-A and Boston won its season-high sixth straight.ddddddddddddLeon hit his second homer this season and the third of his career in the sixth inning -- a three-run shot off CC Sabathia for a 5-1 lead. The Venezuelan has 13 RBI in 20 games this season after getting eight in 75 games for his career prior to that.Leon also helped Rodriguez (2-3), his Venezuelan countryman, hold New York to a run on four hits over seven innings after the Red Sox recalled the left-hander Friday. Rodriguez improved to 4-1 with a 2.01 ERA career against Bostons archrival.Koji Uehara closed for his sixth save.Sabathia (5-7) allowed five runs, four earned, in 5 1/3 innings, giving up five or more runs for the fifth straight start.ATHLETICS 5, BLUE JAYS 4OAKLAND, Calif. -- Khris Davis homered twice, Ryon Healy hit his first career home run, and Sonny Gray snapped a 12-game winless streak as Oakland beat Toronto.Davis was 2 for 4 in his ninth career multi-homer game, three of which came this season. The As have homered six times in two games, three of them by Davis.Gray (4-8) ended a career-worst seven game skid. He was 0-7 with a 6.16 ERA over his previous 12 starts. He allowed three runs on six hits and four walks in six innings.The 24-year-old Healy, playing in his second game since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento for the first time on Friday, crushed a 66 mph pitch off R.A. Dickey (7-10) for his first major league hit.Dickey allowed five runs on five hits, including three homers, and three walks in six innings. ' ' '