s 2) at No. 17 DetroitCant figure out either of these teams.LIONS, 27-26No. 32 Cleveland (plus 9 1-2) at No. 19 CincinnatiThe pillow fight of Ohio.BENGALS, 17-13No. 7 Buffa

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Ben Ryan took his gold-medal favorite Fiji mens squad along to watch the womens rugby sevens quarterfinals, hoping their presence would inspire another Fijian team to win a race for the Pacific island nations first Olympic medal.It wasnt to be, with the Fijian women losing to Britain on Sunday night and leaving it to coach Ryan and his sevens world series champions to make history in Rio de Janeiro.Fiji has competed at the Olympics since 1956 but never won a medal, although theyve never had a chance to compete in the national sport at the Summer Games. Rugby, in the abbreviated sevens format, is returning to the Olympics for the first time in 92 years.Fijians all over the world think thats all Ryans men need to break the medal drought in a competition that kicks off Tuesday.But a New Zealand squad containing Sonny Bill Williams -- a two-time World Cup winner in the 15-a-side game and the highest-profile star competing in rugbys return to the Olympics after 92 years -- won as many titles (3) as Fiji on the 10-stop world sevens circuit.The depth of the 12-team mens competition is considerably greater than the womens tournament, which ended Monday with No. 1-ranked Australia and No. 2-ranked New Zealand in the final.As well as the New Zealand men, 12-time world series champion in sevens, other genuine medal contenders include No. 2-ranked South Africa, No. 4 Australia, No. 5 Argentina, the No. 6-ranked United States and No. 7 Kenya, which had a breakthrough season in 2016.South Africa has been runner-up in the last four world series and contains some of the season-leading individual players, including prolific try-scorer Seabelo Senatla.It is an exciting time for the rugby sevens team here in Rio, South Africa coach Neil Powell said. There is a good spirit among the players and we are confident we can deliver the goods.Ryan, who took over as Fijis sevens coach in 2013, knows his team is expected to win and is trying just to ensure theyre peaking at the perfect time.The Fijians won the opening round of the world series the last two seasons, and have won four of the last five three-day tournaments, Ryan said, suggesting he knew how to time his run.The South Africans are in Pool B with Australia, France and Spain. New Zealand, Britain, Kenya and Japan are in Pool C and the Fijians were drawn into Pool A with the United States, Argentina and Brazil.The Americans are the defending gold medalists, having won in 1924, but the format for the Olympics and the rugby world order has changed significantly since then.Its nice having a little bit of history, I dont know if its something we can directly pull upon, said U.S. captain Madison Hughes, the leading point-scorer in the last world sevens series. It was so long ago, but its a cool bit of history and were definitely looking to go out there and defend that gold medal.The U.S. team won its first title on the world sevens circuit in 2015 and keeps growing in strength, with the speed of Perry Baker and Carlin Isles out wide to supplement the muscle of NFL player Nate Ebner, who was granted permission by the New England Patriots to play at the Olympics.We have such different talent on our team, and we have brought them together, and I think its about having those different balances of athletic background, Hughes said. You have got guys who are specialized in one area, guys that are specialized in another, and then weve got a couple of rugby heads in the middle, trying to pull it all together.Hughes said the nature of the fast and furious sevens game ensured any team could win the gold medal.You saw it in the World Series this year, there were so many different winners, he said. It is incredibly competitive, incredibly balanced, and I think if you were saying you know who is going to win the gold medal, youd be lying. Babe Ruth Jersey Large . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Jonathan Loaisiga Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.customyankeesjersey.com/custom-babe-ruth-jersey-large-114i.html . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Roy White Jersey . Fellow centre Pavel Datsyuk remains out because of a concussion. Zetterberg has 11 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 30 points, and Datsyuk has a team-high 12 goals and 11 assists. Mariano Rivera Jersey Large . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Pro Picks is going golfing. More specifically, were taking a mulligan.After asking our sidekick to sub in for last week and seeing him destroy whatever credibility we still had, were dismissing the 5-9-1 mark against the spread and, ugh, a 4-11 total straight up. Yep, 4-11 without the spread.OK, well still include the Week 6 debacle in the overall numbers. But we wont forget who was responsible for them.Speaking of ugliness, what the Packers and Bears have presented this season has been difficult to watch. Green Bay (No. 11 in AP Pro32) cant make its offense click, and Chicago has mastered losing games it is in position to win.I dont think you win your share of games in this league with 16 points, and we just have to get more points, plain and simple, Fox says.The biggest concern in Green Bay is where did the real Aaron Rodgers go? Of course, A-Rod will repeat his mantra of Relax, and hes probably right.I just think its accuracy, he says. Ive missed a couple that Im used to hitting. And you hit those and you take away the throwaways, being able to hit some things on some of those plays instead of extending and throwing the ball away and were right where we need to be.The Packers are favored by 9 1-2 over the Bears (No. 30, AP Pro32). On a short week, getting their offensive woes fixed is a tall task for the Packers. Theyll still win, but ...PACKERS, 20-16KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIPThis one REALLY hurt because we were rolling through five weeks, then the Steelers went over the deep end. Not that we are taking the blame. Look to the FALCONS this week.No. 22 San Diego (plus 5) at No. 5 AtlantaFalcons were robbed at Seattle, will take it out on Chargers.BEST BET: FALCONS, 33-20No. 13 Oakland (plus 2) at No. 28 JacksonvilleHuh? Cant fathom this line because Raiders dont fear East Coast any more.UPSET SPECIAL: RAIDERS,, 30-28No.dddddddddddd 2 New England (minus 7) at No. 8 PittsburghNo Big Ben, plenty of Tom Terrific. No contest, unfortunately.PATRIOTS, 31-13No. 3 Seattle (plus 1) at No. 14 ArizonaHuge NFC West showdown in October. Cardinals need it more right now.CARDINALS, 22-20No. 15 Houston (plus 7) at No. 6 Denver, Monday nightBrock Osweilers return to Denver. Cant see Broncos losing three straight.BRONCOS, 21-16No. 16 New York Giants (minus 2 1-2) vs. No. 20 Los Angeles at LondonSchedule maker has not been kind to Rams.GIANTS, 23-21No. 1 Minnesota (pick-em) at No. 12 PhiladelphiaUnbeaten Eagles lost momentum when they went on bye. Vikings wont.VIKINGS, 20-17No. 23 New Orleans (plus 7) at No. 10 Kansas CityChiefs might be ready to string together some wins.CHIEFS, 26-23No. 9 Washington (plus 2) at No. 17 DetroitCant figure out either of these teams.LIONS, 27-26No. 32 Cleveland (plus 9 1-2) at No. 19 CincinnatiThe pillow fight of Ohio.BENGALS, 17-13No. 7 Buffalo (minus 3) at No. 15 MiamiDolphins had their shocker in win over Pittsburgh. Bills are improving.BILLS, 22-10No. 27 Indianapolis (pick-em) at No. 21 TennesseeTitans could wind up best team in this mediocre division.TITANS, 17-16No. 18 Baltimore (pick-em) at No. 29 New York JetsRavens lost at Meadowlands last week, win there this week.RAVENS, 19-15No. 24 Tampa Bay (plus 1 1-2) at No. 31 San FranciscoNiners might be worst team in NFL right now.BUCCANEERS, 27-17---Last Week: Against spread (5-9-1). Straight up: (4-11)Season Totals: Against spread (43-43-4). Straight up: (50-42)Best Bet: 3-3 against spread, 4-2 straight up.Upset special: 3-3 against spread, 3-3 straight up.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '