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ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Cornerback David Amerson has what he believes is the perfect remedy for the Raiders defense to counter the high altitude in Mexico City.Get off the field -- quickly -- so that Oaklands high-scoring offense can take over.Its a plan the Raiders had great success with against defending Super Bowl champion Denver two weeks ago and something they hope to continue Monday night against the Houston Texans.We put a big emphasis on it and guys really take it on, Amerson said Thursday. If we can go out there and get three-and-outs or turnovers, if we can just stay off the field and keep the ball in our offenses hands, well be good.The Raiders forced three-and-outs on five of the Broncos first six drives in Week 9, allowing them to build a comfortable early lead during a 30-20 win that gave Oakland sole possession of first place in the AFC West heading into its bye last week.Theyll try to match that against the Texans when the two teams play at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The altitude there is 7,382 feet -- nearly 1,700 feet higher than Mile High Stadium in Denver.That could be a pivotal factor against Houston, which is why Amerson feels its even more important this week for Oaklands defense to limit its time on the field.If we can have that same mentality going into every game I feel like we would be even more of a force than we already are, Amerson said. Theyve got some speedy guys on the outside so just staying locked in to it . playing fundamentally sound football, staying on top of guys and not giving up the big plays.Equally key will be the Raiders ability to slow down the Texans fifth-ranked running game while at the same time trying to stop Houston quarterback Brock Osweilers quick release.A lot of quarterbacks try to get rid of the ball quick, Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said. Some hold it a little bit longer but the good ones dont hold it too long. Whenever you have those situations, guys are catching and running with the ball. So we have to be really good tacklers.The Raiders could get a lift from the expected return of cornerback Sean Smith, who has been out since suffering a shoulder injury on the second play from scrimmage against Tampa Bay on Oct. 30. Smith has been limited in practice this week but the team is optimistic he will start against Houston.DJ Hayden, who started at cornerback against Denver, will move back to the nickel corner if Smith does play.With or without Smith, Amerson believes the Raiders have improved significantly on defense since the beginning of the season. Although Oakland is 28th in yards allowed and 30th in pass defense, he points to the teams success on third down as proof.The Raiders are allowing opponents to convert 33.3 percent on third down, tied with Miami for lowest in the AFC and second overall behind Baltimore.With giving up all the points and yards early in the season, it really comes off a handful of plays, Amerson said. I dont think that defines us as a defense so its not surprising we can go out there, one of the top teams on third down. I feel like we should be one of the top teams on defense period. If we can just focus and eliminate ... all the little plays that go for 60, 70 yards ... well be up there with anybody in any category.Game notes Wide receiver Amari Cooper (back), running back Latavius Murray (ankle), left guard Kelechi Osemele (knee), center Rodney Hudson (knee) and defensive tackle Stacy McGee (ankle) were all limited for a second straight day.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Devonte Graham Jersey .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Cody Martin Jersey . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/Alonzo-Mourning-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. Muggsy Bogues Jersey . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Marvin Williams Hornets Jersey . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. WATERLOO, Ont. -- With the greens soft and weather conditions ideal, Catriona Matthew was aggressive from the start of her round Friday at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. She nearly holed her approach shot on the opening hole before settling for par. The eagle she barely missed out on would come four holes later. Five birdies followed in her bogey-free round, vaulting Matthew into top spot at 15-under-par 127 at the tournaments midway point. "It feels really good, Ive holed a lot of putts but Ive given myself a lot of chances," Matthew said. "I wouldnt really say Ive holed many super-long ones but just every time Ive given myself a chance Im kind of taking advantage of them." The 127 total blew away her previous career-best 36-hole mark on tour by five strokes. Matthew was three shots ahead of American Angela Stanford (67). Anna Nordqvist of Sweden shot a 64 and was tied at 11 under with American Ryann OToole (65), Spains Belen Mozo (66) and South Koreas Chella Choi (65) and Meena Lee (66). Matthew, who hit a 25-foot-putt for eagle on the par-5 fifth hole, birdied two of the next three holes for a 32 on the front nine. She was at a loss to explain her comfort level on the southwestern Ontario course. "I would say first time here, obviously suits my eye a little bit, maybe just got the speed of the greens," Matthew said. "I think thats the important thing. When youre holing putts, it all seems quite easy." Matthew missed only one fairway on the day and hit all but one green in regulation. It was warm and sunny Friday but the greens were still moist from rain earlier in the week. Stanford played this event in its inaugural season last year and said the course is playing much different this time around. "I think the firmness of the greens last year made it a little bit tougher," she said. "You had to kind of pay attention to where you were landing it. "This week theyre so soft you can kind of go pin hunting." The wide fairways and open layout of the 6,330-yard, par-71 course rewarded consistency off the tee. The ball often sat tight near the pin after quality approach shots instead of rolling through, resulting in many birdie and eagle opportunities. Eleven players cracked the double-digit mark after only 36 holes..dddddddddddd. It could mean a score of -20 -- or better -- will be needed to win the US$1.3-million tournament. Top-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea, who is looking to win her fourth straight LPGA Tour event, had a 67 and was tied with three other players at 10 under. Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., shot a 66 and was the top Canadian at 6 under. The weather forecast is calling for the same comfortable conditions over the last two rounds. "Course conditions determine a lot. This setup, like last year, was not easy," Stanford said. "Anywhere in the world if greens get soft, it makes it a lot more accessible. So I dont think the layout is what makes it easy. I think just the fact that theyve had so much rain here and its softer. "But if its firm and fast, then youve got to pay attention to where you land your ball and running through fairways. So I think its just the greens being soft has been our gift this week." Park is trying to become the first golfer to win four straight LPGA tournaments since Lorena Ochoa in 2008. "I mean this golf course is very scorable, and a lot of people are going on birdie streaks," Park said. "Its tough to follow that many birdies all four days. Im trying my best to get it out there." Nancy Lopez holds the tour record with five consecutive victories in 1978, a mark equalled by Annika Sorenstam over the 2004-05 seasons. Park recently won the U.S. Womens Open to become the first player to win the years first three majors since Babe Zaharias swept the three majors played in the LPGAs inaugural season in 1950. Park will go for her fourth major in a row at the Womens British Open next month. Notes: Matthew has recorded 36-hole totals of 132 on two occasions, the most recent in 2005. ... Park turned 25 on Friday. Fans in the grandstand at the 18th hole sang "Happy Birthday" to her as she walked off the green after sinking a short birdie putt. Park, who started her round on the 11th hole, smiled and waved to the crowd. ... Henderson and Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., were added to the 144-player field as sponsor exemptions. Kirby and Charlottetowns Lorie Kane were at 5-under-par 137. Hamiltons Alena Sharp was the other Canadian to make it to the weekend, just making the cut at 3 under. ' ' '