Kritik und Lob » Cooper Cronk

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Derek Carr has been at his best in clutch situations this season for the Oakland Raiders, leading two late comebacks to help fuel the teams best start since 2002.The season has gotten off to the opposite kind of start in San Diego, where the Chargers have led all four games at the two-minute warning only to lose three of those in the closing minutes.So while the Raiders (3-1) come into their first division game of the season full of confidence, they also know how small the difference truly is between them and San Diego (1-3).Theyre just a few points away from being 4-0, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said. I never look at someones record and say thats who they are. Because, when you turn the film on and you see that defense running around, thats definitely not what it looks like.For 58 minutes, the Chargers have been as good as anyone. But they blew a 21-point lead to Kansas City in the opener before allowing a game-tying TD with 1:11 left and losing in OT; allowed a 63-yard TD pass with 1:28 to go in a 26-22 loss to Indianapolis in Week 3; and then fumbled twice late to blow a 13-point lead last week to New Orleans .Its executing on both sides of the ball, quarterback Philip Rivers said. In the defensive meeting room theyre saying, `Just stop them. Just one stop in these games and we win. In the offensive room we say, `Why do we even send them back out there? I dont think its a flawed approach. Weve just got to get it done.The Raiders have gotten it done late in games with Carr leading a TD drive and throwing the game-winning 2-point conversion with 52 seconds left in the opener at New Orleans , then adding a go-ahead TD pass to Michael Crabtree with 2:12 to go last week at Baltimore .The defense also delivered late stops to seal wins against Tennessee and the Ravens.I love those situations, Carr said. I get so fired up that I have to just calm myself down. You have to stay calm and its not like, `Oh no, the games on the line. Its like, `Yes, the games on the line. Thats stuff that you dream of as a kid.Here are some other things to watch:HOME NOT SO SWEET HOME: The Raiders have won all three road games while losing to Atlanta in their one home contest. That has been a pattern these past two seasons under coach Jack Del Rio as the team is 7-4 on the road but 3-6 at the Coliseum.We need to win at home, theres no doubt about that, Carr said. Our fans are too awesome. They deserve it.MORE INJURIES: The Chargers list of starters out for the season increased again when cornerback Jason Verrett was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee. Verrett, who was a Pro Bowler last year in his second NFL season, joins WR Keenan Allen, RB Danny Woodhead and LB Manti Teo to on the sideline.Its devastating to have to go through that, but man, its still early in the year, Verrett said. Weve still got a lot of good guys that will be on the field.ROOKIE RUNNERS: With starter Latavius Murray nursing a sore toe that could force him to miss the game Sunday, the Raiders may have to rely on a pair of rookie running backs to carry the load against the Chargers. Fortunately, they have been up to the task so far this season. DeAndre Washington has rushed for 147 yards with a 6.4 yard average, while undrafted Jalen Richard has 144 yards and is averaging 8.5 yards per carry.BOSA WATCH: Chargers rookie DE Joey Bosa thinks he might be making his NFL debut this week. The No. 3 pick overall in the draft missed training camp during a nasty holdout and then hurt a hamstring.I havent taken one snap in the NFL so Im just looking to get one and then keep going with that, he said. Of course its a huge game, division rivals. Theyre playing really well right now.Ive been looking forward to this for a long time.SECRET WEAPON: While players such as Carr, Cooper, Crabtree and Khalil Mack get most of the publicity on the Raiders, punter Marquette King is putting together a stellar season. King is averaging 50 yards a punt and has pinned opponents inside the 20 on nearly half his kicks (11 of 23). Hes coming off his best game yet, a 46.5-yard net average on eight punts last week.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---AP Sports Writer Bernie Wilson in San Diego contributed to this report. Clinton Portis Jersey .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury. Landon Collins Jersey . 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. https://www.redskinssportsgoods.com/Womens-Sonny-Jurgensen-Inverted-Jersey/ . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Joe Theismann Youth Jersey . -- Stanford squashed Oregons national championship hopes again, schooling the Ducks in power football. Charley Taylor Jersey Another year of what couldve been for New South Wales but there is still plenty to play for in Game III. The Blues havent been too far off the mark this series and the final Origin appearance for inspirational skipper Paul Gallen should provide added motivation.A number of other familiar faces in the Blues side could be playing for their Origin futures and the inclusion of several new players has freshened up the side with most of the excitement surrounding the highly-anticipated Origin debut of Wests Tigers superstar James Tedesco.At the risk of sounding repetitive, its business as usual for Queensland but they too have no shortage of motivation. Loyal servant Corey Parker will line up for his Origin swansong and has a chance to depart with the Maroons first whitewash victory since 2010.Nothing is more certain at Origin time than the Maroons machine clicking into gear. They are clinical, dominant and have won on three of their past four visits to ANZ Stadium and will take some stopping as they look to improve that record.The Blues have gone with a fresh new look with the likes of Tedesco, Jack Bird, Wade Graham and Tyson Frizell providing a window to the future and possibly a long-overdue change of fortune.Team news:The loss of half-back Adam Reynolds is far from ideal for New South Wales but may not be the major setback it seems. It will allow James Maloney to shift to first receiver and means the impressive Jack Bird will have more game time at five-eighth.The inclusion of full-back Tedesco is most exciting for Blues fans with his sheer pace certain to ask questions of the Queensland defence. Graham and Frizell figure in a new-look back row and there is reason to be optimistic that good times may be on the horizon for New South Wales.Queensland again look settled and the return of Nate Myles after knee surgery has no doubt lifted spirits and confidence in the Maroons camp. There has been a minor injury concern over Origin II hat-trick hero Dane Gagai who is nursing a quad strain, but he will take his place.The selection of 30-year-old Origin debutant Gavin Cooper raised some eyebrows south of the border but was has certainly celebrated north of it. A Maroons victory on his Origin debut will cap a memorable week for the popular North Queensland Cowboys forward after he and his wife welcomed their second child into the world last Wednesday.?New South Wales Blues:?1. James Tedesco, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Josh Dugan, 5. Josh Mansour, 14. Jack Bird, 6. James Maloney, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Paul Gallen (c), 11. Wade Graham, 12. Josh Jackson, 13. Tyson Frizell.?Interchange: 18. Matt Moylan, 15. James Tamou, 16. David Klemmer, 17. Andrew Fifita.Queensland Maroons:?1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin ONeill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nate Myles, 11. Matt Gillett, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey Parker.?Interchange: 14. Gavin Cooper, 15. Josh McGuire, 16. Aidan Guerra, 17. Jacob Lillyman.Key head-to-head - Paul Galllen v Corey ParkerWhile Queensland lead the series two-nil there has been a struck match between the two sides.dddddddddddd Both teams will be looking for any source of inspiration and they could find it in two of the toughest combatants to pull on their respective jerseys.Blues captain Paul Gallen and Maroons workhorse Corey Parker will wave goodbye to Origin football after game three and both New South Wales and Queensland will be fired up to send their loyal servants out on a winning note -- the team that rises to this occasion the best will more than likely secure victory.Key Stats:Queenslands last Origin series whitewash victory was in 2010.Queensland have not lost game three in an Origin series since 2009.A win in Game III would make Kevin Walters the first Origin coach since Paul Vautin in 1995 to start his tenure with a whitewash.UBET verdict:$1.85 NSW, $2.00 QLDThe dead rubber theory is the only thing we can put down to the support for NSW in Game III of Origin. While there isnt much separating the two sides price-wise, the bulk of the bigger bets have been for NSW; perhaps the thinking being that the Queenslanders dont care as they have already won the series....but we know better than that!Dane Gagai spent a lot of time on the highlights reel following game two after scoring a treble of tries, and he has again been well backed ($11-$10) to be the first try-scorer. Corey Oates is the $8.00 favourite while best backed of the Blues players has been James Tedesco at $13.Tedesco also features prominently in the Player of the Match market. He is one of three players at $8.00, sharing that status with Paul Gallen and Johnathan Thurston. Corey Parker ($11) is attracting a lot of sentimental money at $11 in his last Origin match.Weather:Sydney is expecting a chilly temperature of 11 degrees by kick-off with only a 10 percent chance of rain.Prediction:New South Wales can consider themselves a touch unlucky to be two down in the series, but the fact is they are, and now must find a response at ANZ Stadium to salvage some pride.Losing Reynolds to injury in the lead-up isnt ideal but the upside is that it will likely mean more game time for Jack Bird. The inclusion of Origin debutants Tedesco and Graham represents a view to a more promising future for the Blues and adds some excitement to another failed series for New South Wales fans.?Queensland also have something to be excited about with the hardworking Gavin Cooper making his first appearance. Regardless of the result in Game III, he will enjoy a career highlight lifting the Origin shield for the Maroons.The impending retirements of Gallen and Parker will be emotional for both sides, but once the dust settles I can see a New South Wales victory. The Blues have enjoyed good periods in the first two matches but Im backing them to capitalise on their opportunities this time and post a morale-boosting and face-saving victory.Tip: New South Wales by 8 ' ' '