Offtopic/fun » three remaining division games are all at hom

If Steven Stamkos hadnt seen a slip in his point production in recent seasons, there wouldnt have been much conversation about the Tampa Bay Lightning paying him big bucks. But a drop from 1.19 points per game at his peak in 2012-13 to 0.83 points per contest in his contract year drew questions about the age curve, playing center over not, his relationship with head coach Jon Cooper and whether a leg injury in 2013-14 may have affected his game.But after spending the entire 2015-16 season debating whether the Lightning or any other team should sign the superstar to the leagues most lucrative contract, Stamkos has opened the season looking like he has returned to his status as an elite scorer, by posting 19 points in his first 16 games.A tweak by head coach Jon Cooper deserves credit for the Tampa Bay captains rejuvenation. Jonas Brodin Wild Jersey . 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INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts enjoyed a perfect bye weekend.Players spent time with their families. They got a chance to relax a bit and ponder this seasons final sprint.Now its time to get back to work -- and back in the playoff hunt.We have to win, safety Mike Adams said Monday. You look around the league and playoff football has already started. So we have to do what we have to do to win.It sure hasnt been easy to do that this season.The Colts (4-5) still havent won consecutive games, have dealt with myriad injuries and have heard a drumbeat of criticism over their repeated mistakes.Indys surprising victory at Green Bay to open November changed everything. Before heading home, players looked at ease, coach Chuck Pagano was smiling and everyone was eager to begin their final seven-game sprint to the finish.When they returned to the team complex Monday, everyone was still upbeat.It was a great opportunity for guys to get away, to let their bodies heal, to mentally refresh, tight end Dwayne Allen said. Weve been at it since July 26 or something and thats a long time. So we needed the break.Of course, the first order of business after returning was checking in with team doctors.Pagano did not address reporters Monday, but what happened on the practice field spoke volumes about the health of the team. Left guard Jack Mewhort (triceps) and defensive tackle Henry Anderson (knee) returned to practice after both missed the past three games. Right tackle Joe Reitz was wearing a non-contact jersey as he continues to progress through the concussion protocol.Now the Colts are onto their next opponent, Tennessee (5-5). The Titans have won two in a row and can putt themselves in solid playoff position by snapping a 10-game losing streak to Indianapolis and winning for the first time at Lucas Oil Stadium.ddddddddddddhe rejuvenated Colts have other ideas, especially now that they seem to have some momentum.Its real important, receiver Phillip Dorsett said of the new attitude. That momentum can take guys far.Nobody in the locker room expects a few days off to be a cure-all.Indy understands it must reduce the penalties and sacks and find ways to keep the offense on the field and the defense off it. The Colts also realize that to get back in the postseason chase they must start playing more consistently in all phases.If they do all that, perhaps they can take advantage of a schedule that looks softer now than it has all season. Their three remaining division games are all at home and they face only three teams with winning records -- Houston (6-3), Minnesota (5-4) and Oakland (7-2).Put together a winning streak and the Colts could claw their way back into the mix for a third division title in four years -- and possibly avoid missing the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 1997 and 1998.But they cant afford to regress any more.Instead, they must find a way to build off the momentum they had last week and fix their flaws.Weve got to win, Adams said. We cant this have roller coaster stuff going on. We had time to regroup, time to get this consistency out of here and weve got to believe we can do it.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '