Offtopic/fun » percent from the field (36 of 67) -- including 1

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Four days after losing control of the AFC West race with a loss at Kansas City, Oakland coach Jack Del Rio is still lamenting some missed opportunities that helped cost the Raiders the game.A pass that mysteriously changed directions, turning a potential touchdown into an incompletion. The failure to capitalize on three turnovers in Kansas City territory. The decision to pass on third-and-1 late in the game instead of trusting the running game.That last decision might have been the most costly. Despite the earlier problems, the Raiders (10-3) were in position for a potential tying score late when they drove to the Kansas City 14 with just over two minutes to play.Facing a third-and-1, Oakland called for a pass to Andre Holmes in the end zone that Marcus Peters broke up . Del Rio said he considered calling a timeout after hearing the play call to go for a run behind a powerful offensive line that had produced 135 yards on the ground but didnt want to squander a second timeout at a crucial spot.It wouldve made a lot of sense to run right there, Del Rio said. As we look at it as a staff were going, `Geez, what the heck?Del Rio figured that in the worst-case scenario, Oakland could run it on fourth down but right tackle Austin Howard was called for a false start before that play and Derek Carrs fourth-down pass to Seth Roberts fell incomplete. Kansas City ran out the clock to seal the 21-13 victory .You have to go with your gut, Del Rio said. I went with it trying to keep both options alive figuring that worst case wed go on fourth and get it. Then we went a delayed cadence and just really missed an opportunity. There were several throughout the game. You just dont know which one is going to be the one.The Raiders could have taken control of the division by beating the Chiefs to take a two-game lead with three games to play. Instead, Kansas City is tied with Oakland for first place and owns the tiebreaker by virtue of sweeping the season series.If the Raiders want to win the division they can ill afford any more slipups starting with Sundays game at San Diego and will also need the Chiefs to lose at least one game.My approach is really simple, Del Rio said. I tell our guys, `Were not going to lay around and bathe in the adulation of a win. Look how good this is. Were also not going to sit and wallow in misery when we lose. Were going to be matter of fact.There were plenty of other issues earlier in the game. The Raiders had three drives start in Kansas City territory after turnovers and turned them into only six points as Oakland settled for two field goals and then botched a snap on the third.A penalty on Taiwan Jones forced the Raiders to punt a second time and Tyreek Hill took advantage with a 78-yard return for a score. Making matters even worse, punter Marquette King was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the return, his second straight week with a personal foul.We cant have routine 15-yard penalties out of our punter, Del Rio said. Weve got two in a row, two weeks in a row, and thats got to come to a stop.Then on Oaklands second-to-last drive in the fourth quarter, Carr appeared to have Amari Cooper open deep for what could have been a touchdown. But the ball changed directions at the last moment and Cooper couldnt adjust , leading to an incomplete pass and a punt.There was speculation that the ball might have hit a wire for one of NBCs cameras but the network said that was not the case and the coaches film revealed no reason for the altered flight of the ball.The angel in the outfield, Del Rio said. I mean, it moved. I dont know if it hit a wire or the angel in the outfield moved it, a gust of wind. I dont know. It moved. To me, it was like one of so many plays that could have gone differently. Im certainly not sitting here hung up on that play.Game notesDL Mario Edwards Jr., who has been out since the preseason with a hip injury, looked good in practice last week and could be activated from IR this week. ... OL Kelechi Osemele is expected back at practice this week after missing the game with an illness.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLCustom New Orleans Pelicans Jerseys . 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Anthony Davis Jersey . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged.LOS ANGELES -- Among Candace Parkers favorite Chicago meals is the sort of thing you should ever eat unless you burn calories the way a world-class athlete like Parker does.Chili cheese dog with extra cheese, French fries, chocolate-cake milkshake, she said, laughing. Its very healthy food.Parker, who grew up in the Chicago suburb of Naperville, will be going home to the Windy City on Sunday for the third -- and potentially decisive -- game of the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA semifinal series with the Chicago Sky. Los Angeles 99-84 victory Friday at Staples Center gave the Sparks a 2-0 series lead. One more victory will earn the Sparks their first trip to the WNBA Finals since 2003.That would be a milestone for Parker, the Sparks No. 1 draft pick in 2008 and a two-time league MVP. She has won everything else in her career except a WNBA title, and in truth she has had a lot of frustration in just trying to advance to the leagues championship series.On the way to the postgame meeting with reporters Friday, Parker mentioned to teammate Nneka Ogwumike that the Sparks have had a some very disappointing trips to the media room during past playoffs.Weve had to do a lot of press conferences talking about next year and what we need to do to improve, Parker said. My rookie year -- it seems like it was just yesterday -- we barely missed the [WNBA] Finals. And when we left the court, I was like, Oh, well be back next year! And that hasnt happened.Parker was referring to the 2008 Western Conference finals, when the Sparks beat San Antonio by 15 points in the series opener, and were 1.3 seconds away from closing out the best-of-three series. But the Stars Sophia Young took an inbounds pass, spun around and tossed up a shot from just inside the arc that bounced in for a 67-66 victory. San Antonio then won the third game, 76-72.The Sparks also lost in the conference finals in 2009 to Phoenix and 2012 to Minnesota. In Parkers career, Los Angeles also has fallen in the conference semifinal four times, including 2-1 to Minnesota last year.So its understandable just how intense the feeling is now for Parker and the Sparks to not let this chance at the WNBA Finals get past them.You have to take advantage of the opportunities you have, Parker said. Weve focused on the little things, while seeing the bigger picture.The Sparks fully expect the Sky to give them a battle Sunday (ESPN, 3 p.m. ET) when facing elimination back at Allstate Arena. But so far in this series, Chicago hasnt been abble to impede the Sparks offense.dddddddddddd. Parker had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists Friday. That followed a Game 1 performance in which she had 30 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.Ogwumike won the leagues MVP award, and no one was happier for her than Parker. They have genuinely great chemistry with each other, and that has been critical to the Sparks this season.But these past two games, Parker has played like she wants to make the statement that shes really at her peak for the playoffs.Its important to her, Sparks guard Kristi Toliver said. And we want to win a championship for her. Shes been here the longest, and she just wants it so bad.The Sparks as a unit all have been playing with that kind of fervor. Three other Los Angeles starters scored in double figures Friday as Ogwumike had 18 points, Toliver 15 and Essence Carson 11.Jantel Lavender came off the bench to do her thing in a big way, going 10 of 11 from the field for 20 points, plus 5 rebounds. Alana Beard had 2 points, but her defense was one of the key reasons the Sky shot 38.5 percent from the field (30 of 78).Chicago got a lift off its bench, with Clarissa Dos Santos, Jamierra Faulkner and Allie Quigley combining for 40 points. But with the Sparks shooting 53.7 percent from the field (36 of 67) -- including 10 of 23 from behind the arc -- Chicago, which is without injured Elena Delle Donne, just didnt have anywhere near the firepower to stay with Los Angeles.Parker wants a chance to be in the WNBA Finals, and she would be pumped up for Sundays game no matter where it was played. But the fact that its in Chicago is especially meaningful for her.Im excited to play in front of my family and my friends and some people who were there from my first game in high school, she said. Its a lot of fun to go home. Some really talented basketball players have come out of Chicago, and it was very competitive for me growing up.Parker can impact games in so many ways, and that has been something Sparks coach Brian Agler has seen her do at a high level all season.When shes playing like she is right now, shes clearly one of the best in the world, he said. To me, it has a lot to with focus and her desire and passion. Shes been a really good leader for us this year and a tremendous teammate. I think were having this year because of how she has tried to elevate everybodys play. ' ' '