Pirate Galaxy » rally for the Europeans at the Ryder

METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints, a half-century-old NFL franchise whose early decades were defined largely by bumbling ineptitude, have seen their share of losses marked by unlikely plays and surreal drama.The latest -a 25-23 loss against Denver decided by a blocked extra-point kick returned for a 2-point conversion -- repeated another scenario that has become all too familiar for the Saints in the past decade.It marked the fifth time since 2007 that the Saints (4-5) have rebounded from a start of 1/3 or worse to get to 4-4, only to lose their ninth game. The previous four times it happened -- in 2007, 2012, 2014 and 2015 -- the Saints never got above .500 and missed the playoffs.But the Saints want to believe this time will turn out differently over their last seven games. Some untimely mistakes may have cost them a narrow loss to the defending champion Broncos, but New Orleans players say there remains plenty of evidence that their turnaround has not by any means been derailed.Against the Broncos, the Saints had arguably their best game defensively this season, especially with their pass rush. They had six sacks after getting 11 combined in the first eight games. Cameron Jordan provided consistent pressure and had a team-high eight tackles, including one sack.I thought he played exceptionally well, coach Sean Payton said. It was probably one of his best games of the year. The pressure was significant. I think that really helped us in a lot of ways -- coverage-wise and obviously with the sudden changes that we had.The Saints twice intercepted Trevor Siemian and twice they forced Denver to settle for field-goal attempts after reaching the red zone.Although New Orleans had four turnovers and a slow start that yielded just three first-half points, Drew Brees was 21 of 29 for 303 yards against the NFLs top-rated pass defense. Brees was sacked just once by a defense that had 28 sacks in its previous nine games.Brandin Cooks finished with 98 yards on three receptions. But fellow wide receiver Michael Thomas, a rookie second-round draft choice, lost two fourth-quarter fumbles, the first of which set up a tying touchdown and the second of which led to a field goal that gave the Broncos a 23-17 lead shortly before Brees and Cooks connected on a 32-yard TD that briefly tied the game at 23.A No. 1 pick in 2014, Cooks has emerged as the Saints leading receiver the last two seasons. He said he called Thomas, who has been the most productive rookie receiver in the NFL, on Sunday night to check on him.Hes doing good, Cooks said. Stuff happens and you learn from it. As young guys we learn to bounce back. Im going to continue to push him and be there for him.The Saints have a quick turnaround as they prepare to visit NFC South rival Carolina on Thursday night.We lost a game that left a bad taste in our mouth, Jordan said. Its good that we get a fast chance at redemption.The Saints beat the Panthers 41-38 on Oct. 16 in the Superdome.The best thing that can happen for us is the next game coming up in four days, Cooks said. The best thing for this team is to get back to doing what we need to do, especially against a division opponent.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLGrant Hill Suns Jersey . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. Ty Jerome Suns Jersey . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. https://www.thesunslockerroom.com/Steve-Nash-City-Edition-Jersey/ . JOHNS, N. Kevin Johnson Jersey . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. Phoenix Suns Jerseys .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious.Take a bow, Rory McIlroy.After rolling in a 20-foot eagle putt on No. 16 to finish off Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar, McIlroy turned to the partisan American crowd and bowed, twice, then screamed, Cmon! as he punched the chilly Minnesota air with his fist.It was an emphatic finish to an impressive afternoon rally for the Europeans at the Ryder Cup. McIlroy and Thomas Pieters beat Johnson and Kuchar 3 and 2 to close the afternoon session. The Europeans won three of the four matches in the afternoon after losing all four of the morning matches.Even before I hit that putt, I wanted to put an exclamation point on that session for us, he said. I actually thought about the celebration before I hit the putt. I knew it had a good chance off going in.dddddddddddd.The crowd at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska was fired up after the American sweep in the morning, and McIlroy was only too happy to quiet them down in the afternoon in his second Ryder Cup on U.S. soil.This is definitely a little more hostile, McIlroy said. Reactions like that [bow] on the last, I just want to let people know how much it means to us.McIlroy also said he wasnt fazed by anything said by the crowd.And Im not fazed by anything the U.S. throws at us, he said.The United States holds a 5-3 lead headed into Saturday.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '