Die Macht » I know what Ive got to do.TRAINERS ROOMBrewers

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills coach Rex Ryan is having difficulty assessing why his prized defense is playing so inconsistently.One week, Miamis Jay Ajayi gained 214 yards rushing against Buffalo. The next, New England quarterback Tom Brady piled up 315 yards and four touchdowns passing.We know we have to play better, and especially against an opponent like that, Ryan said Monday, a day after Buffalo gave up five touchdowns in a 41-25 loss to New England . What was really disappointing to me is that we played poorly, its as simple as that.This isnt what Ryan expected from a unit he vowed would be much improved over last seasons high-priced defense, which finished 19th in the NFL in yards allowed. It was the worst end-of-season ranking in Ryans 11 seasons as a coach or coordinator.The numbers dont look much more promising halfway through this season with the Bills (4-4) preparing to travel to Seattle for a prime-time showdown on Nov. 7. Buffalo is 16th in yards allowed per game at 360.3, including 25th in rushing yards allowed per game with 118.4.In losing the past two games, Buffalo has surrendered a combined 811 yards offense and eight touchdowns without managing a takeaway.Thats a departure from how productive the defense played during a four-game winning streak that ended with a 28-25 loss to Miami on Oct. 23.In those four wins, Buffalo combined to allow four touchdowns, force 10 takeaways (four fumbles and six interceptions) and limit opponents to converting 13 of 52 third-down chances.In four losses, Buffalo has given up 13 touchdowns, forced just two takeaways (both fumbles) and had opponents convert 28 of 53 third-down chances.It was the Bills inability to stop the Patriots on third down that stung Ryan most.Brady converted New Englands first five third-down opportunities and nine of 12 overall before giving way to backup Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter.In the first half alone, Brady completed 6 of 6 attempts for 111 yards with two touchdowns and was sacked twice on third down. One of his touchdowns was a 53-yarder up the left sideline to Chris Hogan on third-and-13.Thats inexcusable, Ryan said.Things didnt get much better in the second half, when the Patriots converted three third-down opportunities because of penalties, including Buffalo being flagged for having 12 men on the field.We cant win like that. Theres no way. Weve got to be smart, Ryan said. If we get beat physically, thats one thing. But when you contribute to some of the mistakes or some of their big plays, we have to get better.The coach took some of the blame.Without being specific, Ryan made what he called a tactical mistake in departing from his game plan once Buffalos top pass-rushing threat, linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, was sidelined by a hamstring injury during a punt return early in the second quarter.I know I can do better, he said.Ryan also regretted the decision to continue having Alexander play a dual role on defense and special teams.The 33-year-old Alexander entered the game with an NFL-leading nine sacks, doubling the number he had in his first nine seasons.Ryan didnt have an update on Alexanders status.If he cant play, rookie first-round pick Shaq Lawson will have to fill in. Lawson has played limited time the past two games and had been out since having surgery to repair a shoulder injury in May.Against New England, Lawson had his first career sack but was also flagged for roughing the passer on a third-and-7.Ryan also didnt provide updates on running back LeSean McCoy, who did not play against New England because of a left hamstring injury, or backup Reggie Bush, who hurt his groin on Sunday.Game notes A few days after cutting Ed Eagan, the Bills signed the receiver and TE Manasseh Garner to their practice squad. ... After playing Seattle, the Bills enjoy a break in entering their bye week off.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale Fake Air Max 95 .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Fake Air Max 95 . PAUL, Minn. http://www.fakeairmax95.com/ .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Fake Nike Shoes . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. Fake Air Max 95 Online . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. PITTSBURGH -- Francisco Liriano doesnt believe hes lost his stuff so much as hes misplaced it. The search to find it over the last few weeks sent the veteran Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher to the bullpen for lengthy sessions with pitching coach Ray Searage.Judging by the way he overpowered the Milwaukee Brewers for two occasionally brilliant hours on Thursday night, Liriano appears to be on the right path.His fastball dipping and darting like a bug trying to avoid a fly swatter, Liriano struck out a season-high 13 without issuing a walk over 6 2/3 innings as the Pirates edged the Brewers 5-3.Everything was around the plate, not way down and way up, Liriano said.Something thats been an issue most of the season. Liriano entered the game having allowed a major-league high 62 base on balls. The Brewers didnt work a free pass once as Liriano (6-9) generated some serious momentum in his bid to bounce back from a forgettable first half.The slider was electric, the changeup was disappearing, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. No walks (and) 13 punchouts. Really good stuff. Really good composure. Very good tempo.Following three effective seasons at the top of the Pittsburgh rotation, 2016 has been a challenge for the 32-year-old. Liriano went more than six weeks without a victory, a stretch that ended with a win in Oakland on July 3. He backed it up with better command in a loss to Washington last week, providing a glimpse that he was starting to figure things out.I thought he had great stuff tonight, he really did, Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said of Liriano. Thats the best weve seen him in a while, for sure.Lirianos only mistake through the first six innings came on Jonathan Villars solo home run into the Milwaukee bullpen in the third. Liriano struck out the side in the sixth but was removed in the seventh following an RBI double by Perez and an RBI groundout by Scooter Gennett.Mark Melancon bounced back from consecutive blown saves to retire the side in order in the ninth for his 28th save.IN A PINCHMatt Joyce smacked a three-run homer in the first inning off Matt Garza (1-4) and later added an RBI groundout. Not bad for a player who didnt know he was playing until outfielder Starling Marte came down with flu-like symptoms a half-hour before the first pitch.Hes kind of like a fiireman, hes ready to go, Hurdle said.ddddddddddddJoyce did his best to cram for Garza -- a former teammate when both played in Tampa Bay -- but felt a bit rushed heading into the on-deck circle with two on and one out in the first. He took a couple of extra deep breaths to calm down and smacked a pitch from Garza into the seats in right field to put the Pirates up 3-0.When they ring the bell, youve got to go, Joyce said.Gregory Polanco finished with two hits for the Pirates. Andrew McCutchen went 2 for 3 to snap out of a 1-for-16 funk.BREW CREWVillar hit his seventh home run of the season. Hernan Perez added two hits for Milwaukee, which fell to 17-31 away from Miller Park, the second-worst road mark in the National League. Garza dropped his fourth straight decision, allowing five runs, four earned, in five innings with two walks and three strikeouts.I can go deep, I like to keep pitching, Garza said. You put your team in a hole and you cant do that. You just keep going and keep believing. Its there. Ive seen it. I saw it and felt it today. Its a good step. I know what Ive got to do.TRAINERS ROOMBrewers: Pitching prospect Adrian Houser underwent Tommy John surgery on his right arm Thursday and will miss at least the next 12 months. The 23-year-old appeared in two games last September for the Brewers and was 3-7 with a 5.25 ERA in 13 starts for Double-A Biloxi this season.Pirates: Reliever Ryan Vogelsong voluntarily removed himself from a rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis after four innings of work on Wednesday night due to neck tightness. Vogelsong, who turns 39 on Friday, is recovering from facial fractures after getting hit by a pitch against Colorado on May 23.UP NEXT:Brewers: Open a 10-game homestand on Friday with a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs. Jimmy Nelson (6-7, 3.39 ERA) is coming off his first win in over a month after tossing seven shutout innings against Cincinnati last Saturday.Pirates: Gerrit Cole (5-5, 3.11 ERA) will make his second start since returning from a stint on the DL with a right triceps strain. He will face Philadelphia on Friday. Cole allowed five runs in four innings in a loss to Washington last Saturday. ' ' '