The Packers also are without a long snapper after they released Rick Lovato

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Cincinnati Bengals have made it to the playoffs five straight years, an impressive stretch of success that should put them among the elite franchises in the AFC.Its the fact they havent won a game once theyve gotten to the postseason that has some fans hesitant to feel any satisfaction.Underrated? Perhaps. But the Bengals know theres only one way to change that perception.Thats one thing were not worried about, quarterback Andy Dalton said. For us, especially right now, our focus is the first game of the year. Thats all you can worry about is what youre doing right now. Were not worried about any of that other stuff. Were trying to do whatever we can to win this week.And that road begins at MetLife Stadium on Sunday against the New York Jets in the season opener.If theres one trend the Bengals can change immediately, its that theyve never defeated the Jets in New Jersey. Theyre 0-9 there, but despite that dismal record, coach Marvin Lewis knows how huge a victory would be in Week 1 -- no matter against whom or where it comes.It makes you 1-0, on the road, which is a good thing, said Lewis, 6-7 in openers with the Bengals. It kicks off the season in the right way. You focus on this since the schedule comes out. This is the opening game, so theres a certain importance to it. Its an opportunity to get off to a fast start.Meanwhile, the Jets havent been to the playoffs since the 2010 season, the longest postseason drought since owner Woody Johnson took over the team in 2000.Johnson declined to make a playoffs-or-bust declaration while speaking to the media this week, but the Jets certainly have their sights set on success.We dont talk about expectations that way, coach Todd Bowles said of his discussions with Johnson and the team. We know what the expectations are.And, they are?To win, Bowles said.Here are some things to know as the Bengals and Jets kick off the season:DANDY ANDY: Dalton was on his way to a possible Pro Bowl appearance last season when he broke the thumb on his passing hand in December. It shortened what had been a terrific year in which he led the AFC with a 106.3 passer rating.The Bengals quarterback is back and feeling healthy, and ready to pick up where he left off last year after 25 touchdown passes and a career-low seven interceptions.Im 100 percent, Dalton said. Im good. No setback from the thumb.FITZ MAGIC: The Jets were uncertain about their quarterback situation until the night before training camp began, when the team and Ryan Fitzpatrick ended a long contract stalemate and agreed on a one-year deal. Both Fitzpatrick and the Jets made it clear they wanted a reunion, and it only made sense after he set a franchise record with 31 touchdown passes and galvanized the locker room after then-starter Geno Smith had his jaw broken by a punch from a teammate.Brandon Marshall enjoyed a huge year with Fitzpatrick throwing to him, setting franchise marks with 109 catches and 1,502 yards receiving, and also tying the team record with 14 TD grabs.ABSENT EIFERT: It appears Dalton and the offense will be without tight end Tyler Eifert against the Jets because of an ankle injury suffered during the Pro Bowl. He was hopeful hed be ready to play, but he had surgery in May and didnt play during the preseason. Eifert, who had 52 catches for 615 yards and 13 TDs last season, will likely be replaced by H-back Ryan Hewitt and tight ends Tyler Kroft and C.J. Uzomah.FORTE FITS: The Jets added a pass-catching presence to their backfield when they signed Matt Forte as a free agent in March. The running back, who played his first eight seasons in Chicago, is two years removed from setting an NFL record at his position with 102 catches.The 30-year-old Forte is coming off a hamstring injury that limited him for half of training camp, but appears ready to be a full contributor to Chan Gaileys offense.Great vision as a runner, really does a good job of setting his blocks up, obviously great hands, Fitzpatrick said. I just think the overall awareness and the experience that he has playing the game of football, he kind of fits right into that huddle.WHOS BLOCKING?: A spot to watch will be right tackle for the Jets, who are toying with the idea of rotating backups Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale at the position.Starter Breno Giacomini is out for at least six weeks with a back injury, so Bowles has been waiting for Ijalana or Qvale to step up to claim the job.That could certainly have Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who set a franchise mark with 13 1/2 sacks last season, and defensive tackle Geno Atkins licking their chops.---AP Sports Writer Joe Kay in Cincinnati contributed.--- http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-own...hout-playoffsAP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Yeezy Boost 350 Costo . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Yeezy Boost 350 Uomo . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. http://www.scarpeyeezyitalia.it/adidas-hu-minions.html . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Adidas NMD R1 Uomo . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Italia . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers released three-time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton on Saturday, making an unexpected change on their offensive line.The 30-year-old Sitton had started 112 of 121 regular-season games since being drafted in the fourth round in 2008 out of Central Florida. He was one of the leaders on a front five that protects quarterback Aaron Rodgers.The Packers other notable cuts Saturday to get to the 53-man limit for the start of the season included former starting linebacker Sam Barrington and wide receiver Geronimo Allison, an undrafted free agent who drew praise from quarterback Aaron Rodgers during training camp.Sitton played through injuries, including a torn ligament in his left big toe in 2014. But the Packers have financial decisions to make up front, with the contracts of left tackle David Bakhtiari and left guard T.J. Lang expiring after this season.Sitton was entering the last year of a five-year, $33.75 million extension signed after the 2011 season. He was due to count $6.85 million against the cap this year.We want to thank Josh for his contributions during his time in Green Bay. He has been an important part of the success we have enjoyed on the field, general manager Ted Thompson said. While these decisions are never easy, this was done with a focus on what is best for the team and the growth of the offensive line.The Packers drafted two linemen this year, Jason Spriggs out of Indiana in the second round and Kyle Murphy in the sixth round out of Stanford.JC Tretter has taken over at center with two-year starter Corey Linsley out with a hamstring injury.The Packers placed Linsley on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, which will keep him from practicing and playing for at least the first six weeks of the season.ddddddddddddWell, expectation of the offensive line, I think we clearly could have one of the best lines that weve had here, coach Mike McCarthy said recently. I think Ive said that the last two years and frankly health is always important.Another veteran Packer, punter Tim Masthay, was released on Tuesday after the team claimed Jacob Schum off waivers from Tampa Bay. Masthay had been with Green Bay for six seasons.The Packers also are without a long snapper after they released Rick Lovato, a first-year player who joined the team near the end of last season.By letting go of Barrington, a fourth-year pro who started eight games in his career but missed most of last season with a foot injury, the Packers could be counting on a youthful tandem of Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez as their starting inside linebackers.Green Bay selected Martinez in the fourth round of this years draft out of Stanford.Green Bay cut 17 players Saturday, including Brandon Ross, which leaves undrafted rookie Brandon Burks as the third running back behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks.The Packers placed a pair of undrafted free agents, defensive tackle Tyler Kuder and center Kyle Steuck, on injured reserve.Green Bay also moved defensive tackle Mike Pennel and cornerback Demetri Goodson to the reserve/suspended list. Both players will miss the first four games for violations of the NFLs drug policy.---This version corrects the number of players cut to 17 instead of 16.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '