injury. But the goal is to have Charles for the entire?season

Just a month ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were floundering amid a three-game losing streak, head coach Mike Tomlins job was in jeopardy and there was serious talk about missing the playoffs.But then the Steelers rediscovered LeVeon Bell and the running game, and now Pittsburgh (7-5) is knocking on the postseason door. And all is well with everyone in the Steel City who waves the Terrible Towel.Thats bad news for the Cincinnati Bengals, who need a lot of things to go right if they are going to make the playoffs for the sixth straight season.After going winless in November, Cincinnati (5-7-1) has reeled off two straight victories to have just a minuscule chance at the playoffs.Now the road gets tougher for Cincinnati with Sundays home game against Bell and the Steelers. AFC North rival Baltimore comes to town before the Bengals close out the regular season with a road game at Houston.There are three big weeks left and it will be a challenge, tackle Andrew Whitworth said. Its three really good teams, and so well have an opportunity to really put our will forward. We have a great opportunity with Pittsburgh coming to our place and what should be a big battle.After running roughshod over the Buffalo Bills last week, the Steelers control their own destiny as they took over sole possession of first place in the North.Pittsburgh turned its season around when the coaching staff committed to Bell taking pressure off quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and shouldering the offensive load.Against Buffalo, Bell set a franchise record with 236 rushing yards with an additional 62 receiving yards. He scored three touchdowns.In the past four games that coincided with the Steelers becoming a serious contender again, Bell has averaged nearly 30 carries and 115 rushing yards. Theres nothing more valuable than a workhorse running back in wintry conditions.Its December football, Bell said. We understand everybody is fighting for position. We just want to get the job done. Thats all there is to it.The Steelers control their own fate with games left against AFC North rivals Cincinnati, Baltimore and Cleveland.We are in a good situation right now, but we obviously have to win this game and (get) better, Bell said.During the Steelers four-game losing skid that preceded the winning streak, Bell was the forgotten man. In each of those games, he was held to 81 yards or fewer; in three of those four losses he was held to 60 yards or fewer.I cant say enough about the run game, and when I talk about the run game, its not just LeVeon Bell -- our guys out front did a heck of a job, Tomlin said. Fullback Rosie Nix and our big personnel packages did a really good job of blocking a myriad of fronts because as the game wore on, they threw a lot at us.The Bills challenged Roethlisberger, who struggled in the snow and wind at Orchard Park as he completed just 17 of 31 pass attempts for 220 yards and three interceptions. Roethlisberger will need to be more efficient this week against a Bengals defense that is all too familiar with the Steelers signal-caller.The past couple of times the two teams have met, there have been accusations of dirty play as players on both sides have been injured.I hope its not dirty, Roethlisberger said. We expect a physical game. Thats what we want it to be. We expect them to be the same way. We are not going to be a dirty team. We are going to go out and play football and play hard and physical, not retaliate. Just play this game the way its supposed to be played. If there are a lot of nasty things going on, I guess we will know why.Against Cleveland last week, Andy Dalton wasnt at his best -- but he didnt have to be as Cincinnati ran for 213 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. Jeremy Hill ran for 111 yards and a touchdown as the Bengals earned a second consecutive win for the first time this season.And they won both those games without All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Green, who was out with a hamstring injury. Green could return against the Steelers but was listed as doubtful on Fridays injury report. On Wednesday, he took part in practice for the first time in 24 days.Cornerback Adam Jones (ankle) did not take part in Wednesdays practice, but will play Sunday.Dalton has 17 touchdown passes this season. He knows if the Bengals are to stay in the race until the end, he has to be at his best in the last three games. But Dalton is looking ahead -- not behind.We wasted some opportunities early in the year, he said. We cant worry about that. For us, its all about finishing strong.Both defenses are coming off solid performances.Running against the Steelers is going to be a challenge for Hill, despite the Steelers missing Cameron Heyward, their best defensive lineman.During their four-game winning streak, they havent allowed a team to rush for 100 yards. Buffalo was the top rushing team heading into Sunday, but the Bills were held to just 67 yards. Running back LeSean McCoy was held to 27 yards on 12 carries.The Steelers also recorded five sacks and an interception.Cincinnati held the Browns to 10 points and was led by defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording two sacks and five tackles.The Cincinnati defense has held its last four opponents to under 15 points per game.Neither Vontaze Burfict nor Bell played in Week 2 when the two teams tangled in Pittsburgh, a 24-16 Steelers win. The Bengals also were without tight end Tyler Eifert.One Bengal who did play, kicker Mike Nugent, was released on Tuesday. Cincinnati claimed veteran Randy Bullock on waivers, oddly enough from the Steelers.Safety Shamarko Thomas (concussion) and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) will both not play Sunday. Cheap Hydro Flask Sale . Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipegs Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Hydro Flask Clearance . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. http://www.discounthydroflaskcheap.com/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Cheap Hydro Flask Free Shipping . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Hydro Flask Sale . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. NFL Nation reporters assess the top storylines to watch for every team on Thursday.NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC WestNFC EASTDallas CowboysDarren McFadden was named the Cowboys offensive MVP for 2015 at the teams kickoff luncheon on Wednesday, but will he be on the team in 2016? He is currently on the non-football injury list, but the Cowboys have received some calls from teams inquiring about McFadden, who ran for 1,089 yards last season. He continues to recover from the broken right elbow he suffered in the offseason. The goal was to have him ready for Week 1, but it is possible that the Cowboys could move him to reserve/NFI when they make their final cuts to the 53-man limit on Saturday. If they agree to a trade, McFadden would have to pass a physical to make a deal go through. Depending on how much a team wants McFadden, that physical could be green-lighted without a problem. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsWide receiver Victor Cruz appeared in a game Saturday for the first time in 685 days. Hes set to make his second appearance five days later. The Giants want Cruz to get more work in a game environment after an almost two-year absence. Rookie Sterling Shepard and most of the first-team offensive line will also play against the Patriots on Thursday. But though the Giants want to leave the preseason with a better taste in their mouth, dont expect to see quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesIt has been a struggle for Eagles defensive end Marcus Smith since he was selected with the 26th pick in the 2014 draft. He has?just 1.5 sacks in two NFL seasons and has been used sparingly to date. He has shown some signs of promise this summer as he fights for a roster spot. A strong performance in the preseason finale against the Jets on Thursday will help ensure his place on the roster and allow him more time to prove his worth. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsThe Redskins have a few tough decisions when they get to the final 53-man roster, including both lines. For a while, it appeared that they would keep nine offensive linemen, but theres a chance now that theyll keep only eight, which would leave centers Austin Reiter and Josh LeRibeus competing for one spot. Also, for a while it seemed theyd keep seven defensive linemen, but now theres a chance that theyll keep only six. A lot depends on if the Redskins feel they can sneak rookies Matt Ioannidis and Anthony Lanier or first-year Corey Crawford onto the practice squad. Only one would likely make the roster. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsHistory suggests coach John Fox will sit the bulk of his starters on Thursday and maybe veterans Zach Miller and Eddie Royal, who have not played a single preseason snap because of concussions. Oh, I dont know, Miller said when asked if he needs to play in the exhibition finale. Weve got to play football. Ive got be ready either way, whether its Thursday or Week 1. When that time comes, well be ready to play some football. This marks the 13th straight year in which the Bears and Browns face off in the final game of the preseason. Over that span, the series is tied at 6-6. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsThere are a few roster spots still potentially up for grabs when the Lions face the Bills in the preseason finale. For whom is the game?most important? Pay attention to cornerback Alex Carter, defensive end Anthony Zettel, defensive tackles Stefan Charles, Caraun Reid and Gabe Wright, receivers Andre Roberts, Jace Billingsley and Jay Lee, and quarterback Jake Rudock. If one or two star?against the Bills, it could push them onto the initial 53-man roster. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersJacob Schum essentially has a one-game audition to win the Packers punting job after he was claimed off waivers Tuesday. He joined the team in Green Bay on Wednesday in order to travel to Kansas City for Thursdays preseason finale. He will handle all the punting duties against the Chiefs after the Packers cut veteran Tim Masthay. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsThe Vikings final preseason game will provide a final audition for their two healthy quarterbacks not named Shaun Hill. Joel Stave and Brad Sorensen should get plenty of playing time against the Los Angeles Rams, and though the Vikings figure to keep looking for a veteran quarterback, they might keep one of their other passers around if they see something they like on Thursday. Given the fact that Stave fumbled twice Sunday against the Chargers, there might be more intrigue with Sorensen, whod previously been with the Chargers and Titans and might have the arm strength to merit a longer look. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsOne of the battles to watch in the Falcons fourth and final preseason game against the Jaguars is kicker, where veterans Matt Bryant and Shayne Graham are locked up. Bryant, the teams regular kicker since 2010, has struggled with?muscle tightness that has limited his action this preseason. But the 41-year-old seems to be healthy now, after some time in a hyperbaric chamber. Graham, who replaced an injured Bryant at the end of last season and was re-signed this preseason when undrafted rookie Nick Rose failed miserably in place of Bryant, is fresh off a 53-yard kick last week. If Bryant is healthy, expect him to be the guy. But you never know what the heat of competition will bring out in Graham on Thursday night. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersIt will be the Joe Webb Show on offense in Carolinas preseason finale against Pittsburgh. The staff wont risk quarterback?Cam Newton to injury, and backup Derek Anderson has missed all week of practice with soreness from too many shots last week against New England. Anderson would be the emergency QB if something were to happen to Webb. Several other players have volunteered, but coach Ron Rivera basically said they should stick to their day jobs. Rivera said seven positions for the 53-man roster are up for grabs. Keep an eye on running back Brandon Wegher. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsSecond-year quarterback Garrett Grayson needs to leave the Saints with a strong lasting impression in Thursdays preseason finale against the Ravens. Grayson has thrown one touchdown?pass and four interceptions this preseason, and coach Sean Payton acknowledged last week that he would like to see him further along at this point. Grayson could be in danger of getting cut next week, and he is definitely in danger of being replaced by another young developmental QB?next spring. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersIt was a sloppy preseason finale Wednesday in Tampa, with the Bucs playing in tropical storm conditions. In the first quarter alone, the Bucs had three fumbles because of a wet ball. Quarterback Mike Glennon fumbled rolling out and completely untouched. The worst of Tropical Storm Hermine is expected to come Thursday and Friday, but right now, it doesnt appear to impact the Bucs preparations for Week 1. When the team resumes practices, though, it might have to deal with very soggy field conditions. If things get bad enough, the Bucs could head to Tropicana Field to practice indoors, but the Tampa Bay Rays are home until Wednesday. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsBetween injuries and veteran days off, the Cardinals depth chart at cornerback for Thursday nights preseason finale against the Broncos will be limited. If Justin Bethel doesnt play, Cariel Brooks will take his spot and have a prime opportunity to make his case for a spot on the roster. With one corner job belonging to Patrick Peterson and the other a battle between rookie Brandon Williams, Bethel, who has?had just five practices since he returned to training camp after a foot injury, and whoever else is healthy, Brooks is an unlikely candidate to steal a roster spot with a strong showing Thursday. But hell have to play shut-down ball and cause a turnover or two to secure a job. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsThursdays preseason finale?at Minnesota?will be crucial for several players?on the bubble. That list features a handful of young receivers, including Bradley Marquez, Austin Hill, Paul McRoberts, Duke Williams and Mike Thomas. Young defensive players such as lineman Ian Seau and linebacker Josh Forrest could also benefit from strong showings. Said Rams coach Jeff Fisher: There are still a few players that have an opportunity to show us some things, as far as an opportunity to either make the [53-man roster] or practice-squad roster. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersThe 49ers traveled to San Diego on Wednesday in anticipation of Thursday nights preseason finale. San Diego is celebrating its 28th annual salute to the military night, and 49ers quarterback?Colin Kaepernick plans to continue his protest of racial oppression by sitting during the national anthem.dddddddddddd The Chargers say they have no plans to beef up security, and ticket sales have not increased this week. The 49ers declined to say whether they have additional security plans, but they have traditionally been progressive on that front. For his part, Kaepernick said he isnt worried about it: At the end of the day, if something happens, thats only proving my point, Kaepernick said. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksAll eyes will be on running back Thomas Rawls when the Seahawks take on the Raiders in their preseason finale. Rawls (fractured ankle) has not had any game action since December, but coach Pete Carroll indicated Wednesday that the second-year back could see the field Thursday. Rawls practices with a unique intensity and has said he doesnt need preseason touches to get ready for the opener. Whether or not Rawls plays against the Raiders, Carroll said theres no question that he will be ready in Week 1, barring something unforeseen between now and then. -- Sheil KapadiaAFC EASTBuffalo BillsThe Bills will close out their preseason Thursday in Detroit. With the 53-man roster cut looming Saturday, this game will be important for players such as wide receiver Walter Powell, linebackers Randell Johnson and Bryson Albright, and safety Jonathan Meeks. At this point, the Bills have about 45 to 50 roster spots decided, but the last few roles remain up for grabs. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsAll eyes will be on the Dolphins rookies Thursday, when they host the Titans in the preseason finale. Second-round pick Xavien Howard and third-round pick Kenyan Drake will make their NFL debuts after suffering injuries this summer. First-round pick Laremy Tunsil also will get his final tune-up on the offensive line before the regular season. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsPatriots quarterback?Tom Brady made the trip with the team for Thursdays preseason finale against the Giants. If he plays snaps at quarterback, it would mark the first time since 2011 that he did so in a preseason finale. Brady played one snap as a holder in the preseason finale in 2014, as that would have been his job in the regular season in the event of injury. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsThe Jets head into their final preseason game at the Eagles with quite a few roster spots up for grabs, coach Todd Bowles said. The most competitive positions are wide receiver and linebacker. Three rookie receivers are pushing for spots:?Charone Peake, Robby Anderson and Jalin Marshall. The stiff competition indicates that the Jets have better depth than in previous years. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensHistory says quarterback?Joe Flacco wont play Thursday at New Orleans, and neither will the rest of the starters. No one on the first-team offense or defense suited up in last years preseason finale. The last time Flacco played in the final preseason game was 2008, his rookie season. Backup Ryan Mallett might play one quarter but might not take the field at all. Third-string quarterback?Josh Johnson could play the entire game. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsDont expect to see many starters play when the Saints host the Colts on Thursday. The Bengals pulled their starters quickly after cornerback?Adam Jones, wide receiver?A.J. Green and running back?Cedric Peerman had various degrees of injuries in the first half. The Bengals will likely err on the side of caution and look to get out of the preseason without any more injuries. -- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsCoach Hue Jackson doesnt really think in negatives, but it isnt difficult to figure how hell feel if the Browns starters -- and quarterback?Robert Griffin III -- struggle in the time they get against Chicago. The Browns first-teamers will be playing backups, so the last thing a team that has lost three games by a combined score of 71-37 needs is another clunker. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersNow that the Steelers have restructured wide receiver?Antonio Browns contract to pay him an additional $4 million this year, expect them to get something done with All-Pro guard David DeCastro. Hes one of the leagues best guards, and the team values continuity on the offensive line. The hard deadline for a contract is Sept. 12, as the Steelers refuse to negotiate during the season. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansCoach Bill OBrien wouldnt say for sure who will play in Thursdays preseason finale against the Cowboys. But dont expect starters such as quarterback Brock Osweiler, running back Lamar Miller or wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to see the field. The Texans have been extremely fortunate to not suffer any serious injuries in a preseason game this year, and OBrien will not test that luck Thursday. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsCoach Chuck Pagano didnt say who wouldnt play in his teams preseason finale Thursday at Cincinnati, but its a safe bet that quarterback Andrew Luck, receiver T.Y. Hilton, running back Frank Gore and any other key player on the Colts roster wont play a snap. That is not only because its the fourth preseason game but also because the Colts arent in a position to lose any more important players. Theyve been ravaged by injuries to starters including?Vontae Davis, Clayton Geathers and Kendall Langford this preseason. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsExpect quarterback?Brandon Allen to play most of the Jaguars preseason finale Thursday against Atlanta. He didnt play at all Sunday against Cincinnati;?Chad Henne played the entire second half. The Jaguars really like Allen, a sixth-round pick from Arkansas, and it appears that they are going to keep him on the active roster. Hes viewed as the eventual replacement for Henne as Blake Bortles backup. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansThe Titans starters will probably play only a series in the preseason finale. The team very likely knows the form that its 53-man roster will take. But Thursday in Miami, a strong showing from cornerbacks Cody Riggs and Kalen Reed, running backs Antonio Andrews and Bishop Sankey, defensive linemen Antwaun Woods and Mehdi Abdesmad, linebacker Aaron Wallace,?or safety Marqueston Huff could be influential -- if not for the Titans, then for another team shopping after cuts around the league. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosThe Broncos starters will be easy to find in Thursdays preseason finale in Arizona; they will be the players standing by coach Gary Kubiak on the sideline. The game is for the young guys, as Kubiak put it. There are likely a few roster spots in play, especially where some of the more difficult decisions will come: running back, wide receiver and linebacker. Rookie Paxton Lynch will start at quarterback, and Kubiaks plan is to play Lynch for the entire game. If Lynch, for some reason, had to leave the lineup against the Cardinals,?Mark Sanchez would go into the game. One player to keep an eye on is running back Ronnie Hillman. Hillman was the teams leading rusher in 2015 and now finds himself fighting for a roster spot because he hasnt been a special-teams regular in his career. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsThe Chiefs are easing running back?Jamaal Charles back into their lineup after a torn ACL ended his 2015 season. He is unlikely to play in Thursday nights final preseason game, and he has yet to regain the full-time featured back role he had before the injury. But the goal is to have Charles for the entire?season -- not just the season opener -- so the Chiefs wont rush things. Charles will probably be part of a running back rotation when the season begins. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersMighty Mite rookie running backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard should see significant time in Thursday nights exhibition finale against the Seahawks. Will they resemble the diminutive backs others are readily comparing them to in the preseason? Coach Jack Del Rio sees some Maurice Jones-Drew in the duo, while quarterback?Derek Carr likens Washington to Domanick Williams?and Richard to Barry Sanders. Teams have to get ready for that, Carr said. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersThe Chargers likely will rest most of their frontline players for the final preseason game Thursday against the 49ers, and that includes first-round selection Joey Bosa. The Ohio State product participated in just one practice this week, in helmets and a jersey, and he will continue his crash course in the playbook with defensive line coach Giff Smith this week. -- Eric D. Williams ' ' '