Houston, we have a problem ...Or should that be, College Football Playoff selection committee, we wont have a Houston problem?When the watercooler chat arrives at loggerheads over what Kickoff Week hinted about the playoff, one thing that wont be up for debate will be the Group of 5s inclusion, because its only member with a legitimate shot at a playoff berth is going to lose by double-digits to No. 3 Oklahoma.Las Vegas thinks so -- see the Cougars getting 12.5 points. Advanced metrics think so. ESPNs Football Power Index ranked Oklahoma No. 3, rating the Sooners as 25 points better than an average team. Houston is ranked 46th, or just 6.3 points better than an average team.?There are two pieces of conventional wisdom that support Houstons claim as a barrier-breaking playoff contender. The first is the emotional narrative of the scrappy underdog. The second is the celebration of Houston coach Tom Herman as the next Urban Meyer.?The former is dispelled by a deeper look at advanced metrics. The latter is not only premature, but Herman might end up being supplanted as the Beyonce of coaching candidates by a familiar, and much more divisive, candidate.? . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars. . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. . On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. PHILADELPHIA -- Suddenly the Philadelphia Eagles are a sloppy, undisciplined and flawed football team.Carson Wentz and the offense are not in sync, the defense cant stop the run, and the team is committing penalties at an alarming rate.A 24-23 loss at Detroit last week exposed some weaknesses. Still, the Eagles wouldve won that game if Ryan Mathews didnt fumble in the final minutes -- or if the play was overturned after a video review.But the Redskins dominated Philadelphia on Sunday in a 27-20 win that wasnt that close.Theres no panic, no panic whatsoever, coach Doug Pederson said Monday.The offense had no chance to get in a rhythm against Washington. Rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai made his NFL debut filling in for suspended right tackle Lane Johnson and allowed 2 1/2 sacks and several pressures. He wasnt completely responsible for the sacks because he was supposed to get help on certain plays.Pederson is sticking with Vaitai despite the fifth-round picks struggles in his first game.Overall, Wentz was sacked five times . But he held the ball too long on a couple of those in the second half, showing hes still a rookie. He accepted blame like a veteran.(Sacks) hurt us early and it was one of those things where it was no ones fault. I shouldve made the right protection call and couldve got the ball out in time better, Wentz said.As for two sacks late in the game, Wentz said: Ive got to get the ball out. I cant take those sacks and thats definitely on me. The line gave me time on both of them. Those aare things I just have to learn.ddddddddddddThe biggest concern is the defense, the teams strength the first three games. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartzs group was flying high after holding Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers to a field goal in a 34-3 rout in Week 3.Now the Eagles allowed 21 points in the first half in consecutive games. Theyve played much better in the second half both weeks, but couldnt make key stops in the fourth quarter.You cant just be out of control and I think right now we are, safety Malcolm Jenkins said. The last two games, thats been the story. Collectively, we havent been doing our job. One play after another and you get beaten.The schedule isnt going to help Philadelphia. The Eagles host the Vikings (5-0) this week before going back on the road for division games at Dallas (5-1) and the Giants (3-3). All three opponents will be playing Philadelphia after their bye, so theyll have an extra week to prepare.Game notes DT Bennie Logan has a left groin strain. Pederson said hes week to week, so he likely wont play vs. the Vikings. ... CB Ron Brooks (left calf contusion), C Jason Kelce (plantar fasciitis), Mychal Kendricks (rib contusion) and DE Marcus Smith (right groin strain) arent expected to practice Wednesday.---AP NFL website:
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