Talk » ffort. 0-0 in Houston is a pretty good mental challenge

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera says two things became apparent to him after looking at tape of the Panthers 22-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.The missed opportunities was probably the biggest thing, more so than anything else, and some of the penalties, Rivera said Monday. We had some really good things that went on, some really good plays, then you kinda look at them and its almost silly to have those kind of penalties committed.Rivera said those missed opportunities, as well as protecting quarterback Cam Newton, need to be corrected as Carolina opens a three-game stretch of NFC South division games starting Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.While the Falcons offense has put up league-leading numbers, their defense has struggled, especially against the pass. Heading into Monday nights game against the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta is fifth-worst in the league in yards allowed (412.5) and tied for ninth in passing yards allowed (290.0), with seven passing TDs in two games.That could be just what the Panthers offense needs to get back on track, especially after following up a 46-point effort against the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago by getting shut out by the Vikings over the final three quarters Sunday.This season, in Atlantas first two games, its defense gave up four touchdowns and 281 passing yards to Tampa Bays Jameis Winston in a Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers, and three TDs and 299 yards to Oaklands Derek Carr in beating the Raiders last week.That has offset a Falcons offense that leads the NFL in yards per game (451.0) and is second in scoring (29.5 per game).You look at the games theyve been in, and they havent been complete blowouts until later on, Rivera said. When youre not making plays, youre getting attacked. Were looking forward to it. Our guys have an opportunity to put themselves in a good position in an important game.But this years performance is no guarantee of success, Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Shula said.You go back to our games last year, and they were two totally different games, Shula added. We had a lot of big plays in the first game (a 38-0 Panthers win Dec. 13, 2015), and they did a good job in the second game taking those big plays away (a 20-13 Falcons win Dec. 27).Were going to look at balance. Were going to look at making good decisions and getting the ball out on time.That was part of the Panthers problems against the Vikings.Carolina led 10-0 two-thirds of the way through the first quarter and had more net yardage than the Vikings (306-211). But the Panthers let Minnesota back in the game, giving up a sack and safety on Newton later in the first quarter, followed by a 54-yard punt return for a score by Marcus Sherels late in the second quarter.The Vikings went on to sack Newton eight times total in Sundays 22-10 victory, the most last years NFL MVP has been taken down since the 2014 season. He was also hit four more times, and rushed into throwing three interceptions.While Newton finished with 262 passing yards, he was held to 95 yards in the second half and was 8 of 17. Even worse, his two biggest receiving targets -- 6-foot-5 Kelvin Benjamin and 6-4 Devin Funchess -- were held without a reception on three combined targets.Weve got to find a way to get him the ball more, Shula said of Benjamin, who led the Panthers in receptions (13) and receiving yards (199) entering Sundays game. But we need to do it in a way where were not forcing the ball.Penalties also hurt the Panthers, especially at crucial moments. In the second quarter Benjamin was called for an illegal block on Minnesotas Trae Waynes that nullified a 56-yard touchdown catch-and-run by Fozzy Whittaker.You dont do your job, you dont do things the way youre supposed to, youre going to get beat at the end of the day, Rivera said. It doesnt matter whether youre a first-year player or a 10th-year player, you are going to make a mistake. We got caught on that, and got put in a bad situation.This was our third game. Weve played two teams that were in the playoffs last year. Weve had our ups and downs. Weve had our moments against them, Rivera said. What weve got to be able to do is eliminate the lows, and play consistent.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Zdeno Chara Jersey .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Kevan Miller Jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. https://www.cheapbruins.com/1312m-busher-jackson-jersey-bruins.html . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Steve Kasper Jersey . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Bill Cowley Jersey . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night.HOUSTON -- Toronto FC appears to be gaining some momentum and confidence at just the right time. Joe Bendik made four saves on Saturday night as Toronto played the Houston Dynamo to a scoreless draw that extended the Reds unbeaten streak to three games. In a contest that saw few good scoring chances, Bendik helped Toronto secure its first clean sheet since Oct. 20, 2012, against Montreal, which also ended in a scoreless tie. "We have been very close six or seven times and conceded late," Toronto head coach Ryan Nelsen said of the clean sheet. "We have had a bit of bad luck, but it was always going to come. It is something to grow from. We notch that one, and we try to get as many more as we can." Bendik said before this season, Toronto would either make a mistake or the opposition would catch a break and get a goal late. That did not happen Saturday night. "We finished the game out today as we did last week (a 2-1 victory at D.C. United)," Bendik said. "It is hopefully the first of many (shutouts). It was a pretty good team effort. 0-0 in Houston is a pretty good mental challenge." In extending its unbeaten streak, Toronto (2-7-6, 12 points) stretched Houstons (6-5-5, 23 points) winless streak to six. Toronto had a chance to notch the game-winner late, but Jeremy Brockies shot in the 85th minute from outside the box saved by Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall, and Danny Koevermans rebound attempt was alsoo saved by Hall, who also finished with four stops.dddddddddddd. Torontos Doneil Henry had a header off a corner kick in the 16th minute saved by Hall as well. Brockie said Toronto will take the result. "At this stage we will take one point over no points. Over the 90 minutes, we had the better opportunities than they did," he said. "It is a little disappointing to not get one on the board, but the boys worked very hard for the result." Will Bruin had Houstons best chances -- three headers in the first half -- with one cleared, a second go high and a third saved by Bendik. "I thought it was a very sufficient performance," Nelsen said. "Obviously, it is one of the most difficult places to play, especially this time of year. (Houston head coach) Dominic (Kinnear) has them so well-rounded. June, July, August this is such a hard place to come. The guys had to stand up and all of them did. Unfortunately we couldnt pinch it at the end." Nelsen said the two games upcoming at home are key, and if Toronto came get two positive results, then things would start to look a bit different as the club tries to climb the Eastern Conference table. "Guys from day one to now are improving," Nelsen said. "The team as a whole is improving. I think the performances have been there, and we havent gotten the results we deserve, but I think now the hard work they have put in has paid off." ' ' '