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TAMPA, Fla. -- Jacquizz Rodgers never doubted he was capable of playing a lead role in an NFL offense.Even when the diminutive running back found himself out of work and wondering if hed get another opportunity to prove himself seven weeks ago.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers called on Sept. 13, two days after their season opener, and the sixth-year pro is making the most of a reunion with coach Dirk Koetter.Thrust into the starting lineup because of injuries to two-time Pro Bowl selection Doug Martin and versatile backup Charles Sims, Rodgers has responded with consecutive 100-yard rushing performances that have keyed a two-game winning streak thats got the Bucs (3-3) back to .500 after a 1/3 start.Tampa Bay rushed for 249 yards, the fourth-most in franchise history, during Sundays 34-17 victory over San Francisco.Two weeks after carrying 30 times for a then career-best 101 yards at Carolina, the 5-foot-6, 215-pound blend of power and quickness gained 154 yards on 26 attempts to help the Bucs rally from an early 14-0 deficit against the 49ers.Jacquizz is just a really solid player and a really solid guy, said Koetter, Atlantas offensive coordinator for three of the four seasons Rodgers played with the Falcons before signing with the Chicago Bears in 2015.Hes never had a chance to be a feature guy. Hes just behind really good guys, Koetter said. Hes been behind Michael Turner for a while (and) behind Steven Jackson (in Atlanta). We have good backs here, so hes ... just getting a chance.Martin, second in the NFL in rushing last season behind Adrian Peterson, has been sidelined since Week 2 with a sore hamstring. Sims was placed on injured reserve after hurting a knee two weeks ago.Rodgers was a fifth-round draft pick in 2011 and started five of 63 games he appeared in over four seasons with Atlanta. He played five games with the Bears, carrying the ball 14 times for 41 yards, before being placed on injured reserve with a broken arm last season.Hes durable, hes nifty, he can break tackles, Koetter said.The good thing, I am familiar with the offense, Rodgers, released by the Bears on Sept. 3, added, so it helped make my transition a lot easier.Before making his first start for the Bucs, Rodgers had never carried more than 18 times in a NFL game. Koetter noted, though, that he was a featured back in college at Oregon State and was productive as a backup during their time together with the Falcons.I didnt know the guy was as good as he is, as explosive as he is, offensive tackle Demar Dotson said.Hes a baller and we were very fortunate to get him, receiver Mike Evans said.Rodgers became the first back in the NFL with consecutive games with at least 25 carries since DeMarco Murray did it three straight games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2014.Martin was the last to do it for the Bucs, carrying 29 times against Minnesota and 25 against Oakland the following game as a rookie in 2012.Our O-line has been playing great, and the receivers have been doing great as well with downfield blocking. Were just playing complementary football, Evans said. Hes similar to Doug in many ways. Theyre both smaller, bigger backs that can break you down. Hes been doing that.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Tyreek Hill Super Bowl Jersey . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. Frank Clark Super Bowl Jersey .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. http://www.officialkcchiefspro.com/Eric-fisher-chiefs-jersey/ . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. Dorian ODaniel Super Bowl Jersey . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Juan Thornhill Super Bowl Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. OKLAHOMA CITY -- Patrick Beverley savored getting the best of his rival, Russell Westbrook.Despite a seventh straight triple-double for Westbrook, Beverley and the Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 102-99 on Friday night.Beverleys history with Westbrook goes back to the 2013 playoffs, when Beverley went after the ball while Westbrook called a timeout. Beverley crashed into Westbrooks knee, and the star guard missed the rest of the postseason with a knee injury.As usual, the Oklahoma City crowd greeted Beverley with boos during pregame introductions Friday.Westbrook finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but Beverley helped harass him into shooting just 8 for 25.I wont say what I want to say, but yeah, we tried to show bodies and force him into a crowd and make it tough for him, Beverley said.Westbrook gave Beverley no credit.I missed a lot of easy shots, man. Honestly, brother, Westbrook said.With the Thunder down one in the closing seconds, Westbrook had a chance to give Oklahoma City the lead. Beverley was guarding Westbrook with five fouls, but he settled for a 3-pointer and missed.Hes a really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really good player, Beverley said. We were fortunate to come up with a stop.After Westbrooks missed 3, Houstons Trevor Ariza got the rebound, was fouled and made both free throws with 5.8 seconds left. Oklahoma Citys Anthony Morrow then missed a 3 that would have tied the game.James Harden had 21 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds to help the Rockets win their fifth straight. Houston withstood Hardens 6-for-23 shooting effort.Westbrook owns the longest triple-double streak since Michael Jordan had seven straight in 1989. The NBA record is nine in a row by Philadelphias Wilt Chamberlain in March 1968.It was Westbrooks 12th triple-double this season and the 49th of his career. He is the NBAs active leader in the category and ranks sixth all-time.The Thunder had won the previous six games during Westbrooks triplee-double binge.ddddddddddddThe Rockets led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter and took an 86-77 lead into the fourth.Westbrook rested to start the fourth, then re-entered with 8:37 remaining while Clint Capela was at the free throw line. The Thunder trailed by 12 when Westbrook rebounded Capelas miss, and he gave his team a chance.With Houston leading 94-90, Westbrook stole the ball and Ryan Anderson was called for a clear path foul, giving Westbrook two free throws and the Thunder the ball. Westbrook made the free throws, but he missed a fadeaway on the extra possession, and Harden scored on the other end. Oklahoma City got as close as a point, but never took the lead.Ball just didnt go in, Thunder forward Andre Roberson said. Ball just didnt go our way. You have to live with it and go onto the next.TIP-INSRockets: Shot 9 for 28 in the first quarter, yet led 25-23. ... Made 11 of 42 3-pointers. ... Made just 19 of 30 free throws. ... Starting backcourt of Beverley and Harden combined to shoot 7 of 31.Thunder: Committed seven turnovers in the first quarter that led to 10 Rockets points. ... Thunder coach Billy Donovan was called for a technical foul in the second quarter after a no-call against Beverley. ... Steven Adams 17 points in the first half were a career high for a half. He finished with a career-best 24.QUOTABLEBeverley, on Westbrook: The man is a walking triple-double. Hes not frustrated about that. Hes probably frustrated about the loss, of course, but he has been playing well.STAT LINESWestbrook got a triple-double, yet his averages dropped slightly in each category. His averages are now 30.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 11.3 assists. His assist average fell from 11.31 to 11.26.UP NEXTThe Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.The Thunder host the Boston Celtics on Sunday.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP. ' ' '