Richards has shown additional healing in the torn ulnar c

Its been almost four years since Dallas and Pittsburgh last went toe-to-toe and in that game, Dallas eventually won, 27-24.While many of the main characters in that 2012 drama remain, these two bluebloods have traveled a far different path to where they are today.Forget that the Cowboys and Steelers have made 16 Super Bowl appearances and won 11 Vince Lombardi Trophies between them. The two franchises are among the most winning, the most proud and most popular, and nothing short of winning is tolerated or expected.And winning is what the 7-1 Cowboys have been doing this year since dropping their season opener to the New York Giants.And while their record might not be a good indication, the 4-4 Steelers arent far off the Cowboys heels, even though they have dropped three straight.So when Pittsburgh and Dallas collide, bragging rights -- at a minimum -- are at stake, and on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. in Pittsburgh its no different.The Cowboys have been the brightest surprise in the NFL this season having reeled off seven straight wins, including last weeks shellacking of the Cleveland Browns. But despite having two of the leagues most prolific weapons in rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys are 3-point underdogs to the Steelers.Elliott leads the NFL in rushing and is on pace to break Eric Dickersons rookie mark of 1,808 yards.Prescott has filled in for Tony Romo, who suffered a compression fracture almost three months ago, before the season started. Prescott has been stellar: 2,020 yards passing, 12 touchdowns, two interceptions.But this week, Romo finally returned to practice and owner/general manager Jerry Jones and coach Jason Garrett said his workload would be ramped up as the team is encouraged by the 36-year-olds progress.We just have to see where he is, Garrett told reporters. Tonys practiced four days over the last couple of weeks and has been involved in part of practices on each of those days. Well do something similar with him today. Hell start in individuals and see how he does. Hell be working some scout-team reps like he did last week.Well just take the situation day-by-day. We have a number of guys who are injured on the team, and thats what we do. We see how they do in individual and maybe they roll and get more into practice. We do anticipate Tony getting some good, positive work today. We will evaluate his situation day-by-day.Romo might be active Sunday, although there were reports Friday he wont be, but Prescott will be the starter. Romo was listed as questionable on the injury report.I know how bad he wants to compete, Jones said. Any time hes limited because of injury, I hate that. Its always has been the biggest downer for a competitor.On the other hand, for Tony, there isnt anything more important than being on a team that is capable of winning and competing for the big prize.On the Steelers side of the ball, there arent any questions about who the quarterback is. When healthy, Ben Roethlisberger is going to be slinging the ball across the field. Even when he isnt 100 percent, Roethlisberger is Pittsburghs man.He returned last week after knee surgery on Oct. 17 and was rusty at the beginning of a 21-14 loss to Baltimore. Roethlisberger overcame a slow start and completed 23 of 45 passes for 264 yards with a touchdown and interception.His teammates didnt help as they committed 13 penalties. Head coach Mike Tomlin promised to fix the penalty problem before the Cowboys come to town.We havent been good at that in the last several weeks, and probably more disturbing than the fact that we are being penalized is some of them are procedural things, pre-play things. In-play things sometimes happen, a facemask penalty in an effort to make a play. False starts, offside, delay of game, covering up eligible receivers. Those things are very much in our control and we have to eliminate.Roethlisberger also admitted the need to be better.I put it on myself. I need to be more accurate. Give them credit -- there were times I was going to make throws and their guys jumped in front of things. ... I just need to be better.The Steelers offense is averaging 32.6 points per game in the three home games Roethlisberger has started this season. In those games, he has thrown 12 touchdown passes and only two interceptions.Its always a little easier to play at home, Roethlisberger said. But thats the first half of the season. Im not thinking about the good or bad with anything in the first half of the season.Were strictly moving forward. We need to be the best football team we can be at home and on the road.On Sunday, he faces a tough task against a Dallas defense that flies under the radar.Rod Marinellis defense is the only one that hasnt allowed a 100-yard rusher or 100-yard receiver this year. It now ranks among the top 10 in total defense, yielding 332.9 yards per game. Dallas also is one of two defenses in the NFL that have allowed no more than 23 points in any game.And theyre doing this without safety Barry Church and cornerback Morris Claiborne who remain sidelined.The Pittsburgh offense will provide a stiff test. Roethlisberger has another week under his belt to strengthen his knee and more practice time with All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown.Brown had a game-high seven receptions for 85 yards and a 23-yard touchdown against Baltimore. But for the Steelers offense to be clicking, Roethlisberger needs to find another receiver to take the double-team pressure off Brown.Roethlisberger might have found his man on Sunday. Eli Rogers registered six receptions for 103 yards.Running back LeVeon Bell will try to match the Cowboys Elliott stride for stride on Sunday. With 70 yards against the Ravens, Bell surpassed Willie Parker for the second most yards from scrimmage by a Steeler in his first four years.Bell is hoping that Maurkice Pouncey will be ready to go on Sunday and that appears to be the case. The three-time Pro Bowl center dislocated his thumb on the second play from scrimmage on Sunday and had surgery before pronouncing himself ready to play on Thursday.Im playing 100 percent, never any doubt, Pouncey told reporters. People are making a bigger deal than what it is. Lets just go play, man, we got a football game.The Steelers also received good news on the injury front when outside linebacker Bud Dupree, who had surgery before the season to repair a sports hernia, practiced Wednesday for the first time since training camp.Its going to be a process, Dupree said after practice. Im excited to be back on the field.Running back DeAngelo Williams underwent knee surgery earlier this week, turning the backup chores over to Fitzgerald Toussaint.Cheap Penguins Jerseys . 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. Penguins Jerseys 2020 . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. https://www.cheappenguinsjersey.com/ . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. Penguins Jerseys China . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Fake Penguins Jerseys . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making.SEATTLE -- Mike Zunino admitted that a year ago when he was struggling at the plate, he would have gotten too aggressive and chased one of the pitches out of the strike zone being offered by Tim Lincecum.With more confidence and command of the zone, Zunino made Lincecum deliver a strike -- and in turn delivered a decisive blow for the Mariners.Zunino capped Seattles six-run first inning with a three-run home run off Lincecum, and the Mariners held on for a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.After falling behind 0-2, Zunino fouled off a pair of 0-2 pitches, then watched Lincecum miss low with three straight changeups. He didnt miss the fourth changeup, thrown at his knees, golfing it into the bullpen beyond the left field wall.I probably would have chased a pitch or two in there and be over aggressive and not trust myself, Zunino said. Its just a process of being in those situations in the minor leagues and trusting yourself, getting into an 0-2 count and being able to work it back.Seattle overcame a rough first from starter Felix Hernandez and rallied with its largest first-inning output since scoring seven runs on May 15, 2013 against the New York Yankees. Seattle sent up 10 batters and recorded seven hits against Lincecum (2-6), capped by Zuninos sixth homer of the season.Hernandez (6-4) settled down after giving up a three-run shot to Mike Trout in the first. He retired 12 of the next 13 after Trouts 20th homer and picked up his second win since coming off the disabled list.Hernandez gave up a double to Yunel Escobar on the first pitch of the game, Trouts homer two batters later and a solo shot by Jett Bandy leading off the fifth. Otherwise, the Angels could not solve Hernandez, who struck out six and walked three. Hernandez completed eight innings for the first time since Sept. 10, 2015 against Texas.Rookie Edwin Diaz struck out the side in the ninth for his third save in three chances, hitting triple digits more than once. Diaz now has 56 strikeouts in 28 innings since being calledd up from the minors.ddddddddddddNo chance. That was unbelievable. Hes got unbelievable stuff, Hernandez said of Diaz.Down 3-0, Seattle started its first inning with four straight singles, including an RBI base hit by Robinson Cano. After a pop out, Adam Lind singled and Leonys Martins sacrifice fly that was deep enough to score Cano from third.Zunino followed with one of the more impressive at-bats of his young career.UNWELCOME HOMELincecum, a Seattle area native, made just his second career start at Safeco Field. He was already teetering in the Angels rotation, and Fridays rough start could finally lead them to make a move. It was his third straight start giving up at least four earned runs and he almost didnt make it out of the first inning. Lincecum finished 3 1/3 innings, giving up nine hits and six earned runs.The six runs in the first were the most ever surrendered in a single inning by Lincecum.Were going to have to sit down and review his video and see where the positives were and see what we are, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.TRAINERS ROOM:Angels: RHP Garrett Richards has shown additional healing in the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Richards will begin internal-rotation exercises to test his readiness to begin throwing. Richards received a stem-cell injection in May in an attempt to avoid Tommy John surgery.Mariners: SS Ketel Marte was scheduled to play six or seven innings in the field for Class A Everett on Friday. Marte has been on the disabled list since July 23 with mononucleosis and could be activated later this weekend.UP NEXTAngels: Tyler Skaggs (1-0) makes his third start of the season. Skaggs got a no decision in his last start against Boston despite throwing 5 1/3 shutout innings.Mariners: Taijuan Walker (4-7) returns from the disabled list to make his first start since July 5. Walker was sidelined by tendinitis in his right foot. ' ' '