LeVeon Bell set the scene for Sundays matchup between rust belt rivals Pittsburgh and Buffalo.Its December football, the Steelers running back said. We understand everybody is fighting for position. We just want to get the job done. Thats all there is to it.The Steelers (7-5) have steered their season in the right direction, winning three straight after a four-game losing streak to move into a tie with Baltimore atop the AFC North standings and within one game of Denver for the final wild-card spot.We are in a good situation right now, but we obviously have to win this game and better, Bell said.Pittsburgh controls its fate over the final four weeks of this season, but could cede that control with a single loss.We always want to worry about whats going on in the stadium were in, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. We dont want to have to look around. Weve done that in years past. For us to just have to go out and take care of our own business is good for us.The Bills (6-6) are further out on the fringe of the playoff picture, unable to catch New England in the AFC East and seventh in the wild-card race when tiebreakers are factored in.Buffalo likely needs to win its last four games to end the longest active playoff drought (16 seasons) in North American sports.But the Bills won four straight earlier this season, and enter a three-game home stretch hopeful they can repeat the feat.This experience right here could be the start of something new, Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said. Thats what were trying to do and trying to establish. Take seize of it right now, this opportunity that we have. If we can do that, things start to turn around.Coming off two consecutive wins, the Bills led by two touchdowns on the road at Oakland last week before quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo defense imploded, as head coach Rex Ryan put it, allowing 29 unanswered points.Buffalos passing offense ranks last in the NFL and the Bills are 14-12 with Taylor under center over the past two seasons. Taylors shortcomings have raised questions about whether the Bills should opt out of the lucrative contract extension they gave Taylor prior to the season.My future in Buffalo is this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Taylor said. Thats what matters the most. Other than that, I dont feel like talking about my contract. We still have games to play.Frustrated with further questioning about his future in Buffalo, Taylor abruptly ended his news conference Wednesday. Im done talking, he said while throwing down his practice jersey.Ryan defended Taylors play, noting injuries to receivers Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Percy Harvin and tight end Charles Clay, among others.I just think it is easy to sit back and be critical, but if you are playing without five receivers in the game, Ryan said, it is going to affect you.The Bills are optimistic Woods can return this week after missing two games with a knee sprain. It would be the first time since Week 2 the Bills have had Woods and top wideout Sammy Watkins in the lineup together.After averaging 34 points in their first four wins, the Steelers have not scored more than 28 points in each of their last three wins. A more balanced, ball-control offense has featured Bell more and more as winter approaches.Bell, a Central Ohio native, knows what it takes to thrive along the rust belt this time of year.I played high school football in this weather, he said. I was born into this. Fake College Jerseys .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. NCAA Jerseys 2020 .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. https://www.ncaajerseys2020.com/ . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. Wholesale NCAA Jerseys .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. Cheap College Jerseys 2020 . Duchene scored two goals and had an assist, helping the Colorado Avalanche beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Friday night to match the best 10-game start in team history. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Lovie Smith has made no secret that Illinois defense was the strength of the team.On Saturday, the Illini proved him right, rolling up six sacks and pulling in a pair of decisive early interceptions in a 52-3 win over Murray State.Quarterback KD Humphries threw the two interceptions on the Racers first two drives, and both led to Wes Lunt touchdown passes and an early 14-0 Illini (1-0) lead.Its critical, its (a) winning edge, said Smith, who was coaching his first game at Illinois and first game as a college head coach. A lot of guys talk about it, but our guys believe in it, and thats the first step: to get people to buy into it.Illinois crushed the Racers run game, limiting Murray State to -10 yards on 26 carries.Murray State coach Mitch Stewart said he did not believe his team was overwhelmed by the idea of playing a Big Ten school, or facing a coaching staff led by a coach who led the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.I forgot my phone before the game, I was going to get a selfie with (Smith), Stewart joked.With Illinois defense keeping Murray State (0-1) in check, Illini quarterback Wes Lunt threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns heading to the bench in the third quarter.Kendrick Foster also ran for a pair of 56-yard touchdowns for Illinois. He carried the ball just four times for 118 yards.A year ago the Illini had just seen coach Tim Beckman fired, and Smith became their third coach in less than a year after Beckman-replacement Bill Cubit was fired.Smith said the win, no matter the opponent, meant a lot to the team .Were going to enjoy wins, period, no matter who its against, Smith said. But we realize its one, and tomorrow well be right back at it.THE TAKEAWAYMURRAY STATE: Stewart talked before the game about his hope that his team would not give in to nerves. Early, the Racers looked a little overwhelmed with dropped passes, stumbles by receivers and Humphries dangerous throws, including the two first quarter interceptions. In addition to pressure from Illinois, Humphries early struggles may have reflected that, Stewart said.His footwork was awful back there. I think he was just antsy, Stewart said.ILLINOIS: Illinois showed it can force turnovers, as Smith preaches, and turn them into points. And its clear the Illini have some big-play capaability.dddddddddddd But even with 287 rushing yards, Illinois never really opened the holes in the Murray State defense Smith has said he wants to see for starting tailback KeShawn Vaughn. The sophomore finished with 49 yards on 17 carries. And tougher opposition is on the way in North Carolina and Western Michigan before the Big Ten opener against Nebraska.FOSTERS CHOICETwo days after Illinois season-ending loss to Northwestern last November, Foster announced on Twitter that he planned to leave Illinois in search of more playing time. The redshirt junior later reversed course.Foster is the No. 2 running back on the Illini roster, but he had a career day Saturday. After his second long touchdown, he knelt on one knee.I was just so thankful. Im just finally getting the opportunity to display my talent and show what Peoria, Illinois, produces, the 5-9 back said.KEY NUMBERSMURRAY STATE: Those two early interceptions were Murray States only turnovers of the day, but they were big. Safety Julian Hylton intercepted Humphries less than a minute into the game, setting up a 5-yard Lunt scoring pass to Malik Turner. The Racers second possession ended with a Humphries interception by the other Illini safety, Taylor Barton. That pick was followed by a 68-yard Lunt-to-Turner strike and a 14-0 lead. The pass was Lunts longest college touchdown.ILLINOIS: Smith says linebacker Hardy Nickerson, the son of defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson, is the quarterback of his defense. And the younger Nickerson looked the part Saturday. He had 11 tackles, a sack and one tackle for loss.INJURY REPORTIllinois starting center Joe Spencer missed the game with an unspecified injury. Smith declined to talk about it in detail but said its not a long-term injury.UP NEXTMURRAY STATE: The Racers open their home schedule against Missouri State on Saturday.ILLINOIS: Illinois faces a tough test and its first Top 25 opponent of the season when North Carolina visits Champaign on Saturday. The Tar Heels handled the Illini last season in Chapel Hill, 48-14.---Follow David Mercer on Twitter: (at)davidmercerAPAssociated Press college football coverage: http://www.collegefootball.ap.org/ ' ' '