tied it with 4:25 left.We didnt keep the aggressi

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ??? With so much potentially at stake for the Green Bay Packers in the final month of the season, Clay Matthews is testing his tolerance for pain.(Im) a little sore, Matthews said Monday, as he made a brief appearance in the locker room.Another encouraging performance by Green Bays defense in a 21-13 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday at snowy Lambeau Field included some gritty efforts by a few guys who played hurt.While Matthews is playing through a painful shoulder injury, fellow linebackers Nick Perry and Jake Ryan returned to the game after early setbacks sent them to the training room.Perry played the second half with a big club on his left hand after he left the field following the first series. Ryan resumed playing late in the first half after he reinjured his ankle and limped back to the locker room to have it re-taped.I respect those guys so much for that because thats a lot of physical toughness to do that, safety Morgan Burnett said.Its also a lot of mental toughness to actually go in knowing that youre going to feel that pain, but when they say all hands on deck, those guys are an example of that.Despite the adversity, the defense has solidified during a two-game winning streak, which has Green Bay back to .500 with a 6-6 record and on a quest to catch the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (8-4).The Packers have allowed only 13 points each of the past two games after they gave up a whopping 153 points during the preceding four-game losing streak.With where were at, every game is a must win, Matthews said.And after missing time earlier in the season with a hamstring injury, Matthews doesnt feel compelled to sit anymore, no matter that his separated left shoulder left him to play with what he said was just one arm Sunday.Its tough, but you just try to weather the storm, Matthews said. Obviously, you want to be out there for your brothers and teammates, have some sense of accountability.Though Matthews had limited playing time and was noticeably absent from the stats sheet, his ability to play less than a week after he suffered the injury gave the defense a boost.The Packers were without rookie Blake Martinez (knee) for a second straight game, so they moved Matthews inside to start alongside Ryan, who had missed most of the previous three games.Matthews had been playing mostly at his natural spot of outside linebacker this season until Martinez was hurt.Were lucky to have a guy like Clay who, when someones down, he can get back to the middle and do his job, Ryan said.As the Packers look to get healthier with their defense, Matthews expects to be switching between outside and inside linebacker going down the stretch.Im fine with that, said Matthews, who started exclusively inside last season. We do a good job playing to my strengths as far as bringing some pressure, allowing me to get some one-on-one matchups and be a little more decisive as opposed to just sitting there and reading like a true inside backer.There obviously comes a time for that, but it is easy when we have a lead, playing inside linebacker is a lot more fun.And the Packers know the importance of having Matthews on the field as they get ready to host the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.Hopefully, he can get some strength (in the shoulder) and work through it, and hopefully hes further ahead than where he was yesterday because, obviously, he was playing through a very tough situation, coach Mike McCarthy said.Game notes McCarthy didnt have an update Monday on the health of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who played the game Sunday in the snowy conditions after he injured his hamstring in Green Bays previous game. I know after the game he felt pretty good, McCarthy said.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Gary Clark Rockets Jersey . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. Tyler Ennis Rockets Jersey . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. https://www.rocketsrookiesshop.com/James-Harden-City-Edition-Jersey/ . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Michael Carter-Williams Jersey . PAUL, Minn. Hakeem Olajuwon Rockets Jersey . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Kansas City Chiefs had no offensive touchdowns, and their defense was on the field for much of the afternoon.No big deal. They found another way to win -- again.Marcus Peters stripped Kelvin Benjamin with 20 seconds left, Cairo Santos kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired, and the Chiefs overcame a 17-point deficit to top the Carolina Panthers 20-17 on Sunday.The game was tied when Benjamin caught a 14-yard pass from Cam Newton at his own 34. Peters ripped the ball from his arms and returned it to the Carolina 24.I took it from him. It was simple, Peters said.Santos fourth field goal of the day split the uprights, lifting the Chiefs to their fifth straight victory and 17th win in their last 19 games.This group has some character, Kansas City coach Andy Reid said. It doesnt mean you win every game but when you play like this you give yourself an opportunity to win.The Chiefs also put together an impressive rally in a 33-27 victory against San Diego on Sept. 11, erasing a 21-point deficit.Eric Berry provided a big spark, returning an interception 42 yards for a touchdown. Newton made a huge mistake on the play, simply throwing the ball up while under pressure.Alex Smith threw for 178 yards and Spencer Ware ran for 61 yards for the Chiefs, who managed just 256 yards overall. But Kansas Citys defense came up with big plays when needed.Things dont go your way sometimes, Berry said. You have to make them go your way. I knew there would be an opportunity somewhere. We had to make it count.Berrys big play helped the Chiefs (7-2) move into a tie for first place in the AFC West with the idle Oakland Raiders.Newton threw for 261 yards and a touchdown and ran for 54 yards and a score for the Panthers (3-6).The game turned late in the third quarter when Chris Jones sacked Newton for a 12-yard loss on third-and-18 at the Kansas City 28, taking the Panthers out of field goal range. Instead of making it a three-possession game, the Panthers were forced to punt.We cant take back-to-back sacks, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. We cant have two negatives plays like that. You do that and yoou dont give yourselves a chance to win the football game.ddddddddddddThe Chiefs kicked a field goal to make it 17-6 before Berrys interception return and Smiths pass to Travis Kelce for the conversion. Santos third field goal tied it with 4:25 left.We didnt keep the aggression as a whole, Newton said. It starts with me as the leader of the offense to realize that every play counts. ... Its keeping the foot on the pedal and knowing that we have to finish.The Panthers had won two straight and were looking to get back in the playoff hunt, but remain three games behind the division-leading Atlanta Falcons and two games behind Tampa Bay and New Orleans in the NFC South.We have put our backs completely and utterly up against the wall now. There is no room for error, Rivera said.NEWTONS NUMBERSNewton established franchise records for pass completions and touchdowns rushing.Newton passed Jake Delhomme for the most completions in franchise history with 1,581 with a strike to Greg Olsen in the first quarter and DeAngelo Williams with his 47th career TD rushing.ODD STAT OF THE DAYThe Panthers had a 20-play drive in the third quarter that took more than 10 minutes off the clock, but came away with no points.WHAT WAS THATSmith threw a pass late in the fourth quarter that was batted up in the air. He caught the ball, which is legal, but then attempted to throw the ball a second time. At that point flags were flying everywhere and the Chiefs were penalized 5 yards for an illegal second forward pass.INJURIESChiefs: Cornerback Phillip Gaines left with a neck injury in the third quarter.Panthers: Kicker Graham Gano was forced to handle punting duties in the first quarter after Andy Lee injured his hamstring. Ganos first punt since 2010 went for 42 yards but he struggled on trying to pin the Chiefs inside the 20.UP NEXTChiefs: Return home to host another NFC South foe in Tampa Bay next Sunday.Panthers: The Panthers have a quick turnaround, hosting the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. ' ' '