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WEEK 1 RANKINGS: Defense/special teams Your starting defense can be streamed each week based on scheduling or who plays the Browns, but the Broncos and Chiefs, who finished among the top four fantasy D/STs last year, have the first and second easiest schedules based on win-loss records, respectively. With little change on defense for both teams, it’s likely they’ll finish toward the top again. Many of last year’s top defenses (Vikings, Seahawks, Texans) face some of the toughest schedules, but that’s no reason to shy away from them....

The draft strategy for kickers follows the same story each year: Wait until the last couple rounds, make sure he is on a high-scoring offense and is somewhat reliable. When in doubt, go with a guy in a dome, and once the season starts, just stream based on weather and matchups. Like defense/special teams, don’t fall for following the leader after someone drafts a kicker in the 10th round. When those last two rounds arrive, then click on the kicker bar....

The Atlanta Falcons were heartbroken in the Super Bowl last season, suffering at the hands of Tom Brady’s miraculous second-half comeback. Atlanta is again predicted to contend for a playoff spot, but history is against the Falcons in this division. After a Super Bowl loss of their own the year before, the Carolina Panthers looked like a shadow of the 2015 team last term. However, quarterback Cam Newton has a new arsenal of offensive weapons surrounding him, and the defense is still solid....

They still selected 12 players from each conference, but had two captains select the teams through a draft. There were still 12 players from the East and West, but the teams were a mix of the two conferences. The competition in the West is so tough that there will be examples of players with All-Star level talent that won’t make the team. This was seen when Damian Lillard was snubbed two years in a row....

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE Quarterback — Easton Stick, senior, North Dakota State Running backs — Joe Protheroe, senior, Cal Poly; Ryan Fulse, senior, Wagner Linemen — Tanner Volson, senior, North Dakota State; Matt Pyke, senior, East Tennessee State; Micah Shaw, senior, North Carolina A&T; B.J. Autry, senior, Jacksonville State; Garrett Bowery, senior, Lamar Tight end — Donald Parham, senior, Stetson Wide receivers — Josh Pearson, junior, Jacksonville State; Michael Bandy, junior, San Diego...

In addition to Dale Earnhardt Jr. retiring, there will be new drivers in the iconic No. 24 and No. 43 cars, as well as other major changes across the sport.  Social media favorite Landon Cassill became the latest driver without an official Cup Series ride next season, joining a long list of free agents. “We’re thankful for the last two years having Landon as a teammate and an ambassador for our sponsors, and we’ll keep working hard with him and the No....

Though many believed the Philadelphia Eagles had the most talented roster prior to their maiden Vince Lombardi Trophy last year, the sheer dominance they enjoyed in the regular season was startling, and the playoff run they managed to engineer with Nick Foles under center after Carson Wentz’s campaign was ended by injury was nothing short of staggering. A season earlier, the Atlanta Falcons went from a middle of the pack team to one that took the league by storm under Dan Quinn with Kyle Shanahan running one of the most potent offenses in recent NFL history....

Ukraine created history and shocked Italy to book their ticket to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. In the important match of the ongoing 38th edition of the FIBA Eur0Basket championship, better known as 2013 EuroBasket, Ukraine defeated Italy 66 – 58 to secure their first ever participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Italy took the first quarter 17 – 13 while Ukraine bounced back to take the second quarter 22 – 17....

The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) had sent the names to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) which, in turn, recommended them to the sports ministry for clearance, which gave the final nod. The paddlers will leave for Incheon September 22 and the table tennis events at the Asian Games begin September 27. “We had projected a clear picture about why our paddlers should compete at the Asiad. Our paddlers had reached the semi-finals at Guangzhou and that was good enough reason for their representation....

Federer, seeking a fifth title at the year's first grand slam, lost in Melbourne as Nadal dominated much of the match. He was not able to fashion break points on Nadal's serve, while Nadal applied pressure throughout and rarely gave his opponent an easy service game. Despite Nadal's impressive display, Federer was disappointed that he had not been able to impose himself on Friday's semifinal. Federer was frustrated at "the lack of chances I was able to create on the return," he said after Friday's match....

Carlo Ancelotti faces similar anxiety with injury troubles too as Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe face a struggle to play in their home country. Ronaldo missed the game against Espanyol on Saturday after pulling out of the warm-up after a battle against tendinitis in his knee, but is expected to feature irrespective of his level of fitness. Pepe, along with Karim Benzema, have muscle issues which could sideline them for the final....

3-Point Challenge Winner Josh Biers (JB): Before I reveal my picks, I would like to point out that ultimately, my superior knowledge of basketball will undoubtedly result in my victory! Often times, the valid points I make within the SWB group chat are often met by whining, moaning, and general immaturity. But not today! Let’s get into it. While some people might be tooting the Steph Curry horn all night and day, I don’t believe the favorite to win the 3-point contest will actually win it....

The pre-draft period begins to drag along and the gap between May and training camp presents a vast chasm. Still, Week 1 feels much closer once the official schedule comes out, especially when it includes matchups that fans couldn't wait any longer to see. Read below for seven games with which the NFL could make major splash by featuring Week 1 of the 2014 regular season. MORE ON NFL SCHEDULE: ESPN gets wild-card game | Who will Seahawks face first Thursday?...

For now, though, it's looking like the former world skeleton champion's path to the Sochi Games will be accompanied by physical, mental and emotional struggle, just like her trek to the Vancouver Games was four years ago. While most of the world's elite skeleton athletes have been training in Lake Placid to prepare for this weekend's World Cup stop at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, Uhlaender has spent the first part of the week in Dallas, meeting with doctors about her ongoing recovery from a concussion that she's been dealing with for more than a month....

Suicide bombings last month in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, about 400 miles from where the SochiGames will be held, have contributed to the safety anxiety. Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised that his country will do all it can to ensure a safe Olympics without imposing security measures that are too intrusive. MORE: New video threat | Putin ties gays to pedophilia | More news on Olympics...

Turns out, she was suffering from a potentially life-threatening condition. Bradford was stricken with a pulmonary embolism last year, making her bid to reach the Olympics for a second time especially challenging. She is competing at the U.S. speedskating trials, which begin Friday in suburban Salt Lake City. "It's not been the easiest road to get where I wanted to be," Bradford said. Blood clots developed in her legs and eventually spread to her lungs, making it difficult to complete the simplest of tasks without getting winded....

Your significant other will say yes (at least we think they will). That’s not the hard part. Picking the right weekend this fall is a far more difficult challenge. What are the nine words every diehard college football fan fears the most? “We have to go to a wedding that weekend.” It’s enough to induce cold chills. We’re here to help. If you’re planning a wedding in SEC country this fall, here are the best (and worst) weekends for your big event....

China’s diving queen Guo Jingjing had won five times at the Worlds, whiled Wu Minxia and He Zi followed suit before Shi claimed the gold with 383.55 points. Defending champion He Zi came in second with 377.45 and 1m springboard champion Tania Cagnotto of Italy finished third at 356.15 on Saturday, reports Xinhua. As the front runner of the preliminary and semifinal, Shi said she did not perform as good as she did in the semifinals....

China dominated the medal standings with a total of 15 medals, including 10 golds, three silvers, and two bronzes. Britain ended second in 1-0-3-4 and Italy third 1-0-2-3 on Sunday. North Korea finished fourth 1-0-1-2, reports Xinhua. In the mixed 3m synchro springboard, Wang-Yang took a comfortable victory with 339.9 points, beating Jennifer Abel-Francois Imbeau-Dulac of Canada into second at 317.01 and Tania Cagnotto-Maicol Verzotto of Italy third with 315....