there.Burfict put a hand on Browns shoulder and appeared to attempt

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The opening question to Matt Ryans weekly news conference made the quarterback nervous.When he was asked about his long streak of consecutive starts, Ryan almost gasped.I have to find some wood to knock on first, Ryan said before adding, Thats the kiss of death.Ryan hasnt missed a start for the Atlanta Falcons in 105 consecutive regular-season games, a streak that began late in the 2009 season. Its the NFLs third-longest active streak for quarterbacks.On Sunday Ryan will be matched with the name immediately ahead of him on the list, San Diegos Philip Rivers, whose streak began in 2006 and reached 166 regular-season starts with last weeks win over Denver.Among active quarterbacks, Eli Manning leads the ironman list with his streak of 189 games, well behind Brett Favres record of 297.Rivers is known for his quick release, a skill which helps reduce hits from pass rushers.I just feel thankful Ive been blessed to be healthy enough to play, Rivers said Wednesday. ... I think all of us quarterbacks take a certain amount of pride in being tough and fighting through things to make sure you are out there for your team.Ryan said his secret is sleep -- at least nine hours per night.Theres no getting around it, sleep is the No. 1 most important thing, Ryan said Wednesday. Every study that you look at, every time you try to do any research on recovery, on training, whatever, any kind of performance-enhancing stuff, it all comes down to sleep.Ryan, 31, acknowledged it takes effort to maintain his sleep schedule.Youve got to force yourself to go to bed early, he said. Its just something Ive worked on throughout my career and Ive gotten better and better. Im an early to bed kind of guy and up early in the morning.Rivers, 34, had a good explanation for why he aims lower when it comes to sleep.I do think rest is important, but also I have eight children, Rivers said. In my mind, if I get over 6 hours, Im in good shape.Ryan started every game in his 2008 rookie season, missed two starts with a toe injury in 2009 and hasnt missed another game.You have to do a really good job of taking care of your body all year, Ryan said. It starts from when the season ends and its basically a never-ending process throughout the year of trying to take care of yourself and ensure youre going to be ready to take the pounding that comes with going through a season.Coach Dan Quinn said Ryan shines in his CT score for competes and toughs.Its when you throw a slant when the defensive end is right about to drill you and then you step into it and make it anyway, Quinn said. Thats why Matt has earned so much respect through the years, and Philip as well.Chargers coach Mike McCoy said Ryan and Rivers share a love for the game that helps to keep them on the field.Theyre competitors who truly love to go out and play the game, McCoy said. They work extremely hard. Ive known coaches who have coached Matt. Everyone says his work ethic, the way he loves the game, the way he prepares, thats the way Phillip is, too. They do it the right way, and thats what the great ones in the game do.---AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Nike Shoes Discount Sale . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Cheap Nike Shoes Wholesale . -- 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. http://www.nikeshoesdiscount.com/ . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Cheap Nike Shoes From China . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Authentic Wholesale Nike Shoes . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. CINCINNATI -- Bengals cornerback Adam Jones didnt even hesitate once he saw the group of reporters near his locker.I aint talking about Pittsburgh, Jones said.It must be Steelers week.Last year, the Bengals and Steelers couldnt stop talking about each other. But now that the AFC North rivals are set to face off again on Sunday, the Bengals arent intersted in adding any fuel to the fire.The two teams last met in the AFC wild-card game in January, a chaotic, physical game (Bengals running back?Giovani Bernard and Steelers wide receiver?Antonio Brown were both knocked out with concussions) that descended into madness in the final two minutes. As the regular season has drawn near, the Bengals have been more and more reluctant to discuss the game.Now they arent saying anything at all.Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was happy to answer questions regarding the Steelers current team. But when asked on Monday about anything regarding the last meeting, he had only one thing to say.New team, new season, new year, Lewis said.He repeated the phrase for three straight Pittsburgh-related questions.With the way the rivalry has ramped up in its intensity lately, its no surprise the Bengals are choosing every word carefully.From trash talking and threats on social media to pregame scrums, the rivalry has morphed from general AFC North animosity into something bigger.That was all on display in their last meeting, and both teams received their share of scorn from pundits for their actions in a game that resulted in more than $80,000 in fines for both teams.There is an intensity there that is bordering on lunacy, former Bengals quarterback and CBS analyst Boomer Esiason told the Cincinnati Enquirer.ddddddddddddhe wild-card game seemed sealed after Bengals linebacker?Vontaze Burficts interception with two minutes left, but a fumble by running back?Jeremy Hill gave the ball back to the Steelers on the next play. Burfict went from the savior of the game to one of the goats after he was flagged for unnecessary roughness for a hit on Brown that gave Brown a concussion.The next minute escalated from there.Burfict put a hand on Browns shoulder and appeared to attempt to say something to him before a Steelers athletic trainer shoved his hand away and into the face of Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter. Burfict later told ESPN that Porter wasnt saying anything negative, but Jones, seeing Porter -- known as a trash talker -- came over to defend Burfict. Jones was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct while arguing with Porter and the Steelers, who were then within easy field goal range and made the game-winning kick.Jones was later seen crying on the sidelines after the emotional loss.The NFL later changed the rules to make it a penalty for assistant coaches to be on the field. Burfict was suspended for three games following his hit on Brown for repeated player safety violations. Brown made his feelings clear when asked about Burfict when he described him as an idiot on the Dan Patrick Show later that offseason.Perhaps the Bengals feel there has been enough talking after two straight losses to the Steelers. Their locker room is remaining silent.At least for now. ' ' '