Buccaneers have won three straight for the first tim

Some saw a American League Championship Series pitting the Toronto Blue Jays against the Cleveland Indians coming, but few saw each team flying into the ALCS coming off inspiring sweeps.The Jays won in a walk-off in the wild-card game then swept the?Texas Rangers?-- the first postseason series sweep in Blue Jays history -- in a Game 3 walk-off in the first postseason series ever to end with the winning run scoring on an error. The Indians swept the?Red Sox, holding the games best offense to seven runs, after no team had held Boston to just seven runs in a three-game series this season. The Indians got contributions from so many players, including Lonnie Chisenhall, who hit his first homer this season against a left-hander, and Coco Crisp, acquired for the stretch run, who had a crucial two-run home run during the clinching Game 3.When things like that happen, destiny seems to be in play, yet destiny only takes one team, which is why the Blue Jays-Indians ALCS should be fascinating. Here are five questions:Has the Toronto offense finally emerged?The Blue Jays scored 127 more runs than any American League team last season, but they scored 132 fewer runs this year, finishing fifth in the league in runs scored. They averaged 3.7 runs per game in September/October, the third team ever to go to the postseason as the lowest-scoring team in September/October. But now the Blue Jays look like the offensive powerhouse that they were for most of last season. They scored 22 runs in sweeping the Rangers, the fourth most by any team in a sweep in a division series. They got eight home runs from seven different players, tying a division series record.Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, free agents after the season, seem to be swinging for big, new contracts. Josh Donaldson has not hit a home run during this postseason, but he is quietly dealing with various injuries and still went 7-for-13, with four doubles in the division series. Donaldson scored the winning run in Game 3 from second base on a throwing error in the 10th inning. The gang is back together in Toronto. And it crushed Texas rotation: 16 earned runs in 10? innings.How good is the Cleveland bullpen?Its not just really good, it is different than most of the other pens because of Andrew Miller (1.45 ERA this season, with 0.69 WHIP, nine walks, 123 strikeouts). In Game 1 of the sweep against Boston, Miller pitched in relief in the fifth inning for the first time since 2013; it also was the first time since 2011 that he pitched in relief in three different innings. In Game 3, Miller threw two more scoreless innings and struck out three. The Indians can move Miller around and pitch him in any situation, because he is so versatile -- and because closer Cody Allen has, for the most part, got the ninth inning covered. In Game 1 of the division series, Allen and Miller threw 40-plus pitches, the first relief teammates to do that in a postseason game since 2008. Look for that to happen again in the ALCS. And look for that Cleveland defense, which is so good and so much better than two years ago, to help the pitching.How good is the Toronto bullpen?Really good. It threw 4? scoreless innings in the clinching Game 3 against the Rangers. In 14 innings during this postseason, the bullpen has allowed just two runs, including five scoreless frames (with one hit allowed) in the wild-card game against the Orioles. Closer Roberto Osuna, who left that wild-card game with a shoulder issue, was terrific in the division series. In the clinching Game 3 against Texas, Osuna retired all six batters he faced, striking out two and showing no signs of a shoulder issue. Francisco Liriano (concussion) might not be available for the ALCS -- and?Joaquin Benoit?might not be ready, either. It will be interesting to see if the Toronto pen can be as good against Cleveland as it has been so far during this postseason.How do we explain the Indians rotation?It is hard to believe that without injured starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, the Indians could hold the Red Sox -- who led the AL in runs scored, with 101 more than the next team, the Indians -- to just seven runs in three games. Trevor Bauer kept the Indians in the game until Miller arrived in Game 1. Corey Kluber, a Cy Young candidate, was marvelous in Game 2, allowing three hits and no runs in seven innings. Then Josh Tomlin gave the Red Sox five strong innings in Game 3. Tomlin allowed just 20 walks against 36 homers allowed this season, a plus-16; Carlos Silva is the only other pitcher to allow 16 more homers than walks in a season (2005). Salazar (shoulder) is working to try to be ready for the ALCS, but there are no guarantees there. But this is guaranteed: The Indians will start Kluber in Game 1 of the ALCS, then have him, if necessary, for Game 4 and -- this is a real stretch these days -- Game 7.What are the options for the Toronto rotation?The Blue Jays have all sorts of choices, none involving short rest. They can start the series with Marcus Stroman, who threw six innings (two runs) in the wild-card game against the Orioles. Or they can go with Marco Estrada, who shut down the Rangers (one run, four hits, 8? innings) in Game 1 of the division series, because that great changeup of his was unhittable. Or they can go with 20-game winner J.A. Happ, who beat the Rangers in Game 2 of the division series with five innings pitched and one run allowed. And they can wait instead of push Aaron Sanchez, keeping him for Game 3 or Game 4. Remember, over the final 21 games of the regular season, the Blue Jays rotation had a 2.08 ERA, the best in the big leagues. The postseason has been an extension of that success.Indians in seven. Custom Marlins Jersey China . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Custom Marlins T-shirts . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. http://www.custommarlinsjersey.com/ . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Custom Marlins Jerseys . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. Cheap Marlins Jerseys . World champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia won the gold medal with 237.71 points, Moore-Towers and Moscovitch followed at 208.45 and Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia were third at 187. Riding a five-game win streak, the Oakland Raiders climbed two spots to No. 2 in ESPNs NFL Power Rankings. ESPNs power panel (a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities) retained the Dallas Cowboys as the No. 1-ranked team and moved the Seattle Seahawks down to No. 4 following their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Methodology note: These rankings reflect which teams voters think would win head-to-head matchups. Higher-ranked teams would be favored against lower-ranked teams. Coming off a win doesnt guarantee a jump, and coming off a loss doesnt guarantee a fall.Check out the rest of the league and where each team ranks.Previous rankings: Week 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | PreseasonESPN Stats & Information contributed the following research.1. Dallas Cowboys2016 record: 10-1 | Week 12 ranking: 1QB Dak Prescott has now completed 30 of his past 33 pass attempts in the fourth quarter or overtime this season, as the Cowboys have won 10 consecutive games. Prescott has an NFL-best 89.8 Total QBR in the fourth quarter and overtime this season. The Cowboys take their show on the road Thursday against Minnesota.2. Oakland Raiders2016 record: 9-2 | Week 12 ranking: 4The Raiders have clinched their first winning season since 2002, thanks to Derek Carrs late-game heroics. Carr has 13 game-tying or go-ahead touchdown passes in the fourth quarter or overtime the past two seasons, six more than any other QB, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.3. New England Patriots2016 record: 9-2 | Week 12 ranking: 3QB Tom Brady is always the talk when it comes to the Patriots, but the defense has once again fallen under the radar. The Patriots have held opponents to fewer than 20 points seven times this season, tied with the Chiefs and Seahawks for most such games. The Rams and their low-powered offense are next for New England.4. Seattle Seahawks2016 record: 7-3-1 | Week 12 ranking: 2The Seahawks have the third-best record in the NFC, so theres no need to panic. But Week 12 marked the third time this season that the Seahawks failed to score a touchdown. The Seahawks, with their 23rd-ranked scoring offense (20.4 points per game), host the Panthers in Week 13.5. Denver Broncos2016 record: 7-4 | Week 12 ranking: 5Its a pretty simple formula for the Broncos: win the turnover battle, and win the game (5-0 this season). Break even or worse in the turnover battle, and lose the game (2-4). Can Denver win the turnover battle this week at Jacksonville?6. Kansas City Chiefs2016 record: 8-3 | Week 12 ranking: 7Whenever youre the first since Gale Sayers, youre probably doing something right. Tyreek Hill became the first since Sayers with rushing, receiving and kick return touchdowns in the same game, which was a very good thing for the Chiefs, as they improved to 8-3. The Chiefs head to Atlanta this week.7. Detroit Lions2016 record: 7-4 | Week 12 ranking: 10Who is the more valuable Matt in Detroit? Is it Matthew Stafford, who has seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime this season? Or is it Matt Prater, who has never missed a game-tying or go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter or overtime in his career (25-of-25 and 6-of-6 this season). The division-leading Lions play at New Orleans this week.8. Atlanta Falcons2016 record: 7-4 | Week 12 ranking: 8The Falcons continue to fly high offensively, leading the NFL in points and scoring at least 30 in four of their past five games. The Chiefs, who have allowed fewer than 20 points in seven games this season, come to town Sunday.9. Pittsburgh Steelers2016 record: 6-5 | Week 12 ranking: 13LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown have accounted for 63 percent of the Steelers yards from scrimmage since Bells return to the lineup, the highest of any duo since Week 4. Theyll look to continue racking up yards against the Giants in Week 13.10. New York Giants2016 record: 8-3 | Week 12 ranking: 6According to Elias Sports Bureau research, the Giants have played the fourth-easiest schedule so far this season, so that six-game win streak (which featured wins against the Rams, Bears and Browns) might need to be taken with a grain of salt. The Steelers should provide a tougher test this weekend.11. Washington Redskins2016 record: 6-4-1 | Week 12 ranking: 9The Redskins are 2-2-1 in their past five games, but QB Kirk Cousins is averaging 72.0 percent completion and 369.0 pass yards with 11 touchdowns and one interception in those games. Washington plays at Arizona in Week 13.12. Miami Dolphins2016 record: 7-4 | Week 12 ranking: 17The Dolphins have won six straight for the first time since 2005, Nick Sabans first year as head coach of the team. Think about that for a minute. The Dolphins look for their first seven-game win streak since 1985 when they play at Baltimore this week.13. Baltimore Ravens2016 record: 6-5 | Week 12 ranking: 14Is Justin Tucker the Ravens MVP? He has made 34 straight field goals (27 this season), made three 50-yarders in a half and is the only kicker who has yet to miss a field goal or extra point this season. Tucker and the Ravens will look to halt the Dolphins six-game win streak this week.14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers2016 record: 6-5 | Week 12 ranking: 22The Buccaneers have won three straight for the first time since 2013 (Weeks 10-12), and if they can win Sunday at San Diego, they will be two games over .500 for the first time since 2012, when they were 6-4.15. San Diego Chargers2016 record: 5-6 | Week 12 ranking: 25The Chargers might be in the wrong division. They are 3-1 against the AFC South this season and 2-5 against all other divisions, including 1-3 against the rest of the AFC West.dddddddddddd The Chargers get a nondivision foe this week in the Buccaneers.16. Houston Texans2016 record: 6-5 | Week 12 ranking: 16Three qualified quarterbacks have thrown more interceptions than touchdowns this season: Case Keenum (lost his job), Ryan Fitzpatrick (fighting for his job) and Brock Osweiler (doesnt seem to be in much danger of losing his job). The host Packers await in Week 13.17. Buffalo Bills2016 record: 6-5 | Week 12 ranking: 17Not only are the Bills 6-5, but they also have the sixth-best point differential this season, better than the 8-3 Chiefs, the 7-3-1 Seahawks and even the 9-2 Raiders, whom Buffalo travels to play this week.18. Minnesota Vikings2016 record: 6-5 | Week 12 ranking: 12The Vikings are 1-5 in their past six games and have scored the fourth-fewest points per game (16.5) in that stretch. However, the Vikings are still given a 56 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL FPI. A win Thursday against the Cowboys would go a long way toward helping the cause.19. Tennessee Titans2016 record: 6-6 | Week 12 ranking: 19Marcus Mariota has thrown multiple touchdown passes in eight straight games and has a league-leading 21 touchdowns since Week 5. Mariota and the Titans finally get a break in the form of a bye this week.20. Philadelphia Eagles2016 record: 5-6 | Week 12 ranking: 15Rookie QB Carson Wentz has certainly been hurt by the lack of weapons in the passing game. Eagles wide receivers rank 28th in yards this season and 30th in yards per reception. The Eagles play the Bengals and their A.J. Green-less wide receiver group this week.21. New Orleans Saints2016 record: 5-6 | Week 12 ranking: 23Lets take a second to appreciate Drew Brees, who has thrown 30 touchdowns in a season for the ninth time, tied with Brett Favre and Peyton Manning for most such seasons. Brees looks to pad his league lead Sunday against the Lions.22. Carolina Panthers2016 record: 4-7 | Week 12 ranking: 20QB Cam Newton has five touchdown passes in his past five games. Last season, he threw five touchdown passes in a game three times in a five-game span. The struggles continue for Newton, who will face the Seahawks on Sunday in Seattle.23. Arizona Cardinals2016 record: 4-6-1 | Week 12 ranking: 21Carson Palmer has already taken more sacks than he did all of last season, and he has equaled his interception total (11) from last season. The Cardinals are 1-3-1 in their past five games, and you have to wonder if the 36-year-old Palmer will be in Arizona much longer.24. Green Bay Packers2016 record: 5-6 | Week 12 ranking: 24The Packers stopped the bleeding following their four-game losing streak with a victory over the Eagles on Monday. They allowed 13 points, their second-fewest this season, after allowing at least 30 points in four straight. The Texans struggling offense arrives in Green Bay in Week 13.25. Indianapolis Colts2016 record: 5-6 | Week 12 ranking: 18Backup QB Scott Tolzien was able to drive the Colts, but he wasnt able to finish, as they reached the Steelers 1-yard line twice but failed to score either time in their Week 12 game on Thanksgiving. Andrew Luck could return for the Colts game Monday at the Jets.26. New York Jets2016 record: 3-8 | Week 12 ranking: 28During the Jets three-game losing streak, the defense has failed to force a turnover. The Jets have the second-worst turnover differential in the NFL this season (minus-13). The Colts, whom New York hosts in Week 13, dont turn it over very often (13 turnovers in 11 games).27. Los Angeles Rams2016 record: 4-7 | Week 12 ranking: 27Against the Saints, rookie QB Jared Goffs three touchdowns in the first half -- the first Rams quarterback to do that since Sam Bradford in 2010 -- were good. His throwing only 47 yards and a pick in a scoreless second half was bad. The Rams will need a lot more of the good to topple the Patriots this week.28. Cincinnati Bengals2016 record: 3-7-1 | Week 12 ranking: 26In his first game without A.J. Green this season, Andy Dalton completed a season-low 50 percent of his passes to wide receivers. Dalton and the Bengals are in must-win mode this week against the Eagles if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs.29. Jacksonville Jaguars2016 record: 2-9 | Week 12 ranking: 30Sundays loss to Buffalo clinched a sixth consecutive losing season for the Jaguars, who have the fourth-worst point differential in the NFL this season. The Jags, who host Denver on Sunday, grabbed some notable former Broncos in recent offseasons (Julius Thomas, Malik Jackson, Zane Beadles).30. Chicago Bears2016 record: 2-9 | Week 12 ranking: 29Eight drops. Eight! That would be too much for any quarterback to overcome, let alone Matt Barkley in his first career start. Despite the drops, the Bears had a chance to beat Tennessee. This weeks matchup with the 49ers will be big for the 2017 draft order.31. San Francisco 49ers2016 record: 1-10 | Week 12 ranking: 31Can you imagine the 49ers losing 15 straight games and not getting the No. 1 overall pick? It could happen. NFL FPI has the 49ers favored in only one of their remaining games, and it isnt the upcoming one at Chicago.32. Cleveland Browns2016 record: 0-12 | Week 12 ranking: 32The Browns enter their bye week 0-12, but lets focus on the positives. The Browns have converted a league-best 10 fourth downs. Terrelle Pryor Sr. is eighth in the NFL in receiving. The team is eighth in average yards per rush. Christian Kirksey is second in tackles. The Cavs are 13-2. ' ' '