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MINNEAPOLIS -- How `bout them Cowboys?Theyve built a healthy lead on the rest of the NFC at the midpoint of this season, for starters. Theyve been playing like theyre capable of finishing on top, too.Defying so many of those pre-September predictions from the punditry, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have followed a one-point loss in their opener with seven straight victories. This, of course, with an all-rookie backfield of Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott performing well beyond their years.Were so dynamic its crazy, said two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant, whose three-game absence due to a knee injury went largely unnoticed.Thats partly because of the polish and poise displayed by Prescott, the fourth-round draft pick from Mississippi State thrust into action when Tony Romo hurt his back during the preseason. The other significant factor in the first-half surge by the Cowboys, as sure a sign as any that its sustainable, is the success Elliott has had carrying the ball behind that dominant offensive line built by three former first-round draft picks.This fall has has been so fruitful for Dallas that Romo isnt guaranteed to get the job back.Its hard for me to say its Tonys team, its my team or anybodys team, Prescott said. Its a true team, and everybody is playing their part in it.That fearsome five the Cowboys (7-1) can pass and run behind is not the only factor in their command of the NFC playoff race. Another reason theyre ahead is the struggles by other contenders, namely Seattle and Minnesota, to solidify the blocking up front.The Seahawks (5-2-1) have had trouble getting their offense going this year, with running back Marshawn Lynch now retired and Russell Wilson grinding through ankle and knee injuries that have hampered his mobility. The revamped line remains a work in progress.The Vikings (5-3) had the NFLs last undefeated record, until their bye week arrived. Since then, theyve lost all three straight games with issues on offense, defense and special teams all influencing the streak. With both starting tackles on injured reserve and left guard Alex Boone recovering from a concussion that kept him out of the overtime loss to Detroit on Sunday, the protection for quarterback Sam Bradford is going to be a yearlong concern.After the crushing loss at home to the Lions, coach Mike Zimmer at least sounded satisfied that some confidence had been restored.Im hopeful theyll continue to carry it forward through the rest of the season, because if we do that were going to win some games, Zimmer said.The Atlanta Falcons (6-3) have already escaped their October skid, having rallied to beat Green Bay by one point on Oct. 30 and breezed by Tampa Bay four days later. The leagues highest-scoring team, at 34 points per game, has assembled many more threats than just star wide receiver Julio Jones .Were at our best when we keep attacking and different guys get the ball, coach Dan Quinn said.Here are some other facts and figures about the NFC entering the stretch run:FALL OF THE FINALISTS: Carolina carried plenty of confidence, coming off a trip to the Super Bowl, along with a reputable defense and the NFLs most recent MVP, Cam Newton. The Panthers (3-5) instead have been one of the leagues biggest early letdowns. The team they blew out in the NFC championship game last winter, Arizona, has struggled right along with them. The Cardinals (3-4-1) lost the rematch to the Panthers on Oct. 30.PROBLEMS FOR THE PACKERS: With Aaron Rodgers still in his prime, the return of wide receiver Jordy Nelson and many other standouts on the roster, the Packers (4-4) were again a trendy pick to reach the Super Bowl. The offense just hasnt been able to establish a rhythm, injuries have begun piling up and the defense has been vulnerable lately with 30-plus points allowed in three of the last four games.SNEAKY SAINTS: New Orleans hasnt made the playoffs since 2013, and after starting 0-3 the Saints sure werent part of the conversation about Super Bowl contenders. The Saints (4-4) are still soft on defense, allowing an average of 30 points per game, the third-most in the league. Theyre in the thick of the wild-card race, though, right there with the New York Giants (5-3), Washington (4-3-1), Detroit (5-4), Philadelphia (4-4) and Green Bay.FANTASY FOOTBALL STARS: Elliott, Arizonas David Johnson and Atlantas Devonta Freeman have been productive running backs, as expected, but Chicago rookie Jordan Howard has been quite the revelation. Matt Ryan is in the MVP mix for the Falcons, and Matthew Stafford is playing as well as ever for the Lions. Odell Beckham has snapped to life after a slow start for the Giants. Tampa Bays Mike Evans has become a true elite wide receiver.IMPORTANT INTERCONFERENCE MATCHUPS: Philadelphia at Seattle on Nov. 20, Minnesota at Detroit on Nov. 24, Green Bay at Philadelphia on Nov. 28, Dallas at Minnesota on Dec. 1, Dallas at New York on Dec. 11, New York and Philadelphia on Dec. 22, Arizona at Seattle on Dec. 24, and New Orleans at Atlanta on Jan. 1.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Dave Campbell on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DaveCampbellAP Nike Air Max 1 New Zealand . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Air Max 1 Cheap Nz . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. http://www.airmax1cheapnz.com/ .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. Air Max 1 Sale Cheap .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Discount Air Max 1 . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead.BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox are certainly enjoying playing a lot more this season. David Ortiz hit a three-run home run and Jarrod Saltalamacchia connected twice, the first coming one pitch before Mike Carp homered Sunday, and the Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-5. Sitting atop the AL East after a miserable 69-93 record last season that saw first-year manager Bobby Valentine fired during the off-season and a trio of stars -- Adrian Gonzalez. Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a salary dump last August, the Red Sox are feeling like they can enjoy the game again. "This is a great clubhouse, a great group of guys. It starts with the top and works its way down," Saltalamacchia said. "Everybody knows their role and everybody knows what approach to take, which makes things easier. Weve got a good group of veterans with a good group of young guys. Its a lot of fun, especially being in first place, but we know we have to focus on tomorrow." Ryan Dempster (4-6) got his 2,000th career strikeout when he fanned Alberto Callaspo to open the sixth. The Red Sox took two of three in the weekend series against the Angels and have won six of eight. Dempster, signed to a two-year deal via free agency during the off-season, agreed with his batterymate-- Saltalamacchia. "Were a team. Were a tight unit and so when guys are getting a bunch of hits, its a lot of fun in the dugout," Dempster said. "See a guy like Salty break out and get two homers today. Its good energy. As a pitcher, a starting pitcher, it allows you to go out there and really fill the strike zone up. You got a little bit of breathing room." Los Angeles entered the weekend having won eight straight against the Red Sox after going 6-0 last season, but dropped the final two after winning the opener of a day-night doubleheader Saturday. Albert Pujols and Callaspo each had solo homers for the Angels. The Angels power-filled lineup was no match for Bostons bats on Sunday. "You just need to make your pitches. If I could just take back one pitch, just the change-up to Ortiz," Angels starter Joe Blanton said. "It was just middle-in up and its not a good place to throw a changeup to him. If I make a pitch there and get and get the next one, its a big difference taking away three runs. It changes the (complexion) of the game. I just gotta make a better pitch in that situation and I didnt do it." Ortiz, who hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs in Bostons 7-2 win in the nightcap of a doubleheader Saturdday, has five homers and 14 RBIs in his last 10 games.dddddddddddd Angels manager Mike Scioscia felt Blanton didnt locate his fastball well enough when he needed it. "I think he got off to a good start the first go-round of the lineup and then he just had trouble with his fastball," Scioscia said. "He got a change-up up to David Ortiz for the three-run home run. Just struggled with fastball command, especially in the sixth inning." Saltalamacchia and Carp opened the sixth with homers into the centre field seats off starter Blanton (1-10), Carps drive chasing Blanton. In the next inning, Saltalamacchia homered to centre field again, this time a three-run shot into the first row off Robert Coello to give Boston a 10-3 lead. Dempster gave up three runs on six hits in six innings, walking two and striking out six for just his second victory in his last six decisions. Blanton was tagged for seven runs -- six earned -- with three homers in eight hits over five-plus innings. Trailing 1-0 in the third, the Red Sox scored four runs off Blanton. Daniel Nava tied it with an RBI single, Dustin Pedroia singled, then Ortiz belted his homer into the Red Sox bullpen to make it 4-1. Callaspo hit a solo homer in the fourth, but Jacoby Ellsburys RBI triple into the right field corner made it 5-2. Los Angeles cut it to 5-3 in the fifth on Mark Trumbos run-scoring single after Mike Trout doubled off the Green Monster. Pujols solo homer pushed the Angels ahead in the first. NOTES: Saltalamacchia had his fourth two-homer game, his previous was April of last season at the Chicago White Sox. ... Pedroia and teammate Jose Iglesias both extended hitting streaks to 13 games, with Iglesias being a career high. ... Blanton entered the game having allowed the most hits in the majors. ... Dempster entered 0-2 with 17 runs in 13 2-3 innings in his career against Los Angeles. ... The Angels Howie Kendrick came in 12 for his last 16, but went 0 for 4. . ... Boston is a majors best 13-6 in day games. ... Boston manager John Farrell said before the game that RHP Clay Buchholz was "sore," but still needed to be examined. Buchholz left Saturdays second game with what the team called "neck tightness." ... Josh Hamilton went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts. ... The Angels are scheduled to open a three-game series in Baltimore Monday with Jered Weaver (1-1, 3.13) facing the Orioles Freddy Garcia (2-3, 4.470 ERA). ... Boston plays at the Tampa Bay Rays Monday with John Lackey (3-5, 2.79 ERA) slated to face Alex Cobb (6-2, 2.39 ERA). ' ' '