NEU » Samardzija allowed only three hits and two runs over seven

LeVeon Bell insists hell do everything in his power to make sure his latest run-in with the NFLs substance abuse policy is his last. Vontaze Burfict isnt so sure he can say the same about his reprimands from the leagues disciplinary committee.Either way, two of the NFLs most dynamic players head back to work this week after serving three-game suspensions to start the 2016 season. Bell sat for running afoul of the drug policy for the second time, Burfict as penance for a series of unhinged moments on the field that culminated in his helmet-to-helmet knockout blow of Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown in last years wild-card round.Their returns should give their teams -- both expected to compete for a playoff spot in the hypercompetitive AFC North and both coming off one-sided losses last Sunday -- a boost as October dawns, the front edge of a wave that will include other bold-faced names (including some dude in New England) that will come off the suspended list next week.How their teams have survived in the absence of such vital parts is a mixed bag.For all of Bells talent, DeAngelo Williams led the NFL in rushing through two weeks before Pittsburghs hot start came to a sudden and decisive halt in Philadelphia. The Bengals, however, have missed Burfict -- the emotional touchstone of a defense that is among the NFLs best when it at its finest.Their comebacks, however, come with a caveat. Any potential missteps going forward would carry far harsher penalties. Bell doesnt think that will be an issue.Im not a perfect person, the 2014 All-Pro said. I never will be. I know there are some things I can get better at.Burfict, meanwhile, doesnt seem to care whether his helter-skelter style of play incurs the wrath of the commissioners office.Why would I change anything? he said earlier this week.Thats just Vontaze being Vontaze. A look at the returns on the horizon and what they could mean going forward.THE PLAYER: LeVeon Bell, RB, PittsburghTHE RETURN: Sunday night vs. Kansas CityTHE IMPACT: You mean besides giving fantasy football owners a headache as they try to decipher how much Bell will be used? Bell was one of the best versatile backs in the league before tearing the MCL in his right knee on a tackle by Burfict last November. The knee is fine (Bell decided against wearing a protective brace) and he begins the final year of the rookie deal he signed in 2013 trying to prove to the Steelers -- and 31 other teams -- that hes matured as a person while remaining as explosive as ever.THE PLAYER: Vontaze Burfict, LB, CincinnatiTHE RETURN: Thursday vs. MiamiTHE IMPACT: The Bengals need more than just Burficts production -- hes perhaps their most dynamic defender when healthy -- they need his energy, too. Cincinnati gave up four touchdown passes to Denver on Sunday and looked downright polite in a loss at Pittsburgh in Week 2. Burficts presence could provide the Bengals with an emotional boost they desperately need. A trendy pick to make a deep playoff run, Cincinnati is a middling 15th in total defense and seems to have lost a bit of its swagger. Burfict should help provided he keeps his cool -- never a guarantee.THE PLAYER: Tom Brady, QB, New EnglandTHE RETURN: Week 5 at ClevelandTHE IMPACT: Try not to muss up all of Jimmy Garoppolos and Jacoby Brissets hard work. Kidding. (But only a little). Bradys 21-month battle with the league over Deflategate will finally end when his four-game suspension expires following this Sundays visit from Buffalo. The Patriots have chugged right along in Bradys absence, though all that success will likely just spur Brady to send a message that New Englands dominance doesnt rest solely on the shoulders of coach Bill Belichick.THE PLAYER: Josh Gordon, WR, ClevelandTHE RETURN: Week 5 vs. New EnglandTHE IMPACT: Massive. Maybe . With Gordon, you never know. He led the NFL in yards receiving in 2013, but that was three years and a handful of suspensions ago. Following a miserable start, the Browns are starting to show signs of life with Terrelle Pryor doing a little bit of everything. Pryor thinks the Browns offense could get ugly (in a good way) if Gordon stays out of trouble. Thats a mighty big `if though.THE PLAYER: Marcell Dareus, DL, BuffaloTHE RETURN: Week 5 at Los AngelesTHE IMPACT: Like Bell, the Bills highest-paid player missed time for a second straight season for finding himself on the wrong side of the NFLs drug policy. Like Bell, Dareus has watched the guys filling in get by pretty well without him. Sacks and turnovers are up in Buffalo, which whipped Arizona last weekend and will face the healthiest Patriots quarterback available (and not suspended) on Sunday. The 331-pound Dareus (his listed weight anyway) may need time to get into playing shape but his presence in the middle could free things up for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to get creative with how he uses guys on the edge.OTHER GUYS ON THE WAY: Rob Ninkovich, DE New England; Mike Pennel, DL Green Bay; Arthur Jones, DE Indianapolis--AP Sports Writers Joe Kay in Cincinnati, John Wawrow in Buffalo, Kyle Hightower in Boston, Schuyler Dixon in Dallas, Mike Marot in Indianapolis and Genaro Armas in Green Bay, Wisc., contributed to this report. Willson Contreras Cubs Jersey . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. Pedro Strop Jersey .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. https://www.cheapcubs.com/570t-ian-happ-jersey-cubs.html . PETERSBURG, Fla. Ron Cey Jersey . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. Kris Bryant Cubs Jersey .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. SAN FRANCISCO -- With 38 games left and three teams standing between the Mets and the second NL wild card, manager Terry Collins is convinced his ballclub can still make a serious push for the playoffs.A strong outing from Noah Syndergaard and another home run from slugger Yoenis Cespedes certainly helped.Syndergaard and Jeurys Familia combined on a three-hitter and Cespedes homered off Jeff Samardzija, leading New York over the San Francisco Giants 2-0 on Sunday night.Weve had a tough time, but if youre going to win, your good players have to play good, Collins said. We ride those guys. Hopefully this is the start of what weve been looking to do.Cespedes homered for the third time in two days to help split the four-game series. It was also the 900th victory of Collins career, making him the 10th active manager to reach the milestone.Syndergaard (11-7) allowed two hits over eight innings for his second consecutive win following a six-start skid. Its Syndergaards 20th career victory in 49 games, coming in what Collins called his best outing in a long time.Syndergaard faced one over the minimum and didnt allow a runner past first base.That helped the Mets stay within 4 1/2 games of St. Louis for the second NL wild card.Today was the first day I went out there and actually relaxed and had fun, Syndergaard said. I just kept things simple. The past month and a half Ive been trying to think too far in advance.Samardzija (10-9) held the Mets hitless until Curtis Grandersons leadoff double in the seventh. Cespedes followed with his 25th home run, a towering two-run blast that appeared to clear the stands in left field.Ive had big power hitters but I havent had anybody (where) the ball comes off the barrel of the bat like that, Collins said. I mean nobody. The ball just jumps off his bat.Familia retired three batters for his major league-leading 41st save.The Giants dropped to second in the NL West after entering the day with a half-game lead on the Dodgers. Los Angeles beat Cincinnati earlier Sunday.Samardzija remained winless in four career starts against the Mets despite taking a no-hitter into the sevventh.dddddddddddd Samardzija allowed only three hits and two runs over seven innings and struck out seven.I liked where hes at and he carried that into todays game, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of Samardzija. He pitched his heart out and ran into a hot hitter.The duel between Syndergaard and Samardzija was in stark contrast to the first three games of this series, when the teams combined for 40 runs. Only two runners from either team reached second base Sunday, and both scored.San Franciscos first two baserunners were thrown out trying to steal second. Catcher Rene Rivera caught Trevor Brown in the third and Eduardo Nunez in the fourth. Prior to that, opponents had successfully stolen 40 bases in 44 attempts against New York with Syndergaard on the mound.The Giants also made a pair of sparkling defensive plays. Brandon Crawford made a diving stop on Jose Reyes sharp liner in the first inning, then second baseman Joe Panik robbed Reyes of an infield single with two outs in the sixth when he fielded a slow grounder and flipped it to first base with his glove.STOP, DROP AND ROLLMets third base coach Tim Teufel had to react quickly to avoid being hit by a line drive from left-handed hitting James Loney in the fifth. The ball narrowly missed Teufel as he dropped to the grass on his back.TRAINERS ROOMMets: Jay Bruce was back in the lineup after being held out Saturday to rest.Giants: Buster Posey did not start but had a pinch-hit single in the ninth. ... OF Angel Pagan was kept out of the lineup with tightness in his groin. Pagan has the longest active hitting streak in the majors at 18 games.UP NEXTMets: LHP Jon Niese (8-7) pitches the opener of a three-game series in St. Louis on Tuesday. Niese has given up 25 home runs this season, second-most in the NL.Giants: Madison Bumgarner (12-7) faces the Dodgers on Tuesday to begin a key series in Los Angeles between the top two teams in the NL West. Bumgarner is winless in two previous starts against the Dodgers this season. ' ' '