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Monday 17 deceMber 2018
Steelers ride rookie Samuels past Patriots 17-10

By WILL GRAVES third-and-9 on Pittsburgh’s
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie penultimate drive that
running back Jaylen Samu- helped set up Boswell’s field
els, making his second start goal. Both teams came in
in place of injured James hurting, taking some of the
Conner, ran for a career- shine off a rivalry that has
high 142 yards and made been meaningful if one-
a critical third-down recep- sided. The Patriots lost on
tion in the fourth quarter a last-second 69-yard dou-
as Pittsburgh snapped a ble-lateral touchdown to
three-game losing streak Miami. Pittsburgh somehow
by holding off the New fell to the woeful Raiders
England 17-10 on Sunday. in Oakland, a third-straight
Ben Roethlisberger threw setback that trimmed its
for 235 yards with two first- once-comfortable lead
half touchdowns and two in the AFC North to a half-
interceptions as the Steel- game over Baltimore. That
ers (8-5-1) remained in front left coach Mike Tomlin
of Baltimore in the AFC promising the team would
North with two weeks to go not “sit on its hands” in
in the season. Chris Boswell, search of answers.
who has struggled so badly There were tweaks in the
this season the team held secondary, with corner-
open tryouts during the Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels (38) is tackled by New England Patriots free safe- back Artie Burns reclaim-
ty Devin McCourty (32) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16,
week, atoned for a 32-yard 2018. ing his starting spot, though
miss in the third quarter by Associated Press they didn’t last long. Not
drilling a 48-yarder with 2:30 after Brady hit a laughably
remaining. man was knocked down tight end Rob Gronkowski flagged 14 times for 106 wide-open Hogan for a 63-
Pittsburgh’s defense, which by Pittsburgh’s Morgan Bur- to two receptions for 21 yards and their problemat- yard touchdown in the first
let fourth-quarter leads slip nett. yards. Brady flung a jump ic run defense couldn’t find quarter.
away each of the last two Brady finished 25 of 36 for ball to Gronkowski deep in an answer for Samuels, a ROAD WOES
games, made it stand. 279 yards with a touchdown Pittsburgh territory midway fifth-round pick out of North Hogan’s TD was one of
The Patriots (9-5) missed a and an interception while through the fourth quarter Carolina State who was the few big plays created
chance to clinch their 10th losing to the Steelers for the that was picked off by cor- considered a project when by the Patriots, who again
straight AFC East title when first time since 2011 and just nerback Joe Haden. the Steelers took a flyer on struggled to get much go-
Tom Brady’s pass into the the third time in 14 career The uncharacteristical- him. ing on the road. New Eng-
end zone for Julian Edel- meetings. Pittsburgh held ly sloppy Patriots were Not so much anymore. land finished the regular
Sprinting through gaping season 3-5 away from Gil-
holes and showing plenty lette Stadium, not exactly
of burst, Samuels regularly promising for a club that
found himself running into would almost certainly
the New England second- have to travel at least once
ary. The leading receiver — and maybe twice — if it
in N.C. State history also wants to return to the Super
made a leaping grab on Bowl.q

Free agent Justin Bour,

Angels finalize $2.5M deal

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — First find a regular spot with Phil-
baseman Justin Bour and adelphia down the stretch.
the Angels have finalized a The Phillies wouldn't have a
$2.5 million, one-year con- spot for him this year, either,
tract, giving Los Angeles after moving Rhys Hoskins
depth while Albert Pujols back to first base and sign-
recovers from surgery. ing corner outfielder An-
Bour can earn an addition- drew McCutchen to a $50
al $500,000 in performance million, three-year contract
bonuses based on plate during the winter meetings.
appearances under the Bour batted .227, missing
deal announced Saturday: time late with an oblique
$125,000 each for 350, 400, strain. He's hit 83 home runs
450 and 500. over the last four years. He
The 30-year-old hit 20 hom- earned $3.4 million last sea-
ers and drove in 59 runs son after beating Miami
with the Marlins and Phillies in salary arbitration, and
last season. He played 112 then became a free agent
of his 141 games with Miami last month when Philadel-
before an August trade to phia didn’t offer a 2019
Philadelphia. Bour didn't contract.q