Seit wann? » competing for an AL wild-card berth

INDIANAPOLIS -- At age 43, Adam Vinatieri hasnt lost a thing.The NFLs oldest player is still kickin it with guys almost half his age. If anything, the best clutch kicker in NFL history seems to be improving with age.On Sunday, Vinatieri made all five field goal attempts, including two from more than 50 yards, to help the Indianapolis Colts get past the Chicago Bears 29-23.He is just money, coach Chuck Pagano said. Twenty-one years (in the league), 43 years old, all that stuff, and producing and doing the things that hes doing, its just incredible.Aside from the graying temples and the calming voice in the locker room, theres no hint Vinatieris end is nearing.Instead, he continues to play the game like a young kid.The four-time Super Bowl champion has made a career-high five field goals in six regular-season games. Its the first time he achieved the feat since 2013 -- and it comes more than two decades after his first milestone day, Sept. 22, 1996 against Jacksonville.If thats not enough to marvel at, there is this: Vinatieri has made 38 straight field goals dating to last season, a career high, and he needs five more to break Mike Vanderjagts record, set from 2002-04. Vanderjagt was Vinatieris predecessor in Indy (2-3).Still not enough?Vinatieri extended his streak of field goals made from 50 or more yards to nine, thanks to a 54-yarder in the first quarter Sunday and a 53-yarder into the open window end of Lucas Oil Stadium -- the end Vinatieri told the Fox broadcast team would probably cost kickers about 5 yards on their range.Naturally, Vinatieri still made it because hes at his best when the Colts need him most .Im just happy I made all the kicks today, went out there and helped put points on the board, he said in his typically low-key tone. It was a good day.Meanwhile, 30-year old kicker Connor Barth missed a 54-yarder into the closed end of the stadium and a 49-yarder after the Bears got a second chance because the Colts were called for running into the kicker penalty.That crucial sequence prompted postgame questions about whether the Bears (1-4) may try out some players this week.I think the kicker missed one kick and I think it was plus-50, Chicago coach John Fox said. I dont know that that was his forte coming in to begin with, but we look at everything every week. I dont think thats on one guy.In Indianapolis, its one of the few positions the Colts dont worry about.Time after time, Vinatieri has bailed the Colts out when the offense has bogged down or bungled chances, as was the case again Sunday when the Colts were called for delay of game on third-and-4 from the Bears 23-yard line with 2:39 to go and following a timeout. Lucks ensuing pass to Phillip Dorsett in the front corner of the end zone fell incomplete.But Vinatieri made a 46-yard field goal, forcing Chicago (1-4) to win the game with a touchdown rather than sending it to overtime with another field goal.We preach all the time, `Do your job, and its my job to go out and try to put points on the board, Vinatieri said. Im happy its going in there right now.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Sunday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- NEW YORK -- No. 1 Novak Djokovic seeks his third U.S. Open title and 13th Grand Slam trophy overall when he meets No. 3 Stan Wawrinka in the final at Flushing Meadows. Starts about 4 p.m.- GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Whats left of the New England Patriots travel from one corner of the country to another to face the deep and talented Arizona Cardinals. New England wont have Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Rob Ninkovich, Nate Solder and Jonathan Cooper. Game starts 8:30 p.m.- ARLINGTON, Texas -- Dak Prescott makes his Dallas debut as a rookie starter for the injured Tony Romo against Eli Manning and the New York Giants, with first-year coach Ben McAdoo. Both teams are trying to bounce back from losing seasons in 2015. Game starts 4:25 p.m.- PHILADELPHIA -- Rookie No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz makes his NFL debut with the Philadelphia Eagles against Robert Griffin III and the Cleveland Browns. Game starts 1 p.m.- The AP releases its weekly Top 25 college football poll at 2 p.m.- DETROIT -- Justin Verlander (14-7) takes the mound for the Tigers against Chris Tillman (15-5) of the Orioles in the rubber match of a crucial three-game series, with Detroit and Toronto competing for an AL wild-card berth.dddddddddddd Game starts 1 p.m.- TORONTO -- The Blue Jays would tie the Red Sox for the AL East lead with a win against Clay Buccholz (6-10). Toronto sends Anibal Sanchez (13-2) to the mound. Game starts 1:07 p.m.- HOUSTON -- Jack Arrieta (16-6) starts for the Chicago Cubs against the Houston Astros and Mike Fiers (10-6) in the rubber match of an interleague series. Arietta will be making his first career appearance against the Astros, the only team other than the Cubs he has not pitched against.- CARMEL, Ind. -- Dustin Johnson has a three-shot lead over Paul Casey going into the final round of the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick.- RICHMOND, Va. -- Kevin Harvick has likened his mood to an angry bull charging into the stands -- fitting for these tense times in NASCAR. The playoffs are about to begin and drivers are feeling very feisty.- CARSON, Calif. -- Landon Donovan is available to play for the LA Galaxy when they host Orlando City. The most accomplished player in MLS history ended his 21-month retirement three days earlier to return to his hometown team for the MLS Cup chase. Game starts 7 p.m. ' ' '