Partner/Ehemann » Vikings will continue to lead the NFC North

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres coach Ron Rolston added NHL experience to his new staff by hiring Joe Sacco on Tuesday. Sacco is a former NHL player who spent the past four seasons as the Colorado Avalanche coach before being fired in April after the team missed the playoffs for a third straight year. Sacco had a 130-134-40 record and was an NHL coach of the year finalist in 2010 after leading the Avalanche to the playoffs in his first season. In May, Sacco coached the U.S. national team to win a bronze medal at the World Championships in Sweden. Rolston described Sacco as an ideal fit because of his coaching experience and familiarity with teaching young players, as he had done with the rebuilding Avalanche. And Rolston had to remain patient in waiting for Sacco, who had been a candidate for at least two NHL head-coaching vacancies. "Once those opportunities passed, it was a situation where -- at that point -- he was obviously a no-brainer to bring in and talk to," Rolston said. "In terms of what we had here and the direction we were going, we thought hed be a perfect fit." The Sabres are in transition by rebuilding through youth. Rolston is part of the teams transformation. He took over as interim coach in February after Lindy Ruff was fired. He was then hired on a full-time basis in May after closing the season with a 15-11-5 record. Saccos hiring fills one of two openings in Buffalo after Rolston fired both bench coaches, James Patrick and Kevyn Adams. Rolston intends to hire one more assistant, while confirming hes retained two assistants, Teppo Numminen and goalie coach Jim Corsi. Rolston and Sacco have ties to USA Hockey, but have never worked together. Sacco was a forward during 13 seasons in the NHL before retiring in 2003. Drafted by the Maple Leafs in 1987, he finished with 213 points (94 goals, 119 assists) in 738 career games split between Toronto, Anaheim, the New York Islanders, Washington and Philadelphia. Earlier in the day, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier indicated he wasnt prepared to make a major splash once the NHLs free-agency period opens Friday. He is instead interested in targeting veteran role players who would be able to complement Buffalos young lineup. "Our focus is going to be on supporting this younger group," Regier said. "It means fit. And the fit may be positional, it may be character, it may be to add some scoring." Regier remains noncommital as to whether he intends to trade his two star veterans, goalie Ryan Miller and forward Thomas Vanek. Both players are entering the final years of their contracts, leaving their futures uncertain in Buffalo. "Its incumbent upon me to have a sense of what the marketplace is or re-sign them, versus allowing them to become unrestricted and just have very good assets walk out the door," Regier said. "It would be fair to characterize that Im actively finding out what the marketplace is." ---- NOTES: After an up-and-down rookie season, C Mikhail Grigorenko can expect to play all of next year in Buffalo. Though the 2012 first-round draft pick is still eligible to play at the Canadian junior level, Regier said he intends to have Grigorenko develop with the Sabres. ... Regier said D Alexander Sulzer will become a free agent. ... The Sabres will hold a three-day rookie development camp in Buffalo next week. Tim Ream Jersey . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. Bobby Wood Jersey .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/tim-howard-usa-jersey/ .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Paul Arriola Jersey . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. Custom USA Soccer Jerseys . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games.Week seven yielded an important victory for Sky Sports reporter Richard Graves who edged out the Patriots UK fan base, to move to a 2-3-2 record. In week eight, Richard faces Matt Swain, who runs the UK Bills Backers Fan Club @BillsBackersUK. A win here would see him move to .500 for the season, primed for a second half play-off push. Richards 2016 Results Richard UK Fan Base Season Record v Jaguars 10-6 11-5 0-1 v Bengals 10-6 7-9 1-1 v Redskins 5-11 9-7 1-2 v Raiders 8-7 8-7 1-2-1 v Vikings 9-5 10-4 1-3-1 v Eagles 9-6 9-6 1-3-2 v Patriots 8-7 7-8 2-3-2 Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans (Friday, 12.30am Sky Sports 1) Richard: The Houston Texans are the only team in the AFC South with a winning record but theyve suffered three defeats themselves this season. Everyone else in the division has four, making this a hugely significant contest between the Jaguars and Titans.In their most recent meeting last season, Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles had a huge day - throwing a career high five touchdown passes, three of them to wide receiver Allen Robinson. The problem is, hes only thrown nine in six games total this season and not one in the first half of a game this year. The slow starts are piling the pressure on the Jaguars young but talented defence and its pressure their inexperienced unit is struggling to overcome. DeMarco Murray could be the key to victory for the Titans against division rival Jacksonville Jaguars The Titans are also struggling to learn how to win but the positives are there. The running game is the strength of this team with DeMarco Murray looking something like the version we saw in Dallas two years ago, and second year QB Marcus Mariota appears to be slowly growing into his role. He enjoyed success against the Jaguars last year, throwing three touchdown passes and running in an 87 yard score when they last met.With Jaguars defensive tackle Roy Miller out for the season with an achilles injury, the running defence will be an area of concern for Jacksonville and it could prove to be the deciding factor in this game. Until the Jaguars overcome this years offensive woes, its becoming difficult to back hem with any confidence. TitansBills Backers: I see this as a close match up with it being a possibly one score game at the end. I can see the Titans taking this one, basing their game around the number two ranked rushing offence. TitansWashington Redskins @ Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1:00pm Sky Sports 3)Richard: The final International Series game of 2016 takes place at Wembley but it likely takes place without top cornerback Josh Norman after he suffered a concussion in the Redskins defeat to Detroit last week, and that could have a huge influence on this game. That in itself will give Washington a huge problem when it comes to covering star receiver A.J Green. When he plays well, the Bengals tend to win. He tormented the Cleveland Browns last weekend, making stunning catches and finishing with 169 receiving yards and a touchdown. A.J Green had another big week against Cleveland, can he impress in London on Sunday? Despite a shaky start to the season, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins has played well in the last five weeks. Last weekends loss to the Lions snapped a four game winning streak. In that time, Cousins has a passer rating of 99.2 and wide receiver Jamison Crowder is fast becoming one of the his biggest weapons - he now has three receiving touchdowns this year, as well as a punt returned for a score.The problem is, the Redskins are erratic - often getting into good field position before being the architects of their own downfall. In Detroit it was running back Matt Jones losing fumbles which left them chasing the game, and Cousins has also been guilty of turning the ball over. Kirk Cousins and the Redskins will hope for a bounce back victory this weekend at Wembley Man for man, the Bengals are the more talented team and theyre the more consistent performers. By the time they leave Wembley on Sunday, expect both teams to have a 4-4 record. BengalsBills Backers: I think that the Bengals will come out on top here. They have had a mixed season, but quarterback Andy Dalton will always have Green and Jeremy Hill to sweep their way to victory. If the Bengals defence can get pressure to Cousins and put him off his stride, Cincinnati should leave London with the win. BengalsNew England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 4:45pm Sky Sports 3)Richard: The Patriots were playing pretty weak in September without Tom Brady. Now hes back, theyre almost irresistible and they have a point to prove going into this game. Its only a month ago the Bills went into Gillette Stadium and kept New England off the scoreboard - that wont happen this weekend. The Bills are still reeling from a humiliating defeat in Miami when their defence was torn apart by Jay Ajayi, who ran for more than 200 yards on his own. Adding to Buffalos woes, their own running back LeSean McCoy aggravated a hamstring injury and he must now be a serious doubt for this game. Throw into the equation injuries to receivers Marquise Goodwin and Robert Woods last Sunday as well - not to mention the long term absence of Sammy Watkins and you begin to wonder where the Bills offence will come from. PatriotsBills Backers: My heart says the Bills will clean sweep the Pats, something that has not happened since 1999, but with question marks over McCoy and the depleted receiving core it will be a struggle on offence. Not to mention Brady is back and hasnt shown signs of any rust. It pains me to say it but I think the Patriots will get their revenge this weekend. Patriots Tom Brady is yet to lose a game since returning from his four game suspension Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 8:15pm Sky Sports 3)Richard: Victory over NFC North rivals the Chicago Bears was as welcome for the Green Bay Packers as defeat was a surprise for the Atlanta Falcons at home to the San Diego Chargers last week. The Falcons remain the leaders of the NFC South with a 4-3 record fuelled by the number one ranked offence, leading the league in scoring with 32 points per game. For Green Bays injury depleted secondary, this match up poses a tough test trying to keep super star receiver Julio Jones quiet, while keeping the dual threat of Devonta Freeman and Telvin Coleman in check. While they may not be openly discussing it, the form of quarterback Aaron Rodgers has also been a cause for concern in Green Bay this season. He hasnt beeen his usual clinical, accurate self and thats borne out by a relatively meagre 62.dddddddddddd4% completion rate. Injuries to Eddie Lacy and James Starks have weakened their rushing attack and that has only serves to increase the weight of expectation on Rodgers. When these teams last met two years ago, it was a high scoring affair with the Packers coming out on top, 43-37. Expect plenty of points again, only this time a different outcome. Falcons NFL Wembley: Ways to watch Keep up to date with all of Sundays action on Sky Sports Bills Backers: Stopping the Falcons offence is easier said than done, and it will be a difficult task for Green Bay to emulate the performance of Seattle two weeks ago.Without Lacy and possibly Starks, it will fall on Rodgers to have a big game, with the Falcons giving up an average of 300 yards to opposition quarterbacks. This will be a tough and close game, but my feeling is the balanced and potent Falcons offence will see them home. FalconsPhiladelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (Monday, 12:20am Sky Sports 3)Richard: Who would have thought at the outset of training camp that this week eight match up would be between Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz? Not only that, but who would have then predicted that with those two QBs, this would be a game for the division lead? Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has impressed in the first half of his rookie year The Eagles were able to conquer the last remaining undefeated record when they overcame the Minnesota Vikings last weekend and once again their defence played a starring role. Only the Vikings and Seahawks have conceded fewer than the Eagles 88 points this season, and their +6 turnover differential is the 5th best in the league. The Cowboys own defence has surprised many this season. Expected to be one of the worst in the league, its currently ranked 7th in points allowed (17.8 per game) and in turnover differential (+4) but its their offence which is the strength of the team. Rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott is the NFLs leading rusher with 703 yards, while Dak Prescott continues to improve every week. The Cowboys are riding a five game winning streak behind a dominant offensive line and unless the Eagles can find a way to beat Dallas in the trenches, its difficult to see that winning streak ending in Philadelphia. CowboysBills Backers: What a combination the Cowboys have at QB/RB in Prescott and Elliot, who have been a breath of fresh air for the franchise. In a battle of the two rookie passers, look for Dak to come out victorious, and Elliott to put the exclamation mark on the game. Cowboys Dak Prescott will continue to start for the Dallas Cowboys after their bye in week seven Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears (Tuesday, 12:15am Sky Sports 1)Richard: Not for the first time this season the Vikings are being asked to respond to adversity. They overcame the loss of QB Teddy Bridgewater a week before the season kicked off. They overcame the loss of star running back Adrian Peterson in week two. Now well see how they respond to their first defeat of the season after an anaemic offensive performance against the Eagles. Jay Cutler returns from injury to lead the Bears against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night Chicago have plenty of their own issues to deal with. Bryan Hoyer looked a lock to keep the starting QB job until he broke his arm in the loss to Green Bay so its time to welcome back Jay Cutler. However making a return against the leagues top ranked defence is a tall order. For that reason alone, Minnesotas poor offensive performance last week is not a real concern in this game. As hes done all season, quarterback Sam Bradford just needs to efficiently manage this unit while the Vikings defence will get opportunities to turn the game in Minnesotas favour. VikingsBills Backers: Chicago cant buy a win at this moment in time, and this week face a Vikings team who are looking to take make a statement after their loss the Eagles last week. I cant see the Bears getting a win, even with home advantage, and the Vikings will continue to lead the NFC North. VikingsTie-breaker! For the first time, our two teams have predicted the same results so it comes down to a final pick! Richard believes there will be five touchdowns in the game at Wembley, whereas the Bills Backers have gone for six.You can watch all the NFL action, plus Englands tour of Bangladesh and the Mexican Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price! NFL Predictions - Week Eight Richard Bills Backers Jaguars @ Titans Titans Titans Redskins @ Bengals Bengals Bengals Patriots @ Bills Patriots Patriots Cardinals @ Panthers Cardinals Cardinals Lions @ Texans Lions Lions Seahawks @ Saints Seahawks Seahawks Chiefs @ Colts Chiefs Chiefs Jets @ Browns Jets Jets Raiders @ Buccaneers Raiders Raiders Packers @ Falcons Falcons Falcons Chargers @ Broncos Broncos Broncos Eagles @ Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Vikings @ Bears Vikings Vikings Tie-Breaker Five Touchdowns Six Touchdowns Also See: Giants release Josh Brown Who is Jay Ajayi? WATCH: Sunday Blitz NFL Fantasy: Week Eight ' ' '