A mid-season form slump saw plenty of questions raised about Brisbanes premiership credentials, those questions were answered in resounding fashion on Friday night.The Broncos 26-16 win over Melbourne at AAMI Park, off the back of a vital result against Canterbury the week before, showed that no matter where they finish on the NRL ladder, the Broncos will be a dangerous opponent come the playoffs.Brisbane got the better of Melbourne in the middle of the park behind the leadership and energy of milestone men Sam Thaiday (250th game) and Matt Gillett (150th game).Captain Corey Parker insisted the difference in the way the Broncos are playing is simply their improved execution.I think for us, it is just actions, said Parker.Thats what was missing, I suppose, six weeks ago.We werent putting those actions in place, thats where weve turned it around.Coach Wayne Bennett was clear in his feelings that recovering from the busy State of Origin period was the main reason for Brisbanes return to prominence.It all happened through the Origin period, said Bennett of his teams earlier form slump.You forget when you are finding fault with us and criticising us,, but on two occasions, they had to back-up three games in eight days.No club had more representatives in Origin than we did. It has a huge impact on your club.Melbourne captain Cameron Smith agreed that, having recovered from the effects of representative football, Brisbanes class was beginning to show.Oh yeah, theyve got a quality side. I know they went through a bit of a rough patch there through Origin, Smith said.Thats always going to take its toll on a team. But they all look quite refreshed now and they are all playing well. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Aj-Green-Jersey/ . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Geno-Atkins-Jersey/ . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Giovani-Bernard-Jersey/ .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Customized/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Jeremy-Hill-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. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady sat out his second straight preseason game, while the guy that will replace him at the start of the regular season continued to make progress.Brady did not go through pregame warmups Thursday night and never made it to the field for the New England Patriots 23-22 win over the Chicago Bears. He had been expected to make his debut after missing last weeks game to attend memorial services for a family member.Jimmy Garoppolo will start the first four games of the regular season while Brady serves his Deflategate suspension, and he made the most of the extra playing time.Asked about a report that Brady accidently cut his hand pregame, coach Bill Belichick said it was his call to only play Garoppolo and rookie Jacoby Brissett.I made the decision for him not to play tonight, Belichick said.Garoppolo threaded a 16-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to A.J. Derby late in the first half for his first TD pass of the preseason. He played the entire first half and one series in the second half, finishing 16 of 21 for 181 yards.Jay Cutler and Chicagos offense started the game with a lot more pep following an anemic effort in the opener last week.The Bears gained 78 yards of offense in the first half of their 22-0 loss to Denver last week. Chicago gained 59 yards in its first drive Thursday and surpassed last weeks total in its second possession.Cutler played three series, completing 8 of 12 passes for 83 yards. Jeremy Langford also had a nice game, rushing eight times for 55 yards and a touchdown.The Patriots are away for their final two preseason games, so Thursday marked Bradys last opportunity to play in Foxborough until at least Oct. 16. His four-game suspension ends Oct. 3, but New England plays at Cleveland on Oct. 9 in what is expected to be Bradys regular-season debut.ROOKIE WATCHBears: DL Jonathan Bullard, a third-round pick out of Florida, and Georgia first-rounder LB Leonard Floyd got together to corral Brissett for a sack late in the third quarter.Patriots CB Cyrus Jones continues to make a case for playing time in an already stacked New England secondary. He came away with his second turnover in two weeks, this time stepping in front of Bears backup quarterback Brian Hoyers first pass for an interception in the second quarter.dddddddddddd He had a fumble recovery last week.POSITION BATTLESBears: Though he never got a clean hit on a Patriots quarterback, Floyd did force some quick throws, and was one of the few positives for Chicagos reserves. ...TE Rob Housler showed off some speed with a 52-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter.Patriots: Tight end A.J. Derby may have put some distance between himself, Bear Pascoe and Clay Harbor in the competition for the third tight end spot. Derby was all over the field, catching six passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. WR Chris Hogan, an offseason free agent pickup, took off his noncontact jersey this week during practice and had a solid debut for the Patriots. He had four catches for 53 yards.INJURY UPDATEBears: CB Jacoby Glenn started in place of Kyle Fuller (sore knee), but left in the third quarter with a concussion. TE Zach Miller and WR Eddie Royal both sat out Thursdays game as they recover from concussions.Patriots: WR Julian Edelman was held out as he continues to take it easy after having a minor procedure this spring on his surgically repaired left foot. TE Rob Gronkowski, also sat out for the second consecutive game after leaving the first practice of the week early with an undisclosed issue. WR Malcolm Mitchell (left elbow) was also out.QUOTABLE:Bears: Coach John Fox on the offenses effort this week: We were disappointed in our performance last week. That was pretty well documented. And so guys get challenged. And they responded.Patriots: Belichick, on Garoppolo having to adjust after the decision not to play Brady: Sometimes things happen and they change. On offense quarterbacks refer to that as an audible.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightowerChina Womens NFL JerseysStitched NFL JerseysWholesale Throwback JerseysWholesale Authentic JerseysChina NFL GearCheap NFL JerseysCheap Jerseys WholesaleCheap NFL Black JerseysWholesale Stitched JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys OutletCheap NFL Autographed JerseysCheap Jerseys Free ShippingNFL Jerseys OutletWholesale Jerseys 2019China NFL Jerseys ' ' '