OWINGS MILLS Brian Burns Jersey , Md. (AP) — John Harbaugh was still fired up one day after the Baltimore Ravens finally ended a three-year NFL playoff drought.Over the course of this whirlwind season, Baltimore has gone from a team on the cusp of spiralling downward to one that poses a formidable challenge to any opponent.Baltimore clinched the AFC North title with a 26-24 over the visiting Cleveland Browns in the regular-season finale. The fourth-seeded Ravens (10-6) host the Los Angeles Chargers —a team they defeated 22-10 on Dec. 22 — on Sunday.“It was an amazing moment last night. It was incredible,” Harbaugh said at his Monday press conference. “It was one of those really meaningful moments that sports is all about, that football is all about. The whole feel for the place was just electric. . It was really something to remember, but now you move on. Now, you move on.”The trip to the playoffs is the culmination of an impressive turnaround for the franchise.The Ravens lost three straight games and were 4-5 entering their bye week. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco was dealing with an injured right hip and Harbaugh was asked about his own job security amid the team’s struggles.Rookie first-round pick Lamar Jackson was thrust into the starting lineup for the injured Flacco. Harbaugh and his staff completely overhauled the game plan on the fly to take advantage of Jackson’s ability to run the ball — a strategy supported by Baltimore’s top-ranked defense.“We love this kind of football. It’s ground and pound, smash-mouth football,” offensive lineman Marshal Yanda said “We get stronger as the game gets longer, and we relish that.”The offense thrived under Jackson and the Ravens won six of their final seven games. The former Heisman Trophy winner finished the season with 695 yards rushing http://www.panthersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-greg-little-jersey , the most for any quarterback. He is also the first rookie quarterback to win the AFC North since Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.“I feel like our team just woke up, got hungry,” Jackson said. “We knew what we were fighting for. The guys that haven’t been there in awhile, they’re AFC North Champs. Our defense, our offense, everyone just joined together, and we just kept working day in and day out, practices. We’re just trying to grind. It’s showing out on the field.”Overall, the Ravens rushed for 2 Will Grier Jersey ,441 yards — the second most in franchise single-season history. Baltimore also owns the league’s No. 1 defense and enters the postseason as one of the league’s most dangerous teams.“We’re extremely confident. I think this team is built for playoff football, and I think we’re mentally tougher than anyone out there, with what we’ve been through,” safety Eric Weddle said. “Not just this season, but past seasons.“I feel like we can go into any situation and battle our tails off and have a chance to win. This group is a special group, we play for each other. We play for our coaches and our coaches play for us. We win as a team and lose as a team, and when you have that bond, anything is possible.” In the midst of a difficult season, the Kansas City Royals got a needed spark Friday night from one of their newest additions.

Rookie Rosell Herrera kept the game scoreless with a home-run robbery in the eighth inning and hit an RBI triple in the ninth http://www.panthersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-christian-miller-jersey , and struggling Kansas City beat the Houston Astros 1-0.

Herrera helped the Royals end a nine-game skid by bringing back Alex Bregman’s would-be homer. The right fielder reached over the short outfield wall to snag the first out in the eighth.

”He’s athletic, he’s fast,” manager Ned Yost said. ”He seems to swing the bat OK from both sides. It’s only been a week. There’s a lot to like looking at him on a short look.”

Adalberto Mondesi singled off Ken Giles (0-2) to start the ninth, stole second and took third on a flyout by Whit Merrifield. Herrera then sent a ball to center field to score Mondesi.

Herrera also had a double and is batting .278 in five games since being cut by Cincinnati and acquired by the Royals.

”That was very fun, not only for me but for my teammates because we played really good defense today … and that’s why we made the right play at the right time and won the game,” Herrera said.

Danny Duffy pitched six innings of two-hit ball for the Royals, and the bullpen didn’t allow another knock. Justin Grimm (1-2) pitched a scoreless eighth and Tim Hill threw a perfect ninth for his first save.

When asked about his work Friday night, Duffy briefly discussed his outing before raving about Herrera.

”Rosie he’s a stud, man Jordan Scarlett Jersey ,” he said. ”I’m a big fan of that kid. If he keeps playing as hard as he does, he’s always going to have a spot in the big leagues. We love that here. I’m really happy for him. He had a fantastic game.”

Houston was shut out for the first time since May 11. They still had several opportunities to score because of seven walks but went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

”It’s unusual because we’ve been pretty good swinging the bat lately,” manager A.J. Hinch said. ”It seemed like every opportunity ended in a double play tonight.”

Houston starter Dallas Keuchel pitched six strong innings. He allowed six hits and struck out six, while Duffy fanned seven after being tagged for seven runs in six innings of a loss to the Astros on Saturday.

The Royals had just wrapped an 0-8 homestand and had lost 15 of 16.

Kevin McCarthy took over for Duffy in the seventh and issued consecutive walks to Evan Gattis and Marwin Gonzalez. Pinch-hitter Tony Kemp then grounded into a force out that left Gattis out at third. But the Astros loaded the bases when pinch-hitter Tyler White reached on a fielder’s choice.

Houston came away empty-handed when George Springer grounded into a double play.

Salvador Perez doubled with one out in the eighth and Houston intentionally walked Alex Gordon before Alcides Escobar drew a walk to load the bases. The game remained scoreless when Hector Rondon struck out Paulo Orlando to end the inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: Hinch said RHP Joe Smith (right elbow inflammation) is improving but still has several steps to go through before he’s ready to come off the disabled list.

STREAK ENDS

Escobar started in center field, snapping a streak of 407 straight starts at shortstop dating to Sept. 26, 2015. That streak was the longest in Royals history and the longest active streak in the majors. It’s the first time he’s played a position other than shortstop since he joined the Royals in 2011 and the sixth time in his career he’s played in the outfield, after appearing in five games there for the Brewers in 2010.

The Royals started Mondesi at shortstop instead. They have said Escobar will also see time at second and third base this season.

”I just think that the time was right,” Yost said. ”He knows that his next career move is probably going to be a utility-type player … and he’s anxious to start showing people that he can handle it.”

Escobar, who entered the game 2 for 28 David Montgomery Jersey , had two hits including a double.

”I thought (Escobar) looked good in center. He hits good as a center fielder,” Yost said with a laugh.

UP NEXT

Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. (8-3, 3.77 ERA) looks for his third straight win when as he opposes Ian Kennedy (1-7, 5.31) Saturday night. Kennedy hasn’t won in 13 starts, going 0-7 with a 6.12 ERA since his only win of the season on April 7.

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