MEXICO CITY -- Mexican fans welcomed the NFL in raucous fashion, and it probably wont be the last time Azteca Stadium hosts American futbol.Next time, however, theyll try to ban laser pointers.Nearly 80,000 fans came to see the Raiders defeat the Houston Texans in a 27-20 win Monday night in what felt like a Raiders home game.The crowd harassed the Texans and supported the Raiders , one of the most popular NFL teams in Mexico.The success of the game and the full weekend of events could entice the league to bring more games to the Mexican capital.WILD FANSThe NFL says 76,473 fans were at the game, and the atmosphere was very different from the more neutral crowd for games in London. Thousands of other football fans attended a weekend-long fan fest.Although many wore silver and black, it was clear that the Cowboys, Texans, Steelers and Broncos also have fans south of the border.Besides the game, we had an excellent trip here, great experience for our players. Unbelievable crowd. Just a really cool atmosphere for both teams, Texans coach Bill OBrien said. It was a great trip as far as thats concerned.Before the game, there was concern that Mexican fans could boo the U.S. national anthem because of the political tension since Donald Trump was elected president, but the crowd did not .A SOCCER CROWDThe fans behavior was similar to the atmosphere when the Mexican national team or local club America play their soccer matches in Azteca Stadium.I was able to play at Wembley Stadium in my rookie year, and then being able to play here, I mean it was amazing, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said. Theres so much history and so much rowdiness. I love soccer, so it gave me kind of a soccer feel.Throughout the game, the crowd chanted a gay slur that is common in soccer matches when the opposing goalkeeper clears the ball.This year, FIFA has fined Mexico three times for the chant. The NFL did not comment about the slur.Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler was targeted by a green laser on several plays, something that is common against visiting soccer teams playing at Azteca.Certainly, having a laser zoomed in on your eyeball definitely affects how you play, Osweiler said.THE MEXICO RAIDERS?The Raiders are exploring a move to Las Vegas, but in the meantime, they could consider another trip back to Mexico, where they clearly have a devoted fan base.According to the NFL office in Mexico, the Raiders are the fifth-most popular team in the country. They were clearly more popular Monday night than the Texans.Yon de Luisa, sporting vice president of the Televisa media company which owns Azteca Stadium, has said the deal with the NFL could include two future games in the venue.THE AZTECA RENOVATIONSAzteca Stadium, famous for hosting two World Cup finals, was renovated with a $12 million investment for its 50th anniversary and to celebrate club Americas 100th year. As part of the deal to bring the NFL back, Televisa had to comply with several upgrade requests by the league.Azteca built new football-only locker rooms, installed new seats and boxes that reduced its capacity from over 100,000, and added a new wireless internet network. The stadium still needs major renovations in other areas: the parking lot is insufficient, there are no escalators and the stadium lights and most of the ramps are 50 years old.ALTITUDEBefore the game, Mexico Citys altitude of 7,380 feet above sea level played was a cause for concern for both teams, who arrived a day earlier to avoid the effects as recommended by the NFL Mexico office.Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree had trouble breathing, and the Raiders called a timeout for their players to catch a break late in the game.I mean you talk about the elements is always a factor, but at the same time you talk about resiliency and the coaches having us prepared, Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack said. ... It was a weight that we could fight through and youve seen that throughout the finishing of the game and especially in the fourth quarter.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Freeman Williams Jersey . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Johnathan Motley Jersey . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. https://www.cheapclippersonline.com/ . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. Ivica Zubac Jersey . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. Ernie DiGregorio Jersey . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. DENVER -- The Dallas Mavericks handed the Denver Nuggets their most frustrating loss a week ago.While it hurt at the time, it might have been the turning point for Denvers still-young season. Since that 112-92 defeat in Dallas on Dec. 12, the Nuggets (11-16) won two straight while averaging 129.5 points a game.A return to full health is a big reason, and so is a change in the starting lineup. Coach Michael Malone moved Wilson Chandler into the power forward spot and shifted Nikola Jokic to center, bumping Jusuf Nurkic to the bench.The results are undeniable, although it is just two games into the new look.I like what I see, but Im by no means happy on the farm thinking weve got it all figured out, lets make reservations for the playoffs, Malone said after the Nuggets 127-114 win over the New York Knicks on Saturday. Its two games, its a small sample size, but I like what Ive seen.It is a big change from how he was feeling following the contest in Dallas last week. Losing by 20 to the Mavericks a few years ago was nothing to be angry about, but these Mavericks are in last place in the Western Conference. Denver wasnt competitive in the game.You can just throw this one out of the window, Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay said. We played horrible. Our defense wasnt there. ... Give them credit, though. They made a lot of shots. We got to let this one go and try to move forward in a positive way.For now, the problem seems to be solved. Denvers offense is moving the ball and hitting shots, and the defense is doing eenough to win.ddddddddddddThe wins have been few and far between for Dallas (7-20), in large part because of injuries. Dirk Nowitzki has played just five games this season because of a right Achilles strain. J.J. Berea (left calf strain) has played six games, and Andrew Bogut (right knee) has missed 11 games.The good news is Dallas may get all of them back by the start of 2017, which would make a big difference. The Mavericks have lost 11 games by 10 or fewer points, showing they are in games but dont have the weapons to close them out.Theres just stretches where we just cant score and we get in trouble, Nowitzki told The Dallas Morning News. I think our defense is solid. Once we get all our offensive weapons back, we should be fine.They were fine Sunday in a 99-79 win over the Sacramento Kings. Six Dallas players scored in double figures, with guard Devin Harris contributing 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists off the bench.Dallas will need that kind of production if it wants to beat the Nuggets for the second time in eight days. Denver is firing on all cylinders offensively, and with the points coming from everywhere, it is hard to pick one player to stop.Weve just got to keep this going, said Nuggets guard Gary Harris, who had 16 points against New York, his second game back from a foot injury. I like the energy were playing with on both ends of the floor. Were having fun. ' ' '