CHICAGO -- Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans were hoping the final five games would vault them to the top of the AFC South and into the playoffs.Theyre off to a good start.For that, they can thank one dropped pass in the end zone.Mariota threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns, and the Titans hung on to beat the depleted Chicago Bears 27-21 on Sunday.The Titans (6-6) gave their playoff hopes a boost, though they watched as Chicago (2-9) cut a 20-point lead to six in the fourth quarter.Matt Barkley, starting for the injured Jay Cutler, led the late surge. The Bears had a first down at the Tennessee 7 in the final minute when Josh Bellamy dropped a pass in the end zone . Barkleys next three attempts fell incomplete, preserving the win for Tennessee.Im beating myself up because I expect more out of myself, Bellamy said.The Titans moved one-half game out of first place in the AFC South when Houston lost to San Diego.Thats all you want, Mariota said. You want an opportunity this time of the year to get a chance to (win) a division title and maybe make a run at the playoffs. Thats all you can really ask for.Mariota, putting together one of the best seasons ever by a Titans quarterback, came through with another solid performance. The second-year pro completed 15 of 23 passes and threw for multiple touchdowns in his eighth straight game.Rishard Matthews added 64 yards receiving, including a diving touchdown grab near the end of the first half. Delanie Walker had three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown, and the Titans headed into their bye on a winning note after losing at Indianapolis last week.With Cutler nursing a right shoulder injury, the Bears were forced to give Barkley his first career start. The former Southern California star struggled before coming on strong down the stretch, going 28 for 54 for 316 yards with the first three touchdowns of his career and two interceptions.Even though we lost, its encouraging at the same time to see how these guys fought and how they really banded together to play for each other, Barkley said. It was cool to see. So I think just moving on from here, knowing that we can win, that we have guys on the team that can win games, just making sure that we dont shoot ourselves in the foot. I think thats the goal from here on out.Barkley got picked off by Wesley Woodyard with the ball on the Tennessee 16 in the second quarter, and he was intercepted in the end zone by DaNorris Searcy early in the third.He did, however, throw a 6-yard touchdown to Deonte Thompson with just over three minutes left to cut it to 27-21. The Bears got the ball back on their 35 with 1:56 remaining after the Titans went three-and-out. But they couldnt complete the comeback.It was quite a ride, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said. Like I said, a lot of these games are like a whitewater.FOR STARTERSBarkley, who came in with six career interceptions, threw his first touchdown as a pro when he hit Daniel Brown for a 7-yarder for a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.But it was all Titans the rest of the half.They scored touchdowns on their next two possessions, with Derrick Henry turning the left corner for an 11-yard run and Mariota hitting Walker with a 4-yard pass .The Bears then had a big opportunity after the Titans LeShaun Sims got called for a 45-yard pass-interference penalty. But with the ball on the 16, Woodyard picked off a pass Barkley tried to squeeze to Ben Braunecker .Matthews made it a 14-point game with a spectacular touchdown catch near the end of the half. With his back to the quarterback, he sprawled out to haul in a 29-yard pass in the end zone.INJURY UPDATE:Titans: DT Jurrell Casey sprained his foot and was to have tests in Nashville. ... CB Jason McCourty exited because of a bruised knee.Bears: LB Danny Trevathan exited with a right knee injury that coach John Fox said was serious.INACTIVEBesides Cutler, the Bears also held out LB Leonard Floyd (concussion) and G Josh Sitton (ankle). WR Alshon Jeffery served the second game of a four-game suspension for violating the NFLs policy on performance enhancers, while LB Jerrell Freeman served his first game after being suspended on Monday.UP NEXTTitans: Have a bye next week, then host Denver on Dec. 11.Bears: Host San Francisco on Sunday.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Matt Szymanski Jersey Retro . 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NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. Bryce Callahan Jersey Retro . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday.With Leicester leading the way in the Premier League title race, a place in history awaits. Where would this rank among England’s most unlikely champions? Perhaps there’s a lesson from history here… The last time the East Midlands provided the winner of the English title came in 1978 when newly-promoted Nottingham Forest defied the odds, and reigning European champions Liverpool, to lift the trophy.In fact, there are plenty of reasons, other than mere geography, why the achievements of Brian Cloughs team could offer inspiration to the Foxes as the title battle intensifies... Could Claudio Ranieris Leicester emulate the success of Brian Cloughs Forest? The main menClough and Claudio Ranieri arent obvious kindred spirits, but that doesnt mean they dont have similarities. Even so, one suspects theyd prefer to think of themselves as one-offs.I cant change now, Ranieri once said. Im like Frank Sinatra - I always do it my way. Cloughs take on the iconic singer was slightly different. Ah yes, Frank Sinatra. He met me once, you know? Clough was famous for his quick-witted quotes during his career And yet, the image of Clough as an intimidating individual, in stark contrast to Ranieris gregarious character, is not quite so simple. Both men proved capable of inspiring loyalty and affection.Jonny Owen, director of I Believe in Miracles, the film charting Forests hitherto unprecedented achievement points out that the notion players were scared stiff of Clough is misguided.They all say two things that are really interesting, Owen told Sky Sports. First, theres no doubt he liked a pint, but as Frank Clark said, they never saw him drunk - they all say that. Just some of Cloughs famous quotes that have entered into folklore The second thing was this, he was always funny, he was always a laugh. Nobody was scared of him. Like John Robertson said to me, You cant go on the pitch scared, you cant do that, its impossible.On that pitch, both managers have been happy making tactical tweaks - Ranieri is known as the Tinkerman, after all - but neither has been keen to talk up that side of the game too much.Players lose you games, not tactics, Clough once said. Theres so much **** talked about tactics by people who barely know how to win at dominoes. Ranieri was quick to play down the significance of Leicesters weekend win His famous claim that if God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, hed have put grass up there might not tally with Leicesters willingness to mix things up but Clough was a pragmatist, too.In fact, one senses Old Big Head might well approve. As he once said of Martin ONeills efforts for the club, Anybody who can do anything in Leicester but make a jumper has got to be a genius.Behind the scenesSpeaking of genius, there was plenty of it in Cloughs back-room team. Although, thats a term that doesnt really do justice to his long-time assistant manager Peter Taylor. Theirs was a partnership.As Clough put it himself, I am the shop front, he is the goods at the back, and Taylors take on players was trusted implicitly. Together they played the transfer market like nobody else.Ahead of the 1977/78 season, Forest signed Kenny Burns from Birmingham when no club would touch him, according to Taylor, with the help of some espionage.Burns, who had a reputation for numerous vices, was tracked to Perry Barr dog track. Taylor, dressed in a flat cap and dark glasses, monitored his habits and was satisfied he could cope. Peter Taylor, pictured alongside Clough, was a huge part of Forests success Signing undervalued players was Taylors forte. He would seek an advantage anywhere he could find it. Leicester have a different approach but the same principles apply. Its all about getting the edge.Steve Walsh, Leicesters head of recruitment, performs the Taylor role at Leicester. He was the one who sidled up to Ranieri in the summer to tell him about NGolo Kante.He pushed me when I arrived here in June, and then in July, admitted Ranieri. He said Kante, Claudio, Kante. He was determined to sign him more than I was. Steve Walsh, pictured sat next to Jamie Vardy, has been a pivotal figure It seems that Walsh recognised his importance for the same reason that Taylor wanted to take Archie Gemmill to Forest in 1977. We needed his dynamism, Taylor later argued.Walsh noted the stats that revealed Kante made the most tackles and the most ball recoveries of any player in Ligue 1 last season.The same technical department had previously unearthed Riyad Mahrez in Frances second division and signed Marc Albrighton, in part on the basis of his chances created per minute at Aston Villa.But its the signing of Jamie Vardy that really captured the imagination. There was little luck involved as Walsh had followed his progress since his non-league days with Stocksbridge Park Steels.Just as Taylor had kept tabs on Long Eatons Garry Birtles, who would go on to play a key role in Forests subsequent European Cup win, Walsh tracked his man and eventually made the move.We showed him all the scouting reports and footagge of what we knew about him, that it wasnt a punt in the dark, said Walsh.dddddddddddd We believed he would be the player who made the difference.The defensive spineVardy might prove to be that difference maker but, as the forward himself acknowledges, its a team effort and like many good teams, these two were both built from the back.As well as Burns, Forest had already recruited Larry Lloyd as his centre-back partner. Signed from Coventry, Lloyd was no rookie and turned 29 during Forests title-winning campaign. Ex-Leicester man Matt Elliott explains just why he thinks theyll upset the odds He was 62 tall with a temper to match, according to Taylor, and when goalkeeper Peter Shilton was added to the team, Forest had a formidable defensive spine.Thats just how Clough liked it. I long ago realised the futility of scoring goals at one end, while letting them in at the other, he reasoned. Leicester like Forest? Peter Shilton compares the teams Ranieris fondness for defensive resolve wasnt immediately obvious at the start of the season when he was offering free pizza to his players in the hope of inspiring a shut-out.But having conceded only three goals in seven games since Christmas, Leicester have become far meaner. I am Italian, we like clean sheets, said Ranieri. Every time we concede a goal it hurts us. Wes Morgan played for Forest before enjoying success at Leicester With two experienced centre-backs in Wes Morgan and Robert Huth, as well as a quality goalkeeper in Kasper Schmeichel, the Foxes boast an uncompromising back-line.Shilton has noted the similarities. I do see parallels, said the 125-times capped England goalkeeper. Theyve got a great spine to the team, which is what we had at Forest.The two centre halves are big imposing figures who dont mess around and know how to put a tackle in, just like we had with Larry Lloyd and Kenny Burns. Leicesters Riyad Mahrez is the go-to man much like John Robertson was for Forest Wizards on the wingEvery team needs a bit of magic and Mahrez has been doing it for Leicester all season. With 14 goals and 10 assists, nobody has contributed directly to more Premier League goals this season.A £400,000 signing from the French second division in 2014, Mahrezs rise has been swift and hes now among the most sought-after players around.Riyad Mahrez has come from nowhere, added Shilton, a bit like John Robertson did for us. Hes that sort of tricky winger that defenders hated playing against. Riyad Mahrez has come from nowhere, a bit like John Robertson did for us. Hes that sort of tricky winger that defenders hated playing against. Peter Shilton Forest skipper John McGovern described Robertson as Ryan Giggs with two good feet, not one and with 12 league goals that season, he was the teams joint-top scorer in 1977/78.When people ask me who was the best player I played with, I dont even hesitate, Lloyd told Sky Sports. He was a magician, whenever we were in trouble at the back my outlet was John Robertson.Give him the ball and hell give us a rest or he might create something. He was our main man to get us out of trouble. Leicester players might well feel the same way about Mahrez. John Dillon of the Evening Standard feels there is substance to Leicesters title bid Will it have the same ending?Forest pulled away from Everton in the spring and eventually finished seven points clear of second-placed Liverpool. They drew six of their final eight games but had gone unbeaten since November.Leicester must fend off the challenges of Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham if they are to complete one of the most astonishing accomplishments in the history of English football.Its a huge task. But as the pressure mounts, perhaps Ranieris team can draw inspiration from what was achieved by their East Midlands rivals up the M1. Nottingham Forest went on to win the European Cup in 1979 and 1980 Also See: This time last year... First-time title winners ' ' '