NEWS » r Will Fuller (knee), run-stuffing nose t

DETROIT -- When the Detroit Tigers spent millions last offseason to sign Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton, it appeared they extended their window of opportunity to challenge for a championship for another couple of years.One of those chances went by the wayside in 2016.The Tigers were eliminated from the AL wild-card race on the final day of the season, missing the playoffs for a second straight year. It was a bitter disappointment for a team that came into 2016 with a payroll around $200 million and a roster still built around Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander -- two stars who had very productive seasons but are now in their mid-30s.A lot of hard work for naught, Verlander said. You cant say a wasted year because we battled and we gave it everything we had. ... Still, all the hard work in the offseason, all the hard work during the season, and then it comes to an end on the last day. Its tough.Detroits 86-75 record was a 12-game improvement over 2015. The Tigers have not made any announcement about the future of manager Brad Ausmus, but general manager Al Avila can keep the roster largely intact if he wants to. Its not until after the 2017 season that Detroit could face substantial losses in free agency.Here are a few things to know heading into the offseason:YOUNG ARMSWhen the Tigers acquired Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd last year in trades for Yoenis Cespedes and David Price, Detroit hoped those three could provide young, cost-controlled pitching in the seasons to come. The Tigers reaped the rewards of those deals even earlier than expected.Fulmer went 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts. Norris wasnt healthy enough to make that kind of impact, but he was 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA and averaged more than a strikeout per inning. Boyd was 6-5 with a 4.53 ERA.Those three pitchers are perhaps the biggest reason Detroit was able to stay in the postseason race all the way until the end.WILL BRAD BE BACK?The Tigers are 250-234 in three seasons under Ausmus, and theyve finished first, last and now second in the AL Central on his watch. Ausmus did not want to speculate about whether hed be back next year.If Al thinks he would rather have someone else, I would respect his decision, Ausmus said. If Al would like me to do it, I would love to do it.FEAST OR FAMINEZimmermann and Upton, the two big free agents who joined the Tigers last offseason, went through their share of frustration. Zimmermann was 5-0 with a 0.55 ERA in April, but his season ended up being ruined by neck problems, and he finished with an ERA of 4.87.Upton hit 31 home runs, 18 after Aug. 20.COMING AND GOINGDetroit infielders Erick Aybar and Casey McGehee and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia can become free agents, and the Tigers have team options for next season on outfielder Cameron Maybin and closer Francisco Rodriguez.Detroit can keep all its biggest stars for 2017, but after that, Upton and J.D. Martinez can become free agents.STAYING HEALTHYThe Tigers had their share of injury problems this year, but they had to be encouraged by Cabrera and Verlander, both of whom were able to stay healthy. Victor Martinez also was available to play in 154 games and hit 27 home runs after managing just 11 the previous season.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtristerAir Max 95 Neon . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Nike City Loop . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. http://www.nikeoffwhite.it/nike-air-max-270.html . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. Air Max 95 Og . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay. Nike Off White Italia . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Brock Osweiler threw two touchdown passes, Kareem Jackson returned an interception 42 yards for a score and the Houston Texans handed the Jacksonville Jaguars another home loss, 24-13 Sunday.The Texans (6-3) scored on offense and defense and set up another score with special teams, a complete team effort that led to their first road win of the season and kept them perfect (3-0) against the AFC South. They won their fifth in a row against Jacksonville.The Jaguars (2-7) lost their fourth straight and fell to 0-4 at home. Coach Gus Bradleys team rallied late, with Blake Bortles hitting Allen Robinson for a touchdown and again for a 2-point conversion.But the Texans converted a third-and-5 play with 2 minutes to play, essentially ending the game. It dropped Bradleys record to 14-43 in four seasons and prompted even the most loyal supporters to question why owner Shad Khan hasnt made a change.Houston had been downright dismal on the road this season, scoring just one touchdown in lopsided losses at New England, Minnesota and Denver. The Texans found Jacksonville to be much more hospitable, especially on the opening drive.On the fifth play of the game, Jackson stepped in front of Allen Hurns, tipped the ball up, bobbled it, secured it and sauntered down the sideline before juking Bortles and high-stepping into the end zone.Osweiler made it 14-7 later in the first quarter with a 1-yard pass to wide-open tight end Ryan Griffin. Punt returner Tyler Ervin did most of the work on Houstons third touchdown, weaving his way for 57 yards and setting the Texans up at the 7-yard line. Osweiler hooked up with Stephen Anderson on the next play.Nick Novak, who missed two field goals earlier in the game, connected on a 51-yarder with 8::32 remaining that gave Houston some breathing room.ddddddddddddThe Jaguars struggled to move the ball consistently all afternoon and added to their lowlight reel in the second quarter when Bortles did the most Bortles thing of his career.Under heavy pressure and trying to ground the ball near tightly covered running back T.J. Yeldon, Bortles hit Yeldon in the foot. The ball bounced up and landed in linebacker Whitney Mercilus hands for an interception. It was Bortles second pick of the day and his sixth in the last five games.MISSING MENEven though it came against dysfunctional Jacksonville, Houstons victory was somewhat impressive considering how many key players the team was without.Starting receiver Will Fuller (knee), run-stuffing nose tackle Vince Wilfork (groin) and cornerback A.J. Bouye (ankle) were inactive. So was fellow receiver Jaelen Strong, leaving the Texans with just three healthy wideouts (DeAndre Hopkins, Braxton Miller and Keith Mumphrey). Houston turned to its tight ends for help.DROUGHT CONTINUESThe Jaguars failed once again to score a touchdown on their opening possession, extending the NFLs longest current TD drought to open games.Jacksonvilles streak is now at 23 games after Bortles interception. The Jaguars havent found the end zone on their opening drive since Week 2 of the 2015 season against Miami. Since then, they have 17 punts, three field goals and three turnovers -- all interceptions this season -- in their initial possessions. Bortles also threw opening-drive picks against Green Bay and Chicago.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '