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RIO DE JANEIRO -- Alison and Bruno stood on the top step of the Olympic podium, holding back tears as the booming voices of the Carioca singing the Brazilian national anthem rose above the waves crashing against Copacabana beach.In front of our people. In the best spot for this sport, Bruno said after the reigning world champions beat Italy in straight sets in the beach volleyball gold medal match on Thursday night. This is a magical feeling.In a temporary stadium erected on the sports spiritual home, during a steady rain that only served to help the 6-foot-8 Alison jump even higher, the Brazilians rallied from deficits in both sets to beat Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai 21-19, 21-17.The victory sparked a lively -- but somewhat drenched -- party one night after losses in the womens bronze- and gold-medal matches left the hosts with just two total medals at the Rio Games in a sport they love and were expected to dominate.Its like a dream realized. I cant believe it, said Alison, who lost in the gold medal match in London. Its amazing. I dont have the words.The Netherlands beat Russia earlier Thursday in a bronze-medal match that was subdued after two weeks of singing and samba dancing in the 12,000-seat venue. But when the time came for the main event, the stands filled and the anticipation built.Italy opened a 5-1 lead but the hosts came back to win the first set. In the second, Brazil trailed by three before scoring 11 of the next 15 points to take a 19-15 lead.Alison delivered his sixth block on the game-winner, knocking it off Lupo for what the referee ruled was a double-touch. The Italians questioned the call, but by the time the score hit the scoreboard the Brazilian athletes were already in the stands.We tried everything to win the game, Nicolai said. They were the best, for sure.Some fans covered their heads with the ever-present green and yellow flags in an attempt to stay dry. Others wore ponchos and waved their flags and celebrate each point scored by the locals.As he has throughout the tournament, Alison egged on the crowd, pointing to his ear to encourage fans to yell louder after the Brazilians rallied from the early deficit.The victory helped salvage what had been a bit of a disappointment for the Brazilian beach volleyball teams, who stepped onto their home sand with the top two womens seeds and two of the top four on the mens side.Pedro and Evandro failed to make it out of the round of 16, and the top-seeded womens teams collected only a silver medal.Even with Italys loss, it was cause for celebration in Europe.No European country had ever won a medal in womens beach volleyball -- or even reached the final four -- before Germany beat one Brazilian team in the semifinal and another in the championship to claim the gold.With the Dutch bronze and Italian silver on the mens side, the three medals were an Olympic high for the continent. Heading into the Rio Games, the sport had been dominated by Brazilians and Americans, who combined to win 20 of a possible 30 medals.I dont think we have to talk about it being the Brazilians and the Americans anymore, said Alexander Brouwer after he joined with Robert Meeuwsen to win 23-21, 22-20 and earn the Netherlands first beach medal.Of course, its where the sport was invented, he said. But if you talk about it now, we are on an even level.Rob Gronkowski Youth Jersey .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. Custom New England Patriots Jerseys . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. 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LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string.INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen embraces Sundays game against Houston.Yes, he and his teammates realize the winner takes control of the AFC South and has the inside track to the playoffs. He also knows the loser could spend the rest of the season playing catch-up.To Allen, this is football at its finest.A lot of people came up to me before the Monday night game and asked me if it was exciting to play on `Monday Night Football. Its an exciting stage to be on, but its just another game, he said.Now this game, its exciting. Its like (receiver) T.Y. Hilton said, its a Game 7 atmosphere. You win this one, you take first place and you control your destiny so to speak.While the Colts and Texans are tied with Tennessee (6-6) for the division lead, nobody understands the significance of these late-season matchups better than Indy and Houston.Each of the past four years, the winner of the mid-December game won the AFC South title.Because of the tiebreakers, it could be more of the same this season. Indy has already swept the Titans, Houston won Round 1 with Tennessee and the Texans used a frenetic comeback to beat the Colts in overtime in October.So although this may be the next chapter in a growing rivalry, the players on both teams acknowledge this week will have a different atmosphere.It certainly feels like a playoff game. I know personally our football team knows how important this game is, said Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler, who played on Denvers Super Bowl-winning team last season.We know that its a must-win game if we want to accomplish the goals that we set out.But the Colts may actually have more at stake.Theyve been chasing everyone since starting 0-2 and finally got back into contention by winning three of their past four.If they intend to stay in the playoff hunt, they cant afford to get swept by the Texans and cede the head-to-head tiebreaker, especially against a team that has lost three in a row.We know how big of a test this Houston game is, said Andrew Luck, who attended high school in Houston.We know how stingy of a defense, I think they are top five in the league, No. 1 against the run annd at least the last four weeks have been playing really good football.ddddddddddddWe will have our hands full.Here are some other things to watch Sunday:THE HILTON EFFECT: Hiltons success always seems to be a big factor in these games. In his first five games against Houston, Hilton had 31 catches for 611 yards and six TDs. In the past four, his numbers dropped to 15 receptions, 216 yards and no TDs.In 2016, Hilton is having the best season of his career and leads the AFC with 1,088 yards, but the Colts need him to revert to the early form he had against Houston.TAKING A PASS: Perhaps Osweiler hasnt had the kind of season the Texans anticipated. Hes thrown 14 TD passes and 13 interceptions, and the Texans are ranked No. 30 in yards passing and still dont have a 300-yard game.Perhaps facing a Colts secondary that has been battered most of this season will be the cure.THE INSIDERS: With inside linebacker DQwell Jackson suspended for the final four regular-season games for violating the NFLs performance-enhancing substance policy, the Colts need to replace their top tackler. Indys depth chart is short on experience. Edwin Jackson, who did not play in an NFL game until this season, and rookie Antonio Morrison will call signals.The other options are Josh McNary, who has played primarily on special teams; Deon King, who was claimed off waivers Nov. 15; and Luke Rhodes, who was promoted from the practice squad earlier this week.INJURY WATCH: Even the Texans arent sure which defensive players will be on the field. Former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney (elbow and wrist) missed Sundays game and, similar cornerback Jonathan Joseph (ribs) is considered day to day.Linebackers Brian Cushing (back and ankle) and Bernardrick McKinney (thigh), cornerback Kareem Jackson (hamstring) and nose tackle Vince Wilfork (groin) all were limited in practice earlier this week. Getting some or all of those players back would certainly help.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL . ' ' '