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This is a trip that could go a long way to define the season for the Carolina Panthers.The Oakland Raiders are hoping theyre recovered enough from their latest voyage to be able to continue their winning ways.The teams meet Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Were talking about recovering from the trip, Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. Its all about whats next for us and right now its the Carolina Panthers. ... Busy turning the page to the Carolina Panthers.The Raiders, who are the leaders in the AFC West, are coming off Monday nights victory against the Houston Texans in Mexico City.The Panthers have packed up for the long haul. Theyre staying on the West Coast after this game to take on the Seattle Seahawks the following week.It shapes up as a crucial time for the reigning NFC champions.Were going there for two reasons and two reasons only, Carolina head coach Ron Rivera said, offering a twist on the one-game-at-a-time mantra. Theyre both important. Each game has (its) own individual meaning.Rivera, though, said the focus is clearly on the Raiders as the Panthers (4-6) embark on this trip. Theyll practice at San Jose State in between the games.The Panthers are somewhat wounded, particularly with linebacker Luke Kuechly ruled out after entering the concussion protocol from the Nov. 17 game against New Orleans.Carolina was fortunate to have extra time to prepare because of that Thursday night game. The injury report grew considerably, especially with defensive end Mario Addison and center Ryan Kalil exiting and also ruled out.Hopefully they can come back and we can make a push, Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert said.The Panthers, whove won three of their past four games, are in a wait-and-see situation regarding the linebacking because Kuechlys normal backup is A.J. Klein, who missed the most recent game because of a concussion.The Raiders (8-2) appear in much better position, if nothing else theyre in a more enviable spot in the standings. But winning the division remains a priority and theres lots of work to be done regarding that mission.It still begins with winning the division, Del Rio said. Its the surest way to get a spot in that playoff tournament.With accolades and attention starting to fall on the Raiders, theyre intent on maintaining the right approach.You set goals and you want to reach certain things, quarterback Derek Carr said. Everybody expects great things and when good things come our way you have to know how to be humble.Anytime you have 10 games and you have eight wins, were thankful for that. If we dont win another one, its not going to mean anything. Our focus right now is on beating Carolina.Del Rio, who was the defensive coordinator for the Panthers in 2002, said the Raiders have developed good tendencies during their four-game winning streak. He said there are challenges the team must encounter in the aftermath of the out-of-country trip and dealing with a shortened week of preparation.The seasons foundation is something hes counting on.As you have success and build on that and have a reference point to go back on, Del Rio said. I think our guys have embraced the idea of competing for the full 60 minutes. Weve found ways to win, but it has been different ways each week.While Carr has become a focal point for Oaklands offense, the team has thrived on balance and versatility. Thats something the Raiders figure can work to their advantage.To know that we can win a football game either way, Carr said. We can run the football or throw the football. Either way, Im all for it as long as we keep on winning.The Panthers have been shoddy in converting scoring chances into touchdowns and quarterback Cam Newtons inconsistency has created concerns. Turnovers and red-zone shortcomings have been glaring at times.We will make plays and hopefully we will make enough to win football games, Rivera said.Rivera has put a positive spin on the trips potential even though it means facing a pair of divisional leaders in consecutive weeks. From an internal standpoint, there are gains to be made for the Panthers.Its an opportunity for those guys to do some bonding, Rivera said. Hopefully, it will be a good opportunity for our guys.This will be only the sixth meeting between the Panthers and Raiders, and the first in Oakland since 2008. The Panthers won the 2012 meeting to forge a 3-2 series lead. Paul George Shoes Deals .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Paul George Shoes For Sale .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. https://www.cheappaulgeorgeshoes.com/ . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. Cheap Paul George Shoes .J. -- Marshawn Lynch said Thursday it will be good to get back to football after the Seattle quiet talking running back wrapped up his final mandatory media session of Super Bowl week. Paul George Shoes From China .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. MEGEVE, France -- Take it from cycling great Eddy Merckx: nobody can beat Chris Froome in this Tour de France.Riding with the poise and purpose of the Tours undisputed leader, Froome won a mountain time trial in Stage 18 on Thursday and opened up a seemingly insurmountable lead of nearly four minutes over his closest challenger, Dutch rider Bauke Mollema.Only two Alpine stages remain before Sundays mostly ceremonial finish on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.He deserves his win. Hes the strongest, said Merckx, a five-time Tour winner. I cant see what could prevent him from keeping this yellow jersey until Paris. His opponents just stay on his teammates wheels. Barring an incident, nobody can beat him in this Tour.Riding in a yellow bodysuit and yellow aerodynamic helmet, Froome pumped his right fist after clocking slightly more than half an hour over the 17-kilometer (10.5-mile) route from Sallanches to the Megeve ski resort -- which featured majestic views of Mont Blanc.Froome finished 21 seconds ahead of Dutch rider Tom Dumoulin to take his second stage win of this years Tour.Thats a huge compliment coming from Eddy, Froome said. Obviously we feel like were in a bit of a bubble in the race here. But to have somebody like that give a compliment like that is a great honor.Froome increased his overall lead to 3 minutes, 52 seconds over Mollema, with Adam Yates of Britain third, 4:16 behind.Two-time runner-up Nairo Quintana stayed fourth but now trails by 4:37 after another difficult day for the Colombian.The main thing for me now is staying safe, Froome acknowledged. Obviously Ive got a fantastic advantage now. So now its about looking after that advantage and not taking any risks.Its not over until we cross that final finish line, but today is a huge boost of confidence, Froome added. I think over these next couple of days were going to see more of a race for podium spots.Froome stood only fifth at the first checkpoint, the top of the Cote de Domancy climb, but the British rider clearly saved energy for the second half of the stage, surging in front over the final kilometers.Frooome just showed he is the strongest, said Dumoulin, who rode 90 minutes before the race leader.ddddddddddddpanish Vuelta champion Fabio Aru of Italy finished third in the stage, 33 seconds behind.It was the Tours first mountain time trial since the 2004 race against the clock up lAlpe dHuez. Besides the flat opening four kilometers (2.5 miles) and a short descent at the finish, it was entirely uphill.Froomes other stage win this year came with an audacious downhill attack in Stage 8 in the Pyrenees. The Kenyan-born rider with Team Sky also won a time trial in the 2013 Tour, when he took his first overall victory.Having also won the Tour last year, Froome is on course for his third title in four years.Considering that most of the route was uphill, many riders used road bikes fitted with bars to lay their arms on for a more aerodynamic position.Froome was one of the few riders to use a full time trial setup with an aerodynamic rear disc wheel instead of traditional spokes.I think that was a big part of todays stage -- selecting the right equipment, Froome said. The other aspect of today was pacing. It was important not to go too fast too early.Fans lined the major climb of the route, the Cote de Domancy, getting up close to the riders to shout encouragement -- with glaciers and snowcapped mountains in the distance.Stage 19 on Friday follows a 146-kilometer (91-mile) route over four ascents from Albertville to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc. The penultimate leg on Saturday concludes with a tricky descent to Morzine after four more climbs through the Alps.Tomorrow is a very tricky stage with a lot of tricky descents. Theres talk about thunderstorms during the race. Its definitely going to have to be a stage where we stay right on our game, Froome said.We cant relax and switch off now, Froome added. Weve got to see this through right to the end.---AP Sports Writer Samuel Petrequin contributed to this report.---Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampf ' ' '