FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Laurie Boschman Jersey . - The New England Patriots needed help on defence so they added three experienced players at midseason.Turns out theyre also solid students.Linebackers Akeem Ayers and Jonathan Casillas and defensive tackle Alan Branch dove into coach Bill Belichicks complex playbook then produced on the field.Were putting guys into play, right into the mix, Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis said Thursday. Im sure that can be a hassle coming from another team and then a whole new playbook is in front of you, but youve got to give credit to those guys.Now they can help the Patriots (10-3) clinch the AFC East title with a win or tie against the Miami Dolphins (7-6) on Sunday.A season-ending right knee injury to defensive captain Jerod Mayo in the sixth game left the Patriots thin at linebacker. So they made two trades.Before the eighth game, they obtained Ayers and a seventh-round pick in 2015 from Tennessee for a sixth-rounder that year. Before the ninth game, they got Casillas and a sixth-round pick in 2015 from Tampa Bay for their fifth-rounder that year.Then on Oct. 29, one day after the Casillas deal, the Patriots signed Branch. He had been cut by Buffalo on Aug. 24, the day after he was arrested on a drunken-driving charge, but the main factor was performance in the decision to release him, Bills coach Doug Marrone said.All three played less than a week after joining the Patriots.Ayers, a second-round draft pick by Tennessee in 2011, started 43 of the 48 games he played in his first three seasons. But he was inactive for five of seven games with the Titans this year when they switched to a 3-4 scheme.In his first game with the Patriots, just four days after the trade, he had a sack against Jay Cutler of Chicago. In the next game, he sacked Denvers Peyton Manning. And last Sunday night, his fourth start with New England, he intercepted a pass by Philip Rivers in a 23-14 win at San Diego.Just being able to move around sometimes and just being able to do different things on defence, I really enjoy it, Ayers said.Hes getting more comfortable with the system but still has a lot to learn.I just try to narrow it down as much as I can, he said. Im pretty much learning on the go and I understand Im going to make mistakes out there and there are going to be a few things that arent perfect, but (I) just know that I can fix those mistakes and try not to make them twice.Both he and Casillas also have produced on special teams.Casillas signed with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and started just eight games in three seasons with the Saints. He was a backup in Tampa Bay last season before starting three of his five games with the Buccaneers this season.His approach to a different playbook is simple.Its really no secret, Casillas said. If you care what youre doing, you just have to put the extra time in. Ive been putting in a little extra time with (linebackers coach) Pat Graham and even with Akeem.Branch was a second-round pick by Arizona in 2007 and started 13 games for Buffalo last year. But he didnt attend any of the Bills voluntary spring practices this year then failed his conditioning in training camp.They definitely helped me out with the cardio program they have here (to) just make sure Im able to compete with the other guys for longer than a couple of plays at a time, he said. Im definitely appreciative of the chance theyve given me.And he, Ayers and Casillas have given back.All three of those players have definitely helped us, both with their playing time, their performance and Id say the rapid pace at which theyve picked things up, Belichick said.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Blake Wheeler Jersey . - The Kansas City Royals are hoping All-Star catcher Salvador Perez will be back in a few days. Nic Petan Jersey .m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Packers by 3RECORD VS. SPREAD — New England 7-4, Green Bay 5-5-1SERIES RECORD — Tied 5-5. http://www.thejetshockeystore.com/Jets-Brandon-Tanev-Adidas-Jersey/ . Ho-Sang is a highly regarded prospect, as seen in TSNs Midseason Rankings. This was Game 3 of their playoff series and that wasnt the only strange incident in Londons 10-2 win over Windsor.Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas provides us with his predictions for the midweek Premier League games. West Brom take the trip to face Arsenal at the Emirates on Thursday night.Heres what Charlie is predicting in his Sky Bet tips... Arsenal v West Brom (Thursday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm) Yannick Bolasies equaliser all but ended Arsenals title hopes Ive actually got to the stage, and I have been for four and five weeks, where Im not comfortable watching my team. Im not at the edge of my seat. Its so predictable and its always Mesut Ozil that has to create.People criticise him because hes not quick and dynamic but thats not his job. Danny Welbecks movement is good but his touch and his finishing is poor and Alexis Sanchez still isnt doing enough.West Brom may be safe but Tony Pulis wont do Arsenal any favours. The Emirates isnt a difficult place to go any more, because you know you can sit in and youll get chances.Arsenal are in a really dangerous situation, with United potentially just a point behind by this stage. Ill start on the edge of my seat and end the game hiding behind it, with another seriously uncomfortable night, and I think it could be Mohamed Elneny - one of the few impressive players - to save Arsenal.Charlie predicts: 1-0 and Elneny to score first - 80/1 with Sky BetCharlies earlier predictions...Liverpool v EvertonWhat do Everton do here? Do they go full strength or just rest up and take the hit? I dont think Roberto Martinez can afford to give Liverpool a free swing at this. Liverpool could turn them over quite badly and the Everton fans have already started to turn on their manager and theyre fed up with his excuses. Putting all your eggs in the FA Cup basket is dangerous, especially as its not going to help their confidence against Manchester Uniteed if they go into the semi-final on the back of a hiding from their rivals. Keith Tkachuk Jersey. For me, he has to go for the strongest team and, while I think Liverpool will win regardless with the way Jurgen Klopps men are playing, it could be three or four if Martinez plays a weakened team. If I offered him a draw right now, Id have no fingers left.Charlie predicted: 2-1 and Divock Origi to score first - Result: 4-0West Ham v WatfordI still think theres a bit of life in West Ham, even though the top four has gone for them, and they still have a lot more incentive to win here than their visitors.I know theyve been getting the bad luck with the referees calls but they always seem to get into a position where they can take advantage of others slip-ups and they stumble. Its as if theres a mental block and that has hurt them.Watford have more than done enough in the league and with an FA Cup semi-final coming up, theyve lost an edge. Odion Ighalos goals have dried up. It will be an emotional final few games at Upton Park and that will keep driving West Ham on.Charlie predicted: 2-0 and Manuel Lanzini to score first - Result: 3-1Manchester United v Crystal PalacePalace have done well after slipping towards danger, grabbing another big draw at the Emirates and, while everyone at the club is saying theyre not quite there, I dont see any of the bottom three catching them now.United were really poor at the weekend, which was strange because of the improvements theyve made and again, its Marcus Rashford that gets them out of it. Villa were waiting to get battered and looked surprised when they realised they could have got something.Louis van Gaal has to play Antony Martial and Rashford and Id back them both to score if he does, but Im not expecting them to run riot.Charlie predicted: 2-1 - Result: 2-0 Also See: Sky Live: Liverpool v Everton Merse predicts seven in six Table Live on Sky Cheap NFL Jerseys Throwback Cheap Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Discount Jerseys Wholesale Stitched Jerseys ' ' '