up." Bilbaos first victory in four rounds lifted it four points

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Ronnie Hillman, the Denver Broncos speedy running back whose career has been scarred by fumbles, foibles and foul-ups, is set to make his first NFL start Sunday.With Montee Ball (groin) sidelined, Hillman has taken snaps with the starters all week as the Broncos (3-1) prepare to visit the New York Jets (1-4).It should be fun. Its a great environment, Hillman said of MetLife Stadium, site of the Super Bowl, where Hillman was inactive for the biggest game of his career.The third-year pro has waited a long time for the opportunity.Any competitive person, their patience is going to be tested when theyre not playing as much as they want to, Hillman said. So, I think that was definitely tested, and me being patient is paying off, just being ready when Im called on.After the Broncos spent a third-round pick on the San Diego State speedster in 2012, a hamstring injury in training camp slowed Hillman, who ran for 330 yards as a rookie. He fell below 180 pounds by the time the playoffs rolled around and he was unable to keep the chains and clock moving in the Broncos infamous fizzle against the Baltimore Ravens.Hillman was elevated to starting status that next summer after he bulked up to close to 200 pounds and Willis McGahee was released. But he had two fumbles that were returned for TDs in the preseason and slipped so far down the depth chart that by midseason he was usually a game-day inactive.He was a healthy scratch for the Super Bowl.Determined to bounce back from losing his grip on both the football and his starting job, Hillman again turned some heads at training camp this summer a€” only to again land in the coaches doghouse by the start of the season.He was inactive for the opener and didnt play in Week 2.Before Sunday, his production this year read like this: two carries for 1 yard.Then, Ball got hurt early in the second half against Arizona and Hillman came in and gave the Broncos grounded ground game a much-needed spark, running for 64 yards on 15 carries in Denvers 41-20 win.This weekend hell face a Jets team thats one of the leagues best against the run.Of course, with Peyton Manning at quarterback, the top priority for a running back in Denver isnt so much picking up the first down as it is picking up the blitz.I think Ronnie doesnt get enough credit for the fact that hell go up there and meet a guy and he doesnt get rocked back, offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase said. I mean, for his size, a lot of guys think theyre just going to run over him but hes got, for whatever reason, hes got that power to be able to sustain his blocks.And the other two guys (C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson) are thicker guys to begin with and they do a good job of staying stout, but they have made so many strides, Gase said. And right now I feel good about where were at on protection and those guys being able to step up and block linebackers.Manning said Hillmans heavier load Sunday wont be just physical.When youre the starting back and youre running out there in pregame warm-ups as a starting back, theres a different hat that you wear, Manning said. So, were counting on him in the run game, pass game and pass protection. There is no question he has a burst that is pretty unique when he gets the ball in his hands and its our job to give him the space.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton Cheap Lions Jerseys China . CHAUNCEY BILLUPS (Pistons): Yes they got Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings in the off-season and Andre Drummond is a beast (teams are kicking themselves for passing on him - he rebounds and block shots every game - thats two more discernable and significant skills than most guys in his draft class), but dont for a second discount the impact of having a savvy veteran like Billups on your team. Wholesale Lions Jerseys .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. http://www.cheaplionsjerseyselite.com/ . Or maybe he already did. Clark hit his first homer, Wily Peralta pitched into the seventh inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Miami Marlins 4-1 Wednesday night.BARCELONA, Spain -- Atletico Madrid slumped to a stunning 3-0 loss at Osasuna on Sunday, leaving Real Madrid as the sole leader of the Spanish league for the first time since May 2012. Osasuna beat Atletico at its own game, both in its tough, physical approach and its set piece strategy to take a three-goal lead at the break after one of Atleticos worst first halves in three years under coach Diego Simeone. Alvaro Cejudo opened the scoring from a corner kick in the sixth minute before fellow forwards Emiliano Armenteros and Roberto Torres added goals in the 21st and 42nd. Atleticos loss came one day after Barcelona lost 3-1 at Real Sociedad, with both the former front-runners looking weary after their Champions League trips in midweek. Atletico fullback Filipe Luis, who returned from injury, said that their win at AC Milan on Wednesday had nothing to do with this defeat. "Osasuna played a great game," said Filipe Luis. "You cant take anything away from them. They beat us in every facet of the match." Atletico and Barcelona have both dropped 10 points over the last seven rounds, allowing Madrid to turn a five-point deficit into a three-point lead despite playing without Ballon dOr winner Cristiano Ronaldo during a three-game suspension. Madrid hadnt topped the standings since winning the title in 2011-12. Simeone quickly needs to restore both his teams fitness and confidence before it hosts Madrid next weekend after its crosstown rivals travel to German side Schalke 04 on Wednesday. Also on Sunday, Athletic Bilbao strengthened its hold on fourth place by winning 2-0 at Real Betis after the bottom side had two players dismissed, while Valencia and Sevilla won to move to within five points of sixth place and Spains last Europa League spot. Osasuna had already earned draws against Barcelona and Madrid at El Reyno de Navarra Stadium this season, and Javi Gracias side lived up to its reputation as being one of the toughest hosts in the Liga. "I think the fact that those three teams havent won here says a lot," said Cejudo, who credited his teams fans for their vocal support that he said "pushes" the team forward.dddddddddddd Osasuna used a bit of well-executed trickery to strike first when it sent several players to the near post to draw in Atleticos defence before Torres crossed to the far post, where Cejudo had charged in late to drive the ball home. Osasuna was a step faster to almost every ball and Armenteros beat Gabi Fernandez to a loose ball before he unleashed a blistering left-footed strike from outside the area that went in off the post. Diego Costa mustered a shot that sailed wide in the 21st, but Atletico never responded to Osasunas surge and a collective breakdown in defence cost it a third goal. David Villa first failed to fight for a ball in midfield, and then two defenders left Torres unmarked to nod Damia Abellas cross under goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. "It was a day to remember," said Gracia. "Its a big step for us as we try to stay up." Bilbaos first victory in four rounds lifted it four points clear of Real Sociedad and kept it in command of Spains last Champions League berth for next season. In contrast, Betis was left 11 points from safety after a dismal performance that at times bordered on self-destruction amid some questionable refereeing decisions. Bilbaos Iker Muniain converted a penalty in the 34th minute after Damien Perquis tripped Kike Sola in the area. Another reckless tackle by Perquis earned him a second yellow card in the 41st to completely deflate the crowd at Benito Villamarin Stadium. Betis was left with nine men from the 58th when Lorenzo Reyes handled the ball after he had already been booked for arguing. Bilbao substitute Guillermo Fernandez headed in the first ball he touched in the 81st. Valencia needed an injury-time goal from 19-year-old defender Ruben Vezo in his first start to complete a 2-1 comeback win at home over Granada. Sevilla won 1-0 at Rayo Vallecano thanks to fullback Jorge "Coke" Andujars 57th-minute header. Sevilla played the last seven minutes with 10 men after Vicente Iborra received his second booking. ' ' '