CINCINNATI -- Something about the Bengals doesnt add up.The defending AFC North champions were among the leagues best in the first half of last season, when they won their first eight games.In what amounts to a full season since, theyve gone 7-9-1 -- including a playoff loss to Pittsburgh -- and no longer have the look of a contender.They entered their bye this week at 3-4-1 following a 27-27 tie with Washington in London. A team that has reached the playoffs five consecutive seasons -- and lost in the first round each time -- is in danger of not even making it that far.Weve got the guys in the locker room to do it, we just havent done it, running back Jeremy Hill said. So we can talk about it all we want, but until we go out there and do it, it doesnt mean a thing.The Bengals have a losing record even though theyve been one of the most fortunate teams in the league with injuries. Theyre basically at full strength now that tight end Tyler Eifert has returned from ankle surgery.I feel like we should be leading the division right now, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick said. Its not a long season (left), but we have a lot of games to make up for the early bumps in the road.There might be some changes in the second half, particularly on the defense.The Bengals returned the nucleus of a unit that gave up the second-fewest points in the league last season. It ranks only 21st this season and is on pace to give up nearly 100 more points than last season.The stars of the defense are having subpar years. Linemen Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, Domata Peko and Michael Johnson combined for 34+ sacks last season; theyre on pace for 19 combined this season.Atkins, a two-time All-Pro tackle, had 11 sacks last season; he has only 3+ this season. Dunlap is down from a career-high 13+ to five.Its not only on the line. The linebackers and defensive backs have struggled, too.Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is using the bye week to evaluate each players performance and decide whether a younger player might deserve more time at their position.Some of the guys that have been here, that have been fixtures here, for some reason or another, whether its age or whatever it is, they are not playing at a high level, Guenther said. And Ive got to figure out where I can inject some other guys that can do it better or at least try to.The Bengals thought that the defense would improve when linebacker Vontaze Burfict returned from a three-game suspension for illegal hits. He is third on the team in tackles and has one sack, but hasnt made much of an overall difference.Cincinnati has given up 400 yards in three of the past four games. The only exception was a win over Cleveland in which the winless Browns rushed for 180 yards. Last season, the Bengals allowed 400 total yards only once.The offense is starting to look more formidable with Eifert back. He set a club record for a tight end with 13 touchdown catches last season.The offense was among the worst in the league at scoring inside the opponents 20-yard line while he was recovering from ankle surgery. In his first extended playing time, he caught nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown against Washington.The running game also has improved lately after struggling through the first part of the season. The Bengals scored a season high in points during a 31-17 win over Cleveland, followed by the 27-point performance against Washington.We havent scored enough points we need for us to win games, and we all know that, Hill said. We know we have the talent in the locker room, especially with Tyler back. We saw what he can do. No reasons and excuses, we have to go out there and do it.With so many starters back from last seasons team that ran off eight straight wins, the Bengals figure theyve got a chance to have a strong second half. They play Baltimore twice, host the first-place Steelers and play at Cleveland, so the division title is still a possibility.We did it last year, Kirkpatrick said. I dont see any reason why we cant do it this year. Same guys.But so far, different results.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFLTyler Lydon Nuggets Jersey . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Jarred Vanderbilt Jersey . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. http://www.nuggetsproshop.com/Gary-Harris-Nuggets-Jersey/ . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Jamal Murray Nuggets Jersey . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Alex English Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle.BOSTON -- It didnt matter to the Rangers that the Boston Red Sox dominated the AL All-Star team, with six players making the roster -- and the possibility of another -- to two for Texas.No ones keeping score that (way), Rangers outfielder Ian Desmond said.When the season is over, no one is going to look back and say that team had seven All-Stars or that team had two. Its going to be this team won the World Series and everybody else came in second, he said after Texas beat Boston 7-2 on Tuesday night. They can have seven. We can have two. It doesnt matter.Shin-Soo Choo homered on David Prices first pitch of the game, and Robinson Chirinos hit a three-run shot off All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth to help the Rangers snap a three-game losing streak.Texas loaded the bases after Choos homer and took a 2-0 lead in the first, then made it 3-2 when Elvis Andrus scored to break a sixth-inning tie. It stayed that way until Kimbrel came on in the ninth and failed to retire any of the four batters he faced.In 12 pitches, a lot happened, said Red Sox manager John Farrell, whose team stranded 14 baserunners and went 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position. We had ample opportunity, with runners on base in almost every single inning. A missed opportunity tonight.The Red Sox had the most players selected to the AL roster for next weeks All-Star Game in San Diego, and second baseman Dustin Pedroia would make it seven if he wins the final vote. Texas had just Desmond and pitcher Cole Hamels.To have two -- and only two -- it speaks volumes to the team aspect of how our guys play, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. If were going to be limited to two, (its) the right two guys.Price (8-6) threw 46 pitches in first two innings -- 45 after Choo drove the first one of the game out to center. Texas loaded the bases on two singles and a walk before Prince Fielder struck out looking -- drawing a mock cheer from Boston fans.But the Rangers managed just one more run in the inning. Price settled down and the Red Sox tied it before Andrus singled and scored to make it 3-2 on Rougned Odors double.He flipped the switch tonight in like the third or fourth inning, Desmond said. He threw the ball really well. I think in his case it was just a little bit too late.Rangers starter A.J. Griffin left after four iinnings, and Cesar Ramos (3-3) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.ddddddddddddookie Betts, Pedroia and Travis Shaw had two hits apiece for the Red Sox. Jackie Bradley Jr. homered for Boston, which had won two straight.ALL-STARSBetts, Bradley and shortstop Xander Bogaerts will start for the AL in the All-Star Game, joining designated hitter David Ortiz, making his 10th and final appearance. Kimbrel and knuckleballer Stephen Wright were also selected.For a team with six All-Stars, the Red Sox arent playing very well. Boston is 8-13 since opening June with a three-game lead in the AL East, falling into third place.I dont think we are as bad as were showing, Bradley said. Were definitely capable of putting together a good run. Hopefully that comes soon.PRICE IS WRONGIn all, Price allowed three runs, eight hits and a walk, striking out 10. But he didnt want to talk about how he settled down and lasted eight innings, how he fanned Desmond in the fifth for his 1,500th career strikeout, or how he posted his sixth game of the season with 10 or more strikeouts.Theres nothing positive to put out, he said. Im tired of this. Its not me. Ive got to get better.TRAINERS ROOMRangers: Choo left the game in the fifth with lower back stiffness. ... 1B Mitch Moreland (right calf tightness) was not in the starting lineup for the third straight game. ... With three starters on the DL, Texas called up RHP Jose Leclerc from Triple-A Round Rock and designated LHP Michael Roth for assignment. Leclerc, 22, has split time between Double-A Frisco and Round Rock this season and has never played in the majors.Red Sox: Boston activated veteran C Ryan Hanigan (neck strain) from the 15-day DL following a rehab stint with Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox optioned C Christian Vazquez to Pawtucket after Monday nights game against Texas.UP NEXTRangers: LHP Martin Perez (7-4, 3.39 ERA) is 6-0 with two no-decisions in his last eight starts. Perez, who leads the Rangers with 17 starts already, hasnt taken a loss since May 18, at Oakland.Red Sox: Wright (9-5, 2.42) gets another shot at the Rangers, who tagged him for eight runs and seven hits over 4 2/3 innings in a loss at Texas on June 25. ' ' '