Clan-Members » a convincing 34-3 victory over the Steelers in Week 3.

Alastair Cook has admitted that England lack the consistency to be rated the No.1 Test side.England could, had they won at The Oval and seen other results around the world fall in their favour, have moved to the top of the Test rankings. Instead they suffered a 10-wicket defeat that leaves them fourth in the rankings and reflecting on something of a reality check.Most of all, they were left to ponder the continuing fragility of their top-order batting that saw only two of the top five (predictably, Cook and Joe Root) average 30 and the unreliability of their close catching which, on average missed two chances an innings.While Englands middle-order, specifically Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow, often bailed the side out (both men averaged in excess of 50 in the series), none of Alex Hales, James Vince or Gary Ballance were convincing. Hales averaged 18.22 at the top of the order, while Vince has been given the entire Test summer in the side without registering a fifty; statistics that left Cook admitting they havent been good enough.At the beginning of this game the talk was you can become No.1; you could do all this, you could do all that, Cook said. But these four days probably show exactly where we are. Were a good side when were on it, but theres a few areas we need to improve to make that next step.Consistently over the summer, we havent scored enough runs at the top of the order. It is frustrating for us as a side. Its a big area weve got to keep working on - and obviously, for us to take that next step to consistency, top-order first-innings runs are vital.The lower order have got us out of trouble some of the time and its great that weve got strength in depth down there. But the majority of the time they should be putting the icing on the cake, not making the cake.There is a hell of a lot of talent in the guys who are playing, but they just havent got that score. I cant fault the lads efforts. Its not for lack of that. Its just they havent been good enough at this precise moment in time, and its something we have to look at.Cook also conceded that England had to go back to basics to improve their catching. They put down 15 chances over the course of the series - four more than Pakistan - rendering the job of their bowlers all the harder.With the catching this summer, well need to go back to basics and work incredibly hard again, Cook said. We cant afford to drop as many catches as we have in this series if we want to bowl sides out on good wickets like this one here.Theres could haves and should haves - all that kind of stuff - but weve given them four chances in that first session on day two. We should take three out of those four, and that puts a different complexion on it. That is a frustrating feeling.There were, Cook felt, some positives from the series. He credited the improved performances of Jonny Bairstow, who has every chance of establishing a new record for the most runs scored in a year by a Test wicketkeeper, and Moeen Ali, as well as celebrating the much-improved relationship between the two sides. Bairstow has now scored 992 Test runs (from 16 innings) in 2016, meaning only Andy Flower (who scored 1,045 runs from 16 innings in 2000) has managed more. England, however, have another six Tests scheduled before the end of the year.The relationship between the sides is a lot better than its ever been, Cook said. Both sides have made a conscious effort to talk about the cricket and let the cricket do the talking. We knew they were a good side and 2-2 is probably a fair reflection. The series was played hard, but it was played in good spirits.Moeen has done a fantastic job for us since he came into the side as a batter who bowled a bit. Hes had to share a lot of responsibility to do that as part of a five-man attack.Hes not a Yasir Shah as a spinner and he probably never will be. But he continues to work incredibly hard at it and he picks up vital wickets.Jonny Bairstow has had a great summer. I dont know if he has scored a thousand Test runs this year, but if not, he almost has. And, in these four games, hes kept really well as well. Hes made a really good step forward, and he should be very proud of that.Theres still a hell of a lot of work for him to do, but the way hes batted and contributed to the side, he can be very proud of a good summer. Jonas Jersey . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. 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PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles are going down a road the Falcons traveled last year.After Philadelphia started 3-0, rookie quarterback Carson Wentz and first-year coach Doug Pederson were the talk of the town. But the Eagles have lost four of five, Wentz has been up and down and Pederson has made several questionable decisions.In 2015, rookie coach Dan Quinn guided Atlanta to a 5-0 start. But the Falcons went 3-8 the rest of the way and many wondered whether quarterback Matt Ryans time was up.Ryan stuck around and is having his best season, helping the Falcons (6-3) lead the NFC South.Wentz and the Eagles are hoping for a similar and even more immediate turnaround. Theyll kick off the second half of their season at home against the Falcons on Sunday.We fully believe were a good football team, Wentz said. We fully know all four of these losses we had a chance to win, and most of them we kind of hurt ourselves.Ryan grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and rooted for Donovan McNabb, so he understands what Wentz is going through in a city thats been waiting 56 years for a football championship.There are a lot of good things that come with (playing quarterback) and a lot of things that are tough to deal with, Ryan said. It seems like he has a good head on his shoulders up there. I know its a place that can be tough. Growing up there, they can be tough on their teams for sure. But if youre winning, just like any place, winning is good.Wentz has a big fan in Quinn.The first time I saw him was at the Senior Bowl, Quinn said. He looked like a really good player on the very first day. ... When we went through the cut-ups, he just looked like somebody that was going to be able to handle it early on.Here are some things to watch for when Atlanta visits Philadelphia:GETTING DEFENSIVE: The Eagles have the leagues No. 6 ranked defense, but theyve got a tough task this week. Atlantas offense is No. 2 in yards and first in scoring, averaging 33.9 points per game. Ryan leads the NFL with 2,980 yards passing and 23 touchdowns -- with only four interceptions. Julio Jones leads the league with 970 yards receiving.I think this is the best offense that we will face all year, Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said.CATCHING FLAK: While tthe Falcons have arguably the best receiver in the league and a solid group overall, Philadelphias receivers are mediocre at best.dddddddddddd Jordan Matthews leads the Eagles with 42 receptions for 507 yards. Hes not in the top 20 in either category. Second-year pros Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham struggle to get open and make plays. Rookie Bryce Treggs opened eyes with a 58-yard catch last week, but it was only his first game.SACKS ON THE RISE: After ranking last in the league with only 19 sacks in 2015, the Falcons already have 20 this season. Vic Beasley Jr., last years first-round draft from Clemson, leads the team with 7 1-2 sacks. Adrian Clayborn has 4 1-2. Grady Jarrett initially was credited with two sacks in last weeks win at Tampa Bay, but the leagues review of the film this week took one sack away.HOMECOOKING: The Eagles are 3-0 at home, 1-4 on the road. Theyve dominated opponents in Philadelphia, outscoring them 84-23. Their most impressive win was a convincing 34-3 victory over the Steelers in Week 3. They also handed Minnesota its first loss in Week 7. But the Falcons are better on the road (4-1) than at home (2-2). Something has to give.Weve done a good job of approaching it with the right mindset, Ryan said. It is a business trip. Weve got one objective for when we get up there. From the moment we started preparation earlier in the week until we finish the game, everything needs to be geared toward finding a way to win.TAMME OUT: Falcons TE Jacob Tamme is expected to miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury. Backup tight ends Levine Toilolo and Austin Hooper had TD catches against the Buccaneers. A third tight end, Joshua Perkins, dropped a chance for another scoring catch. Hooper, a third-round pick from Stanford, is expected to start as he tries to make his case as the teams future fixture at the position. Hooper has 14 catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns.---AP Sports Writer Charles Odum contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi ' ' '