CINCINNATI -- Linebacker Vontaze Burfict ran out of the tunnel and into the fog that the Bengals generate for their pregame introductions.He emerged from the cloud to a great cheer at Paul Brown Stadium.After sitting out three games on an NFL suspension, Burfict was back. And so was the Bengals stingy defense.The defense gave up a lot of big plays and got little pressure on the quarterback during a 1-2 start. It was back in character during the previous game with its volatile, playmaking linebacker in the middle of things once again.Cincinnati had by far its best defensive showing during a 22-7 win over the Dolphins last Thursday. The victory got Cincinnati (2-2) back to break-even and eased many of the concerns over how long it would take the defense to regain its edge.Absolutely, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. What I expect to see -- thats how I envision it. Hopefully well continue on that trend. Thats the group Im used to seeing.The Bengals kept the core of the defense intact in the offseason. The biggest loss was Burfict, whose hit to Antonio Browns head helped the Steelers get in range for the winning field goal and an 18-16 victory in the first round of the playoffs. That hit, along with previous other infractions, prompted the NFL to suspend the linebacker for three games.Burfict isnt only their leading tackler; hes also the one who helps everyone get lined up in the right spots for plays.He adds a lot of different elements as far as knowing the defense, lining guys up, getting the (play) calls, all of the adjustments you have to, and then just the energy he brings to the group is really big, Guenther said.Burfict was on the field for 34 of the defenses 45 snaps, more than any other linebacker. Coach Marvin Lewis used the lopsided game to get Burfict back into playing shape.I hadnt had any practices or anything like that and having to play the full game, I was a little sore, Burfict said. But its kind of a mind-over-matter thing.Hes expected to play a lot again on Sunday in Dallas (3-1) against an offense thats among the best in the league at running the ball. The Cowboys rank second in the league in both offense and yards rushing. Rookie Ezekiel Elliott leads the league with 412 yards, averaging 4.4 per carry.If you go back and look at some of the film, some of the holes are so wide open that my little girl could run through there, cornerback Adam Pacman Jones said.I think a couple teams they played were very undisciplined when it comes to gaps. But I take my hat off to the guy. Hes been playing pretty good.The Bengals defense had trouble stopping the run in the first three games, but improved at that, too, against a Dolphins team thats among the worst at running the ball.Now they get to see whether that was a one-time improvement or if theyve corrected those problems as well.Its going to be a really good battle, end Carlos Dunlap said. They have a really good running game, and we pride ourselves on stopping the run.Game notesCB Dre Kirkpatrick had a second full day of practice on Thursday, an indication hes ready to start against Dallas after missing one game with a hamstring injury. ... TE Tyler Eifert missed a second straight day of practice with a sore back in addition to his recovery from ankle surgery in the offseason. Hed miss his fifth game on Sunday. ... RT Cedric Ogbuehi also missed practice with an illness, and reserve tackle Jake Fisher sat out with a bad back. ... G Clint Boling (shoulder) and RB Jeremy Hill (chest) were limited again.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFLDiscount Nike NFL Jerseys . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Wholesale Jerseys Authentic . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. http://www.jerseyscheapsale.com/ . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. Stitched Jerseys . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Wholesale Jerseys China . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year.NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- Caleb Wood scored a career-high 25 points on 7-for-10 3-point shooting and Matt Howard finished with 21 on 8-for-10 shooting to lead Pennsylvania past Central Connecticut State 87-65 on Tuesday night.Penn led 35-29 at halftime and opened the second half outscoring the Blue Devils 17-7. Wood hit a 3 with 15:04 to give the Quakers 52-36 lead that was never challenged.Darnell Foreman later made a 3 and the lead mushroomed to 70-48.The Quakers hit 14 of 31 from long range and shot 550 percent from the field.ddddddddddddWith the score tied at 15 in the first half, Penn (1-1) used an 11-0 run collecting 3s from Jackson Donahue and Wood along the way.Austin Nehls led Central Connecticut State (1-2) with 17 points and Khalen Cumberlander added 14. Tidell Pierre scored all 9 of his points from the free throw line on 11 attempts and collected 10 rebounds. ' ' '