ALLEN PARK, Mich. Paul Stastny Jersey . - The Detroit Lions won a game in December for the first time since 2011. Theyre also on track for their first playoff appearance since that season.Were focusing on this week and this week only and not worrying about anything else, centre Dominic Raiola said. Thats a good thing around here, it really is. Its a new day.The Lions beat Tampa Bay 34-17 on Sunday. If they win out — beating Minnesota, Chicago and Green Bay to close the regular season — theyll win the NFC North, although a victory at Lambeau Field in the finale certainly wont come easy.If Detroit beats just the struggling Vikings and Bears in the next two weeks, it could earn a wild-card spot.There are a few causes for concern, though, especially since coach Jim Caldwell has a reputation for running a disciplined team.During his first stint as an NFL head coach, with Indianapolis from 2009-11, all three of his teams finished among the least penalized in the league, each averaging 4.7 penalties or fewer per game.This year, Caldwells Lions rank 24th, averaging 7.4 penalties per game. Thats the Lions highest mark since 2011, when they committed nearly eight per game.That is an area we have to improve, plain and simple, Caldwell said. I am more interested in winning. But I know one thing: If you have too many (penalties), they lead to problems, they lead to deficiencies, they lead to losses. That is an area we have to get straightened away.In Sundays win over Tampa Bay, the Lions had nine penalties for 122 yards. Caldwell mentioned that some teams have had great success while posting high penalty rates, such as the 2013 Seattle Seahawks, who led the league in flags and still won the Super Bowl.But that is not Caldwells philosophy.We talk about being somewhere in the top five in fewest penalties, Caldwell said. Were not there. Were working to get there. When were not there, Im not satisfied. ... We wont get there overnight. It takes time. It takes an understanding and development. Its not just training, but educating as well.Caldwell pointed to Detroits 34-17 win over Chicago on Thanksgiving, in which the team had five penalties for 38 yards, as a sign of improvement.Thats closer to where wed like it, he said. Its still two too high. We want one on offence, one on defence, one in the kicking game, maximum. Thats what were looking for.Caldwell also addressed the absence of running back Theo Riddick from the Tampa Bay game.(Reggie Bush) is back, Caldwell said. When Reggie is out, Theo takes on a number of the same roles. When Reggie is back, theres only one spot for one guy. We have talked about (wide receiver) Ryan Broyles. The same thing holds true there. There is only so many spots for guys to occupy. ... We try to spread it around as much as possible, but you cant use everybody.NOTES: Tight end Joseph Fauria has battled injuries this season. He hobbled off the field in the first quarter against Tampa Bay but came back to make a 10-yard touchdown catch. Well see whats going to happen with him, Caldwell said. Theres a few guys that are always, after a ballgame, a little worse for wear. Well see in the next couple days or so.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL William Carrier Jersey .ca has you covered for whos in, whos out and what to expect from all 30 teams. Marc-Andre Fleury Golden Knights Jersey .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. http://www.goldenknightssale.com/authentic-deryk-engelland-golden-knights-jersey/ .J. - Pete Carroll is in support of the NFL looking further into whether medicinal marijuana could beneficial for players.The next 48 hours may be significant to determining if the Canadian Football Leagues 2014 training camp, and possibly regular season, starts on schedule, as executives and legal counsel for the league and the Canadian Football League Players Union are set to meet in Toronto Thursday and Friday for critical talks to finally find common ground on a new collective bargaining agreement. With the two sides making little progress over the last six months, however, it appears the players union is prepared for another deadlock. "The (PAs strike) ballots are ready to be mailed out," said a source with knowledge of the negotiations, but who spoke on conditions of anonymity. Sources have told TSN that the CFLPA has steadily prepared for the possibility of a strike vote for weeks, by accumulating addresses of its members, and reviewing labour laws in provinces with CFL teams. "This is not a negotiation tactic - this is something the players feel they need to explore if no progress is made Thursday and Friday," the source said. The CFLs current CBA ends May 29. Talks between the league and players are poised on a tipping point because neither side can agree on functional revenue-sharing model. When the two sides met previously in Toronto weeks ago, talks eventually began leaning towards general discussion of revenue-sharing possiibilities. Jon Merrill Jersey. League representatives said they would review the developments, only to return later insisting that discussions on any revenue-sharing model could go no further. The CFL apparently has a counter-proposal prepared for the players - different from the reported $100,000 yearly salary cap increase over the life of a new eight-year CBA - but will not reveal the new bottom line unless the players abandon any revenue-sharing model. Apart the disagreement on the feasibility of any revenue-sharing models, previous talks have stalled over the issue of financial transparency: The players have requested the CFL reveal all its numbers, but the league has remained reluctant. "If the owners are anticipating more money and more deals over the course of a new CBA then the players would like to know what exactly (the owners) are anticipating," the source explained. If talks hit an impasse again by the weekend, the union will prepare its members for a strike vote. Some provinces in Canada, Quebec in particular, require strike votes take place after a CBA expires. Nevertheless, the union will encourage its members, regardless of particular labour laws, to stay off the field." "Its going to be tough to prepare for a season, unless one team is prepared to play against itself," the source added. ' ' '