Michael van Gerwen failed to win for the third consecutive week while Robert Thornton survived elimination - but what have we learned? REPORT: Judgement Night Smith & Chisnall crash out, MVG slips off top spot Judgement Night has cast its verdict on Michael Smith and Dave Chisnall, sending them crashing out of the tournament and reducing its participants to eight. At the top of the league, it was another disappointing outing for the world No 1.Here are five talking points... Why did we give up on Thornton? Robert Thornton survived elimination before he threw a dart At the start of Week 8, the Scotsman was rock-bottom of the Premier League table without a victory to his name, staring elimination in the face. It seemed certain that it would be Thornton, plus one more, to face the chop.A stunning pair of results last week made Thornton the first player to truly take advantage of playing twice in the same night - he drew with Van Gerwen and defeated Smith to move out of the bottom two. Heading into Judgement Night, he had provided warning signs that he possessed enough quality to compete at this level.In the end, his work was done in last weeks double-header. Smith and Chisnalls defeats on Judgement Night meant Thornton was safe before he threw a dart, leaving us all to wonder why we wrote him off so quickly.MVG is in pr form… yes, you heard that right! Raymond van Barneveld admits disappointment that he didnt beat Michael van Gerwen Any time Van Gerwen leaves the oche without a win, it represents a major coup for whoever he has opposed. A shock draw with Thornton last week could possibly have been attributed to bad luck for Van Gerwen, but a third consecutive week without a win represents a mini-crisis for the world No 1.In truth, a point against Raymond Van Barneveld on Judgement Night doesnt tell the full story. Barney will have left the oche kicking himself that he didnt take a major victory, having missed one dart at a double to secure a maximum two points. Van Gerwen deserves a degree of credit for sticking around and battling, but a draw against Van Barneveld flattered him.So whats up with Mighty Mike? Thats twice in recent times he has failed to beat Van Barneveld on a major stage, having lost their World Championship tie in January. Van Gerwen has slipped down to No 2 in the table, behind Phil Taylor, but his top four spot remains secure - for now, at least.Have you noticed Taylor is top? Phil Taylor ruthlessly defeated Michael Smith On a night dominated by three players jostling for survival, and Van Gerwen uncharacteristically faltering, it is forgivable not to have realised that Taylor is top of the Premier League after nine weeks.The Power has won the tournament six times but not since 2012, and entered this years edition facing questions about whether he still had the accuracy in his arrows to contend with the likes of Van Gerwen. So far, he has quietly reassured doubters that he still belongs.Sitting a point clear of Van Gerwen heading into the next stage of the Premier League wont silence Taylors critics permanently. The new fixture list has thrown up a mouth-watering Taylor vs Van Gerwen contest in Rotterdam on the final night of the regular season - The Power must still be shining heading into Londons play-offs to finally prove he can end a four-year run without a Premier League title.Smith & Chisnall will be back Dave Chisnalls exit came after a loss to Peter Wright Whenever the worlds 10 best players come together in an unforgivably gruelling tournament, it will force two unfortunate players to appear much worse than they really are. Smith and Chisnall were eliminated on Judgement Night after winning just one match apiece in 18 combined efforts, but their place in the worlds elite crop is unlikely to change.Smith is currently rated at No 8 while Chisnall is No 11, so could be lking over his shoulder when the 2017 Premier League is discussed. But Chizzy is only a year on from a semi-final finish in the 2015 tournament, while 25-year-old Smith is regarded as one of the sports top prospects. They are down, but theyre not out.Who could play in the 2017 Premier League? Jelle Klaasen reached the World Championship semi-final where he met Gary Anderson If a new player replaces Smith or Chisnall, the likeliest candidate would be world No 10 Jelle Klaasen. Yet another prospect from the Netherlands, Klaasen would certainly be a popular addition to the line-up for our orange-clad neighbours who will host their first ever Premier League night in May.But Klaasen is also in with a shout due to his ability at the oche, not just his popularity. He already counted himself unfortunate to miss out on this years event considering he is ranked by the PDC one place above Chisnall. Bizarrely, he has already played in the 2009 Premier League as a sprightly 24-year-old alongside Sky Sports very own Wayne Mardle but hasnt been invited back since.Premier League Darts returns next Thursday from Sheffield, live on Sky Sports 2 HD. Also See: Fixtures/Results On Sky TV Prem Table Darts betting Get Sky Sports kiestore.com/49ers-Deebo-Samuel-Jersey/" target="_blank">Deebo Samuel Womens Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shtaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . kiestore.com/49ers-Tom-Rathman-Jersey/" target="_blank">Tom Rathman Youth Jersey . "Theyve both been real gd," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. 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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Marcus Peters has duped just about every quarterback he has faced into throwing an interception to him, whether it was Peyton Manning a year ago or Derek Carr just last weekend.Hed love nothing more than to add Drew Brees to his growing list Sunday.The ball-hawking Peters will be tasked with leading an opportunistic Kansas City Chiefs defense against the prolific passing attack of Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Its an important game for both teams with Kansas City coming off a momentum-building win over Oakland and New Orleans having won two straight after a calamitous start to the season.Its the NFL. Every week youre coming in against the best, said Peters, who has a league-leading five picks this season. You have to prepare for every quarterback to throw for 400 yards.But heres the rub: Brees actually does throw for 400 yards.Twice this season, in fact.The 37-year-old Brees threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Saints (2-3) to a 41-38 victory over Carolina last weekend. It was a performance that showcased the breadth and depth of the New Orleans offense, from high-flying wide receiver Brandin Cks to tight end Coby Fleener.Brees found four different players for touchdown passes.I dont have enough gd things to say about him. Hes a phenomenal player, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. He works at the profession, hes relentless. Is he getting better? Maybe he doesnt run as fast, but he sure has the skill throwing the ftball.He also doesnt make many mistakes, at least not this year. Hes only thrown four picks.That should cause all kinds of heartburn for the Chiefs (3-2), who lost defensive end Allen Bailey and linebacker Justin March for the season this week, and could be without cornerback Phillip Gaines, who is dealing with a knee injury after having surgery to repair his ACL last year.All of which puts even more pressure on Peters to make plays.When you see him, any errant throw or ball off-target, he gets his hands on. He has elite hands, Saints coach Sean Payton said. You have to be decisive and your location has to be spot on. He can run, he can tackle. I think hes one of the real, real talented gd, young corners in our league.The matchup between Brees and Peters is only part of the intrigue on Sunday. Here are some f the other story lines:RARE RIVALSThe Saints and Chiefs have only played 10 times, and have not met in Kansas City since November 2008.dddddddddddd. But the two coaches are a bit more familiar with each since Reid spent so many years in the NFC with the Eagles.Hes been (producing) a playoff-type caliber team and organization (wherever hes been), said Payton, who is 3-1 against Reid, and I consider him a close friend.GROUND GAMESure, the Saints only ran for 63 yards against Carolina, and theyre averaging just 78 yards per game. But with such a dynamic pass attack, Payton is only lking for some consistency on the ground to keep defenses honest.I think each week you lk at how they are playing, Payton said, and make your decision on how you want to win that game.WARE IT WELLThe Chiefs showed against Oakland that Spencer Ware will continue to be a big part of their offense even with Jamaal Charles back to speed. Ware ran for 131 yards and the Chiefs had 183 yards rushing, which tk pressure off quarterback Alex Smith to lead the way.They all have different strengths, Smith said. Thats what you can get to, those guys feeding off each other.RISING RKIESaints wide receiver Michael Thomas, drafted in the second round out of Ohio State, doesnt figure to be as outspoken as his uncle, Keyshawn Johnson, in demanding the ball. He doesnt need to be, because Brees is already lking for him. Thomas leads with the Saints with 26 receptions, which ties with the Giants Sterling Shephard for the rkie lead. Thomas also has a TD catch in each of his last three games.Hes extremely confident and humble, Payton said, in a gd way.TOUGH VENUEThere was a time in the 1990s and early 2000s when Arrowhead Stadium was arguably the toughest place to play in the NFL. After a few lean years, the holder of the Guinness world record for loudest outdr stadium has its swagger back. The Chiefs have won eight straight there.Any time you can get into Arrowhead, it is tough for them to win. But in the end, we have to come out and compete, Chiefs center Mitch Morese said. We know what we have to do to win.---Online: AP NFL coverage: pro32.ap.org and (at)AP-NFL ' ' '