#2021 nfl week 14

[strictlyfavorites]

Donovan Edwards #7 above

HOUSTON — It's now how you start, the classic sports trope says. It's how you finish.

Turns out, the answer is both.

Behind a powerful running game, Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines put together stellar first and fourth quarters in a 34-13 triumph over the Washington Huskies to win the 2023 national championship.

On the opening possession at NRG Stadium, Kalel Mullings slipped out of a tackle to pick up 14 yards before Donovan Edwards rushed for a 41-yard touchdown. Edwards ripped off a 46-yard scoring scamper on the next drive, and Blake Corum soon followed with a 59-yard sprint.

Nine carries, 174 yards, two touchdowns.

And that was merely the opening frame.

Michigan's initial surge on the ground sparked the final victory of the team's 15-0 campaign—one that secured the program's first national title since a shared 1997 crown.

Monday brought a familiar blueprint for Michigan, which focused on the run while the defense owned the game.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. zipped his picturesque spiral throughout the night. However, the Maize and Blue prevented an offense that entered bowl season leading the country in passes of 30-plus yards from completing such a throw for nearly 53 minutes.

In total, the Dawgs mustered 301 yards with Penix averaging a meager 5.0 yards per attempt on 51 throws. He tossed two interceptions and dealt with constant pressure from Michigan's disruptive front.

That defensive effort proved vital for the Wolverines, who struggled to move the ball in the middle quarters.

They managed a field goal after Will Johnson snatched an interception on the first play of the second half. Otherwise, the offense had a stretch of five punts and a turnover on downs. The lull allowed Washington to hang around until the midpoint of the fourth quarter.

Clinging to a 20-13 lead, Michigan found some breathing room.

Colston Loveland's 41-yard reception led to Corum's decisive 12-yard touchdown run with 7:09 left in regulation.

Washington drove inside the 30-yard line on the ensuing possession, but U-M's star nickelback Mike Sainristil picked off a 4th-and-13 prayer, returned it 81 yards and set up Corum's second touchdown.

Michigan closed the victory with 303 yards and four trips to the end zone on the ground. Corum collected a team-high 134 yards and two scores, while Edwards added 104 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. Plus, quarterback J.J. McCarthy chipped in 31 yards.

And the celebration was on.

Nine adventurous years into his tenure—one which may be ending in the immediate future if rumblings of his potential return to the NFL are true—Jim Harbaugh is a national champion.

The prodigal son, officially, has brought his alma mater back to the top of the sport's proverbial mountain.

If that was Harbaugh's final game, what a fitting way to finish.

HC Jim Harbaugh

During the last three seasons, the Wolverines have boasted one of the sport's best offensive lines. Michigan earned the Joe Moore Award—which is given annually to the country's top offensive line—in both 2021 and 2022 before Washington landed the honor in 2023.

Earlier in the week, U-M left tackle LaDarius Henderson told On3's Andy Staples that "it definitely stings" the blocking unit missed out on a three-peat.

Winning a national title in that fashion is a decent consolation prize.

The future of the program will rapidly become the greatest focus in Ann Arbor; Harbaugh understandably side-stepped questions about the NFL at multiple media availabilities throughout the week.

On this night in Houston, however, the nation's No. 1 team won in the same manner it had all year: Run the ball and shut 'em down defensively.

Michigan started the season that way, never wavered and rode the philosophy to a third consecutive Big Ten title and third straight trip to the College Football Playoff.

It's how you start. It's how you finish.

And the Wolverines have ended as national champions.

[naylor]

Billboard: Did Taylor Swift Really Have a Choice to Work With Ticketmaster?

Maybe Live Nation chairman Greg Maffei’s statement that Taylor Swift and promoter AEG “chose” to work with Ticketmaster for her calamitous onsale earlier this week should have come with an asterisk.

On Thursday (Nov. 17), Maffei attempted to correct criticisms about Ticketmaster and its owner Live Nation operating as a monopoly by pointing out that Swift’s 2023 Eras Tour “is not actually a Live Nation promoted concert” but rather “promoted by one of our largest competitors.”

Maffei — who is also the president of Live Nation’s largest shareholder Liberty Media — continued: “AEG who is the promoter for Taylor Swift, chose to use us because, in reality, we are the largest and most effective ticket seller in the world. Even our competitors want to come on our platform.”

The thing is, AEG says it’s essentially forced to work with Ticketmaster because of the stranglehold it has over the touring business. “Ticketmaster’s exclusive deals with the vast majority of venues on the Eras tour required us to ticket through their system,” an AEG spokesperson told Billboard in a statement. “We didn’t have a choice.”

The debacle centers around Swift’s presale Tuesday for her Eras Tour, which initially crashed shortly after launch as 14 million fans and billions of bots flooded the site, causing service disruptions. The ticket crash caught the attention of Capitol Hill. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, both of whom criticized the outage at Ticketmaster and doubled down on claims that the Live Nation-owned ticketing service was a monopoly. The Justice Department is now reportedly investigating Live Nation, though the investigation reportedly pre-dated the Swift debacle.

AEG and Live Nation have a complicated relationship built around intense competition and steady cooperation going back decades. While AEG’s facility group relies on Live Nation for programming, AEG Presents, the company’s concert promotion wing, competes directly against Live Nation’s global touring team and has its own preferred ticketing system, AXS.

While AEG Presents prefers to use AXS, their partner in the Eras Tour, Louis Messina (Messina Touring Group is a 50-50 joint venture between AEG and Messina), is basically agnostic when it comes to ticketing systems — he will work with any ticketing company, based on where the show takes place. In North America, that means working with Ticketmaster, which is especially dominant in the NFL as it provides tickets to 27 of the NFL’s 32 teams. By choosing to stage her show in NFL stadiums – really, in choosing to tour stadiums in the U.S. — Swift and her partners at AEG and Messina Touring Group are effectively forced to use Ticketmaster due to its supremacy in North America.

In that sense, Maffei’s argument that AEG chose to work with Ticketmaster is misleading, but it would also be inaccurate to describe Swift or AEG’s relationship with Ticketmaster as one built upon coercion. Historically, it’s been more mutually beneficial.

AEG’s venue management company ASM Global — formed following the merger of AEG Facilities and SMG in 2019 to become the biggest such company in the country — expanded its partnership with Live Nation in 2021, allowing the use of Ticketmaster for any of the shows the promoter brings to ASM’s 300 clients. In this arrangement, both sides win, since AEG relies on Live Nation to bring content to its buildings and grants the company incentives to entice shows to their facilities.

Swift has worked very closely with Ticketmaster over the years — for her Reputation stadium tour, the COVID-19-canceled Lovers Fest and now the Eras Tour, building an entire fan verification and Taylor Swift-branded ticketing platform together. While Swift might have preferred to have had more options to sell tickets to her fans, she did partner with the company in a way that few artists have in the past.

Perhaps Ticketmaster and Swift will mend their relationship once they start counting how much money they made together. Or maybe, they’re never, ever, ever, ever getting back together.

you didn't have to send me the whole article, babe lol

but it's good to know she's not working with live nation on tour promotion and this confirms another thing i've been saying all week (which makes it three times today): it's impossible to book the venues required for a tour this massive without working with ticketmaster in some capacity because most of them have booking and ticketing deals with them, so even when artists try to limit their business with TM it's basically impossible to avoid it because of the magnitude of the grasp live nation has in the touring industry

[battleangel]

Why Do I Keep Watching Football?

A Journal of the American Medical Association study in 2021 revealed that 21% of high school students have CTE.

High school. No money from NIL (Name Image Likeness) like college football players yet some of their games are still broadcasted on ESPN Friday nights as their schools profit off of their brain damage while none of these students make a dime. Just like in college, none of the high school football players are covered by school health insurance plans.

Get paralyzed during kickoff like Eric LeGrand at Rutgers? Thats your ass. Die from Second Impact Syndrome like that high school QB his senior year who passed away on the field? Sucks to be you.

Catastrophic injuries, paralysis, brain damage, CTE, death all suffered by players who never played past high school? Thats your ass, you're the one who signed the consent form.

Really????

We're okay with this with teenagers who arent being compensated or even covered by school insurance????

1 million high schoolers play football.

100,000 play in college.

There are currently 1,696 NFL players.

Have you figured out yet that most of the teenagers -- many of whom have played youth tackle football from the ages of 5 to 8 and have accumulated over a decade of hits by the time they stop playing when they graduate high school -- are never paid a fucking dime?

Yet we're all collectively okay with this as football fans and we smugly sit there and say, thats their ass.

When their father signed many of them up to play tackle football at 5 as a Mighty Tyke and at 8 as a Pee Wee because its what he did, what their uncle did, what their older brothers did, its what the men in their family do?

An 8 year old can make an informed choice and consent to potentially sign his life away to play a violent and dangerous literally life-threatening sport?

Fucking serious?

At 14, a teenager is old enough and mature enough to carefully review the available science, studies, academic research, journals, essays, statistics, effects of concussions, ligament and muscle and tendon damage and injuries, risk of early onset dementia & pre Alzheimers as early as 36, CTE, permanent brain damage, consequences of thousands of subconcussive head impacts, the toll of the accumulated hits at practice, during drills, training camps, and make an informed decision on whether they personally want to accept that risk.

Why are we pretending that a 5 year old, that an 8 year old, can make that decision, oftentimes with a father and older male relatives pressuring them and encouraging them to play like they did?

Fucking please.

I feel that being an NFL fan requires a collective and willing reflexive amnesia from season to season.

Only the most serious injuries & concussions are exempt from the collective and reflexive subconscious memory wipe amongst the fans.

We are all still leery about Tua Tugavoila & Damar Hamlin.

The Cameron Brates & Dane Jacksons of the previous season, however, the non-star players (Damar Hamlin is an exception as we watched him die live on TV) are instantaneously forgotten in-season in real time.

Even fans of their respective teams most likely do not recall their injuries. Cameron Brate, Bucaneers TE, played through a concussion last season with visible loss of motor skills and was never even evaluated, and the following week, Brate sustained a neck injury in game & was stretchered off-field. DaneJackson, Bills CB, was injured while tackling a wide receiver, and was immobilized on-field & ambulance had to come on the field & drive him off.

Why cant I stop watching football?

The cognitive dissonance is clear.

I keep waking up between 3 am and 5 am because of my back spasms, especially lower back, and lower back & spine pain due to my arthritis. I am 41 and have had arthritis for over 20 years.

And, while I lay awake at night, I keep thinking about NFL players, and the structural damage they willingly inflict on their bodies, and I wonder: are they too having difficulty sleeping prior to training camp and pre-season?

What is their cognitive dissonance like? How much do they have to dissociate to mentally brainwash themselves to return to the physical violence their bodies are still recovering from from last season?

Back to the car crash.

I think about how Cameron Brate is doing and I see flippant & dismissive articles on NFL.com & Buccaneers.com talking about how the Bucs released their "oft-injured tight end after 9 seasons".

But Brate playing through an undiagnosed concussion JUST happened last season! Not one article even mentioned it.

Oft-injured or undiagnosed concussions?

Brate was concussed on 10/2/22 early on during a game. He was visibly wobbly after the hit and struggled to balance himself and walk to the sidelines. Independent spotters, who have access to replay, chose not to utlize it and deemed it as a "hit to the shoulder", which the NFL's Chief Medical Doctor disagreed with later in the week, stating that it was a hit to the head and the spotters should have identified it as such.

Brate was never evaluated for a concussion and was allowed to play the duration of the game.

Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles was asked after the game why Brate wasnt removed or even evaluated for a concussion given the fact that Brate stumbled around after the hit. Bowles said the spotters said it was a hit to the shoulder & that Brate himself complained about shoulder pain.

But video of the hit clearly shows contact to Brate's head and shoulder. Brate was kept out of practice that week but returned to play in the following week's game. In that game, just seven days after playing with an undiagnosed concussion, Brate injured his neck and was stretchered off the field.

For viewers who recalled Brate stumbling around the field after a hard hit and playing the rest of the game just the previous Sunday, seeing Brate stretchered off the following week was a chilling sight.

The announcers conceded that Brate had absorbed a hard hit the previous week but assured viewers that they could be comforted by the fact that Brate gave the ubiquitious "thumbs up" as he was stretchered off the field.

Nothing to worry about, folks. Back to the game.

What??

What about Dane Jackson.

Who?

Cornerback for the Bills, filling in for an injured Tre'Davious White. While making a tackle against the Titans on Monday Night Football last season, Jackson's teammate came in to assist with bringing down the Titan's wide receiver and inadvertently hit Jackson in the neck, popping his head backwards and slamming it against the turf while Jackson was on his stomach.

Play was paused for 10 minutes as an ambulance was needed to actually drive Jackson off of the field. You could have heard a pin drop in Highmark Stadium. I watched the game live.

Jackson was later evaluated at the hospital, and after an MRI and CT scan, it was determined he didnt have any spine or neck injuries. This injury happened on 9/19/22. Jackson returned to play on 10/2/22.

Jacksons best friend on the Bills, who played corner with him at Pitt, Damar Hamlin said after the game he had been terrified for his friend.

Damar you remember, right?

Dont worry about seeing a 24 year old man die in front of your eyes on Monday Night Football. Damar's already been cleared for the 2023 season by the Bills and has confirmed he will be playing.

What?!?!

Damar Hamlin received a routine shoulder tackle from Bengals WR Tee Higgins last season during Monday Night Football that triggered cardiac arrest. It was an ordinary tackle that Damar had received thousands of times by that point in his career.

Exceedingly rare, tragic event.

I get that.

But should he really play again, even if the Bills medically cleared him?

So, why do I keep watching?

As my back pain continue to wake me up at 3 am & 4 am, I keep thinking of the physical price these men pay to play this game.

Many of them give up their literal minds & personalities -- what do you think CTE is?

So, if it causes so much of an internal conflict for me, and theres so much cognitive dissonance -- why do I watch?

As I lay awake at 3 am, I think about my favorite NFL player, Joe Burrow, having amnesia at 26.

Burrow told Colin Cowherd on his podcast that there are entire games in college he cant remember because of how hard he was hit.

You really think that isnt happening to Burrow now in the NFL when he was sacked 100+ times the season he took the Bengals to the Super Bowl?

How hard does Aaron Donald hit?

Why did I even get into this sport given how I feel about violence and head injuries?

My husband is a football fanatic and when we started dating 16 years ago, we didnt just watch all of Sundays games together every week, we also watched Sunday Morning Countdown every week on ESPN. From 9 am to 11:30 pm, every Sunday was nothing but football.

I got to know the personalities, both currently on the field, and former personalities now working as TV analysts, play by play announcers and color commentators.

I admired the wide receivers, cornerbacks and tight ends confidence, swagger, big personalities and physical courage. I loved the trash talk and endless storylines. I loved the drama. I loved the sport, the contrast of the exhilirating highs and devastating lows, the constant adrenaline, the men running out of the smoke-filled tunnels, the roar of 70k fans, the larger than life personalities, the devil may care attitude of the players, their toughness and their seemingly invincible auras and their never scared demeanors.

I was hooked.

Football also became our ritual as a couple. Cuddling in bed watching ESPN Sunday Morning Countdown, ordering pizza, wings and breadsticks for the games, talking about upcoming rivalries, cheering the Eagles on, and ofcourse, shit talking the Cowboys.

I started watching football with my husband and became a fan back in 2007.

We then got married in 2014 and, due to his retail job, for the first time I was now watching football games alone on Sunday.

Goddamn, those helmet to helmet hits are fucking loud as fuck.

My husband was no longer around on Sundays to distract me from all of the violence. Just me alone in my apartment every Sunday but I kept the games on because I was so used to watching them by then.

Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.

The hits and collisions were getting to me in the otherwise empty silence of our 1 bedroom apartment but I kept the games on, texting updates to my husband at work whenever big plays would happen.

Prior to meeting my husband, I didnt like football and I questioned the violence. I only watched Super Bowl for the ads and halftime performances. But the violence always bothered me.

In meeting my husband, and watching the countdown shows, NFL on Fox Sunday and all the other programs, it ended up humanizing the players for me.

I saw how brash, braggadocious, brave and fucking cool they were. I was hooked.

But I could never get over, stop questioning or accept the violence. I couldnt turn my brain off and just watch. They didnt disappear for me when my husband turned off SNF.

The hits stayed with me, sometimes for weeks. I was constantly writing down players names that disappeared down the tunnel to the lockerroom. Were they alright? We never got an update about him. Dozens and dozens of names, on every team, regardless of whether it was a back up player, special teams player or someone who was just activated from the practice squad that day. If a player was injured, was removed from the game, and the broadcast didnt have an update by the end of the game, I went online to find out how the players were doing.

My husband and father told me to reserve that level of concern for star players on the team I rooted for, the Eagles, or else every season would be a long season. But I never could do that and I did it for every single player who was seriously injured on broadcast for every team, no matter how much of a fringe player they were, every week.

In 2016, I bought Slow Getting Up by Nate Jackson, a former TE for the Broncos. In his book, which is named after a hit he took from Willie McGinest where the announcers euphemistically stated that he was "slow getting up" where he literally couldnt get out of bed the next day and he was begging his trainer after the game on the team bus for Vicodin or something to take the edge off his pain or he was going to have to "hit the streets".

In his book, Jackson also wrote about how the Broncos team doctor lied to him repeatedly about an injury he complained about all season long and insisted he was fine, but in reality, his hamstring had tore clear off of the bone.

Nate also wrote about how the Broncos head coach, during training camp, was overseeing a hitting drill where Nate as a TE had to repeatedly go against a defender where they had to line up and hit each other over and over and over again to the point where Nate said his head was ringing and there was a shooting pain throughout his body.

Nate said he kept staring at coach throughout the drill, willing him to blow the whistle and mercifully end the hitting drill but no whistle came.

In his book, Nate wrote, Blow the damn whistle! Crack. Blow the whistle! Crack. Come on! Crack. Then, finally, the coach blew the whistle and the torturous drill ended, and Nate said he was seeing stars.

If thats not brainwashing, what is?

I kept researching academic papers, journals and essays. I kept youtubing tackle drills for Mighty Tykes (tackle youth football ages 5 to 7) and Pee Wee (tackle youth football ages 8 to 10). Twelve plus hours on many Saturdays was spent researching things like NFHS contact rules for high school and how they were less protective than NFL and even college rules. For instance, only in 2022 did NFHS change their rules to finally allow HS quarterbacks to throw the ball away.

I still do research all the time to this day. The effects of the game. Frank Gifford. Mike Webster. Terry Bradshaw. Past and present players. Effects of concussions on youth players. CTE incidence rate in high school players.

Why do I still watch?

I asked myself that this morning, aftet another 7 hour google marathon that began when my back pain woke me up at 3 am.

Junior Seau. The culpability of fans in NFL players with CTE who committed suicide.

Do we kill these men?

The honest answer is, I want to finish Joe Burrows story.

Its like Cody Rhodes in WWE.

Ive started the journey with Burrow his rookie year in the NFL when I became a fan and I want to see him win MVP. Prove that hes a better QB than Mahomes. Win a Super Bowl. Hoist the Lombardi trophy. Go from riding the bench for 3 years at OSU as a backup to literal Tom Brady comparisons. Be the only QB in NFL history to have won the CFP, Heismann & the Super Bowl.

I believe Burrow processes the field better than any QB other than Brady. He gets the ball out quickest, his throws are the most accurate, his completion percentage is bananae.

Like Brady, Burrows mental is what differentiates him, not his arm like Herbert, hes not a physical specimen like Allen, not an escape the pocket wizard like Lamar.

Brady was none of those things either.

Like Brady, its Burrows ability to read coverage pre-snap, to adjust, to react, and how quickly and how accurately he does this and how fast he processes the field.

I believe Burrow will win at least 4 Super Bowls and go down as one of the best QBs of all time.

Its Manning/Brady all over again, but Mahomes is Manning and Burrow is Brady, and I am watching it all unfold in real time.

Burrow destroyed his entire knee, ACL and everything, missed most of his rookie season, came back the very next season and took the previous 2-14 Bengals to the Super Bowl and lost to the Rams by 1 play. Oh, and he was sacked that season over 100 times, including 5 sacks in the Super Bowl, tied for all time with Staubach.

I could have blocked better than the line Burrow was stuck with 2 seasons ago. And he still came 1 holding call away within 5 yards of the goal line with a few minutes left in the Super Bowl and 1 play away against the best defensive player other than LT in Aaron Donald from completing the pass to Jamarr and winning the Super Bowl. The Bengals only lost by 4 points.

This past season, Burrow took the Bengals all the way to the AFC Championship after beating the Bills at home in the snow at Highmark Stadium, but this time the Chiefs won.

This season, I believe Joe will win the Super Bowl and MVP. As he said when he responded to Mahomes' and Kelce's trash talk, "We'll see you in December."

But thats why.

As much as I love and root for the Eagles and have even seen them play in person at The Linc, all of the gameday rituals with my husband, we make a different dip every week and eat it all day while we watch all of the games, cuddling in bed watcing Game Day morning, making the dip for the 1 pm game, eating it during the 4 pm and SNF games, then putting on Game Day Final as we go to sleep. Football and gameday are one our biggest rituals as a couple.

But the reason I just cant turn it off with all of the cognitive dissonance I feel about the sport and the NFL is Burrow.

I really am invested in his journey and I just cant turn it off.

But, just like it was before I ever met my husband and became a fan, I can never turn my brain off. I can never just accept the violence. I cant stop researching and questioning. Wondering how and if the game can be made safer. Should kids play tackle football under 14? Even at 14, the brain is still developing -- should they be exposing themselves to all those hits when they arent even being compensated and most wont play at the college level, forget about arena/XFL/USFL/CFL/Europe.

The exploitation, the science, the racism. When will there be a test that can detect CTE in living and current players at all levels? Are we 5 years away? 3 years? 1 year? Does that end the sport as we know it as lower levels will be unable to ensure it, if say, 33%+ current players already have CTE? Will tackle football become 7 on 7 and/or flag football?

Does Joe Burrow have CTE along with the amnesia he has already admitted to?

Do the majority of college and NFL linemen, running backs and tight ends have CTE? What about high school?

As I continue to research, grapple, question and think, I've also already planned our dip for the Eagles Week 1 game. I'm already counting down to the Bengals/Chiefs match up in December. I have my oversized Bengals chain and Joe Burrow shirt where hes wearing the Cartiers & fur jacket he wore to Arrowhead Stadium on display near my TV.

But I also have, and will always have, my cognitive dissonance about football.

[ncisfranchise-source]

For 18 seasons, CBS’ Tuesday lineup was anchored by NCIS before the venerable crime drama moved to Mondays in fall 2021 to make room for an FBI night. The NCIS franchise is returning to the Tuesday 8 PM time period this fall with the Paramount+ Australia series NCIS: Sydney, which will premiere in the slot Nov. 14.

NCIS: Sydney, the first international spinoff for a CBS Studios global drama franchise, was originally slated to debut on CBS Nov. 13, three days after the series’ worldwide premiere in Australia, and air in the Monday 10 PM time period.

However, ABC announced this week that it will simulcast 10 additional Monday Night Football games. With the move, NCIS: Sydney, a rare original scripted series on the fall broadcast schedule, severely impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, will not have to face NFL football while also capitalizing on NCIS fans’ longtime viewing habits of tuning in Tuesdays at 8 PM.

In the hour, NCIS: Sydney will succeed Big Brother, which will have wrapped its season by then. It will be followed by an NCIS rerun for a two-hour franchise block, and Paramount+’s FBI: True docuseries, which will slide from 9 PM to 10 PM starting Nov. 14.

Originally, NCIS: Sydney was supposed to follow an NCIS repeat on Mondays and air in NCIS: Hawai’i‘s Monday 10 PM slot. Back-to-back NCIS repeats will now run from 9-10 PM Mondays as CBS is relying on its arguably most resilient repeat performer against MNF while also keeping the block warm for NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i’s eventual return to originals.

I hear the 10 PM slot is envisioned as a drama procedural wheel, with FBI, whose repeats will be airing Tuesdays 9 PM, leading to FBI: True, until NCIS: Sydney‘s arrives, expected to be part of the rotation.

In other CBS fall schedule tweaks, new reality series Buddy Games, currently airing Thursday 9 PM behind Big Brother, will swap slots with Big Brother on Thursday, Sept. 28.

NCIS: Sydney, starring Olivia Swann and Todd Lasance, sees rising international tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The brilliant and eclectic team of U.S. NCIS Agents and the Australian Federal Police are grafted into a multi-national taskforce, to keep naval crimes in check, in the most contested patch of ocean on the planet.

Here is the revised CBS lineup:

Thursday, Sept. 28

8:00-9:00 PM BUDDY GAMES (special airing)

9:00-10:00 PM BIG BROTHER (special airing)

10:00-11:00 PM THE CHALLENGE: USA

Mondays, starting Nov. 13

8:00-9:00 PM LOTERÍA LOCA

9:00-10:00 PM NCIS (encore episodes)

10:00-11:00 PM NCIS (encore episodes)

Tuesdays, starting Nov. 14

8:00-9:00 PM NCIS: SYDNEY (new time period premiere)

9:00-10:00 PM NCIS (encore episodes)

10:00-11:00 PM FBI TRUE (new time period)

[news4usonline]

Rams' Stafford continues to defy logic

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. - Don’t expect quarterback Matthew Stafford to be on any type of pitch count this season. At least for now. The NFL is not like baseball where managers can dictate to a pitcher how many pitches he is allowed to throw during a game.  Quarterbacks in the NFL like Stafford are not constricted as by the baseball approach to limit a pitcher’s productivity by the number of pitches he throws. That's In practicality and in theory unless the guy just can't throw the football. Throughout his career, Stafford has been pretty good at throwing the football, completing just over 63 percent of his passes. For Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, situational football dictates whether or not Stafford can fling the pigskin around the field as many times as it calls for. 

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) does what it takes to help his team be successful, even running the football from time to time. Photo by Mark Hammond/News4usonline/File Stafford got the ball off 49 times in a losing cause to the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Stafford completed 34 of his 49 passes to end the game with a 69 percent clip. His final stat line included 317 yards passing and a touchdown.  McVay said there are no limitations on Stafford when it comes to the passing game.    "No, I wouldn't say that,” McVay remarked after a team practice on Sept. 13. “You go into games... everybody wants to talk about run-pass balance. There are certain situations and different things that dictate different approaches. Ultimately, I'm interested in how do we most efficiently move the football and score points? That's the most important thing for us. How that is illustrated and how that unfolds is something that is a case-by-case scenario.” It’s an excellent point made by McVay. In Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams fell into a 14-0 deficit early and lost the ballgame, 41-10. With the game unraveling at a quickening pace, Stafford and Rams offense was not able to get in sync with one another. Stafford attempted just 27 passes against the Cardinals. In contrast, the Rams ran the ball 20 times in the road defeat. Though McVay’s team absorbed its second loss of the season, the pass-run ratio was closer than that of the first game.  With a pass-heavy plan in Week 1, the Rams running backs touched the ball 23 times compared to the 49 times Stafford put the ball in the air.       

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) completed 15 of 24 passes against the Arizona Cardinals in a 26-9 win at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 15, 2023. Photo by Sammy Saludo/News4usonline/File “Now I will say this, the best offenses I've been a part of had the ability to do either or. What that looks like is something that I can answer those after the games, but I'm not necessarily looking for a certain number because the defense does have a say in how we best feel like that's illustrated in regards to moving it and scoring points is a week by week thing," McVay said.  If Stafford is to average 49 passes per game (based on his Week 1 performance) that would projected to be 5,389 yards through the 17-game regular season. Amazingly, Stafford has only hit the 5,000 passing yards clip only one time during his illustrious career.  The flip side to this equation is a reality check. If Stafford goes out and attempts 49 passes a game he would finish the season with 833 passes thrown. That's a lot of balls being thrown. Considering that Stafford has thrown the football 727 (2012) times in one season and over 600 (2011, 2013, 2014, and 2021) times on four other occasions, 800 pass attempts is a doable milestone for the veteran signal-caller.  But at what cost? A tired arm at the end of the season? Outside of his man-on-a-mission season in 2021, his first season with the Rams after being traded from Detroit, Stafford’s other high-flying passing attempts came early in his career.  Stafford and the Rams would later defeat the Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl LVI in 2022. In leading the Rams to a Wild Card playoff appearance, Stafford slung the ball around the field 521 times during the 2023 regular season for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns. 

Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) prepares to fire a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL regular season. Stafford completed 19 of 27 passes for 216 yards in a 41-10 defeat to the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024. Photo credit: Los Angeles Rams Last season, Stafford put the ball in the air 40 times or more in three games, including tossing it 55 times in a 23-20 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. In the team’s first game in 2023, Stafford threw it 38 times in the season-opening win against the Seattle Seahawks.  Stafford is not a young buck anymore. His grizzled, slightly graying beard reflects as much. But he is still a future Hall of Famer who can do things with his passing wizardry that others wish they could do. He can still make all the throws and then some. He is still the unmistakable leader of the Rams.   The Rams will go as far as Stafford will take them, whether he attempts 50 passes in a game or puts the ball in the air a dozen times. It's about putting his team in the best position to succeed, Stafford said.     “I'm doing whatever's best for me to try to be physically as ready to go as I possibly can be, try to pick up as much as I can mentally watching the game and how can I create advantages before the snap, after the snap get our guys in good positions to go be successful,” Stafford said before team’s season-opener against Detroit.   “ try to make sure that when my opportunities to make plays come that I can still do that, and I feel like I can. feel like I did a decent clip last year and am looking forward to the challenge of trying to do it again this year,” Stafford added.  Top Image Caption: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks downfield to throw the football against the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL game played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sept. 15, 2024. Photo credit: Los Angeles Rams Read the full article

[sa7abnews]

Nick Foles, who led Eagles to only Super Bowl win in franchise history, announces retirement

New Post has been published on https://sa7ab.info/2024/08/09/nick-foles-who-led-eagles-to-only-super-bowl-win-in-franchise-history-announces-retirement/

Nick Foles, who led Eagles to only Super Bowl win in franchise history, announces retirement

NFL quarterback Nick Foles has decided to retire from the NFL after an 11-year run, which included a Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles. Foles released a video on social media explaining his decision to retire, while thanking everyone who has been a part of his lengthy journey in the league. “It’s crazy to be in this moment, looking at this camera officially announcing my retirement from the NFL,” Foles’ video began. “From the first day I was born, my dad put a football in my hand. He must’ve known something, because that became a dream of mine since I’ve been a kid, to play in the NFL. And I will be forever grateful for that.”CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM”It’s been such a special privilege to play for Philadelphia, St. Louis, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Chicago and Indianapolis.”Foles was the prototypical quarterback in terms of physical attributes coming out of Arizona in 2012. At 6-foot-6, 262 pounds, Foles had a strong arm and good decision-making skills, which ultimately led the Eagles to draft him in the third round (88th overall). Foles would make a name for himself in 2013 after taking over the starting position from Michael Vick, who suffered a hamstring injury. He would go on to have an 8-2 record in his 10 starts, and threw for 2,891 yards with 27 touchdowns and two interceptions in 13 total games. JASON KELCE EXPLAINED WHY NICK FOLES HAD ‘BIGGEST D—’ DURING EAGLES’ SUPER BOWL VICTORYToday, Foles’ touchdown-interception ratio during that season remains an NFL record. He would also be named a Pro Bowl alternate during that year as well. But Foles’ journeyman career started in 2015 when he joined the St. Louis Rams, working to a 4-7 starting record over 11 games. He landed with Kansas City the next season, working as a backup for the Chiefs before the Eagles brought him back in 2017. It was that year when Foles was depended on to help the Eagles get through the injury to starting quarterback Carson Wentz, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 against the Rams. Foles would not only anchor the offense heading into the playoffs, but he would go on a run, helping his team defeat the Atlanta Falcons (15-10) in the divisional round and Minnesota Vikings (38-7) in the NFC Championship Game to reach the Super Bowl against the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots. Foles would go on to win Super Bowl LII MVP as the Eagles defeated the Patriots, 41-33, in which the quarterback caught a touchdown pass from tight end Trey Burton – a play that goes down in legend as the “Philly Special,” also known as “Philly Philly.””Specifically, thank you to the Philadelphia Eagles fans,” Foles said in the video. “Thank you for all your support from 2012, when I was drafted, to 2017, when I came back. You truly made playing in Philadelphia the most special experience in my football career.”The Eagles noted that Foles will officially retire as a member of the organization.Foles played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, followed by the Chicago Bears in 2020 and 2021 before finishing with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. He thanked the NFL fans all around the world for their support during his time with each franchise, while also recognizing his wife for helping out with his family during those years of moving around the country. “I want to give a special thanks to my wife, Tori,” he said. “You’re the rock of the household. Thank you for guiding our family through the transitions. The conversations we’ve had before games, the week of games.”Foles finishes his career with a Super Bowl ring, one Pro Bowl, 14,227 passing yards and 82 touchdown passes over 71 games.”As I step away from this game, I want to cheer on the next generation of NFL players. Go out there each and every day and give it everything you have,” Foles said. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

[lboogie1906]

Jalen Alexander Hurts (August 7, 1998) is a football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played his first three seasons of college football at Alabama, where he was part of the team that won the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship and used his final year of eligibility at Oklahoma. He was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and became their starter near the end of his rookie season. Following a playoff defeat in 2021, he led the Eagles to a 14–3 record and an appearance in Super Bowl LVII the following year, losing in only one of his regular-season appearances.

His parents are Pamela and Averion Hurts. Hurts has two siblings: a younger sister, Kynnedy, and an older brother. His brother, Averion, was the starting quarterback for Texas Southern University and is now a college football coach at the University of Alabama. As of his freshman year, one of his parents attended his football game every week, while the other attended Averion’s game.

He is a Christian. He has said, “I keep God at the center of everything. I give Him all the praise, I lean on Him all the time. And I know that everything unfolds the way it’s supposed to.”

On June 20, 2022, he filed for a trademark for the phrase “HURTS SO GOOD.” The trademark registry says that it will be used for a clothing line that includes “men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, namely shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, pants, shorts, vests, gloves, socks, sweaters, underwear, skirts, hats, and belts.”

He is an advocate for women in sports and employs an all-female management team, including his social media, marketing, communications, and sports agent team members. In 2021, he honored female empowerment and women in sports when participating in the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative.

In 2022, he provided vocals on the Christmas album A Philly Special Christmas. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #omegapsiphi

[defensefilms]

NFL 2024 Wildcard Round Preview & Predictions

While I haven't posted any NFL blogs this season I have been sure to keep an eye on the happenings throughout the league, and we're finally in the part of the season that matters.

So lets dive in to the full plate of nuggets and preview this weekend's games.

1. Detroit Lions vs Los Angeles Rams

Of all the games that will be played on this weekend, this one has the most storylines and subplots.

Starting with quarterbacks who traded places 3 years ago and now face off. Fortunately, this matchup will likely be decided by more than just the quarterbacks.

The Rams appear to have found a remedy to thier run game through Kyren Williams, who is 3rd in total rushing yards, and in contrast the Lions have a more balanced attack with David Montgomerry leading their run game and Amon-Ra St. Brown leading thier pass catchers.

This is a situation where I am opting to pick with my head over my heart, and while I'll actually be rooting for the Lions to win the game because thier story in 2023 has been phenomenal, I am going to pick the Rams and Sean McVay to win in Detroit and upset the team with a better record.

MY PICK: Rams Win 27-24

2. Tampa Bay Buccanneers vs Philadelphia Eagles

I am in a state of near-catastrohic horror at what has happened to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.

What started out as a promising season and Philly repeatedly executing the greatest play ever executed in NFL history, has turned into a late season collapse that started with that really bad loss to the 9ers in week 13.

Thier defensive back issues have now spiralled in to a team that leak points so badly, they lost to the New York Giants in week 17, and it's crept it's way on to the offense, and the Eagles were shutout and put up 0 points.

Then you have to factor in Philly's history against Tampa Bay itself. Flashbacks to 2002 when Gruden's defensive juggernauts domniated Donovan McNabb and the Eagles, as well as the more recent 15-31 demolition at the hands of Tom Brady's Buccaneers in the 2021 playoffs.

I will say this, I am glad that Bruce Arians isn't calling plays in Tampa because he'd air it out on these Philly db's.

My biggest concern though, is that Jalen Hurts has 9 fumbles this season and Tampa safety Antoine Winfield, is joint-leader in forced fumbles with 6, and Tampa have been good at that as a team with 18 on the season.

I'll pick the Eagles to win here, only because I still think the Eagles offense has some life left in it and I am a Jalen Hurts believer.

MY PICK: Eagles Win 21-16

3. Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins

Honestly, I don't root for the FIns and I don't even enjoy watching them play neccessarily, but I do enjoy the schadenfreud of watching Tua Tagovailoa, lead the league in passing yards and quarterback a team in the playoffs.

The Chiefs are different story and to be honest with I have enjoyed watching the Chiefs more this year, than any other season of the Mahomes era, at times it's been kind of comical.

The Dolphins are dealing with a bunch of injuries. Jaylen Waddle, Bradley Chubb, Xavien Howard, Raheem Mostert were all out in week 18 and likely in the Wildcard round too.

The Chiefs have to like thier chances and thier recievers can breath a little bit easier, knowing the Dolphins won't be thier usual high-scoring selves. I fully expect the Chief's recievers to drop passes, but this particular opponent can't make them pay them when they do it on 3rd down.

The only issue I see, is Kansas City are not a high scoring team in thier own right either, and while the Fins'injuries are worse.

I want the Fins to win but their too injured and will likely lose a close low scoring game in Arrowhead on Tyreke Hill's return.

MY PICK: Chiefs win 21-17

4. Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers

I honestly think that the Pitburgh Steelers are doing is winning games via witchcraft because just as recenty as week 14, the entire state of Pennsylvania wanted him fired.

The Bills for thier part, started the first 10 weeks of the season with a 5-5 record and have since ripped off a 6 game winning streak that sees them in the 2 seed.

The Steelers offense sputtered badly midway through the season, but since week 16 and putting Mason Rudolph on the field, things have been looking up.

It sucks that TJ Watt won't play, he leads the league in sacks and that matters because the Bills are the best team in 3rd down percentage this season with 49%.

Buffalo finally appear to have found some balance between Josh Allen heroics and establishing the run. To make matters worse, Buffalo also rank as one of the best pass defenses in the league, ranking 7th in opponent passing yards.

What this comes down to, is that the Bills have Josh Allen and the Steelers are quarterbacked by Mason Rudolph, and in contrast to most of the weekend's games, you can't convince me that the favorite isn't winning this.

MY PICK: Bills Win 28-16

5. Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans

The Browns have been my guilty pleasure all season long, and those sideline-to-sideline videos on thier Youtube channel are honestly awesome.

A team whose defense has been lead by Myles Garret, and has had to find thier identity on the offensive side of the ball becasue of injures to 3 different quarterbacks this season, and while I don't love Kevin Stefanksi's play calling, he does deserve credit for the circumstance he was in this year and how his team kept winning.

The Houston Texans have undergone a rejuvenation in thier own right with newly drafted CJ Stroud under center.

While Deshaun Watson will have to watch his current and former teams from the sidelines as a result of a shoulder injury, Joe Flacco will quarterback the Browns and has since week 14, and with him has come a new confidence to the Browns' offense.

I'll gladly take the Browns and thier newly minted Joe Flacco offense, alongside the best defense in the NFL to win this one.

MY PICK: Browns Win 27-20

6. Dallas Cowboys vs Greenbay Packers

The Packers are in a unique position because of how quickly they've gotten back to playoff contention.

I get that Jordan Love has been given the mantle as appears to have been the plan since he was drafted, and I don't know what to make of him getting the Packers to the playoffs in his first season. It's kind of unreal that the Packers got over Aaron Rodgers this quickly, add to that Love isn't the finished article yet.

The other major storyline is Cowboys head coach, Mike McCarthy playing host to his former team and that will surely dominate the headlines and previews going in to the weekend.

Dak Prescott leads the league in passes completed, as well as passing touchdowns, and CeeDee Lamb leads the league in passes caught.

Plus I like the idea of Dallas' defense against a young quarterback, playing in thier home building and Dallas corner DaRon Bland leads the league in interceptions.

I'm picking Dallas to win, but beware because anyone who picks the underdog is not crazy. Jordan Love is completing 64% of his passes and the sneaky Packers, always seem to come up with something from special teams through Keisean Nixon.

MY PICK: Cowboys win 34-27

[nfliplnews]

[ad_1] Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell shared his thoughts on young defenders Ventrell Miller and Jordan Smith, two former Gators.It's been a long two years, now going on three for Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Jordan Smith.He worked to adjust to the NFL after the Jaguars drafted him in the fourth round in 2021 and seemed to be serving a redshirt season of sports when he languished on the inactive list for 14 weeks, then spent one week on the NFL's reserve/COVID list before finally playing in the final two games of the season.The turmoil of the failed Urban Meyer experiment didn't help, but then again it wasn't good for any player as the Jags stumbled to a 3-14 season.More Jaguars coverage'Full steam ahead': Jaguars to play starters for first half vs. Dolphins despite injuriesDaVon update: Jaguars DT Hamilton out indefinitely with a back issueJaguars-Lions takeaways: Jaguars win, Bigsby rolls, O-line suffers injuriesA new staff brought a breath of fresh air and coach Doug Pederson and defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell were more than willing to give Smith, the tallest edge rusher on the team at 6 feet 7 and blessed with speed and strength, every chance to make the team.But on the first day of mandatory mini-camp, Smith injured his knee and was out for the season.The Jaguars kept him on. Smith kept rehabbing. But entering his third professional season, was he running out of chances, especially on a team with the need to jump-start the pass rush?Smith put his head down and did the only thing he knew."Overcoming adversity means staying disciplined and taking it day by day," he said. "Not overlooking anything. It's become more of a habit ... just being who I am and overcoming whatever hits me."A reunion six years in the makingHere's one thing that helps: good friends. Loyal friends. Friends who have been through the same adversity.And while Smith treasures the support of his Jaguars teammates and the faith the coaching staff has shown in him, his spirits got a lift on April 29, the third day of the NFL draft.Smith was like any hardcore football fan: he was still locked into watching draft coverage. And when the Jaguars' pick came in the fourth round, the 127th selection, he listened with delight as the team picked University of Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller."Welcome to the family," Smith texted to Miller."He's my dog," Smith said of his former Gator roommate of one season."He's my guy," Miller countered. "One of the first people I got to know at Florida. When I got here, it was like seeing family again."Six years ago, in their Gainesville dorm room, the two did what any two college teammates would: talk and dream about playing together on a Gator defense and a championship team.A lot got in the way.Roommates part waysSmith was a redshirt freshman from Lithonia, Ga., and Miller was a true freshman from Lakeland when they met during off-season workouts in the summer of 2017. Both were signed by Jim McElwain and the Gators were coming off a second SEC East title in a row.Of course, Smith and Miller talked about leading the Gator defense to a third, and perhaps a reverse of fortunes in the SEC Championship game.They never played a down together for UF. Both got involved with seven other players in the fraudulent use of credit cards, the first blow in a disastrous season that saw McElwain fired after a 3-4 start.Smith and Miller went their separate ways after that, even in the manner in which their cases were adjudicated and their next step in playing college football. Miller entered a pretrial intervention program a month after the initial charges were filed and Smith eventually pleaded no contest to one count of scheming to defraud four months later and received two years probation.Miller decided to stay at Florida and new coach Dan Mullen reinstated him. But Smith decided to leave, played one season at Butler (Kan.) Community College, then transferred to Alabama-Birmingham.They rehabilitated their image on and off the field.Miller became a starter for the Gators in 2019 and in 23 games covering the next two seasons he had 13 tackles for losses, 8.5 sacks and batted down three passes. He also made the SEC All-Academic team twice.He missed all but two games in 2021 because of his biceps injury, then returned and played 2022 with a Jones fracture of his foot and still had 8.5 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed.Smith terrorized the Jayhawk Conference in 2018 with 22.5 tackles for losses and 11 sacks. In 22 games in two seasons at UAB, he had 23.5 tackles for losses and 12.5 sacks.In short, he was nearly unblockable in college. Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke traded up nine spots in 2021 to grab Smith, hoping to jump-start a pass rush that was next-to-last in the NFL in sacks the previous season.Jaguars rookie linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) jokes with teammate Dequan Jackson (55) during a rookie minicamp practice on May 12.Following similar tracksMiller and Smith are both healthy so far and enjoying fine training camps. Miller is listed as the third-team middle linebacker, behind Foye Oluokun and Shaq Quarterman, and Smith is third team behind Josh Allen and fellow rookie Yasir Abdullah at one outside linebacker spot.Miller and Smith both flashed in the first two preseason games. Miller has a sack in each game and four unassisted tackles and Smith had five tackles with one for a loss against Dallas and a quarterback hit and a pass break-up against Detroit.Miller is also what coaches call a "four core" special teams player. He has 42 snaps on defense in two games and 25 on special teams. Smith has 55 defensive snaps.Jaguars defensive end Jordan Smith watches a drill during a training camp practice on July 27.Since the two play different positions, they can be 100 percent supportive of each other's efforts."We talk every day, make sure we have each other's energy every day," Smith said. "It's making sure that neither one of us gets complacent."Miller said he learned quickly, with the help of Smith, that playing in the NFL is much different than college in terms of how to approach the day-to-day job duties of practice, meetings and conditioning."It's a job," he said. "Everything you do is for the job. The free time you have, you need to be putting it to your job, getting better at it. It's being more mature, more grown up, doing extra work. You've got to be a pro."Both players had some rehabbing to do during the OTAs and the summer. Miller said watching Smith was an inspiration."Jordan had a rough year but it's been good to see him get back to what he can do," Miller said. "He's making plays, I'm making plays. It's a joy to watch."Smith appreciates the staff's loyaltySmith has earned his shot but said it would have been easy for Pederson and Caldwell to write him off. After all, he was a third-day draft pick from a previous regime, had only 33 NFL snaps and is coming off a lost season.It's obvious that his physical skills, patience and work ethic have made an impact."I love this coaching staff," Smith said. "I really do feel like coach Pederson believes in me and he knows I'm capable of great things. The fact that I'm still here and still have an opportunity means they see something in me and I appreciate that."Miller also understands the staff took a chance on him. The pick came under some criticism, mainly due to Miller's injury issues at UF, the fact that he's 6-0 and 232 pounds and the Jaguars drafted two linebackers (Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma) last year)."I've been playing this position a long time," Miller said. "It takes hard work and playing fast but I'm a competitor."Baalke dismissed those concerns and said the Jaguars are getting first and foremost a leader and a football player."He's a three-time captain ... he's a high intangible guy. He's a baller," Baalke said after the draft.The dream is getting closerCaldwell said the team needs pass-rush help and big plays and Smith and Miller are trending in the right direction.And perhaps it was a sign of faith in Smith that they passed on bidding wars with recent edge rushers who have been available such as Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Houston and Yannick Ngakoue.“Jordan is working and he has talent, something we can use," Caldwell said. "He's another pass rusher. It's always good to have multiple pass rushers. Ventrell has the knack to make big plays and that’s something we’re looking for.”There's one more preseason game left, Saturday at EverBank Stadium against Miami (7 p.m., CBS-47). Next week is cutdown day. But at this point, Smith and Miller may finally realize the dream they talked about six years ago in Gainesville: get on the field together and make a little mayhem.This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars defenders Ventrell Miller, Jordan Smith know time is short [ad_2] Source link

[abcnewspr]

THE #1 PROGRAM ON ALL OF U.S. TELEVISION IS ‘WORLD NEWS TONIGHT WITH DAVID MUIR’ ― AMERICA’S #1 NEWSCAST ACROSS BROADCAST AND CABLE, LEADING IN TOTAL VIEWERS, ADULTS 25-54 AND ADULTS 18-49, INCREASING LEAD OVER NBC WEEK TO WEEK IN ADULTS 25-54 

‘World News Tonight’ Leads NBC by 1.4 Million and CBS by 3.1 Million Viewers 

‘World News Tonight’ Is Ranking #1 in Total Viewers for the 7th Consecutive Season and in Both Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 for the 4th Season in a Row 

ABC News* 

“World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program of the week in Total Viewers (7.328 million) on all of broadcast and cable for the 7th straight week during the week of July 31, 2023, based on Live + Same Day Data from Nielsen Media Research. 

“World News Tonight” ranked as the No. 1 newscast on all of broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (7.328 million), Adults 25-54 (1.069 million) and Adults 18-49 (726,000). “World News Tonight” outperformed “NBC Nightly News” (5.924 million, 933,000 and 644,000, respectively) by 1.404 million Total Viewers, by 136,000 Adults 25-54 and by 82,000 Adults 18-49. 

“World News Tonight” increased its Adults 25-54 lead over the NBC program week to week by 14% (136,000 vs. 119,000). 

“World News Tonight” has won the last 244 of 245 weeks in Total Viewers and 173 of the last 175 in Adults 25-54. 

Season to date, “World News Tonight” (8.155 million) is ranking No. 1 in Total Viewers for the 7th straight year, based on Most Current Data. “World News Tonight” is leading “NBC Nightly News” (6.810 million) by 1.345 million and “CBS Evening News” (4.879 million) by 3.276 million. In addition, “World News Tonight” is increasing its lead compared to its lead at the same point last season by 4% over NBC (1.345 million vs. 1.288 million) and by 1% over CBS (3.276 million vs. 3.240 million). 

“World News Tonight” is ranking No. 1 in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 for the 4th season in a row. “World News Tonight” is leading NBC in Adults 25-54 (+186,000 – 1.305 million vs. 1.119 million) and in Adults 18-49 (+128,000 – 907,000 vs. 779,000). In addition, “World News Tonight” is leading “CBS Evening News” (760,000 and 511,000, respectively) by 545,000 Adults 25-54 and by 396,000 Adults 18-49. 

For the week, “World News Tonight” (7.328 million, 1.069 million and 726,000, respectively) defeated “CBS Evening News” (4.229 million, 589,000 and 395,000, respectively) by 3.099 million Total Viewers, by 480,000 Adults 25-54 and by 331,000 Adults 18-49. 

NOTE: On Thursday (8/3/23), “NBC Nightly News” was retitled to NBC Nitely News” due to NFL preseason football. The telecast is excluded from the weekly and season averages. NBC’s weekly averages are based on four days (Monday-Wednesday and Friday). 

ABC’s “World News Tonight with David Muir” airs 6:30-7:00 p.m. EDT on ABC. Almin Karamehmedovic is the senior executive producer of the broadcast. 

Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49 Live + SD Current Week (w/o 7/31/23), Previous Week (w/o 7/24/23) and Year-Ago Week (w/o 8/1/22). Most Current Data Stream: Season 2022-2023 (9/19/22-7/30/23) and Season 2021-2022 (9/20/21-7/31/2023). Live. Nielsen ratings for ABC, NBC and CBS include additional airings in select markets. Beginning 8/31/20, national ratings also include Out of Home (OOH) viewing. Averages based on regular telecasts. 

*COPYRIGHT ©2023 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All photography is copyrighted material and is for editorial use only. Images are not to be archived, altered, duplicated, resold, retransmitted or used for any other purposes without written permission of ABC. Images are distributed to the press to publicize current programming. Any other usage must be licensed. 

ABC News Media Relations  

Anna Negrón anna.m.negron@abc.com 

Pons Rongavilla  ponciano.rongavilla@abc.com 

For more information, follow ABC News PR on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

-- ABC -- 

[brookston]

Holidays 2.12

Holidays

Borrowed Days begin (until 14th; Scotland)

Bra Day (Japan)

Darwin Day

Flip Flop Day [also 3rd Friday in June]

Gamma Day (Illinois)

Georgia Day (US)

Hug Day

International Darwin Day

International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers

International Day of Women’s Health

Janet Jackson Appreciation Day

Lincoln's Birthday

Lost Penny Day

Love a Mensch Day

Moresdag (Mother’s Day; Norway)

NAACP Day

National Braydon Day

National Freedom to Marry Day

National Hump for a Day, Day

National Productivity Day (India)

National Women’s Day (Pakistan)

Oglethorpe Day (a.k.a. Georgia Day; US)

Paul Bunyan Day (Bangor, Maine) [also 8.10]

Pick A New Love Song Day

Red Hand Day (UN)

Rhapsody in Blue Day

Safety Pup Day

Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day (Canada)

Union Day (Myanmar)

World Cholangiocarcinoma Day

Youth Day (Venezuela)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Hot Tea Day

National Biscotti Day

National P.B. & J. Day

Plum Pudding Day

2nd Sunday in February

Autism Sunday [2nd Sunday]

Daytona 500 Race Day [2nd Sunday]

International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger Syndrome [2nd Sunday]

International Flirting Week begins [Sunday before Valentine’s Day]

Man Day [Sunday before 14th]

Sour Sunday [1st Sunday of SF Beer Week]

Super Bowl Sunday [2nd Sunday] (a.k.a. ... 

Bud Bowl Day

National Bring Back Marching Bands Day

National Homegating Day

National Popcorn Day

National Pork Rind Day

NFL Day

Neo-Prohibitionist’s Complaining Day

Suberb Owl DAy

Super Bowl of Caring [ website ]

Super Chicken Wing Day

World Marriage Day [2nd Sunday]

Independence Days

The Baillium Empire (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Chile (Declared from Spain, 1818)

Sexistan (Declared; 2015) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Aesop (Positivist; Saint)

Anthony Cauleas, Patriarch of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Benedict of Aniane (Christian; Saint)

Bruno (Muppetism)

Choes Day (Day of the Cups; Ancient Greece)

Damian of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Darwin Day (Pastafarian)

Diana’s Day (Ancient Rome)

Eulalia (Christian; Saint)

Festival of Artemis (Goddess of the Hunt; Ancient Greece)

Festival of Pitooyage (God of gaming & chance; Oaxaca, Mexico)

High Confiscation of Property (Church of the SubGenius)

Julian the Hospitaller (Christian; Saint) [travelers, innkeepers & circus performers]

Martyrs of Abitinae (Christian; Martyrs)

Meletius, Patriarch of Antioch (Christian; Saint)

Sacrifice to Dionysos (Ancient Greece)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Prime Number Day: 43 [14 of 72]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [11 of 57]

Premieres

Animals, by Pink Floyd (Album; 1977)

Blast from the Past (Film; 1999)

The Blue Umbrella (Animated Pixar Short; 2013)

Deadpool (Film; 2016)

English Settlement, by XTC (Album; 1982)

Groundhog Day (Film; 1993)

The International (Film; 2009)

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, by Dick Powell and Alice Faye (Song; 1937)

Life Is Beautiful (Film; 1999)

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (Film; 2021)

More Than You Know, recorded by Mildred Bailey (Song; 1942)

Moving Pictures, by Rush (Album; 1981)

On Golden Pond (Film; 1982)

On the Avenue (Film; 1937)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Film; 2010)

Pluto’s Housewarming (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Rhapsody in Blue, by George Gershwin (Musical Composition; 1924)

Robocop (Film; 2014)

Run to the Hills, by Iron Maiden (Song; 1982)

School Daze (Film; 1988)

The Squaw Man (Film; 1914) [1st Film made in Hollywood]

Strictly Ballroom (Film; 1993)

Untamed Heart (Film; 1993)

Zoolander 2 (Film; 2016)

Today’s Name Days

Benedikt, Eulalia, Gregor (Austria)

Zvonimir, Zvonko (Croatia)

Slavěna (Czech Republic)

Eulalia (Denmark)

Alma, Alme, Elma, Elme, Elmi (Estonia)

Elma, Elmi (Finland)

Félix (France)

Benedikt, Eulalia (Germany)

Meletios, Meletis, Plotinos (Greece)

Lídia, Lívia (Hungary)

Alessio, Eulalia, Pilerio (Italy)

Karlīna, Karline, Līna (Latvia)

Benediktas, Deimantė, Eulalija, Mantminas (Lithuania)

Randi, Randulf, Ronja (Norway)

Aleksy, Benedykt, Eulalia, Julian, Laurenty, Modest, Nora, Radzim, Trzebisława (Poland)

Meletie (Romania)

Perla (Slovakia)

Eulalia (Spain)

Evelina, Evy (Sweden)

Ulas (Ukraine)

Abra, Abraham, Abram, Bram, Darwin, Ibrahim (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 43 of 2023; 322 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 6 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Luis (Rowan) [Day 22 of 28]

Chinese: Month 1 (Jia-Yin), Day 22 (Xin-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 21 Shevat 5783

Islamic: 21 Rajab II 1444

J Cal: 13 Xin; Sixday [13 of 30]

Julian: 30 January 2023

Moon: 60%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 15 Homer (2nd Month) [Aesop)

Runic Half Month: Sigel (Sun) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 54 of 90)

Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 23 of 30)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 2.12

Holidays

Borrowed Days begin (until 14th; Scotland)

Bra Day (Japan)

Darwin Day

Flip Flop Day [also 3rd Friday in June]

Gamma Day (Illinois)

Georgia Day (US)

Hug Day

International Darwin Day

International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers

International Day of Women’s Health

Janet Jackson Appreciation Day

Lincoln's Birthday

Lost Penny Day

Love a Mensch Day

Moresdag (Mother’s Day; Norway)

NAACP Day

National Braydon Day

National Freedom to Marry Day

National Hump for a Day, Day

National Productivity Day (India)

National Women’s Day (Pakistan)

Oglethorpe Day (a.k.a. Georgia Day; US)

Paul Bunyan Day (Bangor, Maine) [also 8.10]

Pick A New Love Song Day

Red Hand Day (UN)

Rhapsody in Blue Day

Safety Pup Day

Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day (Canada)

Union Day (Myanmar)

World Cholangiocarcinoma Day

Youth Day (Venezuela)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Hot Tea Day

National Biscotti Day

National P.B. & J. Day

Plum Pudding Day

2nd Sunday in February

Autism Sunday [2nd Sunday]

Daytona 500 Race Day [2nd Sunday]

International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger Syndrome [2nd Sunday]

International Flirting Week begins [Sunday before Valentine’s Day]

Man Day [Sunday before 14th]

Sour Sunday [1st Sunday of SF Beer Week]

Super Bowl Sunday [2nd Sunday] (a.k.a. ... 

Bud Bowl Day

National Bring Back Marching Bands Day

National Homegating Day

National Popcorn Day

National Pork Rind Day

NFL Day

Neo-Prohibitionist’s Complaining Day

Suberb Owl DAy

Super Bowl of Caring [ website ]

Super Chicken Wing Day

World Marriage Day [2nd Sunday]

Independence Days

The Baillium Empire (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Chile (Declared from Spain, 1818)

Sexistan (Declared; 2015) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Aesop (Positivist; Saint)

Anthony Cauleas, Patriarch of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Benedict of Aniane (Christian; Saint)

Bruno (Muppetism)

Choes Day (Day of the Cups; Ancient Greece)

Damian of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Darwin Day (Pastafarian)

Diana’s Day (Ancient Rome)

Eulalia (Christian; Saint)

Festival of Artemis (Goddess of the Hunt; Ancient Greece)

Festival of Pitooyage (God of gaming & chance; Oaxaca, Mexico)

High Confiscation of Property (Church of the SubGenius)

Julian the Hospitaller (Christian; Saint) [travelers, innkeepers & circus performers]

Martyrs of Abitinae (Christian; Martyrs)

Meletius, Patriarch of Antioch (Christian; Saint)

Sacrifice to Dionysos (Ancient Greece)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Prime Number Day: 43 [14 of 72]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [11 of 57]

Premieres

Animals, by Pink Floyd (Album; 1977)

Blast from the Past (Film; 1999)

The Blue Umbrella (Animated Pixar Short; 2013)

Deadpool (Film; 2016)

English Settlement, by XTC (Album; 1982)

Groundhog Day (Film; 1993)

The International (Film; 2009)

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, by Dick Powell and Alice Faye (Song; 1937)

Life Is Beautiful (Film; 1999)

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (Film; 2021)

More Than You Know, recorded by Mildred Bailey (Song; 1942)

Moving Pictures, by Rush (Album; 1981)

On Golden Pond (Film; 1982)

On the Avenue (Film; 1937)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Film; 2010)

Pluto’s Housewarming (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Rhapsody in Blue, by George Gershwin (Musical Composition; 1924)

Robocop (Film; 2014)

Run to the Hills, by Iron Maiden (Song; 1982)

School Daze (Film; 1988)

The Squaw Man (Film; 1914) [1st Film made in Hollywood]

Strictly Ballroom (Film; 1993)

Untamed Heart (Film; 1993)

Zoolander 2 (Film; 2016)

Today’s Name Days

Benedikt, Eulalia, Gregor (Austria)

Zvonimir, Zvonko (Croatia)

Slavěna (Czech Republic)

Eulalia (Denmark)

Alma, Alme, Elma, Elme, Elmi (Estonia)

Elma, Elmi (Finland)

Félix (France)

Benedikt, Eulalia (Germany)

Meletios, Meletis, Plotinos (Greece)

Lídia, Lívia (Hungary)

Alessio, Eulalia, Pilerio (Italy)

Karlīna, Karline, Līna (Latvia)

Benediktas, Deimantė, Eulalija, Mantminas (Lithuania)

Randi, Randulf, Ronja (Norway)

Aleksy, Benedykt, Eulalia, Julian, Laurenty, Modest, Nora, Radzim, Trzebisława (Poland)

Meletie (Romania)

Perla (Slovakia)

Eulalia (Spain)

Evelina, Evy (Sweden)

Ulas (Ukraine)

Abra, Abraham, Abram, Bram, Darwin, Ibrahim (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 43 of 2023; 322 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 6 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Luis (Rowan) [Day 22 of 28]

Chinese: Month 1 (Jia-Yin), Day 22 (Xin-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 21 Shevat 5783

Islamic: 21 Rajab II 1444

J Cal: 13 Xin; Sixday [13 of 30]

Julian: 30 January 2023

Moon: 60%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 15 Homer (2nd Month) [Aesop)

Runic Half Month: Sigel (Sun) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 54 of 90)

Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 23 of 30)

[news4usonline]

Love and patience win over Packers

After sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for three seasons, Jordan Love is proof that it's okay to allow young quarterbacks to develop as they learn to navigate the waters of playing and starting in the NFL When the Packers moved on from Aaron Rodgers this offseason, it appeared they would be entering their first true rebuild since the early nineties. After sneaking into the postseason and dismantling the Cowboys in the wild-card round, Green Bay skipped the rebuild and looks to be set for at least the next decade. There used to be a time when NFL franchises would draft a promising quarterback and let them develop for several years before giving them the keys to the offense. Now, it is viewed as a wasted season if top picks are not immediately thrust into game action.

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 14: Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) looks for an open receiver during the NFC Wild Card game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers on January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire) “Jordan Love, wow, that is about all I can say is wow,” said Matt LaFleur after his quarterback posted a nearly perfect quarterback rating in his playoff debut. Love had the benefit of sitting behind a future first-ballot Hall of Famer in Rodgers, for three years before taking the reins, which happens to be the same number of years his mentor sat behind Brett Favre. The process in Green Bay is much different from the rest of the league when it comes to their young quarterbacks, and it might be time for other organizations to take note. Time and time again, we see a general manager draft a quarterback in the first round just to move on from them the following season. Transitioning from college to the professional level is difficult, and adjusting takes a while, especially at that position. Love’s lone start before this year took place in 2021 when he posted an ugly 69.5 passer rating against the Kansas City Chiefs. Then, he was not even close to the player he is now. “It is not easy; there is a lot of work that goes on in the background. Throughout the whole week, the process, coach is giving us the plan, studying the plan, understanding what the defense is going to do,” said Love. “It is definitely not easy, but it has been easier as the season has gone on just getting into that flow and understanding that rhythm.” Showing poise in the playoffs. ????#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/9OF2RUd6Gu— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 17, 2024 Love has been the best thrower of the football in the NFL during the second half of the season with 21 touchdowns and one interception over his past nine games. His play has made general manager Brian Gutekunst look like a genius while simultaneously helping cheese heads get over their former MVP. “He is playing outstanding, but he is in his first year starting. As well as he is playing, can we not crown him right now for his own sake,” Rodgers said. Rodgers. “I love Jordan, and I think he is going to be a great player for a long time, but can we let him play his career?” If Green Bay and their new quarterback can pull off another upset victory over the 49ers, we will have no choice but to crown him. The Packers organization and fan base have to love where they are at, and it is all thanks to drafting their franchise quarterback several years before they had any intention of starting him. Feature Image: ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 14: Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) looks over the defense during the NFC Wild Card game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers on January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire) Read the full article

[newstube]

Kentucky Hires Rams OC Coen After TNF Win

Kentucky Hires Rams OC Coen After TNF Win

NFL Week 14 – Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen has accepted a job, taking the same role at Kentucky, according to a report from ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.   Coen received his first NFL opportunity from the Rams in 2018, coming on board as an assistant wide receivers coach. In 2020, Coen transitioned to quarterbacks coach before accepting a job at Kentucky in 2021 to become their…

[theultimatefan]

Unprecedented 50 NFL Coaches & Former Players Across Eight NFL Teams To Support First-Ever Campaign Honoring Coach Greg Knapp This December

Eight NFL teams today announced that select coaches, athletes and staff will participate in different ways to support the first-ever Coach Knapp fundraiser this December, which will benefit The Coach Knapp Memorial Fund. The fund exists to educate drivers on the dangers of distracted driving, reduce the number of distracted driving related deaths, and promote distracted driving awareness reform. The fund was created by his wife Charlotte and close friend and agent Jeff Sperbeck, to honor the legacy of Greg Knapp who tragically passed away in July 2021 after being hit by a distracted driver while he was bicycling. Coach Knapp was known for climbing the stadium stairs before every single NFL game he coached over his 25 season career. All will be tagged #knappstairclimb on social platforms.

An image of the shoes being worn this weekend can be found at https://www.knappmemorial.org/

“We can think of no better way to honor Greg’s legacy and raise awareness for such a simple, but vital cause than by doing one of the activities he loved the most, climbing the stairs on gameday,” said Steve Mariucci, former NFL head coach and one of Knapp’s key mentors, who is now at analyst on The NFL Network. “To see the amount of support this has gotten is really touching, and most importantly, we firmly believe it will save lives well into the future.”

“Knapper was one of the very best teammates I’ve ever been around. His Energy, optimism and high standards as a coach made such an impact on anyone who was fortunate to be around him,” added Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator, Dan Quinn, another of Greg Knapp’s loyal fellow coaches, “Please join me in making sure his legacy as a great teammate and friend lives on.”

At the time of his passing, Knapp was recently named Passing Game Coordinator of the New York Jets under head coach Robert Saleh, after serving as an assistant coach for over a quarter of a century with the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Known as a “quarterback whisperer,” Greg coached some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history helping chart the careers of many young athletes with kindness, humor and trust.

In honor of Coach Knapp, NFL coaches, players, executives and alumni will participate in raising funds and awareness at each NFL stadium prior to team warm ups between Week 14 (Dec. 11th), Week 15 (Dec. 18th) or Week 16 (Dec. 24th) of the NFL season. In addition, coaches and staff from several teams will wear custom designed shoes honoring Coach Knapp’s legacy as part of the annual “My Cause, My Cleats” celebration the weekend of December 4th. The shoes will be designed by several local artists working with each team. Participating coaches and former players will include: Steve Mariucci, Dan Quinn, Peyton Manning, Joe Lombardi (LA Chargers), Chris Strausser (Indianapolis Colts), Frank Pollack (Cincinnati Bengals), Jeff Ulbrich, TJ Yates, among many others. Teams confirmed to participate include: New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.

Fans, athletes, and coaches at any level can also participate wherever is most convenient to them across the country, such as apartment building stairs or a high school sports stadium. Images will be shared on various social channels.

Registration is $100 per climber, with proceeds going to The Coach Knapp Memorial Fund. Details can be found at https://www.knappmemorial.org/stairclimb

Additional participants at other teams will be announced in the coming weeks.

[viralnews-1]

Chiefs’ Frank Clark suspended 2 games for 2021 weapons arrests

Chiefs’ Frank Clark suspended 2 games for 2021 weapons arrests

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark was suspended two games by the NFL on Tuesday after pleading no contest last month to two counts of misdemeanor possession of an assault weapon in Los Angeles. The league announced the suspension as the Chiefs (5-2) head into their bye week. He will miss games against the Titans and Jaguars and will be allowed back with the team on Nov. 14 in time for…