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Kiszla: Broncos’ best hope is to tank for the privilege of drafting USC quarterback Caleb Williams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

Let us pray that the next truly good news for the Broncos will begin with these words: With the first pick in the 2024 NFL draft …Let the Caleb Williams watch begin.You got a better idea? Broncos coach Sean Payton obviously does not.After blowing an 18-point lead and losing to Washington 35-33 on Sunday, the next destination for the Broncos is Tank City. With no realistic chance of making the NFL playoffs, it’s time to start dreaming about plucking Williams from the USC Trojans roster to finally begin the rebuilding process Denver has delayed for far too long.“We’ve got to keep our foot on their neck,” lamented Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II.The Broncos need to blow it up and start over.Two games into the Payton Era, we can either concentrate on Williams wearing a Denver uniform as the team’s new starting quarterback next season, or wallow in the stench of this orange-and-blue dumpster fire.“We have to be better than that, and that starts with me,” Payton said.After reviewin...

Broncos receiver Brandon Johnson’s Hail Mary touchdown catch gets sent to oblivion after no-call on 2-point conversion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

Wide receiver Brandon Johnson doesn’t have too many highlights in his two seasons with the Broncos. But on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, he made the catch of all catches.Denver was pinned midfield and trailing 35-27 with three seconds left in regulation when quarterback Russell Wilson rolled to his left and launched a prayer deep down the field. The throw was a few yards shy of the goal line, but the ball bounced off wide receiver Courtland Sutton and Adam Trautman before Johnson corralled it for a 50-yard touchdown.Moments after Empower Field at Mile High rocked in celebration, Johnson’s shining moment faded into oblivion.In need of a two-point conversion to tie the game, Wilson threw to Sutton in the end zone. Commanders cornerback Benjamin St. Juste appeared to have his hand on Sutton’s facemask just as the ball was entering his direction. But no flags were thrown. The pass was ruled incomplete, and the Broncos are now 0-2 after a crushing 35-33 defeat.“There’s enough...

Teen firefighter in training severely burned in tragic accident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

A teenage firefighter-in-training, who dreams of working for the Pasadena Fire Department, managed to survive a tragic dune buggy accident outside Las Vegas, but was left with severe burns over most of her body.  For 17-year-old America Salmeron, the story is about determination and perseverance. She has a long road to recovery and what those around say she needs most right now is support from the community that she hopes to one day serve.  “America embodies everything that the Pasadena Firefighter Explorer Program is,” Pasadena Fire Department Capt. Arno Avakian told KTLA. “She’s a hard worker, she’s driven, positive attitude, always willing to help others.”  The teen is also already a leader in the department’s Explorer Program and was in the process of interviewing to become a sponsored cadet at the Verdugo Fire Academy, but after the accident, her journey is going to take longer than she’d planned.  “Overall, the situation that I’m currently in is very hard,” she ...

49ers’ defense rises in the second half to shut down Rams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

The 49ers’ vaunted defense found itself being seriously outplayed in the first half Sunday.Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, having healed up from the elbow miseries that ruined his season a year ago, was slicing, dicing and getting rid of the ball before the 49ers’ pass rush could do any damage.But the 49ers pushed across a late touchdown on a 1-yard sneak by Brock Purdy on the last play of the first half, tying the game 17-17, and a defense that feels it should be one of the best in the NFL played closer to that standard in a 30-23 win at SoFi Stadium.A week ago, the 49ers defense came out breathing fire in a 30-7 win at Pittsburgh, forcing five consecutive three-and-outs and taking control of the game early.So how is it that the 49ers might have even learned more about themselves against a mostly no-name Rams team that nonetheless looks much improved from last year’s 5-12 disaster?Because they got off the deck against an elite passer and turned the ...

Sahith Theegala wins the Fortinet Championship in Napa for his first PGA Tour victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Sahith Theegala made more than enough birdies to cover for his mistakes while playing with the lead on Sunday, shooting a 4-under 68 for a two-shot victory at the Fortinet Championship, his first win in 74 starts on the PGA Tour.The 25-year-old Theegala, who began the day with a two-shot lead, pulled away by playing his first five holes in 3 under while being followed by a large, jubilant group of friends and relatives, including his parents.“No matter the good golf or the bad golf, they just have my back. It’s a team win,” Theegala said, his mom and dad by his side on the 18th green. “It’s not just a win for me, it’s a win for the whole family.”Theegala finished with seven birdies and three bogeys, including one after he hit a tee shot that landed in a fairway bunker on a different hole. With a three-shot lead, he hit his drive and his layup into the rough on the par-5 18th hole and tapped in for a 6. He finished at 21-under 267.S.H. Kim (68) f...

Giants open 9-run lead, hang to to beat Rockies 11-10 and stop slide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Thairo Estrada and Joc Pederson had two hits each in a 10-hit sixth inning as San Francisco opened a nine-run lead, and the Giants hung on to beat the Colorado Rockies 11-10 on Sunday and stop a three-game skid that hurt their wild card chances.San Francisco led 9-0 in the sixth inning before Colorado closed. After scoring four times in the ninth, the Rockies had runners at second and third with two outs when pinch-hitter Charlie Blackman hit a soft liner to Estrada at second.“Joc always brings in whiskey after a win. He was like ‘Hey, you need a double today,'” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “Filled to the brim there. That’s going to be useful.”The Giants stopped their longest road losing streak since 1996 at nine games. They had lost the first three games of the four-game series and are two games back for the last NL wild card, needing to overcome three teams.Mitch Haniger put the Giants ahead with an RBI double in the fifth against Chris Flexen (1-8), ...

Reds drop out of wild card spot with 8-4 loss to Mets, who get Vogelbach’s 3-run double

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Pinch-hitter Daniel Vogelbach had a three-run double in the seventh inning, and the New York Mets hurt Cincinnati’s wild card chances with an 8-4 victory on Sunday over the sloppy Reds.Cincinnati (78-73) is a half-game behind the Chicago Cubs and Miami for the NL’s final wild card berth.“It’s a really fun opportunity to be playing meaningful baseball this time of the year,” said Reds infielder Spencer Steer, one of four rookies in Sunday’s lineup. “Every one of these games really matters for us. It’s almost like a playoff-type feel to these games.”A trio of rookies — third baseman Noelvi Marte, first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand and relief pitcher Carson Spiers — made errors for the Reds, who had four errors in their previous eight games combined.Cincinnati allowed a pair of unearned runs against the Mets (69-80), who avoided a three-game sweep.“The ball can find you sometimes. You’re on your heels a little bit,” Reds manager David Bell said. “We’ll be focuse...

Theegala gets 1st win on PGA Tour, Stricker gets 6th of the year on Champions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Sahith Theegala finally captured his first PGA Tour title on Sunday, building a big lead early and closing with a 4-under 68 in the Fortinet Championship to win by two shots over S.H. Kim.With nearly three dozen family members and friends from Southern California cheering him on, Theegala started at Silverado with a two-shot lead and birdied three of the opening five holes. No one got close to him the rest of the way.Justin Thomas, playing for the first time in six weeks, birdied the last hole for a 72 and finished alone in fifth. This was his only tuneup ahead of the Ryder Cup that starts Sept. 29 in Rome. Two-time defending champion Max Homa shot 69 and tied for seventh.Theegala made a bogey on the final hole of the BMW Championship that kept him out of the Tour Championship, ending his season on a sour note. Even though he already is set for all the $20 million signature events next year, he wanted to play at Silverado because he loves the tournament and compe...

Howell leads big rally for Commanders, who hold on to beat Broncos after Wilson’s Hail Mary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) celebrates after a failed two-point conversion-attempt by the Denver Broncos after time ran out in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)(AP/Jack Dempsey) Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) celebrates after a failed two-point conversion-attempt by the Denver Broncos after time ran out in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)(AP/Jack Dempsey) DENVER (AP) — Washington cornerback Benjamin St-Juste didn’t flinch after Brandon Johnson snared Russell Wilson’s 50-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass off a double deflection with...

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua sets NFL single-game rookie record with 15 catches in loss to 49ers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:05 GMT

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — With Cooper Kupp sidelined by a hamstring injury, Puka Nacua is picking up the slack for the Los Angeles Rams.So far, so record-breaking good.Nacua, a fifth-round pick out of BYU, set the NFL single-game record for most receptions by a rookie with 15 catches for 147 yards in Sunday’s 30-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.“I don’t know if I can wrap my head all the way around it,” Nacua said. “I’m executing in the moments where I’m asked and try to stay as present as I can.”Nacua broke the record with a 17-yard reception late in the fourth quarter that put the Rams in the red zone and set up a 38-yard field goal by Brett Maher on the game’s final play. The reception surpassed the former mark of 14 held by Washington’s Roy Helu, the New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley and Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris. Nacua is also the first player in NFL history with double-digit receptions and 100 yards receiving in each of his first two career games. He had 10 receptio...