Cowboys need to smooth the rough edges of their offense as they look toward the playoffs

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

Cowboys need to smooth the rough edges of their offense as they look toward the playoffs FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott’s sporadic offense is as good a reason as any why Dallas has lost consecutive games for the first time in two years.Finding consistency for one of the NFL’s most productive units will be a priority in the final two regular-season games for the playoff-bound Cowboys (10-5), starting Saturday night at home against NFC North champion Detroit (11-4).The offense was really good on the first two drives in a 22-20 loss at Miami, but didn’t come out of a midgame funk until the Dolphins had a two-score lead (16-7) midway through the third quarter. The stretch of three possessions with three punts and just one first down looked a lot like a week earlier in Buffalo, when the Cowboys barely had 100 yards of total offense before a meaningless fourth-quarter touchdown drive in a 31-10 loss.“We know who we are, and we know when we get going,” Prescott said. “You saw it in the first two drives and you saw it late in the game there. It’s just...

Seahawks have playoff destiny in their control after 2nd straight dramatic victory

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

Seahawks have playoff destiny in their control after 2nd straight dramatic victory RENTON, Wash. (AP) — With two weeks left in the regular season, the Seattle Seahawks are in control of their postseason fate.In some ways, that seems unthinkable. Seattle was in a tailspin just a month ago, losing four straight games for the first time under Pete Carroll. It’s been a circuitous route getting to this point.But it’s simple for Seattle thanks to two straight 20-17 wins, the second one coming on Sunday at Tennessee. If the Seahawks (8-7) win their final two games, beginning this Sunday at home against Pittsburgh, they will make the playoffs for the 11th time in Carroll’s tenure.A postseason berth would be an accomplishment. But at this point, is just getting into the playoffs satisfying enough, especially for a team that has only rarely looked like it’s good enough to possibly win a game or two in the postseason?“We’ll find out what happens if we’re fortunate enough to make to the playoffs how we play against whomever we play and we’ll see what the heck happ...

UNC coach Mack Brown views Duke’s Mayo Bowl as ‘new opportunity’ for new QB Conner Harrell, others

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

UNC coach Mack Brown views Duke’s Mayo Bowl as ‘new opportunity’ for new QB Conner Harrell, others CHARLOTTE N.C. (AP) — North Carolina coach Mack Brown has a new moniker for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. He’s calling it the “New Opportunity Bowl.”With highly-regarded quarterback Drake Maye and 11 other starters from the beginning of the season not playing because they’re preparing for the draft, entering the transfer portal or recovering from injuries, the Tar Heels (8-4) largely will be using Wednesday’s game against West Virginia to evaluate young talent and prepare for the future.“It’s hard to get an opportunity to play, and some of these guys have been wanting to play,” Brown said. “So it’s a lot of new guys.”Maye has been one of the bigger names in college football over the last two seasons and most draft pundits predict the Charlotte-area product will be among the top 10 players selected in April’s NFL draft.Like many other college stars, he opted out of the bowl to limit risk of injury.Conner Harrell, who went 25-2 at Thompson High School and was named the player of the yea...

How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 12/26/2023

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 12/26/2023 Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. Tech and industrial companies climbed, and energy companies rose along with oil prices. The S&P 500 and the Dow each rose 0.4%, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.5%. The yield on the 10-year Treasury held steady at 3.90%. Biotech company RayzeBio doubled after agreeing to be acquired by pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb. Wall Street closed its eighth straight winning week with a quiet finish on Friday following reports showing inflation is on the decline even as the economy appears stronger than expected. On Tuesday:The S&P 500 rose 20.12 points, or 0.4%, to 4,774.75The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 159.36 points, or 0.4%, to 37,545.33.The Nasdaq composite rose 81.60 points, or 0.5%, to 15,074.57.The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 25.23 points, or 1.2%, to 2,059.19.For the year:The S&P 500 is up 935.25 points, or 24.4%.The Dow is up 4,398.08 points, or 13.3%.The Nasdaq is up 4,...

Canadian province bans postgame hockey handshake lines in minor leagues after altercations

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

Canadian province bans postgame hockey handshake lines in minor leagues after altercations TORONTO (AP) — The hockey governing body in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador has banned postgame handshakes in the minor leagues after a string of altercations.Hockey NL announced the move last week. Gonzo Bennett, chair of Hockey NL’s minor council executive committee, wrote in a memo that the organization has had “issues” following games that led to suspensions of both players and coaches.Instead of handshakes, officials will now direct teams off the ice after the game, according to The Canadian Press. The visiting squad will instead skate by the home team’s bench and offer a glove tap or handshake before games.Word of the move surprised players and staff at the world junior hockey championship in Sweden this week.“Disappointing,” said Canada head coach Alan Letang, who played 19 professional seasons in both Europe and North America. “There’s a respect and camaraderie in sports. You can go out and compete hard against someone, but at the end of the game it’s, ‘Gr...

Even with 11 wins, Eagles are more unhappy than optimistic over the state of the team

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

Even with 11 wins, Eagles are more unhappy than optimistic over the state of the team PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Sirianni yelled and gestured at linebacker Haason Reddick, and the Eagles coach even had some words for wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who had caught a 36-yard touchdown. Sure, tempers flare on the sideline in the NFL all the time. But these arguments came in the waning moments of an Eagles’ 33-25 win — one that briefly tied them for the best record in the NFL and gave them the No. 2 seed in the NFC.So why all the unhappiness?Because the Eagles nearly coughed up a 17-point halftime lead against a lowly Giants team that benched their quarterback at halftime and because Philadelphia again played an undisciplined, sloppy game that showed it’s far from an elite team.At least right now.But the fact remains, the Eagles do have 11 wins and are pretty healthy. They’ll be heavy favorites in their final two games — against Arizona on Sunday and the Giants again in the finale — and should win the NFC East and perhaps keep the No. 2 seed. The 49ers’ surprising blowo...

Live updates: Several Colorado highways closed due to blizzard conditions

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

Live updates: Several Colorado highways closed due to blizzard conditions DENVER (KDVR) — Tuesday is a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day as blizzard warnings are in place for the Eastern Plains and the Palmer Divide.If you are coming back to the metro from areas like Kansas and Oklahoma, you may want to delay your trip. The Colorado State Patrol said travel will be “very dangerous and is highly discouraged.”The blizzard warning covers the Northeast Plains and Palmer Divide, including Interstate 70 east of Denver and northeast portions of Interstates 76 and 25 south of Castle Rock. This will be in effect until 5 a.m. Wednesday.The following highways are closed due to adverse weather conditions:I-70 westbound from Burlington to StrattonI-70 Business North and US 24 from mile point 299 to mile point 361I-70 eastbound from Airpark to BurlingtonI-76 eastbound from Sterling to NebraskaUS 6 eastbound from Sterling to NebraskaUS 24 both directions from Seibert to KansasUS 34 both directions Brush to YumaUS 36 in both directions from Last Chance to Kansas State LineUS 13...

These new routes will start flying from Denver airport next year

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

These new routes will start flying from Denver airport next year DENVER (KDVR) -- New year, new places to fly. Or, at least that's the way it is at Denver International Airport.A lot of changes are planned for the nation's third-busiest airport in 2024, and those changes include new places to go to. 2023 New Year’s Eve fireworks in Colorado Denverites will soon be able to enjoy nonstop travel to new destinations, and even one new country entirely:DestinationAirlineStart dateMonterrey, MexicoViva AerobusJan. 25, 2024Dublin, IrelandAer LingusMay 17Hartford, ConnecticutSouthwest June 4 (daily)Spartanburg, South CarolinaSouthwest June 8 (weekends, seasonal)And, in case you missed it, United and Southwest both added a few new nonstop routes late in the year:DestinationAirlineStart dateAsheville, North CarolinaUnited Sept. 29, 2023Dayton, OhioUnitedSept. 29Greensboro, North CarolinaUnitedSept. 29Lexington, KentuckyUnitedSept. 29San Juan, Puerto RicoSouthwestOct. 29Montego Bay, JamaicaUnitedNov. 4Other changes at DIAOne of the biggest changes coming t...

Denver Broncos cut safety Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans claim him

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

Denver Broncos cut safety Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans claim him ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Safety Kareem Jackson was released by the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day, less than 24 hours after their playoff chances took a big hit with a 26-23 loss to the New England Patriots.The Broncos (7-8) were expected to sign Jackson to their practice squad if he clears waivers Tuesday. That way, he could be elevated for their final two games and any playoff games should they qualify.The Houston Texans announced Tuesday afternoon that they claimed Jackson via waivers from the Broncos. They have about a 1-in-20 shot at ending their eight-year playoff drought, however, after losing to the Patriots, the fourth underdog that's beaten them in Denver this season. Chad Ryland’s 56-yard field goal sends Patriots past Broncos 26-23 as Denver’s playoff hopes dim The 14th-year veteran has been fined five times, ejected twice and suspended twice this season over a series of illegal hits. He returned from this second suspension last week but wasn't activated...

Denver Police Department warns of short-term rental violence during holidays

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:55:04 GMT

Denver Police Department warns of short-term rental violence during holidays DENVER (KDVR) – The Denver Police Department is sending out a warning about parties at short-term rentals during the holiday season.On Dec. 13, DPD sent out a notice to residents warning about increased violent activity at short-term rental properties and warehouses in areas around the city, usually linked to parties organized and promoted using social media. ‘It was terrifying’: Lakewood cyclist recalls the moment he was struck by a car Rental expert Grant Muller of Compass Real Estate told FOX31 he has seen damage caused by unruly guests.“Somebody running down the hallway running into a wall, breaking the drywall and plumbing, the damage seems to be another unhappy consequence of short-term rentals,” Muller said.Airbnb told the Problem Solvers that a global ban on parties has seen a 55% year-over-two-year decrease in the rate of party reports. Airbnb’s reservation screening technology is aimed at helping reduce the risk of unauthorized and disruptive parties. A 24-hour safety li...