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BLOOMINGTON — Every November, businesses across America advertise special sales on everything from kitchen gadgets to musical instruments to tech doodads leading up to the biggest gift exchange of the year: Christmas. Though Black Friday has extended beyond one 24-hour period, and the madness of camping outside of stores all night has all but disappeared, there are still a deluge of deals to dive through as holiday shopping enters the final sprint of the year. Whether visiting stores or clicking on countless emails promising huge savings, some 131.7 million U.S. shoppers are expected to spend money the Friday after Thanksgiving this year, the Associated Press reported. “Mid-month of November is when you start to see prices really start to pick up, and then Black Friday is when everything is going to really get discounted,” Samantha Gordon, deals editor at Consumer Reports, told NerdWallet. Adobe’s 2024 U.S. Holiday Shopping Forecast says the strongest discounts of the season are expected to come between Nov. 22 (a week before Black Friday) and Dec. 2 (Cyber Monday). Even so, the phrase "Black Friday" has only been synonymous with holiday shopping since the 1980s, according to the Associated Press. People pass a shop advertising a Black Friday Sale on Oxford Street in London, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. Jie Zhang is a professor of marketing at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. In 1951, "Black Friday" referred to the day after Thanksgiving not because of holiday sales, but because workers would call in sick hoping for long a weekend, she told the Associated Press. "Black Friday is no longer the start of the holiday shopping season. It has become the crescendo of the holiday shopping season" during what now feels like "Black Friday month," Zhang said. In Bloomington, several stores at Eastland Mall have been promoting huge sales, with 25% off at Buckle and a massive 60-70% off at Aeropostale, said Susan Angelin, marketing manager for Eastland Mall owner CBL Properties. Price slashing like that is expected to generate huge revenue across the international market, said Connie Dyer, marketing manager for M&J Wilkow, which manages the Shoppes at College Hills in Normal. "The International Council of Shopping Centers predicts that consumer spending is expected to reach nearly $125 billion during the five-day period of Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday," she said. "Eighty-two percent of consumers plan to visit a mall or shopping center for shopping, dining, entertainment and holiday experiences." And while shopping online and having goods dropped to your doorstep is simpler than ever, many shoppers still enjoy the in-person experience of strolling the aisles or rifling through the clothing racks to find just the right item, Angelin said. Shoppers rush into a Kmart store in Chicago on on Nov. 25, 2011 for Black Friday sale. "For the customer, shopping in store allows you to see and feel the quality of the items you’re purchasing," she said. "It also gives you the instant gratification of walking into a store and walking out with the item you’re looking for, and cuts back on returns" if a gift or item does not work out for whatever reason. Black Friday shopping also is an enjoyable tradition for many, Angelin said: "One of the things the pandemic taught us is that people value and crave experiences. Shopping in store, and especially during the holiday season, is a tradition for many families. Black Friday is just as much about the deals as it is the socialization. It’s an extension of people’s Thanksgiving tradition." Projections from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights indicated that a majority of Black Friday shoppers (65%) still planned to shop in stores this year. There are other, more community-minded reasons to shop local on Black Friday, said Patrick Hoban, CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council. "I know it's easy to shop online, especially from your phone," Hoban said. "But whenever you do that, your dollars are going into other communities. Compared to, if you do shop locally, those dollars come back, and they pay for our police, our fire, our roads and everything else." A sign promoting Black Friday is shown in a Best Buy store Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in south Denver. In addition to that, and in no small part due to the housing shortage in Bloomington-Normal and McLean County, employers like Rivian and Ferrero attract a number of out-of-county employees, Hoban said, which means most of their salaries are likely spent outside of McLean County. "A lot of the workers that are coming in for Rivian outside of the county, even Ferrero, they're taking those dollars back to their communities," Hoban said. "They're still using our roads, still using police, still using fire services, but we as taxpayers have to pay for that if those dollars are leaving. So ideally, if you can spend that money back in our restaurants, our grocery stores and our retailers, that will go back into what we have to pay for." If shopping online retailers that also have bricks-and-mortar locations in Bloomington-Normal, Hoban suggests having items shipped to the local store for pickup. "So if you order it to be delivered at your Dick's Sporting Goods, or if you're going to order your Jordans for Christmas ... order them at Dick's, have them pick it up in the store, so that transaction goes through there." Angelin, from Eastland Mall, agrees on this local impact: "When you shop brick-and-mortar stores, you’re supporting the employment of your neighbors. Malls and brick-and-mortar retailers are huge economic drivers, generating tax revenue that supports local programs." You don’t have to put all your eggs in one Black Friday basket, either, especially if you find your budget tapped out. Andrea Woroch, a personal finance writer and consumer savings expert, told NerdWallet that retailers will be hosting more sale events in December, featuring deal drops and doing what they can to keep people shopping. “The Saturday before Christmas is big,” she adds. It’s called Super Saturday and is a last-ditch effort to get consumers to spend." Reckless Saint owner Scott McCormick talks about supporting Small Business Saturday Aurora Wallace, grade 4, Fairview Seth Simons, grade 4, Fairview Callen Page, grade 4, Fairview Amirah Nelson, grade 4, Fairview Addison Lowe, grade 4, Fairview Alaina Haywood, grade 4, Fairview Zyanna Haynes, grade 4, Fairview Miles Gee, grade 4, Fairview Alison, grade 4, Fairview Jordan Daniel, grade 4, Fairview Gwendolyn Babbitt, grade 2, Parkside Brooklyn Donovan, grade 2, Parkside Abigail Frederick, grade 2, Parkside Rowan Frost, grade 2, Parkside Frankie Pulk, grade 2, Parkside Ellie Kinsell, grade 2, Parkside Gideon Knowlton, grade 2, Parkside Gideon Knowlton, grade 2, Parkside Logan Sereno, grade 2, Parkside Kennedy Sitton, grade 2, Parkside Annabelle Taylor, grade 2, Parkside Carley Nourie, grade 3, Grove Ellie Mercer, grade 3, Grove Ellie Mercer, grade 3, Grove Flossie Williams, grade 3, Grove Maddie B. Q., grade 3, Grove Easton Auth, grade 3, Grove Aaryn Kamilellark, grade 3, Grove Jeremiah Grizzard, grade 2, Parkside Jeremiah Grizzard, grade 2, Parkside Olivia Benson, grade 2, Parkside Addy Childs, grade 2, Parkside Naomi Lunzer, grade 2, Parkside August Ganci, grade 2, Parkside Esha Arvind, grade 1, Grove Isabella Garza, grade 1, Epiphany Isabella Garza, grade 1, Epiphany Eli Schroeder, grade 1, Epiphany Alessandro Vetri, grade 1, Epiphany Siena Rayburn, grade 1, Epiphany Jackson Harrington, grade 1, Epiphany Lily Bellino, grade 4, St. Mary's Ava Luna, grade 4, St. Mary's Emma Schweinberg, grade 3, Northpoint Beyond, grade 3, Washington Charity Brown, grade 2, Washington Ezra Whitworth, grade 2, Washington Emma Forgy, grade 2, Washington Paislee Wilson, grade 2, Washington Lailah Bell, grade 3, Washington Kaeo, grade 2, Stevenson Zakai Harris, grade 2, Stevenson Zaran Nmas, grade 2, Stevenson Allison McFall, grade 2, Stevenson No name, grade 2, Stevenson Hazel Smith, grade 2, Stevenson Braelynn, grade 2, Stevenson Nyeem, grade 2, Stevenson Maddox, grade 2, Stevenson Maryam Ghimous, grade 2, Stevenson Zoie, grade 2, Stevenson Alice Arendell, grade 2, Stevenson Ahkeena Ross, grade 2, Stevenson William Schrader, grade 2, Stevenson William Schrader, grade 2, Stevenson Peyton Stoneking, grade 2, Stevenson Leah Harris, grade 2, Stevenson Maleigh Kisner, grade 2, Stevenson William F., grade 3, Stevenson Kali Johnson, grade 3, Stevenson Sawyer, grade 3, Stevenson Jackson Juarez, grade 3, Stevenson Kylen Jenkins, grade 3, Stevenson Liam Nicholson, grade 3, Stevenson Jackson Graham, grade 3, Stevenson Eternity, grade 3, Stevenson Kamaralya, grade 3, Stevenson Aurora Wallace, grade 4, Fairview Seth Simons, grade 4, Fairview Callen Page, grade 4, Fairview Amirah Nelson, grade 4, Fairview Addison Lowe, grade 4, Fairview Alaina Haywood, grade 4, Fairview Zyanna Haynes, grade 4, Fairview Miles Gee, grade 4, Fairview Alison, grade 4, Fairview Jordan Daniel, grade 4, Fairview Gwendolyn Babbitt, grade 2, Parkside Brooklyn Donovan, grade 2, Parkside Abigail Frederick, grade 2, Parkside Rowan Frost, grade 2, Parkside Frankie Pulk, grade 2, Parkside Ellie Kinsell, grade 2, Parkside Gideon Knowlton, grade 2, Parkside Gideon Knowlton, grade 2, Parkside Logan Sereno, grade 2, Parkside Kennedy Sitton, grade 2, Parkside Annabelle Taylor, grade 2, Parkside Carley Nourie, grade 3, Grove Ellie Mercer, grade 3, Grove Ellie Mercer, grade 3, Grove Flossie Williams, grade 3, Grove Maddie B. Q., grade 3, Grove Easton Auth, grade 3, Grove Aaryn Kamilellark, grade 3, Grove Jeremiah Grizzard, grade 2, Parkside Jeremiah Grizzard, grade 2, Parkside Olivia Benson, grade 2, Parkside Addy Childs, grade 2, Parkside Naomi Lunzer, grade 2, Parkside August Ganci, grade 2, Parkside Esha Arvind, grade 1, Grove Isabella Garza, grade 1, Epiphany Isabella Garza, grade 1, Epiphany Eli Schroeder, grade 1, Epiphany Alessandro Vetri, grade 1, Epiphany Siena Rayburn, grade 1, Epiphany Jackson Harrington, grade 1, Epiphany Lily Bellino, grade 4, St. Mary's Ava Luna, grade 4, St. Mary's Emma Schweinberg, grade 3, Northpoint Beyond, grade 3, Washington Charity Brown, grade 2, Washington Ezra Whitworth, grade 2, Washington Emma Forgy, grade 2, Washington Paislee Wilson, grade 2, Washington Lailah Bell, grade 3, Washington Kaeo, grade 2, Stevenson Zakai Harris, grade 2, Stevenson Zaran Nmas, grade 2, Stevenson Allison McFall, grade 2, Stevenson No name, grade 2, Stevenson Hazel Smith, grade 2, Stevenson Braelynn, grade 2, Stevenson Nyeem, grade 2, Stevenson Maddox, grade 2, Stevenson Maryam Ghimous, grade 2, Stevenson Zoie, grade 2, Stevenson Alice Arendell, grade 2, Stevenson Ahkeena Ross, grade 2, Stevenson William Schrader, grade 2, Stevenson William Schrader, grade 2, Stevenson Peyton Stoneking, grade 2, Stevenson Leah Harris, grade 2, Stevenson Maleigh Kisner, grade 2, Stevenson William F., grade 3, Stevenson Kali Johnson, grade 3, Stevenson Sawyer, grade 3, Stevenson Jackson Juarez, grade 3, Stevenson Kylen Jenkins, grade 3, Stevenson Liam Nicholson, grade 3, Stevenson Jackson Graham, grade 3, Stevenson Eternity, grade 3, Stevenson Kamaralya, grade 3, Stevenson Contact D. 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NFL Reporter Charissa Thompson's Outfit Turned Heads on SundayCLEVELAND -- Josh Allen would never. Patrick Mahomes wouldn’t dare. That was the running sentiment about the Miami Dolphins playing what amounts to a playoff elimination game on Sunday — and maybe even next week — without the team’s franchise quarterback. But what if the quarterback didn’t have a choice? Some people are acting like Tua Tagovailoa intentionally skipped Sunday’s 20-3 victory against the Cleveland Browns because he didn’t feel like playing, or was afraid of how he would perform on a rainy Cleveland day. Let’s put those narratives to rest. “He wasn’t physically [cleared],” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said about Tagovailoa’s hip injury, which Miami’s fifth-year starter sustained two weeks ago in the loss to Houston, and was worsened by a hit he took in last Sunday’s win against the San Francisco 49ers. “He not only was super susceptible to a major injury if he were to fall in harm’s way. But a major factor was the lack of strength due to the injury, and his inability to protect himself,” McDaniel clarified, explaining why Tagovailoa was forced to sit out his fifth game of the 2024 season. “Tua did tell me on Thursday ‘They are going to have to pull me out the game, I’m playing,’ ” defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. “Friday you can tell [something was up] because he didn’t really have a lot of reps, and he’s a guy who likes to take his reps.” The Dolphins prolonged the decision whether play Tagovailoa as long as they could, hoping that the soreness he was experiencing — and downplayed all week — would subside, and the movement would improve. But they also prepared for the worst-case scenario. Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, who typically gets a handful of 11-on-11 reps with the starters per week, got significantly more involved in practice last week. The coaches came up with two game plans, one specifically catered to Huntley, and the former Pro Bowler produced his best game in years, completing 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards with one touchdown (115.5 passer rating), and leading the team with 52 rushing yards and one touchdown on seven carries.` “Tua did a good job of taking his reps and then he’d talk me through my reps,” said Huntley, whose record improved to 2-2 as Miami’s starter this season. “It was a good week of work.” One that the Dolphins and Huntley might need to repeat for the regular season’s final against the New York Jets because the Dolphins have no idea if Tagovailoa’s hip injury will allow him to play in six or seven days. “Today’s game showed he can throw the ball on time, read defenses and also make plays with his feet,” receiver Tyreek Hill said about Huntley, whom he caught all nine of his passes from, and turned those receptions into 105 yards. “At halftime he talked to the whole offense and told us to pick it up a notch, and that shows the growth.” Since beginning the season 2-6 these Dolphins have rebounded to go 6-2 heading into the regular season finale, and Miami still has a chance to reach the postseason. If the Dolphins can win that game, and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos, Miami will secure the final AFC wild card spot. The Dolphins clearly have a better chance to beat the Jets with Tagovailoa at the helm. However, we could be looking at another week where it’s necessary to think of the big picture instead of temporary gratification. Miami can’t afford to shorten Tagovailoa’s career trying to win one game, which could deliver the franchise’s fifth consecutive winning season. So what if the fragile reputation Tagovailoa gained has more roots because of this hip, which McDaniel stressed is different than the one that ended his collegiate career at Alabama prematurely, and had him taken off more than half a dozen team’s boards in the 2020 Draft due to medical concerns. And the narrative about Tagovailoa not being able to beat a playoff contender remains valid because of how he has performed in critical games in his five seasons as an NFL starter. My issue is with this fable about Tagovailoa not being a competitor, mailing it in, quitting on his team. That’s fiction, and likely fueled by those who continue their agenda of discrediting the quarterback this franchise proposed to this past offseason with his five-year, $235.5 million deal, or which $167 million is guaranteed. “Tua is a rare competitor,” Hill said. “He understood what was at stake. He wanted to play.....You have to force him off the field and it was basically a staff saving a player from [himself].” ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – Police are urging neighbors to remain vigilant if you’re expecting to receive a package this holiday season. Porch pirates, or package thieves, continue targeting homes across Metro Detroit. Neighbors in the St. Clair Shores area learned about a recent package theft when a resident posted video with a community alert on social media. Christine Harris said a women parked an SUV in her neighbor’s driveway, seconds after a package was delivered to her home. Video shows the unidentified woman walking to Harris’ porch, taking a large brown box, returning to her vehicle and driving off. “It was very devastating and disappointing,” Harris explained. “You know, this was a present for my husband and for my bonus dad. It was a pretty cool present for both of then, actually.” St. Clair Shores Police said suspected porch pirates continue popping up here and there. Detectives are urging residents across the area to be vigilant. “It’s ridiculous,“ Harris said. “If this is your only means necessary, you need to find a job. You need to find a job, or you need to find something else to do than steal from people.” Harris reported the crime to local police and the delivery company. She’s urging anyone who recognizes the woman in the video to report her to St. Clair Shores Police. Harris said she doesn’t want something like this happening to another innocent or unsuspecting neighbor. “Stop stealing other people’s things. It’s not yours, don’t touch.” Police have a few suggestions for anyone expecting a package delivery:The Founder of Eko Drive, Ademide Osunsina, has called on the federal government to prioritise the nation’s automotive sector to achieve inclusive economic growth. Osunsina stated this during Eko Drive’s third car exhibition in Lagos while also acknowledging that the automotive industry plays a key role in contributing to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product despite the sector currently facing significant challenges. He said the industry’s potential remains high with estimates predicting that it could account for up to 12 per cent of GDP if properly developed. “The automotive sector is crucial to Nigeria’s economic landscape, and the Eko Drive exhibition is at the forefront of this transformation. The exhibition serves as a powerful catalyst to promote innovation by featuring cutting-edge technology and electric vehicles, thus encouraging local manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices,” he said. Speaking on the exhibition, Osunsina who also doubles as the project manager said Eko Drive’s goal is to foster a vibrant automotive community that not only appreciates luxury vehicles but also drives economic growth in Nigeria. “This year’s edition, held at the Alliance Francaise, Ikoyi drew hundreds of automotive enthusiasts – sports cars, supercars, power bike lovers – solidifying Nigeria’s position as a rising hub for supercar culture and technology,” he averred. He stated that the energy at this year’s exhibition was electric and he is thrilled to see so many passionate individuals come together to celebrate the future of supercars. “We are committed to showcasing not just supercars but also the innovations that will shape the future of transportation in Nigeria,” the co-founder and creative director of Eko Drive,” Imran Claud-Ennin said. He pointed out that Eko Drive’s exhibition goes beyond showcasing vehicles, adding that it builds a strong community among enthusiasts and industry stakeholders. “We believe in the power of the community,” added Sanjo Morgan, co-founder and event coordinator of Eko Drive. “Our events bring together diverse individuals who share a common passion for cars. Together, we can promote responsible consumer choices and environmental sustainability within the automotive sector. “As Eko Drive looks to the future, it invites sponsors who share its vision of innovation and community development to join forces to enhance Nigeria’s automotive landscape while contributing positively to the economy and society,” Alliance Francaise de Lagos marketing executive,” Precious Naador said.
NoneWASHINGTON — Former President Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington after developing a fever. The 78-year-old was hospitalized in the “afternoon for testing and observation," Angel Urena, Clinton's deputy chief of staff, said in a statement. “He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving,” Urena said. Clinton, a Democrat who served two terms as president from January 1993 until January 2001, addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this summer, and campaigned ahead of November's election for the unsuccessful White House bid of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris . In the years since Clinton left the White House, he's faced some health scares. In 2004, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery after experiencing prolonged chest pains and shortness of breath. Clinton returned to the hospital for surgery for a partially collapsed lung in 2005, and in 2010 he had a pair of stents implanted in a coronary artery. Clinton responded by embracing a largely vegan diet that saw him lose weight and report improved health. In 2021, the former president was hospitalized for six days in California while being treated for an infection that was unrelated to COVID-19, when the pandemic was still near its height. An aide to the former president said then that Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream, but was on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition. The aide said Clinton was in an intensive care section of the hospital that time, but wasn’t receiving ICU care.
I've been estranged from my mum for six years. She finally wanted to meet her granddaughter this Christmas - but would she let me down again?ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Jurors in New Mexico have awarded a man more than $412 million in a medical malpractice case that involved a men’s health clinic that operates in several states. The man’s attorneys celebrated Monday’s verdict, saying they are hopeful it will prevent other men from falling victim to a scheme that involved fraud and what they described as dangerous penile injections. They said the jury award for punitive and compensatory damages is likely the largest in history for a medical malpractice case. The award follows a trial held in Albuquerque earlier this month that centered on allegations outlined in a lawsuit filed by the man's attorneys in 2020. NuMale Medical Center and company officials were named as defendants. According to the complaint, the man was 66 when he visited the clinic in 2017 in search of treatment for fatigue and weight loss. The clinic is accused of misdiagnosing him and unnecessarily treating him with “invasive erectile dysfunction shots” that caused irreversible damage. “This out of state medical corporation set up a fraudulent scheme to make millions off of conning old men by scaring them with a fake test,” Nick Rowley, the man's attorney, wrote in a social media post that detailed the verdict. Rowley went on to say that the scheme involved clinic workers telling patients they would have irreversible damage if they didn't agree to injections three times a week. NuMale Medical Center President Brad Palubicki said in a statement issued Tuesday that the company is committed to high-quality and safe patient care. He said NuMale disagrees with the verdict and intend to pursue all available legal remedies, including an appeal. A message seeking additional comment was left Wednesday with the company and its attorney. NuMale also has clinics in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, Nebraska, North Carolina and Wisconsin. According to court records, jurors found that fraudulent and negligent conduct by the defendants resulted in damages to the plaintiff. They also found that unconscionable conduct by the defendants violated the Unfair Practices Act. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts remained in the NFL's concussion protocol on Monday, limiting his ability to practice this week for the Philadelphia Eagles and casting doubt on his availability for Sunday's game against Dallas. If Hurts can't play, the Eagles would turn to backup Kenny Pickett — who suffered a rib injury and couldn't protect a big lead in a 36-33 loss to Washington — with third-stringer Tanner McKee on deck. The Eagles (12-3) need to win one more game over the final two to clinch an NFC East title and one of the conference's top two seeds. Coach Nick Sirianni gave no additional health update on Hurts but did say the QB who led the Eagles to 10 straight wins before he was forced out with the head injury wouldn't need much time this week to get ready against the Cowboys, if he was cleared. “Jalen knows how to prepare,” Sirianni said. “He knows how to get himself ready. He's a true pro." The Eagles are 9 1/2-point favorites over the division rival Cowboys (7-8), per BetMGM Sportsbook. Sirianni said the Eagles would lean on the medical staff on a daily basis to know where Hurts — who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores in the first meeting against Dallas in November — was in his recovery from the head injury. Hurts was ruled out early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. “He's always done a good job of protecting himself both as a passer and a runner,” Sirianni said. “Any time you lose one of your best players, you wish they'd do something else or not take that hit." Hurts shook off a sluggish start over the first four games and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions to turn the Eagles into Super Bowl contenders. “Every time there's a player out,” Sirianni said, “there's an adjustment to be made.” Saquon Barkley and the running game. Barkley was held to 41 yards after the first quarter but 150 yards is 150 yards and he still has a shot at NFL history. Barkley leads the NFL with 1,838 yards rushing and is 268 yards away from passing Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984 for the season mark. Barkley is 162 yards shy of becoming the ninth player in NFL history with 2,000 yards rushing in a season. Backup QB. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards in relief, throwing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown and an interception. Pickett played his first meaningful football in a year. The Eagles use McKee as the emergency QB, but the sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft could be in the mix if Hurts sat out against Dallas. Pickett is from New Jersey and said when he was acquired from Pittsburgh that he had “great memories” of going to games at Lincoln Financial Field with his dad and grandfather since he was 5. The chance to run out of the home team tunnel — which he could get Sunday if he's the starting QB — left him absolutely delighted. Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers. “I was impressed by Pickett, honestly," Washington coach Dan Quinn said Monday. "I thought he threw the ball with good accuracy to the right spots. He’s a nice athlete (who can) move, so I can see why they would want him in that system. I thought he got outside and had good scramble ability. Wasn’t surprised they didn’t run the sneaks to go through that.” Zack Baun. The linebacker barely caused a ripple on the transactions wire in March but has been arguably the MVP of the defense. He forced a fumble in the third quarter that set up a score, one of five turnovers for the Eagles. He also had two tackles for losses. The No. 1 seed. The Eagles all but cost themselves a shot at the top spot in the NFC and a bye with the late-game collapse in Washington. The Eagles will clinch the division with a victory over the Cowboys or Giants and most likely will finish with the No. 2 seed. They are one game behind both the Detroit Lions (13-2) and the Minnesota Vikings (13-2) in the NFC standings. Eagles fans can still chant, “We're No. 1!” but it's a long shot. To clinch the No. 1 seed, the Eagles need to beat Dallas and the Giants. And the Lions need to lose their last two games against San Francisco (6-9) and Minnesota. And the Vikings needs to lose to Green Bay (10-4) and beat the Lions in Week 18. Should the status quo remain, the Eagles would host Washington in a playoff game. Beyond Hurts, edge rusher Josh Sweat left with an ankle injury and defensive tackle Jordan Davis limped off in the second quarter. ... Pickett said he had his ribs X-rayed and would undergo further testing. Sirianni had no update Monday on Pickett's condition. 1,000 — Brown became the first Eagles receiver to top 1,000 yards in three straight seasons since Mike Quick from 1983-85. The Eagles can clinch the division and a home playoff game with two lightweights left on the schedule, both at home. The Eagles play Dallas on Sunday in a game bumped to a 1 p.m. kickoff and end the season against the New York Giants. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Mixing Up The Governance With Politics: A Challenge To The NPP GovernmentPatriots Coach Jerod Mayo said he will look at potential changes to his coaching staff after the season. Erin Hooley/Associated Press While it seems extremely unlikely that the New England Patriots would completely clear house and start over with their coaching staff and front office, some changes will be necessary after the season. Coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged there could be turnover on his staff when the season ends in two weeks while answering a question about the offseason Monday on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “Look, I try to stay as present as possible, but the reality is you always have to look out the front windshield when you’re trying to build a team,” Mayo said. “For me, after we get through the season, there are a lot of things, a lot of checklists you have to go through: what players you want to keep around, what coaches you want to keep around here.” The first decision Mayo must make is whether to bring back offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. The owner, Robert Kraft, and team president Jonathan Kraft were shown on the Week 15 broadcast seemingly criticizing Van Pelt’s play-calling. The defense has lacked answers for most of the season. And of course, Mayo has had his own issues while attempting to oversee everything. “It starts with me putting a mirror in front of my face and just going through the things that I have to get better at moving forward,” Mayo said. “Everything that we’ve done this year from a process standpoint, some of it’s been good, some of it’s been bad, but that’s part of being in your first year whether you’re first year in whatever: first year you want to be a journalist, first year — it’s a learning experience, but the most important thing is being able to reflect, and being honest with yourself when you didn’t do things the right way.” Player development has been a major issue, especially among the rookie class outside of quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots have gotten little production out of rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk and none out of fourth-rounder Javon Baker. Rookie fourth-round pick Layden Robinson has struggled at left and right guard. The Patriots’ front seven has struggled since losing linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley to a season-ending injury. The team has seen its most development on defense at cornerback, where Christian Gonzalez has been a standout. AFTER MAYO WATCHED the film from Sunday’s 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, he came away with two key issues: ball security and run defense. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson was involved in two of the Patriots’ turnovers, losing a fumble midway through the third quarter and dropping a backward pass from Maye that was recovered at the goal line for a touchdown by the Bills. Mayo said the team is considering benching Stevenson for Antonio Gibson. It would be the second time this season; Stevenson didn’t start Week 5 after fumbling in each of his first four games. “Look, I think everyone understands how important the football is. We’re a team that we just can’t turn the ball over. I don’t think any team can really afford to turn the ball over,” Mayo said. “I thought (Gibson), when he got in there, did a great job. “Look, we had to go back and talk about it as a staff, but it’s definitely still a possibility. I will say this: We all in this building stand behind (Stevenson) and the things that he does. He does a lot of good things. Unfortunately, right now, the ball’s just on the ground too much.” Gibson also fumbled Sunday but recovered it. Stevenson has fumbled seven times on 238 touches this season, while Gibson has fumbled twice on 115 touches. Mayo wouldn’t put all the blame on Stevenson for the dropped backward pass. Right tackle Demontrey Jacobs also missed a block on the play. “One thing I would say just about the (Stevenson) play, obviously you want him to be a little flatter there, but it’s the cut block,” Mayo said. “If we get the cut block by the tackle — watching the film, you get that cut block, we have a big play there.” The third turnover was an interception from Maye. Mayo said Maye made a bad throw but seemed to believe the Bills should have been penalized on the play. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and tight end Austin Hooper — the intended receiver — were both knocked down by defenders when the ball was in the air. We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . 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