Lions need to bounce back after controversial loss in Dallas

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

Lions need to bounce back after controversial loss in Dallas DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell wasn’t interested in overtime Saturday night.When his team got the ball for one final drive against the Dallas Cowboys, trailing 20-13, he told them they would score a touchdown and the go-ahead 2-point conversion. He even knew who was going to catch it — tackle Taylor Decker.Decker, an eight-year veteran from Ohio State, was one of the “old guard” players Campbell honored after the Lions clinched their first division title in 30 years last weekend. Now, on the biggest play of the game, Decker was going to get the ball.The play worked perfectly — Decker faked a block before slipping into the back of the end zone to catch Jared Goff’s 2-point conversion pass and a 21-20 lead — until a penalty was called. According to referee Brad Allen, Dan Skipper had reported as an eligible receiver, not Decker. The play was called back and the Cowboys hung on for a 20-19 win that will be key in the NFC seeding picture.In the locker room, ...

Planning on a New Year’s resolution? Tips from a psychologist on how to make them practical

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

Planning on a New Year’s resolution? Tips from a psychologist on how to make them practical It’s New Year’s Eve, and for some people that means it’s also the last day before resolutions for the upcoming year kick off. But are you being fair with yourself? A psychologist shared tips with WTOP on how to make practical, lasting resolutions.“It’s a double edged sword,” said Dr. Petros Levounis, president of the American Psychological Association.He said when you’re making New Year’s resolutions, you should be realistic and fair to yourself. That helps make the goals something you can stick to.“The flip side of New Year’s resolutions is that they may push us in the direction of perfectionism,” he said.Start with short, manageable goals and not try to commit to the whole year right from the beginning of 2024, Levounis said. That way, you can alter your goals without the disappointment.“If you don’t fulfill them to the T, so be it,” he said. “Cut yourself some slack.”These promises to ...

Titans QB Will Levis leaves Sunday’s game against Texans with foot injury

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

Titans QB Will Levis leaves Sunday’s game against Texans with foot injury HOUSTON (AP) — Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis left Sunday’s game with a foot injury in the second quarter against the Houston Texans and his return is questionable. Levis was injured on a strip-sack by Jerry Hughes early in the second quarter. Sheldon Rankins scooped the ball up and returned it for a touchdown to make it 17-0. Levis got on a cart and was taken to the locker room and Ryan Tannehill took over. The rookie returned this week after sitting out last week with the sprained left ankle he aggravated on the seventh and final sack in the OT loss to Houston two weeks ago. ___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflSource

New Year’s Eve celebrations roll across Asia, but wars cast a shadow on the start of 2024

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

New Year’s Eve celebrations roll across Asia, but wars cast a shadow on the start of 2024 Revelers across Asia celebrated the countdown to midnight on New Year’s Eve with fireworks and brightly lit signs — offering a hopeful start to 2024 for some, even as the globe’s ongoing conflicts raised security concerns and let to muted or even cancelled festivities.As the clock struck midnight in Australia, more than 1 million people — a number equivalent to one in five of the city’s residents — watched a 12-minute firework display focused on the Sydney Harbor Bridge from the shore and from boats in the harbor.“It’s total madness,” said German tourist Janna Thomas, who had waited in line since 7:30 a.m. to secure a prime waterfront location in the Sydney Botanic Garden.Organizers worldwide have readied for large-scale celebrations despite the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine. In New York City, where there have been near-daily protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, officials and party organizers said they were prepared to ensure the safety of tens of thousands of re...

No. 1 Michigan, No. 4 Alabama face off in powerhouse battle in CFP semifinal at Rose Bowl

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

No. 1 Michigan, No. 4 Alabama face off in powerhouse battle in CFP semifinal at Rose Bowl Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan (13-0, Big Ten) vs. No. 4 Alabama (12-1, SEC), Jan. 1, 5 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)FanDuel Sportsbook College Line: Michigan by 1 1/2Series record: Alabama leads 3-2.WHAT’S AT STAKEMichigan is in the College Football Playoff for the third straight season but still seeking its first win, getting routed by Georgia in 2021 and upset by TCU last season. The Wolverines haven’t won a national championship since 1997. Alabama is seeking its seventh title under coach Nick Saban and has been victorious in the semifinal in six of seven CFP appearances. Saban won his first championship with the Crimson Tide in the 2010 BCS title game in Pasadena, California.KEY MATCHUPMichigan RB Blake Corum vs. Alabama defensive linemen Tim Keenan III and Justin Eboigbe. Corum has been the offensive catalyst for the Wolverines for three seasons, but he had only 13 yards on three carries against the Bulldogs and didn’t play against the Horned Frogs because of a knee injury. If he can deliver...

Fabio Carvalho returning to Liverpool after loan spell at Leipzig ends early

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

Fabio Carvalho returning to Liverpool after loan spell at Leipzig ends early LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Fabio Carvalho is returning to Liverpool after his loan spell at Leipzig ended early.The 21-year-old winger had joined the German side on a season-long loan but made only three starts in a total of 15 appearances in all competitions for the team so far this season. Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroder said on the team’s website that “both parties had expected more from his time here — especially Fabio in terms of his playing time.”“Due to the quality and competition within our squad at his position, we are unable to guarantee this for him,” Schroder said. “We held several discussions over the last days and in the end, decided to end his loan early.”Carvalho, who has played for Portugal’s Under-21 team, moved to Liverpool from Fulham in the summer of 2022 and has featured 21 times for the Reds, scoring three goals.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerSource

No. 8 Oregon and No. 18 Liberty square off in Fiesta Bowl

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

No. 8 Oregon and No. 18 Liberty square off in Fiesta Bowl No. 18 Liberty (13-0, CUSA) vs No. 8 Oregon (11-2, Pac-12), Jan. 1, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)FanDuel Sportsbook College Line: Oregon by 17 1/2Series record: First meeting.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Oregon is looking to finish the season strong after just missing the College Football Playoff. The Ducks lost twice to No. 2 Washington, one of four CFP teams, by a combined six points. Oregon is No. 8 in the CFP rankings. Liberty is playing in its fifth straight bowl game since becoming a Division I program in 2018. The Flames are the first Conference USA team to play in a New Year’s Six bowl game, doing it in their first year in the league.KEY MATCHUPLiberty’s defense vs. Oregon QB Bo Nix. A Heisman Trophy finalist, Nix threw for 4,145 yards and 40 TDs with three interceptions this season. His completion rate of 77.2% is right behind the NCAA single-season record of 77.4% set by Alabama’s Mac Jones in 2020. Liberty led the nation with 21 interceptions, but will need to get pressure on Nix again...

First Night festivities underway on City Hall Plaza

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

First Night festivities underway on City Hall Plaza Crews were hard at work preparing City Hall Plaza to host Boston’s First Night festivities as residents across the area gather to ring in the New Year.This year’s celebration has been moved to City Hall Plaza due to ongoing construction at Copley Square.The free and family-friendly event will feature performances, ice sculptures, fireworks, and more. The City is a partner of the New Year’s Eve event, which is formally run by Boston Celebrations, Inc, and managed by Conventures, Inc. All parties are taking steps to ensure public safety as Boston celebrates the New Year. “First Night is a beloved tradition in Boston and beyond, having created delightful experiences for neighborhood residents and visitors from around the world,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement. “Our newly renovated City Hall Plaza is the perfect venue to welcome families from all over to ring in the New Year. I encourage all our residents to celebrate safely as we welcome 2024.”N...

Patriots can’t overcome early turnovers in 27-21 loss to Bills

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

Patriots can’t overcome early turnovers in 27-21 loss to Bills The Patriots started Week 17 with stunning offensive incompetence.Turnovers on four of their first possessions should have dug an insurmountable hole, but another impressive performance from Bill Belichick’s defense kept the Patriots in the game for the entire contest.The Patriots got things kicked off with a bang. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor returned the Bills’ opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. This is a good time to remind everyone that for weeks, the Patriots elected to have veteran running back/wide receiver Ty Montgomery return kicks over Reagor.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Tom Brady thought about unretiring in May before friends forced his hand? New England Patriots | Healthy-scratch Trent Brown has caused Patriots issues for weeks New England Patriots | Patriots make series of roster moves ahead of Week 17 matchup with Bills New England Patriots | Four Patriots players who can build off momentum...

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II to step down

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:02:24 GMT

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II to step down STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II announced Sunday that she plans to abdicate after 52 years and hand over the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik.The queen, who is Europe’s longest-reigning living monarch, announced during her New Year’s speech that she would step down on Jan. 14th, which is the anniversary of her own accession to the throne at age 31 following the death of her father, King Frederik IX.Margrethe, 83, said the back surgery she underwent in early 2023 led to “thoughts about the future” and when to pass on the responsibilities of the crown to her son. “I have decided that now is the right time,” she said in her speech.Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen paid tribute to her in a statement, offering a “heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty the Queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom.”Margrethe is the “epitome of Denmark” Frederiksen’s statement rea...