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Even before special counsel Jack Smith formally asked that his criminal cases against Donald Trump be dismissed , it was already guaranteed the president-elect would never see a jury. Smith on Monday dropped both the 2020 election subversion prosecution against Trump and the charges accusing Trump of mishandling classified documents. The special counsel stressed his decision was not about the strength of his case against Trump, but his reasoning hung on the Justice Department’s long-held belief that the Constitution prohibits prosecutions against sitting presidents. Even if prosecutors had believed that they could have kept the cases on life support into the second Trump presidency, the president-elect had already indicated that he planned to fire Smith and his team, a vow that breached the usual norms surrounding a special counsel investigation. Trump’s reelection this month was the straw that broke the back of a camel that had been buckling under slow-walking courts and novel legal arguments. Smith’s filings suggested he could bring the charges again, though Trump may seek to foreclose that possibility by pardoning himself – an unprecedented move. Also looming over Trump’s second term is the Republican’s promises to go after those who prosecuted him, a vow echoed by his pick for attorney general. Here are takeaways from Smith’s move to seek the cases’ dismissal and how his prosecutions got to this point: Trump’s election and retribution promises made this day inevitable Trump’s reelection earlier this month ensured that his federal criminal cases would face an early end. The former president vowed during his campaign to fire Smith if voters sent him back to the White House – a move at odds with how other presidents have handled special counsels. “Oh, it’s so easy. It’s so easy,” Trump said in October when asked by conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt whether he would “pardon yourself” or “fire Jack Smith” if reelected. “I would fire him within two seconds.” In the end, though, Trump didn’t need to sack the special counsel to kill the two cases. He was already benefiting from a legal strategy of delay that made sure no trials got underway before Election Day – which ultimately forced Smith’s hand. A few days after Trump’s reelection, the special counsel asked the judge overseeing the DC case to pause deadlines in that matter so his team could assess how to move forward with the unprecedented prosecution. Nearly three weeks after Election Day, he submitted his filings to the courts in DC and Florida. The president-elect, meanwhile, has repeatedly promised to seek political retribution against Smith and others whom he believes have unfairly pursued him during his four years out of office. His pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, appears ready to be a loyal foot soldier in those efforts. “The Department of Justice, the prosecutors will be prosecuted — the bad ones,” Bondi, who served for a time as Florida’s attorney general, said in a TV appearance in August 2023. “The investigators will be investigated. Because the deep state, last term for President Trump, they were hiding in the shadows. But now they have a spotlight on them, and they can all be investigated,” she added. What will we learn next? Before Trump takes his oath of office next year, Smith plans to release a final report as required by law on his investigations into Trump, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN. Attorney General Merrick Garland is expected to publicly release it, as he has with past special counsel reports. But it’s unclear how much new information would be included, especially in the election subversion case, where Smith recently filed hundreds of pages of legal arguments and evidence gathered for that prosecution. The Supreme Court played a major role If part of what happened was that Smith simply ran out of time to pursue the case against Trump, then the six-justice conservative majority on the Supreme Court had a key role to play in slowing things down. The high court granted Trump sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution for official actions in a highly anticipated 6-3 decision that was handed down in July, limiting the special counsel’s ability to move forward. Some of Trump’s critics slammed the decision itself , but others faulted the court for the time it took to deliver it. It was clear that several conservative justices saw the ruling not as a gift to Trump but as a way to head off spiraling and potentially politically motivated prosecutions. While the court’s decision may ultimately meet that goal, the ruling is also widely viewed as removing a check on presidents. Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, wrote that Congress couldn’t criminalize a president’s conduct when he is “carrying out the responsibilities of the executive branch.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a liberal, warned in dissent that the decision would set up future presidents to be “a king above the law.” The Supreme Court initially denied Smith’s effort to resolve the immunity questions in December – allowing the normal process to play out with a federal appeals court wading in first. Two months later, in mid-February, after the appeals court ruled in Smith’s favor, it was Trump who asked the justices to review the question of presidential immunity. The court granted the case in February but did not hear arguments until the end of April. It handed down its decision on the final day of its term, on July 1. And the case was finally returned to the trial-level court in DC in August. Judge Cannon killed the Mar-a-Lago case The election subversion case was always expected to face years of litigation over the questions it raised about criminalizing acts taken by a sitting president. But the case in which Trump was accused of mishandling national defense information – was viewed as a much more straightforward prosecution, for how it focused on Trump’s post-presidency conduct and dealt with a well-established area of law. Trump, however, hit the jackpot with the assignment of that case to Judge Aileen Cannon, an appointee of his with little trial experience who had already treated the investigation with remarkable hostility when she oversaw pre-indictment lawsuit Trump brought challenging the FBI’s search of his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort. Cannon threw a number of wrenches into the prosecutors’ case before dismissing it entirely this summer on the grounds that Smith was unlawfully appointed. Her handling of the charges was widely panned by legal experts, and her dismissal ruling as set for review by the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals until those deadlines were postponed with Trump’s win. Notably, Smith is not ending the Justice Department’s pursuit of the two Trump employees, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, who were charged with allegedly assisting their boss in efforts to hinder the federal probe. What to do next in the case will be a question for the incoming Trump Justice Department. While Trump might want to have the charges against his allies dropped, the DOJ will have to balance that against an institutional desire to wipe off the books a dismissal ruling that could undermine special counsel investigations in the future. Smith keeps door open for charges to be brought again In both of his cases against Trump, Smith said he was dropping the charges against the president-elect “without prejudice,” which in theory would keep open the door for charges to be brought again in the future. While pointing to the immunity Trump was about to receive by reentering the White House, Smith repeatedly said characterized that immunity as “temporary.” Smith’s filing in the election subversion case in Washington, DC, included a longer discussion of how he had come to the decision to drop that case, where he had to weigh the longstanding DOJ position barring prosecutions of sitting president against the principle that no man is “above the law.” Smith said he consulted with DOJ lawyers on the question, and they also weighed the possibility of pausing the case until Trump no longer had the immunity of the presidency protecting him. Ultimately, however, the Department’s Office of Legal Counsel concluded that the prohibitions on prosecuting sitting presidents is “categorial,” including for indictments handed up before a defendant enters office, Smith said. Monday’s move by Smith will likely bring attention – and perhaps criticism – to the Justice Department’s views, which have not yet been tested directly by courts. Trump lawyers get top jobs in his DOJ as a thank you Smith’s dismissal filings brings to a close a chapter for the criminal attorneys who were mostly successful in staving off the criminal prosecutions against Trump. But a new chapter has already opened for several members of the Trump legal team who have already been rewarded with plum positions in his incoming administration. Todd Blanche, who played a central role in the DC prosecution and in other Trump cases, has been tapped by Trump for the DOJ’s No. 2 role, deputy attorney general. John Sauer, who argued the immunity dispute on Trump’s behalf before the Supreme Court, has been selected by Trump to be US solicitor general, the federal government’s top lawyer before the high court. Both positions are subject to Senate confirmation. Additionally, Trump announced that another member of his personal legal team, Emile Bove would serve as acting deputy attorney general while Blanche was waiting for confirmation and then move to principal associate a deputy attorney general, a position that does not go before the Senate. CNN’s Paula Reid contributed to this report.

Qatar’s decision to suspend its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas and the sweeping Cabinet reshuffle are not isolated actions; they are intertwined maneuvers within a unified strategic framework aimed at fortifying the nation’s stance amid shifting regional and global dynamics. Together, these actions reveal a nation positioning itself proactively for the future. With Donald Trump’s imminent return to the U.S. presidency and the potential for heightened regional tensions, Qatar is bolstering its readiness as a mediator and a resilient actor capable of maintaining influence in both diplomatic and security arenas. In early November, Majid al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced that the mediation efforts led by Qatar between Israel and Hamas had been suspended. Al-Ansari stated that the relevant parties had been informed 10 days prior that "mediation would be halted if no progress was made." Qatar justified the suspension of mediation by citing the "reluctance" and "lack of seriousness" of both sides in ending the conflict and preventing harm to civilians. Western media platforms have engaged in disinformation regarding Qatar’s statements on two specific points. The first is the claim that Qatar has completely withdrawn from mediating between Israel and Hamas, and the second is the assertion that Hamas' Doha office would be permanently closed. As of now, no official statement has confirmed that Qatar has definitively ended its mediation between Israel and Hamas. Similarly, there has been no finalized or officially announced development regarding the permanent closure of Hamas' office in Doha. However, in a statement made a few days ago, Al-Ansari confirmed that the Hamas leaders participating in the negotiations were no longer in Doha and that these people were already holding meetings in various regional capitals, including Türkiye. He added that if there is no need for mediation, the decision regarding the closure of Hamas’ Doha office will officially come from Qatar. The statements aim to convey a message to both parties, indicating that without mediation, issues will remain unresolved. Qatar is positioned as an essential actor should talks between Israel and Hamas resume. Therefore, suspending its role as a mediator at this stage could potentially strengthen its position. Türkiye is one of the countries where Hamas can move or mediation can be carried out. Qatari officials also expressed this directly or indirectly. Although there is no specific statement from Qatar or Türkiye at this stage that Hamas has moved to Türkiye permanently, it is a natural political strategy for Hamas to move among its offices. Türkiye has been engaging with regional actors and working on specific solutions observing Palestinian people for many years; there is nothing new here. Hamas's departure from Doha at this stage does not indicate a negative shift in Qatar-Hamas relations, nor does it suggest that Hamas will fully shift its political operations to another country, including Türkiye. These issues were likely brought up in the meetings held with the country's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who recently held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Türkiye while attending the 10th meeting of the Supreme Strategic Committee. Türkiye and Qatar are closely coordinating their efforts in response to Israel's aggressive actions in the region, including its reckless approach. Both countries are actively pursuing mediation initiatives aimed at securing a cease-fire, facilitating the release of hostages, ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas and ultimately ending the conflict. This collaboration continues regardless of where Hamas is based, with a shared commitment to addressing these pressing issues The suspension of mediation was accompanied by significant internal political developments in Qatar. On the same day as the U.S. presidential election, a referendum was concluded that effectively abolished the election of two-thirds of the Shura Council members by popular vote, reinstating the previous system whereby members were appointed by the emir. This shift was followed by a series of consequential changes that unfolded in rapid succession. On Nov. 12, 2024, Sheikh Tamim conducted a comprehensive reshuffle within the Cabinet and other public offices. An assessment of these developments indicates a partial renewal within the upper echelons of Qatar's security bureaucracy. While previous appointees were already individuals closely affiliated with the ruling family, the recent appointment of a direct member of the Al Thani family – and a particularly influential one – to head the defense sector marks a significant development. Additionally, the appointment of a senior security and intelligence official as head of the emir's Diwan, alongside the designation of a new chief of general staff and head of the intelligence agency, constitutes significant steps within this reshuffle. With these changes, the decision-making mechanism in Qatar has been rendered more exclusive, as individuals appointed to these roles are either members of or closely affiliated with the ruling family. The rationale behind these changes may be linked to the anticipated inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the U.S. on Jan. 20, 2025. Furthermore, the prospect of targeting Hamas’ affiliates or figures within Qatar might also be considered a contributing factor. Qatar might have deemed it necessary to expedite decision-making processes and concentrate these processes within a narrower circle to manage its relations with the incoming Trump administration more effectively. Following the disruption of the Israel-Hamas negotiations, another potential reason for this reshuffle could be the possibility of Israel targeting Hamas members residing in Qatar. Qatar’s decision to suspend its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, coupled with a significant Cabinet reshuffle, signals a shift in the region’s power dynamics and highlights Qatar’s intent to safeguard its strategic position. While the suspension of mediation is ostensibly due to the unwillingness and lack of seriousness of both sides, it can also be seen as a tactical move by Qatar to underscore the influence it holds as a mediator. By pausing its efforts, Qatar demonstrates that its role is crucial, and it will not continue in the absence of genuine engagement from both parties. This act underlines Qatar’s leverage and the potential cost of excluding it from peace processes. The extensive reshuffle initiated by Sheikh Tamim, which focuses on placing close family members or individuals loyal to the ruling family in key positions, suggests a strategic effort to consolidate power and streamline decision-making processes. This reorganization aligns with Qatar’s need to respond swiftly and effectively to external pressures and evolving regional challenges. With Trump set to assume the U.S. presidency, Qatar may be anticipating a return to a more assertive U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, marked by strong support for Israel and opposition to Iran. The Cabinet changes appear to be a preemptive move to better position Qatar to navigate potential geopolitical shifts and pressures from the Trump administration. Qatar’s established relationship with Hamas remains a cornerstone of its regional diplomatic influence. However, with the suspension of Israel-Hamas talks and the possibility of Israel targeting Hamas operatives in Qatar, the state’s strategic reshuffle could also serve as a protective measure. It strengthens Qatar’s internal security posture while signaling that it is prepared to adapt its alliances and strategies as needed. Qatar’s recent suspension of mediation and significant reshuffle within its security bureaucracy signal a calculated pivot, positioning itself to navigate impending changes in the global and regional order. The timing coincides not just with Trump’s upcoming presidency but also with broader uncertainties involving regional conflicts and shifting power alignments. By consolidating decision-making within a trusted inner circle and asserting its mediation leverage, Qatar projects a readiness to protect its strategic interests, signaling to both allies and adversaries that it will not retreat from the table but recalibrate as needed to uphold its diplomatic and security stature.Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia

Puka Nacua's Girlfriend Flexes Outfit for Rams-EaglesSeahawks are optimistic again and set to battle Cardinals for the NFC West lead

Seahawks are optimistic again and set to battle Cardinals for the NFC West lead SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks were struggling a week ago, coming off their bye having lost five of their last six games. That included a gut-punch overtime defeat at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 3. Shane Lantz, The Associated Press Nov 21, 2024 3:50 PM Nov 21, 2024 4:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn) SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks were struggling a week ago, coming off their bye having lost five of their last six games. That included a gut-punch overtime defeat at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 3. The outlook for the last-place Seahawks (5-5) was beginning to look grim. They suddenly have renewed optimism this week after an uplifting victory over the San Francisco 49ers that snapped a six-game losing streak against their arch-rival that dated to 2021. Seattle will play the first-place Arizona Cardinals (6-4) on Sunday for a share of the NFC West lead. How quickly things change in the NFL. “We’ve earned the opportunity to be fighting for the lead in the division going into the home stretch,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “So that’s the way we’re treating it. It’s very much like a playoff mindset for us at this point.” The win over the 49ers, which was capped by a 13-yard touchdown run by quarterback Geno Smith with 18 seconds left, put the Seahawks in a much better place mentally than they’d been in over the previous six weeks. They're hoping it's just the start of something even bigger. “It can just spark something that you’ve been looking for this whole year,” wide receiver DK Metcalf said. “I know we started off very hot with the first three games, but, you know, when adversity hit, it’s all about how you respond. I think we responded the right way, and it’s going to carry us throughout the rest of the season.” While the Seahawks are feeling better this week, the Cardinals have plenty of reason to feel optimistic, too. After starting the season 2-4, Arizona has won four straight to put itself in first place in the NFC West. The Cardinals have a defense that is making big strides under the leadership of veteran safety Budda Baker and a top-five running game behind the dual threat of running back James Conner, who has 697 yards rushing, and quarterback Kyler Murray, who seems to be hitting his stride in his sixth NFL season. Murray has 2,058 yards passing with 12 touchdowns, and has rushed for 371 yards and four scores. Second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon has been impressed with Murray’s improved decision-making as Murray has thrown just three interceptions through 10 games. “There’s times that he probably wants to try to thread it a little bit, but understands when to pick and choose his spots,” Gannon said. “I think he’s done a phenomenal job with that and there are a lot of times throughout the game where you could say we like to put it in the quarterback’s hands, and you trust him to make the right decision for that point in the game.” Reunited Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will see a familiar face on the other sideline Sunday in rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., who was Smith-Njigba’s college teammate at Ohio State in 2021 and 2022. The pair each caught three touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ wild win over Utah in the 2022 Rose Bowl, with Smith-Njigba having 347 yards receiving on what was a 573-passing yard day for C.J. Stroud, now the quarterback of the Houston Texans. “Late his freshman year, he really just stood out,” Smith-Njigba said of Harrison. “You could just see the growth and kind of who he is becoming. ... He’s passed a lot of people’s expectations, of course, but I knew he was going to be elite later on freshman year.” MVP-level Murray Murray is coming off one of the best games of his career after completing 22 of 24 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown against the Jets two weeks ago. He also ran for 21 yards and two TDs. Murray currently ranks No. 3 in the NFL in quarterback rating behind Cincinnati's Joe Burrow and Baltimore's Lamar Jackson. That has put him in the MVP conversation, particularly since Arizona has won four straight games. “I don’t play the game for the validation of others," Murray said. "But as a player, of course, sometimes the recognition and the words being said feel good. But it doesn’t satisfy me.” Defensive improvement The most surprising part of Arizona’s four-game winning streak is the rapid improvement of the defense, which has allowed just 9 and 6 points, respectively, over the past two games. No touchdowns have been allowed – just five field goals. It’s just the second time over the past 30 years that the franchise has allowed 10 points or less over back-to-back games. Baker, a Bellevue native and former University of Washington football star, is the unquestioned leader of the bunch – he already has 100 tackles over 10 games - but the team also has a strong core of linebackers in Kyzir White, Mack Wilson and Zaven Collins. Metcalf and Baker have gone up against each other many times before, most famously when Metcalf ran Baker down on an interception return in 2020. “You really can’t prepare for a guy like that because his engine never stops,” Metcalf said. “He’s always going to be around the ball. He’s always going to affect the game with just his play effort and play style. ... Just got to try to minimize his playmaking ability as much as we can on offense.” ___ AP Sports Writer David Brandt in Phoenix, Arizona, contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Shane Lantz, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Ravens' Jackson, Chargers' Herbert will take center stage once Harbaugh Bowl kicks off Monday night Nov 21, 2024 4:26 PM Buccaneers and Giants are facing desperate times heading into their final 7 games Nov 21, 2024 4:15 PM NFL Inactive Report Nov 21, 2024 4:00 PM

Pechanga Resort Casino partners with The Venetian Resort Las VegasMINNEAPOLIS — Dawson Garcia posted a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds and went 5 of 6 at the free-throw line in the final minute to help Minnesota fend off Central Michigan for a 68-65 win on Monday night. Garcia hit a 3 with 3:17 left to put the Golden Gophers up by four, 59-55, but Jakobi Heady answered from deep to get the Chippewas within a point with three minutes left. Lu'Cye Patterson's 3 put Minnesota up by four but Heady halved it with a layup. Garcia hit four straight at the foul line for a six-point lead, but Kyler Vanderjagt hit a free throw and Drew Barbee hit a 3 with 18 seconds left to pull Central Michigan to within two, 66-64, but the Gophers converted 3-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final 17 seconds to close out the win. Garcia was 7 of 11 from the foul line and the Gophers (5-1) were just 10 of 27 for the game (58.8%). Patterson hit 4 of 9 from behind the arc to finish with 19 points and three assists. Ugnius Jarusevicius hit all three of his shots from behind the arc and finished with 17 points to lead Central Michigan (3-3) and Heady added a double-double with 13 points and 13 boards.

The King is scheduled to attend the show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday which will see Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish present a musical number from their new show The Devil Wears Prada – based on the 2006 Oscar-nominated film. Cast members Vanessa Williams, who plays Miranda Priestly, and Matt Henry, who stars as art director Nigel, were among those posing on the red carpet ahead of the performance which showcases an original score by Sir Elton. The variety show will also see debuts from British singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor with her hit track Murder On The Dancefloor while Eurovision winner Nemo is also featured on the bill. Also posing on the carpet were US magicians and comedy duo Penn and Teller, whose performance marks their 50th anniversary. Comedy will come from Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, writer and comic Scott Bennett, Scottish comedian Larry Dean and political comic Matt Forde – who posed on the red carpet with a crutch after undergoing surgery for cancer on his spine. Among the arrivals was TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who will make an appearance in this year’s show with her Change And Check Choir led by Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow. The choir, made up of women from across the UK who detected their breast cancer through Kelly’s campaign, will perform Love Is All Around, which is being re-released to raise awareness of breast cancer early detection. It comes hours after Camilla insisted the “show must go on” after pulling out of attending the performance on Friday evening as doctors advised that she should prioritise rest. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Following a recent chest infection, the Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest. “With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.” A royal source said the Queen was “naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainments and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that ‘the show must go on'”. “She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon,” the source added. The Royal Variety Performance will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player in December. Money raised from the show will go to help people from the world of entertainment in need of care and assistance, with the Royal Variety Charity launching an initiative to help those with mental health issues this year.

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We are at the end of college football’s regular season, which coincides with the unofficial start of the stretch run for the NFL season: Thanksgiving Day games. Right now, we have a pretty good idea of who the best teams are in the league, and can start to predict with a little bit of certainty what needs teams will have as the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around and which college football players could do a good job filling them. As such, it’s time for us to roll out the second version of our mock draft for next April — you can check out how things played out the last time we did this . As for how this one is going to go, well, how about a team trading up for Shedeur Sanders to get us started? ( ) 1. New York Giants (via JAX) – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado If it’s not evident by the fact that they benched and are currently starting Tommy DeVito when he’s healthy, the Giants really want a high pick and really need a quarterback, and a trade up to 1 to take Sanders makes sense if they can’t tank their way to the top pick. While he doesn’t have the strongest arm on earth, Sanders is an excellent processor of the game and can throw the ball accurately all over the place. He’s gotten better about getting the ball out and not hunting big plays that lead to sacks — Colorado’s OL taking a step forward helps, of course — and while the Giants don’t have nearly the level of playmakers that Colorado has relative to their level of competition, he’d love getting to throw to Malik Nabers. Add in that he has the sort of big personality that can handle New York and the Giants could theoretically hire his father if they fire Brian Daboll and Sanders checks a ton of boxes here. 2. Jacksonville Jaguars (via NYG) – Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado The Jaguars move down a spot, pick up some extra picks for their trouble, and get the best football player in this Draft — and in fact, if you were to look up “football player” in a dictionary, there should be a photo of Travis Hunter there. Hunter is doing things we’ve never really seen playing both ways at an elite level in college, and while it’s possible he eventually has to choose a primary position in the NFL – I could see him picking receiver or corner and then playing mostly high leverage snaps at the other – his versatility and ability at either spot would be a welcome addition or a Jags team that just needs more talent. Also, if his goal is to play both sides in the NFL, the Jags are a team that needs help at both spots, so they’d likely be thrilled to let him give it a go. 3. Las Vegas Raiders – Cam Ward, QB, Miami Ward’s rise from a QB at Incarnate Word to a Heisman contender for the College Football Playoff-bound Miami Hurricanes really has been impressive. He’s a dynamic thrower of the ball with good mobility and has gotten better and better over the course of his career. He’ll take some sacks and put the ball in danger a little more than I’d like, but that’s an area where he’s grown during his time with the Canes. The Raiders need a lot of help in a lot of different places, but above all else, their top priority this April should be getting a franchise quarterback they can build around. Ward would provide that. 4. New England Patriots – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas The Patriots need to bolster their offensive line to better protect Drake Maye. The rookie QB has impressed in flashes since taking over as the starter, but he’s under pressure far more often than New England would like. This isn’t the best tackle class in history, but Kelvin Banks Jr. has been terrific for the Longhorns and would be welcomed with open arms by Maye and the Pats. He’s just a junior but has 37 starts already under his belt at Texas and has excellent movement skills and strength. 5. Carolina Panthers – Luther Burden, WR, Missouri It’s still unclear if Bryce Young is the long-term answer for the Panthers, but it has been impressive how he’s managed to earlier this year — he hasn’t been an MVP candidate or anything, but it looks like getting a hard reset has led to the game slowing down a bit for him. No matter who the QB is, Carolina could use a No. 1 receiver to add to an interesting group of pass catchers, and Burden is that guy. He’s got everything you want outside of the fact he’s 5’11, as he’s a major big play threat who can line up just about anywhere and would give Young another really fun target to go alongside promising youngsters Xavier Legette and Ja’Tavion Sanders. 6. Tennessee Titans – Will Campbell, OT, LSU The Titans could be in play for a new QB, but if Sanders and Ward are off the board, I think their focus needs to be in the trenches. Will Campbell is the other top tackle in this Draft and whether Tennessee rolls with Will Levis for one more year or addresses the QB situation in free agency, they’ll want to do a better job keeping them upright. Campbell figures to be capable of providing that help, and it’s time to build inside-out in Tennessee. 7. New York Jets – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State The Jets are in the middle of one of the most disappointing years we’ve ever seen out of an NFL team relative to preseason expectations, and they’re going to need throw the baby out with the bathwater as they move on from the Aaron Rodgers era, which means a big roster shakeup that should include Haason Reddick leaving as a free agent. There isn’t really a QB worth taking here, so New York should just go with the best player available, which we think means Carter. The linebacker-turned-edge rusher has seemingly gotten better every week for the Penn State defense, he’s going to destroy the Combine, and would bolster a good Jets defensive line that features building blocks in Quinnen Williams and Will McDonald. It’s can come off as lazy to compare Carter to Micah Parsons as another LB-turned-EDGE from Penn State who wears 11, but also, that’s a pretty good comp. 8. Cleveland Browns – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona The Browns would be in a really interesting spot at this spot in the Draft. Perhaps by April a third QB will emerge as a consensus top-10 guy, but based on the play on the field this year, I’m not willing to put any other QB up here. Whoever is under center in Cleveland next year is going to need some guys to throw to, as Amari Cooper is gone and the current receiving corps is far from loaded. Tet McMillan would immediately give them a big-bodied No. 1 that can help any quarterback that ends up taking snaps in Cleveland next year. Arizona may have fallen off as a team, but the 6’5 McMillan is a one-man wrecking crew on the outside that no one has been able to figure out. As long as they don’t go down with this pick, they should really target McMillan if they can’t get one of the QBs. 9. New Orleans Saints – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia Good things tend to happen when teams select guys who played in Georgia’s defense. The Saints need to figure out a direction after firing Dennis Allen midseason (it does seem like interim coach Darren Rizzi has a real shot at getting the job), but a big part of that direction is figuring out a succession plan for guys like Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis. Chase Young is a free agent after this year, too, so they have a big hole at EDGE, and Williams is a long and talented option to build the pass rush around going forward. His numbers haven’t been quite as imposing as you might expect, but the measurables, good tape, and Georgia pedigree all make him worth a top-10 pick. 10. Cincinnati Bengals – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan The Bengals can’t stop anyone this year, and as a result, they are completely wasting what should be an MVP season from Joe Burrow. If they’re picking 10th and the best corner is sitting on the board still available, they should sprint to the podium to get this pick in. Johnson has been a bit out of sight, out of mind while sitting out with an injury, but he’s a bad dude on the outside and Cincy desperately needs an upgrade in their secondary. I know the temptation will be to replace Tee Higgins (who is almost assuredly not going to be back) with a top-10 receiver, but this is a thin receiver class at the very top once Burden and McMillan are off the board and their bigger issues are on defense, anyway. 11. Dallas Cowboys – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan Dallas has to figure out a ton of stuff this offseason, and in my eyes, none are bigger than “how do we keep opposing offenses from moving the ball on us at will?” Sorting out Micah Parsons’ future is important, but so is bolstering the heart of their defensive line, which is just not good enough. Graham could fix that immediately, as he’s the rare gigantic defensive tackle (6’3, 315 pounds) who is disruptive on all three downs and would make it easier for a guy like Parsons to eat off the edge. You can go in a lot of directions here, but Graham is the perfect mix of best player available and fills a need for the Cowboys. 12. Chicago Bears – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State The Bears have to upgrade their line this offseason in front of Caleb Williams. The interior of the line is really the biggest need, but they could use an upgrade at tackle, as well. Simmons suffered a season-ending knee injury against Oregon, but was in the mix as one of the top tackles coming into this year after the way he played as a junior in 2023. They addressed the skill positions last year, but this Draft should be all about the trenches (on both sides of the ball) for the Bears. 13. Indianapolis Colts – Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M Don’t discount a tight end here, as the Colts do seem like they’re still all-in on Anthony Richardson and that’s the biggest skill position hole on their offense — both Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren would be outstanding fits in Indianapolis. But their defense is not great, and Scourton would give them a powerful EDGE who can play the run or the pass, and is big enough (6’4, 285 pounds) that he can line up at defensive tackle in some situations. He’s been a key piece on the Aggie defense this year, and would be a good fit on a Colts defensive line that prioritizes big, physical dudes. 14. Miami Dolphins – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia Miami might see both of their safeties leave this offseason, and just generally could use a talent upgrade in the middle of the field. Malaki Starks would provide that, as the Georgia safety is a special player with positional versatility at either safety spot and can play some nickel. Starks flies around at the back end of the Georgia secondary and would bring some needed juice to the Dolphins defense. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame It’s unfortunate that Morrison is out for the year with a hip injury, because he is a fantastic player and would make a Notre Dame defense that might be the best in America even better. He has just about every tool in the toolkit that you want out of a star cornerback, as he’s comfortable manning up opposing receivers or dropping into a zone, and he’s very willing to do what he needs to do against the run. A starting outside corner is going to be high on the list of priorities for the Bucs this offseason, and they manage to get one here. 16. Los Angeles Rams – Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina The Rams would be slightly upset they can’t get Morrison, but then, they’d remember they can get Revel and would be over the moon. If he didn’t tear his ACL before the season, Revel would have a real shot at going in the top-10 this year because of his elite size, athleticism, and competitive nature. Los Angeles desperately needs to come out of the Draft this year with one of the three standout cornerbacks, and while they miss on Johnson and Morrison, Revel fills the need they have, and it won’t shock us if you see a number of comparisons between him and Eagles rookie standout Quinyon Mitchell. 17. San Francisco 49ers – Cameron Williams, OT, Texas The Niners are going to be in a fascinating spot this offseason if things don’t turn around quickly. But whether they are making major changes to personnel or just trying to retool for one more run with this group, adding some talent on the offensive line would be a good idea. Upgrading their right tackle spot would make a ton of sense, and if Williams doesn’t stay another year at Texas (which is in play if he thinks that’d get him a top 5-10 pick next year), he’s a mountain of a man that would likely intrigue John Lynch and company in the Bay. 18. Arizona Cardinals – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State James Conner is a free agent, and the Cardinals have seen the value in having a physical, bruising rushing threat alongside Kyler Murray this season. Well, there’s no one better at that style of running than Ashton Jeanty, and while it’s always a little tricky to find the spot for a running back in the first round, he’s a no-doubt talent. The Cardinals would be thrilled to land him at this spot, and the likely Heisman finalist would be very fun to see alongside Murray in the desert. 19. Atlanta Falcons – James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee At some point, the Falcons will be good at rushing the passer again. It really is stunning just how long it has been since they’ve had a player record double-digit sacks in a season (it hasn’t happened since 2016!), and it’s not going to happen this year barring a miracle, either. They don’t even really pressure quarterbacks. Enter Pearce, who has been a load off the edge for Tennessee over the last two seasons — as of this writing, he has 17 sacks in two years. He could use some polish, but he’d be as good of a bet as Atlanta’s made on a young pass rusher in quite some time. 20. Seattle Seahawks – Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky Seattle is gonna be looking for some help up the middle on defense at just about every level this offseason. If the board shakes out this way, Seattle would have to at least consider adding the big fella from Kentucky to bolster the interior of their defensive front, with Jarran Reed a potential free agent departure. Mike MacDonald is going to want to beef up his defense and what better way to do that than adding a 6’6, 344 pound wrecking ball up front, as Walker pops off the screen every time you watch Kentucky. 21. Washington Commanders – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State This is a bit of a luxury pick, but Washington has its face of the franchise under center in Jayden Daniels, and one of his favorite targets is soon-to-be free agent tight end Zach Ertz, who turns 35 this offseason. As such, we’ll give him Warren, who has been the best tight end in college football this year and a remarkably versatile piece for the Nittany Lion offense. He’ll play as a tight end, outside receiver, slot receiver, running back, quarterback, and snap the ball, all in the same game. An offense built around Daniels, Warren, and Terry McLaurin would be one of the most fun in the NFL, and if the Commanders want to challenge the Eagles in the NFC East, they’re going to need guys who will help them win shootouts. 22. Houston Texans – Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State The Texans have two great edge rushers in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, but their interior line play has left something to be desired. Williams helps anchor the excellent defensive front for Ohio State, as very few teams find room to run in the middle against the Buckeyes this season. Putting the 327-pounder between Hunter and Anderson would help address some of Houston’s problems, and the Texans have shown in the past they want to invest heavily in their defensive line. 23. Denver Broncos – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan One of the biggest surprises in the NFL this year has been the Broncos, which look like they struck gold by picking Bo Nix last year. Their tight end room hasn’t given them much of anything this year — Adam Trautman has nine catches on 15 targets — but as we saw with Jimmy Graham in New Orleans, Sean Payton can do some really fun things with a big time player in that position. Loveland fits that bill. He’s a good blocker for a college tight end who hasn’t been able to show off his effectiveness in the passing game as much this year because of how bad the QB play has been in Ann Arbor. And with no receivers really worth taking here, Denver brings in the best skill position player on the board for their young QB. 24. Los Angeles Chargers – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan Wow, crazy, Jim Harbaugh takes one of his former Michigan players, what a shock. Truth be told, if Loveland is on the board, we think Harbaugh himself might sprint to the podium to say his name within 10 seconds of the Chargers getting on the clock, as he would fill a critical need for another pass catcher. Instead, they go with another Michigan ManTM who fills a need in Grant, who moves really well for his size (6’3, 339 pounds) and would know exactly what he needs to do in Jesse Minter’s defense from day one. He can slide right in at nose tackle and make life easier for everyone in the Chargers’ front seven. 25. Baltimore Ravens – Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia The Ravens defense has not been playing at the level folks in Baltimore are accustomed to, and that figures to be the focal point of their offseason. Walker would give the Ravens a really talented and versatile linebacker that they can use as an edge rusher and play off ball some when needed next to fellow Bulldog Roquan Smith. Walker has shown flashes this season, particularly in the Texas game where he had three sacks in a blowout win for the Dawgs, and Baltimore could find plenty of ways to use his talents. 26. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama A real wild card team at the end of the first round right now, the Steelers could be all over the place. One thing they’ll at least have to think about is a quarterback, as they don’t have a long-term answer right now. I’d expect Russell Wilson to be back on a short-term deal, but at this pick, they might consider taking the hyper-talented Milroe and letting him sit and learn some of the finer points of the passing game at the NFL level before throwing him out on the field. Milroe is an S-tier athlete, and the Steelers could get him some touches and action in running packages, where he’d be even more dynamic than Justin Fields is in those spots now. 27. Green Bay Packers – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas In a division that features three opposing teams with a wealth of pass catching options, Green Bay could really stand to upgrade its cornerback room and put someone on the other side of Jaire Alexander, who has also missed some time this year due to injuries. Bolstering their pass rush wouldn’t be a bad idea, either, but Barron is a veteran, battle-tested member of the Longhorn secondary who plays all over the place and would brings some versatility and tenacity to Lambeau. 28. Minnesota Vikings – Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC Aaron Jones has been great for Minnesota on a 1-year rental, but they will likely be looking for a long-term answer at running back next year as they presumably prepare for JJ McCarthy to take over as their starting quarterback. Hampton doesn’t get a lot of discussion because UNC stinks, but he’s a crazy talented back and I think he’s going to be really good in the NFL. The Vikings love using running backs in the pass game, too, and Hampton has 34 catches for 295 yards this season. 29. Cleveland Browns (via PHI) – Carson Beck, QB, Georgia Beck has had a rollercoaster season in Athens, which has led to some reconsidering his position in this Draft. That said, I think by the time we get to April, he’ll be firmly back in the first round conversation thanks to some Pro Day buzz, and this might be too late to get him. If he is still on the board, someone that missed out early on the top two guys would have to look at trading back in to get him, and I think the Browns should seriously consider doing that. Philly is a willing trade-back team and there’s no one particularly exciting here to add for them. Cleveland desperately needs an answer at QB long-term after the disaster that has been Deshaun Watson. Beck had a really bad stretch of turnover-prone games and the decision-making has been questionable at times, but he also makes the kinds of throws that make scouts and coaches go wild. Perhaps the Browns would rather bottom out next year to chase on of the top QBs then — a top guy in the 2026 class if he stays in school another year, Penn State QB Drew Allar, is from northeast Ohio and a childhood Browns fan — but I think someone will look to jump back into the first round to secure Beck if he slides this far. 30. Buffalo Bills – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon Receiver wouldn’t be a bad course of action for the Bills, but there really isn’t anyone who would step right in and raise the group’s ceiling, plus they can just re-sign Amari Cooper. Instead, let’s have them get a running mate at defensive tackle for Ed Oliver in Harmon, who has been really good for the Ducks this year after transferring in from Michigan State. He’s big, disruptive, plays the run well, and is among Oregon’s leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. 31. Kansas City Chiefs – Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota The name of the game in Kansas City is keeping Patrick Mahomes upright, and despite being only 11 games into the season, he’s been sacked 27 times — he’s never been sacked more than 28 times in his career, and he’s getting sacked on 6.62 percent of his dropbacks, a career-high. They have to protect him better, and targeting Ersery to replace Wanya Morris at LT would make a ton of sense. A three-year starter for PJ Fleck, Ersery is 6’6, 325 pounds, a good athlete for his size, and brings some bite as a run blocker, too. He impressed in his biggest test of the season (Abdul Carter had zero sacks when Minnesota played Penn State), and we wouldn’t be surprised if he’s off the board sooner than this, especially if he tests well in Indianapolis. 32. Detroit Lions – Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State The Lions will have a vanity pick, which is pretty wild to consider, and what says “Dan Campbell vanity pick” more than taking an interior offensive lineman. The tackle position is set for years in Detroit, but they could use some help bolstering their guard spot between them — it’s worth remembering that Graham Glasgow turns 33 this offseason, while Kevin Zeitler turns 35. I think the Lions would love to have a swing guy that can move around as needed on the line, and Jackson started the year as a guard for the Buckeyes but kicked out to left tackle when Josh Simmons got hurt and will presumably finish the year there.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants organization got exactly what it deserved in getting blown out by Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Giants were embarrassed in Sunday's 30-7 loss , taunted by Mayfield after a touchdown run just before halftime. And then they saw their fans walk out on them again when the Bucs extended their lead to 30-0 and sent New York (2-9) to its sixth straight loss. The losing streak is the longest for the Giants since 2019, when they dropped a franchise-record nine straight games to finish 4-12. That led to the firing of coach Pat Shurmur after two seasons. Third-year coach Brian Daboll is clearly in trouble, with the Giants guaranteed a second straight losing season. They were 6-11 in a 2023 season that featured a lot of injuries. Daboll, who denies he has lost the team, isn't the only one whose job is in jeopardy. General manager Joe Schoen is on the hot seat and so is this entire franchise, which is celebrating its 100th year. It's one thing to lose. It's quite another to give up, and that's what the organization did when it decided to bench Daniel Jones a week ago and then release him on Friday after the 27-year-old asked co-owner John Mara to let him walk away. While he wasn't playing well, Jones was the Giants' best quarterback. He gave them more a of chance to win than either Tommy DeVito or Drew Lock. Removing him from the picture was all but certain to make the Giants worse, even if it was a good business decision. If Jones was hurt and unable the pass his physical before the 2025 season, the team would have been on the hook for a $23 million cap hit. The problem is the players care about now. By getting rid of Jones and elevating DeVito to the starting role, the front office was telling the team it didn't care about winning with seven games left in the season. So the players gave a lackluster effort. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence called the team soft. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers said he was sick of losing. Left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said he saw a lack of effort by some players. What they all were saying was they were angry at being betrayed. Money is never more important than winning, and the Giants made that mistake. At this point in the season? Nothing. Story continues below video The offense once again. The Giants have scored a league-low 163 points, including only 60 in six games at MetLife Stadium, where they are winless this season. They have scored in double figures at home twice. Daboll's team has been held scoreless in the first half in three of 11 games and it has been held without a first-half touchdown seven times. Daboll said he will continue to call the offensive plays. S Tyler Nubin. The rookie has had a team-high 12 tackles in each of the last two games. His 81 tackles for the season are just two behind team leader Bobby Okereke. RB Tyrone Tracy. The rookie leads Giants running backs with 587 yards on 116 carries — a 5.1-yard average for the fifth-round pick. But holding onto the ball has been a big issue. Tracy's fumble in overtime cost New York a chance to win in Germany against Carolina. He also lost the ball in the third quarter at the Bucs 5-yard line with New York down 23-0. It earned him a seat on the bench. LT Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) and OLB Azeez Ojulari (toe) left Sunday's game in the first quarter. Chris Hubbard filled in at tackle and the Giants luckily got back DL Kayvon Thibodeaux this past week after he missed five games with a broken wrist. DeVito was banged up but Daboll expects him to start against the Cowboys. 10 — The Giants have gone 10 consecutive games without an interception, tying the NFL record held by the 1976-77 San Francisco 49ers and the 2017 Oakland — now Las Vegas — Raiders. The Giants and Raiders now share the single-season mark. A national showcase on Thanksgiving Day for the NFC-worst Giants at Dallas. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLJPMorgan upgrades Mexican equities while cutting Brazilian outlook

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The 20th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies have a shot to reach the Southeastern Conference championship game for the first time since joining the league in 2012. The only thing standing in their way: archrival No. 3 Texas. Texas A&M and Texas will meet for the first time since 2011 on Saturday night at Kyle Field where a frenzied crowd expected to exceed 110,000 will welcome back a storied rivalry that dates to 1894 . “We know that this is going to be history if we make it,” Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed said. “And... a lot of people don’t have faith and didn’t have faith just because it’s the first year with the new coach, new OC, new DC, all the things and kind of a rebuild season (but) we’re here now and we’ve got a chance to go make this opportunity what we want it to be.” The winner advances to face No. 6 Georgia on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. “I think it’s great for college football that this game with us and them is going to matter on a grander scale than what’s just happening in the state of Texas,” Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said. “But I also know how much it means to every household in the state of Texas.” Texas A&M is looking to bounce back after dropping a four-overtime thriller at Auburn last week. Texas has won four straight after its only loss of the season against the Bulldogs on Oct. 19. “You hope to get to the last game of the year playing for everything,” said Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, who was hired after Jimbo Fisher’s firing last year. “And we’re in the last game of the year and playing for everything.” The Longhorns will face a hostile crowd that has waited more than a decade for payback after Texas came to Kyle Field for the last meeting in 2011 and left with a 27-25 victory. “It’s probably going to be like the Alabama game, the Notre Dame and the LSU game on steroids,” Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York said. Texas has plenty of recent experience in dealing with tough road crowds. The Longhorns beat Alabama at home in 2023 and won at Michigan and Arkansas this season. In all, Texas has won 10 straight on an opponent’s home field. “I mean, it’s going to be amazing,” Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron said. “You know, these are the type of moments you live for.” Though these Longhorns and Aggies were all in grade school the last time these teams locked horns, the players all seem to get the gravity of this rivalry. “At first some of the guys weren’t fully grasping what this game means and how important it is,” Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III said. “But now that we’ve gotten close and now it’s game week, I think everyone understands how big this game is and how much they need to lock in and focus for this game.” Texas put the game away against Kentucky with a 15-play drive in the fourth quarter that included 12 runs and chewed up more than 8 minutes off the clock. Quintrevion Wisner had a career-high 158 yards, which was just the fourth time this season and Texas back has hit the 100-yard mark. Elko is focused on eliminating explosive plays after his defense allowed pass plays of 31, 44 and a 63-yard touchdown in the loss to Auburn. “Just can’t let them happen,” he said. “You can’t let the ball go over your head.” The Aggies have been strong against the run this season but have struggled at times against the pass and rank 81st in the nation by allowing 227.7 yards passing a game. The Texas secondary has allowed just four passing touchdowns this season but taken away 17 interceptions. But the Longhorns are having their own issues. Texas has fumbled the ball seven times in the last two games, six against Kentucky, which returned one 25 yards for a touchdown. “We just couldn’t hold onto the dang ball,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve got to get that fixed.” Texas A&M’s defensive front is a strength of the team and the Aggies are 17th in the country with 78 tackles for loss. Defensive end Nic Scourton leads the group with 14 and linebacker Scooby Williams has seven. Texas won the 2011 matchup on Justin Tucker’s final play field goal from 40 yards that split the upright with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. Texas kicker Bert Auburn has struggled on long field goals this season. He is 9 of 13 overall, but just 4 of 8 from 40 yards or longer. Against Kentucky last week, he made one from 49 yards but also missed one from 47. ___ AP Sports Writer Jim Vertuno contributed to this report.

FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys did not play their cleanest game Sunday afternoon, but showed their grit in gutsy victory over the Washington Commanders. Nonetheless, Mike McCarthy's group snapped a five-game losing streak to paint some momentum back onto their season. The latest chapter of this storied NFC East rivalry was a wild one, seeing 41 points scored in the fourth quarter. The collection of points in the final 34-26 score had a great deal to do with special-teams efforts on both sides. This game had plenty of storylines at hand to make it an enticing contest, coming in, but the drama in the aftermath supplanted those points. Here's "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'' from Dallas' key win over the Washington Commanders. Peter Casey-Imagn Images The Good — Cowboys remain resilient after early mistakes: The way the game started, Dallas would likely find themselves buried against many teams across the league. However, the Cowboys remained steady and would generate key scoring plays to take a 20-9 lead in the fourth quarter. Given all that has gone wrong for this group this season, their resilience in this situation was admirable, especially down the stretch. The Bad — Tanking hopes put on hold: For those hoping the Cowboys would punt away their season, it will take a lot more to force that into existence. Dallas missed a handful of starters offensively and defensively, yet found a way to score a win on the road. The tanking conversation can be analyzed in a variety of ways, but for now the Cowboys have delayed the process of a full-out chase to the bottom of the league standings. By the way, on Monday, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones denied any "mixed emotions'' about winning vs. tanking. “Absolutely not,'' Jones insisted via 105.3 The Fan. "We’ve been very upfront that we want to win football games right now. ... The most important thing right now is to play the people who give us the best chance to win the game.” Related: Ranking Cowboys Upset of Commanders Among Top 10 Wildest Wins The Ugly — An abundance of mistakes nearly force another infamous bungle: Those previously mentioned miscues included a blocked field goal, missed field goal and a fumble all on their first three drives. Even after the Cowboys seemingly cleaned up those mistakes, Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin on an inexplicable scoring play 86 yards out in the final ticks. "We got down to the end there,'' McCarthy said, "and it was just a situational extravaganza, it's like Yahtzee - everything was in there.” Such an assortment of errors have happened on separate occasions for Dallas this season, rendering this a bunch unable to get out of its own way. Systemically, that remains a major flaw with this team. But now 4-7, we suppose the locker room can't be blamed for at least for the moment believing that keys to the "good'' outweigh all the "bad" and the "ugly.'' Related: Micah Parsons Offers Hot Heisman Take on Jeanty vs. Hunter

Workleap Fall Launch: Empowering HR Leaders with New Features for Employee Growth and EngagementSEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks were struggling a week ago, coming off their bye having lost five of their last six games. That included a gut-punch overtime defeat at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 3. The outlook for the last-place Seahawks (5-5) was beginning to look grim. They suddenly have renewed optimism this week after an uplifting victory over the San Francisco 49ers that snapped a six-game losing streak against their arch-rival that dated to 2021. Seattle will play the first-place Arizona Cardinals (6-4) on Sunday for a share of the NFC West lead. How quickly things change in the NFL. “We’ve earned the opportunity to be fighting for the lead in the division going into the home stretch,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “So that’s the way we’re treating it. It’s very much like a playoff mindset for us at this point.” The win over the 49ers, which was capped by a 13-yard touchdown run by quarterback Geno Smith with 18 seconds left, put the Seahawks in a much better place mentally than they’d been in over the previous six weeks. They're hoping it's just the start of something even bigger. “It can just spark something that you’ve been looking for this whole year,” wide receiver DK Metcalf said. “I know we started off very hot with the first three games, but, you know, when adversity hit, it’s all about how you respond. I think we responded the right way, and it’s going to carry us throughout the rest of the season.” While the Seahawks are feeling better this week, the Cardinals have plenty of reason to feel optimistic, too. After starting the season 2-4, Arizona has won four straight to put itself in first place in the NFC West. The Cardinals have a defense that is making big strides under the leadership of veteran safety Budda Baker and a top-five running game behind the dual threat of running back James Conner, who has 697 yards rushing, and quarterback Kyler Murray, who seems to be hitting his stride in his sixth NFL season. Murray has 2,058 yards passing with 12 touchdowns, and has rushed for 371 yards and four scores. Second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon has been impressed with Murray’s improved decision-making as Murray has thrown just three interceptions through 10 games. “There’s times that he probably wants to try to thread it a little bit, but understands when to pick and choose his spots,” Gannon said. “I think he’s done a phenomenal job with that and there are a lot of times throughout the game where you could say we like to put it in the quarterback’s hands, and you trust him to make the right decision for that point in the game.” Reunited Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will see a familiar face on the other sideline Sunday in rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., who was Smith-Njigba’s college teammate at Ohio State in 2021 and 2022. The pair each caught three touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ wild win over Utah in the 2022 Rose Bowl, with Smith-Njigba having 347 yards receiving on what was a 573-passing yard day for C.J. Stroud, now the quarterback of the Houston Texans. “Late his freshman year, he really just stood out,” Smith-Njigba said of Harrison. “You could just see the growth and kind of who he is becoming. ... He’s passed a lot of people’s expectations, of course, but I knew he was going to be elite later on freshman year.” MVP-level Murray Murray is coming off one of the best games of his career after completing 22 of 24 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown against the Jets two weeks ago. He also ran for 21 yards and two TDs. Murray currently ranks No. 3 in the NFL in quarterback rating behind Cincinnati's Joe Burrow and Baltimore's Lamar Jackson. That has put him in the MVP conversation, particularly since Arizona has won four straight games. “I don’t play the game for the validation of others," Murray said. "But as a player, of course, sometimes the recognition and the words being said feel good. But it doesn’t satisfy me.” Defensive improvement The most surprising part of Arizona’s four-game winning streak is the rapid improvement of the defense, which has allowed just 9 and 6 points, respectively, over the past two games. No touchdowns have been allowed – just five field goals. It’s just the second time over the past 30 years that the franchise has allowed 10 points or less over back-to-back games. Baker, a Bellevue native and former University of Washington football star, is the unquestioned leader of the bunch – he already has 100 tackles over 10 games - but the team also has a strong core of linebackers in Kyzir White, Mack Wilson and Zaven Collins. Metcalf and Baker have gone up against each other many times before, most famously when Metcalf ran Baker down on an interception return in 2020. “You really can’t prepare for a guy like that because his engine never stops,” Metcalf said. “He’s always going to be around the ball. He’s always going to affect the game with just his play effort and play style. ... Just got to try to minimize his playmaking ability as much as we can on offense.” ___ AP Sports Writer David Brandt in Phoenix, Arizona, contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Shane Lantz, The Associated Press

No. 14 Ole Miss seeks consolation win over Miss. State in Egg Bowl