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NFL Sports Desk – Weekend Round-Up

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LOS ANGELES – (Staff and Wire Service Report from Field Level Media) – DeMarcus Lawrence returned a fumble for a touchdown as the Dallas Cowboys’ defense led the way in a 22-10 victory against the host Los Angeles Rams. Running backs Tony Pollard, who gained 86 yards on eight carries, and Ezekiel Elliott, who added 78 yards on 22 attempts, did their parts. That ground attack supported quarterback Cooper Rush, who was 10 of 16 for 102 yards in the air.

Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford was 28 of 42 for 308 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also lost two fumbles. The Rams went ahead 10-9 in the second quarter by taking advantage of a rare defensive breakdown by Dallas. Receiver Cooper Kupp turned Stafford’s pass into a 75-yard touchdown play.

Brett Maher made field goals of 33, 40 and 36 yards for the Cowboys. Dallas scored the game’s first nine points off Rams miscues. Lawrence had the fumble return after Stafford was sacked. The next Los Angeles possession ended in a blocked punt, with the Cowboys converting that into the first Maher field goal.

Ravens 19, Bengals 17

Justin Tucker kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift Baltimore to a victory over visiting Cincinnati.

Tucker’s fourth field goal of the contest elevated the Ravens into sole possession of first place in the AFC North. It also ended Baltimore’s five-game home losing streak dating back to last season. Joe Burrow scored on a quarterback sneak with 1:58 remaining to push the Bengals ahead and also passed for 217 yards and a touchdown.

Lamar Jackson passed for 174 yards, one touchdown and one interception and added 58 rushing yards for Baltimore. Mark Andrews caught eight passes for 89 yards and a touchdown for the Ravens.

Giants 27, Packers 22

LONDON – NY Giants RB Saquon Barkley rushed for a 2-yard touchdown with 6:08 to play in the fourth quarter as visiting New York rallied to a victory over Green Bay in London.

The Giants, who trailed 20-10 at the half, went in front 27-20 after Barkley took a direct snap and went over to the right end. Barkley set up the score by turning a short swing pass into a 41-yard gain to Packers 19-yard line. Green Bay then drove to the Giants 6-yard line, but Aaron Rodgers’ fourth-down pass attempt was batted at the line with just over a minute remaining.

Barkley finished with 70 yards on 13 carries. Daniel Jones, limited all week in practice with a sprained ankle, completed 21 of 27 passes for 217 yards. Rodgers completed 25 of 39 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

Bills 38, Steelers 3

Quarterback Josh Allen threw for a career-best 424 yards as Buffalo routed Pittsburgh.

Allen completed 20 of 31 passes. Buffalo had immediate control over Pittsburgh as it held a 28-point lead in the first half and didn’t punt until the fourth quarter. Allen’s day included a 98-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Davis, which tied a franchise record for the longest completion.

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett completed 34 of 52 passes for 327 yards. Chris Boswell provided the Steelers’ only points with a 29-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Chargers 30, Browns 28

LA Chargers RB Austin Ekeler rushed for 173 yards and scored two total touchdowns as visiting Los Angeles held on to beat Cleveland.

Cleveland kicker Cade York missed a 54-yard field goal with 11 seconds left as Los Angeles sealed the victory despite turning the ball over on downs near midfield with just over a minute remaining.

Justin Herbert completed 22 of 34 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown, and Mike Williams caught 10 passes for 134 yards for the Chargers, who climbed out of an early 14-0 deficit. Browns running back Nick Chubb finished with 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Texans 13, Jaguars 6

Rookie running back Dameon Pierce had a 1-yard touchdown run to seal Houston’s victory over Jacksonville and finish off a 99-yard rushing performance.

Houston’s other points came on 50- and 51-yard field goals from kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.

Jacksonville fell victim to a number of self-inflicted mistakes and did not find the end zone. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a pair of interceptions and Jacksonville missed three fourth-down conversion attempts.

Vikings 29, Bears 22

Kirk Cousins set a franchise record with 17 straight completions to start the game and scored the winning touchdown — a goal-line sneak with 2:27 left — to lead Minnesota over Chicago in Minneapolis.

Cousins finished 32 of 41 for 296 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson caught a career-high 12 passes for 154 yards. Cameron Dantzler secured the win for Minnesota by recovering a fumble from Chicago’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette with 1:01 left to play.

Justin Fields completed 15 of 21 passes for 208 yards with a touchdown for Chicago.

Patriots 29, Lions 0

New England’s third-string QB Bailey Zappe threw a touchdown pass in his first career NFL start and Kyle Dugger returned a fumble for a touchdown as New England cruised past Detroit at Foxboro.

Zappe completed 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards and also threw an interception as New England snapped a two-game losing streak. Jakobi Meyers finished with seven catches for 111 yards, while Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for a career-high 161 yards on 25 carries. Nick Folk added five field goals.

The Lions mustered 312 yards of total offense. Jared Goff finished with 229 yards and one interception on 19-for-35 passing, and Jamaal Williams carried the ball 15 times for 56 yards. Josh Reynolds hauled in six catches for 92 yards.

Saints 39, Seahawks 32

Taysom Hill ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns, while also throwing a touchdown pass as host New Orleans defeated Seattle.

Alvin Kamara had 103 rushing yards and 91 receiving yards for New Orleans, while Andy Dalton, making his second start in place of the injured Jameis Winston, passed for 187 yards and a touchdown as the Saints ended a three-game losing streak.

Geno Smith passed for 268 yards and three touchdowns, with Tyler Lockett catching two of them en route to five total receptions for 104 yards for the Seahawks.

Jets 40, Dolphins 17

NY Jets RB Breece Hall gained 197 yards from scrimmage and fellow rookie Sauce Gardner grabbed an interception and caused a safety as New York pounded Miami in East Rutherford, N.J.

Hall carried 18 times for 97 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 100 yards. The young Jets also got 210 passing yards from second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, who is 2-0 this year after starting the season on the injured reserve.

With Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol, the Dolphins started Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback, but he left after just one play and entered concussion protocol after he was hit by Gardner. Third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson, a rookie seventh-round pick who had never taken a snap before Sunday, took over and completed 19 of 33 passes for 166 yards and one interception.

Buccaneers 21, Falcons 15

Veteran TB Bucs running back Leonard Fournette reeled in a touchdown pass from Tom Brady and rushed for another 1-yard score to fuel host Tampa Bay to a victory over Atlanta while ending a two-game losing streak.

Brady completed 35 of 52 passes for 351 yards to improve to 11-0 all-time in the regular season against Atlanta.

Atlanta’s Marcus Mariota completed 14 of 25 passes for 147 yards. The Falcons committed penalties on successive third-down plays to extend Tampa Bay’s late drive to run out the clock. A.J. Terrell was whistled for holding while Grady Jarrett was flagged for roughing the passer while completing a sack on Brady.

Titans 21, Commanders 17

David Long picked off a Carson Wentz pass at the goal line with six seconds left to seal Tennessee’s win over Washington in Landover, Md.

Long’s interception came after Wentz had driven the Commanders from their own 11-yard line over the final five minutes. It was the third straight win for Tennessee and fourth consecutive loss for Washington. The Commanders were 1-for-11 on third-down conversions.

Derrick Henry carried 28 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns to power the Titans’ offense. Wentz threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns for the Commanders.

49ers 37, Panthers 15

SF QB Jimmy Garoppolo threw for two touchdowns and Emmanuel Moseley returned an interception for a touchdown as San Francisco won against Carolina in Charlotte, N.C.

Jeff Wilson Jr. ran for 120 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries to help San Francisco win for the second time in less than a week. Tevin Coleman also scored on a late-game 5-yard run. Garoppolo completed 18 of 30 passes for 253 yards without an interception. The 49ers were 7-for-12 on third-down conversions.

Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield was 20 of 36 for 215 yards. Carolina, which has won just one of four home games this season, was 3-for-15 on third-down conversions. The Panthers’ lone touchdown of the afternoon came on Christian McCaffrey’s 19-yard run on the first possession of the second half. He finished with a team-high 54 rushing yards to go with 50 receiving yards on 21 touches.

Eagles 20, Cardinals 17

Cameron Dicker kicked a field goal with 1:45 to play in his NFL debut as unbeaten Philadelphia continued its best start since 2004 with a victory over Arizona in Glendale, Ariz.

Dicker was signed to the practice squad Tuesday with Jake Elliott sidelined by an ankle injury. The Cardinals put their kicker, Matt Ammendola, in a position to tie with 22 seconds left, but his 43-yard attempt went wide right.

Jalen Hurts passed for 239 yards and rushed for 61 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles. For the Cardinals — who haven’t won at home since Oct. 24, 2021 — Kyler Murray passed for 250 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With:

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | October 9

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While We’re Young (Ideas) – Clemson, Boston College and the Underrated in Sports

By TERRY LYONS

CHESTNUT HILL – When we last left you, it was in memory of the late Boston College student-athlete Welles Crowther, aka the “Man in the Red Bandana.” The spirit and anticipation leading up to the game here Saturday night was tangible. As gobs of BC students filed into Alumni Stadium to lead 42,138-strong, the excitement of a big, nationally televised Atlantic Coast Conference game, they had hopes of repeating one of the great upset wins in a decade and a half of BC football, a 37-31 win over No. 9-ranked USC back in 2014.

That very first “Red Bandana Game” was the last time a Boston College football team defeated a Top 10 ranked team. This week, the No. 5 Clemson Tigers made sure that the September 2014 upset remained as BC’s badge with a decisive 31-3 dismantling of the Eagles.

The description of the game can be likened to a high level heavyweight prize fight, one opponent highly skilled and well taught in the art of boxing while the other a dangerous challenger fighting with emotion in his hometown.

Last night, the scorecard read 10-3 at the half, as BC’s defensive unit played outstanding football to match the bigger, better, battle-tested Tigers. The energy of the first half gradually dissipated as Clemson wore-down Boston’s defense as though a disciplined boxer was jabbing, jabbing, jabbing the Eagles into a a haze of pain and fatigue.

Tigers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw three second-half touchdown passes while BC was unable to establish any kind of running game to base their control, deliberate offense. Without running backs Alex Broome, Cam Barfield, and Alec Sinkfield, Boston (2-4, 1-3 in ACC) could only muster 34 rushing yards on 30 attempts.

BC’s primary threat, wide receiver Zay Flowers caught eight catches for 75 yards against a suspect Clemson secondary.

Boston College has a bye week upcoming before traveling to Wake Forest in two weeks.Clemson (6-0, 4-0 in ACC) will play at Florida State this coming Saturday.

 

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: A popular and regular function of While We’re Young(Ideas) has been passing along the estimated valuations of pro sports franchises as tallied by our friends at Sportico.

This week, take a look at the Top 10 of Sportico’s Major League Soccer franchise valuations:

  1. Los Angeles FC, $900m
  2. LA Galaxy, $865m
  3. Atlanta United, $855m
  4. Seattle Sounders FC, $725m
  5. Toronto FC, $705m (US)
  6. DC United, $700m
  7. New York FC, $690m
  8. Portland Timbers, $685m
  9. Austin FC, $630m
  10. InterMiami, $585

The value of the Portland Timbers should remain solid despite the NWSL scandal that involved front office staff who ran both the Timbers and the women’s Thorns.

Keep in mind, the then-expansion New York FC came with a franchise fee of a “record” $100 million back in 2015. Similar, but not quite as miraculous rise in value, the MLS is beginning to mirror the NBA in quick, soaring increase in franchise valuation.

The 1988-89 NBA expansion (Charlotte, Miami, Minnesota and Orlando) brought with it a bargain $32.5m fee for each of the four teams. The NBA’s most recent expansion saw the Toronto Raptors and then-Vancouver Grizzlies pay $125m each. Today, the Phoenix Suns are on the market as disgraced team governor and managing partner Robert Sarver looks to move his club for an NBA record rate. That means the Suns would have to sell for north of the $2.35b that team governor Joseph Tsai paid for the Brooklyn Nets (2019), or restauranteur Tilman Fertitta dropped $2.2b for the Houston Rockets (2017). Those sales followed the $2b franchise game-changer when SteveBallmer bought the LA Clippers in 2014.

Sarver bought the Suns for a then-record $401m in 2004 from a multi-owner group headed by Jerry Colangelo and can now seek some $2.4-$2.5b for the Suns and WNBA Mercury.

DIAMOND DUST-UPs: Heading onto postseason, I must say I liked the chances of the Toronto Blue Jays, swept out by the Seattle Mariners yesterday in the biggest comeback in MLB Wild Card history. It was also the biggest road comeback win in playoff history and baseball’s largest rally to clinch a postseason series. The Mariners were down, 8-1, in the 5th Inning. Overall, you’ve got to believe this year’s MLB playoff format favors the four teams with Wild Card round byes, as they had a brief few days to align their starting pitching while resting pitchers, catchers, bullpen and all. They are: (AL: Houston and New York; NL: Atlanta and the Los Angeles Dodgers).

PREDICTIONS: While trekking to New York, Sirius-XM and Chris “Mad Dog” Russowas interviewing Boston Red Sox team manager Alex Cora who was quite frank with his thoughts while others might be leery of burning bridges with his baseball industry friends.

Cora, too, liked the way the Toronto Blue Jays were playing down the stretch of the last month of the MLB season, but he warned how dangerous the Cleveland Guardians might be in the wild car and ALDS. In the NL, he liked the Atlanta Braves the most.

Cora didn’t go on an “all-out” predict-fest, but he did indicate there would be no surprise in his mind if Atlanta and Cleveland met to determine the 2022 World Series champion.

NOTES: Congratulations to former BIG EAST conference administrator Tom Odjakjian on his choice to retire from the AAC Conference. Odjakjian served sports fans quite well with a stint at ESPN and then the work at the two college conferences, especially during the difficult time when the BIG EAST and American split, with the BIG EAST going basketball only while the AAC went knee deep in college football. … Meanwhile, a fellow ESPN colleague of Odjakjian in Rob Simmelkjaer was named by the New York Road Runners, the organizer of the TCS New York City Marathon, to its top post as CEO. He’ll assume the new role on November 15, 2022.

TID-BITS: The reigning Premier League champions Manchester City went to the top of the ladder after beating Southampton 4-0 at The Etihad Stadium as 22-year-old Erling Haaland is taking the Premier League by storm and tearing-up the history books as he goes. The Norwegian striker has now netted 15 goals (in nine games) in the Premier League and 20 goals overall on the season in all competitions.

Haaland became the first player to score a hat-trick in three consecutive home games in the Premier League – against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United – although that run is over with his single against Southampton. Earlier in the season, he became the first player to score in his first four away games in the Premier League.

In other news, the United States women’s national team lost to England, 2-1, in a friendly played before 76,891 at Wembley. The USAWNT is playing in Europe last week and this while reports of abuse and misconduct in the women’s national program and the US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) surfaced in the Sally Yates report, an independent investigation published this week. The USAWNT goes on to Spain for a game this Tuesday.

UNDERRATED in SPORTS: Not seeking to create a comprehensive listing here, but the start of the MLB Postseason brought thoughts of some underrated stars in Baseball, even though they might be All-Stars. For instance, Cleveland Guardiansthird baseman José Ramírez might be considered underrated, as his teammate Oscar Gonzalez. … Gorgeous New England football Saturdays and Sundays are underrated. New York Strip steaks are underrated. Penne Ala Vodka and Spaghetti alla Puttanesca are vastly underrated. Puttanesca, by the way, is loosely translated to throwing everything in the cupboard into cook; or a while bunch of sh*t into the pot. … Good tires on your car are underrated. As a parent of little ones of (1997 and 1999) who each grew to be incredible young women, the Diaper Genie is vastly underrated. … Dogs are underrated, while cats are overrated. You get it, right?

Here are a few pro players that might be considered underrated. They are listed in no particular order: Michael Cooper (LAL), Lance Alworth (then SD Chargers), former NYY Bernie Williams, soccer phenom Erling Haaland is underrated, but not for long. … the late Jerry Sloan was an underrated NBA defensive star, although the Chicago Bulls were smart enough to retire his No. 4 in the old Chicago Stadium. … Brooks Robinson, the human vacuum of the glory years for the Baltimore Orioles was underrated. … I always thought NBA legend James Worthy of the LA Lakers was underrated, although he warranted the nickname “Big Game” James which indicated his performances were well noticed. … Steve Smith, NBA vet and Olympic gold medalist was underrated, even if you just count the way he set picks. Yogi Berra was underrated and he’s a Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Famer …. The late Mike Bossy was underrated.

Pitcher Virgil 🔥 Trucks, great grand uncle of famed guitarist Derek Trucks was underrated. For that matter, Derek is underrated as is his guitar-playing vocalist wife Susan. They keep on getting better. Google it. … Keith “Jamaal” Wilkes was underrated and you can just think of his 37 points, 10 rebound performance in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals as an example. Wilkes’ great game was over shadowed by Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s MVP performances in the series, including the fact he jumped and played center in a game Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was unable to play. … Red Sox right fielder Dwight “Dewey” Evans is still underrated.

UNDER-RATED ROCK BANDS and MUSICIANS:

(Listed in no particular order)

  1. The Guess Who
  2. Faces
  3. Rockpile, headed by Nick Lowe and Dave Edmonds
  4. Dire Straits, headed by the great Mark Knopfler
  5. Little Feat
  6. Warren Zevon
  7. Delaney and Bonnie & Friends
  8. Leon Russell
  9. Dave Mason
  10. Paul Butterfield Blues Band, for the Chicago Blues fans out there
  11. Yardbirds
  12. The Animals, highlighted by the incredible soulful voice of Eric Burdon and theincredible keyboard play of Alan Price.
  13. Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
  14. Savoy Brown Band
  15. The Kinks
  16. Eric B. & Rakim
  17. Schoolly D
  18. Ten Years After
  19. Traffic
  20. The Eurythmics
  21. Link Wray and the Wraymen
  22. Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac

To finish this week’s Part Deux Sunday Sports Notes off with a performance you might not have seen, nor rememebered.

Giants Defeat Packers 27-22 in London

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LONDON – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – Saquon Barkley rushed for a 2-yard touchdown with 6:08 to play in the fourth quarter as the visiting New York Giants rallied to a 27-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in London.

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The Giants (4-1), who trailed 20-10 at the half, went in front 27-20 after Barkley took a direct snap and went over right end. Barkley set up the score, turning a short swing pass into a 41-yard gain to Packers’ 19-yard line.

Green Bay (3-2) drove to the Giants’ 6-yard line, but Aaron Rodgers‘ fourth-down pass attempt was batted at the line with just over a minute remaining. The Giants took a safety with 11 seconds left after punter Jamie Gillan ran out of the end zone. Rodgers was sacked and fumbled on the Packers’ final play before he could get off an attempted Hail Mary pass.

The Giants tied the game at 20-20 with 10:08 to play following a 15-play, 91-yard drive, capped by Gary Brightwell’s 2-yard touchdown run. Graham Gano’s 37-yard field goal on the opening possession of the third quarter brought New York within 20-13.

Barkley, who entered Sunday’s game with an NFL-best 463 yards rushing, finished with 70 yards on 13 carries. NY quarterback Daniel Jones, limited all week in practice with a sprained ankle, completed 21 of 27 passes for 217 yards. He added 37 yards on the ground on 10 attempts.

Rodgers completed 18 of 24 passes for 147 yards in the first half with two touchdowns, but finished 25 of 39 for 222 yards.

Rodgers capped a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis, putting the Packers up 17-3 midway through the second quarter. It was the first reception of the season for the 38-year-old Lewis and first touchdown catch since Nov. 29, 2020.

The Giants pulled within 17-10 when tight end Daniel Bellinger scored on a double reverse from 2 yards out with 1:15 left in the half. Barkley keyed the drive with a 40-yard run from a direct snap — the longest run allowed by the Packers this season.

Mason Crosby’s 48-yard field goal on the final play of the half put Green Bay up by 10.

Green Bay went in front 10-0 with a five-play, 60-yard drive late in the first quarter, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Allen Lazard.

–Field Level Media

Clemson Rocks BC, 31-3

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CHESTNUT HILL – (Staff Report with Official News Release) – The Boston College Eagles fell, 31-3, on Saturday night at home against No. 5 ranked Clemson in the annual Red Bandanna Game, a tribute to 9/11 victim Welles Crowher, a BC lacrosse player.

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Phil Jurkovec finished the game completing 19-of-40 passes for 188 yards. He completed passes to seven different receivers, led by Zay Flowers’ eight catches for 75 yards. Jaelen Gill and Pat Garwo each logged three catches on the night.

Clemson got the scoring going at the 11:28 mark of the opening quarter with a 35-yard field goal. The Eagles had a chance for the equalizer a little over six minutes later, but the 35-yarder by Connor Lytton sailed wide left.

Lytton began the second quarter with a 30-yarder between the uprights, tying it at 3-3. Clemson’s Will Shipley scored the game’s first touchdown, finding the end zone from a yard out with 45 seconds remaining in the first half, making it 10-3 at the break. Clemson extended its lead to 17-3 with 11:50 left in the third quarter and tacked on two more TD’s in the fourth quarter.

Kam Arnold led BC with eight tackles (six solo), including a sack. Jason Maitre made five tackles – four solo and two for a loss, including a sack. The loss dropped the Eagles to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the ACC. Clemson improves to 6-0 and 4-0 in ACC play.

After a bye week, Boston College returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Wake Forest at 3:30pm (ET) on the ACC Network.

Heroes Are Human Now an Audio Book

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WESTPORT, Connecticut – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Heroes are Human: Lessons in Resilience, Courage and Wisdom from the COVID Front Lines—an important new book that honors front-line healthcare workers with gripping, first-hand stories of their struggles during the pandemic—will be available as an audiobook when it published Sept. 27, as well as a hardcover and e-book from City Point Press.

Tantor Media, a leading audiobook publisher based in Old Saybrook, Ct., has produced Heroes are Human with two veteran performers – Randye Kaye, an accomplished voice talent and nominee for a prestigious Listen-Up Award; and Barry Abrams, who has wide-ranging experience narrating and producing audiobooks for an array of publishers.

Tantor, founded in 2000, produces more than 100 new audiobook titles every month and its roster includes more than 150 of the industry’s top narrators. Highly regarded in the industry, Tantor has a stellar catalogue that includes Pulitzer and National Book Award winners. In 2015, Tantor was acquired by Recorded Books, the largest independent publisher of  unabridged audiobooks with operations in the U.S., England and Australia.

Tantor’s production will showcase the empathetic guidance of Bob Delaney—internationally recognized in the field of Post-Traumatic Stress. Heroes are Human is comprised of powerful stories told by frontline health-care workers, their family members, and those they care for in the harrowing fight against COVID-19.

It is at the forefront of new books that deal with this critical issue, deepening our understanding of the toll this work has taken and offering invaluable strategies for self-care and healing. His message to frontline workers—not all wounds bleed, and invisible wounds may hurt as much as the wounds we see.

Kirkus Reviews recent reviewed the book: “An eye-opening work about health care workers’ sacrifices and burdens.” Heroes are Human is co-authored with award-winning journalist Dave Scheiber, and contains a foreword by renowned Harvard Global Mental Health director Dr. Richard Mollica. It is published by City Point Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster. For more information, or to order the book, visit heroesarehuman.com.

Niners Defense Stops Rams

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SANTA CLARA – (Staff and Wire Service Report  with Field Level Media) – Deebo Samuel caught six passes for 115 yards, including a long catch-and-run touchdown, and Talanoa Hufanga scored on an interception return to help the San Francisco 49ers notch a 24-9 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

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Jimmy Garoppolo completed 16 of 27 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown and Jeff Wilson Jr. rushed for 74 yards and one score as San Francisco (2-2) won its seventh consecutive regular-season game over the Rams (2-2). Of course, Los Angeles won the biggest recent meeting, beating the 49ers in last season’s NFC Championship Game en route to winning the Super Bowl.

Matthew Stafford connected on 32 of 48 passes for 254 yards with one interception and one lost fumble for the Rams. Cooper Kupp caught a career-best 14 passes for 122 yards, Tyler Higbee made 10 catches for 73 yards and Matt Gay kicked three field goals for Los Angeles.

Nick Bosa and Samson Ebukam each had two of San Francisco’s seven sacks. Bosa leads the NFL with six. Ebukam forced Stafford to fumble on one of his sacks.

Hufanga made his big play when Stafford was trying to rally the Rams from an eight-point, fourth-quarter deficit. Hufanga, who anticipated that Stafford would throw a quick pass to Kupp, jumped the route, made the interception and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown to give San Francisco a 24-9 advantage with 6:27 to play.

The 49ers outgained Los Angeles 327 yards to 257. The Rams didn’t have a single 20-yard offensive play.

The Rams controlled the ball for the first 8:12 of the contest, but their drive stalled and they settled for Gay’s 39-yard field goal.

San Francisco then struck as Wilson exploded for a 32-yard touchdown run with 2:46 left in the opening quarter.

Gay booted a 29-yard field goal with 6:22 left in the half before Samuel produced his dynamic 57-yard scoring reception. He caught the ball at his own 49-yard line and later easily eluded Jalen Ramsey’s tackle attempt at the Rams’ 22 en route to giving the 49ers a 14-6 advantage.

Los Angeles had a 16-play, 75-yard drive in the third quarter but couldn’t finish it off. The excursion took 7:43 and ended with Gay’s 26-yard field goal.

Robbie Gould kicked a 25-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter to restore San Francisco’s eight-point lead.

–Field Level Media

Ackerman and BIG EAST Visit Vatican

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ROME – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – BIG EAST Conference Commissioner Val Ackerman was joined by representatives from four BIG EAST member schools at the recent International “Sport for All” summit held on September 29-30 in Vatican City.  More than 250 participants from 40 countries participated in the event, which brought together international federations, professional sports leagues, governmental officials, faith-based organizations, non-profits, media companies, corporations, and educational institutions.   The purpose of the Summit was to promote the social and inclusive dimensions of sport in society and to encourage sports programs that foster human, educational and spiritual growth.

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The Summit featured remarks by His Holiness Pope Francis and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, both of whom spoke to the power of sports to promote solidarity, global peace and positive social change.  In prepared remarks, Pope Francis encouraged the participants to “make sport a home for everyone, something open and welcoming” and noted that “the Church supports you in this educational and social commitment.”

The Summit concluded with the release of a “Declaration of Sport,” which outlined the goals of developing sports programs that are cohesive, accessible and tailored to each person, including the socioeconomically disadvantaged, young people, refugees and migrants, women and girls, and persons with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Ackerman, who moderated two of the Summit’s working group sessions, was joined by Marquette’s Kate Braasch (Chief of Presidential Affairs), Sarah Bobert (Executive Associate Athletic Director – Internal Operations/SWA) and Matt Mitten (Professor of Law and Executive Director, National Sports Law Institute); Seton Hall’s Renee Robinson (Interim Dean, College of Communication and the Arts) and Jane McManus (Executive Director, Center for Sports Media); Georgetown’s Debora Tonelli (the university’s representative in Rome); and Creighton’s Max Engel (Associate Professor, Department of Theology).

The Summit was an outgrowth of “Sport at the Service of Humanity: The First Global Conference on Faith and Sport” held at the Vatican in October 2016, for which Ackerman served as an advisory member.  That event was followed by three U.S.- based, invitation-only, Sport at the Service of Humanity (SSH) conferences exploring similar themes, held at Villanova University (2017), Loyola Marymount University (2018) and Georgetown University (2019).

“The BIG EAST was honored to be included in the Vatican’s Sport For All Summit, the goals of which align perfectly with the mission of our schools to develop the athletic, academic and spiritual dimensions of our student-athletes and to bring the many societal benefits of sports to our greater campus communities,” said Ackerman.

NFL Sports Desk: Week 4 Round-Up

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TAMPA BAY – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes and Clyde Edwards-Helaire found the end zone twice to fuel the visiting Kansas City Chiefs to a 41-31 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Mahomes completed 23 of 37 passes for 249 yards to exact a small measure of revenge for Kansas City’s 31-9 loss to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.

Mahomes also reached the 20,000-yard passing mark in his 67th career game, besting the previous NFL record of then-Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (71 games).

Travis Kelce reeled in nine catches for 92 yards and a touchdown for the Chiefs (3-1), while fellow tight ends Noah Gray and Jody Fortson also found the end zone. Edwards-Helaire, who had a rushing and receiving touchdown, had 19 carries for 92 yards. Kansas City enjoyed a decisive 189-3 edge in yards on the ground.

Brady completed 39 of 52 passes for 385 yards and tossed three touchdown passes, including two to Mike Evans (eight catches, 103 yards). Leonard Fournette added a receiving score for the Buccaneers (2-2), who surrendered 28 points in the first half after allowing 27 over the first three games of the season.

Packers 27, Patriots 24 (OT)

Mason Crosby converted a 31-yard field goal as time expired in overtime, lifting host Green Bay past New England.

Green Bay (3-1) forced overtime when Aaron Rodgers tossed his 500th career touchdown pass, a 13-yarder to Romeo Doubs with 6:14 left in regulation. Rodgers completed 21 of 35 passes for 251 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Aaron Jones rushed 16 times for 110 yards for the Packers and Allen Lazard caught six passes for 116 yards.

Brian Hoyer started at quarterback for New England (1-3), replacing the injured Mac Jones. But after leading the Patriots to a Nick Folk field goal on their opening drive, Hoyer sustained a head injury after being sacked by Rashan Gary. Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe was forced into action and completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and his first NFL touchdown, a 25-yard strike to DeVante Parker at the 4:52 mark of the third quarter.

Vikings 28, Saints 25

Greg Joseph kicked five field goals, including a game-winning 47-yarder with 24 seconds left, as Minnesota held off New Orleans in London.

Wil Lutz, whose 60-yard field goal had tied the score for the Saints moments earlier, tried a 61-yarder on the final play of the game, but the ball hit the left upright and the crossbar before falling short in the end zone.

Kirk Cousins completed 25 of 38 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (3-1). Andy Dalton, starting in place of injured Jameis Winston, completed 20 of 28 for 236 yards and a touchdown for the Saints (1-3), who lost their third straight.

Bills 23, Ravens 20

Tyler Bass kicked a 21-yard field goal as time expired to complete Buffalo’s comeback win over host Baltimore.

The Ravens led 20-3 late in the first half before the Bills rallied to tie the game. Josh Allen threw for 213 yards, one touchdown and one interception and led the Bills (3-1) in rushing with 70 yards and a score on 11 carries.

Lamar Jackson had a game-high 73 rushing yards and threw for 144 yards with a touchdown and two picks. J.K. Dobbins scored two touchdowns as the Ravens (2-2) blew another lead against an AFC East opponent after the Miami Dolphins stormed back in Week 2.

Falcons 23, Browns 20

Tyler Allgeier rushed for 84 yards on 10 carries and Younghoe Koo kicked three field goals to lead Atlanta over Cleveland. With the game tied at 20-20, Koo made a 45-yard field goal with 2:28 remaining to give the Falcons the lead and eventual win.

Dee Alford, a Georgia native who played in the Canadian Football League a season ago, picked off a Jacoby Brissett pass at the Atlanta 26-yard-line to end the game. Brissett went 21-of-35 passing for 234 yards in defeat for Cleveland (2-2).

A strong ground game led the Falcons (2-2), with 202 yards on 35 carries, with reserve running backs Allgeier and Caleb Huntley receiving 10 carries apiece.

Cowboys 25, Commanders 10

Cooper Rush threw for two touchdowns, Brett Maher connected on four field goals and Dallas’ defense stifled visiting Washington.

Rush completed 15 of 27 passes for 223 yards and became the first quarterback in Cowboys (3-1) history to win his first four starts. He played error-free football on a day where neither team gained 300 total yards.

Carson Wentz completed 25 of 42 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for Washington (1-3), which lost its third straight game after a Week 1 win over Jacksonville.

Seahawks 48, Lions 45

Geno Smith completed 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a score as Seattle (2-2) never trailed in defeating host Detroit (1-3).

Rashaad Penny rushed for 151 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns, including a 41-yarder with 2:14 remaining to give Seattle a 48-38 lead. Penny also scored from 36 yards on a third-and-16 play in the third quarter as the Seahawks amassed 235 yards on the ground.

For Detroit, Jared Goff was 26 of 39 for 378 yards and four touchdowns, though he threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage in the second half that was returned by rookie Tariq Woolen 40 yards for a touchdown.

Titans 24, Colts 17

Derrick Henry rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown to help Tennessee defeat host Indianapolis in an AFC South battle.

Ryan Tannehill completed 17 of 21 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns for the Titans (2-2). Robert Woods and Chigoziem Okonkwo had scoring receptions and Kristian Fulton made a key fumble recovery.

Matt Ryan was 27-of-37 passing for 356 yards, two touchdowns to Mo Alie-Cox and one interception for the Colts (1-2-1). Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor gained just 42 yards on 20 carries and lost the fumble in the fourth quarter that Fulton recovered.

Giants 20, Bears 12

Daniel Jones rushed for two touchdowns and Saquon Barkley ran for 146 yards to help New York (3-1) post a victory over Chicago in East Rutherford, N.J.

Jones injured his left ankle late in the third quarter but was forced to return in the fourth after backup Tyrod Taylor was diagnosed with a concussion. Jones rushed for 68 yards and completed 8 of 13 passes for 71 yards.

Michael Badgley kicked four field goals to account for all the points for the Bears (2-2). He was signed Saturday to fill in for Cairo Santos (personal reasons). Justin Fields completed 11 of 22 passes for 174 yards for the Bears.

Eagles 29, Jaguars 21

Philadelphia took advantage of five turnovers by Trevor Lawrence and remained unbeaten with a victory against visiting Jacksonville.

Miles Sanders ran for a career-high 134 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Eagles (4-0). Jalen Hurts passed for 204 yards and rushed for a touchdown.

Before the mistakes piled up, the Jaguars (2-2) had a 14-0 lead in coach Doug Pederson’s first game against his old team. But Lawrence lost four fumbles — two of them recovered by Haason Reddick — and threw an interception. He passed for 174 yards and threw two touchdown passes, both to Jamal Agnew.

Raiders 32, Broncos 23

Josh Jacobs rushed for a career-high 144 yards and two touchdowns and Derek Carr was 21-for-34 for 188 yards through the air as host Las Vegas topped Denver.

Amik Robertson returned a fumble for another score and Davante Adams had nine catches for 101 yards for Las Vegas (1-3). Russell Wilson was 17-for-25 passing for 237 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score. Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy had TD catches for the Broncos (2-2).

Denver running back Javonte Williams ran for 28 yards before leaving with a right knee injury He is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam Monday. Wilson led the Broncos on the ground with 29 yards and the one score on four carries.

Jets 24, Steelers 20

Breece Hall rushed for a go-ahead 2-yard touchdown with 16 seconds remaining as New York edged host Pittsburgh.

The Jets (2-2) drove 65 yards in just 3:18 to punch in the game-winning score. Hall finished with 66 yards on 17 carries, while quarterback Zach Wilson completed 18 of 36 passes for 252 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a TD reception in his season debut.

Before Wilson connected with Corey Davis for a 5-yard scoring strike, the Steelers (1-3) had scored 20 straight points to take a 20-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett spearheaded Pittsburgh’s comeback after replacing Mitchell Trubisky following halftime. Pickett threw for 120 yards on 10-of-13 passing with three interceptions and rushed for his first two career touchdowns.

Chargers 34, Texans 24

Justin Herbert passed for 340 yards and two touchdowns to help visiting Los Angeles hold on to beat Houston.

Mike Williams caught seven passes for 120 yards, and Austin Ekeler rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns for the Chargers (2-2), who led 27-7 at the half. The Chargers posted 293 total yards in the first half but punted on their first three possessions of the second half and then fumbled away a kickoff that led to another score.

Dameon Pierce rushed for 131 yards on 14 carries, including a 75-yard touchdown run, for the Texans (0-3-1).

Cardinals 26, Panthers 16

Kyler Murray threw for two touchdowns and ran for another — all in the second half — as Arizona overcame Carolina Panthers at Charlotte, N.C.

The Cardinals (2-2) scored 10 points in less than a minute early in the fourth quarter and tacked on another touchdown a few minutes later. Murray completed 23 of 32 passes for 207 yards with an interception.

Linebacker Frankie Luvu had Carolina’s highlight with a second-quarter interception return for a touchdown. Baker Mayfield completed 22 of 36 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions for the Panthers (1-3), who had a six-game winning streak against Arizona (including playoffs) come to a halt.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With:

Crosby, Hoyer, Zappe & Jones

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GREEN BAY – (Staff and Wire Service Report from Field Level Media) – Mason Crosby converted a 31-yard field goal as time expired in overtime Sunday, lifting the host Green Bay Packers to a 27-24 win over the New England Patriots.

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After both teams went three-and-out with their initial overtime possession, Green Bay (3-1) marched 77 yards in 12 plays, chewing up the final 6:47 of the game. The Packers converted a pair of third downs, including AJ Dillon’s 7-yard run inside the 2-minute warning that allowed them to run down the clock and tee up Crosby’s game-winner.

Green Bay forced overtime when Aaron Rodgers tossed his 500th career touchdown pass, a 13-yarder to Romeo Doubs with 6:14 left in regulation. But Doubs dropped a potential 40-yard game-winner in the end zone with 2:02 remaining.

Rodgers completed 21 of 35 passes for 251 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Aaron Jones rushed 16 times for 110 yards for the Packers and Allen Lazard caught six passes for 116 yards.

Brian Hoyer started at quarterback for New England (1-3), replacing the injured Mac Jones. But after leading the Patriots to a Nick Folk field goal on their opening drive, Hoyer sustained a head injury after being sacked by Rashan Gary.

Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe was forced into action and played reasonably well in his debut. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and his first NFL touchdown, a 25-yard strike to DeVante Parker at the 4:52 mark of the third quarter.

With Zappe on the field, New England’s already conservative game plan leaned even heavier towards the run in an attempt to keep Rodgers and Green Bay’s offense off the field.

The Patriots’ defense did its part to help. After giving up a 15-yard touchdown run to rookie wide receiver Christian Watson two minutes into the second quarter, New England took a 10-7 lead into halftime when Jack Jones picked off Rodgers and loped 40 yards down the left sideline with 13 seconds remaining.

–Field Level Media

Vikings Hold Off Saints in London

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LONDON – (Staff with Wire Service Report from Field Level Media) – Greg Joseph kicked five field goals, including a game-winning 47-yarder with 24 seconds left, as the Minnesota Vikings held off the New Orleans Saints 28-25 on Sunday in the NFL’s International Series in Britain.

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Wil Lutz, whose 60-yard field goal tied the score for the Saints moments earlier, tried a 61-yarder on the final play of the game, but the ball hit the left upright and the crossbar before falling short in the end zone.

Kirk Cousins completed 25 of 38 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (3-1).

Andy Dalton, starting in place of injured Jameis Winston, completed 20 of 28 for 236 yards and a touchdown for the Saints (1-3), who lost their third straight.

After Lutz tied the score with 1:51 left, Cousins and Justin Jefferson connected on a 39-yard completion to set up Joseph.

Joseph’s 24-yard field goal increased Minnesota’s lead to 16-7 early in the third quarter.

Dalton and Marquez Callaway teamed on a 33-yard completion, leading to Latavius Murray’s 1-yard touchdown run that trimmed the lead to 16-14 at the end of the third quarter.

Minnesota used a fake punt to convert a fourth-and-2, leading to Joseph’s 46-yard field goal and a 19-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Taysom Hill ran 2 yards for a touchdown and Dalton’s two-point conversion pass to Jarvis Landry gave the Saints their first lead, 22-19 with 9:29 left.

The Vikings converted four third downs — three on defensive penalties — on their way to Jefferson’s 3-yard touchdown run. But Joseph missed the extra point, leaving Minnesota with a 25-22 lead.

That made a difference when Lutz tied the score with his 60-yarder.

Cousins’ 15-yard touchdown pass to Alexander Mattison on the first possession of the game gave the Vikings a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Saints converted three third downs, the last of which came on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Dalton to rookie Chris Olave to tie the score.

Joseph made 28- and 36-yard field goals to increase the lead to 13-7 at halftime.

–Field Level Media