Falcons vs. Buccaneers recap: Atlanta sinks Tampa Bay with a fusillade of passing

The Atlanta Falcons don’t imagine in making issues simple, however they do imagine placing on one hell of a grand finale. For the second straight week in a row and the third time this 12 months, the Falcons had been seemingly left for useless earlier than a jaw-dropping final minute comeback sealed the win. By some means, this was the craziest one but.

Why? The Falcons allowed 24 factors within the first half, and had been down 24-17 at halftime. They had been down 27-20 in heading into the fourth quarter, threw an interception on a fourth and lengthy try, handled a number of missed or blocked Younghoe Koo area aim makes an attempt, and noticed penalties, drops, and execution errors crop up far too continuously. But they managed to drive into area aim vary, the place—regardless of an unreal delay of sport penalty that backed them up 5 yards—Koo drilled one from 52 yards out to ship the sport to additional time. A lucky coin flip, a few good passes, and a forty five yard KhaDarel Hodge landing catch-and-run later, that they had received 36-30.

This wasn’t simply the primary sport the place the Falcons allowed greater than 24 factors on the day; it was additionally the primary one the place they scored greater than 30. The truth that two issues occurred on the identical night time made for a extra anxious night, sure, however in addition they set the stage for the completely bonkers end to the sport. It additionally informed us one thing in regards to the adaptability and tenacity of this crew, one thing we noticed glimpses of within the Arthur Smith period and late Dan Quinn period, however by no means with any consistency.

This successful is changing into a development, although, and the way in which the Falcons had been in a position to shut down the Bucs offense after the half and hold the passing sport buzzing is a testomony to enchancment from gamers and coaches alike. The flexibility to hold in till the very finish when you have got playmakers like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts, and heroic Hodge backed by a quarterback like Kirk Cousins isn’t any small factor. The flexibility to take an offense that’s bludgeoning you to dying and commerce their membership for a pillow midgame isn’t a small factor, both. It added as much as an inconceivable win towards the Saints every week in the past, and it created a possibility for a win towards the division-leading Buccaneers this week. First half defensive weak point and a weak floor sport put aside, this Falcons crew seemed a lot better than they did only a week in the past towards New Orleans, too.

A crew as mistake-prone because the Falcons isn’t going to win these sorts of video games on a regular basis—they tried to present this one away in a half-dozen fascinating and infuriating methods—however a crew that stops making these errors whereas enjoying like this might be among the many NFC’s greatest. I say that understanding full nicely that this crew’s largest points, from the shortage of cross rush to the regarding lack of ability to seek out constant success on the bottom, will not be simple or imminent fixes. There’s only a lot to love right here, and the Falcons popping out of an early stretch that options two AFC contenders and three NFC contenders at 3-2 underscores that they’ve one thing to construct on. The massive if is whether or not the Falcons can cease taking pictures themselves within the foot so continuously; if they’ll even make modest strides there and tinker with their lineup to reinforce the cross rush, optimism feels fairly warranted.

However I’m waiting for an unsure tomorrow, and actually, we should have fun right now. Now atop the NFC South with an undefeated 2-0 report towards the division and an opportunity to run that to 3-0 towards the Panthers subsequent week, Atlanta’s sitting in a great spot for the remainder of the season. That they did so towards a Bucs crew they’ve absorbed some tough losses towards lately makes it a little bit sweeter, and that they did that in such thrilling vogue is price its personal celebration. The Falcons are enjoyable once more, and the Falcons may even be good once more. That’s a thought that should put a spring in your step on this Friday morning.

On to the complete recap.

The Good

  • Kirk Cousins was simply sharper than he had been to a jaw-dropping diploma, and all of the discuss of regular enchancment for the passing sport actually appears true after Week 5 in what can solely be described as a breakout sport. By the point the mud settled on his day, he had damaged the franchise report for passing yards in a single sport with 509 (Matt Ryan had 503 again in 2016 towards the Panthers, with 4 touchdowns towards a single interception on a 4th and lengthy. Cousins additionally managed to flee strain a few occasions, and even when he needed to throw it away, it was an excellent signal for his admittedly restricted mobility. Towards a lesser offense, Cousins’ effort would have been sufficient to assist the Falcons cruise to a victory; towards the Buccaneers, it was nonetheless sufficient to earn Atlanta the win. If Cousins goes to begin cooking like this on a weekly foundation, the Falcons at the moment are one of many NFL’s most harmful groups.
  • Drake London is actually cooking, though he briefly exited the sport with a concussion scare after taking a name that earned an pointless roughness penalty for Tampa Bay and leaving the sport on the ultimate play with one other harm. His landing noticed him bowl over a number of defenders after the catch, and he was each sure-footed and sure-handed all night lengthy, serving as the massive, dependable goal Cousins wants. The variety of enormous catches he remodeled the center for first downs was not a small quantity, and he completed with a preposterous 154 yards and a landing on 12 grabs. That is the sort of manufacturing London has lengthy been able to, and he lastly has the quarterback and offense he wants to attain it.
  • Kyle Pitts is alive and nicely. Working downfield and turning upfield with the ball, Pitts seemed extra assured and extra succesful towards the Buccaneers, and Cousins seemed his means continuously with high quality outcomes. He completed with 7 receptions for 88 yards, practically doubling his season complete in each marks, and must be extra concerned going ahead as this passing assault finds its footing.
  • Darnell Mooney has been an ideal addition to this Falcons offense, although we’ll have to say him under, as nicely. Along with moonlighting as a defensive again within the third quarter, when he knocked out a would-be interception, Mooney made a spectacular landing seize early on, added a landing within the fourth quarter the place he put one defender within the filth and outran a few others, and persistently received unfastened to supply a downfield goal for Cousins. He even drew a serious cross interference flag within the ofurth quarter that stored the Falcons cooking. By way of the primary 5 weeks of the season, he has confirmed himself to be the sort of harmful downfield risk who can pop open seemingly at will, and extra monster video games are forward given his robust rapport with Cousins. He completed his night time with 9 grabs for 105 yards and a pair of touchdowns, serving because the second receiver this offense has lacked since Calvin Ridley left.
  • Whereas these different receivers had been extra productive and Cousins’ stellar flip will earn headlines, KhaDarel Hodge is a hero for this sport. The core particular teamer has a knack for developing with huge catches on these uncommon events his quantity is known as, and he had a pleasant seize for 22 yards earlier on this one. It was the additional time seize that was legendary, although, as Hodge caught one, received unfastened from a lunging, overcommitted defender, and turned on the jets to run it in for the 45 yard, game-winning rating with a little bit assist from a pleasant Ray-Ray McCloud block. Once they wanted him final night time, Hodge got here up huge, and that’s the sort of A++ effort that Hodge has turn out to be identified for after additionally choosing up a muffed punt for a landing in Week 4.
  • Jessie Bates had not one, however two pressured fumbles brought on by punching out the ball. The primary was a sideline knockout that gave the Falcons an opportunity to fall on the ball, however the Buccaneers recovered. The second was extra vital, as Bates knocked it out of Bucky Irving’s palms late within the fourth quarter and Kaden Elliss fell on it, giving the Falcons an opportunity to take the lead that they’d sadly squander. On a protection missing huge play potential, Bates continues to ship these alternatives for Atlanta.
  • The second half noticed the Falcons really getting strain after a woeful first half, and it made an enormous distinction within the sport. Whereas David Onyemata was the one one to get a sack—and it’s good to see him ramping up—Matthew Judon received shut and swatted down a cross, Kaden Elliss had a few good rushes, and the Falcons had been in a position to hold Baker Mayfield from getting overly snug later within the sport.
  • Younghoe Koo can be on the ugly listing under, on condition that he missed a area aim and had one blocked. It will probably’t be overstated how phenomenal he’s within the clutch, nonetheless, because the Falcons earned a delay of sport penalty that was nearly jaw-droppingly silly, backing up a 47 yard attempt with one second on the clock to a 52 yarder….and Koo simply nailed it in any case to ship the sport to additional time and provides the Falcons their likelihood to win. In a pressure-packed state of affairs on the finish of the sport, I’m placing my hopes and goals on his legs each day out.
  • The way in which you possibly can see this crew adjusting and studying is placing. After a primary half the place Baker Mayfield carved them up and the Falcons actually received zero pressures, Jimmy Lake and Raheem Morris managed to prepare dinner up a successful sport plan within the second half that strangled the life out of the Bucs. They settled for a pair of area targets after that. On offense, Zac Robinson has spent the previous 4 weeks tinkering with issues with regularly improved outcomes, and whereas the bottom sport as soon as once more went nowhere, he had this passing assault rolling for Cousins. The shortage of in-game enchancment and enchancment over time was one thing we bemoaned with previous teaching staffs, so for all of the hiccups they nonetheless must do away with, I’ll give these coaches kudos for getting higher on the fly.
  • The previous two weeks, the Falcons have overcome errors which may’ve sunk a special model of this crew, or certainly many groups across the NFL. Their potential to climb out of holes and switch hanging round late right into a last-second victory is now a behavior, as they’ve received all three of their video games in that vogue, and it’s price remembering they had been in it till practically the top towards the Chiefs. That augurs nicely for this crew’s future with the schedule lightening up within the coming weeks, and it suggests that when they clear up the errors which are so irritating within the second, they might be one thing particular.

The Ugly

  • Mike Evans ought to by no means be extensive open, but on the primary drive he had loads of room on three separate catches, together with one the place a number of defenders seemingly misplaced observe of him in the long run zone. If you’re probably the greatest receivers of your period and a constant bother spot to your opponent, it’s a nasty signal if you happen to’re getting unfastened that continuously. The Falcons repeatedly misplaced observe of each Evans and Chris Godwin within the first half, which allowed Mayfield to pop off for 3 touchdowns.
  • That was only a signal of a dysfunctional protection, and that protection was horrendous within the first half on Thursday night time. The Falcons allowed 24 factors within the first half alone, which equaled their season excessive allowed in a whole sport, they usually suffered protection breakdowns, missed tackles, and 0 push up entrance towards the run alongside the way in which to make that attainable. The convenience with which the Bucs picked up first downs and scored was placing, and underscored the extent to which the Falcons should be excellent due to their lack of massive play and cross rush potential on that aspect of the ball. The second half enchancment rinsed away loads of that stink, however the Falcons should be higher on this aspect of the ball by means of 4 quarters to keep away from the sort of gap this offense received’t climb out of each single week.
  • The run protection was an issue all sport, although clearly much less of 1 after the half. In complete, Atlanta allowed over 150 yards on the bottom, together with a frustratingly lengthy scamper for Rachaad White after he had been meh all 12 months and some uncontested Baker Mayfield runs. Whereas Ruke Orhorhoro was a optimistic addition on this sport, the run protection nonetheless wants assist, and the return of Troy Andersen and Nate Landman ought to present that.
  • The Falcons had their first dangerous night time towards opposing returners, together with a doozy of a 53 yard return for Sean Tucker that gave the Bucs nice area place, organising a too-easy landing drive. That should enhance, however hey, it’s a blip till confirmed in any other case.
  • Younghoe Koo hit a 50-plus yarder and a 48 yarder, so no one’s panicking, however on his first try of the sport he missed left…after which an offsides penalty moved him 5 yards nearer for a re-do that he missed in precisely the identical means. Koo was going to overlook one sooner or later this season, however why it has to proceed to be the Buccaneers he’s lacking towards I have no idea.
  • Atlanta’s received to knock out the dumb errors, which hold proving expensive. On this one, the Falcons had been hit with a number of inopportune penalties that prolonged Tampa Bay drives or (extra fatally) killed their very own drives, forcing them to accept area targets once they might need had touchdowns. That, missed tackles, easy errors of execution from receivers (the Mooney drops, particularly the second), Cousins (lacking low and practically throwing a decide to a blanketed receiver that Mooney needed to knock down), and others mix with penalties to wipe out the nice work being completed by this crew as they drive down the sphere and provide you with hard-fought stops. It didn’t price them this sport and it didn’t price them the Saints sport, but when they hold the behavior up, sadly it will result in a loss down the road.
  • A few of these errors come from the teaching workers, which made some nightmare selections on Thursday night time. The primary was going for it on 4th and a mile, the sort of extraordinarily unlikely to transform state of affairs within the fourth quarter that simply appears unwise. Certain sufficient, Cousins threw an interception, and whereas the Falcons received the cease after that, they needed to begin from their very own 20 relatively than, say, a lot nearer than that had they merely punted with three timeouts. Then, unbelievably, the Falcons received a delay of sport penalty on Younghoe Koo’s last kick of regulation, in some way anticipating a clock reset that didn’t come (Raheem Morris was clearly in search of a proof he didn’t get from the officiating crew) and backing Koo up 5 yards unnecessarily. He hit that attempt, so technically you can say each these conditions labored out alright, however that they had the potential to result in Atlanta shedding the sport. As we speak about this crew getting tighter throughout the board and making fewer errors, we have to embody a workers that also must get higher at decision-making and consciousness in vital conditions, though their in-game enhancements in different areas have been genuinely encouraging.

The Recap

Sport MVP

It’s Cousins, who broke a franchise report for passing yardage in a single sport, stored firing when the protection was falling aside, and was dealing at a better degree than at any level this 12 months.

One Takeaway

This crew is an unfinished product with loads of mess and stress, however they’re additionally very clearly good and getting higher. Chances are you’ll begin daydreaming about the place this season is headed now.

Subsequent Week

The Carolina Panthers are up after a longer-than-usual layoff for the Falcons, and Atlanta will hope to smoke them to earn one other NFC South win. Try Cat Scratch Reader for extra.

Remaining Phrase

Whatagame.

NFL Winners and Losers: What would it take for the Browns to finally bench Deshaun Watson?

The Washington Commanders are doing lots of issues nicely this season, however enjoying protection hasn’t been certainly one of them. The Commanders had been close to the underside of the NFL in most defensive classes via 4 weeks: twenty fifth in factors allowed, twenty sixth in yards allowed, thirtieth in defensive DVOA, thirty first in yards per play allowed and thirty second in EPA allowed per play.

And Deshaun Watson could not do something in opposition to that protection.

When the Commanders took a 24-3 lead late within the second quarter, Watson’s line in opposition to one of many worst defenses within the NFL was 6 of 14 for 37 yards. And it appeared even worse than that.

You’d assume that sooner or later the Cleveland Browns would quit the concept that it is smarter to cater to the sentiments of a quarterback who has sunk their franchise than really attempting to win video games, nevertheless it hasn’t occurred but. The Browns fell to 1-4 with an uncompetitive 34-13 loss to the Commanders. It is price questioning how dangerous Watson must be for the Browns to lastly take into account a quarterback change. Watson, who was taken out very late with the sport fully out of attain, completed with 125 passing yards in opposition to one of many NFL’s worst defenses.

It was one other tough outing for Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson. (AP Picture/Nick Wass)

Watson is among the NFL’s worst beginning quarterbacks and has been for some time. It is virtually exceptional for a quarterback to be nearly as good as Watson was with the Houston Texans after which grow to be one of many NFL’s worst by the age of 30, nevertheless it has occurred. And Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski refuses to acknowledge it.

The Browns have grow to be an meeting line of excuses for Watson, attempting to guard the quarterback from any criticism. And sure, the Browns have points like offensive line accidents, however when a QB makes $230 million he has to beat some obstacles. He cannot play like one of many worst starters within the NFL week after week and anticipate to maintain his job, except he performs for the Browns it appears.

Don’t be concerned, they will have an excuse for his poor play this week, too. Watson hasn’t been held accountable for his play up up to now, so why begin now?

Stefanski stated after the sport that Watson remains to be his quarterback. That should not be a shock primarily based on how the Browns have coddled Watson, nevertheless it nonetheless must be disheartening for Browns followers and doubtless Browns gamers too.

The Browns’ solely hope to make Sunday’s recreation aggressive got here early within the third quarter. They recovered a fumble deep in Washington territory. Then Watson was sacked, threw incomplete on second down, threw it away on third down, the Browns took a delay of recreation after that and despatched on the field-goal staff for a largely ineffective three factors. The previous saying is quarterbacks make their cash close to the purpose line and on third downs, and Watson did neither. Cleveland went 0-for-12 on third downs when he was within the recreation. Apparently $230 million does not get you what it used to.

After the failure close to the purpose line, the Commanders took a 31-6 lead and the Browns nonetheless refused to strive one other quarterback. Then Watson held the ball too lengthy, was hit from behind and a free ball was intercepted. And nonetheless there was no QB change. Watson is perhaps one of many worst quarterbacks within the NFL however he is perhaps among the many league leaders in job safety.

It is long gone time for the Browns to throw within the towel and admit defeat on Watson. They made arguably the worst commerce in NFL historical past and compounded that by giving Watson arguably the worst contract, from a staff’s standpoint, in NFL historical past. It is onerous to really feel sympathetic for the staff, because it was conscious of Watson’s off-field points and figured it could blow over after a bit little bit of criticism. The Browns turned themselves into probably the most unlikeable staff within the NFL and proceed to dig a deeper gap by performing like Watson remains to be a viable possibility and the offense’s points are everybody else’s fault.

Listed here are the remainder of the winners and losers from Week 5 of the NFL season:

Defensive Participant of the Yr candidate Patrick Surtain II: T.J. Watt has been good, Xavier McKinney has been an excellent addition for the Packers, however sooner or later Surtain goes to get his rightful consideration as the very best defensive participant within the NFL up to now this season.

Surtain has been shutting down opposing receivers and on Sunday he received a few interceptions. His 100-yard interception return for a landing gave the Broncos some a lot wanted momentum and so they cruised after that to a 34-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It was Denver’s first win over the Raiders since 2019.

Surtain has been one of many NFL’s greatest cornerbacks for some time, and he appears to be hitting his peak this season. After Sunday, extra folks will begin to take discover of the 12 months he’s having.

Inexperienced Bay Packers: The season did not begin because the Packers wished it to.

They misplaced to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil to open the season and close to the tip of the sport Jordan Love injured his knee. It appeared Inexperienced Bay could possibly be in some bother.

They are not the place they’d wish to be but, however we are able to see the seeds of an excellent staff.

The Packers overcame a horrible pick-6 from Love and held on on the finish to beat the Los Angeles Rams 24-19. The Packers gifted the Rams six factors and nonetheless win on the highway is an efficient signal.

Love performed nicely apart from a pick-6 by which he flipped it wildly earlier than he hit the bottom for a security. He threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Tight finish Tucker Kraft continues to emerge as one other weapon; he caught each of Love’s touchdowns on Sunday. The Packers nonetheless want the remainder of the NFC North to cease successful nearly each week, however they need to be again on monitor after Sunday’s highway win.

Jesse Luketa: Luketa isn’t a family title across the NFL, however he might need saved the Arizona Cardinals’ season.

Luketa, a third-year linebacker enjoying in his first recreation of this season, had a large pressured fumble in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers. With the Cardinals trailing 23-21 within the fourth quarter and the 49ers contained in the 10-yard line, Luketa had an excellent punch out on 49ers working again Jordan Mason, knocking the ball free. The Cardinals recovered, went on a protracted drive after that and kicked the go-ahead discipline purpose with lower than two minutes remaining. As an alternative of going to 1-4 with a loss, the Cardinals are 2-3 after the 24-23 win.

The 49ers are 2-3 after the loss, and that’s the larger story across the NFL. However because of an enormous playby a former seventh-round choose at linebacker, the Cardinals ought to really feel their season remains to be alive.

Sport of the 12 months?: It is barely October, however the Baltimore Ravens’ recreation in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals will likely be robust to high this season.

Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson had been each unimaginable, combining for greater than 700 yards passing and 9 touchdowns, and a key AFC North recreation went to time beyond regulation on Justin Tucker’s late discipline purpose. In time beyond regulation, the Ravens seemingly gave the sport away on a fumbled shotgun snap that was recovered by Cincinnati. However a foul maintain on Evan McPherson’s game-winning discipline purpose strive led to a miss. Derrick Henry, who’s having an enormous constructive impression for the Ravens in his first season with the staff, had a future downfield and Tucker received it with a discipline purpose. The Ravens had a 41-38 win.

The Bengals wanted a win badly after a 1-3 begin. However they blew a fourth-quarter lead and a field-goal snap and are all the way down to 1-4. The Ravens are 3-2 after an exhilarating win. There will not be many extra video games this season as thrilling as that Ravens’ win.

Jaguars offense, lastly: When the Indianapolis Colts, who did not have Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor or DeForest Buckner on Sunday, took a 7-0 lead, it appeared like Jacksonville won’t make it to London subsequent week with its teaching employees intact.

However the Jaguars snapped out of it, no less than on offense. Trevor Lawrence had his greatest recreation of the season, first-round draft choose Brian Thomas Jr. and Tank Bigsby had lengthy touchdowns and the Jaguars lastly received their first win of the season, beating the Colts. The Colts tied it within the fourth quarter however the Jaguars responded with a protracted drive and a discipline purpose with 17 seconds left. They received 37-34.

That win does not imply the Jaguars are going to get on a successful streak. Indianapolis’ protection is dangerous and the largest purpose for the Jaguars’ offensive output. Jacksonville’s protection received shredded by Joe Flacco and Trey Sermon. However a loss would have been inexcusable, and no less than Jacksonville averted that.

Seattle Seahawks: The San Francisco 49ers are struggling. And the Seahawks aren’t taking benefit.

Seattle suffered a brutal loss on Sunday, dropping a recreation to a shorthanded New York Giants staff. When Seattle had an opportunity to tie the sport with lower than two minutes to go, Giants linebacker Isaiah Simmons leaped over the road and blocked a discipline purpose, which was returned for a landing. The Giants received a 29-20 win, which was particularly shocking to the 40.3% of Yahoo Survival Soccer gamers who picked Seattle to win on Sunday.

Seattle’s legitimacy was questioned throughout its 3-0 begin as a result of it hadn’t beat anybody of notice. The Giants had been one other beatable opponent. However Seattle, which fell to 3-2, took a loss it’ll remorse for some time.

Sean McDermott: It’s going to be a protracted, lengthy week for the Buffalo Payments and their head coach.

The Payments appeared to have despatched Sunday’s recreation to time beyond regulation, getting back from a 20-3 deficit and forcing a punt after a C.J. Stroud intentional grounding penalty. The Texans’ punt was downed on the Buffalo 3-yard line with 32 seconds left.

What occurred subsequent was inexplicable. As an alternative of working and sure taking the sport to time beyond regulation, the Payments threw the ball incomplete thrice. Buffalo needed to punt. The Texans accomplished a brief go and since that they had all their timeouts left — that was a purpose Buffalo was passing, however not an excellent one — they referred to as a timeout and Ka’imi Fairbairn hit a 59-yard discipline purpose as time expired for a 23-20 Texans win.

The Texans most likely should not have had that likelihood on the finish of the sport, however they did because of the Payments being aggressive from their very own 3. After such an excellent comeback to tie it, that is a deflating loss.

Viewers of Dolphins-Patriots: Should you watched the Miami Dolphins-New England Patriots recreation in its entirety, try to be recommended. That wasn’t simple to take a seat via.

The Patriots and Dolphins is perhaps the 2 most unwatchable groups within the NFL. The Patriots had been anticipated to be one of many NFL’s worst groups coming into the season. The Dolphins received there after Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion. It ended fittingly, with the Patriots finishing a go downfield however in need of the tip zone, and time ran out after Hunter Henry was tackled in bounds. The Dolphins received 15-10.

Quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett (R) and Tyler Huntley change pleasantries after Sunday’s recreation that Miami received, 15-10. (Picture by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Photographs)

The Dolphins did nearly the whole lot to present Sunday’s recreation away. That they had a punt blocked. That they had a horrible snap on a field-goal try and could not get the kick off. They misplaced 22 yards on a foul shotgun snap, knocking them out of field-goal vary. Each sloppy play you’ll be able to think about, the Dolphins pulled it off. However Miami wanted only one landing within the fourth quarter, then a key cease late within the recreation that was aided by Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk’s heel being simply out of bounds on what appeared like a landing catch.

The Dolphins received, nevertheless it wasn’t fairly.

Carolina Panthers: How dangerous had been the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3?

It appeared that day just like the Panthers is perhaps a viable staff after a quarterback change as they beat the Raiders. It seems, that was simply the Raiders trying dangerous.

The Panthers proceed to be one of many NFL’s worst groups regardless of who their quarterback is. On Sunday they received blown out 36-10 by the Chicago Bears. Caleb Williams appeared nice, with 200 yards and two touchdowns within the first half, however that has extra to do with the play of the Panthers’ protection than anything. Williams completed with 304 yards.

The Panthers are a misplaced trigger this season. The offense is healthier with Andy Dalton changing Bryce Younger, nevertheless it’s not ok to beat a horrible protection or win many video games. No less than they’ve that one win on the board.

Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers is not the primary quarterback whom Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has confounded this season. He will not be the final both.

However the New York Jets signed up for greater than a 2-3 report with a Sunday of 4.5 yards per try and three interceptions in a 23-17 loss to the 5-0 Vikings. Rodgers tried 54 passes and had simply 244 yards, an interception returned for a pick-6 early and within the closing minute he threw a game-clinching interception with the Jets needing a landing to win.

Rodgers nonetheless does not seem like he has a lot cohesion along with his receivers and he has missed extra throws than ordinary. He has additionally been hobbling round, together with through the second half Sunday after his knee received twisted beneath him. He’s 40 years previous, and it has proven at occasions.

The schedule does not clear up both. They host the Buffalo Payments on Monday night time in Week 6, then play on the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 2-3 begin may get rather a lot worse. There could possibly be stress to make main adjustments if the Jets go on a protracted dropping streak. This was the Jets’ all-in season with Rodgers, and so they had been hoping for a lot better.

Buccaneers at Falcons, Week 5

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers misplaced in time beyond regulation to their NFC South rivals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 36-30. Each groups are actually tied atop the division with 3-2 data. Within the Thursday Evening Soccer shootout, Kirk Cousins managed to spike the ball with one second to spare for a Younghoe Koo 52-yard discipline objective that tied the sport on the finish of regulation. Atlanta received the ball first in time beyond regulation and KhaDarel Hodge scored from 45 yards out, offering the house crew with a 36-30 victory.

“Simply received to learn to shut out video games,” stated Head Coach Todd Bowles. “We had alternatives on either side of the ball. We did not end. Did some good issues. We did a whole lot of dangerous issues to lose the ball sport. So, we’ll get some relaxation, we’ll some guys wholesome, and we’ll prepare for subsequent week. We have a very good soccer crew. We did not end the sport.”

Offensive Outlook

Tampa Bay’s offense began out firing on all cylinders, with three touchdowns and a discipline objective on the crew’s first 4 possessions. Baker Mayfield had one other stellar outing in Atlanta, throwing three landing passes to simply three incompletions within the first half. He threaded the needle and scrambled when vital to select up yardage to maintain drives. Total, Mayfield accomplished 19 of 24 makes an attempt for 180 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 137.5 passer score. He rallied the crew and threw two touchdowns to Mike Evans within the first half, offering the Bucs’ with a 17-14 lead.

Earlier than halftime, Mayfield related with Sterling Shepard, placing the ball out in entrance the place solely his receiver may haul within the catch. Evans’ second landing seize off a nook route marked his a centesimal profession landing. His 100 whole touchdowns make him the twenty sixth participant in league historical past to perform that feat. He tied Frank Gore in addition to Corridor of Famers Franco Harris and Curtis Martin (100) for the Twenty third-most whole touchdowns in NFL historical past.

The Bucs’ floor sport took strides in Atlanta, as Rachaad White posted 72 yards on 10 carries and Bucky Irving added 44 yards on 9 carries. White hit a career-long 56-yard run. Off a counter scheme, White took off with Tristan Wirfs and Cade Otton paving the way in which on drive blocks. He set the Bucs up on the Atlanta 15-yard line, resulting in Shepard’s landing.

“Not ideally suited for us,” stated Mayfield. “Get again to the fundamentals and simply execute. I believe that offensively, we’ll look again on the tape and notice that we did not precisely execute within the second half.”

Defensive Rundown

Tampa Bay’s protection couldn’t cease Kirk Cousins and the Falcons’ offense, a unit that completed the TNF matchup with 550 whole yards. The veteran signal-caller accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and one interception. The Falcons’ weapons had been in a position to benefit from free entry off the road and Cousins usually discovered targets over the center of the sector with area to select up RAC-yards.

“It wasn’t excellent is all I can say,” famous Bowles’ of the protection’s tackling. “A whole lot of catch and run, five-yard catch and runs. We made these tackles in opposition to Detroit, [and] we missed them on this sport.”

Following a multi-sack day in opposition to the Eagles in Week 4, Lavonte David continued his dominance in Atlanta. He accrued eight tackles, two passes defensed and an interception within the fourth quarter. Within the final body, Yaya Diaby introduced stress on a twist, forcing the ball out of Cousins’ arms. David sat in the course of the sector in protection, learn the quarterback’s eyes, recognized and drove, undercutting the move for an interception on the Atlanta 35-yard line. He returned it seven yards to the 28, shifting the momentum to Tampa Bay. As well as, Logan Corridor recorded two sacks for the primary time in his profession and tallied 5 quarterback hits.

Vita Vea and Anthony Nelson each tallied sacks, whereas Zyon McCollum snagged two passes defensed. On Nelson’s knockdown, Jamel Dean had nice protection on Darnell Mooney down the sector, and didn’t take the chew off the Atlanta receiver’s double transfer. The sticky protection on the again finish pressured Cousins to carry onto the ball for a tick longer and Nelson capitalized with an eight-yard sack. Earlier than exiting the sport with a groin damage, Jordan Whitehead posted a move defensed, 5 tackles and a quarterback hit. Out of a double-A-gap-blitz look, Whitehead flew off the sting on a security blitz, taking Cousins unexpectedly. The Atlanta quarterback threw it away and was flagged for intentional grounding. Regardless of the splash performs, too many miscues sealed the crew’s destiny at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dolly Parton pledges to donate $1M to help Hurricane Helene victims

Helene “was devastating…Not simply because it was my household, as a result of all these folks really feel like my folks,” she stated.

Tennessee native Dolly Parton has pledged a $1 million donation to Hurricane Helene victims.

“These are my mountains … these are my rivers,” she informed group members gathered in a Newport, Tennessee, Walmart parking zone on Friday.

HOW TO HELP: Charities, organizations supporting Hurricane Helene reduction efforts

Helene “was devastating,” Parton stated. “Not simply because it was my household, as a result of all these folks really feel like my folks. All of us really feel associated, and we’re in some form of manner. So it simply devastated me, simply to know that we had struggling like that. So something we are able to do to assist.”

Parton’s companies in east Tennessee — Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Present — in addition to The Dollywood Basis are combining efforts to match Parton’s donation with their very own $1 million contribution.

“You simply attempt to step up. God has been good to me and so has the general public. And I really feel like something I can do to provide again and do what I can, I am all the time prepared to do this,” Parton stated as the gang applauded.

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Helene’s victims embrace first responders who died serving to others

“We’re with you, we love you, we hope that issues get higher actual quickly, and we’re gonna do our half,” she stated.

Walmart additionally introduced a $10 million donation to reduction efforts.

Assist folks affected by Hurricane Helene. Your donation permits the Crimson Cross to organize for, reply to and assist folks recuperate from this catastrophe. Donate now at redcross.org/abc.

Particles is seen within the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.

AP Photograph/Mike Stewart, File

The video within the media participant above is from associated protection.

ABC Information’ Jianna Cousin contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024 ABC Information Web Ventures.

Nick and Charlie Ending Scene

Spoilers under.

Over the previous two seasons, Heartstopper has gained followers over with its whimsy and feel-good romance. The primary centered on the beginnings of Nicholas Nelson (Equipment Connor) and Charlie Spring’s (Joe Locke) dreamy love story, and the second centered on the pressures of popping out, all with the Netflix present’s signature allure. This season, nonetheless, undergoes a seismic shift, highlighting real-world points like consuming problems, psychological well being, asexuality, and intercourse, with a extra critical lens. Whereas this casts a gloom on the beforehand sunny present, it felt extra actual, sincere, and true to a contemporary teen’s expertise. It would really feel just a little completely different this time round, however Heartstopper doesn’t cease offering a beacon for teenagers scuffling with the identical issues.

As season 3 unfolds, the significance of group is evident, whether or not it’s by way of organic or chosen household. A few of the heavier subjects get resolved when a personality leans on these round them. Charlie, with Nick’s encouragement, bought assist for his consuming dysfunction and psychological well being struggles; Tao (William Gao) and Elle (Yasmin Finney) navigated intercourse expertly after having a vital dialogue (plus, the conversations this seasons surrounding Elle’s gender identification had been poignant and glorious); and Tara (Corinna Brown) confronted tutorial stress and made it by way of an nervousness assault with the assistance of her associates.

Samuel Dore/Netflix

The finale, titled “Aside,” additional emphasizes the group theme, addressing the significance of these we select to encompass ourselves with. For a lot of LGBTQ+ people, a powerful assist system will be tough to seek out. Heartstopper proves that our supporters are literally throughout us; we simply have to seek out them.

ELLE Editors’ October Prime Day Picks

We open with Nick and Charlie in mattress, speaking about their first time sleeping collectively. The final episode concluded with them lastly having intercourse, with Charlie conserving his shirt on. Nick doesn’t thoughts, and mentions that the boys solely touched, alluding to the truth that they didn’t have penetrative intercourse. The 2 have a dialog about how intercourse will be a whole lot of issues—there isn’t one definition. Charlie asks Nick if he’s been researching how one can have intercourse correctly, and Charlie pulls up Nick’s laptop computer and search historical past. Right here, Charlie discovers that Nick has been taking a look at universities that aren’t fairly native. Nick says he’s apprehensive about being away from Charlie, so he’ll most likely go to highschool someplace close by. Personally, I don’t consider it for a second and am already bracing myself for what seems to be a presumably heartbreaking plot level.

Charlie then returns house and has a dialog together with his mother (Georgina Wealthy), who, within the final episode, snapped and mentioned Charlie couldn’t sleep over at Nick’s home. Charlie’s mother apologizes, understanding she will be overbearing and fast to anger, however she thinks boyfriend sleepovers are so much emotionally. She asks Charlie to compromise and wait till exams are over. Charlie agrees. (I, nonetheless, am left shocked that boyfriend sleepovers are even allowed. Possibly I’m geriatric, however this is able to have by no means slid in my teen years.)

Samuel Dore/Netflix

Later, Nick joins Tara, Imogen (Rhea Norwood), and Elle on a university highway journey (somebody name Raven Symoné) to take a look at universities. They go to locations close to and much, and even spend an evening on the highway, the place Imogen and Nick keep in the identical room. Imogen famously had a crush on Nick for some time, and he or she admits she simply wished consideration. Maybe, she hasn’t even ever favored a boy. Nick comforts her.

The following day, Elle reveals she is aware of Nick and Charlie had intercourse, after Tao instructed her. Nick doesn’t reveal the small print, however the ladies then take him to a pharmacy to purchase condoms and lube. It’s a real ceremony of passage for a newly sexually lively excessive schooler. The vacationers then hit London to go to Leeds. Nick shortly falls in love with the queer group, alternative to play rugby, and campus. However there’s a slight downside: The college is 4 hours away from house. Nick, within the automotive house, talks about how a lot he doesn’t need to date lengthy distance. Elle mentions that he has to place his happiness first.

Charlie, in the meantime, decides to make his remedy classes much less frequent. He says he has individuals who may help him between visits. “I feel I noticed that though I really like Nick, I would like different individuals,” Charlie says, which is additional proof that every one we’d like is group. He additionally decides to use for head boy of Truham.

Samuel Dore/Netflix

His complete household then heads to a Love, Simon-level carnival, the place he’s performing with Sahar (Leila Khan)’s band, Queer Intentions.

Michael (Darragh Hand) then comes over and asks Charlie for recommendation on Tori (Jenny Walser). Michael requested Tori to be his girlfriend, and Tori freaked out. Charlie then joins Tori on the ferris wheel, the place she reveals that she’s jealous of Charlie’s hope. Charlie lastly admits how a lot Tori’s helped him within the final yr. She has a lot love to offer, she can provide some to Michael as nicely. Put up trip, Tori approaches Michael, leaving their relationship standing unknown. Tori spinoff, when?

Tara then Instagram DMs the pal group (which appears to be everybody’s fundamental type of communication) that the highway trippers are caught in a site visitors jam; they could not make it to the carnival and miss the band. Nick feels that Charlie wants him to be there when he performs. After some ticket-worthy dashing, they arrive mid-performance. Charlie was nonetheless in a position to carry out with out Nick there, one thing he doubtless wouldn’t have been in a position to do in the beginning of the season.

Following the efficiency, Charlie’s mother agrees to let him sleep over at Nick’s. The season then concludes with a dreamy carnival sequence, the place Elle reveals that she’s going to go to artwork faculty in Europe. Tao is worked up, not apprehensive for her. This clearly provides Nick some nerves about his impending determination.

Charlie and Nick head house and start to have intercourse. Charlie lastly takes his shirt off, a giant step. Nick says, “I really like you, and you might be so fucking sizzling,” and Charlie instantly responds with a hug. The season ends with an affirmation of Charlie’s physique, displaying that whereas we do have to work to seek out self love and acceptance, typically, the phrases of others could make a profound and optimistic affect. Roll credit.

Samuel is the Affiliate Editor at ELLE Journal. Previous to this position, he was the Assistant to ELLE’s Editor-in-Chief, Nina Garcia. At ELLE, Samuel writes about music, style, arts, and tradition, interviewing Normani, Lola Tung, Sara Bareilles, Kelli O’Hara, Nicholas Galitzine, Tate McRae, and extra. Raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Samuel attended Northwestern College and presently resides in New York Metropolis.

Silent Hill 2 Review

Bloober Staff’s Silent Hill 2 revival is the story of two video games. On the one hand, it’s a remake of a survival horror basic that clearly has a robust reverence for the supply materials. At its most devoted, Silent Hill 2 dances on the precipice of brilliance. However within the means of increasing upon and modernizing the unique expertise, some new parts have been launched that run opposite to the spirit of the 2001 masterpiece. Each elements are entwined, and the tip result’s an fascinating, albeit messy, return to the city of Silent Hill.




For individuals who have been dwelling below a rock for the previous twenty years, Silent Hill 2 is a survival horror recreation with an emphasis on the psychological. It’s set in a twisted world that exists as each a bodily area, but in addition a metaphorical one. The characters trapped inside it are all haunted by their pasts, with James Sunderland, the character you embody, chief amongst them.

Bloober Staff has nailed the look of Silent Hill itself. Basic areas are a pleasure to walk by in excessive constancy, and the long-lasting fog has been brilliantly reconstructed, obfuscating your environment and disorienting you as you traverse the barren streets of this titular city. I usually discovered myself stopping simply to take all of it in, participating in a little bit Silent Hill tourism, if you’ll.


Sadly, Silent Hill 2’s new animations weren’t given that very same stage of affection and a spotlight. James is incapable of swinging a bludgeon. To observe him assault is to expertise the uncanny valley in movement. His elbows stay tucked for too lengthy, he doesn’t torque his hips sufficient, his shoulders stay oddly stiff. All the things simply feels… off. And also you’ll be seeing numerous his awkward, janky swings all through the marketing campaign. James is an odd dude, so I wouldn’t count on him to swing a two-by-four like Shohei Ohtani swings a bat, however even probably the most uncoordinated human being would swing a weapon higher than James Sunderland. The dude must recover from his useless spouse and learn to swing a chunk of wooden.


This extends to the remainder of his animations as effectively. James doesn’t usually open doorways, he gestures of their normal path, his run is stiff and robotic, and when switching between melee weapons and firearms, weapons simply magically remodel in his fingers. Enemies look effective in movement, so it’s unlucky Bloober didn’t iron a few of these inconsistencies with James’s animations out as a result of a lot of it feels low-cost and janky.

This uneven execution extends to the sound design. Whereas the atmospheric soundtrack – courtesy of returning composer Akira Yamaoko – is robust, the cacophony of screeches, gurgles, wails, creaking of rusted steel, and signature Silent Hill-brand static can sometimes undermine that environment.


It’s all cranked as much as 11 right here, and that excessiveness doesn’t at all times serve the sport’s environment. This emphasis on abrasive loudness can also be entrance and middle in probably the most unlucky inclusion: soar scares. Whereas the unique had one or two low-cost thrills, the remake locations an undue emphasis on them. You possibly can look ahead to dozens of monstrosities coming out and screeching at you always.

The additional you get into the remake, the higher the sound design turns into. Because the world degrades, and the environments turn out to be extra surreal, it begins to higher profit your environment. As the sport progresses, it makes use of silences extra successfully as an alternative of continually burying you in sound. The popping of previous insulated pipes increasing and contracting within the later jail space is more practical as a result of it feels prefer it belongs. It supplies a way of place in which you’ll be able to’t escape, and in survival horror that kind of sensation is paramount.


I strongly advocate reducing the music quantity within the choices menu. I needed to listen to Yamaoka’s rating too, however the preset values have been manner too obnoxious. Whereas within the settings menu, take away the ridiculous “low well being vignette” and “splatter vignette” they’re
extraordinarily
garish.

Voice appearing, however, is an unmitigated success. Whereas I’m certain it gained’t be everybody’s bag, the strains are all delivered in a disembodied, dreamlike method. It’s all barely off-kilter, however in one of the simplest ways doable. The performances are higher than the unique whereas carrying ahead the identical surreal, Lynchian qualities that so many hardcore followers adore. Silent Hill is, on some stage, a manifested, twisted dream. These performances serve to promote that facet of Silent Hill properly. You by no means fairly know what’s actual and what isn’t, and to ship that may be the remake’s biggest achievement.


All of the performances do an ideal job of retaining the spirit of the unique video games story segments alive, however my favourite efficiency might be Eddie. His actor completely nailed the underlying air of resentment whereas concurrently sounding totally disassociated.

Sadly, Silent Hill 2 is made weaker by leaving the unique’s fastened digicam angles behind, opting as an alternative for a third-person perspective just like Lifeless House, Resident Evil 4, or another triple-A horror title from the previous decade.

I don’t fault the remake for going on this path; rightly or wrongly, fastened digicam angles at the moment are seen as antiquated. However as a consequence, the unique’s cinematic framing and disorientating sense of path is misplaced. And very similar to the overwrought sound design, this hurts the environment.


Alongside this new digicam perspective, James turns into a much more competent fighter. Monster encounters in Silent Hill 2 are extra pleasant within the second, however James’s new dodge supplies a stunning quantity of invulnerability. I incessantly felt fairly snug going one-on-one with a lot of the creatures I encountered. Possibly a little bit too snug for a horror recreation.

Silent Hill 2 additionally decides to take some inspiration from Resident Evil 4 and help you vault over waist-high partitions. Supplying you with extra choices to create distance if you need to heal or separate teams of enemies from one another. These modifications all culminate in a palpable lack of hazard that doesn’t do the sport’s environment any favors. I needed to really feel unsafe and uncertain of what awaited me across the subsequent nook, however most of the time, I may take them down with out a lot hassle.


Whilst you can set the fight problem to laborious, it usually ends in longer, extra drawn-out encounters, no more tough encounters. I’d advocate simply sticking to the conventional problem for fight.

That being stated, the boss battles deserve some reward. Whereas they actually aren’t any scarier, they’re much more entertaining, that includes a number of phases, and an added number of assaults. Quite a few them additionally add some enjoyable spectacle into the combo. The place you have been as soon as combating a monstrosity in a closed area, you at the moment are being chased by hallways that the creature tears to items with their assaults. Whereas the encounters are positively sillier and ripe with schlock, all of them are memorable.


Puzzles all through the sport have additionally obtained a welcome contact up. Delightfully, Silent Hill 2 usually takes the unique puzzles and remixes them, including new parts and hanging a pleasant stability between familiarity and novelty.

A handful of recent puzzles and enemy encounters have additionally been added, so Silent Hill 2 purists gained’t be capable of run by the remake with their eyes closed.

Not like among the different additions, the brand new puzzles serve to enhance the tip product and really feel like they really belong. Particularly for long-time followers. That is much less true of puzzles if you decrease the problem setting to something aside from laborious, which all really feel comparatively pedestrian.


However what of the story? Did Bloober Staff handle to seize its essence? Kinda… The unique script is sort of untouched, however not unaccompanied. Alongside it are a complete host of extra scenes that, whereas not distractingly terrible, not often serve to enhance the story. It looks like these additions have been added to pull the runtime out, whereas beating the participant over the pinnacle with already-established themes. It isn’t like the unique Silent Hill 2 was probably the most refined story ever informed, so piling on on this manner feels unjustified.


One specific new scene has Maria telling James in regards to the folklore behind a statue, which ends with a pissed off James questioning why they’re losing time speaking about legends; I’ll give this new story section one factor, I’ve by no means felt extra aligned with James than in that second. Talking of Maria, her additions have the unlucky impact of Flanderizing her a contact an excessive amount of. Maria being playfully seductive was at all times certainly one of her core attributes, however it’s now cranked up a number of notches. Did we actually have to see her come onto James whereas caressing a stripper pole? Subtlety, thy identify is not Bloober Staff.


The humorous factor is, the vast majority of the unique Silent Hill 2 is buried inside this remake, and it usually isn’t too far beneath the floor both. Bloober Staff’s model of Silent Hill 2 usually looks like a excessive constancy model of the unique with remixed puzzles and merchandise areas. The fight within reason satisfying, the boss encounters have been improved, however what’s basically an ideal horror recreation is partially undermined by the over-the-top sound design, injection of soar scares, and normal lack of restraint.

Very similar to James Sunderland, now we have returned to Silent Hill, however what was as soon as our particular place has modified. Fortunately, sufficient of what made it particular stays and can seemingly heat the cockles of nostalgic hearts and newcomers alike, even should you’ll need to look previous among the garish new additions within the course of.

What’s Next for Nick and Charlie?

“Heartstopper” creator Alice Oseman has all the time mentioned the graphic novel series-turned Netflix present could have a cheerful ending.

From the animated orange and blue leaves that sweep in when character’s really feel massive feelings, to its uplifting, synth soundtrack, the present is a sentimental story of past love. And whereas Season 3, which dropped on Netflix Oct. 3, takes on a extra intense tone, the brand new episodes aren’t any exception.

For a refresher, the present’s first season ended with Nick and Charlie on a seashore date discussing what’s subsequent for the newly minted boyfriends.

Season 2, in the meantime, ended with Nick popping out as bisexual, the group celebrating promenade night time with a candy home get together montage scene set to Taylor Swift’s “Seven,” and Nick and Charlie virtually exchanging, “I really like you’s.”

So with the primary season tackling how a crush turns into a relationship and the second, bringing that love public, the third season provides two key arcs, Equipment Connor and Joe Locke inform TODAY.com.

“The season is form of break up,” Locke, who performs Charlie, says. “The primary half is certainly extra about overcoming adversity and coping with your personal points in an effort to assist your relationship.”

“After which the second half sort of goes into the development of their relationship and them as individuals, like maturing and changing into younger adults,” Connor provides.

Equipment Connor (left) and Joe Locke as Nick and Charlie in Season 3 of “Heartstopper.” Samuel Dore / Netflix

On the finish of promenade night time in Season 2, Episode 8, Nick asks Charlie if he is OK after noticing him seem disengaged and never consuming a lot. Charlie confides in his boyfriend that he has self-harmed prior to now however insists he would not anymore.

Season 3 guarantees to discover Charlie’s psychological well being struggles additional. Within the official trailer, Nick sits a seemingly withdrawn Charlie down and says, “I am actually apprehensive about you.”

Here is how Season 3 tackles psychological well being, taking relationships to the following step and what it means for Nick and Charlie’s future, based on Locke and Connor.

🚨Warning: This story accommodates spoilers for Season 3 of “Heartstopper.”

What occurs on the finish of ‘Heartstopper’ Season 3?

“Heartstopper” Season 3 consists of eight episodes and crosses some main emotional terrain. The primary, “Love,” picks up proper the place Season 2 left off — Charlie itching to say, “I really like you,” and Nick, determined for Charlie to open up about his psychological well being.

By the tip of the season, each are addressed.

Charlie’s psychological well being

By the midpoint of Season 3, Charlie has to come back to phrases with how his psychological well being struggles are affecting his life.

In Episode 4, he enters a clinic for in-patient remedy the place he’s identified with anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive dysfunction. Anorexia is an consuming dysfunction that includes limiting or intensely controlling the quantity or sort of meals one eats. OCD is a sample of undesirable ideas (obsessions) that result in repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that trigger misery and might interrupt each day life.

Locke tells TODAY.com that his purpose was to painting somebody experiencing anorexia and OCD as “authentically and respectfully as doable.”

“It is such a tough concern to painting onscreen proper, and you do not need to upset individuals or set off individuals in any manner that you do not imply to,” he says. “I talked to individuals I do know, and I did numerous my very own analysis to ensure that I wasn’t going into any stereotypes unnecessarily.”

Equipment Connor and Joe Locke in “Heartstopper” Season 3.Samuel Dore / Netflix

Within the present, Charlie tells Nick about his analysis over the cellphone in certainly one of his first calls from the clinic.

“I imply, I used to be a bit shocked by the OCD. However I’ve all these guidelines in my head about meals, and if I do not comply with them, I really feel like I am gonna die,” Charlie says with a light-weight chuckle. “Sorry, I’ve to snicker about it, or I will simply cry.”

“Nicely, even in case you do have anorexia and OCD, the phrase ‘sorry’ remains to be banned,” Nick responds.

Charlie returns dwelling from remedy by the tip of Episode 4, and the remainder of the season follows him as he works with a therapist, adheres to an consuming plan and works on tips on how to talk together with his household.

Nick’s college prospects

The again of the season primarily follows Nick and Charlie as they navigate taking their relationship to the following degree.

After an sincere dialog about Charlie’s fears of taking his shirt off — “I do not appear like Jack Maddox or something,” Charlie says (extra on him later) — the couple decides to pursue having intercourse on the finish of Episodes 7 and eight.

However the season finale’s title, “Aside,” hints on the obstacles they’ve but to face, particularly in relation to Nick’s impending commencement.

Nick, who’s one 12 months older than Charlie, is beginning to take a look at universities, and the college that is closest to dwelling — and Charlie — won’t be the college he desires to attend.

In Episode 8, Nick, together with Tara (Corinna Brown), Imogen (Rhea Norwood) and Elle (Yasmin Finney), go on a college tour journey. After getting in site visitors on the way in which again, they virtually miss a pageant wherein Charlie and his band are performing. However in true “Heartstopper” vogue, the present ends on candy word, with the crew arriving within the nick of time.

A Jonathan Bailey cameo

On a lighter word, the again half of Season 3 additionally brings a extremely anticipated celeb cameo.

Jonathan Bailey seems in Episode 6 as Jack Maddox, a Classics scholar and Charlie’s celeb crush. The couple attend certainly one of his lectures and by the tip, Nick can also be left frazzled and speechless by Maddox.

Locke says he and Connor “be taught lots” from having individuals like Bailey on set.

“You be taught lots from individuals on the high of their recreation, and even simply watching him and the way in which that he labored is de facto nice,” Locke says.

As for any particular recommendation from Bailey?

“I do not suppose he actually had sufficient time to, sadly,” Connor says. “I am positive if he had been there for a bit longer, if we might given him extra to do, he may need had a bit extra time to share some knowledge with us.

“However to be sincere … he had some difficult, difficult strains, so I feel he was attempting to get them out, actually, which I’d not have been capable of do as swiftly and easily as he did,” he provides.

Jonathan Bailey as Jack Maddox in “Heartstopper.” Samuel Dore / Netflix

What’s subsequent for Nick and Charlie?

Whereas “Heartstopper” has not but been formally renewed for a fourth season, Connor says there’s “lots” left to discover between Nick and Charlie.

“Seeing how their relationship fares with the brand new issues that they could have to beat, resembling lengthy distance perhaps, or simply extra life and hormones,” Connor says.

Season 3 touches on content material as much as Quantity 5 of Oseman’s “Heartstopper” graphic novel sequence, which printed in December 2023 within the U.S.

Oseman has introduced that the sequence will conclude with Quantity 6, which she is actively engaged on. (Oseman informed The Guardian in a September article, “I’m solely 50 pages in, however I do know what’s going to occur, what all of the dialogue goes to be, and now I’m simply sitting down and drawing it, which is my favorite bit.”)

If renewed, “Heartstopper” Season 4 could be based mostly on content material from Quantity 6 and a novella referred to as “Nick and Charlie,” Oseman revealed on her Patreon again in Might. “Nick and Charlie” was first printed in 2015 and is about earlier than Nick leaves for college.

As for what Quantity 6 could discover, Oseman mentioned she desires the story to really feel like an “epilogue” to the core of what “Heartstopper is all about: “the on a regular basis development of Nick and Charlie’s relationship and the ups and downs of their college days collectively.”

Oseman informed Angle Journal in 2023 she’s “identified for ages how ‘Heartstopper’ goes to finish.”

“I am not going to spoil something,” Oseman mentioned. “However I imply, it is a joyful ending.”

Silent Hill 2 review roundup: ‘a spectacular experience’

(Credit score: Konami)
  • 👍 Silent Hill 2 has a Metacritic rating of 87 after 49 critic critiques

  • 🤩 The sport has 86% optimistic critiques, 10% combined and 0% unfavorable

  • 😱 Silent Hill 2 is a remake of Konami’s basic horror recreation

  • 📆 The sport is out on October 8 for PS5 and PC

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After a reasonably underwhelming first reveal, the remake of Silent Hill 2 has garnered the reward of the overwhelming majority of critics.

Developer Bloober Group has efficiently tailored the beloved PS2 basic survival horror recreation to fashionable techniques, which is rarely simple.

Silent Hill 2 has achieved a Metacritic rating of 87 after 49 critic critiques, which implies it obtained typically favorable scores. Right here’s what reviewers needed to say in regards to the recreation.

Eurogamer gave Silent Hill 2 a uncommon good rating. “Towards the chances, Bloober Group has delivered a remake that each expands Silent Hill 2 in simply the proper locations, and offers cautious consideration to what it preserves.”

Push Sq. additionally loved returning to Silent Hill. “Bloober Group has faithfully and respectfully recreated one of many survival horror style’s all-time greats, modernising Silent Hill 2 in all the proper methods. A lot of what made the Konami basic a masterpiece in 2001 stays on this PS5 remake 23 years later, with the identical unforgettable story, satisfying exploration, and weighty fight. There have been issues within the lead-up to launch, however Silent Hill 2 speaks for itself: a spectacular expertise that after once more represents survival horror at its finest.”

GameSpot famous the herculean activity developer Bloober Group confronted, however described Silent Hill 2 as “a stressed dream come true”. The reviewer stated, “The unique Silent Hill 2 is among the most beloved, culturally vital, and total finest horror video games ever made. It seemed to be the case that attempting to recapture the magic of that recreation was to misjudge how impactful its time and place had been, and the way its limitations helped form it for the higher.

“Any studio advancing on such a challenge ought to’ve had a Sisyphean activity forward of them, ceaselessly chasing its essence like a moth with a gap in your web. Nevertheless, by staying true to the unique recreation in extraordinarily necessary methods and taking calculated dangers born from an understanding of the supply materials, all whereas being supported additional by a number of the recreation’s unique mind belief, Bloober Group has finished what was moderately thought of near-impossible.”

Nevertheless, GamesRadar+ wasn’t as impressed with Silent Hill 2, saying: “Nevertheless you strategy it, Silent Hill 2 is an atmospheric and rewarding horror recreation up there with the Resident Evil remakes for reinventing a basic. Whereas its strict adherence to the previous can really feel just a little constrained at occasions, and some issues are missing in consequence, it nails the texture of the unique nicely.

“Regardless of a scattering of minor points, any negativity comes extra from a spot of believing the brand new Silent Hill 2 Remake might have been higher, than it truly being unhealthy. The entire thing finally delivers and does a very good job of constructing the sequence really feel significant and related in a means it hasn’t for years.”

Silent Hill 2 is a timed unique on PS5 and may come to Xbox Sequence X|S in a 12 months. The sport can also be obtainable on PC and is out on October 8. It seems like followers of the unique PS2 recreation could have loads to get pleasure from within the Silent Hill 2 remake.

Take a look at the upcoming PS5 video games and upcoming Xbox Sequence X video games to see what’s subsequent for Sony and Microsoft’s consoles.

Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Previously TechRadar’s Gaming {Hardware} Editor, Adam has additionally labored at Nintendo of Europe as a Content material Advertising Editor, the place he helped launch the Nintendo Swap. Observe him on X @ItsMrProducts.

‘Wordle’ #1,203 Hints, Clues and Answer for Friday, October 4 Game

For those who’re scuffling with right this moment’s Wordle, you are in good firm—simply ask the sport’s inventor.

“[My partner] and I play it on the sofa collectively every morning,” New York-based software program engineer Josh Wardle instructed Newsweek in January 2022. “She is going to constantly get it in three goes, which is approach, approach higher than I can ever hope to realize. I usually want at the least 4 or 5 makes an attempt.”

Years after developing with the preliminary idea, Welsh-born Wardle perfected Wordle in the course of the COVID-19 lockdowns earlier than releasing it to the general public in October 2021.

Following its public debut, Wordle exploded from 90 customers on November 1, 2021, to 300,000 on January 2, 2022, based on figures by Statista. The New York Occasions bought it for an undisclosed seven-figure price quickly after and it grew to become the publication’s hottest sport.

“Wordle” is pictured on a cell phone in Arlington, Virginia, on Might 9, 2022. New “Wordle” puzzles are launched on-line every day.
“Wordle” is pictured on a cell phone in Arlington, Virginia, on Might 9, 2022. New “Wordle” puzzles are launched on-line every day.
MICHAEL DRAPER/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

A big a part of Wordle‘s enchantment is its simplicity. Gamers get six makes an attempt to guess a five-letter phrase. Grey tiles behind every letter point out that they are not within the phrase in any respect; yellow means the letter options however is within the unsuitable place; whereas inexperienced lets gamers know the letter is within the phrase and within the right place.

Erhan Aslan, an knowledgeable in utilized linguistics who teaches on the College of Studying within the U.Okay., beforehand supplied some helpful recommendation for Wordle gamers in an interview with Newsweek.

“One factor that I believe is vital on this sport is the beginning phrase chosen,” Aslan stated. “Beginning off with phrases that embrace generally used vowels, for instance, e and a, consonants similar to r and t, and sound sequences could be useful.

“Selecting a phrase that begins with q, z, j or x, as an illustration, is probably not your best option. You get extra suggestions after just a few guesses. Customers want to attract on some information of phonics to slender down or remove some phrases that they could be pondering.”

Newsweek has supplied some clues beneath for right this moment’s Wordle puzzle. The reply will likely be revealed on the finish of this text, so please scroll down with warning if you wish to work it out for your self.

‘Wordle’ #1,203, Clues for Friday, October 4

Newsweek has put collectively 5 hints that will help you work out right this moment’s Wordle puzzle.

Trace #1: In the present day’s reply comprises two vowels.

Trace #2: “T” is the primary letter of right this moment’s phrase.

Trace #3: There’s one repeated letter.

Trace #4: In the present day’s reply is a noun, verb, and adjective.

Trace #5: Consider a distinguishing identify given to a guide, TV present, or film.

‘Wordle’ #1,203, Clues for Friday, October 4

In the present day’s Wordle reply is “Title.”

Wordle updates each day at midnight, at which level the subsequent puzzle turns into accessible. Newsweek will likely be again with one other spherical of hints and suggestions for every new sport.

Gamers who would love one thing to maintain themselves busy whereas they wait can have a go at different word-based puzzles similar to Typochondria and Spellspire.

Headliner drops Florida music fest after Kyle Rittenhouse announced as guest – NBC Chicago

An upcoming music pageant in Florida has misplaced its headliner and a number of different acts after saying that Kyle Rittenhouse could be showing as a visitor.

Shell Shock II, a steel pageant set to be held on Oct. 19 in Orlando, billed as a “PTSD Charity and Consciousness Occasion” sponsored by The Antihero Podcast, has confronted backlash because it first introduced Rittenhouse as a visitor

Rittenhouse shot three folks, two fatally, at a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin following the police capturing of Jacob Blake in August 2020. Rittenhouse was later acquitted of all fees in connection to the capturing.

Following the announcement of Rittenhouse as a visitor, the pageant’s headliner, Evergreen Terrace, introduced in a press release on social media that they had been pulling out of the pageant.

“Evergreen Terrace has all the time supported and continues to help philanthropic occasions for veterans, PTSD consciousness, little one poverty, and plenty of extra, however we is not going to align with an occasion selling a perceived assassin akin to Kyle Rittenhouse capitalizing off of their pseudo superstar. Sadly we didn’t do our due diligence with this explicit occasion. Even after they provided to drag Kyle from the occasion, we found a number of related entities that we merely don’t agree with. As advocates without spending a dime speech we’re respectfully canceling the Shell Shock pageant. We shall be personally contributing to a veterans charity and urge you to do the identical. The promoters have been nothing lower than understanding,” the assertion stated partly.

Evergreen Terrace introduced in a Fb submit Thursday that the group is organizing a present with different bands that dropped out of Shell Shock, including that proceeds would profit “an related veterans group.”

“We play exhibits, not rallies,” the submit stated in its conclusion.

Different bands that dropped from the pageant embody Southpaw, American Hole and Let Me Bleed, in line with Loudwire.

The Antihero Podcast, who’s sponsoring the pageant, stated in an Instagram submit that “that is now about greater than live performance.”

“This can be a battle of ideology,” the submit stated.

In keeping with Loudwire, the pageant will now be headlined by SiC, a Slipknot cowl band originating from Texas.