The NFL Week 17 schedule kicks off with two Christmas Day video games Wednesday between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.

This is what you should know earlier than the NFL Week 17 matchups immediately, together with instances, TV channels, streaming info, NFL Week 17 announcers, NFL Week 17 odds and NFL Week 17 predictions for the sport.

The Chiefs are coming off a 27-19 win in opposition to the Texans of their NFL Week 16 sport.

The Steelers misplaced to the Ravens, 34-17.

Kansas Metropolis enters its sport with a 14-1 report. Pittsburgh is 10-5 on the season. Baltimore is 10-5. Houston is 9-6.

NFL Week 17 picks: Chiefs vs Steelers | Ravens vs Texans | Seahawks vs Bears | Chargers vs Patriots | Broncos vs Bengals | Cardinals vs Rams | Colts vs Giants | Jets vs Payments | Titans vs Jaguars | Cowboys vs Eagles | Raiders vs Saints | Panthers vs Buccaneers | Dolphins vs Browns | Packers vs Vikings | Falcons vs Commanders | Lions vs 49ers | The Arizona Republic’s predictions

What instances are NFL Christmas Day video games immediately?

Wednesday’s Chiefs vs Steelers sport is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. MST, 1 p.m. ET.

The Ravens vs Texans sport immediately begins at 2:30 p.m. MST, 4:30 p.m. ET.

NFL Week 17 schedule:Tv channels, methods to watch, stream video games this week

What channels are NFL Christmas Day video games on immediately?

The Christmas video games between the Chiefs and Steelers and Ravens and Texans will not be on TV and are solely accessible by streaming.

NFL energy rankings Week 17:Vikings, Ravens, Commanders, Rams or Chargers win Tremendous Bowl?

Methods to watch NFL Christmas Day video games in native markets

The Netflix NFL Christmas Day video games will likely be simulcast on native TV in native markets.

For the Chiefs vs Steelers sport, it can air on KCTV Channel 5 in Kansas Metropolis and KDKA Channel 2 in Pittsburgh.

The Ravens vs Texans sport could be seen on WJZ Channel 13 in Baltimore and KHOU Channel 11 in Houston.

NFL playoff eventualities Week 17:How Chargers, Broncos, Rams, Falcons, Commanders can clinch

How can I stream NFL Christmas video games immediately?

The NFL video games immediately will stream solely on Netflix.

NFL playoff image Week 17:Colts, Dolphins, Bengals, Buccaneers and Seahawks alive

Who’re the announcers for Christmas NFL video games immediately?

Ian Eagle could have the play-by-play name for the Chiefs-Steelers sport, with Nate Burleson and J.J. Watt as analysts.

Ravens-Texans will likely be known as by Noah Eagle (play-by-play) and Greg Olsen (analyst).

NFL Week 17 announcers:Tv broadcasters, asserting crews for NFL Week 17 schedule

Who’re the favorites in NFL Christmas Day odds immediately?

The Chiefs are a 2.5-point favourite over the Steelers in NFL Week 17 odds for the sport, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.

Kansas Metropolis is -145 on the moneyline, whereas Pittsburgh is +120.

The over/below (level whole) is about at 43.5 factors.

The Ravens are a 5.5-point favourite over the Texans in NFL Week 17 odds for the sport, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.

Baltimore is -225 on the moneyline, whereas Houston is +185.

The over/below (level whole) is about at 46.5 factors.

NFL Week 17 odds:Who’s favored in each sport this week?

Who will win NFL Christmas Day video games immediately?

The Arizona Republic is predicting a 24-20 win for the Steelers over the Chiefs within the first Christmas Day sport.

Different websites’ NFL Week 17 picks and NFL Week 17 predictions lean with the Chiefs to win in opposition to the Steelers on Wednesday, the primary sport on the NFL Week 17 schedule.

The Republic is predicting a 30-20 win for the Ravens over the Texans within the second sport Wednesday.

Different websites’ NFL Week 17 picks and NFL Week 17 predictions are additionally taking the Ravens to win in opposition to the Texans immediately.

NFL Week 17 predictions:ESPN matchup predictor’s picks, win possibilities for this week

NFL Week 17 picks, predictions:Chiefs-Steelers, Ravens-Texans, Falcons-Commanders, extra

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ABBOTT PARK, In poor health., Dec. 23, 2024 — Abbott introduced immediately it has reached an settlement with DexCom, Inc. to settle all excellent patent disputes between the businesses in circumstances associated to steady glucose monitoring merchandise.

The settlement will outcome within the dismissal of all pending circumstances in courts and patent places of work worldwide. It additionally features a provision that the events is not going to litigate patent, commerce gown, and design rights disputes with one another for the subsequent 10 years. There are not any monetary funds related to the settlement from both Abbott or Dexcom.

Abbott considers this settlement a constructive improvement, because it permits the corporate to totally concentrate on supporting individuals with diabetes with its applied sciences and providers.

Particulars of the settlement are confidential.

About Abbott:
Abbott is a world healthcare chief that helps individuals dwell extra absolutely in any respect levels of life. Our portfolio of life-changing applied sciences spans the spectrum of healthcare, with main companies and merchandise in diagnostics, medical units, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve individuals in additional than 160 international locations. Join with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Fb, Instagram, X and YouTube.

For additional info: Abbott Media: Kate Dyer, (224) 668-9965; Abbott Monetary: Michael Comilla, (224) 668-1872

Followers of the NFL could must open their wallets to verify they catch each Week 17 sport this yr.

The NFL will make its Netflix debut this yr with two video games set to be broadcast on the streaming large’s platform on Christmas. The transfer has left soccer followers with questions on how they’re going to be capable to watch the doubleheader function.

One of many largest questions is whether or not a Netflix subscription might be required to observe each video games. For followers residing exterior of the native markets for every sport – Baltimore, Houston, Kansas Metropolis and Pittsburgh – the reply is: technically, no.

Here is the total breakdown on viewing choices for the NFL’s Christmas doubleheader in 2024:

Do I would like a Netflix subscription to observe the NFL Christmas video games?

The quick reply is sure.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The most recent NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and extra.

Netflix and the NFL partnered forward of the 2024 season for the rights to broadcast a minimum of one sport on Christmas by the 2026 season. In consequence, the only manner for followers to observe each video games this yr is on Netflix.

NFL viewers can subscribe to any Netflix plan – from their “normal with adverts” possibility for $6.99/month to “premium” at $22.99/month – to get entry to Wednesday’s doubleheader broadcast.

Nevertheless, there are a couple of notable exceptions.

Followers with a subscription to the NFL’s premium subscription service, NFL+, can stream every sport on their cell gadget utilizing the NFL app.

As well as, soccer followers who dwell in one of many native markets of the competing groups on Christmas can watch that group’s sport on their native CBS affiliate station.

That’s to say, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs followers residing in Kansas Metropolis and Pittsburgh Steelers followers residing in Pittsburgh have entry to a neighborhood broadcast of the Steelers-Chiefs sport on their respective associates. The identical is true for Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans followers residing in Baltimore or Houston.

Here is the listing of native associates that may carry the 2 NFL Christmas video games:

• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
  • CBS-PIT: KDKA
  • CBS-KC: KCTV
• Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens
  • CBS-HOU: KHOU
  • CBS-BAL: WJZ-TV

Christmas NFL video games 2024

Each of this yr’s Christmas NFL video games are potential previews for AFC playoff matchups.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Venue: Acrisure Stadium
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Streaming: Netflix
• Channel: Native CBS affiliate (Pittsburgh, Kansas Metropolis markets ONLY)

Since Christmas falls on a Wednesday this yr, all 4 of the competing groups will play on Saturday in Week 16 with a view to get an additional day of relaxation.

The Chiefs might be coming off a sport towards the Texans that might push them one step nearer to clinching the AFC’s No. 1 seed in the event that they win. For the Steelers, a Saturday win over the Ravens would give them the head-to-head sweep they should clinch the AFC North title.

When Kansas Metropolis and Pittsburgh face off on Christmas, it is potential the one factor at stake would be the Steelers’ seeding. Nevertheless, it is also potential that – with a Week 16 loss – Pittsburgh will want a victory Wednesday to keep away from shedding floor within the division race if the Ravens win later within the day.

NFL PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: Ravens, Packers amongst groups that may clinch in Week 16

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

• Location: Houston, Texas
• Venue: NRG Stadium
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
• Streaming: Netflix
• Channel: Native CBS affiliate (Houston, Baltimore markets ONLY)

This sport has extra potential seeding implications.

The Texans have already clinched the AFC South title however might be pushing for a greater playoff place on Christmas, pending another outcomes across the league in Week 16 and the end result of the Chiefs-Steelers sport.

If the Ravens lose in Week 16, their Dec. 25 matchup is likely to be the ultimate factor they should safe a postseason spot. But when they beat the Steelers on Saturday, each Christmas clashes may have large implications for the AFC North title race with only one week left to play.

Donald Trump recommended Sunday that his new administration may attempt to regain management of the Panama Canal that america “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” charges to go by the important transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Panama’s conservative president José Raúl Mulino, who was elected in April on a pro-business platform, roundly rejected that notion as an affront to his nation’s sovereignty.

The Republican president-elect’s remark got here throughout his first main rally since successful the White Home on Nov. 5. He additionally used his feedback to additionally take pleasure in his return to energy as a big viewers of conservatives cheered alongside. It was a show of get together unity at odds with a just-concluded price range battle on Capitol Hill the place some GOP lawmakers overtly defied their chief’s calls for.

Addressing supporters at Turning Level USA’s AmericaFest in Arizona, Trump pledged that his “dream group Cupboard” would ship a booming economic system, seal U.S. borders and rapidly settle wars within the Center East and Ukraine.

“I can proudly proclaim that the Golden Age of America is upon us,” Trump stated. “There’s a spirit that now we have now that we didn’t have simply a short time in the past.”

His look capped a four-day pep rally that drew greater than 20,000 activists and projected a picture of Republican cohesion regardless of the previous week’s turbulence in Washington with Trump pulling strings from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida as Congress labored to keep away from a authorities shutdown heading into the Christmas vacation.

Home Republicans spiked a bipartisan deal after Trump and Elon Musk, his billionaire ally, expressed their opposition on social media. Funds hawks flouted Trump’s request to boost the nation’s debt ceiling, which might have spared some new rounds of the identical battle after he takes workplace Jan. 20, 2025, with Republicans holding slim management of the Home and Senate. The ultimate settlement didn’t deal with the difficulty and there was no shutdown.

Trump, in his remarks in Phoenix, didn’t point out the congressional drama, although he did reference Musk’s rising energy. To strategies that “President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon,” Trump made clear, “No, no. That’s not occurring.”

“He’s not gonna be president,” Trump stated.

The president-elect opened the speech by saying that “we wish to attempt to deliver everyone collectively. We’re going to strive. We’re going to actually give it a shot.” Then he recommended Democrats have “misplaced their confidence” and are “befuddled” after the election however finally will ”come over to our aspect as a result of we wish to have them.”

Atop a listing of grievances — some outdated, some new — was the Panama Canal.

“We’re being ripped off on the Panama Canal,” he stated, bemoaning that his nation ”foolishly gave it away.”

The USA constructed the Panama canal within the early 1900s, because it regarded for tactics to facilitate the transit of business and army vessels between its coasts. Washington relinquished management of the waterway to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, underneath a treaty signed in 1977 underneath President Jimmy Carter.

The canal is dependent upon reservoirs to function its locks and was closely affected by 2023 Central American droughts that pressured it to considerably scale back the variety of day by day slots for crossing ships. With fewer ships utilizing the canal every day, directors additionally elevated the charges which are charged all shippers for reserving a slot.

With climate returning to regular within the later months of this 12 months, transit on the canal has normalized. However worth will increase are nonetheless anticipated for subsequent 12 months.

Mulino, Panama’s president, has been described as a conservative populist who aligns with Trump on many points. Panama is a robust U.S. ally and the canal is essential for its economic system, producing about one-fifth of that authorities’s annual income.

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Nonetheless, Trump stated, that, as soon as his second time period is underway, “If the ideas, each ethical and authorized, of this magnanimous gesture of giving aren’t adopted, then we’ll demand that the Panama Canal be returned to america of America, in full, rapidly and with out query.”

“I’m not going to face for it,” Trump stated. “So to the officers of Panama, please be guided accordingly.”

He didn’t clarify how that will be attainable.

A short while after Trump’s speech, Mulino launched a video declaring that “each sq. meter of the canal belongs to Panama and can proceed to belong” to his nation.

With out mentioning Trump by title, Mulino addressed the president-elect’s complaints over rising charges for ships crossing the canal, saying that they’re set by consultants who take note of operational prices, and provide and demand components.

“The tariffs aren’t set on a whim” Mulino stated. He famous that Panama has expanded the canal through the years to extend ship site visitors “by itself initiative,” and added that delivery price will increase assist pay for enhancements.

“Panamanians might have totally different views on many points” Mulino stated. “However in the case of our canal, and our sovereignty, we’ll all unite underneath our Panamanian flag.”

The canal apart, Trump’s look at Turning Level’s annual gathering affirmed the rising affect the group and its founder, Charlie Kirk, have had within the conservative motion. Kirk’s group employed hundreds of subject organizers throughout presidential battlegrounds, serving to Trump make key beneficial properties amongst rare voters and different teams of people who have trended extra Democratic in current many years, together with youthful voters, Black males and Latino males.

”You had Turning Level’s grassroots armies,” Trump stated. “It’s not my victory, it’s your victory.”

Earlier Sunday, Trump stated that Stephen Miran, who labored on the Treasury Division in Trump’s first time period, was his alternative to steer the Council of Financial Advisers.

And Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt introduced he was donating $1.1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund to enhance the $14 million that he stated he already had given to the Make America Nice Once more Inc. tremendous political motion committee — making him one of many president-elect’s high donors.

Pratt is chairman of Pratt Industries, which makes use of recycled paper and containers as a uncooked materials in a course of that produces new cardboard.

Weissert reported from West Palm Seashore, Florida. Related Press author Manuel Rueda in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report.

Hanukkah, Judaism’s eight-day Pageant of Lights, begins this yr on Christmas Day, which has solely occurred 4 occasions since 1900.

For some rabbis, the intersection of the 2 non secular holidays gives an auspicious event for interfaith engagement.

“This is usually a profound alternative for studying and collaboration and togetherness,” mentioned Rabbi Josh Stanton, a vice chairman of the Jewish Federations of North America. He oversees interfaith initiatives involving the 146 native and regional Jewish federations that his group represents.

“The purpose is just not proselytizing; it is studying deeply from one another,” he mentioned. “It is others seeing you as you see your self.”

One instance of togetherness: a Chicanukah social gathering hosted Thursday night by a number of Jewish organizations in Houston, bringing collectively members of town’s Latino and Jewish communities for a “cross cultural vacation celebration.” The venue: Houston’s Holocaust museum.

The meals on provide was a mix of the 2 cultures – for instance a latke bar that includes guacamole, chili con queso and pico de gallo, in addition to applesauce and bitter cream. The doughnut-like pastries have been sufganiyot – a Hanukkah specialty – and buñuelos, And the mariachi band took a crack at taking part in the Jewish people tune “Hava Nagila.”

“What actually brings us collectively is our shared values – our religion, our households, our heritage,” mentioned Erica Winsor, public affairs officer for the Jewish Federation of Better Houston.

Rabbi Peter Tarlow, govt director of the Houston-based Heart for Latino-Jewish Relations, mentioned the primary Chicanukah occasion 12 years in the past drew 20 individuals, whereas this yr the group numbered about 300, and will have been bigger had not attendance been capped. He mentioned the party-goers have been a roughly even mixture of Latinos – a few of them Jews with Latin American origins – and “Anglo” Jews.

“There’s an excessive amount of hate, an excessive amount of separation in opposition to each Jews and Latinos,” Tarlow mentioned. “It is a means we are able to come collectively and present we help one another.”

Whereas Hanukkah is meant as an upbeat, celebratory vacation, rabbis observe that it is going down this yr amid persevering with conflicts involving Israeli forces within the Center East, and apprehension over widespread incidents of antisemitism.

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, govt vice chairman of the Orthodox Union, acknowledged that many Jews could also be feeling anxious heading into Hanukkah this yr. However he voiced confidence that almost all would keep the important thing custom: the lighting of candles on menorah candelabras and displaying the place they’re seen via family home windows and in public areas.

“The posture of our group – with out stridency, simply with dedication – is that the menorah needs to be in our home windows, in a spot the place the general public sees it,” Hauer mentioned.

“It’s much less for us, the Jewish group, than for the world,” he added. “Now we have to share that gentle. Placing the menorah within the window is our expression of working to be a light-weight among the many nations.”

Hauer concurred with Stanton that this yr’s overlap of Hanukkah and Christmas is “an distinctive alternative to see and expertise the variety of America and the variety of its communities of religion.”

Rabbi Motti Seligson, public relations director for the Hasidic motion Chabad-Lubavitch, famous that this yr marks the fiftieth anniversary of a milestone within the public lightings of menorahs. It was on Dec. 8, 1974 – as a part of an initiative launched by the Lubavitcher chief, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson – {that a} menorah was lit exterior Philadelphia’s Independence Corridor, the place the Liberty Bell was housed on the time.

“Hanukkah is a celebration of spiritual liberty, in order that it is not taken without any consideration,” Seligson mentioned. “One of many methods of doing that’s by celebrating it publicly.”

He mentioned Chabad was organizing about 15,000 public menorah lightings this yr via its quite a few branches around the globe.

“There actually is a few apprehension,” Seligson mentioned, referring to issues about antisemitism and political friction. “Some individuals query whether or not Jews might be celebrating as overtly as prior to now.”

“What I am listening to is there is no means that we will not,” he added. “The one means via these tough occasions is by standing stronger and prouder and shining brighter than ever.”

Stanton concurred.

“By means of our historical past, we have been via moments which can be straightforward and moments which can be laborious,” he mentioned. “Security for us doesn’t come from hiding. It comes from reaching out.”

Why is Hanukkah so late this yr? The straightforward reply is that the Jewish calendar is predicated on lunar cycles, and isn’t in sync with the Gregorian calendar which units Christmas on Dec. 25. Hanukkah all the time begins on the twenty fifth day of the Jewish month of Kislev, a date which happens between late November and late December on the Gregorian calendar.

The final time Hanukkah started on Christmas Day was in 2005. However the time period “Chrismukkah” – signifying the overlap of the 2 holidays – had turn into a well-liked time period earlier than then. The time period gained further foreign money in 2003, when the character Seth Cohen on the TV drama “The O.C.” embraced the fusion vacation as a tribute to his Jewish father and Protestant mom.

This season, the Hallmark Channel launched a brand new Christmas film referred to as “Leah’s Good Reward,” depicting a younger Jewish lady who had admired Christmas from a distance, and will get an opportunity to expertise it up shut when her boyfriend invitations her to spend the vacations together with his household. Spoiler alert: All doesn’t go easily.

Regardless of such storylines suggesting a fascination with Christmas amongst some Jews, Stanton says analysis by the Jewish Federations reveals a surge in Jews searching for deeper connections to their very own traditions and group, in addition to a surge in Jews volunteering for charitable actions throughout the holidays.

“The chance is to share with others how we have fun Hanukkah,” he mentioned. “It is a vacation of freedom, hope, exhibiting proudly you’re Jewish.” ___

Related Press faith protection receives help via the AP’s collaboration with The Dialog US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely liable for this content material.

Getty Pictures

Trump hits the standard themes

Incident not the results of ‘hostile fireplace’, says US navy, as Yemen’s Houthis declare their assault on US service introduced the plane down.

Two United States navy pilots have been shot down over the Purple Sea in an obvious “pleasant fireplace” incident, says the US navy.

Yemen’s Houthi fighters afterward Sunday claimed that they had “focused” the plane service USS Harry S Truman a day earlier in an operation that led to “capturing down an F-18 plane”.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated each pilots had been recovered alive after ejecting from their plane, which was struck early on Sunday, with one struggling minor accidents.

This incident “was not the results of hostile fireplace, and a full investigation is underway”, CENTCOM stated, including that the plane had simply flown off the deck of Truman.

The Houthis have repeatedly attacked Israel-linked ships within the Purple Sea and Gulf of Aden, waterways important to world commerce. The group says its assaults are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, the place Israel has been waging a genocide for greater than a yr, killing greater than 45,000 folks.

In a video assertion, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree stated the group additionally launched eight drones and 17 cruise missiles in its assault.

Nevertheless, CENTCOM stated warships and plane earlier shot down a number of Houthi drones and an antiship cruise missile launched by the Yemeni rebels.

Netanyahu pledges revenge in opposition to Houthis

In the meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday pledged to retaliate in opposition to Houthi rebels after they fired a missile at Tel Aviv, warning that Israel would goal what he described because the final remaining arm of “Iran’s axis of evil”.

The Houthis struck Israel’s business hub on Saturday with what they claimed was a ballistic missile, injuring 16 folks and forcing many to depart their houses following the predawn assault.

“As we acted with power in opposition to the terrorist arms of Iran’s axis of evil, so we are going to act in opposition to the Houthis… with power, willpower and class,” Netanyahu stated in a video assertion.

Saturday’s strike on Tel Aviv was the second such assault on Israel by the Houthis this week, and certainly one of a number of because the battle in Gaza broke out.

US and British forces have repeatedly struck insurgent targets in Yemen in response to Houthi assaults on transport within the Purple Sea and Gulf of Aden. Israel has additionally beforehand struck the Houthis, together with hitting ports and vitality services, after insurgent assaults in opposition to its territory.

The most recent Israeli assault in opposition to the Houthis was on Thursday, with Israeli warplanes putting Sanaa for the primary time.

For NFL groups, quarterback succession plans will be one of many hardest procedures to tug off. Simply ask the Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta stunned folks across the league on the 2024 NFL Draft when it chosen former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 choose one month after signing veteran QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. The scrutinized resolution was later defended by staff administration as a safeguard transfer to keep away from quarterback purgatory.

The plan seemed to be that the 24-year-old Penix would research underneath Cousins earlier than ultimately taking on as QB1 down the street. However eight months later, with Cousins in 12 months considered one of his contract and the staff’s first playoff look in seven years nonetheless in attain, the Falcons already appear prepared to maneuver on. After Cousins underwhelmed on Monday evening, the most recent in a string of subpar performances, Atlanta introduced it could bench the veteran in favor of Penix, who will make his first profession begin towards the New York Giants this Sunday.

“You’re seeing the consequence of when rigorously thought by way of plans go awry,” former NFL super-agent Leigh Steinberg mentioned in a cellphone interview. “That should have been an excoriating resolution for the coach and entrance workplace.”

The american has all of the sudden destabilized the staff’s quarterback scenario whereas creating a possible expensive transition for the Falcons, who’re on the hook to pay Cousins $27.5 million subsequent season assured no matter whether or not the 14 begins he’s made this season are it for him with the franchise. Within the occasion the Falcons minimize or commerce him, his useless cap hit would nonetheless probably dent their roster-building flexibility by way of 2026.

“If you happen to received’t play your franchise quarterback with closely assured cash in a important circumstance since you imagine you might have a greater likelihood to win with (Penix), it’s like a hand grenade thrown in the course of this well-thought out plan,” mentioned Steinberg, who has represented a document eight No. 1 draft picks, together with former Falcons star quarterback Steve Bartkowski.

The Inexperienced Bay Packers are arguably the league’s finest at quarterback succession planning. For over 20 years, they have been led on the place by present and future Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers in Brett Favre (now retired) and Aaron Rodgers (now with the New York Jets). Packers starter Jordan Love, who changed Rodgers final 12 months after serving because the backup for 3 seasons, has been thought-about for Professional Bowl honors and continues to indicate promise. No less than sufficient for the franchise to signal him to a four-year, $220 million deal (together with a document $75 million signing bonus), making him one of many league’s highest-paid gamers.

Each NFL staff aspires for that degree of continuity and stability. It’s tough to execute. Circumstances just like the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs deciding on reigning Tremendous Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes within the first spherical in 2017 whereas nonetheless having then-veteran starter Alex Smith are rarer than gold. It’s extra widespread for normal managers to snag a possible long-term starter within the draft and pray they’ll be prepared when their quantity known as. Daniel Jones, Trey Lance, Zach Wilson, Kenny Pickett, Mac Jones and Mitchell Trubisky all didn’t adequately substitute their groups’ incumbents.

The Falcons’ opponent this week has had its personal quarterback drama because it nonetheless tries to fill the sneakers left by Eli Manning 5 years in the past. The Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts are further groups that may very well be eyeing a brand new franchise quarterback this upcoming draft in April.

Thus, the Falcons are solely the most recent staff to exemplify why seamless quarterback succession plans are powerful to efficiently full. Atlanta has had a spot since buying and selling its all-time passing chief Matt Ryan in 2022. The offseason strikes to pay Cousins greater than anybody on this 12 months’s free-agent class and choose Penix regardless of different positional wants was maybe an overcorrection. Now, the staff is gazing a possible useless cap variety of $65 million, which might be second all-time behind Russell Wilson, who left Denver earlier this 12 months with a complete useless cap worth of $85 million, the biggest in NFL historical past. If the Falcons launch Cousins after June 1, although, they are often unfold the hit over two years and take in a $40 million cap cost subsequent season as a substitute.

Whereas the Falcons have pushed the button on their succession plan sooner than anticipated, the lefty Penix might rise to the event regardless of restricted preseason recreation reps. The choice to present assured money to a then-35-year-old Cousins coming off an Achilles harm will be forgiven if Penix can remind folks why he was one of the crucial electrical gamers in faculty soccer final 12 months. He completed second in Heisman Trophy balloting whereas throwing for practically 5,000 yards and main the Huskies to the nationwide championship recreation.

Cousins, who has greater than $294 million in profession earnings, has handed the torch with class, however it stays to be seen whether or not his understudy is prepared for the lead function. It’s unsure what expectations the staff now has for Penix this season, however it’s clear that the Falcons’ QB technique is in overdrive and represents the league-wide dilemma introduced to groups which have handed out assured cash and later need to unseat that participant.

“This can be a very dramatic transfer to make this late within the season within the midst making an attempt to be a wild-card staff,” Steinberg added. “It sends a transparent sign that in a time of disaster they’re turning to a younger quarterback.”

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates –

Two U.S. navy pilots had been shot down Sunday over the Pink Sea in an obvious “pleasant hearth” incident, the usmilitary stated, marking probably the most severe incident to threaten troops in over a 12 months of America focusing on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Each aviators had been recovered alive after ejecting from their stricken two-seat F/A-18 plane, with one struggling minor accidents. However the shootdown underlines simply how harmful the Pink Sea hall has change into, with ongoing assaults on transport by the Iranian-backed Houthis regardless of U.S. and European navy coalitions patrolling the world.

The U.S. navy had performed airstrikes focusing on Yemen’s Houthi rebels on the time of the pleasant hearth incident, although the U.S. navy’s Central Command didn’t elaborate on what the pilots’ mission was and didn’t reply to questions from The Related Press.

The F/A-18 shot down had simply flown off the deck of the usHarry S. Truman plane service, Central Command stated. On Dec. 15, Central Command acknowledged the Truman had entered the Mideast, however hadn’t specified that the service and its battle group was within the Pink Sea.

“The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is a part of the usHarry S. Truman Service Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Central Command stated in a press release. “This incident was not the results of hostile hearth, and a full investigation is underway.”

From the navy’s description, the plane shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Tremendous Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Pink Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. Whereas Central Command referred to each as pilots, usually a two-seat F/A-18 has a pilot and a weapons officer on board.

It wasn’t instantly clear how the Gettysburg may mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy plane or missile, notably as ships in a battle group stay linked by each radar and radio communication.

Nevertheless, Central Command stated that warships and plane earlier shot down a number of Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels. Incoming hostile hearth from the Houthis has given sailors simply seconds to make selections prior to now.

For the reason that Truman’s arrival, the U.S. has stepped up its airstrikes focusing on the Houthis and their missile hearth into the Pink Sea and the encompassing space. Nevertheless, the presence of an American warship group might spark renewed assaults from the rebels, like what the usDwight D. Eisenhower noticed earlier this 12 months. That deployment marked what the navy described as its most intense fight since World Struggle II.

On Saturday night time and early Sunday, U.S. warplanes performed airstrikes that shook Sanaa, the capital of Yemen which the Houthis have held since 2014. Central Command described the strikes as focusing on a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility,” with out elaborating.

Houthi-controlled media reported strikes in each Sanaa and across the port metropolis of Hodeida, with out providing any casualty or injury data. In Sanaa, strikes appeared notably focused at a mountainside identified to be house to navy installations. Nevertheless, there have been no photographs or data launched concerning the strikes — which has occurred beforehand when airstrikes hit very important services for the rebels.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi navy spokesman, launched a prerecorded assertion hours later during which he claimed the rebels launched eight drones and 17 cruise missiles of their assault. He additionally claimed with out providing any proof that the Houthis shot down the F/A-18, seemingly following a sample of him making exaggerated claims. Through the Eisenhower’s deployment, he repeatedly falsely claimed the service had been struck by Houthi hearth.

The Houthis have focused about 100 service provider vessels with missiles and drones because the Israel-Hamas conflict within the Gaza Strip began in October 2023 after Hamas’ shock assault on Israel that killed 1,200 individuals and noticed 250 others taken hostage.

Israel’s grinding offensive in Gaza has killed greater than 45,000 Palestinians, native well being officers say. The tally does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

The Houthis have seized one vessel and sunk two in a marketing campaign that has additionally killed 4 sailors. Different missiles and drones have both been intercepted by separate U.S.- and European-led coalitions within the Pink Sea or failed to achieve their targets, which have additionally included western navy vessels.

The rebels keep that they aim ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the UK to power an finish to Israel’s marketing campaign in opposition to Hamas in Gaza. Nevertheless, most of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the battle, together with some sure for Iran.

The Houthis even have more and more focused Israel itself with drones and missiles, leading to retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated his nation would act “forcefully” in opposition to the Houthis, because it has in opposition to different allies of Iran, “solely on this case, we’re not performing alone.” Israeli media stories late Sunday, counting on nameless sources, steered senior safety officers imagine that Israel ought to straight strike Iran over the Houthi assaults, somewhat than hit targets in Yemen once more.

The week main as much as Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Texans concerned questions on how efficient Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes can be taking part in via an ankle damage and it did not take lengthy to get a solution.

Mahomes capped the primary Chiefs possession of the afternoon with a 15-yard landing run. Mahomes mentioned he did not really feel like he was “setting a tone” with the play however it served that function because the Chiefs went on for a 27-19 win that places them on the verge of clinching the primary total seed within the AFC playoffs.

After the win, Mahomes mentioned he takes a variety of pleasure in having the ability to persevere when he is not feeling 100%.

“I ask so much from the fellows round me and, so, I really feel like if I will ask them to play via ache, if I will ask them to play via little nicks and bruises and stuff like that, I’ve obtained to do it,” Mahomes mentioned. “That is one thing that I pleasure myself on, is being on the market with my guys and taking part in soccer. I am not going to place us able to be in a foul spot or lose a soccer recreation, but when I really feel like I can compete and win, I will be out on that soccer area.”

Mahomes will handle the ankle between now and Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the Steelers. A win in that recreation or a Payments loss to the Patriots on Sunday will make them the No. 1 seed.