Tag Archives: interception

general

Rams thump Cardinals to stay tied atop NFC West

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — Matthew Stafford threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, while Puka Nacua and Blake Corum both scored twice as the Los Angeles Rams dominated the Arizona Cardinals 45-17 on Sunday to stay tied for the NFC West lead.

The Rams (10-3) scored 35 unanswered points to bounce back from last week’s turnover-filled loss to the Carolina Panthers, securing their seventh win in eight games. They now share the division lead with the Seattle Seahawks and hold a one-game lead over the San Francisco 49ers.

The struggling Cardinals (3-10) have lost five straight and 10 of their past 11 games after a strong 2-0 start to the season.

Los Angeles fell into an early 7-0 hole but rallied to take a 24-10 lead by halftime. The Rams scored just before the break on a beautiful 28-yard pass from Stafford to Nacua, who had six catches for 136 yards in the first half. The Rams also found the end zone on a pair of 2-yard runs by Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.

In the first half, Los Angeles totaled 306 yards, finishing the game with 530 yards of offense.

The Rams maintained their momentum into the second half, scoring another touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Stafford to Colby Parkinson that extended their lead to 31-10.

Los Angeles capped their offensive onslaught with two quick touchdowns to start their next possession. After Nate Landman intercepted Jacoby Brissett’s pass late in the third quarter, Stafford connected with Nacua for a 31-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 38-10.

On the following drive, Corum broke free against a flat-footed Cardinals defense for a 48-yard touchdown run, putting the Rams up 45-10.

Stafford completed 22 of 31 passes. Nacua finished with 167 receiving yards, while Corum rushed for 128 yards.

The injury-depleted Cardinals struck first with a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game, thanks to a crisp five-play, 67-yard drive that culminated in Brissett’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson.

Wilson caught 11 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Brissett, starting his eighth straight game in place of injured starter Kyler Murray, completed 25 of 44 passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Tight end Trey McBride had five catches for 58 yards, marking his 15th consecutive game with at least five receptions — tying the all-time mark for a tight end previously set by Travis Kelce.

Arizona has now suffered another lopsided loss to a division rival this season, following defeats to the Seahawks (44-22 in Week 10) and the 49ers (41-22 in Week 11). The Rams have won 15 of their past 18 meetings against the Cardinals.

Injuries: Rams cornerback Darious Williams (tibia) was among five inactives for the game.

Up Next: [Insert upcoming games or schedule here]

https://www.ocregister.com/2025/12/07/rams-thump-cardinals-to-stay-tied-atop-nfc-west/

general

Josh Allen sets career mark for rushing TDs by a QB as the Bills mash the reeling Steelers 26-7

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Allen threw for a touchdown and ran for another, Joey Bosa sacked Aaron Rodgers to set up Christian Benford’s game-tilting, 17-yard scoop-and-score, and the Buffalo Bills dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 26-7 victory on Sunday.

Buffalo (8-4) bounced back from a loss at Houston by overpowering Pittsburgh (6-6) up front. James Cook ran for 144 yards as the Bills piled up 249 yards on the ground and controlled the clock for nearly 42 minutes inside a blustery Acrisure Stadium. The swirling winds at one of the league’s trickiest venues made passing nearly impossible.

Allen completed 15 of 23 passes for 123 yards, throwing an interception and a 3-yard scoring toss to Keon Coleman, who returned to the active roster after missing two weeks due to disciplinary issues. The reigning MVP essentially put the game away early in the fourth quarter when he bulldozed across the goal line from 8 yards out, giving the Bills a 16-point lead.

That rushing touchdown was the 76th of Allen’s career, breaking the NFL record for touchdown runs by a quarterback that he briefly shared with Cam Newton.

Missing both starting offensive tackles and facing one of the league’s best pass rushes, the Bills kept their game plan simple. They attacked Pittsburgh’s leaky run defense repeatedly, and whenever Buffalo appeared on the verge of sputtering, Allen extended drives with his legs.

Things didn’t go as smoothly for Pittsburgh. Rodgers, playing with a brace protecting his broken left wrist, was largely ineffective. He missed part of a drive early in the second half after being drilled by Bosa on the first play of the third quarter. Rodgers fumbled on that play, and Benford scooped up the loose ball and sprinted to the end zone, turning a 7-3 halftime deficit into a 10-7 lead for Buffalo.

The 41-year-old quarterback left the field with a bloody nose. Mason Rudolph filled in for Rodgers for a series and threw an interception that again ended up in Benford’s hands.

Buffalo then marched 56 yards in eight plays, and Allen’s fourth-down flip to Coleman gave the Bills firm control of the game.

Rodgers returned but finished 10 of 21 for 117 yards as the Steelers suffered their fifth loss in seven games and were frequently booed by home fans.

Despite the slump, Pittsburgh remains tied with Baltimore for the AFC North lead, with the rivals set to meet twice over the final five weeks of the season.

Buffalo’s hopes of catching AFC East-leading New England remain alive. The type of tough, ground-focused football the Bills displayed in the late-November chill could serve them well down the stretch.

**Injuries:**

– **Bills:** Joey Bosa sustained a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter and did not return with Buffalo leading comfortably.

– **Steelers:** Linebacker Patrick Queen exited late in the first half with a right hip injury and did not return. Cornerback James Pierre left in the second half after entering concussion protocol.

**Up Next:**

– **Bills:** Host Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday.

– **Steelers:** Visit Baltimore next Sunday, hoping to bounce back and take control of the division.
https://mymotherlode.com/sports/nfl-game-stories/10248018/josh-allen-sets-career-mark-for-rushing-tds-by-a-qb-as-the-bills-mash-the-reeling-steelers-26-7.html

general

Frederick: This Vikings’ offense is woeful, and seems to be getting worse

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The Vikings’ offensive performance on Sunday in Green Bay was the kind you’d see from a 3-12 team playing out the string in a pointless Week 17 tilt long after being eliminated from playoff contention. Of a team that was on its backup quarterback and had its fanbase saying, “We have to get a better No. 2 next offseason so we don’t have to go through THIS again.” Of a team that did not have any interest in opening up its playbook, and when it was finally forced to, you understood why. Minnesota managed 4 total yards of offense in the second half of a 23-6 loss to Green Bay on Sunday. That number dips below zero if you include a 5-yard loss on a false start infraction. The second half drive chart: 3 and out 3 and out 3 and out interception interception The offensive highlights of the final 30 minutes were sacks of J. J. McCarthy, where the quarterback was ruled down at his own 1-yard line rather than them being ruled safeties. The game was over the moment Minnesota went down multiple scores after a blunder by Myles Price on a punt return. The Vikings couldn’t block Packers star edge rusher Micah Parsons, or anyone else on Green Bay’s defensive front. McCarthy isn’t nearly good enough at this juncture to operate the offense under the most optimal conditions, as proven last week in a 19-17 loss to Chicago wherein Minnesota played 58 minutes of putrid offense . at home . against one of the worst defenses in football. When facing a good defense in a bad script? Forget it, it’s over. It’s non-competitive. Minnesota’s offense is an eyesore. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell admitted postgame to reporters that his team’s margin for error is “razor thin” at the moment. The narrow path to victory he described sounded like a team hoping to milk the clock to shorten the game and win 13-10. Never would you have thought this was possible in the O’Connell era. In the coach’s previous three seasons guiding the Vikings’ offense, Minnesota has ranked sixth, fifth and sixth in the NFL in passing yards. That includes a season in which Josh Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall took turns filling in after Kirk Cousins went down with a season-ending injury. Minnesota is averaging 138 yards through the air in McCarthy’s six starts. On a day when they lost by three scores, the Vikings attempted only 19 passes, and even that somehow felt like too many. There was never a guarantee Minnesota would always be good, but with O’Connell, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the assumption was the Vikings would always be fun. Yet this neutered offense is currently one of the toughest watches in football. It can be enjoyable to watch a youthful signal caller learn, develop and blossom, even amid growing pains. But this experiment is getting worse every week. O’Connell and McCarthy keep referring to mechanical changes the 22-year-old is attempting to master and implement on the fly. That process, frankly, feels impossible to complete midseason. It’s currently going about as poorly as you’d expect. As a result, fans likely feel worse and worse about this team with each passing performance. And with playoff odds now sitting south of 5% after this latest loss, what’s the point of tuning in? It’s certainly not for entertainment; there was none of that to be found on Sunday.
https://www.echopress.com/sports/pro/frederick-this-vikings-offense-is-woeful-and-seems-to-be-getting-worse

general

UCF needs second-half heroics to push past Oklahoma State in home finale

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It all began when a few fans climbed to the top of the north side of Acrisure Bounce House Stadium during the second quarter of UCF’s home finale against Oklahoma State. More fans soon joined them, taking off their shirts and waving them defiantly. What started as a small group quickly turned into a wave of shirtless supporters. The trend had taken hold in Orlando and was in full swing on Saturday afternoon. Whatever the cause, this display ignited a spark in a struggling UCF team as the Knights rallied to secure a 17-14 win over the Cowboys on Senior Day. Kicker Noe Ruelas connected on a 34-yard field goal with 57 seconds left for the win. Safety Braeden Marshall intercepted Oklahoma State quarterback Zane Flores to seal the win for the Knights. UCF (5-6, 2-7 Big 12) snapped a three-game losing streak while moving one game closer to being bowl eligible for the first time since the 2023 season. The victory is also the 40th career win for Scott Frost in 8 seasons. Oklahoma State (1-10, 0-8 Big 12) did not resemble a team ranked No. 122 in total offense as the Cowboys efficiently moved down the field on their opening possession. Flores connected with receiver Gavin Freeman in the flat for a 5-yard touchdown, giving them a quick 7-0 lead. It was the third time in the last four games that UCF allowed a touchdown on the opponent’s opening possession. The Knights’ opening possession didn’t go as planned, as pre-snap penalties continued to be a downfall for the team. A false start penalty turned what could have been a manageable 4th-and-1 into a challenging 4th-and-6, ultimately forcing UCF to punt instead of seizing the opportunity to go for it. The defense stepped up on OSU’s next possession, stopping the Cowboys on a 4th-and-1 at the UCF 39 and forcing a turnover on downs. But quarterback Tayven Jackson’s pass to Carl Jenkins Jr. was tipped and intercepted by Oklahoma State cornerback Cam Smith. It was Jackson’s seventh interception of the season and the fifth consecutive game in which he’s thrown a pick. UCF failed to score in the first quarter for the sixth time this season, trailing 7-0. Oklahoma State tacked on an additional touchdown late in the second quarter as Flores scampered six yards into the end zone with 50 seconds left in the half. Jackson was intercepted for the second time on UCF’s next possession as the Knights went into the half scoreless for the first time since the season opener against Jacksonville State on Aug. 28. The redshirt junior redeemed himself a bit to start the second half, finding tight end Dylan Wade wide open racing down the sideline for an 83-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7. It was the longest touchdown pass of the season for the Knights and the second straight game with a touchdown for Wade. It was a back-and-forth affair after that, as both teams struggled to get much going offensively. UCF drove inside Oklahoma State territory, getting to the Cowboys’ 2. But facing a 4th-and-2, Jackson found Wade for his second touchdown of the game, tying things up at 14 apiece with 9: 12 left. It’s been a rough month for UCF. The Knights entered this weekend averaging just 13 points per game in November, scoring just four touchdowns over those three games. On defense, UCF was allowing 36 points per game and 12 touchdowns. UCF wraps up the regular season on the road with a trip to face No. 12 BYU in Provo, Utah, next Saturday. It’s the first time the Knights have ended a season away from Orlando since the 2022 campaign.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/22/ucf-needs-second-half-heroics-to-push-past-oklahoma-state/

general

Late clutch plays spark Giles County girls on road

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If it’s true that defense travels, Giles County’s Lady Bobcats may be the latest evidence. Ashlan Coleman’s interception of a long inbounds pass, and the ensuing free throws after getting fouled, made the difference in the Lady ‘Cats’ 43-42 win Thursday at Summit. The visitors had their offensive struggles throughout the contest, but made things just difficult enough at the [.] TSSAA creates student advisory committee The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association has announced it will launch the TSSAA Student Advisory Committee with 20 students this spring. The committee will serve as a platform for student-athletes to offer input on issues.
https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/basketball-boys/late-clutch-plays-spark-giles-county-girls-on-road/

general

Central Flag Football dominates Irwin County, Lowndes

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THOMASVILLE Thomas County Central’s flag football team closed its regular season on Tuesday with a pair of impressive area victories. It throttled Irwin County 39-0 and Lowndes 19-7. Central won Division 4 Area 1 with a 12-0 record and will host the first and second rounds of the state playoffs on Thursday, Dec. 4 at Thomas County Middle School (TCMS). Central will host Rockdale, while Blessed Trinity and Woodward Academy will play in the other playoff game at TCMS. Central enters the playoffs with a 12-game winning streak. Quarterback Kate Thedford threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns against Lowndes. Lexi Frysz caught seven passes for 98 yards and one touchdown. Jaida Pinkins and Jaden Crews each snagged a touchdown reception. Qua’Mya Yearby recorded seven tackles and one interception to pace the Lady Yellow Jackets’ defense. Teammate Kaaliyah Brooks also tallied an interception. Thedford also threw for 151 yards and three touchdowns against Irwin County, while Frysz added a touchdown toss. Pinkins, Crews and Gracie Floyd each caught three passes for the Lady Yellow Jackets. Pinkins scored two touchdowns, while Crews and Floyd each snagged one score. Yearby paced the Lady Yellow Jackets’ defense again, recording five tackles and one interception.
https://timesenterprise.com/2025/11/20/central-flag-football-dominates-irwin-county-lowndes/

general

Jets Coordinator in Danger of Being Fired Amid Struggles, Says Insider

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There are many reasons the New York Jets find themselves at a disappointing 2-8 record this season. One of the primary issues has been the defense falling apart, raising serious concerns as the team struggles to find stability on that side of the ball.

NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY recently highlighted the uncertain job security of Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks as the 2025 season approaches its conclusion. “I think there is a reason that he has been pretty much one-and-done in a lot of other places. That is a name to keep an eye on. I think when the season ends that is one to watch because if the Jets are going to make changes and Woody [Johnson] is going to demand changes, I don’t think it’s going to be Tanner Engstrand, I think it could be Steve Wilks where they step in and say we want a new voice on defense and I wouldn’t disagree with it at all,” Hughes explained on the show *Jets Final Drive*.

Adding to the concerns, Zack Rosenblatt of *The Athletic* stated, “I have a lot of concerns about the future of this defense, and honestly, the person calling the plays on defense, I have some concerns about.”

### The Jets’ Defense Has Completely Collapsed

The Jets’ defensive production this season has been underwhelming. Through the first 10 games of the 2025 season, New York ranks 19th in yards allowed (329.7 per game), 23rd in rushing yards allowed (130.9 per game), and 26th in points allowed (26.8 per game), according to ESPN.

One statistic stands out as particularly alarming: “Through 10 games of the 2025 regular season, the New York Jets are closing in on an unwanted milestone in NFL history. The Jets have recorded just one takeaway all season, a lone forced fumble during their international game against the Broncos, and remain without an interception. That drought ties them with the 2017 Raiders for the longest to start a season. If they fail to snag one next week against the Baltimore Ravens, the Jets will stand alone at the top of that dubious list,” reports the Pro Football Network.

Currently, the Jets are the only team in the NFL without a single interception this season.

### Wilks Has Become a Coaching Nomad Throughout His Career

Steve Wilks’ coaching resume reveals a pattern of short stints. Over his 30-year career, Wilks has been a “one-and-done” head or coordinator in 10 different places. He has rarely stayed with the same team for long. His longest tenure was with the Carolina Panthers, where he spent six consecutive seasons from 2012 through 2017.

### Coach Glenn Has Been Through This Before

Jets defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is no stranger to navigating challenging coaching situations. While he is not the same personality as head coach Dan Campbell, the two were once on the same staff in Detroit. Following Campbell’s first season there, he retained Glenn as defensive coordinator but made a change on offense by replacing former Jets coach Anthony Lynn with up-and-coming offensive coordinator Ben Johnson—a move that proved successful.

Having witnessed how Campbell managed his staff restructuring, Glenn might consider borrowing some strategies from his former head coach’s playbook when making decisions about the Jets’ defensive staff moving forward.

Interestingly, both Lynn and Wilks were former NFL head coaches whom Campbell and Glenn brought onto their staffs, valuing their experience and leadership. Their backgrounds as head coaches have been assets that both Campbell and Glenn could lean on during challenging times.

—

As the 2025 season winds down, all eyes will be on the Jets’ defense and whether changes will be made to bring in a new voice—potentially signaling the end of Wilks’ tenure in New York.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/new-york-jets/steve-wilks-nfl-firing-rumors/

general

Cowboys trade for Jets All-Pro defensive lineman Quinnen Williams

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Nov. 4 (UPI) — The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to trade two draft picks and defensive lineman Mazi Smith to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, league sources told UPI on Tuesday.

The Cowboys will send a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, along with Smith, to the Jets as part of the Williams deal. This move comes on the same day the Jets also agreed to trade All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts.

Quinnen Williams, 27, was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Jets. A three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2022 first-team All-Pro, Williams has recorded 32 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and a sack through eight starts this season. Over his first seven NFL seasons and 98 appearances, he amassed 322 combined tackles, 59 tackles for loss, 40 sacks, 14 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one interception.

The Jets signed Williams to a four-year, $96 million extension in 2023, keeping him under contract through 2027.

Mazi Smith, 24, was the No. 26 overall pick by the Cowboys in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has totaled 57 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks through 39 NFL appearances. Smith is currently in the third year of his four-year rookie contract.

Through the Williams and Gardner trades, the Jets acquired first- and second-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, two first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, defensive lineman Mazi Smith, and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.

In a separate deadline-day deal earlier Tuesday, the Cowboys traded a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for linebacker Logan Wilson.

The Cowboys (3-5-1), currently ranked with the second-worst defense in the NFL, are on a bye in Week 10. They will face the Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) in Week 11.

The Jets (1-7) will host the Cleveland Browns (2-6) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/2025/11/04/Cowboys-trade-Jets-All-Pro-Quinnen-Williams/4251762285993/

sports

Varsity Maine football honor roll for Week 8

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Connor Ayoob, Thornton Academy
The senior had another standout performance in a matchup of the top two teams in the Varsity Maine poll, carrying the ball 40 times for 304 yards and three touchdowns in Thornton’s 42-21 win at Bonny Eagle. He also caught a pass for 15 yards.

Cole Curtis, Mountain Valley
Curtis ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and caught two passes for 28 yards in a 30-26 loss to Mattanawcook.

Joey Foley, Deering
Foley returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and added touchdown runs of 2, 60, and 22 yards as the Rams beat Lewiston, 46-0.

Dillon Gray, Mt. Blue
Gray rushed 15 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns, and was in on 13 tackles in a 34-26 setback to Skowhegan.

Benjamin Hanke, Cony
Hanke caught five passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns and snatched an interception in a 54-10 win over Gardiner.

Cordell Jones, Portland
Jones carried the ball 22 times for 174 yards and four touchdowns, completed 5 of 7 passes for 90 yards and a score, and made 10 tackles in the Bulldogs’ 33-21 win at Exeter, New Hampshire.

Drew McGrath, Sanford
McGrath reeled in three passes for 136 yards and a touchdown, and added an interception in a 42-20 loss to Marshwood.

Luke Piper, Greely
Piper completed 13 of 19 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns in a 36-16 win over Oceanside. He also ran three times for 24 yards.

Ben Porter, Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale
Porter caught four passes for 108 yards and a touchdown on offense, and had six tackles (one for loss) and an interception on defense in a 41-6 win over Maranacook.
https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/10/28/varsity-maine-football-honor-roll-for-week-8/

defense, sports

Bucs up 7-0 after Anthony Nelson interception return for a touchdown

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The Buccaneers’ offense struggled to convert four plays from the Saints’ 1-yard line into points. However, the defense stepped up to make a significant impact.

Edge rusher Anthony Nelson made a game-changing play by batting a Spencer Rattler pass into the air and then intercepting it, returning the pick for a four-yard touchdown. With the extra point, the Bucs took a 7-0 lead with 6:41 remaining in the first half.

Nelson continued his strong performance by forcing a fumble on a scramble and sacking the Saints quarterback, making it a busy day for the veteran defender.

Earlier, the Bucs had driven 91 yards on their last offensive possession, but neither Rachaad White nor Sean Tucker could break through the Saints’ defensive line to score a touchdown. Nelson’s interception return helped ease the frustration from that missed opportunity.

The Buccaneers will look to build on this momentum and try for better offensive results when they get the ball back.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bucs-up-7-0-after-anthony-nelson-interception-return-for-a-touchdown