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Articles by Michael Smith
Demócratas ven que pueden disputar el estado de Florida a los republicanos
Participantes en una manifestación “No Kings: Vote Early” (“Sin reyes: vote anticipadamente”) en Wilton Manors, cerca de Fort Lauderdale, el 17 de octubre.
Florida Becomes a Battleground Again as Democrats Gain Steam
Photographer: Giorgio Viera/AFP/Getty Images (Bloomberg) -- Florida, the onetime swing state Republicans spent a generation transforming into a conservative stronghold, is looking like a political battleground once again.
Panthers' NFL-worst rush defense knows it needs to stop the bleeding
No defense in the NFL is as bad at stopping the run as the Carolina Panthers. Only one team in the league is allowing more than 150 rushing yards a game, and that's the Panthers at 153.2. Only one team in the league is allowing more than five yards per carry, and that's also the Panthers at 5.2. In Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers, the Panthers' run defense was particularly inept.
Cowboys are the betting favorites to win the NFC East after win in Philadelphia
The Cowboys are not in first place in the NFC East, but they will be at the end of the season, if the betting odds are to be believed. After Monday night's win in Philadelphia, Dallas is a +115 favorite to win the NFC East. Just behind the Cowboys are the Giants at +125. The Commanders are long shots at +800 and the Eagles are the longest shots at +1500. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the game that the importance of winning on the road in the division wasn't lost on him.
Saquon Barkley addressed teammates after loss: "Never quit, never give up"
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said after Monday night's loss to the Cowboys that he had addressed his teammates to tell them how important it is that they keep competing, even as they struggle through a five-game losing streak. The 2-5 Eagles are long shots to make the playoffs, but Barkley reminded teammates that they can still turn the season around. "I'm not really a big talker, to be honest," Barkley told reporters. "Felt like the moment was right.
Ravens' second-half meltdown was unlike any choke the NFL has seen in more than 75 years
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Cam Skattebo on penalty for lowering his helmet: I'm going to keep doing it
Giants running back Cam Skattebo got an unnecessary roughness penalty on Sunday for lowering his helmet into a Texans defender. That penalty is rarely called on ball carriers, but Skattebo says he's going to keep doing it no matter how often they flag him. After the game, Skattebo declined to elaborate on the conversation he had with the official who flagged him but did criticize the NFL for sometimes using hits that draw penalties or fines for promotional clips.
Nick Emmanwori: Seahawks' defense was motivated to stop Kenneth Walker
Heading into Sunday night in Seattle, the story of the game was Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker, who was off to an outstanding start to this season after leaving the Seahawks in free agency. After the game, the story was the Seahawks' defense shutting Walker down.
Dan Campbell: I thought we'd get fourth-and-1, if not I knew we'd get the ball back
Dan Campbell made the most Dan Campbell-like decision he could make on Sunday when the Lions faced fourth-and-1 at their own 24-yard line with the score tied and 4:53 remaining in the fourth quarter: He went for it.
For first time in NFL history, all teams in two divisions are above .500 through week 7
The AFC North and NFC North are loaded, to an unprecedented extent in NFL history. All eight teams in the two North divisions are above .500 after Week 7. Never before has the league had two divisions with every team having a winning record heading into Week 8. The Browns lead the AFC North at 5-2 because they have the head-to-head tiebreaker with the 5-2 Steelers. The Bengals are 4-2 and the Ravens are 4-3. The Vikings are 6-0, the only remaining undefeated team in the NFC.
Lions lead 7-0 as Jameson Williams scores TD, Trey Smack misses 26-yard field goal
The Packers' offense did its job on the first possession of today's game in Detroit. Packers kicker Trey Smack did not. After the Packers marched deep into Detroit territory and had first-and-goal, the Lions' defense held, and Smack and the field goal team came onto the field for what should have been a chip shot. But after the Packers were called for delay of game and moved back five yards farther, Smack missed a 26-yard field goal.
49ers lose their first game of the season as Falcons pull off upset win
The 49ers are no longer undefeated. Atlanta's opportunistic defense intercepted Brock Purdy twice and recovered two fumbles (by George Kittle and Kaelon Black), and the Falcons upset the 49ers 29-20. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix is continuing to play very good football, as the Atlanta offense looks like a totally different team than the one that took the field in the first two weeks of the season while Penix was injured.
Falcons take lead, but Christian McCaffrey returns for 49ers
The 49ers struggled while running back Christian McCaffrey was in the locker room with a thigh injury, but after the Falcons took the lead, McCaffrey returned. An early 14-3 49ers lead has evaporated, and the Falcons are up 19-14 in the third quarter after a touchdown pass from Michael Penix to Kyle Pitts. But the good news for the 49ers is that McCaffrey is back.
49ers lead at halftime despite offense struggling without Christian McCaffrey
The 49ers' game plan for today featured a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey. But things didn't go according to plan. A spectacular opening drive ended with McCaffrey plunging into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown, but on the 49ers' second offensive possession, McCaffrey had to leave the game with a thigh injury. At halftime it's 14-12, with the 49ers leading despite not having many playmakers left after McCaffrey exited.
Christian McCaffrey leaps into the end zone on fourth down, 49ers lead Falcons
Facing fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line on the first drive of the game today in Atlanta, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan kept his offense on the field. Smart move. 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey took the handoff and leapt over the line for a one-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The touchdown capped a 10-play, 64-yard drive that saw McCaffrey do everything: He had four carries for 29 yards, and he caught both of Brock Purdy's passes, for 40 receiving yards.
Steelers kick last-second field goal to take 13-10 lead over Saints at halftime in Paris
The last play of the first half today in Paris saw the Steelers' offense have to rush off the field after Aaron Rodgers was sacked on third down with no timeouts remaining, and the Steelers' field goal team had to rush onto the field. But despite the somewhat chaotic scene, Chris Boswell hit a 47-yard field goal as time expired on the first half, and the Steelers lead 13-10.
Saints benefit from questionable replay review on TJ Watt strip sack of Tyler Shough
Maybe the words "clear and obvious" get lost in translation into French. That's the only explanation for why the replay review process in Paris today overturned what appeared to be Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt strip-sacking Saints quarterback Tyler Shough. Watt hit Shough, knocked the ball loose and came up with it when they both fell to the ground, and the officials on the field immediately ruled it a fumble that Watt recovered.
Report: Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes told Josh Simmons to leave a team meeting
Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons, who hasn't played this season and was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, was told to leave a Wednesday team meeting by head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The incident began with Simmons sitting with his feet up and Reid asking him to put his feet down, according to ESPN. Simmons said he was sitting that way because of his back injury, and Reid told him if he couldn't sit upright he should go get treatment from the training staff.
Travis Kelce's receiving yardage total will soon break Tony Gonzalez's tight end record
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce can continue to bolster his Hall of Fame résumé on Sunday night against the Seahawks. Kelce is just 35 yards away from breaking Tony Gonzalez's NFL record for career receiving yards by a tight end, counting the playoffs. Gonzalez retired with an NFL record total of 15,413 receiving yards: 15,127 in the regular season and 286 in the playoffs. Kelce currently has 15,379 receiving yards: 13,301 in the regular season and 2,078 in the playoffs.
Three Panthers players fined for three separate incidents of taunting
Only four players across the NFL got fined for taunting in Week 6, and three of those four were on the Panthers. Carolina's Will Lee was fined $6,377 for taunting. Tommy Tremble was fined $11,941 for taunting. And Zakee Wheatley was fined $5,626 for taunting. The three were fined for three separate incidents at three different points in the game. Tremble was the only one who was flagged.
NFL admits a penalty by the Cowboys in week 5 was assessed against the Bucs
The NFL has admitted a rather embarrassing officiating mistake from Week 5: When Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey was called for illegal hands to the face, it was actually a Cowboys player who put his hands in Kancey's face, and somehow the wrong team got assessed the penalty when it was time to step off the yardage.
Roger Goodell expects an NFL game in Tokyo in 2027 or 2028
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expects a game in Tokyo soon. Goodell, who is currently in Paris as the league prepares to play its first game there, said that the first regular-season game in Japan is coming in 2027 or 2028. "Listen, Tokyo is clearly on our list , whether it's next year or the year after. It's coming at some point in the near future.
Ben Johnson originally called a punt, but Cairo Santos asked to try a 58-yard field goal
After Bears head coach Ben Johnson initially called for a punt late in Thursday night's win over the Patriots, Bears kicker Cairo Santos convinced his coaches to let him try the 58-yard field goal that sealed the win. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Santos had missed a 53-yard field goal attempt, and Santos had never made a field goal as long as 58 yards in his NFL career. So it's easy to understand why Johnson was planning to punt.
Mike Vrabel's clock management included an intentional offside penalty
With 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter on Thursday night, the Bears faced third-and-inches, and Patriots defensive lineman Cory Durden jumped offside. The fans in Chicago cheered, thinking New England had just made a big mistake. Actually, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel had just called a smart play.
NFL tells teams that uncalled hip-drop tackle on Aaron Rodgers was clear example of penalty
In Week 4, Browns defensive lineman Adin Huntington committed a textbook example of a hip-drop tackle on Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It was such a perfect example of what the hip-drop tackle rule is designed to prevent that in the NFL's officiating video that is sent to every team, it was shown to demonstrate what not to do. Unfortunately, the officials on the field missed it.
Ben Johnson: Cole Kmet's knee injury doesn't look good
Bears tight end Cole Kmet appears to have suffered a very serious injury during Thursday night's win over the Patriots. Coach Ben Johnson said after the game that nothing will be definitively diagnosed until Friday, but the early indications were that it's a bad injury. “We'll know more about it tomorrow, but I don't think it looked very good," Johnson said. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said it hurt to see a player who means so much to him carted off the field. "It was tough.
Puka Nacua leaves practice early with calf injury
The Rams' injury issues are mounting. The latest concern came at today's practice when wide receiver Puka Nacua left practice early with a calf injury. There's no immediate word on the seriousness of the injury, but it comes at an inopportune time, two days after the Rams put wide receiver Davante Adams on injured reserve. Nacua has already missed two games this season with a hip and groin injury. But the Rams had Adams for those games.
Patriots say Christian Gonzalez is questionable tonight with an illness
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez might not play tonight against the Bears. In a surprise announcement Thursday evening, the Patriots announced that Gonzalez has an illness and is questionable for tonight's game. The Patriots will have to list their inactive players for tonight in about half an hour. Gonzalez has already missed two games this season with a shoulder injury, but he was fully healthy and able to play on Sunday against the Jets.
Seahawks activate Zach Charbonnet
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is back on the active roster, nine months after he suffered a torn ACL. The Seahawks officially activated Charbonnet from the physically unable to perform list today, making him eligible to play on Sunday night against the Chiefs. Charbonnet has been practicing since October 1, so today was the 21-day deadline for Seattle either to activate him today or declare him out for the season.
Roger Goodell on Jed York suspension: "We saw a violation and we dealt with it"
49ers owner Jed York attended the league meeting this week upon the conclusion of his six-game suspension. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended that suspension as an appropriate consequence of York violating the same personal conduct policy that applies to players and everyone else in the league. York pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors after he was arrested in a prostitution sting in East Palestine, Ohio.
Steelers' Yahya Black says he weighs 370 in mic'd up talk with 340-pound Tristan Wirfs
Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs doesn't often come across people bigger than him, but he did on Sunday, when he played against Steelers defensive tackle Yahya Black. Wirfs was mic'd up for NFL Films , which revealed an on-field conversation with Black about their respective sizes. The discussion went like this: Black: "What they got you weighing at?" Wirfs: "340. What about you?" Black: "370" Wirfs: "I knew it. You look huge." Black: "Thank you. I try." Wirfs: "No, I mean, you look great.
Matthew Stafford hopes fans see injuries for more than just the impact on fantasy teams
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford wants fans to understand what player injuries really mean. Stafford said he personally felt the impact from learning Rams receiver Davante Adams will miss most of the rest of the season, and it means a lot more than just his impact on fantasy football teams. "Like Davante, disappointed for those guys," Stafford said.
Saints GM Mickey Loomis: I understand where Gayle Benson's concerns are coming from
Saints owner Gayle Benson said last week that the team's performance has not been acceptable . Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says he gets it. "I understood where she's coming from, and I think every once in a while we all need to be a little uncomfortable. That's OK," Loomis said today in Paris, where the Saints will play on Sunday. Asked about building a winning team, Loomis acknowledged it hasn't happened. "We haven't done that yet, have we?
49ers are the heaviest division favorites in the NFL
Prior to this season, the NFC West was expected to be the most competitive three-team race in football, with the Rams as the favorites, the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks close behind, and the 49ers a good team but a clear third. Six weeks into the season, things look different. The 49ers are now 6-0 and the overwhelming favorites to win the NFC West. In fact, with the betting odds at -650, the 49ers are the heaviest favorites to win their division of any team in the league.
Caleb Williams has gone from 32nd last year to first this year in completion percentage
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is a different player in 2026. In 2025, Williams finished the season ranked 32nd in the NFL with a completion percentage of 58.1 percent. This year, Williams ranks first in the NFL with a completion percentage of 72.5 percent. On Sunday against the Falcons, Williams completed 30 of 36 passes, a completion percentage of 83.3 percent. That was the best mark of his career. Williams is throwing the ball more accurately than ever.
With Matthew Stafford's next loss, he ties Vinny Testaverde for the most QB losses ever
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford lost his fourth start of the season on Sunday. When he loses his fifth, he'll reach a career milestone he'd prefer not to have. Stafford has a career record of 122-122-1 as a starting quarterback. Those 122 losses are the second-most in NFL history, behind only Vinny Testaverde, who went 90-123-1. With another loss, Stafford will tie Testaverde for the most ever, and with two more losses, Stafford has the record all to himself.
Kyle Shanahan: Eddy Pineiro has got to make his extra points
49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro missed another extra point on Monday night. Coach Kyle Shanahan was not happy about it. Pineiro has been one of the worst kickers in the NFL this season, missing three extra points and three field goals, and Shanahan said after Monday night's win over the Commanders that it can't go on this way. "Yeah, he's got to make them," Shanahan said. "He missed another one today.
Cardinals' two wins are the two biggest upsets in the NFL this season
The Cardinals are only 2-4, but their two wins have been big ones. Specifically, they've been the two biggest upsets in the NFL this season: When the Cardinals beat the Rams on Sunday, they were 12.5-point underdogs. That was the biggest upset of the year, surpassing the Cardinals' Week 1 win over the Chargers, when they were 9.5-point underdogs. There have only been seven games this season when the point spread was more than nine points.
Kyle Shanahan: Mike Evans injury is not a long-term thing, hopeful he can play Sunday
49ers wide receiver Mike Evans had to leave Monday night's game because he aggravated the Achilles injury he has been dealing with, but coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that they're optimistic Evans will play on Sunday against the Falcons. Shanahan said Evans is used to dealing with this injury and just needs to manage it. "It's something that he's had before," Shanahan said. "It's something that bothered him throughout the week.
Rams have fallen to fifth-best odds to win the Super Bowl
The Rams entered the season as overwhelming favorites to win the Super Bowl. After starting the season 2-4, their odds have fallen. But they may not have fallen as far as some would expect for a team that just lost at home to the Cardinals: The Rams still have the fifth-best odds to win the Super Bowl, at +1000. The four teams ahead of the Rams are the 49ers at +580, the Bills at +720, the Chiefs at +850 and the Ravens at +900.
Kenneth Walker on pace to break NFL records for rushing yards, yards from scrimmage
When the Chiefs signed reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker away from the Seahawks in free agency, they knew they were adding a playmaker to their offense. But no one could have known just how many plays Walker would make in his first five games as a Chief. Walker has 665 rushing yards and 760 yards from scrimmage this season, putting him on pace to break the NFL single-season records in both statistical categories. If Walker continues at his rushing pace for 17 games, he'd rush for 2,261 yards.
Brian Schottenheimer: Cowboys' effort and fight is right, but mistakes are killing us
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer defended his team's effort but not the results after Sunday night's loss to the Packers. On a night when Dak Prescott threw two interceptions, Schottenheimer pointed the finger at turnovers. "The effort is right, the fight is right, but mistakes are killing us," Schottenheimer said.
Hedge Fund Veteran Who Took Down Argentina Sets His Sights on Miami Condo
Photographer: Mariana Pires/Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Jay Newman made a name for himself in hedge-fund circles by outlasting Argentina in a bruising, 15-year fight after the country reneged on its debts.
Colts' DeForest Buckner: "I'm sick and tired of the same song and dance every year"
When the Colts traded their first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, they thought they were adding one of the final pieces of the puzzle to a team that could win the Super Bowl. That year the Colts lost in the wild card round, they haven't been back to the playoffs since, and Buckner is getting sick and tired of losing. An emotional Buckner told reporters at his locker after today's loss to the Titans that he won't tolerate it.
Travis Hunter end zone interception keeps Jaguars alive in London
So much for Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter having his worst defensive game of the season With the Texans leading 31-28 late in the fourth quarter and driving for what could have been a game-clinching touchdown, Hunter stepped in front of a CJ Stroud pass and intercepted it to keep the Jaguars alive. It was Stroud's first interception of the season, and Hunter's second.
Falcons LB Kendal Daniels taken off field on stretcher
Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels suffered what appeared to be a serious injury today against the Bears. Daniels tackled Bears tight end Colston Loveland, and on the hit, Daniels' facemask collided with Loveland's knee. Daniels stayed down and quickly got medical attention. While Daniels was down on the field for several minutes, teammates knelt and were visibly upset. Eventually Daniels was put on a stretcher and taken off the field on a cart.
Bernie Sanders Takes Tax-the-Rich Tour to Florida to Back Nixon
made a rare trip to Florida to support progressive Democratic Senate candidate with his “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies across a state that’s long been a low-tax oasis for billionaires. The 85-year-old senator from Vermont traveled to Tampa and later Melbourne on the Atlantic coast on Saturday, drawing crowds of thousands ahead of planned stops in Gainesville and Tallahassee on Sunday.
Bernie Sanders Takes Tax-the-Rich Tour to Florida to Back Nixon
made a rare trip to Florida to support progressive Democratic Senate candidate with his “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies across a state that’s long been a low-tax oasis for billionaires. The 85-year-old senator from Vermont traveled to Tampa and later Melbourne on the Atlantic coast on Saturday, drawing crowds of thousands ahead of planned stops in Gainesville and Tallahassee on Sunday.
Texans kick last-second field goal to beat Jaguars in London
The fans in London got their money's worth today, with the Texans and Jaguars battling back and forth until Houston kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired for a hard-fought 34-31 win. Jaguars kicker Cam Little made a 60-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining to tie the score, but the Texans' offense then marched down the field for Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn to make a 49-yarder with no time left.
Jalen Hurts will go on injured reserve, miss at least four games and possibly more
The Eagles will be without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts for at least four games. Hurts has been placed on injured reserve because of a blood clot, the team announced. That comes after a previous ESPN report said the Eagles hadn't even discussed putting Hurts on injured reserve. That seemed hard to believe at the time, and now the team hasn't just discussed it but has done it. The Eagles' next four games are against the Panthers, Cowboys, Commanders, and Giants, then have their bye.
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