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So let the countdown begin, let the anticipation grow, and let the battle commence. Roma vs Liverpool: a historic match full of determination, a clash of champions in the making. May the best team win.HICKSVILLE, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLG) ( the "Company"), today announced the appointment of Lee Smith as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective December 27, 2024 . The appointment follows the decision of current CFO Craig Gifford to step down to reengage in personal endeavors outside of the banking industry. Gifford will remain with the Bank through March 31, 2025 , and work closely with Smith during the transition period, ensuring a seamless hand-over and continued support for the Bank's ongoing initiatives. "For more than a decade, Lee has been an instrumental member of Flagstar's executive team. He is a proven leader with a strong track record, has the requisite experience and expertise, and possesses deep knowledge of the Company. The Board of Directors and I have full faith and confidence in Lee to continue to help guide the Company in this financial leadership position," said Joseph M. Otting , Chairman, President, and CEO. Smith joined legacy Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. in 2013 as Chief Operating Officer and his transition to CFO comes after serving on Flagstar's executive management team for more than a decade, most recently as President of Mortgage. He has an extensive background in accounting, finance, mortgage, private equity, and operations, spanning more than 25 years. His experience in managing large-scale transactions, optimizing financials and operations, and working with regulators demonstrates a strong ability to drive financial performance, ensure compliance, and lead financial operations. Additionally, his leadership in M&A deals, capital markets, and financial management positions him well to oversee financial strategies, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency at a senior financial level. His prior roles include Partner at Matlin Patterson Global Advisers LLC, a private investment firm. He is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) since 1998 and has a BSc in Economics and Accountancy from Loughborough University in England . Otting added, "I want to express our sincere appreciation to Craig for his impactful contributions over the past year. His leadership during this time has been invaluable, and we wish him all the best. As all of our stakeholders know, we have been working relentlessly to elevate Flagstar to new heights. I also recognize the personal sacrifices and time commitment required away from our personal lives for this journey. Given the substantial progress we've made as a Company, I am comfortable that this is a good time for this transition, and I am confident the momentum we've gained will only strengthen as we move forward." About Flagstar Financial, Inc. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A., one of the largest regional banks in the country. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York . At September 30, 2024, the Company had $114.4 billion of assets, $73.0 billion of loans, deposits of $83 .0 billion, and total stockholders' equity of $8 .6 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates over 400 branches, including a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest and locations in high growth markets in the Southeast and West Coast. In addition, the Bank has approximately 80 private banking teams located in over 10 cities in the metropolitan New York City region and on the West Coast, which serve the needs of high-net worth individuals and their businesses. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward‐looking statements by the Company and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (g) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed on December 1, 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, and our ability to fully and timely implement the risk management programs institutions greater than $100 billion in assets must maintain; (h) the effect on our capital ratios of the approval of certain proposals approved by our shareholders during our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders; (i) the conversion or exchange of shares of the Company's preferred stock; (j) the payment of dividends on shares of the Company's capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of the Company's preferred stock; (k) the availability of equity and dilution of existing equity holders associated with amendments to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (l) the effects of the reverse stock split; and (m) transactions relating to the sale of our mortgage business and mortgage warehouse business. Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "confident," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; the Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results. Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; recent turnover in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; the success of our blockchain and fintech activities, investments and strategic partnerships; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to recognize anticipated expense reductions and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our recently announced strategic workforce reduction; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company's operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict (including the Russia / Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed on December 1, 2022 , and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Community Benefits Agreement entered into with NCRC, which was contingent upon the closing of the Company's merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., will achieve the results or outcome originally expected or anticipated by us as a result of changes to our business strategy, performance of the U.S. economy, or changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, our customers, communities we serve, and the U.S. economy (including, but not limited to, tax laws and regulations). More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10 ‐ K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 , and in other SEC reports we file. Our forward ‐ looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our website and at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . Investor Contact: Salvatore J. DiMartino (516) 683-4286 Media Contact: Steven Bodakowski (248) 312-5872 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flagstar-financial-inc-names-lee-smith-as-chief-financial-officer-302331680.html SOURCE Flagstar Financial, Inc.
Techs, Energy Propel TSX to New High
Wang Chuqin's thoughtful response to the Eagle-Eye challenge highlights the importance of considering the implications of new technologies on traditional sports. While technological advancements can offer significant benefits in terms of precision and efficiency, they must be implemented thoughtfully and with careful consideration for maintaining the essence of the game. By engaging in open dialogue and exploring alternative solutions, players and officials can work together to ensure that table tennis remains a fair and enjoyable sport for all participants.December 10, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by Rice University A team of Rice University scientists has solved a long-standing problem in thermal imaging, making it possible to capture clear images of objects through hot windows. Imaging applications in a range of fields—such as security, surveillance, industrial research and diagnostics—could benefit from the research findings , which were reported in the journal Communications Engineering. "Say you want to use thermal imaging to monitor chemical reactions in a high-temperature reactor chamber," said Gururaj Naik, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Rice and corresponding author on the study. "The problem you'd be facing is that the thermal radiation emitted by the window itself overwhelms the camera, obscuring the view of objects on the other side." A possible solution could involve coating the window in a material that suppresses thermal light emission toward the camera, but this would also render the window opaque. To get around this issue, the researchers developed a coating that relies on an engineered asymmetry to filter out the thermal noise of a hot window, doubling the contrast of thermal imaging compared to conventional methods. The core of this breakthrough lies in the design of nanoscale resonators, which function like miniature tuning forks trapping and enhancing electromagnetic waves within specific frequencies. The resonators are made from silicon and organized in a precise array that allows fine control over how the window emits and transmits thermal radiation. "The intriguing question for us was whether it would be possible to suppress the window's thermal emission toward the camera while maintaining good transmission from the side of the object to be visualized," Naik said. "Information theory dictates a 'no' for an answer in any passive system. However, there is a loophole—in actuality, the camera operates in a finite bandwidth. We took advantage of this loophole and created a coating that suppresses thermal emission from the window toward the camera in a broad band but only diminishes transmission from the imaged object in a narrow band." This was achieved by designing a metamaterial comprised of two layers of different types of resonators separated by a spacer layer. The design allows the coating to suppress thermal emissions directed toward the camera while remaining transparent enough to capture thermal radiation from objects behind the window. "Our solution to the problem takes inspiration from quantum mechanics and non-Hermitian optics," said Ciril Samuel Prasad, a Rice doctoral engineering alum and first author on the study. The result is a revolutionary asymmetric metawindow capable of clear thermal imaging at temperatures as high as 873 K (approximately 600 C). The implications of this breakthrough are significant. One immediate application is in chemical processing, where monitoring reactions inside high-temperature chambers is critical. Beyond industrial uses, this approach may revolutionize hyperspectral thermal imaging by addressing the long-standing "Narcissus effect," where thermal emissions from the camera itself interfere with imaging. The researchers envision applications in energy conservation , radiative cooling and even defense systems, where accurate thermal imaging is essential. "This is a disruptive innovation," the researchers noted. "We've not only solved a long-standing problem but opened new doors for imaging in extreme conditions. The use of metasurfaces and resonators as design tools will likely transform many fields beyond thermal imaging from energy harvesting to advanced sensing technologies." Henry Everitt, senior scientist at the United States Army Research Laboratory and adjunct faculty at Rice, is also an author on the study. More information: Ciril Samuel Prasad et al, Thermal imaging through hot emissive windows, Communications Engineering (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00316-y Journal information: Communications Engineering Provided by Rice University
Elon gives coach Billy Taylor an 84-77 win over his alma mater Notre Dame
McLean & Company, one of the world's leading HR research and advisory firms, is pleased to share the highly anticipated preview of the HR Trends Report 2025, set to be published in January 2025, to help equip HR leaders with the data and insights needed to ensure their organizations are prepared to thrive in the future of work. TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2024 /CNW/ - In a time marked by economic and political shifts, evolving technology, and a growing need for human-centric work practices, HR leaders are being called on by their organizations to rethink priorities and approaches. According to the new HR Trends Report 2025 preview from global HR research and advisory firm McLean & Company , HR teams are increasingly challenged to develop internal talent pipelines, retain employees, and manage labor costs as organizations navigate continued economic pressures and a labor market where skilled talent is both scarce and expensive. The comprehensive preview of the full report – which is set to be published on January 7, 2025 – has been released in advance of the new year as HR teams and their organizations plan for the top organizational priorities for HR in 2025. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.
HICKSVILLE, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLG) (the "Company") today announced the appointment of Brian Callanan , Senior Managing Director and General Counsel at Liberty Strategic Capital ("Liberty"), to its Board of Directors, effective December 16, 2024 . Commenting on the appointment, Joseph M. Otting , Chairman, President, and CEO said, "I'm pleased to have Brian join our Board. His proven track record and expertise in financial services, along with his strategic insights will be instrumental as we continue to execute on our transformation and long-term vision. Brian's perspectives will provide valuable guidance, and his leadership will play a critical role in driving sustainable growth, ensuring we achieve long-term success and maximize the value we deliver to our shareholders, employees, and clients." Callanan is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience in financial regulation, regulatory compliance, and financial technology. At Liberty, Callanan leads the firm's legal function, serves on its Investment Committee, and focuses on financial sector investments. Prior to joining Liberty, he served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, overseeing 2,000 lawyers across the department. As Chief General Counsel, he played a key role in major initiatives such as economic rescue programs during COVID-19, the design of new economic sanctions, and the implementation of tax reform. While serving as Deputy General Counsel, Callanan managed major litigation and advised on regulatory reform efforts, among other responsibilities. For his service, he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the department's highest honor. This appointment aligns with the $1.05 billion equity investment in March 2024 , which stipulated that two Board seats would be granted to lead investor Liberty Strategic Capital. With Callanan's addition, the Company's Board of Directors, which was reconstituted earlier in 2024, expands to nine members, including Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph M. Otting , Milton Berlinski , Alessandro P. DiNello , Alan Frank , Marshall Lux , Lead Independent Director Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin , Allen Puwalski , and Jennifer Whip. About Flagstar Financial, Inc. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A., one of the largest regional banks in the country. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York . At September 30, 2024, the Company had $114.4 billion of assets, $73.0 billion of loans, deposits of $83 .0 billion, and total stockholders' equity of $8 .6 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates over 400 branches, including a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest and locations in high growth markets in the Southeast and West Coast. In addition, the Bank has approximately 80 private banking teams located in over 10 cities in the metropolitan New York City region and on the West Coast, which serve the needs of high-net worth individuals and their businesses. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward‐looking statements by the Company and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (g) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed on December 1, 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, and our ability to fully and timely implement the risk management programs institutions greater than $100 billion in assets must maintain; (h) the effect on our capital ratios of the approval of certain proposals approved by our shareholders during our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders; (i) the conversion or exchange of shares of the Company's preferred stock; (j) the payment of dividends on shares of the Company's capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of the Company's preferred stock; (k) the availability of equity and dilution of existing equity holders associated with amendments to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (l) the effects of the reverse stock split; and (m) transactions relating to the sale of our mortgage business and mortgage warehouse business. Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "confident," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; the Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results. Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; recent turnover in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; the success of our blockchain and fintech activities, investments and strategic partnerships; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to recognize anticipated expense reductions and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our recently announced strategic workforce reduction; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company's operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict (including the Russia / Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed on December 1, 2022 , and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Community Benefits Agreement entered into with NCRC, which was contingent upon the closing of the Company's merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., will achieve the results or outcome originally expected or anticipated by us as a result of changes to our business strategy, performance of the U.S. economy, or changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, our customers, communities we serve, and the U.S. economy (including, but not limited to, tax laws and regulations). More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 , and in other SEC reports we file. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our website and at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . Investor Contact: Salvatore J. DiMartino (516) 683-4286 Media Contact: Nicole Yelland (248) 219-9234 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flagstar-financial-inc-appoints-brian-callanan-to-board-of-directors-302331692.html SOURCE Flagstar Financial, Inc.Real Madrid's Starting Lineup Predicted by AS for the Current Champions League Round: Mbappe, Modric In, with Jovic Playing as Center BackMerck Recommends Rejection of TRC Capital’s “Mini-Tender” Offer
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bolingbrook holds off Kankakee at Chicago Elite Classic
In the competitive landscape of modern football, securing top-class talent is crucial for clubs aiming to achieve success at the highest level. Barcelona's move to sign the Premier League's Golden Boot winner is a statement of intent, signaling their ambition to compete with the best teams in Europe. With the winger's arrival set to inject a new dimension of speed, skill, and goal-scoring threat into Barcelona's attack, the club's prospects for the upcoming season are looking increasingly promising.NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The right frame can freeze a moment in time, creating meaning for the masses from a fist pump over a bloodied ear , a bridge crumbled by a ship , towns shredded by nature , and a victory sealed with an on-field kiss . In 2024, photographers across the U.S. captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election , to hurricanes and fires that ravaged communities, to campus protests over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The gallery from The Associated Press illustrates a new chapter of political history — the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump , the moment President Joe Biden announced he would no longer run again , the campaign sprint by Vice President Kamala Harris in Biden’s place, and the raw emotion from voters during a grueling contest ultimately won by Trump . Hurricanes whipped through the country with devastating imagery, leaving a path of wreckage and death from Florida to Appalachia . After Hurricane Helene , Lake Lure in North Carolina was shown in a jarring photo covered in shards of debris thick enough to hide the surface of the water. Hurricane Milton ripped apart the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The scale of destruction experienced in some corners of the country in 2024 was hard to capture and might have been harder to fathom. That was the case when a container ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse and crumple around the vessel, killing construction workers on the bridge. As flames torched the landscape in California , another image captured firefighters and sheriff’s deputies pushing a vintage car away from a burning home. Elsewhere in California , one photo is aglow with bright orange flames, broken up only by the subtle features of an animal running through them. But hope also persevered in the face of devastation. In Helene’s aftermath , an image from Crystal River, Florida, shows Dustin Holmes holding hands with his girlfriend, Hailey Morgan, as they sloshed through floodwaters with her 4- and 7-year-old children to return to their flooded home. And in Manasota Key, Florida, a family was lit up by the glow of flashlights as they walked to check on their home damaged by Milton. Other photos from 2024 also grabbed the darkness and shadows to emphasize light: among them, a rocket liftoff and a total solar eclipse . And, yes, eclipse glasses were back in style for a shared moment of skygazing. But many other photos delivered a blast of color, from the spectrum of the northern lights across a Maine sky to a crew of workers wading into the deep-red of a Massachusetts cranberry bog . And, once again, Taylor Swift captured the country’s attention, even as a part of the crowd. She rushed down from the stands to kiss her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship , en route to another Super Bowl win.
With 3:56 left in last Sunday’s game against the 49ers, the late-afternoon sun falling on Levi’s Stadium seemed a fitting metaphor for the Seahawks’ season. Seattle had just turned the ball over on downs when Zach Charbonnet’s fourth-and-one plunge at the 49ers' 37-yard line went nowhere. That followed a Geno Smith sneak on a third-and-one that was also ruled — much to the disagreement of many on the Seahawks sideline — to have gone nowhere. A couple 49ers first downs and the game would be over. Seattle’s season might have gone with it. Instead, a third-down stop and as efficient of a game-winning drive led by Smith as you’ll ever see, and the light returned. That sequence of events pulled Seattle from being two games back of two other teams in the NFC West — and essentially three back of the 49ers — to tied with the Rams and 49ers at 5-5 and just a game behind 6-4 Arizona. “We were trying to turn our season around," Smith said afterward. Now the task: to take proper advantage of that statistically unlikely turn of events. A script writer could hardly have crafted the story better to now have Arizona coming to Seattle for a 1:25 p.m. game on Sunday at Lumen Field that could move the Seahawks back into first place in the NFC West. As the Seahawks and Cardinals are kicking off, the 49ers will do the same at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. But the 49ers will do so without quarterback Brock Purdy and star pass rusher Nick Bosa, each ruled out due to injury. The losses of those two players propelled the betting line to flip from San Francisco favored by 2.5 when it opened to the Packers favored by as much as six on Saturday afternoon — the first time the 49ers have been an underdog since the 2022 season. Then in the night game, the Rams host an Eagles team that has won six in a row and is listed as a three-point favorite. So, to make it simple, a win by Seattle and losses by the 49ers and Rams and the Seahawks will be in first place in the NFC West by the end of the day, holding the tiebreaker for the moment on Arizona. What a swing that final 3 minutes and 56 seconds may have made in Seattle’s season, and in creating an NFC West race that appears as wide open this late in the season as it’s been in years. Coach Mike Macdonald this week didn’t shy away from stating how pivotal each week going forward figures to be with each team in the division now having had their bye and seven games remaining. “Put it this way, look, we've earned the opportunity to be fighting for the lead in the division going into the homestretch," Macdonald said. “So, that's the way we're treating it. It's very much like a playoff mindset for us at this point. (We) can't afford to drop games. You want to have the right to play for these really important games in December and January. You've got to be able to execute and put yourself in that situation. It's basically a December football game." Smith spoke similarly. “Anybody can go get this division the last seven games of the season," he said. “So, really it's going feel like playoff games, every single one. The division games are going to feel like you won two games because they're going to matter that much." Sunday’s game may loom even more critical for Seattle and Arizona since the two teams play again in Glendale on Dec. 8. Given that the Cardinals already also have wins over the Rams and 49ers, a win Sunday and possibly moving two games in front of everyone else in the division would put the Cardinals in a pretty firm driver’s seat. But a Seattle win, and the Seahawks may go to Arizona in two weeks with a chance to take control of the division, especially if Seattle can beat a downtrodden Jets team in New York on Dec. 1. Macdonald and Smith speaking candidly of the stakes at hand Sunday, though, stood in contrast to the Cardinals’ approach this week. “I’m not really looking at it that way," Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray said this week when asked how it feels to play a late-November game with so much on the line. “I’m just taking it one game at a time. I know that the guys are as well, so I think that's the message that we're preaching. No game's bigger than the other. The one that we've got right now is the biggest one. We have to win it." On paper, though, the game projects as the most important for Arizona since earning its last playoff spot following the 2021 season. Arizona has won four in a row to move into first — matching its win total for all of last season when the Cardinals went 4-13 in the first season for coach Jonathan Gannon and with Murray held to eight games while recovering from an ACL injury suffered on Dec. 12, 2022. The Cardinals winning only eight games in the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined, the coaching inexperience of Gannon and some uncertainty about whether Murray could reclaim his pre-injury form had most preseason prognosticators picking Arizona last in the NFC West. But the return of Murray full-time, another good season from veteran running back James Conner and the addition of first-round pick receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has led to an improved offense. And the Arizona defense finally seems to be taking on the personality of Gannon, who got the job after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Eagles team that got to the Super Bowl following the 2022 season, particularly in keeping teams out of the end zone; the Cardinals are ninth in the NFL in red-zone defense, allowing TDs on just 17 of 35 drives inside the 20. But the Seahawks finally beating the 49ers for the first time since 2021 a week ago, and doing so after a chaotic week that included the surprising retirement of center Connor Williams, has them feeling like anything is possible. Step one, though, is winning Sunday and snapping a four-game home losing streak. “These games are going to be so electric," Smith said. “I can't wait to be in the stadium on Sunday. It's going to be so fun. We're looking forward to the fans being there and just going crazy." Seahawks activate Jenkins, elevate two others The Seahawks made an expected move Saturday, activating safety Rayshawn Jenkins off injured reserve, filling an opening Seattle had on its 53-man roster. Macdonald said Friday that Jenkins — who had been sidelined with a hand injury — is expected to play against the Cardinals. Seattle also elevated tight end Tyler Mabry and linebacker Patrick O’Connell off the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Mabry adds depth at the tight end spot with Brady Russell (foot) ruled out and Noah Fant (going) questionable. O’Connell, a second-year player from Montana, played 10 snaps on special teams last week against the 49ers and will likely fill a similar role against the Cardinals. This is the third elevation for O’Connell, the most that is allowed.Hidden footage of iconic comic Tommy Cooper to be aired for first time ever decades on
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