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The 49ers’ red zone offense is good. There’s no excuse for it to be less than great.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

The 49ers are the envy of 31 other NFL teams for their offensive weaponry.An efficient and accurate quarterback in Brock Purdy. The league’s most celebrated touchdown machine in Christian McCaffrey and another dual-threat wild card in Deebo Samuel. A classic wideout in Brandon Aiyuk and an old-school sure-handed tight end in George Kittle.That doesn’t even include fullback Kyle Juszczyk, a seven-time Pro Bowler who can produce offensively when overlooked amidst the galaxy of stars.The 49ers are tied for sixth in red zone offense with 24 touchdowns in 40 trips to the 20-yard line or closer. That’s 60 percent. Miami, with former 49ers running game coordinator Mike McDaniel running the offense as head coach, is first at 73 percent, followed by the L.A. Chargers (66.7), Buffalo (65.9), and Baltimore (65.2) with Indianapolis also at 60 percent.Tied for sixth isn’t bad. In fact, it’s good.But if the 49ers have made anything clear in 2023, it’s that bein...

California ramps up efforts to combat organized retail crime ahead of holidays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

(KRON) -- As the holiday shopping season kicks off retailers are gearing up for more foot traffic and law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols to combat the rising tide of organized retail theft. From Sacramento and San Francisco to San Diego, the California Highway Patrol is deploying more uniformed and plainclothes officers to busy shopping corridors to stop retail thieves."These operations and efforts will result in increased safety for shoppers, merchants and our retailers," said CHP commissioner Sean Duryee.During a virtual news conference Wednesday announcing the launch of a statewide crackdown on organized retail thefts, the CHP was joined by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the San Francisco District Attorney. Two charged in organized retail thefts targeting Bath & Body Works "When stores are forced to close due to rampant theft, our communities lose important valuable jobs and access to much needed goods and services," said SF DA Brooke Jenkins.J...

SFO in 'close contact' with federal authorities following explosion at US-Canada border

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) --A vehicle crashed and exploded at a checkpoint in Niagara Falls at the U.S.-Canada border in New York on Wednesday. The explosion resulted in two fatalities. As of now, there is no indication that this was a terrorist attack.Although flights have not been affected, officials told travelers at Buffalo Niagara International Airport to expect additional screenings for security purposes. As for the Bay Area, the three major airports in the region (SFO, Oakland Airport and San Jose Airport) have not been affected. Best and worst times to hit the road for Bay Area Thanksgiving travel San Francisco International AirportSFO officials said there have been no changes in security protocol. However, the airport is in "close contact" with federal government agencies and prepared to make any adjustments if necessary.Oakland AirportAs of Wednesday afternoon, operations at Oakland Airport have not been affected. The airport did not disclose its security plans, if any, rega...

Hundreds of California jobs at stake if NASA Mars mission axed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

(KRON) -- Hundreds of tech and science jobs will be lost in California if NASA moves forward with a plan to cut funding from the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, according to state lawmakers. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.-30), sent a letter on Wednesday to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson to reverse a decision to slash the mission's funding. The funding cut would "result in the loss of hundreds of California jobs, prevent the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) from making its 2030 launch window, and lead to the cancelation of billions of dollars in contracts supporting American businesses," the lawmakers wrote. JPL is a federally funded NASA research and development center managed by Caltech in Southern California. Lawmakers said they were "mystified" by NASA’s "rash decision."If the mission goes forward in 2030, it will mark the first time in human history that a spacecraft is launched from the surface of another planet. The spacecraft wo...

Cooper Kupp misses practice and Puka Nacua is limited in Rams’ initial preparation for Cardinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Cooper Kupp missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury, and rookie receiver Puka Nacua was limited by a shoulder injury when the Los Angeles Rams began their preparations to face Arizona.Kupp sprained his ankle during the Rams’ 17-16 victory over Seattle last Sunday after making just one reception. The Super Bowl 56 MVP already missed the first four games of this season with a serious hamstring injury.“He’s feeling good,” coach Sean McVay said. “We’re going to hold him out today. See what (Thursday) looks like.”Kupp returned impressively from his hamstring injury with two big games last month, including seven catches for 148 yards and a touchdown in a 26-9 win over Arizona. His impact has been much more muted since then, with only nine receptions for 109 yards and no scores over the Rams’ past four games.Nacua hurt his shoulder in the fourth quarter of the win over the Seahawks, but he was able to participate in some of Wed...

No. 4 Stanford survives tough battle with scrappy Belmont, moves to 5-0 with 74-55 win

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Cameron Brink scored 27 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help lead No. 4 Stanford to a 74-55 victory over Belmont on Wednesday in the opening round of the Ball Dawgs Classic.The Bruins turned in a formidable performance before national powerhouse Stanford (5-0) pulled away for the win.After falling behind 33-32 early in the third quarter, a 3-pointer by Hannah Jump ignited a 9-0 run – the other six points coming from Brink – as the Cardinal took a 41-33 lead to seize control.And when the Bruins (2-3) cut their deficit to six, 59-53 with 4:34 left in the game, the Cardinal closed things out on a 15-2 run for the win.Kiki Iriafen scored 14 points and nine rebounds for Stanford.”(Cam) had a great second half … I thought Kiki had a really good game. I thought our fourth quarter was great,” Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. “We started making some shots and we’ve got to run offense better. We worked hard defensively.”Tuti Jones and Tessa Mille...

Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo out with bruised hip against Cavs still without guard Donovan Mitchell

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Miami All-Star center Bam Adebayo will miss Wednesday night’s game against Cleveland with a hip bruise, while the Cavaliers are again without star guard Donovan Mitchell because of a lingering hamstring issue.Adebayo took part in the team’s morning shootaround, but began feeling discomfort afterward. He consulted with the Heat medical staff before the decision was made for him to rest.He missed a game earlier this season with the injury.A team spokesman said Adebayo aggravated the hip bruise when he fell on it during a recent game. The 6-foot-9 Adebayo has scored at least 20 points in eight straight games and is averaging 22.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists.Miami coach Erik Spoelstra will count on backups Thomas Byant and Orlando Robinson to help offset the loss of Adebayo, who is equally dominant on the defensive end.Meanwhile, the Cavs continue to be short-handed.Mitchell is out for the fourth straight game with a hamstring injury. He last playe...

Australia rallies to beat Czech Republic and reach Davis Cup semifinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — A game away from elimination, Australia found a way to rally and make its way back to the Davis Cup semifinals.Australia came from behind to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and reach the last-four for the second straight year on Wednesday.Alex de Minaur recovered from a set and a break down to keep the Aussies alive, then Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden won the decisive doubles match to set up a last-four encounter with Finland on Friday.Tomas Machac defeated Jordan Thompson 6-4, 7-5 in the first singles to put the Czechs ahead, but De Minaur beat Jiri Lehecka 4-6, 7-6 (2) 7-5, and then Purcell and Ebden — the 2022 Wimbledon champions — sealed the comeback by defeating Adam Pavlasek and Lehecka 6-4, 7-5 in the doubles.“I prided myself on a never-say-die attitude and he’s certainly in the same category”, Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt said of De Minaur. “For him to go out there and put the boys on his back again, we’re so proud of him. He had to dig really de...

Chiefs look to continue dominance over Raiders when they meet Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

KANSAS CITY (7-3) at LAS VEGAS (5-6)Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, CBSOPENING LINE: Chiefs by 9 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Chiefs 6-4; Raiders 6-5.SERIES RECORD: Chiefs lead 72-54-2.LAST MEETING: Chiefs won 31-13 on Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas.LAST WEEK: Chiefs lost to Eagles 21-17; Raiders lost at Dolphins 20-13.CHIEFS OFFENSE: OVERALL (8), RUSH (14T), PASS (6), SCORING (14).CHIEFS DEFENSE: OVERALL (4), RUSH (18), PASS (4), SCORING (3).RAIDERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (29), RUSH (31), PASS (23), SCORING (26T).RAIDERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (21), RUSH (27), PASS (11), SCORING (13).TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Chiefs minus-5; Raiders minus-7.CHIEFS PLAYER TO WATCH: CB Trent McDuffie. The second-year pro is making a strong case for an All-Pro nod this season. He had two sacks and forced a fumble against the Eagles last week, and he played a big part in shutting down wide receiver A.J. Brown. McDuffie has forced a league-leading five fumbles this season.RAIDERS PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Jos...

Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is taking ‘a hard look’ at himself to improve ball security

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:43 GMT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Garrett Wilson quickly established a reputation in the NFL for making dazzling catches and being a primary playmaker for the New York Jets.The second-year wide receiver doesn’t want a few fumbles and drops the last few weeks to tarnish what he has accomplished. Wilson also doesn’t it want to become a trend.“Yeah, man, I’ve never been one to put it on the ground often,” last season’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year said Wednesday. “With the things happening these last few weeks, it makes me take a hard look in the mirror.”Wilson had his worst game of the season last Sunday at Buffalo, where he caught just two passes for 9 yards, lost a fumble and had a drop in the Jets’ 32-6 loss. He also dropped a pass two weeks ago at Las Vegas, and lost another fumble in the previous game against the Los Angeles Chargers.In all, Wilson has four drops after having five his entire rookie season. His two fumbles match how many he had last year, ...