41 vipph login Several times following New England’s 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said he wanted to review the game film before making a final assessment of his team’s performance. He did, and on Monday he said the overarching feeling he was left with was one of pride. Going toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the NFL is commendable. Mayo also remains confident this group has even more room for growth over its final two games this season. “To be frank, I don’t believe in good losses,” Mayo said. “I think there’s a lot to learn from the game. Look, we’re headed in the right direction, but it’s all about consistency, and we have to do that on a down-after-down, a game-after-game basis to be successful in this league.” What is also clear is that despite their 3-12 record, Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye wants people to know that he and his teammates believe in their coach. No matter what conversations might be going on outside the Patriots locker room regarding shortcomings by the coaching staff, or Mayo’s job status. “We’ve got his back, and he’s coached us hard. He wants to win. We all want to win. We’re all frustrated,” Maye said. “We’re just plays away, and it’s basically me turning the ball over. I think it’s just a testament to these guys that keep fighting. We keep fighting. Shoot, we’re not going to make the playoffs; we’re out of the race, and these guys are coming in, frustrated when we don’t score. ... So, I think we’re building something good, building something that feels right here, and I’m proud to be a Patriot.” What’s working The Patriots entered the week scoring only 7.5 points per game in the first half this season, which ranked 29th in the NFL. The offense woke up with 14 points in the first half on Sunday, notching multiple offensive touchdowns in the first half for the first time in 2024. What needs help Stopping the run has been an issue for New England’s defense for most of the season and it was on display against the Bills. With Buffalo trailing 14-0 in the second quarter, running back James Cook sliced through the interior of the Patriots defense and broke free for a 46-yard TD run. It was a big chunk of Buffalo’s 172 yards on the ground for the game. Stock up CB Jonathan Jones. He was tasked with being the primary defender on Buffalo’s top receiver Khalil Shakir for most of the game. The veteran held his own, helping limit the Bills’ leader in catches and receiving yards to only two catches for 22 yards on six targets. Jones also forced a fumble by Shakir in the fourth quarter, though Shakir was able to recover it. Stock down Marte Mapu. The linebacker started at safety with Jabrill Peppers sidelined with a hamstring injury. Mapu was strong for most of the game and had a chance to set up the Patriots offense in the second quarter when he snagged his second career interception, picking off Josh Allen’s pass in the end zone. But Mapu decided to run the ball out of the end zone and was tackled on the New England 1-yard line. The poor starting field position eventually led to a punt and the Patriots couldn’t add to their 14-7 lead. Injuries The Patriots didn’t announce any injuries during the game. But along with Peppers, cornerback Marcus Jones also sat out with a hip injury. Key number 2-6 — The Patriots’ record in one-score games this season. Four of those have been by three or fewer points. Next steps The Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Kyle Hightower, The Associated PressBiden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmatesSt George Illawarra Dragons have officially got their man just in time for Christmas. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading The signing of Australian Rugby Sevens star Nathan Lawson has been mooted for some time, with the club having to wait for the 25-year-old to finish his playing commitments before officially signing him on Monday for the 2025 season. Lawson has featured in 25 tournaments for the Australian Sevens team, including the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, scoring 69 tries. "Nathan is a terrific athlete," Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan said. "He is coming to us at the end of an outstanding season, which he finished off with the Australian Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award and a spot in the World Rugby Sevens Team of the Year. "He's a big, fast, powerful winger with good instincts. He'll adjust to rugby league in no time, and once he does, he'll be a real asset to us." The Sutherland Shire native scored 25 tries in the 2023/24 season and joins the Dragons' supplementary list in 2025. "I'm excited about coaching him as well. He's a big, aggressive athlete. He'll probably play on the wing and could play in the centres once he starts learning the game a little bit more, but we'll start him off on the wing as he can run fast and is big and aggressive," Flanagan said earlier this month about Lawson. St George Illawarra still have a spot left on their roster, and Flanagan stated he was in the hunt for another middle forward. The Dragons head coach is in no rush to sign, indicating he was happy with some of the younger forwards coming through the club's system. "Some of our young boys, they're doing a really good job, and I'm excited to see Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Egan in the forwards; they could all step up; they'll all get an opportunity in the trials," Flanagan told the Mercury earlier this month. "So we've got some really good young kids coming through, whether they're ready to play first grade yet, but I'd like to think those three could step up." Big things are expected of Loko Pasifiki Tonga, with many predicting the 196cm, 121kg monster can follow a similar trajectory as Brisbane prop Payne Haas. Tonga led St George to a breakthrough SG Ball title last year before stepping up to the Under 21 Jersey Flegg competition and later playing two games in reserve grade. Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure. Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure. More from Dragons Den Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. 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This is going to make for one awkward Christmas dinner. While seeing a good scrap at a men’s league game might not be all that out of the ordinary, this one had some history behind it. The two combatants who dropped the gloves during a men’s league game in Saskatchewan just happened to be father and son. Father Chris Ewen of the Langham Vikings and Tyler Driedger of the Perdue Pirates squared off during the third period of a “fan appreciation night” that will not soon be forgotten by those in attendance. Ewen and Driedger didn’t appear to hold back, either. Both men looked to be throwing some bombs at each other. After a wild 10 seconds or so, Ewen takes Driedger to the ice and the refs quickly step in. The video, originally shared on X by Saskatchewan senior hockey podcast Monday Nooner, was later re-posted by Spittin’ Chiclets and has been viewed more than 1.6 million times across both accounts as of Monday afternoon. Fans on social media were quick to joke about the family affair. “Family dinner is going to be REAL awkward this week...” one user on X commented. “The Feats of Strength. A longstanding festivus tradition,” another user replied, referencing a Seinfeld episode. A third user joked about a penalty-box conversation between the two fighters: “’We still on for Christmas dinner Wednesday?’ ‘You bet son.’ ‘Alright, yep good tilt Dad.’” The game itself had gotten way out of hand before the pair decided to spar with the Pirates scoring a massive 18-4 victory. While it sure didn’t seem like the combatants were holding anything back, Pirates assistant coach Mike Gray noted that the bout was partly pre-planned with the actual game completely out of hand after two periods. “We knew it was coming,” Gray reportedly said. “It didn’t just happen. Chris and Tyler talked about having a little fun if the game was lopsided, and it was, so away they went.” Along with the big win and the hearty bout, fans also were treated to discount pizza and wings at the arena – drawing in a big crowd. “The whole town was there,” Gray said. “It was a big night because we had the fan appreciation night setup and word got out that this might happen, so kind of packed the arena and it was fun.”By Jennifer Allen Between cooking, cleaning and hosting, the familiar hustle of the holiday season can sometimes feel more hectic than heartwarming. But what if there were a way to embrace the season while leaving the chaos behind? Holiday cruises make all of this possible, offering the perfect getaway that can be tailored to any vibe – blending festive traditions with the excitement of travel. Imagine sipping hot chocolate in the background of the Northern Lights, exploring sun-drenched islands or maybe enjoying a festive dinner on the sea. Whether looking for family-friendly fun, romance for two or peaceful solo travel, holiday cruises deliver a unique celebration unlike any other. Do you want to skip the stress of the season but don’t want to miss out on the holiday cheer? Rest assured, among the most well-known cruise lines, most of them host elaborate holiday festivities that transform their ships into winter wonderlands complete with decorations, entertainment and activities fit for Santa Claus himself. Instead of buying gifts, stressing over what to cook or bake and cleaning over the holidays, Michelle Price of Honest and Truly prefers a holiday cruise for her family. “The ship takes care of everything, from making the beds in the morning to prepping our meals throughout the day. And they have various fun activities to keep us busy,” she says. From towering Christmas trees in the atrium to twinkling lights on every railing, cruises at this time of year are very creative with their festive splendor. Cruises will also complement their aesthetics to match entertainment, including tree-lighting ceremonies, live caroling and holiday movie nights under the stars. Depending on the cruise, you can expect a robust calendar of events with activities like ugly sweater parties, holiday trivia, Santa appearances and even onboard Christmas markets. The holiday wouldn’t feel complete without the food to match, and cruise lines deliver. You can enjoy lavish holiday dinners complete with everything, from the traditional turkey to international Christmas dishes. Some cruises even offer themed buffets with everything, from a turkey carving station to hot and creamy chowders , holiday cocktails, gingerbread-making workshops and seasonal dessert tastings to add fun to the feasts. Cruises cater to various travelers and take the guesswork out of planning a holiday. Unlike a traditional vacation where you are responsible for your own itinerary, cruises do the hard work for you by planning destinations, offering a wide variety of on-board activities and providing varied experiences that appeal to all. A 2024 survey by Expedia Cruises concluded that 82% of travelers who have cruised before say they would do it again. Traveling with the whole family can often feel like an exercise in logistics that leaves you more stressed than you were before your holiday. Holiday cruises simplify this, offering multigenerational activities, family-friendly dining options and flexible accommodations. The Disney Cruise Line, which includes the Very Merrytime Cruises for the holiday season, is popular for offering exciting kid-centric activities like themed crafts, holiday scavenger hunts and character meet-and-greets. These endless options paired with the kids’ or teens’ clubs keep younger travelers entertained while giving their parents peace of mind. When traveling with older family members, consider reaching out to the cruise ahead of time to find out what accessible options they offer. Cruise lines can sometimes accommodate requests that might be better suited for older folks like avoiding stairs or long walks to reach their room. Couples can rediscover their magic on holiday cruises that offer intimate moments and tailored experiences. The Romantic Cruises by Princess Cruises stand out because of their private balcony dining and couples’ activities like wine tastings or cooking classes to make hors d’oeuvres . However, many holiday cruises offer specialty experiences like date-night-worthy restaurants, sunset strolls on the deck and shared excursions that are sure to create lasting memories. For couples looking to rest and relax, holiday cruises can provide serene spaces, spa suites and infinity verandas that are perfect for unwinding together. Cruises provide the perfect atmosphere for singles to mingle and enjoy the holiday season with company. Social events like trivia nights, dance parties and holiday mixers encourage connection and camaraderie. Certain cruises, like the Norwegian Cruise Line and the Virgin Voyages’ Holiday Cruises, cater specifically to solo travelers. These cruises include adult-only entertainment, curated activities and a vibrant nightlife. Rest assured, these cruises provide plenty of holiday entertainment and seasonal activities that ensure you enjoy yourself while staying close to your holiday traditions. With over 323 cruise ships currently in operation serving 36 million passengers this year alone, according to photoAiD , how do you choose if you’re a first-time cruiser ? Start by confirming that the cruise is appropriate for the needs of your traveling group. Often, experiences that are tailored for a specific group, whether kids or couples, will be described in the cruise line’s name – take for instance, the Disney Cruise Line. You can also check out the on-board activities available to make sure that there are plenty of options for your company. Related Articles Travel | California’s sunny Huntington Beach makes a great weekend getaway Travel | Top travel destinations for 2025 include a real-life Land of the Lotus Eaters Travel | New York state highlights can’t-miss holiday sites and attractions Travel | Holiday travel: Tahoe’s Truckee is a magical, cozy winter destination Travel | Election results are impacting travelers’ 2025 international trip plans Next, consider your budget. Holiday cruises make luxury accessible without breaking the bank, with options as low as $300 for shorter voyages. Cruises will often provide all-inclusive packages that bundle accommodations, dining, entertainment and travel into a single cost-effective experience. The Carnival Cruise line remains a favorite for budget-conscious travelers because of its fun festivities and great dining options. However, even high-end experiences, like the MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club, which includes amenities like private pools, lounges and butler services come at a fraction of the cost of traditional luxury resorts. Lastly, ask yourself what holiday vibe you’re going for. Are you dreaming of a sunny tropical Christmas or perhaps frosty landscapes? Either way, with thousands of options in December alone, as cataloged by CruiseBooking.com , there’s a cruise waiting for you. The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Caribbean Cruises stop at destinations like the Great Stirrup Cay, while Hurtigruten’s Arctic Expeditions sail through breathtaking fjords and snowy landscapes. Holiday cruises offer a unique way to celebrate the season that’s a guaranteed hit without breaking the bank. Consider leaving behind the stress of hosting and planning; step aboard a ship where every detail has been curated to bring enjoyment and relaxation. With the holidays calling, will you answer with a ticket to set sail? Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her writing appears in dozens of publications, and she has two cookbooks, “Keto Soup Cookbook” and “Keto Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan.” These days, she’s busy in the kitchen, developing recipes for various publications and traveling, and you can find all her best recipes at Cook What You Love .

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