The team now faces a crucial period ahead, with important matches on the horizon and a chance to prove their critics wrong. With Mbappe at the helm and a renewed sense of unity among the players, the team is poised to overcome their struggles, rise to the occasion, and reclaim their winning form.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The top of the NFC standings are towering over the Green Bay Packers as they move toward the playoffs, casting a long shadow shaped like Vikings, Lions and Eagles over what has been an otherwise-promising season on both sides of the ball. For as well as the Packers (11-5) had been playing down the stretch, they left Minnesota with a rather murky outlook for the playoffs after stumbling into a 17-point deficit that proved too large for their late surge in the 27-25 loss to the Vikings on Sunday . “They continued to compete and battle, but you just can’t do that against good teams. The margins in this league, especially against a good football team, are razor thin," coach Matt LaFleur said. "I don’t think we were at our best, but that’s a credit to them in our slow start — and that’s me as much as anybody.” The Packers gained 126 yards in the fourth quarter and still finished with a season-low 271 yards. The defense allowed 441 yards, which was also a season worst. The most glaring set of numbers after this frustrating afternoon, though, was this: 0-5. That's Green Bay's record against the top three teams in the NFC: Minnesota, Detroit and Philadelphia. There's no shame in losing to those opponents that carry a combined 40-7 record into Monday, particularly when four of those defeats — save for the 10-point loss to the Lions on Nov. 3 — came by a total of 12 points. “It’s not about who we can and can’t beat. We can beat everybody. If we figure out how to finish, we’ll win games,” cornerback Keisean Nixon said. But the Packers will more than likely be on the road the entire time they're alive in the playoffs, so any path to the Super Bowl would undoubtedly trigger rematches with one, two or even all three teams from that daunting trio. The Packers clearly aren't overmatched by the Vikings, Lions or Eagles, but in games against those premier foes that significantly shrink the margins for error the Packers have shown a troubling pattern of not meeting the moment with too many ill-timed mistakes and not enough big-time plays. “It's hard when you put yourself in a hole and are down early and just kind of shooting yourself in the foot,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “There’s so much stuff to clean up and get better at, but I think we’re still a really good team. We can put up points. But when you put yourself in a hole, it’s just hard to climb out of that hole. And when it’s a good team like the Vikings, you know, it just makes it even tougher.” The red flag came right away. Josh Jacobs, the NFL 's fourth-leading rusher, had just given the Packers a second first down on the opening drive of the game when defensive tackle Jerry Tillery pushed the ball out and safety Cam Bynum recovered at the Minnesota 38. Jacobs had gone 11 straight games without fumbling until losing one at Seattle on Dec. 15. Now he has coughed up the ball twice in three games. “I feel like it drained the energy out of the team just starting early,” Jacobs said. “I take it personal on getting the team to start fast and things like that. Yeah, that’s on me.” Though the Vikings punted on the subsequent possession, they moved the ball enough to flip the field position. Perhaps wary of the fumble getting in Jacobs' head, LaFleur then called three straight passes from their own 15-yard line, and Love was off the mark on all three to force a punt. After a breakout performance here a year ago in a 33-10 victory over the Vikings that helped the Packers squeak into the playoffs after a rough start and ride the momentum through a first-round win at Dallas, Love looked awfully amid the cocktail of blitzes ordered by Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores that fueled a fierce pass rush. He finished 19 for 30 for 185 yards and one touchdown. “They do a good job of keeping a lid on the coverage. That’s how they play," LaFleur said. "We knew that going in, so there was going to be minimal opportunities to push the ball down the field. You've got to be super efficient. You've got to stay on schedule because once they get you into third down, that’s where they’re really good.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Eagles roll as Barkley reaches 2K[Word count: 413]
In conclusion, the Israeli incursion into the military buffer zone near the Syrian capital represents a dangerous escalation of tensions in the region. The international community must act swiftly to prevent further violence and to facilitate dialogue between the parties involved. Only through diplomatic engagement and a commitment to peaceful coexistence can a lasting solution be achieved to the complex challenges facing the Middle East.Timberwolves win third straight game, again in dramatic fashion
NoneIn a surprising turn of events, Nezha Motors, a leading Chinese automobile manufacturer, has recently found itself in a legal battle as a judgment debtor with a hefty execution target of over 9.11 million RMB. This development has sent shockwaves through the automotive industry and raised concerns about the financial stability of the company.
Jack Ma's speech also offered insights into his vision of leadership in the digital age. He emphasized the need for leaders to be visionary, bold, and forward-thinking, while also being empathetic and inclusive. Ma highlighted the importance of inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world. This signal underscores Ma's belief in the transformative power of leadership to drive innovation and positive change.Despite Xuan Xuan's reassurances, the rumors have sparked a heated debate among her followers and the online community at large. Some fans have rallied behind her, expressing their understanding and support for her decision to prioritize her well-being. Others, however, remain skeptical and continue to speculate about the alleged relationship, fueling further controversy and discussion across social media platforms."Mo is a top professional and a great person to have in the squad. His dedication and passion for the game are evident in every training session and match. He is always looking to improve and help the team achieve its goals," Henderson added.
UCF coach Gus Malzahn reportedly resigning to take Florida State OC jobDespite the allegations and uncertainties surrounding his future, Dr. Liu Yusheng's contributions to the field of reproductive medicine cannot be denied. His research and advancements have helped countless individuals and families achieve their dreams of parenthood, leaving a lasting impact on the field.On Saturday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Kerala's startup ecosystem, calling it a 'glittering jewel' in India's burgeoning startup landscape. He highlighted Kerala's achievements in innovation and sustainability during his keynote address at the Huddle Global 2024 conference organized by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM). Tharoor urged the state to streamline regulatory procedures to aid entrepreneurs in starting businesses and attracting capital. He emphasized the importance of simplifying compliance to support the aspirations of young innovators sustainably and inclusively as India's startup sector advances. At the conclave, Tharoor commended Kerala for its vibrant startup culture, which resonates with venture capital providers. He also praised Kerala Startup Mission for creating a significant platform that showcases a diverse range of technologies, from robotics to home automation. (With inputs from agencies.)
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) have achieved a significant milestone in the advancement of nuclear reactor technology. For the first time in over two decades, a criticality experiment has been conducted in the United States utilizing a specialized ceramic fuel integral to certain advanced reactor designs. This experiment, called Deimos, was executed at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center situated near Las Vegas, Nevada. “The Deimos experiment is an important step towards deploying HALEU-fueled nuclear reactors,” said Chris Stanek, LANL Program Manager for Nuclear Energy. Deimos centers on the utilization of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel. HALEU is expected to play a pivotal role in the development of next-generation nuclear reactors due to its capacity to facilitate enhanced efficiency and performance. HALEU enables the design of smaller reactors with longer operational cycles, contributing to improved economic viability and reduced fuel consumption. Utilizing critical assembly machine To conduct the Deimos experiment, researchers utilized a unique critical assembly machine, which was specially modified to accommodate a graphite core and special containers, called “cups,” to hold the HALEU fuel pellets. These pellets are composed of TRISO particles, a type of ceramic fuel renowned for its ability to withstand incredibly high temperatures, even hotter than molten lava. “Many advanced reactors will require HALEU to achieve smaller designs, longer operating cycles, and increased efficiencies over existing nuclear technologies,” added the research team in a press release . The experiment involved several key steps. First, the researchers achieved criticality, the point at which a nuclear chain reaction becomes self-sustaining. Then, they carefully measured the system at room temperature. Finally, they heated the system to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This allowed them to gather critical safety data on HALEU fuel under different conditions. This data is essential for understanding how HALEU behaves in real-world scenarios. Collaborative effort and future implications The Deimos experiment is not an isolated effort. It is a key component of a larger collaboration between the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This partnership aims to compile comprehensive data on HALEU, covering its use, storage, and transportation. The information gathered from Deimos will play a vital role in ensuring that the necessary infrastructure for handling HALEU is properly licensed and ready for the deployment of these advanced reactors. “We are excited and proud to make use of unique LANL capabilities to advance the nation’s advanced reactor goals, and we look forward to future experiments that Deimos enables,” concluded Stanek. Meanwhile, amid the growing demand for nuclear power, research on HALEU has increased. Recently, Bill Gates-backed leading nuclear energy developer, TerraPower, signed an agreement to produce HALEU to help the development of the next generation of nuclear power plants in the US. Recognizing the importance of HALEU research, the DOE has dedicated $17 million to fund 16 projects focused on developing public data and criticality benchmarks for HALEU.
