https t me wow888_online BA star and Denver Nuggets player , in October 2020 in their hometown of Sombor, located in northern Serbia. , born in September 2021, in November. , avoiding social media and media exposure, , giving fans a glimpse into his unique perspective on family and tradition. During the launch of his first signature shoe with the Chinese brand 361 Degrees, a nod to a personal habit of his. However, despite this thoughtful addition, explaining the reason behind this decision. The sentimental gesture that went awry The Nuggets center had a peculiar habit of tying his wedding ring to his game shoes as a sentimental gesture, keeping him connected to his family while playing on the court. -Jokic lost his wedding ring not once, but twice. "Funny story. I lost my ring, and my wife gave me another ring. And I lost that too," Jokic admitted with humor, reflecting on the mishap. Nikola Jokic shines bright in the 2024-25 NBA Season . He recently recorded his eighth triple-double of the season, bringing his career total to an incredible 138, tying him with the legendary Magic Johnson for third place on the all-time triple-doubles list With three MVP awards already under his belt, Jokic currently leads the KIA MVP Ladder, according to NBA.com, solidifying his status as one of the league's most outstanding players. , further cementing his legacy in the NBA.My love of movie scoundrels has been sorely tested this year. When I was young, I daydreamed of exotic heists, slick con artists and lovable crooks I’d seen on screen. For most of my moviegoing life, I’ve been a sucker for larceny done well. Most of us are, probably. Related Articles Movies | ‘Nightbitch’ review: Amy Adams goes feral in a cautionary tale of love and parental imbalance Movies | Review: Angelina Jolie glides through ‘Maria’ like an iceberg, but a chilly Callas isn’t enough Movies | ‘Sweethearts’ review: Breakup-focused romcom is largely engaging Movies | Making ‘Queer’ required openness. Daniel Craig was ready Movies | 18 most anticipated movies in holiday season 2024 But now it’s late 2024. Mood is wrong. In the real world, in America, it’s scoundrel time all the time. Maybe Charles Dickens was right. In “American Notes for General Circulation” (1842), the English literary superstar chronicled his travels and detected a widespread, peculiarly American “love of ‘smart’ dealing” across the land. In business and in politics, Dickens observed, slavish admiration of the con men among them “gilds over many a swindle and gross breach of trust.” And here we are. It’ll pass, this scoundrel reprieve of mine. In fact it just did. All it took was thinking about the conspicuous, roguish outlier on my best-of-2024 list: “Challengers.” It’s what this year needed and didn’t know it: a tricky story of lying, duplicitous weasels on and off the court. The best films this year showed me things I hadn’t seen, following familiar character dynamics into fresh territory. Some were more visually distinctive than others; all made eloquent cases for how, and where, their stories unfolded. “All We Imagine as Light,” recently at the Gene Siskel Film Center, works like a poem, or a sustained exhalation of breath, in its simply designed narrative of three Mumbai hospital workers. Fluid, subtly political, filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s achievement is very nearly perfect. So is cowriter-director RaMell Ross’ adaptation of the Colson Whitehead novel “The Nickel Boys,” arriving in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 3, 2025. “Nickel Boys,” the film, loses the “the” in Whitehead’s title but gains an astonishingly realized visual perspective. If Ross never makes another movie, he’ll have an American masterpiece to his credit. The following top 10 movies of 2024 are in alphabetical order. Both a mosaic of urban ebb and flow, and a delicate revelation of character, director and writer Payal Kapadia’s Mumbai story is hypnotic, patient and in its more traditional story progression, a second feature every bit as good as Kapadia’s first, 2021’s “A Night of Knowing Nothing.” Mikey Madison gives one of the year’s funniest, saddest, truest performances as a Brooklyn exotic dancer who takes a shine to the gangly son of a Russian oligarch, and he to her. Their transactional courtship and dizzying Vegas marriage, followed by violently escalating complications, add up to filmmaker Sean Baker’s triumph, capped by an ending full of exquisite mysteries of the human heart. As played by Adrien Brody, the title character is a visionary architect and Hungarian Jewish emigre arriving in America in 1947 after the Holocaust. (That said, the title refers to more than one character.) His patron, and his nemesis, is the Philadelphia blueblood industrialist played by Guy Pearce. Director/co-writer Brady Corbet’s thrillingly ambitious epic, imperfect but loaded with rewarding risks, was shot mostly in widescreen VistaVision. Worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find. Opens in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 10, 2025. Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor play games with each other, on the tennis court and in beds, while director Luca Guadagnino builds to a match-point climax that can’t possibly work, and doesn’t quite — but I saw the thing twice anyway. In Bucharest, production assistant Angela zigzags around the city interviewing people for her employer’s workplace safety video. If that sounds less than promising, even for a deadpan Romanian slice-of-life tragicomedy, go ahead and make the mistake of skipping this one. llinca Manolache is terrific as Angela. Like “Do Not Expect Too Much,” director Agnieszka Holland’s harrowing slice of recent history was a 2023 release, making it to Chicago in early 2024. Set along the densely forested Poland/Belarus border, this is a model of well-dramatized fiction honoring what refugees have always known: the fully justified, ever-present fear of the unknown. A quiet marvel of a feature debut from writer-director Annie Baker, this is a mother/daughter tale rich in ambiguities and wry humor, set in a lovely, slightly forlorn corner of rural Massachusetts. Julianne Nicholson, never better; Zoe Ziegler as young, hawk-eyed Lacy, equally memorable. I love this year’s nicest surprise. The premise: A teenager’s future 39-year-old self appears to her, magically, via a strong dose of mushrooms. The surprise: Writer-director Megan Park gradually deepens her scenario and sticks a powerfully emotional landing. Wonderful work from Aubrey Plaza, Maisy Stella, Maria Dizzia and everybody, really. From the horrific true story of a Florida reform school and its decades of abuse, neglect and enraging injustice toward its Black residents, novelist Colson Whitehead’s fictionalized novel makes a remarkable jump to the screen thanks to co-writer/director RaMell Ross’s feature debut. Cousins, not as close as they once were, reunite for a Holocaust heritage tour in Poland and their own search for their late grandmother’s childhood home. They’re the rootless Benji (Kieran Culkin) and tightly sprung David (Jesse Eisenberg, who wrote and directed). Small but very sure, this movie’s themes of genocidal trauma and Jewish legacy support the narrative every step of the way. Culkin is marvelous; so is the perpetually undervalued Eisenberg. To the above, I’ll add 10 more runners-up, again in alphabetical order: “Blink Twice,” directed by Zoe Kravitz. “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger. “Dune: Part Two ,” directed by Denis Villeneuve. “Good One ,” directed by India Donaldson. “Hit Man,” directed by Richard Linklater. “Joker: Folie a Deux,” directed by Todd Phillips. “Nosferatu,” directed by Robert Eggers, opens in Chicago-area theaters on Dec. 25. “The Outrun,” directed by Nora Fingscheidt. “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” directed by Johan Grimonprez. “Tuesday,” directed by Daina O. Pusić. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

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NoneSingapore-based Maxeon Solar Technologies is leasing a former Honeywell building in Albuquerque, where it will begin solar module assembly in 2026 — a turnaround from the company’s plans to build a massive facility at Albuquerque’s Mesa del Sol . The news comes as the company announced a broader restructuring of its business portfolio, selling off global assets in a likely maneuver to free up capital as it focuses exclusively on the U.S. market, according to a company news release.Nigel Farage blasts Alastair Campbell in angry Brexit row as QT tensions explode

How major US stock indexes fared Thursday, 12/5/2024IREN Reports Q1 FY25 Results

UPPER MARLBORO — Liberty football entered Class 2A/1A state quarterfinals on the highest of highs, tapping into a sense of hope that can only be unlocked by a surprise win to keep the season going. Coming off an upset, come-from-behind win over Williamsport last week, Liberty was in the quarterfinals for only the second time in program history. It was a difficult draw for the Lions, traveling to Frederick Douglass-PG. The undefeated Eagles swooped in with an unrelenting run game and a lockdown defense to stampede the Lions, 36-13. Liberty’s season ends at 7-5, while Frederick Douglass (12-0) advances to host three-time defending state champion Dunbar. “They ran a little harder than we tackled,” Liberty coach Larry Luthe said. “A lot of the game, if it was third-and-1, they got 2 [yards]. If it was third-and-4, they got 5. They did just enough to keep the chains moving.” His Lions surrendered multiple big runs when the Eagles’ line opened holes through the defense. Frederick Douglass piled up five touchdowns, dominant enough that it still converted on three of five two-point attempts while openly missing a kicker on their roster. Liberty’s pass-first scheme simply couldn’t hang while Frederick Douglass’ ground game was chewing up the clock. The Lions fell behind in the first quarter and could never catch up. “I guarantee you the number of plays doubled ours and our time of possession,” Luthe said. “We missed some plays and had to make some plays to keep the chains moving, and we weren’t able to do that.” Liberty had its chance in the third quarter, although it started with the Eagles’ third touchdown of the day. Frederick Douglass benefited from a good kickoff return, buying advantageous yards in the Lions’ territory. But Liberty retaliated in the quickest way possible, with a kickoff return of its own where senior wide receiver Tristan West took the football all the way to the end zone and bring the score to 22-13. A few minutes later, a Lions defense that struggled holding back the Eagles early, impeded another grueling Douglass trudge downfield with a fumble recovery. However, the afternoon’s blustery winds sabotaged Liberty quarterback Chase Miller, who came into the day just shy of 2,000 yards passing on the season. The conditions hindered his attempts at bringing it to a one-score game. Related Articles Liberty turned it over on downs after the Eagles’ front line chased him into a scramble, where the signal caller chucked a 40-yard prayer to the end zone that just got under the gale and found the ground before the target could get his gloves on the ball. Luthe credits his team for playing hard, but that’s the moment West remembers watching the fire leave his teammates’ eyes. “They kind of wanted it more,” the senior said. West, who’s high school football career concluded with this defeat, remembers that Williamsport win as one in which his team entered with a completely different mindset. “I feel like we came in with a different intensity,” he said. “That was a different game, but all year we struggled to stop the run, and it really showed out here.” The Eagles are as formidable an opponent Maryland has to offer, as Liberty became only the second team to score in double figures on a defense that has posted six shutouts.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks fell in morning trading Friday as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.4%, with more than 80% of stocks in the benchmark index losing ground. Still, the index is managing to hold onto a modest gain for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 402 points, or 0.9%, to 42,945 as of 10:41 a.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite fell 2%. Both the Dow and the Nasdaq are also holding on to weekly gains. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market Friday. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slumped 3.2%. Its enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes. Other Big Tech stocks losing ground included Microsoft, with a 2.2% decline. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 2.2% and Best Buy slipped 1.9%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. Energy was the only sector within the S&P 500 rising. It gained 0.5% as crude oil prices rose 0.8%. Investors don't have much in the way of corporate or economic updates to review as the market moves closer to another standout annual finish. The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of around 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. Markets in Europe gained ground. Bond yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury remained at 4.59% from late Thursday. The yield on the two-year Treasury slipped to 4.32% from 4.33% late Thursday. Wall Street will have more economic updates to look forward to next week, including reports on pending home sales and home prices. There will also be reports on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity.Fluence Energy, Inc. Announces Closing of Offering of $400.0 Million of Convertible Senior Notes due 2030

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev stated on Sunday, December 29 that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan this week, killing 38 people was damaged by gunfire from the ground in Russia. He accused Moscow of attempting to conceal the true cause of the crash and called for Russia to take responsibility for the disaster. Aliyev expressed regret that “some circles” in Russia had tried to suppress the truth, spreading false narratives about the crash, which claimed 38 of the 67 lives onboard. He criticized Moscow for presenting theories that appeared to cover up the incident. “The facts are that the Azerbaijani civilian plane was damaged from the outside over Russian territory, near the city of Grozny, and almost lost control,” Aliyev said in televised comments, according to state news agency, Azertag. “We also know that electronic warfare systems put our plane out of control,” he said, adding that “at the same time, as a result of fire from the ground, the tail of the plane was also severely damaged.” He added that “of course,” the Azerbaijani plane “was hit by accident. Of course, there can be no talk of a deliberate act of terror here.” He emphasized that the incident was accidental, not a deliberate attack, and urged Russia to admit guilt, apologize promptly to Azerbaijan, and inform the public. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier “apologized” to Aliyev for the “tragic incident,” though he did not acknowledge that Russian fire had struck the plane. Putin confirmed that Russian air defences were active when the plane was attempting to land in Grozny but refrained from linking Russian fire to the crash. Moscow had initially claimed that Ukrainian drones had attacked Grozny that day. Azerbaijan’s transport minister said the plane, which crashed on December 25, was subject to “external interference” and was damaged both inside and out while trying to land in Chechnya. Survivors reported hearing three blasts while the plane was over Grozny. Further, Baku has demanded a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible. (With inputs of PTI)Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reverses decision to put a time limit on anesthesia

New Delhi, ISRO is set to launch two satellites on Monday night from the Sriharikota spaceport to demonstrate docking and undocking of spacecraft in orbit, which will make India the fourth country in the world to achieve the feat. The Indian Space Research Organisation's warhorse rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle will place the two satellites SDX01 and SDX02 in a 476-km circular orbit and attempt the Space Docking Experiment in the first week of January, the space agency officials said. "This mission will mark India's entry into the exclusive league of nations capable of mastering space docking," Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said. The SpaDEx mission is expected to be a stepping stone for India's future endeavours in space exploration which include getting rocks and soil from the moon on Earth, the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station and landing an astronaut on the lunar surface. Only the US, Russia and China have mastered space docking technologies. "The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft in a low-Earth circular orbit," an ISRO official said. The secondary objective of the mission includes demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics; composite spacecraft control and payload operations after undocking. "This capability is vital for India's lunar and interplanetary missions. Docking technology enables multi-launch missions and supports future human spaceflight," Singh said. After the demonstration of docking and undocking experiments, the two satellites will continue to orbit the Earth for standalone missions for two years. The SDX01 satellite is equipped with a High Resolution Camera and SDX02 has two payloads Miniature Multispectral payload and Radiation Monitor . These payloads will provide high-resolution images, natural resource monitoring, vegetation studies and on-orbit radiation environment measurements which have numerous applications, ISRO said. The PSLV-C60 mission also carries 24 payloads from various ISRO labs, private start-ups and educational institutions for carrying out experiments in space. These 24 payloads are mounted on the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket which remains in orbit for a few weeks before falling back on the Earth. PS4-Orbital Experiment Module provides an opportunity for the scientific community to carry out certain in-orbit microgravity experiments for an extended duration of up to three months using the platform, which otherwise would end up as space debris immediately after the mission objective of injecting the primary payloads of the mission. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.Discover the JOC (Japan Open Chain) Listing on XT

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Kylan Boswell had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and Tomislav Ivisic scored 23 points to lead No. 24 Illinois to a 117-64 victory over winless Chicago State on Sunday. Boswell was one assist shy of his first triple-double and got it with a pass that set up Keaton Kutcher’s 3-pointer with 1:47 left. It was the seventh triple-double in program history. Dre Gibbs-Lawhorn scored 16 points, Kasparas Jakucionis had 14, Will Riley had 13 and Morez Johnson Jr. had 11 points and eight rebounds for the Illini (9-3). Gabe Spinelli, son of first-year Chicago State coach Scott Spinelli, led the Cougars (0-15) with 20 points and Noble Crawford scored 15. Illinois led 60-24 at halftime and built its lead to as many as 58 points in the second half. Takeaways Illinois: This wasn’t much of a test for the Illini, who were facing a winless team that doesn’t have a player averaging in double figures and gives up 83 points per game. But it gave them a chance to shake off the rust from having a week off following their Braggin’ Rights win over Missouri on Dec. 21. Chicago State: It was another bad day for the Cougars, who were outrebounded 47-23, committed 15 turnovers and shot 37%. On a positive note, they were 4 for 4 at the free-throw line. RELATED COVERAGE Moore, Fears help No. 12 Oklahoma put away Prairie View 89-67 to remain unbeaten Backcourt comes up big as No. 6 Florida beats Stetson 85-45 to remain undefeated before SEC play Anderson hits 3-pointer with 6.8 seconds left to lead Utah State past No. 20 San Diego State 67-66 Key moment A 14-point run over a 2 1/2-minute stretch early in the first half extended an 8-7 Illinois lead to 22-7 and propelled the Illini to the lopsided win. Key stat The Illini shoot a lot of 3s. They came into the day averaging 32 per game, No. 6 in the nation, and went 15 for 33. Up next Illinois plays Thursday at No. 9 Oregon. Chicago State plays Friday at Wagner. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballSaudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic partnerships, aiming to increase bilateral trade to $37.5 billion by 2030. The two nations also pledged to boost mutual investments through Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the UK’s Industrial Strategy, focusing on emerging industries that drive future global competitiveness, create jobs, and promote prosperity for their people while ensuring sustainable growth. This came in a joint statement released at the conclusion of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's official visit to Saudi Arabia. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Saudi Arabia on December 9, 2024, where he was received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. The two leaders held formal discussions, emphasizing the role of the Saudi-UK Strategic Partnership Council in fostering collaboration between the two nations. They expressed eagerness to host the next council meeting in the UK and celebrated significant progress in expanding and diversifying bilateral relations. Both nations stressed the importance of boosting economic cooperation. They committed to raising trade volume to $37.5 billion by 2030 and enhancing investments across strategic sectors through Vision 2030 and the UK’s Industrial Strategy. The focus will be on industries of the future that enhance global competitiveness and provide employment opportunities. The leaders welcomed advancements in the Gulf Cooperation Council-UK Free Trade Agreement and highlighted growing mutual investments. Saudi investments in the UK in 2024 included the Public Investment Fund’s acquisitions, such as Selfridges and Heathrow Airport, and additional investments in Newcastle United Football Club. Meanwhile, the UK announced plans to increase export finance exposure to $6 billion, building on the $700 million Shariah-compliant financing for the Qiddiya project. The two sides highlighted ongoing collaboration in energy, including renewable energy and clean hydrogen. They emphasized the importance of developing clean hydrogen policies, standards, and business models, alongside human capacity-building as a cornerstone for successful partnerships. Saudi Arabia’s Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative was acknowledged as a step toward securing global supply chains, particularly in renewable energy, hydrogen production, and green metals. The launch of five Saudi special economic zones was celebrated as a platform for British companies to benefit from incentives across supply chains and strategic sectors. The nations committed to strengthening ties in clean technology, energy innovation, and sustainable growth. They agreed to establish a Saudi-British clean hydrogen alliance, led by King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and Newcastle University. Cooperation in financial services, including banking, fintech, asset management, and green finance, was emphasized. In education, both sides welcomed plans to increase the number of British schools in Saudi Arabia to 10 by 2030 and support the establishment of British university branches in the Kingdom, aligning with its knowledge-driven economic goals. Cultural collaboration under a bilateral memorandum of understanding was lauded, including initiatives to strengthen ties between cultural organizations and infrastructure projects like heritage and museum development in AlUla. The launch of a partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the British Council was highlighted. Healthcare initiatives included plans to establish a nursing college in Saudi Arabia through partnerships with British universities and continued cooperation to tackle global health challenges. Both nations pledged to deepen strategic defense partnerships, focusing on industrial cooperation, advanced weapons, and cybersecurity. They underscored shared security priorities, including combating terrorism and addressing regional threats. They also highlighted joint humanitarian efforts, committing $100 million to projects focusing on emergency relief and development. Annual Saudi-UK strategic dialogues on humanitarian assistance and international development were agreed upon. On Gaza, both sides called for an immediate end to conflict, the release of hostages, and protection of civilians, in line with UN Security Council resolutions. They reiterated the importance of a two-state solution for lasting peace. On Syria, they urged the international community to support peace efforts and address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. On Yemen, they reaffirmed support for the Presidential Leadership Council and comprehensive political solutions. In Sudan, they emphasized building on the Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians and achieve a lasting ceasefire. Regarding Ukraine, the two nations committed to continued dialogue and called for efforts to secure a just and sustainable peace respecting sovereignty. The UK reaffirmed its strong support for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the opportunities it presents for bilateral cooperation. Both sides celebrated increased connectivity, facilitated by expanded air links and eased visa requirements, as a catalyst for greater cultural and economic exchange. The statement concluded with optimism about the enduring partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK, emphasizing shared aspirations for sustainable growth, mutual prosperity, and global security. < Previous Page Next Page >

Charisma Glassman is Leading the Way in Strategic LeadershipThe Los Angeles Rams have been the dark horse team of the 2024 season. They got off to a rough start early on in the season as the offense was without stars Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp . Through the first five weeks, it was safe to say that this season was going to be a losing one for the team as it got off to a 1-4 start. However, just when one thought they were done, Matthew Stafford got his wings back. Ever since Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have been a part of the roster, their offense has been rolling. Now, LA finds itself in a unique position. As the Rams rank second in the NFC West, the team dons a unique tag, the team is a ‘Dreambreaker’ for the likes of the Seahawks, Cardinals, and the 49ers. Seattle is one win ahead of LA in the division but they have been inconsistent throughout the year which means fans should not be shocked if the Rams overtake them and win the division by the end of the season. Apart from that, the Arizona Cardinals still have a shot at making the number 1 seed but they are two wins away. Fortunately, for them, they face the Patriots and Panthers in the coming weeks, two games that can be won although considering the strong fight Carolina put up against the Eagles, the team should not be dismissed entirely. Then they go up against the Rams and the 49ers, two games that cannot be predicted as there are a lot of variables in play. However, given the Seahawks’ schedule, it is safe to say that LA might end up with the top spot in the NFC West. As Seattle goes up against Minnesota and Green Bay in the coming weeks, those are matchups they do not stand to win. Ultimately, the Rams can take benefit of this and sneak into the playoffs. Does that make the Rams a legitimate Super Bowl contender? Not necessarily but they will certainly not be a first-round exit in the playoffs and here are three reasons why: 1. Offense, Offense and Offense Matthew Stafford has been consistent throughout the season. Without his wide receivers too, he ranks top 5 in terms of yards thrown this season, top 10 in terms of passing touchdowns, and 8th in the NFL with a QBR of 65.6. The man knows how to work with unfavorable odds, after all, that is what he did for most of his career in Detroit. Now that he has Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to rely on that is a boost to the offense. Add Kyren Williams to this equation and LA has a roster that can inflict damage to its opponents. Averaging 340.7 yards per game, they have primarily relied on the passing game this season. LA’s offense will be the primary driver that can deliver a blow to even the most seasoned of defenses. 2. Sean McVay and his strategic decision-making Trading Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford was a gamble, bringing Odell Beckham Jr. when there were rumors of his ability to perform at an elite level was a gamble, HC Sean McVay is no stranger to taking risks. He is always two steps ahead of the curve and when the Rams fanbase was deep into concern after the slow start, he did not lose hope. Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford together have formed a formidable duo. Since the veteran quarterback joined the Rams, they are 10-1 in December. Well, the next 3 of their games are in December so that’s a positive sign for them. 3. No moment is too big for the Rams Despite having a much different-looking roster than the Super Bowl squad, the Rams have not cracked under pressure so far. The evidence? Just look at what they did to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. The MVP candidate had a historic night as he passed for three touchdowns and rushed for three but still, the Bills came up short. This showcases two things, one is that the Rams’ offense can compete with anybody. However, the other thing is that they can do this despite their defense. LA’s defense is far behind the offense but on days they come up short, the offense never fails to cover the deficit. Their win against Buffalo was a morale booster for them, one that they needed ahead of the TNF game against the San Francisco 49ers. This will be a matchup that will feature the intensity of a playoff game because the 49ers’ season is on the line but considering the grit LA showed against Buffalo, they are not going to be backing down in this one either. The team’s ability to get into the playoffs should not be doubted. They can make it as far as the Divisional Round until they meet a defense that is capable of shutting them down. If LA faces either the Detroit Lions or the Philadelphia Eagles then they stand no chance but apart from that, whichever team they face, they can beat. The Los Angeles Rams are dangerous and what makes them dangerous is the fact that it is easy to overlook them. This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

Best Bets for NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread for Thursday, December 12