Forecast for 49ers in Seattle: cloudy, at best

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: For now, beating the Seahawks in Seattle Sunday seems like an impossible task for struggling 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Picture-Looks-Bleak-for-49ers-in-Seattle-285500171.html

Raiders will try to beat Chiefs a second time in four weeks

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can Raiders pull off a second victory over Kansas City? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Up-and-Down-Raiders-Face-Stumbling-Chiefs-285495171.html

After her breakthrough season on skis, Paralympian Oksana Masters is excited about making even greater progress in 2015

Oksana Masters shocked almost everyone, including herself, by winning two medals in cross country skiing at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Now the former Paralympic rowing medalist is focusing on skiing over rowing and says she's hoping for progress over podiums in the coming season en route to the next Winter Games in 2018. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2014/December/10/In-second-season-on-skis-Oksana-Masters-aims-for-progress-not-podiums

Becca Gilmore, 16, plays well beyond her years as a member of U.S. Under-18 team at World Championships

Becca Gilmore is physically talented, a fast skater and good scorer. But it's her vision and ability to recognize what's happening on the ice that have her tabbed as a future star. My story on her for USA Hockey: http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/455814?referrer_id=836196

It appears Brooks may be on his way out of San Francisco

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The writing is on the wall that linebacker Ahmad Brooks may be playing his last season for the 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Brooks-May-be-in-Final-Season-With-49ers-285226291.html

Raiders' Rivera showing he may be long-term answer at tight end

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mychal Rivera got off to a slow start this season, but has now become an impact receiver for Derek Carr and the Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Rivera-Catching-On-With-Carr-285222801.html

So when did the 49ers start to unravel?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers' hopes appear dashed for 2014. When did things start to come apart? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Hopes-Could-Soon-be-Over-285096941.html

In a negative season, Sparano is keeping Raiders positive

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Head coach Tony Sparano may be interim, but he deserves praise for keeping Raiders focused and playing hard in light of wins over Chiefs and 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Sparano-Keeping-Raiders-Positive-During-a-Negative-Season-285091261.html

Raiders stun 49ers, perhaps killing SF's playoff hopes

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Derek Carr outplays Colin Kaepernick as Raiders shock 49ers, 24-13, in Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Shock-49ers-to-Win-Battle-of-the-Bay-285032601.html

My newest book released: "Tiger Woods Makes Masters History"

My latest book, "Tiger Woods Makes Masters History," will be released Dec. 15th. It's one of a series of youth non-fiction books for ABDO Publishing in its Greatest Events in Sports History series. This is my fifth book for ABDO.

49ers must regain momentum with strong showing vs. Raiders

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners still seem to be a bit shocked by their loss to the Seahawks, but a decisive, efficient performance vs. Oakland Sunday could help launch a drive to playoffs. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Hope-to-Regain-Momentum-vs-Raiders-284880881.html

Raiders must start quickly vs. 49ers

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland has been a slow starter in games in 2014, and that can't happen vs. the 49ers on Sunday. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Need-to-Keep-Game-Close-284877171.html

Raiders say they're excited to face 49ers

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: They may be just 1-11, but the Raiders are eager to face off vs. Bay Area rivals. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Say-Theyre-Eager-for-49ers-Matchup-284753841.html

Offensive line needs to lead the way for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With four must-win games remaining, it's time for the 49ers offensive line -- despite injuries and shuffling -- to lead the way. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Need-Offensive-Line-to-Lead-the-Way-284758961.html

As national Under-18 women's hockey coach, Joel Johnson certainly wants to win. But his primary role is to teach.

Joel Johnson has put in many years into the USA Hockey national programs and has a long, successful tenure as associate head coach at the University of Minnesota. Now as head coach of the U.S. national U-18 women's hockey team, he certainly wants to lead the U.S. to a gold medal. But he knows that in the U-18 program teaching is more important than winning. My story for USA Hockey. http://www.usawomenshockey.com/news_article/show/453237

Ellington's healthy return could boost 49ers' special teams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Over almost the full four games Bruce Ellington has missed, the 49ers' return teams haven't been very dynamic. Now he's back. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Ellingtons-Return-May-Provide-Spark-to-Special-Teams-284613811.html

Niners' playoff hopes are dying, but not yet dead

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: If 49ers can go 4-0 or 3-1 over the final games, they may yet gain a playoff spot. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Playoff-Hopes-Not-Dead-Yet-284486591.html

Raiders leading the charge to No. 1 draft choice

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: At 1-11 and with four tough opponents ahead, the Raiders are a solid choice to earn the No. 1 draft choice in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-in-Great-Position-to-Earn-No-1-Draft-Choice-284479231.html

What's wrong with the 49ers' offense? One theory: too many coaches

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It's possible that the problems the 49ers have on offense come down to the fact there are too many people offering differing views. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Offense-Seems-Woefully-Out-of-Sync-284343041.html

In brief stint in 52-0 loss, Schaub appears out of sync (again)

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Things could be worse for the Raiders. Matt Schaub could be the team's starting QB. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Will-Need-a-New-Backup-Quarterback-in-2015-284338451.html