McDonald's best season comes to an early close

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tight end Vance McDonald, who just signed a long contract extension, is out for the 49ers' last three games because of injury. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/After-Signing-Extension-49ers-McDonald-is-Lost-for-Year-406291205.html

49ers snatch defeat from jaws of victory

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers jumped out to a good lead against the Jets, then frittered it away, losing in OT. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Give-up-Lead-to-Jets-Fall-in-Overtime-405934455.html

Jets are nearly as feeble as the 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco, at 1-11, actually is favored in Sunday's game with the 3-9 Jets. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-May-Have-a-Chance-to-Pick-Up-Second-Victory-405640146.html

Raiders' road to postseason now a little rockier

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland had the inside track to a top seed, a bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs ... until losing to Kansas City again. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Road-Through-Postseason-May-be-Harder-Now-405635816.html

Chiefs get the best of Raiders again

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: For the second time in 2016, Raiders fall to the Chiefs. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Chiefs-Again-Have-the-Solution-to-Raiders-405556956.html

After benching, Kaepernick will be back in the lineup

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday vs. the Jets, even though he was pulled from Bears game and replaced by Blaine Gabbert. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/After-Benching-vs-Bears-Kaepernick-Will-Start-vs-Jets-405455885.html

So who's boss of AFC West? Raiders hope to show K.C.

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders go into Kansas City with a one-game lead in the AFC West, hoping to turn the tables on a Chiefs team that handed them their last loss. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Hope-to-Show-Whos-Boss-in-the-AFC-West-405240786.html

San Diegan Joe Pacheco uses a diet of kickball, softball and football to become healthier and more active

A combination of work and family kept Joe Pacheco so busy that he found himself out of shape and much less active than he used to be. Now he's having more fun and is healthier and in better shape with a steady diet of team sports to his weekly schedule. My story for the Active San Diego series in the Health section of the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-active-pacheco-20161205-story.html

Raiders excited to see Edwards back on the field

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A surging Oakland team may soon get its young defensive end, Mario Edwards Jr., back in the lineup. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Edwards-is-Back-and-Eager-to-Contribute-to-Raiders-405019215.html

Bad 49ers team is getting worse because of penalties

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: As the season has progressed, 49ers have committed penalties at a problematic rate. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Flag-Warning-49ers-Play-is-Getting-Sloppier-405013035.html

What do parents need to know about helmets and mouthguards for their young athletes? Plenty.

A helmet in youth sports is no good if it isn't properly fitted. Also, mouthguards are essential for athletes, even in sports where they aren't required. My two stories for the first issue of the new magazine, MVP Parent: http://fliphtml5.com/xyea/xzlw

Carr benefitting from Raiders' premier pass protection

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Derek Carr wasn't hit even once in the win over Buffalo, thanks to an O-Line that has become dominant. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Offensive-Line-is-Leading-the-Way-404783905.html

Loss to Bears means 49ers will likely draft first or second

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Now that 49ers have fallen to the Bears, it's very likely the Niners will draft first or second this coming spring. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/With-Loss-49ers-Strengthen-Position-at-Top-of-2017-Draft-404790655.html

Raiders come up big in second half for sixth straight win

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: After trailing big in the third quarter, the Raiders rally for 29 straight points to beat the Bills. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Rally-Score-Four-Unanswered-TDs-in-Second-Half-to-Beat-Bills-404660675.html

49ers snowed by Bears in Chicago

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The battle between two bad teams wasn't even, as the Chicago Bears stomped the 49ers at snowy Soldier Field. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Buried-on-a-Snow-Day-in-Chicago-404634775.html

As an occupational therapist, Sheri Branum helps others to walk. Her own passion is to run, swim and bike in national- and international-level triathlons

Occupational therapist Sheri Branum always has been active and athletic. But she found her true calling about 13 years ago when she found triathlon. My story on her for ESPNW.com's Weekend Warriors series: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/18182137/weekend-warriors-elite-triathlete-sheri-branum-helps-others-re-learn-how-walk-run

49ers-Bears game is a battle of the basement

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Will anyone care when the 1-10 49ers face the 2-9 Bears Sunday? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Bears-Set-for-Battle-of-the-Basement-404272596.html

Raiders face Buffalo's top-ranked running attack

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: LeSean McCoy and the Bills run the football better than any team in the NFL, and now stand in the way of the 9-2 Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Norton-Raiders-Defense-Must-Play-Together-vs-Bills-404264586.html

Ex-Raider Streater getting chance with 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Wide receiver Rod Streater is getting a chance to prove himself with Niners after injuries sideline other pass catchers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Rod-Streater-Working-His-Way-Into-49ers-Offense-404037186.html

Raiders' Carr says injured finger is fine

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Derek Carr says not to worry and that his finger injury doesn't bother him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Carr-Says-Finger-is-Fine-and-Hes-Ready-for-Bills-404031066.html