It's a brand new year, so let's hear it for 20s and 12s in 2012

The new year is 2012, which brings to mind all sorts of combinations of 20s and 12s, from Rocky Bleier (20) and Terry Bradshaw (12) to the number of points scored by an NBA All-Star one season (2,012) and a college star's milestone rushing season. A look at the 20s and 12s in honor of 2012, for ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/7404797/get-ready-new-year-knowledge-great-20-12-combos-sports-history

It's all on the line Sunday for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC BayArea website: It's come to this for the Oakland Raiders: They must beat the Chargers Sunday and hope for help elsewhere to win the AFC West or win a wild-card spot. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Its-All-on-the-Line-Sunday-for-Raiders-136433253.html

Rams don't appear to be much of a hurdle for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Rams have lost six in a row, are 2-13 and will be missing their starting QB. So why is Jim Harbaugh worried about the season finale? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Rams-Dont-Appear-to-be-Much-of-a-Threat-to-49ers-136435418.html

Jeopardy for Dec. 30 on ESPN.com

The Heimlich Maneuver can come in handy if you're at the Beef Bowl, eh? My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7403450

Don't count on Terrell Owens re-joining the 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Though fans seem ready to embrace ex-49er Terrell Owens, San Francisco is more likely to activate rookie Joe Hastings as the replacement at wide receiver for the now-departed Braylon Edwards. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/A-Guy-Named-Joe-May-be-49ers-Next-Wide-Receiver-136379818.html

Chiefs appear motivated to help the Raiders win West

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kansas City appears motivated to beat the Broncos Sunday in the regular-season finale, which would help the Raiders win AFC West ... if they can beat the Chargers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Chiefs-Appear-Motivated-to-Help-Raiders-Win-West-136377053.html

Raiders banking on the 'good' Carson Palmer Sunday

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Carson Palmer at times has been brilliant. At others, he's been an interception machine. Oakland is hoping the "good" Palmer is at QB Sunday when the Raiders play the Chargers in the season finale with a playoff spot on the line. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Hope-the-Good-Palmer-Shows-up-Sunday-136263378.html

In a surprise move, 49ers release Edwards

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Braylon Edwards was acquired by the 49ers in August to be the big-time play-making wideout they needed to complement Michael Crabtree. However, it never worked out. Tuesday, the 49ers released Edwards in a surprising move. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Release-Braylon-Edwards-in-Surprise-Move-136261578.html

Raiders need a win and some helping hands

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders know they need to beat the Chargers Sunday to make the playoffs. But they also know they need some help to win the AFC West or earn a wild-card spot. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Need-a-Win-and-Some-Helping-Hands-136225688.html

History shows a first-round bye is very important

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: How big is earning a No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff bye? Very important, according to one statistical analysis. The 49ers' chances of reaching the Super Bowl would almost double, he says. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/For-49ers-Earning-No-2-Seed-Could-be-Huge-136224918.html

Niners come back to beat Seahawks in Seattle

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco comes back to win on David Akers' fourth field goal of the game in Seattle, keeping the team in the running for the NFC's No. 2 playoff seed. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Rally-to-Beat-Seattle-Gain-Edge-for-No-2-Playoff-Seed-136193053.html

Raiders stay alive with OT win in K.C.

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders broke their three-game losing streak with a dramatic victory in Kanas City, blocking a Chiefs field-goal attempt at the end of regulation to give themselves a chance in overtime. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Stay-Alive-for-Playoffs-with-OT-Win-136189508.html

Will Niners have their special weapon vs. Seahawks?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ted Ginn returned two kicks for TDs in the season opener vs. Seahawks, but he may not be full speed for Saturday's rematch in Seattle. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-May-be-Missing-a-Special-Weapon-vs-Hawks-136142333.html

Raiders headed into hostile Arrowhead for must-win game

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Though the Raiders have won four straight in Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City can be a hostile environment for a team in a must-win situation. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Face-a-Must-Win-Game-at-Hostile-Arrowhead-136144998.html

Jeopardy for Dec. 23 on ESPN.com

Who was this Scottish actor who had his kilt flipped in big-wave misadventure at Mavericks? My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7383300

First Winter Youth Games coming to Innsbruck

The little city of Innsbruck, Austria, has twice hosted the Winter Olympics, in 1964 and 1976. This January, the first Winter Youth Olympic Games will also take place in the city, where winter sports are a tradition and Olympic history has deep roots, from America's Billy Kidd to Austrian hero Franz Klammer. These Games, however, will be unlike any previous Winter Olympics. These will offer new sports and new formats for teens 14-18. My story for the U.S. Olympic website: http://www.teamusa.org/news/2011/12/22/youth-olympic-games-head-to-innsbruck/45953?ngb_id=3

A loss to Chiefs Saturday could put a fork in Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: After losing three in a row, the Raiders are in a precarious position as they get ready to play the Chiefs in Kansas City Saturday. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/If-Raiders-Dont-Win-in-KC-Playoff-Hopes-Could-Die-136072603.html

Niners can afford to let Willis heal on sidelines

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Standout linebacker Patrick Willis, sidelined with a hamstring injury the past two weeks, says there's no timetable for his return. He's just trying to get 100 percent healthy so he can make an impact when he returns. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Can-Afford-to-Let-Willis-Heal-Completely-136070578.html

She decks the halls at the Hotel del Coronado

Valerie Willis each year is in charge of the Christmas decorations at the Hotel del Coronado, a year-round assignment that begins each January with the choice of a theme for the coming holiday. More than 100,000 lights decorate the historic hotel, and Christmas trees and other festive decorations are everywhere, including the 21-foot pine in the hotel's lobby. Her profile for the On the Job series on Coronado Patch: http://coronado.patch.com/articles/she-decks-the-halls-and-everything-else-too

Christmas menus evolve and become more diverse with time

The traditional Christmas dinner may not be so traditional anymore for many families. As our families grow, and more people become part of them with different heritages and traditions, new dishes are added. And as more people have to go to a gluten-free or dairy-free diet -- or have chosen to become vegetarian or vegan -- cooks are changing the dishes they make. My story on changing Christmas meals for the Food Section of the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/dec/19/a-melting-pot-of-traditions/