TE Brandon Myers has been bright spot for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: In a season of downers, tight end Brandon Myers has been a high for struggling Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Myers-Has-Been-One-of-Raiders-Few-Bright-Spots-181845941.html

Raiders can't fix problems, lose fifth straight game

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Even the 3-8 Browns look good vs. the Raiders defense in 20-17 victory over Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Same-Old-Story-for-Raiders-181769691.html

Kaepernick mistakes costly in OT loss to Rams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Colin Kaepernick was good at times in Sunday's game against the Rams, but he also committed two costly mistakes that helped St. Louis to an overtime victory. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Fall-in-Overtime-to-Rams-181759341.html

After disappointing tie, 49ers are primed for Rams rematch

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In their first meeting, the 49ers and Rams settled for a 24-24 tie, and the San Francisco players remember St. Louis was the more motivated team at the start. In Sunday's scheduled rematch, the Niners are saying they'll be ready. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Ready-for-Their-Second-Shot-at-Rams-181548361.html

Perhaps Browns will be cure for Raiders' losing streak?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: In a battle of two 3-8 teams, the Raiders -- stuck in a four-game losing skid -- will take on the 3-8 Browns in Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Get-Their-Shot-at-Another-3-8-Team-181542461.html

McClain's Raider tenure coming to an end

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: It's expected that linebacker Rolando McClain, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, will be released, ending what was hoped to be a bright career in Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/McClains-Time-as-a-Raider-Coming-to-an-End-181376461.html

Akers now banged up, but should continue to kick

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers this week brought in two free-agent, veteran kickers for a tryout, just in case David Akers can't kick vs. the Rams Sunday. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Injury-is-Latest-Bump-in-Akers-Rockier-Road-181384851.html

Raiders may begin Terrelle Pryor experiment

Raiders daily blog for NBC Bay Area website: Terrelle Pryor, the former Ohio State quarterback who hasn't appeared in a game this season, may soon be incorporated into the Raiders offense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Talking-About-Activating-Pryor-181001641.html

Injuries may open door of opportunity for 49ers' rookies

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Wide receiver A.J. Jenkins and running back LaMichael James may finally get a chance to play this weekend for the 49ers vs. the Rams because of injuries to Kyle Williams, Kendall Hunter and Ted Ginn Jr. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/-Injuries-May-Open-Door-for-49ers-Jenkins-James-181007081.html

Coaches sometimes go to great lengths to schedule games for their players back in front of hometown friends and family

In college basketball, they're sometimes called "homecoming games," and many coaches believe in them. At BYU, for instance, head coach Dave Rose tries to set up a game in the home area of every one of his players during his time at the school, to give him a chance to play in front of friends and family. And Rose isn't alone. Coaches go to great lengths, all over the country, to allow their players one last game in front of a home crowd. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/14698/from-laettner-to-jimmer-to-griner-many-college-players-given-special-homecomings

By picking Kaepernick over Smith, Harbaugh has boldly moved his team into the future

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The conventional move would have been for Jim Harbaugh to stick with Alex Smith, a proven winner and solid quarterback. By boldly making Colin Kaepernick his starter, however, Harbaugh has made a move for future success with a player with more upside. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Harbaughs-Bold-Decision-May-Have-Big-Payoff-180851551.html

Raiders are hoping for best ... but getting worse

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Each week, Raiders coaches and players vow to make needed improvements, but each week the team seems to slide a bit deeper. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Getting-Worse-Not-Better-180845791.html

49ers defense outshines Kaepernick in win over Saints

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It may not have mattered who started at QB for the 49ers vs. the Saints Sunday, with Ahmad Brooks and Donte Whitner each returning interceptions for TDs in a victory at New Orleans. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Defense-Dominates-the-Saints-180777181.html

Raiders defense picked apart by Bengals

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's D can find a way to slow down the Bengals. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Bengals-Pick-Apart-Raiders-Defense-180766421.html

Energetic and curious Escondido entrepreneur says he's really a mushroom farmer at heart

Roberto Ramirez is a classic tale of success, the son of an immigrant woman from Mexico who worked hard to provide for her children. Ramirez went to college, worked hard at an Escondido mushroom farm ... and now owns the business -- along with a lot of other ventures. My story on Ramirez for the U-T's North County editon's "On the Job" series: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/nov/23/tp-man-of-many-trades-says-hes-a-mushroom-farmer/?page=1#article

Kaepernick or Smith? Only Harbaugh knows

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kaepernick or Smith? The question still has no answer (at least publicly). But the 49ers-Saints matchup should be interesting no matter what. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Focus-on-49ers-Still-on-Quarterback-Starter-180562191.html

Raiders' defense needs to show up vs. Bengals

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The focus has been on Carson Palmer's return to Cincinnati, but the real story is whether the Oakland defense can stop the Bengals. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Defense-Again-Will-be-Key-for-Raiders-in-Cincinnati-180561381.html

Kaepernick reportedly will start for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It not appears as if Colin Kaepernick will start at QB for the 49ers vs. the Saints. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/With-Kaepernick-Apparently-Starting-Smith-Taking-Team-First-Approach-180509111.html

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland Raiders, hurting on defense, still couldn't use linebacker Aaron Curry. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Hurting-on-Defense-Couldnt-Use-Curry-180506441.html

49ers' Aldon Smith is a defensive force

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Aldon Smith now leads the NFL in sacks after his 5 1/2-sack effort vs. the Bears. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/49ers-Aldon-Smith-Has-Become-an-NFL-Force-180177881.html