Rams wary of Niners' strong defense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners' offense may not scare opponents, but San Francisco's defense certainly does. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Revived-Rams-Wary-of-49ers-Defense-233839761.html

So far, Holmes is fine catch for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Andre Holmes has a breakout game at wide receiver for Raiders vs. Cowboys. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Holmes-Shows-Raiders-Hes-a-Fine-Catch-233835521.html

Raiders build lead, then fall to Cowboys on Thanksgiving

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland built a 21-7 lead at Dallas only to go cold in the second half and lose 31-24. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Let-Lead-Slip-Away-Lose-to-Cowboys-233786111.html

Has 49ers' passing game come back to life?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In Monday night's win over the Redskins, Colin Kaepernick completed six passes of more than 15 yards, a big upgrade over recent games. Can he keep it up? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Hope-to-Open-Downfield-Passing-Game-233624951.html

Raiders, McGloin need to do better on third down

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Matt McGloin has given the Raiders offense a shot in the arm, but there still needs to be vast improvement on third down. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Need-to-Keep-Drives-Alive-vs-Cowboys-233617371.html

After spending the summer living out of his truck in Utah, snowboarder Justin Reiter is ready to make U.S. Olympic team for Sochi

Justin Reiter weighed his options and counted his money, then decided to live out of his truck while spending several months working out at the U.S. snowboard facility at Park City, Utah. Now in the best shape of his life, and back on the slopes, Reiter is hoping to make the 2014 Olympic team after falling just short in 2010 and 2006. My story for TeamUSA.org. http://www.teamusa.org/Road-to-Sochi-2014/Features/2013/November/26/Justin-Reiter-In-A-Van-Down-By-The-River

James is the (return) man for Niners

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: LaMichael James is providing some explosiveness and big returns for 49ers in new role as No. 1 kick and punt returner. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/James-Giving-49ers-a-Spark-as-Return-Man-233471231.html

Raiders' Janikowski says he's found his problem

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Suddenly-inaccurate kicker Sebastian Janikowski says a film-study session has shown him what he's doing wrong. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Janikowski-Says-Hes-Found-Solution-233465361.html

49ers offense shows more 'pop' to beat Redskins

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After two sluggish offensive performances in back-to-back losses, the 49ers show much more life in a dominating victory over Washington. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Offense-Shows-More-Life-in-Win-233410131.html

This time, it's the Raiders' D that falls flat in second half

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Finally, the Raiders were able to mount a late drive to score a go-ahead TD vs. the Titans Sunday. The bad news, however, is that the usually reliable defense then collapsed. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Defense-Must-Regroup-Quickly-233315721.html

Janikowski is off target in Raiders' loss to Titans

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Once Mr. Reliable, kicker Sebastian Janikowski misses two makable kicks in Raiders' loss to Tennessee. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Janikowski-MIsses-Loom-Large-In-Raiders-Loss-233243781.html

'Seed of the Future' tells the story of the birth of Yosemite, the concept of preservation and the ideas that launched the National Park system

The new book by historian Dayton Duncan, "Seed of the Future: Yosemite and the Evolution of the National Park Idea," provides a great tale of the revolutionary concept of preserving special lands for future generations. That idea sprouted in the Sierra and spread across the nation and the world. My review of the book for U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/nov/22/yosemite-national-park-movement/

49ers-'Skins matchup features two QBs under fire

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Niners need a victory over Washington Monday night to get back on track in a matchup that features two scintillating QBs of 2012 who have gone cold. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Redskins-Two-Struggling-QBs-in-Spotlight-Monday-Night-233015351.html

McGloin eager for his encore performance

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie quarterback Matt McGloin will start for Oakland vs. the Titans Sunday, a second chance to show what he can do. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McGloin-Gets-Another-Shot-to-Prove-Himself-233008441.html

Niners will miss Iupati, a run-blocking 'bulldozer,' vs. 'Skins

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: A sprained left knee will keep left guard Mike Iupati out of the 49ers' lineup Monday vs. Washington. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Offense-Will-MIss-Iupati-Monday-Night-232845531.html

Hayden's rocky rookie season comes to an end

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Surgery for a sports hernia brings the season to a close for Raiders' No. 1 pick D.J. Hayden, who had a roller-coaster season as an NFL cornerback. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Haydens-Up-and-Down-Rookie-Year-is-Over-232840041.html

49ers' Justin Smith, at 34, has come back strong

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: If there were doubts about how well Justin Smith could come back from an injury at age 34, they have been erased. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Justin-Smith-Still-a-Force-on-Defensive-Line-232674221.html

Crabtree's return appears imminent for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Michael Crabtree, so valuable to the 49ers last season, appears close to being activated. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Crabtrees-Return-Appears-Very-Close-232513221.html

Raiders' defensive end Houston is a 'disruptive force'

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Lamarr Houston isn't among the AFC sack leaders, but he's nonetheless a "disruptive force" to opposing teams, says head coach Dennis Allen. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Defensive-End-Houston-a-Disruptive-Force-232508011.html

After another loss, 49ers' only hope is a wild-card berth

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: At 6-4 with six games remaining, the 49ers' hopes of winning a third straight NFC West title are dead. It's wild card or nothing. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Are-Now-in-a-Battle-for-a-Wild-Card-Spot-232357031.html