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

After first win of 2014, Raiders get flattened by Rams

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 1-10 Raiders get hammered by the Rams 52-0 just a week after getting first win in a calendar year. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/So-Much-For-That-Raiders-Winning-Streak-284265071.html

Book review: "A Christmas Far From Home" helps readers understand the causes of the near-disastrous 1950 confrontation between Chinese and American forces in Korea at the Chosin Reservoir

General Douglas MacArthur promised American troops they'd be come by Christmas in 1950 as they struck deep and fast into North Korea. Instead, American soldiers and Marines were surrounded and almost overwhelmed by Chinese forces who'd come across the Yalu River. In his new book, "A Christmas Far From Home," author Stanley Weintraub explains how it unfolded ... and MacArthur doesn't come off looking very good. My review of the book for U-T San Diego. http://web.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/30/tp-a-brutal-winter-for-us-forces-in-korea/

Was Raiders' first win just a blip? They'll find out vs. Rams

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Winning two in a row is now the hurdle for one-win Raiders Sunday vs. Rams. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Aiming-for-Second-Straight-Victory-284151141.html

Is it Harbaugh? Is it Roman? Is it Kaepernick? Something's wrong

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Where do we point the blame for San Francisco's spiraling-downward offense? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kaepernick-and-49ers-Offense-Need-a-Jump-Start-284149661.html

Seahawks feast on 49ers in turkey-like performance

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers had their game with Seattle circled on the calendar for months, yet were flat and overmatched in 19-3 loss to Seahawks on Thanksgiving night. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Fall-Flat-in-Showdown-with-Seahawks-284119621.html

Time for Kaepernick to break out of Seattle funk

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can Colin Kaepernick finally have a strong game vs. the Seahawks? It's one of the three keys to a San Francisco victory Thanksgiving night. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Stopping-Seattles-Running-Game-is-Prime-Goal-for-49ers-283975921.html

Despite brain cramp vs. KC, Sio Moore has been very good

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Sio Moore took part in a sack celebration that almost cost the Raiders their first victory of the season and has overshadowed his strong play in 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Moore-Has-Learned-From-Mistake-283970531.html

Home field and turnovers loom large in 49ers-Seahawks game

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers-Seahawks matchup on Thanksgiving could hinge on a single mistake. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Advantage-Over-Seattle-at-Home-283841411.html

Raiders may soon say goodbye to Denarius Moore

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Wideout Denarius Moore, who hasn't been on the field for a single offensive snap the past two games, could seen be jobless. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Denarius-Moore-Forgotten-Man-on-Bench-Could-Soon-be-Gone-283834461.html

Aldon Smith coming on in a rush for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Niners defense has been more lethal with No. 99 back on the field. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Getting-Big-Boost-from-Aldon-Smith-283710091.html

It's obvious: Raiders need to turn to Murray and Reece

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: No longer can the Raiders keep running the ball with Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew now that Latavius Murray and Marcel Reece helped them beat Chiefs. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Time-for-Raiders-to-Turn-to-Murray-and-Reece-283707631.html

It was a bit ugly, but 49ers rally to beat Washington

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco needed a late touchdown to stave off an upset by Washington at Levi's Stadium. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Arent-Sharp-but-Pull-Out-Must-Win-Game-283648821.html