Raiders beat Giants to climb into 3-way in AFC West

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders' win over the New York Giants improves their record to 6-6, good enough to be tied atop the AFC West with the Chargers and Chiefs. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Beat-Giants-to-Climb-into-Tie-for-Division-Lead-461721183.html

Giants will see a revitalized Oakland defense

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: New defensive coordinator John Pagano has the Raiders playing faster, plus he's moving Khalil Mack all over the front line to find advantages. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/New-Look-Raiders-Defense-Takes-Aim-at-Giants-461296173.html

Raiders will look to some new WRs vs. the Giants

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper out, QB Derek Carr will be working with a pair of new wideouts Sunday vs. New York. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/With-Crabtree-and-Cooper-Out-Carr-Will-Have-New-Targets-461037483.html

Mr. Garoppolo, meet Mr. Trubisky

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It'll be a duel of young quarterbacks Sunday in Chicago, with Jimmy Garoppolo getting his first start for the 49ers and Mitch Trubisky, the No. 2 overall pick of 2017, starting for the Bears. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/It-Will-be-the-Battle-of-the-Young-Quarterbacks-in-Chicago-461287863.html

49ers' Foster is NFL Defensive Rookie for November

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Reuben Foster of 49ers is named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Foster-is-NFL-Defensive-Rookie-of-the-Month-461045113.html

Reid playing his best for 49ers as season winds down

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Eric Reid is in the last year of his deal with the 49ers, but the safety is playing his best football right now. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Reid-Has-Back-to-Back-Strong-Games-460528423.html

Marshawn Lynch is rolling for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Veteran RB Marshawn Lynch has put together three consecutive high-production games. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Lynch-Putting-Together-Some-Good-Games-for-Raiders-460534683.html

Army Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Marks, a two-time Paralympic medal-winning swimmer, is motivated to help other wounded warriors into adaptive sports

Army Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Marks suffered severe injuries while deployed in the Middle East, but she's gone on to become an elite Paralympic swimmer. Now her focus is aimed at helping other injured veterans and active-duty service members. My story for TeamUSA.org. https://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2017/November/24/My-Focus-How-Helping-Other-Wounded-Warriors-Keeps-Elizabeth-Marks-Propelled-Forward

Raiders still alive in weak AFC West

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With the Chiefs collapse and a win Sunday over the Broncos, the Raiders are closing in on first place in the AFC West. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Very-Much-Alive-in-AFC-West-Race-460295693.html

49ers admire Beathard, but Garoppolo coming on

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Though it appears Jimmy Garoppolo is likely to start this week, rookie QB C.J. Beathard has won over his coaches and teammates. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/No-Matter-What-49ers-Like-What-Theyve-Seen-of-Beathard-460288283.html

Raiders build lead, then hang on for win

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland builds a 21-0 lead over the Broncos, then holds on to win 21-14.

49ers are almost offenseless in loss to Seahawks

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Only TD in loss to Seattle comes with the outcome already decided. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Offense-is-Hardly-There-in-Loss-to-Seahawks-460147103.html

Raiders need to create turnovers, NOW

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: New coordinator John Pagano hopes his unit can come up with more turnovers to help the offense. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Need-to-Start-Feasting-on-Turnovers-459749043.html

49ers getting a wave of fresh D-linemen

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Newly acquired veterans and returning players from injury are beefing up a thin defensive line for 49ers. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Defensive-Line-Getting-Wave-of-Replacements-459753543.html

Paralympic judo standout Dartanyon Crockett is using his name and platform to help others

Dartanyon Crockett grew up in poverty. Now that he's a two-time Paralympic medalist in judo, with success in life and great contacts, Crockett is helping others. My story for TeamUSA.org: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2017/November/22/My-Focus-Why-Judoka-Dartanyon-Crockett-Uses-His-Success-To-Help-Others

Norton's out, but what difference will it make?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders fire defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., but the likelihood that will create a better defense appears slim. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Fire-Norton-But-Will-That-Make-Defense-Any-Better-459335263.html

49ers still intent on giving more time to Garoppolo

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Even after a bye week, the 49ers are expected to stick with rookie QB C.J. Beathard rather than test Jimmy Garoppolo. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Still-Taking-Their-Time-With-Garoppolo-459328093.html

Del Rio believes in Raiders, but why should fans?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jack Del Rio says the Raiders are "close" to hitting on all cylinders, but he and others have said that before. With only six games left, time is running out. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/For-Raiders-Being-Close-Wont-Cut-it-Anymore-459090943.html

49ers' seventh-round pick shining at safety

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Seventh-round pick Adrian Colbert of Miami first starred on special teams. Now he's starting at safety, following injuries that opened the door for him. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Versatile-Seventh-Round-Pick-Colbert-is-Impressing-49ers-459083533.html

Are 200-mile races the new trend in ultra running? Organizer Candice Burt's three annual races have become very popular

A few years ago, ultra runner and race organizer put together a race around Lake Tahoe that turned out to be 205 miles long. Now she has three annual 200-milers, and that distance is becoming more popular among the ultra runner group. My story for MotivRunning.com: https://www.motivrunning.com/running-life/running-trends/next-level-inside-200-mile-race-trend/