NFC West Division preview 2024 predicted order of finish, record San Francisco 49ers (12-5) The 49ers have plenty of playmakers and signed "hold-in" WR Brandon Aiyuk to an extension. But LT Trent Williams remains a holdout and without him the line might not give Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Aiyuk and Co. enough time to make plays. Will the 49ers regress after losing (again) to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl? Los Angeles Rams (10-7) With WR Cooper Kupp returning, the Rams have one of the best receiving tandems in the league with Puka Nacua, who was the runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year last season. RB Kyren Williams also had a breakout season in 2023, giving QB Matthew Stafford plenty of options. One massive worry: the Rams have to replace retired three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Seattle Seahawks (8-9) For the first time since 2009, someone other than Pete Carroll will be calling the shots in Seattle. Former Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald fills his shoes, hoping to revamp a defense that finished 25th in points allowed each of the past two seasons. Veteran QB Geno Smith remains at the controls, with a new OC in Ryan Grubb. Arizona Cardinals (6-11) After losing eight of their first nine games last season with QB Kyler Murray sidelined by a torn ACL, the Cardinals went 3-5 after he returned. First-round pick WR Marvin Harrison Jr. gives Arizona a No. 1 receiver it has lacked since Larry Fitzgerald retired. –NFC West top MVP candidates RB Christian McCaffrey If McCaffrey isn't the first pick in every fantasy draft, something is wrong. He rushed for 1,459 yards and 14 TDs in the regular season last year, plus caught 67 passes for 564 and seven more scores when he was third in MVP balloting. Then he had five more postseason TDs in leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl, which they lost to Kansas City in OT. A calf strain kept him out of most of training camp and all of the preseason games. QB Brock Purdy Purdy was fourth in the MVP balloting last season, behind Baltimore's Lamar Jackson, Buffalo's Josh Allen and teammate Christian McCaffrey. The former Mr. Irrelevant from the 2022 draft proved his rookie season was no fluke, despite coming off UCL surgery last year. He completed 69.4% of his passes for 4,280 yards and 31 TDs in the regular season. QB Kyler Murray Want a dark-horse candidate for MVP? Murray was a leading contender in 2021 before fading late, then suffered a gruesome ACL injury in 2022. The Cardinals led the league in total offense after he returned from the injury in Week 10 last season, with 414.3 yards per game. –NFC West breakout players 49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir Started all 17 games last season, breaking up 10 passes and intercepting three while playing both outside and in the slot. Has improved each year and has plenty of motivation as he enters the final season of his rookie contract. 49ers S Ji'Ayir Brown The third-round pick out of Penn State played in 15 games as a rookie last season, recording 35 tackles. Brown didn't start until Talanoa Hufanga was sidelined with an injury, but is listed as the starting free safety heading into the 2024 campaign. Rams edge Byron Young The 2023 third-round pick started 16 of 17 games last season and finished eighth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He had 61 tackles last season, including eight sacks. He'll need to increase that output with DT Aaron Donald having retired. Rams DB Quentin Lake The third-year player, the son of four-time Pro Bowl selection Carnell Lake, was voted a captain by his teammates, an honor his dad didn't get until his 10th season. Lake filled the nickel defender role Jalen Ramsey previously held last season, but can cover the slot or serve as a safety. Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Smith-Njigba got off to a slow start as a rookie last year, in part because of a fractured wrist suffered in the preseason. He still finished with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four TDs and new coach Mike Macdonald has called him a "massive piece" in first-year coordinator Ryan Grubb's system. Seahawks DT Byron Murphy II The second defensive player taken in the 2024 draft at No. 16 overall, the 300-pound rookie should help Seattle stem the opponents' running game. He'll be a big part of new coach Mike Macdonald's rotation on the D-line. Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. The fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Ohio State brings more than just good genes. He was the 2023 Fred Biletnikoff winner as college football's top receiver. He'll be the No. 1 receiver the Cards have been missing since Larry Fitzgerald retired. Cardinals OL Paris Johnson Jr. After playing all 17 games at right tackle last season as a rookie, the 2023 sixth overall pick out of Ohio State will be moving to the left end of the line to protect Kyler Murray's blind side. He'll have big shoes to fill as D.J. Humphries, Johnson's mentor, was released after nine seasons. Week 1 outlook Cardinals at Bills, Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET The Cardinals have a tough opening matchup on the road, though at least it shouldn't be snowing at Highmark Stadium. The Bills have won the AFC East in each of the past four years, but could be challenged this time as they had quite the roster turnover in the offseason, with QB Josh Allen losing his top two targets in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Broncos at Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 8, 4:05 p.m. ET Remember a couple of years ago when the Broncos opened at Seattle in Russell Wilson's first game in orange and blue? Seattle won that one 17-16. Wilson is already gone, with the Broncos turning the reins over to rookie Bo Nix out of Oregon, the 14th different starter at QB for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired after Super Bowl 50. Rams at Lions, Sunday, Sept. 8, 8:20 p.m. ET After winning their first division title in 30 years last season, the Lions led San Francisco by 17 points in the third quarter of the NFC Championship game before faltering. That should give the Lions plenty of motivation in 2024. Rams QB Matthew Stafford, formerly of the Lions, can flash his Super Bowl ring at Lions QB Jared Goff, formerly of the Rams. Jets at 49ers, Monday, Sept. 9, 8:15 p.m. ET Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, a Bay Area native, calls it a comeback at age 40 after missing all but four offensive snaps in 2023 because of a torn Achilles. The Jets' defense should be strong with CB Sauce Gardner and DL Quinnen Williams, but they'll have their hands full with the 49ers' multiple targets. –Field Level Media Relatedunderdog fantasy reviewparlayplay ratingsleeper fantasydabble online reviewowners box fantasy footballfantasy draftkingsfantasy football fan duelunderdog football promoparlayplay sign up offersoffers for sleeperbonus code for dabblebonus code for owners box footballdraftkings fantasy football promosfanduel fantasy football promotions
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The 20-year-old forward has been one of the revelations of the 2012/13 campaign so far, and has become one of the undisputed stars of Serie A following his fine performances for Milan.
With the departures of Ibrahimovic and Cassano, two great strikers left and I ve more space now. I started the season in the best way possible personally; I grew a lot, El Shaarawy told the official UEFA website.
The Italy international thanked coach Massimiliano Allegri for the faith shown in him since his arrival at the club in 2011.
I felt a lot of faith from his side, especially last season when I made 28 appearances, he said.
Hamburg coach Thorsten Fink has urged his players to move on from the injury suffered by playmaker Rafael van der Vaart.
The Netherlands international injured his hamstring against Fortuna Dusseldorf at the end of November and looks likely to be missing until the New Year, but Fink wants his team to realise that they can win without their talisman.
It is important that the players see that sometimes we will have to be without Rafael, though we need him back desperately, he told Bild.
We have a chance of qualifying for Europe. If other teams falter, we are there. If we are consistent, we could play internationally.
Hamburg are just three points off the Champions League places in the Bundesliga and Fink is confident his side can end 2012 with a victory …
Raymond Domenech has survived the sack with the French Football Federation announcing Thursday that he had kept his job as manager despite France s poor showing at Euro 2008.
The 2006 World Cup runners-up were knocked out in the first round at the European championships, returning home with two defeats, one draw, six goals conceded and only one scored.
The decision to stick with Domenech by 18 votes for and one abstention was announced by FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.
He said: The Executive Committee has maintained the manager in his post to prepare for the 2010 World Cup and redefined the terms of his mission and the conditions of management of the national team.
Domenech took over from Jacques Santini as France manager after Euro 2004 and …
Zamora have taken a giant step towards retaining their Venezuelan Primera Division crown after routing Mineros de Guayana on Sunday.
Noel Sanvicente s Zamora were 4-1 winners over Mineros in the opening leg of the Serie Final at the Estadio Rafael Agustin Tovar.
Pedro Ramirez, Julian Falcon and John Murillo were all on the scoresheet, while Rafael Acosta netted an own goal as Zamora put one hand on the trophy yet again, having defeated Deportivo Anzoategui in last season s decider.
The victory also extended their home winning streak in the league to 30 games.
Zamora have not tasted defeat on home soil in domestic competition since October 2012, when they lost 2-0 to Llaneros de Guanare.
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Tottenham Hotspur will tell Harry Winks that he can leave the club in the January transfer window, according to . The report has added that the England international midfielder would fancy a move abroad if he is not in the plans of Spurs head coach Jose Mourinho going forward.
Winks has been on the books of Tottenham since 2002 and has come through the North London club’s academy. The 24-year-old has been a regular in the Spurs first-team squad for a number of years now, but he is struggling for playing time under Mourinho this season.
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Sydney FC surged five points clear atop the A-League as Adam Le Fondre spearheaded a 5-1 thumping of Brisbane Roar on Saturday.
Le Fondre notched twice inside the opening 45 minutes and completed his hat-trick near the end to help the champions increase the gap to second-placed Melbourne City.
Milos Ninkovic scored in between the striker s first-half double and substitute Trent Buhagiar made it four a minute after his 85th-minute introduction.
The fleet-footed forward set up Le Fondre s third moments later and only a stoppage-time Roy O Donovan penalty prevented Brisbane from suffering complete humiliation.
Robbie Fowler s men have lost four of eight games this term to sit second from bottom.
FULL TIME 5-1
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Rangers have completed the signing of Niko Kranjcar on a two-year contract.
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Kranjcar follows the arrivals of Joey Barton, Matt Crooks, Clint Hill, Jordan Rossiter and Josh Windass as Rangers prepare for their return to the Scottish Premiership.
The club s statement read: Kranjcar is a vastly experienced, technically-gifted player who has enjoyed a top-level career spanning 15 years. He will undoubtedly be an important and exciting addition to Mark Warburton s squad.
Niko Kranjcar says that it is a ‘big honour and privilege to join :
— Rangers FC (@RangersFC)
Kranjcar told Rangers TV:…
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Georgia boss Willy Sagnol feels all the pressure is on Scotland in Tuesday night’s 2024 European Championship qualifier at Hampden Park.
The Scots go into the game top of Group A and with nine points from a possible nine following their dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Norway in Oslo on Saturday.
Georgia are five points behind after their 2-1 win over Cyprus on the same day but have played a game less.
Sagnol believes Scotland have to cope with the expectations of victory over the Georgians, who have lost twice in two visits to Glasgow.
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