Automating your finances generally means setting up automatic payments for bills and recurring investment or savings deductions from your bank account. It may sound tedious to set up but once most bill payments are automated, experts say it can bring structure to your finances and set your budget up for success.
“It goes a long way to automate things and make your life easier,” Marques said. “Even if you’re quite a proactive person, it just makes it easier to stay on track and ensure that you’re making progress toward your goals.” She said it takes away the ability to negotiate with yourself. For example, people with a spend-first mindset might put off savings contributions. But if that amount is automated, it is easier to think of it as a bill. “You just get it done,” she said.
Automation supports, not replaces, budgeting
Another benefit is avoiding late fees or charges on bills and credit cards. Marques said anything from rent to utilities to savings to investing can be automated. For variable bills, such as a credit card, she suggested automating the credit card bill payment at a minimum amount and paying off the rest manually each month.
But automation doesn’t replace the need for budgeting. Budgeting will always be a key pillar in personal finance planning, said Michael Bergeron, certified credit counsellor and manager at Credit Canada. “The automation just supports. It’s a strategy that helps us stay within our budget,” he said. For example, if you’ve paid off your debt, that money can now be automated to allocate elsewhere, such as savings or investments—and that insight only happens when you keep up with your budget.
Know what can (and can’t) be automated
However, many people don’t know how to automate payments. Bergeron said the first step to automation is having a structured budget, which caters to needs, wants, and other priorities. “Once we have a structured budget in place, then we can look at what are we going to automate,” he said.
Marques said a simple way to know what can be automated is by listing all your fixed recurring expenses, such as rent or mortgage, car insurance, and phone bill, among others. Then, look at the days you get paid and start aligning bill payments and savings to your paydays. For example, fixed payments, such as rent, can be aligned with the paycheque that comes in right before the due date and can be set up for automatic deductions. Most recurring payments for bills and savings can be easily set up with online banking platforms or utility services such as network providers or insurance firms.
Bergeron said people still need to keep a close eye on their bank statements to make sure there are no double charges, technical errors, or overdraft charges. Also, some automation setups may have an end date, which means you’d have to reset the payments. “If you don’t pay close attention to that, then obviously some missed and late payments could take place,” he said.
It’s likely not possible to automate all your variable expenses, such as grocery bills or fuel expenses. “There will always be some form of money management structure that you have to manually take the lead on to make sure we’re following our budget to the best of our capabilities,” he said.
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While automation is likely to work for most people, Bergeron said it could be challenging for those who aren’t technologically savvy. He said if there’s a barrier, he doesn’t recommend automating finances until they understand the value and benefits of it. “But for the majority, it is a highly valued benefit for most people,” Bergeron said.
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If I told you that one of the longest and most dynamic and longest pass plays in Eagles history happened during a December visit to Buffalo twenty-five years ago in 1990 — and that that play was proceeded by yet another score by Philly — you’d probably assume that I was suffering from some type of temporary amnesia.
But the only problem with the longest pass play in Eagles history resulting in a touchdown was simple — it didn’t happen at the end of the game.
On a frigid, winter December afternoon at Rich Stadium — it was the AFC Champions who jumped out to a 24–0 lead on the Eagles. But with Randall at the helm and a devastating Gang Green Defense — the Eagles were never out of a game.
After an eighteen-yard strike from Cunningham to Keith Jackson — Randall dropped back in his own end zone, moved to the left and ducked under Bruce Smith. He then heaved the ball to Fred Barnett who out-jumped the Bills J.D. Williams to secure the ball. From there it was off to the races for ninety-five yards with just over a minute left until halftime. After the break — Randall connected with Keith Byars for a one-yard scoring pass. It was the closest that the Eagle would come in the eventual 30–23 loss.
The 1990 NFL season would turn out to be a lost opportunity for both the Bills and the Eagles. Buffalo would advance out of the AFC and made the playoffs for the second straight year — only to lose the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. Philadelphia would also make the playoffs — only to lose in the NFC Wildcard Round to a Washington Team that they had beaten at the Vet earlier in the year during what would become another famous game.
Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home for the NFL’s Thursday Night Football games, including this week’s game. On top of Amazon Prime Video, an Amazon Prime subscription includes free shipping, exclusive deals, access to the Prime Day sales events, Amazon Music, a year of free GrubHub+ and more.
A standard Amazon Prime subscription is $15 monthly or $139 annually, but discounts are available for students and those on qualified government assistance. You can try Amazon Prime free for 30 days. You can also just subscribe directly to Prime Video and forego all the other Prime Benefits. A Prime Video subscription costs $9 monthly.
Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home for the NFL’s Thursday Night Football games, including this week’s game. On top of Amazon Prime Video, an Amazon Prime subscription includes free shipping, exclusive deals, access to the Prime Day sales events, Amazon Music, a year of free GrubHub+ and more.
A standard Amazon Prime subscription is $15 monthly or $139 annually, but discounts are available for students and those on qualified government assistance. You can try Amazon Prime free for 30 days. You can also just subscribe directly to Prime Video and forego all the other Prime Benefits. A Prime Video subscription costs $9 monthly.
The app includes prices for many of your basic needs, from food to housing to transportation, spanning a decade of data points.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 3:00PM
The ABC Data Team has launched the Price Tracker, an interactive tool that provides up-to-date information on the price of household necessities in your area.
It displays regional prices of essentials for the 100 largest U.S. metro areas over the last decade. Simply search for your area to see how the cost of living has changed for households like yours. Then select groceries, housing or utilities to drill down into each category of basic expenses.
One of the biggest debates California lawmakers face in their final week of the legislative session is whether to put new safety rules in place for companies developing artificial intelligence.SB 1047 would require California companies that are spending at least $100 million developing AI models to do safety testing to prevent major risks or harms. Experts have warned without guardrails, the models could eventually help bad actors create a biological weapon or carry out cyber-attacks to shut down the electric grid or melt down the banking system. “While the exact timing of these threats is uncertain, some of these threats could materialize in as little as a year,” Dan Hendrycks, an AI researcher, told reporters in a virtual news conference on Monday. “Product safety testing is a standard for many industries including manufacturers of cars, airplanes, prescription drugs and nuclear power plants.” The bill has frustrated some in the industry who worry the regulation could slow down the growing industry’s progress. That includes the developer of ChatGPT, OpenAI. The company has warned if the bill passes, it may be forced to move operations out of California. “I understand this is hardball politics, I’m used to that,” said State Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who wrote the proposal. “Anytime we try to pass laws in the public interest, industry will threaten to move.” The issue has divided Democrats. A group of California members in the U.S. House of Representatives, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this month, urging him to reject the bill if it lands on his desk. “In short, we are very concerned about the effect this legislation could have on the innovation economy of California without any clear benefit for the public,” the group wrote. “High tech innovation is the economic engine that drives California’s prosperity.””Congress has been paralyzed when it comes to technology policy,” Wiener told reporters in response, noting Congress has not passed major tech regulations since the 1990s aside from the TikTok ban. “I don’t say this to bash Congress, but Congress has proven it’s not capable of passing strong technology policy.”Republican state lawmakers are also divided over the measure. Assemblyman Devon Mathis, R-Visalia, told KCRA 3 he plans on voting for the bill. “How do you create public trust when the guys who are controlling it are stonewalling regulation?” he said. But others have said they have issues with the bill.”There are some things government has a role to play in regulating and managing,” said Assemblyman Josh Hoover, R-Folsom. “But my concerns with this piece of legislation is that it just goes too far in that direction before we know what we’re dealing with.”The issue has also divided the tech industry overall. Meta’s Chief AI Scientist, Yann LeCun said in part in a post on X, “regulating would have apocalyptic consequences on the AI ecosystem.” Elon Musk on Monday night threw his support behind the bill. “This is a tough call and will make some people upset, but, all things considered, I think California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill,” he posted on X. “For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product/technology that is a potential risk to the public.”Gov. Gavin Newsom has not publicly stated his position on the bill. “We dominate in this space, and I want to continue to dominate in this space, I don’t want to cede in this space to other states or other countries,” he said at an AI Summit he convened in May. “If we over-regulate, if we over-indulge, if we chase a shiny object, we could put ourselves in a perilous position. But at the same time, we have an obligation to lead.”Lawmakers in the State Assembly are expected to vote on the bill later this week. If approved, the vote would need to go back to the Senate for approval of the changes made to the bill while it was in the Assembly. Lawmakers have until Saturday at midnight to pass new laws for the year. The governor has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto them.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
One of the biggest debates California lawmakers face in their final week of the legislative session is whether to put new safety rules in place for companies developing artificial intelligence.
SB 1047 would require California companies that are spending at least $100 million developing AI models to do safety testing to prevent major risks or harms. Experts have warned without guardrails, the models could eventually help bad actors create a biological weapon or carry out cyber-attacks to shut down the electric grid or melt down the banking system.
“While the exact timing of these threats is uncertain, some of these threats could materialize in as little as a year,” Dan Hendrycks, an AI researcher, told reporters in a virtual news conference on Monday. “Product safety testing is a standard for many industries including manufacturers of cars, airplanes, prescription drugs and nuclear power plants.”
The bill has frustrated some in the industry who worry the regulation could slow down the growing industry’s progress. That includes the developer of ChatGPT, OpenAI. The company has warned if the bill passes, it may be forced to move operations out of California.
“I understand this is hardball politics, I’m used to that,” said State Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who wrote the proposal. “Anytime we try to pass laws in the public interest, industry will threaten to move.”
The issue has divided Democrats. A group of California members in the U.S. House of Representatives, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this month, urging him to reject the bill if it lands on his desk.
“In short, we are very concerned about the effect this legislation could have on the innovation economy of California without any clear benefit for the public,” the group wrote. “High tech innovation is the economic engine that drives California’s prosperity.”
“Congress has been paralyzed when it comes to technology policy,” Wiener told reporters in response, noting Congress has not passed major tech regulations since the 1990s aside from the TikTok ban. “I don’t say this to bash Congress, but Congress has proven it’s not capable of passing strong technology policy.”
Republican state lawmakers are also divided over the measure.
Assemblyman Devon Mathis, R-Visalia, told KCRA 3 he plans on voting for the bill. “How do you create public trust when the guys who are controlling it are stonewalling regulation?” he said.
But others have said they have issues with the bill.
“There are some things government has a role to play in regulating and managing,” said Assemblyman Josh Hoover, R-Folsom. “But my concerns with this piece of legislation is that it just goes too far in that direction before we know what we’re dealing with.”
The issue has also divided the tech industry overall.
Meta’s Chief AI Scientist, Yann LeCun said in part in a post on X, “regulating [research and development] would have apocalyptic consequences on the AI ecosystem.”
Elon Musk on Monday night threw his support behind the bill.
“This is a tough call and will make some people upset, but, all things considered, I think California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill,” he posted on X. “For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product/technology that is a potential risk to the public.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom has not publicly stated his position on the bill.
“We dominate in this space, and I want to continue to dominate in this space, I don’t want to cede in this space to other states or other countries,” he said at an AI Summit he convened in May. “If we over-regulate, if we over-indulge, if we chase a shiny object, we could put ourselves in a perilous position. But at the same time, we have an obligation to lead.”
Lawmakers in the State Assembly are expected to vote on the bill later this week. If approved, the vote would need to go back to the Senate for approval of the changes made to the bill while it was in the Assembly. Lawmakers have until Saturday at midnight to pass new laws for the year. The governor has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto them.
Proposed California laws face a deadline Friday to pass out of the house in which they were introduced at the state capitol. The deadline, known as “House of Origin,” basically means Assembly bills must pass out of the Assembly, and Senate bills must pass out of the Senate. This is the halfway point of California’s lawmaking process. Lawmakers started the week with 918 bills. Here’s a look at the bills that have so far met the deadline and are getting closer to the governor’s desk.EducationAB 2925- Requires California colleges to provide anti-discrimination training on the five most targeted groups. AB 1780 – Prohibits universities and colleges in California from using legacy or donor preferences in admissions decisions. AB 1858 – Sets new limits for active shooter drills in schools, specifically prohibiting the use of fake blood, gunfire blanks, explosions or requiring people to pose as fake victims. AB 2927 – Would add financial literacy requirements for California high school students beginning with those graduating in the 2030-31 school year. BusinessSB 961 – Requires cars made or sold in California to have speed warnings or limiters by 2032. AB 2236 – Would eliminate plastic bags in grocery stores by 2026.AB 1777 – Adds new rules for self-driving vehicles, including a requirement that manufacturers be held responsible for traffic violations if a driver isn’t in the vehicle. SB 915 – Allows for more local government oversight of self-driving vehicles. SB 1372 – Attempts to prohibit airports from allowing third-party companies (like Clear) to provide expedited security screenings in existing lines. Those companies would need their own security lane. Reparations Task Force Recommendations AB 2064 – Would provide state grant money to local organizations to help decrease violence in schools and neighborhoods. SB 1403 – Would create the California American Freedman Affairs Agency to administer future reparations. SB 1050 – Would provide restitution for those who lost homes or had their land taken because of racially motivated use of eminent domain. SB 1331 – Would establish a new account to fund reparations policies.AB 3089- Requires the state to issue a formal apology to the descendants of enslaved Black Americans. Artificial Intelligence and TechAB 2355 – Would require political advertisements to include a disclaimer if artificial intelligence was used. AB 2839 – Prohibits distribution of campaign advertisements and other election communications that contain media that has been digitally altered in a deceptive way.AB 3172 – Would hold social media companies financially accountable for harm to children and teens.AB 2877 – Prohibits businesses from using the personal data of children 16 and under to train artificial intelligence tools without parental approval. Public Safety The State Senate passed its bipartisan package of public safety bills that include proposals to increase penalties for organized crime rings, set new reporting requirements for online marketplace sellers, expand drug court programs, close legal loopholes to make it easier to prosecute car thefts. The Assembly also passed its bipartisan package of public safety bills including efforts to address retail and cargo theft, expansion of criminal penalties for smash and grabs, property crimes and set new reporting requirements for retailers. LaborSB 1116 – Would allow striking workers to be eligible for unemployment benefits HousingSB 1037 – Empowers the California Attorney General to penalize cities and counties for violating state housing law. AB 2584 – Bans large corporations from buying housing and turning them into rentals. This is a developing story and this list will be updated throughout the week. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Proposed California laws face a deadline Friday to pass out of the house in which they were introduced at the state capitol.
The deadline, known as “House of Origin,” basically means Assembly bills must pass out of the Assembly, and Senate bills must pass out of the Senate. This is the halfway point of California’s lawmaking process. Lawmakers started the week with 918 bills. Here’s a look at the bills that have so far met the deadline and are getting closer to the governor’s desk.
Education
AB 2925- Requires California colleges to provide anti-discrimination training on the five most targeted groups.
AB 1780 – Prohibits universities and colleges in California from using legacy or donor preferences in admissions decisions.
AB 1858 – Sets new limits for active shooter drills in schools, specifically prohibiting the use of fake blood, gunfire blanks, explosions or requiring people to pose as fake victims.
AB 2927 – Would add financial literacy requirements for California high school students beginning with those graduating in the 2030-31 school year.
Business
SB 961 – Requires cars made or sold in California to have speed warnings or limiters by 2032.
AB 2236 – Would eliminate plastic bags in grocery stores by 2026.
AB 1777 – Adds new rules for self-driving vehicles, including a requirement that manufacturers be held responsible for traffic violations if a driver isn’t in the vehicle.
SB 915 – Allows for more local government oversight of self-driving vehicles.
SB 1372 – Attempts to prohibit airports from allowing third-party companies (like Clear) to provide expedited security screenings in existing lines. Those companies would need their own security lane.
Reparations Task Force Recommendations
AB 2064 – Would provide state grant money to local organizations to help decrease violence in schools and neighborhoods.
SB 1403 – Would create the California American Freedman Affairs Agency to administer future reparations.
SB 1050 – Would provide restitution for those who lost homes or had their land taken because of racially motivated use of eminent domain.
SB 1331 – Would establish a new account to fund reparations policies.
AB 3089- Requires the state to issue a formal apology to the descendants of enslaved Black Americans.
Artificial Intelligence and Tech
AB 2355 – Would require political advertisements to include a disclaimer if artificial intelligence was used.
AB 2839 – Prohibits distribution of campaign advertisements and other election communications that contain media that has been digitally altered in a deceptive way.
AB 3172 – Would hold social media companies financially accountable for harm to children and teens.
AB 2877 – Prohibits businesses from using the personal data of children 16 and under to train artificial intelligence tools without parental approval.
Public Safety
The State Senate passed its bipartisan package of public safety bills that include proposals to increase penalties for organized crime rings, set new reporting requirements for online marketplace sellers, expand drug court programs, close legal loopholes to make it easier to prosecute car thefts.
The Assembly also passed its bipartisan package of public safety bills including efforts to address retail and cargo theft, expansion of criminal penalties for smash and grabs, property crimes and set new reporting requirements for retailers.
Labor
SB 1116 – Would allow striking workers to be eligible for unemployment benefits
Housing
SB 1037 – Empowers the California Attorney General to penalize cities and counties for violating state housing law.
AB 2584 – Bans large corporations from buying housing and turning them into rentals.
This is a developing story and this list will be updated throughout the week.
For the second time this year, a typical Duke Energy Florida customer will see lower electric bills, this time because of a rate reduction the company is proposing to begin in June to reflect anticipated lower fuel prices.
The company filed a fuel midcourse rate request with the Florida Public Service Commission to account for lower projections for natural gas costs.
Under the proposal, a typical Florida residential customer with a monthly usage of 1,000 kWh would see their bill decline by $5.90, or almost 4%. The savings would be on top of a $11.29 decrease, or about 6%, a decrease that typical residential bills began showing in January.
Similarly, typical commercial and industrial customers will see a bill decrease between 3.5% and 7.0%, varying based on factors, such as industry type and differences in customer use patterns.
“With fuel prices expected to decline, we have an opportunity to lower rates for a second time this year for our customers, just as we prepare for the higher energy usage that come with summer months,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We remain committed to providing the best possible price for Florida’s growing population, while delivering the reliable power and customer service our customers deserve today, tomorrow and for many years to come.”
Duke Energy Florida ensures customers receive the best service to their homes, businesses and communities through expertly managing its fuel resources, and its complex systems of power generation, transformers, wires and poles across 13,000 square miles – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, under the most challenging conditions.
The company also offers several easy-to-use energy efficiency programs and tools to help Florida customers have more control over their energy use and bills.
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a $460 billion package of spending bills that would keep money flowing to key federal agencies through the remainder of the budget year.
The Senate is expected to take up the legislation before a midnight Friday shutdown deadline.
And lawmakers are negotiating a second package of six bills, including defense.
A significant number of House Republicans opposed the first measure, forcing House Speaker Mike Johnson to use an expedited process to bring the bill up for a vote.
Johnson says the bill gives Republicans some wins on spending and says Republicans “have to be realistic” about what they can achieve in such a closely divided government.
Damar Hamlin learned a lot about himself over the past year. That’s no surprise after his near-death experience on the field about 13 months ago.Hamlin spoke for a few minutes Thursday on a platform overlooking radio row at this year’s Super Bowl. It was easy to take in the enormity of the event from that vantage point, and Hamlin — there with fellow Buffalo Bills defensive back Dane Jackson — reflected a bit.“To give everybody some more perspective, I would just say, trust what you know and trust what got you here,” Hamlin said. “Along the journey of the ups and downs, I had my own, he had his own, and we was able to keep each other, hold each other accountable to what got us there in the moment.”Hamlin and Jackson have been teammates not only with the Bills but also in college at Pittsburgh. Both are from the Pittsburgh area. Hamlin was at last year’s Super Bowl too — in a suite with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.His story is no longer front and center in quite that way, and he said he’s pretty relaxed this week.“I’ve been enjoying it a lot. I’m seeing players all across the league,” he said. “It’s not too often that we all get to get together and see each other outside of having to perform, where you’ve got to be in your own zone.”Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during a game at Cincinnati on Jan 2, 2023. He needed to be resuscitated and the game was called off. Hamlin played in five games this season, plus both of Buffalo’s postseason matchups. He actually carried the ball in the divisional round against Kansas City on an ill-fated fake punt that was stopped.He was the runner-up for Comeback Player of the Year, which speaks to the impact his health ordeal had. Hamlin actually received the most first-place votes but had fewer points than winner Joe Flacco.The football world took a keen interest in Hamlin’s comeback. He leads the Chasing M’s Foundation, which is dedicated to the health and safety of young people through sports. He’s hoping kids across the country can have access to the life-saving care he did.“People donated to show support and show love. They seen that I was a young kid who cared about other people and I cared about giving back,” Hamlin said. “Everyone had a hand in wanting to give me the ability to be able to do that on a bigger scale.”After this Super Bowl comes another offseason. For Jackson, that means going with the flow.“I don’t really like planning too many things,” Jackson said. “I’m the type of guy, I might change my mind at the last minute.”Hamlin, however, sounds focused — not just on the next few months, but on the long term. He was able to return to the field, but he also, quite understandably, understands there’s more to life than football.“I’m trying to handle business. I’m trying to take care of all opportunities that I can,” he said. “I’m trying to capitalize on all business opportunities. I want to make sure I’m setting myself up for the future.”
LAS VEGAS —
Damar Hamlin learned a lot about himself over the past year. That’s no surprise after his near-death experience on the field about 13 months ago.
Hamlin spoke for a few minutes Thursday on a platform overlooking radio row at this year’s Super Bowl. It was easy to take in the enormity of the event from that vantage point, and Hamlin — there with fellow Buffalo Bills defensive back Dane Jackson — reflected a bit.
“To give everybody some more perspective, I would just say, trust what you know and trust what got you here,” Hamlin said. “Along the journey of the ups and downs, I had my own, he had his own, and we was able to keep each other, hold each other accountable to what got us there in the moment.”
Hamlin and Jackson have been teammates not only with the Bills but also in college at Pittsburgh. Both are from the Pittsburgh area. Hamlin was at last year’s Super Bowl too — in a suite with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
His story is no longer front and center in quite that way, and he said he’s pretty relaxed this week.
“I’ve been enjoying it a lot. I’m seeing players all across the league,” he said. “It’s not too often that we all get to get together and see each other outside of having to perform, where you’ve got to be in your own zone.”
Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during a game at Cincinnati on Jan 2, 2023. He needed to be resuscitated and the game was called off. Hamlin played in five games this season, plus both of Buffalo’s postseason matchups. He actually carried the ball in the divisional round against Kansas City on an ill-fated fake punt that was stopped.
He was the runner-up for Comeback Player of the Year, which speaks to the impact his health ordeal had. Hamlin actually received the most first-place votes but had fewer points than winner Joe Flacco.
The football world took a keen interest in Hamlin’s comeback. He leads the Chasing M’s Foundation, which is dedicated to the health and safety of young people through sports. He’s hoping kids across the country can have access to the life-saving care he did.
“People donated to show support and show love. They seen that I was a young kid who cared about other people and I cared about giving back,” Hamlin said. “Everyone had a hand in wanting to give me the ability to be able to do that on a bigger scale.”
After this Super Bowl comes another offseason. For Jackson, that means going with the flow.
“I don’t really like planning too many things,” Jackson said. “I’m the type of guy, I might change my mind at the last minute.”
Hamlin, however, sounds focused — not just on the next few months, but on the long term. He was able to return to the field, but he also, quite understandably, understands there’s more to life than football.
“I’m trying to handle business. I’m trying to take care of all opportunities that I can,” he said. “I’m trying to capitalize on all business opportunities. I want to make sure I’m setting myself up for the future.”
GoFundMe started as a crowdfunding site for underwriting “ideas and dreams,” and, as GoFundMe’s co-founders, Andrew Ballester and Brad Damphousse, once put it, “for life’s important moments.” In the early years, it funded honeymoon trips, graduation gifts, and church missions to overseas hospitals in need. Now GoFundMe has become a go-to for patients trying to escape medical-billing nightmares.
One study found that, in 2020, the number of U.S. campaigns related to medical causes—about 200,000—was 25 times higher than the number of such campaigns on the site in 2011. More than 500 campaigns are currently dedicated to asking for financial help for treating people, mostly kids, with spinal muscular atrophy, a neurodegenerative genetic condition. The recently approved gene therapy for young children with the condition, by the drugmaker Novartis, costs about $2.1 million for the single-dose treatment.
Perhaps the most damning aspect of all this is that paying for expensive care with crowdfunding is no longer seen as unusual; instead, it is being normalized as part of the health system, like getting blood work done or waiting on hold for an appointment. Need a heart transplant? Start a GoFundMe in order to get on the waiting list. Resorting to GoFundMe when faced with bills has become so accepted that in some cases, patient advocates and hospital financial-aid officers recommend crowdfunding as an alternative to being sent to collections. My inbox and the Bill of the Month project (run by KFF Health News, where I am the senior contributing editor, and NPR) have become a kind of complaint desk for people who can’t afford their medical bills, and I’m gobsmacked every time a patient tells me they’ve been advised that GoFundMe is their best option.
GoFundMe itself acknowledges the reliance of patients on the company’s platform. Ari Romio, a spokesperson for the company, said that “medical expenses” is the most common category of fundraiser it hosts. But she declined to say what proportion of campaigns are medically related, because people starting a campaign self-select the purpose of the fundraiser. They might choose the family or travel category, she said, if a child needs to go to a different state for treatment, for example. So although the company has estimated in the past that a third of the funds raised on the site are medical-related, that could be an undercount.
Andrea Coy of Fort Collins, Colorado, turned to GoFundMe in 2021 as a last resort after an air-ambulance bill tipped her family’s finances over the edge. Her son Sebastian, then a year old, had been admitted with pneumonia to a local hospital and then transferred urgently by helicopter to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver when his oxygen levels dropped. REACH, the air-ambulance transport company that contracted with the hospital, was out-of-network, and billed the family nearly $65,000 for the ride—more than $28,000 of which Coy’s insurer, UnitedHealthcare, paid. Even so, REACH continued sending Coy’s family bills for the remaining balance, and later began regularly calling Coy to try to collect, enough that she felt the company was harassing her, she told me.
Coy made multiple calls to her company’s human-resources department, REACH, and UnitedHealthcare for help in resolving the case. She applied to various patient groups for financial assistance and was rejected again and again. Eventually, she got the outstanding balance knocked down to $5,000, but even that was more than she could afford on top of the $12,000 the family owed out-of-pocket for Sebastian’s actual treatment.
That’s when a hospital financial-aid officer suggested she try GoFundMe. But, as Coy said, “I’m not an influencer or anything like that,” so the appeal “offered only a bit of temporary relief—we’ve hit a wall.” They have gone deep into debt and hope to climb out of it.
In an emailed response, a spokesperson for REACH noted that they could not comment on a specific case because of patient-privacy laws, but that, if the ride occurred before the federal No Surprises Act went into effect, the bill was legal. (That act protects patients from such air-ambulance bills and has been in force since January 1, 2022.) But the spokesperson added, “If a patient is experiencing a financial hardship, we work with them to find equitable solutions.” What is “equitable”—and whether that includes seeking an additional $5,000, beyond a $28,000 insurance payment, for transporting a sick child—is subjective, of course.
In many respects, research shows, GoFundMe tends to perpetuate socioeconomic disparities that already affect medical bills and debt. If you are famous or part of a circle of friends who have money, your crowdfunding campaign is much more likely to succeed than if you are middle-class or poor. When the family of the former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton started a fundraiser on another platform, *spotfund, for her recent ICU stay at a time when she was uninsured, nearly $460,000 in donations quickly poured in. (Although Retton said she could not get affordable insurance because of her preexisting condition—dozens of orthopedic surgeries—the Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from refusing to cover people because of their prior medical histories, or charging them abnormally high rates.)
And given the price of American health care, even the most robust fundraising can feel inadequate. If you’re looking for help to pay for a $2 million drug, even tens of thousands is a drop in the bucket.
Rob Solomon, the CEO of the platform from 2015 to March 2020, who was named one of Time magazine’s 50 most influential people in health care, has said that he “would love nothing more than for ‘medical’ to not be a category on GoFundMe.” He told KFF Health News that “the system is terrible. It needs to be rethought and retooled. Politicians are failing us. Health-care companies are failing us. Those are realities.”
But despite the noble ambitions of its original vision, GoFundMe is a privately held for-profit company. In 2015, the founders sold a majority stake to a venture-capital investor group led by Accel Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures. And when I asked about medical bills being the most common reason for GoFundMe campaigns, the company’s current CEO, Tim Cadogan, sounded less critical than his predecessor of the health system, whose high prices and financial cruelty have arguably made his company famous.
“Our mission is to help people help each other,” he said. “We are not, and cannot, be the solution to complex, systemic problems that are best solved with meaningful public policy.”
And that’s true. Despite the site’s hopeful vibe, most campaigns generate only a small fraction of the money owed. Almost all of the medical-expense campaigns in the U.S. fell short of their goal, and some raised little or no money, a 2017 study from the University of Washington found. The average campaign made it to just about 40 percent of the target amount, and there is evidence that yields—measured as a percent of their target—have gotten worse over time.
Carol Justice, a recently retired civil servant and a longtime union member in Portland, Oregon, turned to GoFundMe after she faced a mammoth unexpected bill for bariatric surgery at Oregon Health & Science University.
She had expected to pay about $1,000, the amount left in her deductible, after her health insurer paid the $15,000 cap on the surgery. She didn’t understand that a cap meant she would have to pay the difference if the hospital, which was in-network, charged more.
And it did, leaving her with a bill of $18,000, to be paid all at once or in monthly $1,400 increments. “That’s more than my mortgage,” she told me. “I was facing filing for bankruptcy or losing my car and my house.” She made numerous calls to the hospital’s financial-aid office, many unanswered, and received only unfulfilled promises that “we’ll get back to you” about whether she qualified for help.
So, Justice said, her health coach—provided by the city of Portland—suggested starting a GoFundMe. The campaign yielded about $1,400, just one monthly payment, including $200 from the health coach and $100 from an aunt. She dutifully sent each donation directly to the hospital.
In an emailed response, the hospital system said that it couldn’t discuss individual cases, but that “financial assistance information is readily available for patients, and can be accessed at any point in a patient’s journey with OHSU. Starting in early 2019, OHSU worked to remove barriers for patients most in need by providing a quick screening for financial assistance that, if a certain threshold is met, awards financial assistance without requiring an application process.”
This particular tale has a happy-ish ending. In desperation, Justice went to the hospital and planted herself in the financial-aid office, where she had a tearful meeting with a hospital representative who determined that—given her finances—she wouldn’t have to pay the bill.
“I’d been through the gamut and just cried,” she said. She told me that she would like to repay the people who donated to her GoFundMe. But so far, the hospital won’t give the $1,400 back.
Quarterback Brock Purdy became first San Francisco 49ers quarterback to throw four interceptions in a game since Colin Kaepernick in 2015; Baltimore Ravens and 49ers both remain top of their respective conferences and can still clinch No 1 seeds
Last Updated: 26/12/23 9:44am
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Highlights of the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 of the NFL season.
Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens past the San Francisco 49ers in a stunning 33-19 victory after throwing two touchdown passes in 18 seconds in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Kyle Hamilton and the Ravens defense intercepted quarterback Brock Purdy on three of the first four drives of the game for the 49ers to turn a 16-12 halftime lead into a commanding 30-12 advantage.
Purdy became the first 49ers quarterback to throw four interceptions in a game since Colin Kaepernick in 2015 and finished 18 for 32 for 255 yards before leaving the field after sustaining a left shoulder stinger in the fourth quarter with Sam Darnold replacing him.
Jackson took an intentional grounding safety after he tripped over a fallen official in the end zone and attempted a pass to give the 49ers the first points of the game.
On first-and-10 at Baltimore’s 15, Purdy attempted to force a pass to wideout Deebo Samuel that Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton stepped in front of for an interception.
After Baltimore forced a punt on the opening drive of the second half, Jackson capped a drive by throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor.
Williams injured his groin attempting to tackle Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen after Purdy’s fourth interception. Jackson immediately turned that into another score with a 9-yard TD pass to Zay Flowers that made it 30-12. Jackson threw for 252 yards, ran for 45 more and vaulted past Purdy to take the limelight.
Umpire Alex Moore falls as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92) during the first half
San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey set a franchise record with his eighth straight game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage.
Darnold replied for the 49ers with a fourth-quarter touchdown after replacing an injured Purdy but by then it was already too late.
Both teams remain on top of their conferences. The Niners are in a three-way tie with Philadelphia and Detroit for the best record in the NFC and can still clinch the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye with wins in their final two games.
The Ravens remained a game ahead of Miami for the best record in the AFC and can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win next week against the Dolphins.
What did they say?
Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh: “Our guys work hard. They compete hard. Everybody wants to be respected. There’s one way to be respected, and that’s to go out there and earn that. I thought Lamar had an MVP performance tonight. It takes a team to create a performance like that, but it takes a player to play at that level, to play at an MVP level, it takes a player to play that way. Lamar was all over the field.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson: “We got the W. I don’t really care about performance. I just want to win. That’s what happened tonight. On Christmas, I got my gift.”
San Francisco 49ers Kyle Shanahan coach: “I didn’t mind his [Purdy] demeanour. He stayed in there and kept battling. Our whole team struggled there in the second half, so it wasn’t just him.”
What’s next?
The Ravens host Miami Dolphins while the 49ers visit Washington on Sunday December 31.
Make sure you tune in to Sky Sports NFL every Sunday at 6pm for the first game of our triple-header of live action. The evening’s entertainment also includes NFL Redzone action as hosted by Scott Hanson, as well as Sunday Night Football to round off the night.
Sky Sports will broadcast two exclusive live games every Sunday throughout the regular season in the 6pm and 9pm slots, while also showing every Thursday Night, Sunday Night and Monday Night match-up.
Fans can also watch every minute of the playoffs across January, followed by Super Bowl LVIII at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11.
Dak Prescott is playing the best football of his career – can he lead Dallas to the Super Bowl?
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are primed for a 13 seconds rematch, the Dallas Cowboys have their sites on snatching the NFC East title from the Philadelphia Eagles. Week 14 is shaping up nicely; we guide you through the latest news, views and build-up ahead of Sunday in the NFL…
Editor’s note…
There might not be a quarterback playing better football in the NFL than Dak Prescott at this moment. He has entered the MVP conversation, and so too the Dallas Cowboys to-be-taken-seriously Super Bowl contention. Yes, you might have heard that before.
It can often be what goes unnoticed that can be so impressive and so defining to the way Dak plays. From the mastery of his rhythmic and hoodwinking pre-snap cadence, to the speed at which he can diagnose a field and slide protections, adjust assignments or alter play concepts accordingly at the line of scrimmage. “He plays the position” as Aaron Rodgers said recently on the Pat McAfee Show, igniting a ‘Texas Coast’ offense that has buried its early-season teething issues.
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Highlights of the Seattle Seahawks against the Dallas Cowboys in week 13 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Seattle Seahawks against the Dallas Cowboys in week 13 of the NFL season.
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December 11, 2023, 1:15am
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Only Brock Purdy owns a better EPA+CPOE composite (an advanced metric on quarterback play-by-play value and efficiency) than Prescott this season, the Dallas quarterback having put up a passer rating of at least 115.0 in five of six games since the Week Seven bye week. In that time he has completed 156 of 221 passes (70.59 per cent) for 1,901 yards and 20 touchdowns to two interceptions. He also happens to be the league’s best quarterback on third down this year, which tends to serve as a nice indication of how well a passer is faring in decisive moments of a game, which always comes with an added caveat of pressure as an expectation-burdened Cowboys play-caller.
McCarthy’s offense is purring as it empowers its quarterback to take command of games with more aggressive pass designs and opportunities to use his legs alongside an increased use of play-action, while dressing up the line of scrimmage with pre-snap motion and crowning CeeDee Lamb as their focal point by shifting him across multiple spots in the formation.
Lamb has taken a seat at the table alongside the league’s most dynamic receivers with 90 catches for 1,182 yards and seven touchdowns, Brandin Cooks has answered the Cowboys’ call for a legitimate No 2 receiver, Jake Ferguson is peppering the seam as his threat continues to increase as the team’s lead tight end. Tony Pollard’s multi-purpose production out of the backfield has meanwhile picked back up after a minor lull as a crucial sell for the Cowboys play-action game.
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The Her Huddle team discuss whether this could be the season which sees a player who doesn’t play at quarterback win the NFL’s MVP award, with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill the frontrunner.
The Her Huddle team discuss whether this could be the season which sees a player who doesn’t play at quarterback win the NFL’s MVP award, with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill the frontrunner.
Dallas rank third in EPA/play and sit at the top of scoring rankings on offense, while Dan Quinn’s stunting, route-jumping defense continues to be among the NFL’s elite at third in EPA/play and third in total yards. ‘Our year’ sentiment has been long-exhausted and long-unfulfilled in Cowboys territory amid their pursuit of a first Super Bowl appearance since their victory at the end of the 1995 season.
The 49ers are nagging frontrunners to prolong that pain, and beckon as a potential ultimate test somewhere down the line in the playoffs. Before then, Dak and the Cowboys have the opportunity to force home their respective MVP and Championship credentials across a home stretch that sees them face the Philadelphia Eagles – who they could yet leapfrog in the NFC East – and Mike McDaniel’s Miami Dolphins.
How ’bout them Cowboys? We are about to find out.
Around the league…
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was limited on his return to practice Thursday having appeared to swerve serious injury after suffering a high ankle sprain in Monday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals; Lawrence said he was hopeful of facing the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, with head coach Doug Pederson insisting he won’t sacrifice a player’s health for one game.
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Zach Wilson will start at quarterback against the Houston Texans having been demoted for Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian in the last two games.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Von Miller remains available to play against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday following allegations of domestic violence against the edge rusher.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence shows his frustration after suffering an injury against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence shows his frustration after suffering an injury against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Former Indianapolis Colts three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaq Leonard signed a one-year deal with the Eagles this week.
Miami Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson agreed a three-year, $36m extension on Thursday amid his impressive 2023 campaign.
Justin Jefferson is set to make his return for the Minnesota Vikings against the Las Vegas Raiders after missing seven games due to a hamstring injury.
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Amnesia by an independent neurologist after suffering a concussion in the Week 10 game against the Chicago Bears, his father announced.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is expected to coach at the weekend despite undergoing surgery on Wednesday after being diagnosed with an acute case of appendicitis.
What to watch…
Week 14 live on Sky!
Los Angeles Rams (6-6) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-3): The Ravens struck gold with Kyle Hamilton, who has arrived as advertised since entering the league as the No 14 pick at the 2022 Draft. He stands to be the quintessential modern NFL safety as Mike Macdonald’s disguised blitzer, hybrid box tackler, slot demon and sideline-to-sideline blockade. With Marcus Williams on hand to play deep, Hamilton has free rein to wreak havoc as Baltimore’s most dangerous disruptor at the line of scrimmage. And while attention has been on the Rams’ young offensive playmakers, the audition process for Aaron Donald’s supporting cast has been intriguing. Third-round rookie nose tackle Kobie Turner has quietly amassed a rookie-leading 5.5 sacks, while fellow third-rounder Byron Young is close behind on five sacks.
Live NFL
December 10, 2023, 9:15pm
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Buffalo Bills (6-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (8-4): Tight ends, assemble. For years the Bills have watched Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce torch the NFL as the league’s most dynamic quarterback-tight end tandem, shattering Buffalo’s Super Bowl hopes on a couple of occasions in the process. In a bid to add their own Kelce-esque dimension, the Bills went and drafted Dalton Kincaid in the first round earlier this year. The vision was tight splits in multiple tight end sets from which he and Dawson Knox could sell the run game, lure defenses downhill and open up shots for Josh Allen downfield, as well as leaking out into routes of their own. The production (56 catches, 474 yards) has been sporadic, not helped by the absence of Knox, with flashes of an integral supporting role behind Stefon Diggs, while Kelce, without lighting up the world, leads the Chiefs with 813 receiving yards and five scores.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (9-3): Do we call this the Shaq Leonard bowl? There was little surprise when the Eagles edged out the Cowboys to wrap up a deal for the former Indianapolis Colts man, not because Howie Roseman is one of the savviest operators in the market but because of the extent to which the 49ers exposed Philly’s linebackers in Week 13. Time and time again Kyle Shanahan disorientated the likes of Nicholas Morrow and Christian Ellis, standing in for the injured Zach Cunningham, with Deebo Samuel’s pre-snap reload motion to muddy the play direction, eventually disguising it to unleash the Niners receiver for his first-half catch-and-run touchdown out of the backfield. Morrow bit hard on a Christian McCaffrey out-route at the sideline before later being shrugged off by Samuel again on his 48-yard touchdown; it was a torrid day, Nick Sirianni’s safeties included as Shanahan toyed with the middle of the field. Can Leonard step in immediately? And will the Cowboys similarly plot to exploit the Eagles’ weakness at the second level?
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Jeff Reinebold says Baltimore Ravens’ defense create mental as well as physical problems for their opponents, and backs them to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14.
Jeff Reinebold says Baltimore Ravens’ defense create mental as well as physical problems for their opponents, and backs them to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14.
Best quotes
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on his injury against the Bengals: “I’m thankful it’s not a worse injury than what I thought on the field.”
Taylor Swift, in her interview for 2023 Time magazine’s person of the year: “Football is awesome, it turns out. I’ve been missing out my whole life.”
Nick Bosa suggests the 49ers showed the NFL how to stop Jalen Hurts: “You see it on tape. Obviously, we put the blueprint out there. Hopefully, the Dallas Cowboys watch the tape. We made Jalen stay in the pocket and escape outside instead of those B-gaps. And it paid off.”
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on The Pat McAfee Show: “The most disappointing thing about the whole rehab process was December 24 was literally on my mind. It would have been like 14-and-a-half weeks, I thought that would be reasonable based on my progress.”
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Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the Miami Dolphins’ season so far and why sealing home matches in the playoffs could be crucial to their success.
Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the Miami Dolphins’ season so far and why sealing home matches in the playoffs could be crucial to their success.
Live NFL
December 10, 2023, 5:00pm
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel on his team’s 9-3 record at the top of the AFC: “Call me when it’s a 13-game season. That’s all nice, but we have a job to do today. If we short-change and are worried about anything other than the Tennessee Titans when we’re game planning, then all those conversations and stories literally don’t matter at all.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Rams receiver Puka Nacua: “I liked him (in the Draft). He was one of my highest-rated guys. You can ask anybody here, he was way up on my board. He’s playing exactly how I thought he would, for the record.”
Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on facing Houston’s CJ Stroud: “He’s a very unique young quarterback. He’s a guy I really wish we would’ve played Weeks One to Four when he was still trying to figure out this game.”
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Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the San Francisco 49ers’ impressive win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.
Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the San Francisco 49ers’ impressive win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.
The stats
Tyreek Hill’s 938 yards on vertical routes so far this season are the most of any receiver in a single campaign since 2018
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen currently has 898 catches in 138 games and has the chance to surpass Antonio Brown (143 games) as the fastest player in history to reach 900 career receptions
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson sits on 5,396 career receiving yards, leaving him needing just 117 more to overtake Michael Thomas for most by a player in his first four seasons in history
Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, who has 11.5 sacks on the year, is looking to become the second player since sack statistics began in 1982 to record at least 13 sacks in each of his first three seasons – Hall of Famer Reggie White having been the first
CJ Stroud needs 253 passing yards to overtake Andrew Luck for the second-most by a player in his first 13 games
Brock Purdy can become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to post a completion percentage of 70-or-higher in seven straight games this weekend
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Jeff Reinebold describes the Packers’ win over the Chiefs as a ‘magical night’ and hails the performances of quarterback Jordan Love.
Jeff Reinebold describes the Packers’ win over the Chiefs as a ‘magical night’ and hails the performances of quarterback Jordan Love.
The NFL playoff race has reached the home stretch in one of the most wide-open seasons in recent memory, with surprise teams occupying postseason spots and expected contenders battling for their place.
All is not rosy in the land of the mighty. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs have been marred by drops and deficiencies on a limping offense, behind which Patrick Mahomes and Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive subterfuge have between them retained some level of serious contention, with question marks over an 8-4 team speaking volumes as to the self-imposed expectations in Arrowhead.
And in western New York the Buffalo Bills are fighting for their playoff lives as they play catch-up having endured marquee injuries, suffered late heartbreak, fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and slipped behind the pack in what is still deemed a Championship window for under-pressure head coach Sean McDermott and his high-powered team.
Hannah Wilkes and Phoebe Schecter talk to Italy Women’s flag football captain Nausicaa Dell’Orto about the challenges she faced in forming a female team in Milan.
Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the San Francisco 49ers’ emphatic win over the Philadelphia Eagles and the red-hot form of the Miami Dolphins…
Thursday night rewind…
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Highlights of the New England Patriots up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the New England Patriots up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14 of the NFL season.
Bailey Zappe threw three first-half touchdown passes as the New England Patriots snapped a five-game skid while damaging the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff hopes with a 21-18 victory on Thursday night.
Watch the Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams from 5pm (kickoff at 6pm) live on Sky Sports NFL this Sunday, followed by the Buffalo Bills at the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles
Electricity rates in the U.S. soared to all-time highs in September, with Americans facing the sting of higher energy bills.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a spike to $0.171 per kilowatt-hour in September, presenting a harsh reality against the backdrop of a seemingly robust economy. While costs moderated to $0.169 per kilowatt-hour in October, industry experts point to a web of causes including geopolitical tensions, global pandemics, and green energy transitions which indicate that the days of stable, low-cost electricity might be fading and a new reality may be emerging.
As households gear up for winter, there’s cautious optimism for a slight respite in electricity costs. A recent downtick in natural gas prices—a key determinant of electricity rates—hints at a potential but modest decrease in upcoming electric bills.
Newsweek’sprevious analysis of Energy Information Administration (EIA) data indicates that while a 2 percent reduction in residential electricity rates is projected, stemming from a 14 percent year-over-year drop in wholesale natural gas prices, consumers should still brace for relatively high energy expenses.
That’s because the complexity of the energy market means that lower fuel costs don’t always equate to lower electricity rates for consumers, according to experts. Deloitte’s 2024 power and utility industry outlook analysis paints a picture of an industry grappling with the costs of modernizing the grid and transitioning to green energy, pointing to a 1.9 percent overall increase in retail electricity prices by the end of the year.
The Federal Reserve’s warning of a ‘higher for longer’ interest rate environment aimed at curbing inflation resonates within the energy sector. Capital expenditures have surged to a record-breaking nearly $171 billion in 2023 for the most significant electric and gas utilities, according to Deloitte, indicating a trend that may not reverse soon.
As interest rates climb, the cost of borrowing increases, which can ripple through the economy, affecting utilities and, by extension, electricity rates.
These higher borrowing costs come at a time when utilities are investing heavily to modernize and transition towards more sustainable energy sources, meaning a return to prices that electricity enjoyed over the 2010s may not happen anytime soon because “much of the increase over time is due to inflation and has often lagged inflation,” Jim Thomson, U.S. Power, Utilities & Renewables leader at Deloitte Consulting, explained to Newsweek.
That lag indicates that while consumers may be feeling the immediate sting of higher prices, the energy sector and the utility companies that monetize it might be contending with the rising costs for a longer period. Thomson said that in the short term, “utilities will likely continue to face high costs as they modernize and decarbonize the electric grid.”
Why Did Costs Increase in the First Place?
The decade-long stability of electricity prices that consumers enjoyed for years was upended in 2022 when a confluence of factors caused the price spike. A surge in natural gas prices, fueled by lower production and amplified by geopolitical tensions stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, played a key role, Thomson told Newsweek. Additionally, Thomson said the energy sector was not insulated from the pandemic’s inflationary effects and supply chain disruptions, which drove up costs.
Will I Have High Electric Bills Forever?
There is light at the end of the tunnel. “Some of these factors are subsiding,” Thomson explained, “and since regulated utilities are required to pass cost decreases through to customers as well as cost increases, some customers could see lower bills in the coming year.”
The U.S. Power Utilities & Renewables leader told Newsweek that as the industry increasingly turns to renewable sources like wind and solar, which are not fuel-reliant, the potential for moderating costs emerges. “Over time, as the share of electricity generated by renewables such as wind and solar continues to grow, it could tend to moderate costs since those energy sources do not use fuel, and those savings would be passed on to customers,” he noted.
He remains optimistic about the long-term impact of renewable energy, adding, “As the energy transition progresses, households that electrify their energy use by replacing fossil-fueled cars, heating systems, and other appliances with EVs, heat pumps and electric appliances could potentially see as much as a 40 percent decrease in household energy bills by 2045.”
A young lady sits at her kitchen table at home checking over the household bills. Experts say that high energy costs may be the new norm as the industry grapples with the costs of modernizing the grid. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson says “everything is stable” with Trevor Lawrence after the quarterback suffered an ankle injury in Monday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals; Pederson has not ruled Lawrence out of Sunday’s clash with Cleveland Browns
Last Updated: 05/12/23 7:48pm
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Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals’ clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 of the NFL
Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals’ clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 of the NFL
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson says quarterback Trevor Lawrence was “very fortunate” to avoid a more serious injury after damaging his ankle in Monday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Lawrence was injured in the fourth quarter as Jake Browning threw for 354 yards and a touchdown in his second career start to lead the Bengals to a stunning 34-31 overtime win.
Browning also ran for a score as the Bengals (6-6) won on Monday Night Football for the first time since 1990 on Evan McPherson’s 48-yard field goal in the extra frame, with Lawrence’s injury for the Jaguars (8-4) appearing to be potentially the biggest blow of the evening for the home team.
Left tackle Walker Little stepped on Lawrence’s ankle, causing him to twist it as he was sacked. Lawrence tried to get up, but dropped to the ground, ripped off his helmet and threw it in disgust. He was helped off the field and into the tunnel for X-rays.
Pederson said on Tuesday tests on Lawrence’s right ankle showed “everything’s stable, everything’s good”. He added surgery “is not necessarily something that would be warranted at this time”.
“We’ll see where he’s at in a couple days,” Pederson said roughly 12 hours after the game had finished.
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The Bengals took the lead with Ja’Marr Chase’s 76-yard touchdown reception, his team’s longest play of 2023
The Bengals took the lead with Ja’Marr Chase’s 76-yard touchdown reception, his team’s longest play of 2023
“[It] looked worse than it really was. Very fortunate there.”
It ended an otherwise stellar night for Lawrence, who completed 22 of 29 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score.
Pederson has not ruled Lawrence out of Sunday’s upcoming clash with the Cleveland Browns.
“I’m not going to put that timetable on Trevor,” he added. “Not going to put him in a box like that. We’ll see how he is in a couple of days.”
Browning was equally stout in place of star Joe Burrow, who watched and coached from the sideline while wearing a cast and a sling. Browning completed 32 of 37 passes and directed the overtime drive that set up McPherson’s winner.
McPherson, who played collegiately at nearby Florida, banged a 57-yarder off the crossbar in the same direction early in the game.
Jacksonville backup CJ Beathard completed nine of 10 passes for 63 yards in relief of Lawrence. Beathard put the Jaguars in position for Brandon McManus’ 40-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining in regulation.
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A Bengals trick play went all wrong when Tyler Boyd’s pass was picked off by Jaguars’ Josh Allen
A Bengals trick play went all wrong when Tyler Boyd’s pass was picked off by Jaguars’ Josh Allen
Ja’Marr Chase caught 11 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, a 76-yarder in the third quarter that got the Bengals going. Joe Mixon ran for 68 yards and two scores, and rookie Chase Brown added 61 yards on the ground for the league’s worst rushing attack. Mixon also had six receptions for 49 yards.
The Bengals made it harder than it should have been when coach Zac Taylor called a trick play that turned into a debacle in third.
Browning lateraled to receiver Tyler Boyd, who inexplicably threw directly to pass rusher Josh Allen. Allen caught the ball for his second career interception. The Jaguars scored four plays later when Lawrence jumped and stretched the ball across the goal line.
It was the second bungled trick play for the Bengals, who also lost seven yards when Chase completed a double pass to Browning. Still, the Bengals finished with 491 yards and were eight of 14 on third down.
Scoring summary
Scoring summary
FIRST QUARTER
Bengals 0-7 Jaguars
Travis Etienne four-yard rushing TD (extra point)
SECOND QUARTER
Bengals 7-7 Jaguars
Joe Mixon six-yard rushing TD (extra point)
Bengals 7-14 Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence 22-yard TD pass to Evan Engram (extra point)
Bengals 14-14 Jaguars
Joe Mixon two-yard rushing TD (extra point)
THIRD QUARTER
Bengals 21-14 Jaguars
Jake Browning 76-yard TD pass to Ja’Marr Chase (extra point)
Bengals 21-21 Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence 14-yard TD pass to Parker Washington (extra point)
Bengals 21-28 Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence one-yard rushing TD (extra point)
FOURTH QUARTER
Bengals 28-28 Jaguars
Jake Browning one-yard rushing TD (extra point)
Bengals 31-28 Jaguars
Evan McPherson 54-yard field goal
Bengals 31-31 Jaguars
Brandon McManus 40-yard field goal
OVERTIME
Bengals 34-31 Jaguars
Evan McPherson 48-yard field goal
What did they say?
Jags quarterback C.J. Beathard on injury to Lawrence: “First instinct was ah, it sucks for Trevor when you see him on the ground hurting. That sucks. It kind of takes the breath away from the guys on the sidelines and stuff when you see your starting quarterback hurting like that. But then you quickly flip into going into that two-minute drive to try and tie the game or win the game. Obviously, don’t have much time for the news to kick in, just kind of got to go.”
What next?
The Bengals are back in action at home to the Indianapolis Colts (7-5), while the Jaguars prepare for a spell without Lawrence on the road against the Cleveland Browns (7-5).
DaRon Bland made it five interceptions returned for a touchdown in a single season, breaking the record he had equalled in Week 11; Dak Prescott passed for 331 yards and four touchdowns in a big win for the Dallas Cowboys; Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell was sacked four times
Last Updated: 24/11/23 1:21am
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Highlights of the Washington Commanders against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Washington Commanders against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12 of the NFL season.
DaRon Bland capped a 45-10 Thanksgiving victory for the Dallas Cowboys over their NFC East rival Washington Commanders by breaking the NFL record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown in a season.
Rico Dowdle put the Cowboys (8-4) ahead at AT&T Stadium with 46 seconds remaining in the first quarter with a 15-yard touchdown, and further scores from Brandin Cooks and Tony Pollard helped the home side into a 20-10 lead at half time.
Joey Slye’s field goal and a rushing touchdown from Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, who ended the day with 300 yards and completed 28 of 44 passes but was sacked four times, ensured the visitors kept within touching distance of their NFC East rivals.
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But after a scoreless third quarter Brandon Aubrey’s field goal, a sixth receiving touchdown of the season for CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin’s grab in the end zone ensured a sixth-straight home game of Dallas scoring 30-plus points, with quarterback Dak Prescott passing for 331 yards and four touchdowns.
There was still time for Bland to make NFL history though, coming up with a pick-six with under five minutes remaining as he snagged a pass from Howell and raced 63 yards downfield for his fifth of the season – breaking the record of four he had jointly held with Eric Allen (1993), Jim Kearney (1972) and Ken Houston (1971).
The dichotomy that is Howell’s 2023 season was shown again on Washington’s opening drive as the NFL’s passing yard leader heading into this game was sacked for a league-leading 52nd time this season, and the Commanders were forced to punt after their first two possessions of the game stalled at midfield.
Having punted at the end of their first possession, the Cowboys built steadily on their second, despite back-to-back penalties which left them facing second and 25, and put together a 15-play, 110-yard drive which ended in Prescott’s short pass to Dowdle sending the running back streaking away for the opening score.
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DaRon Bland created history with his fifth pick-six of the season, a new NFL record.
DaRon Bland created history with his fifth pick-six of the season, a new NFL record.
The Commanders responded with a strong second-quarter drive led by Howell and running back Brian Robinson Jr earning consecutive first downs, yet some strong defensive plays from the Cowboys saw the visitors pushed back to third and 18, and eventually have to settle for a 43-yard field goal from Joey Slye.
Dallas were soon on the board again though as Prescott unleashed a pass to Cooks, who broke double coverage and sprinted away for a 31-yard touchdown to extend the home side’s advantage.
Despite being sacked for the second time in the game, Howell was able to guide Washington up to within striking distance and finished off the 67-yard drive with a four-yard run for a touchdown which closed the gap to four points inside the two-minute warning.
The Cowboys stunned the Commanders with a third touchdown before half time though, taking over possession with 1:51 of the second quarter remaining and going 70 yards for a drive which was finished by Pollard rushing seven yards up the middle to score, although Aubrey missed the extra point attempt.
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Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys celebrated their touchdown with a turkey leg!
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys celebrated their touchdown with a turkey leg!
Washington’s offense clicked more into gear in the third, but each time they found themselves thwarted by some determined defense from the Cowboys and were unable to make further inroads despite preventing the hosts from adding to their tally as well.
Dallas eventually managed to add some points to their tally early in the fourth quarter as rookie kicker Aubrey notched his record-extending 22nd-consecutive field goal with a 52-yarder.
Micah Parsons’ 11th sack of the season and Johnathan Hankins taking down Howell as the Commanders went for it on fourth then earned the Cowboys a turnover on downs, and they put the game to bed soon after when Prescott connected with Lamb for a 15-yard touchdown pass which was followed by a successful two-point conversion.
The Cowboys were not done there though as Prescott found Turpin with a 34-yard pass, followed by cornerback Bland putting the icing on the cake and writing his name in the NFL history books.
Scoring summary
Scoring summary
FIRST QUARTER
Commanders 0-7 Cowboys
Dak Prescott 15-yard pass to Rico Dowdle (extra point)
SECOND QUARTER
Commanders 3-7 Cowboys
Joey Slye 43-yard field goal
Commanders 3-14 Cowboys
Dak Prescott 31-yard pass to Brandin Cooks (extra point)
Commanders 10-14 Cowboys
Sam Howell 1-yard rush (extra point)
Commanders 10-20 Cowboys
Tony Pollard 7-yard rush
FOURTH QUARTER
Commanders 10-23 Cowboys
Brandon Aubrey 52-yard field goal
Commanders 10-31 Cowboys
Dak Prescott 15-yard pass to CeeDee Lamb (two-point conversion)
Commanders 10-37 Cowboys
Dak Prescott 34-yard pass to KaVontae Turpin (extra point)
Commanders 10-45 Cowboys
DaRon Bland 63-yard interception (extra point)
What was said?
Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland, after breaking the individual pick-six season record on Thanksgiving: “To do it on Thanksgiving just means everything, in front of fans and family.”
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on what was behind his team’s big win: “I credit a lot around me, the offensive line protected great, look back at a couple of those touchdowns and they gave us a lot of time. We are playing free.”
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Dak Prescott and DaRon Bland celebrated their Thanksgiving win with some well-earned turkey!
Dak Prescott and DaRon Bland celebrated their Thanksgiving win with some well-earned turkey!
What’s next?
The Dallas Cowboys open Week 13 at home to the Seattle Seahawks, who face NFC West rivals the San Francisco 49ers in the late game on Thanksgiving, in the Thursday night encounter.
The Washington Commanders, meanwhile, face a tough task when they host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, December 3.
The New York Jets (4-6) then take on the Miami Dolphins (7-3) in the NFL’s first ever Black Friday game from 8pm.
Electricity and hydro savings tip: Are the lights on?
You already turn off the lights when you leave a room or turn down the thermostat at night, right? In addition to that, Barry Walker, residential business development manager for efficiencyns.ca, says to check lightbulb packaging for LED wattage: “For example, it may read seven watts LED and say it’s equivalent to 60 watts of an incandescent light. So you’re only using a fraction of the energy to get the same amount of light.” He says that can save you 25% of the cost of lighting on your electricity bill.
Other cheap and cheerful ways to save on lighting and other energy costs: Buy motion sensors, smart power bars and electrical timers. “These are small things, but they’re inexpensive and they will pay for themselves very, very quickly.”
Electricity and hydro savings tip: Consider a heat pump
The biggest cost on Candians’ electricity bills is home heating, and heat pumps are becoming popular among Canadians because of government incentives to help with the costs. Walker installed a heat pump 20 years ago to replace his oil and electric heating in his 60-plus-year-old home in Halifax. “I’m a good old Scotsman and I kept every bill—my total energy costs dropped 40%,” he says. “I use thermal storage for my backup, and that heat pump is paying for itself three-fold now.”
Water savings tip: Get efficient
Plus, the heat pump can help save on the second biggest cost on your electricity: hot water. “Your payback will depend largely on the volume of hot water your household uses,” Walker says. “If you’ve got teenagers taking three showers a day, then the payback on that heat pump hot water tank will be fairly quick.” If a heat pump is too big of a commitment, you can opt for a more energy efficient hot water heater (even if you rent yours), says Walker.
Also, use cold water detergent to wash clothes and check for leaky taps. If you pay for municipal water, where you pay based on how much you use, that could be a sinkful of money a day going down the drain, he says.
How to save on internet and cable bills: Renegotiate service agreements
Renegotiate or bundle internet and cable services, and examine your home insurance and auto insurance, suggests Scorgie. Also talk about usage, too. You might be in the wrong plan, as things have changed since 2020, and you might not need as much as you did during the lockdowns. Keehn says: “That’s hundreds of dollars a year. People may say, ‘But I’m going to have to sit on hold with the phone company for hours.’ Maybe you will, but just sit on hold while you’re watching Netflix,” she suggests. (Speaking of Netflix, here are the best streaming services in Canada.)
How to save on cell phone bills: Check your bill and cut what you don’t need
Check your phone bill: Has a signup bonus promotion expired because you forgot to renew it, resulting in higher fees? Are you paying for directory listings you don’t use? Those charges add up, notes Keehn. Also, look into family plans and getting rid of services you don’t use, like international calls for example. Also, in your settings, check for the apps that are running in the background, which can eat up a ton of data unknowingly when you’re out and about not connected to wifi.
How to save on car expenses and maintenance
We don’t need to tell you that owning a vehicle is expensive. There’s maintenance, gas and more.
Mac Jones was benched for Bailey Zappe in the final minutes of the fourth quarter as the New England Patriots fell to a 10-6 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany; Jonathan Taylor rushes for a first-half touchdown while Julian Blackmon comes up with late interception
By Cam Hogwood from Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt
Last Updated: 12/11/23 5:40pm
Jonathan Taylor waltzes in for the Colts touchdown
Mac Jones was benched in the fourth quarter as Jonathan Taylor’s first-half touchdown helped the Indianapolis Colts to a 10-6 victory over the New England Patriots in Frankfurt on Sunday.
Julian Blackmon came up with a sucker-punch interception to derail a late Patriots drive, marking the final straw on a tough day for Jones as he exited the game for Bailey Zappe with two minutes to play.
His backup did not fare much kinder, throwing a game-icing interception to Rodney Thomas II as the Colts improved to 5-5 on the year in the final international regular-season game of the season.
Jones finished 15 of 20 passing for 170 yards and an interception, while Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew went 18 of 28 for 194 yards and a pick.
Both teams missed field goals either side of half-time, which the Colts had entered with a 7-3 lead thanks to Taylor’s second rushing touchdown of the season and three sacks from Dayo Odeyingbo.
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New England Patriots’ Mac Jones throws away the go-ahead opportunity with a league-leading 10th interception as he looked to find Mike Gesicki
New England Patriots’ Mac Jones throws away the go-ahead opportunity with a league-leading 10th interception as he looked to find Mike Gesicki
The Patriots threatened a perfect start to the second half when Myles Bryant was well-positioned to collect Minshew’s tipped pass off the hands of Michael Pittman Jr for an interception at the half-way line.
Jones almost landed himself in trouble as he attempted a dangerous under-arm shovel while scurrying to try and escape pressure.
The pick eventually went unrewarded as the Patriots failed to convert on third-and-three before Chad Ryland skewed his 35-yard field goal attempt wide of the posts.
New England’s next drive was all about the run, Stevenson carrying the ball five times alongside two Ezekiel Elliott runs and a 15-yard Mac Jones scramble to set themselves up at the Colts 24 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Jones was almost intercepted by Julian Blackmon as the Colts safety got hands on a lofted pass in the end zone, the Patriots settling for a 24-yard field goal at the end of a 15-play drive lasting eight minutes.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor gets his team on the board against the Patriots in Frankfurt
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor gets his team on the board against the Patriots in Frankfurt
Stats leaders:
Indianapolis Colts
Passing: Gardner Minshew, 18/28, 194 yards, 1 INT
Rushing: Jonathan Taylor, 23 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Michael Pittman Jr, 8 catches, 84 yards
Matt Gay’s 51-yard field goal pushed the Colts’ lead to 10-6 on the ensuing drive after Isiah McKenzie had ignited the response with a 42-yard kick return.
The Patriots would come up short once again in their efforts to turn the game on its head when Blackmon snagged Jones’ pass at the goal line with four minutes to play, much to the despair of the New England sideline at the end of a nine-play series.
Zappe entered the game with two minutes remaining, before any hopes of a late twist fizzled out when the Patriots quarterback was intercepted by Rodney Thomas II.
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The Colts defense blunted Jones and the Patriots to the sight of five sacks heading into the break, three of which came courtesy of Odeyingbo.
New England flashed signs of mending their stuttering offense during a 13-play opening drive that ended in Ryland’s 37-yard field goal after an Odeyingbo had derailed the series on third-and-six.
Taylor capped an immediate response when he skipped outside to run in for a one-yard touchdown at the end of a 14-play, 75-yard, seven-minute march ignited by Minshew’s off-script 30-yard throw to Isaiah McKenzie on third-and-six.
The sides then exchanged seven punts to test Deutsche Bank Park’s low-hanging scoreboard, Kwity Paye joining the sacks tally for the Colts having returned from an injury scare earlier in the half.
Minshew put the Colts in position to extend their lead late in the first half when he connected with Josh Downs for 12 yards on fourth-and-four, only for Matt Gay to miss the 57-yard field goal attempt.
Scoring summary
Scoring summary
FIRST QUARTER
Colts 0-3 Patriots
Chad Ryland 37-yard field goal
Colts 7-3 Patriots
Jonathan Taylor one-yard rushing TD (extra point)
SECOND QUARTER
THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER
Colts 7-6 Patriots
Chad Ryland 24-yard field goal
Colts 10-6 Patriots
Matt Gay 51-yard field goal
What’s next?
The Patriots enter a bye week before returning to face the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 12, while the Colts are due to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their break.
Week 10 in the NFL concludes on Monday night when the Denver Broncos visit the Buffalo Bills in the early hours of Tuesday, before the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Baltimore Ravens in Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 11.
The Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves as potential challengers for the Super Bowl this season
Jacksonville Jaguars. Detroit Lions.
Two of the harder sells in terms of the NFL in recent years. Decades even.
The two teams form part of a foursome of franchises to have never before reached a Super Bowl, joining the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans as the only teams never to do so.
The Lions haven’t even been to the playoffs in seven years and, staggeringly, are without a postseason win since the 1991 season!
The Jaguars’ recent history isn’t quite so bleak perhaps. Established as a franchise four years after Detroit’s last playoff win, they actually shocked the world with a run to the AFC Championship game in just their second season, getting back there again in 1999 and, more recently, in 2017.
Last year, after a few barren seasons which saw them earn the No 1 pick in back-to-back NFL drafts (2021 and 2022), Jacksonville again made the playoffs, riding the coattails of the very man they selected first overall in the first of those drafts, quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
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Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson was full of praise for Trevor Lawrence and labelled him as ‘the real deal’
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson was full of praise for Trevor Lawrence and labelled him as ‘the real deal’
They pulled off a remarkable 27-point comeback to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the wild card round, and then pushed eventual champs the Kansas City Chiefs all the way before ultimately succumbing to a 27-20 defeat in their divisional matchup.
The Chiefs (7-2) are again top dogs in the AFC through the opening nine weeks of the 2023 season, while last year’s NFC winners, the Philadelphia Eagles (8-1), are again sitting pretty on their perch. But, below both, poised, ready to pounce are the Lions (7-2) and Jaguars (6-2) at second and third in their respective conferences.
There is a new elite forming in the NFL and we’ve got to get used to the unusual sensation of seeing Detroit and Jacksonville very much at the heart of it.
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Highlights of the Las Vegas Raiders against the Detroit Lions from Week Eight of the NFL season
Highlights of the Las Vegas Raiders against the Detroit Lions from Week Eight of the NFL season
Gone are the days of the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady axis in New England that saw the Patriots sweep all before them in claiming six Super Bowl titles (seven for Brady when you add in his three-year dalliance with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and while storied franchises like the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys are all certainly in the mix, it has been a long time since any of them got their hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Could we be witnessing the start of the era of the Jaguars? Or is there a dynasty forming in Detroit?
We’ll get the chance to see both squads up close and personal this Sunday, when Jacksonville host the 49ers (6pm kickoff) and the Lions then travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers (9.05pm kickoff) – both games live on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event.
Campbell’s ‘kneecap biters’ delivering on promise
But what has led to the sudden optimism for these two down-trodden NFL teams? It starts with the coaching and, specifically, the two leaders entrusted with establishing a winning culture and turning the teams’ fortunes around.
Dan Campbell certainly got everyone’s attention when, at his introductory press conference with the Lions in 2021, he said: “This team’s going to be built on: we’re going to kick you in the teeth, all right, and when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you and when you knock us down, we’re going to get up. And, on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off.
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“And, we’re going to stand up, and then it’s going to take two more shots to knock us down. And, on the way up, we’re going to take your other kneecap, and we’re going to get up and then it’s going to take three shots to get us down. And, when we do, we’re going to take another hunk out of you. Before long, we’re going to be the last one standing. That’s going to be the mentality.”
Campbell’s kneecap-biters took a while to work up an appetite, however, with a 3-13-1 season following in his debut campaign, before a 1-6 start to 2022 had him firmly on the hot seat.
Eight wins followed over Detroit’s final 10 games, the team agonisingly falling short of a playoff spot but the coach earning a stay of execution which he has certainly made the most of.
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Highlights of the Detroit Lions against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week One of the NFL season
Highlights of the Detroit Lions against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week One of the NFL season
The Lions bettered the defending-champion Chiefs in a thrilling 2023 season-opener, and have only been bested by the Seattle Seahawks (5-3) and Baltimore Ravens (7-2) so far this year. They rank second, behind only the explosive Dolphins, in total offense, registering 390.6 yards per game, while their underrated defense is top five, allowing only 296.9 YPG.
The fulcrum of the Lions defensive unit is second-year standout Aidan Hutchinson. The sophomore star has 4.5 sacks this year following the 9.5 the Michigan alumni registered in his rookie campaign, while he also has a pick to go with the three he logged last year.
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Highlights from Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s 2022 NFL Scouting Combine workout
Highlights from Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s 2022 NFL Scouting Combine workout
It’s another way in which the Lions and Jaguars will be linked, and the success of both teams compared, over the next decade, as Hutchinson was taken with the No 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, having been overlooked by the Jaguars, who owned the first selection.
Jacksonville instead opted for Travon Walker out of Georgia, the NFL Combine stud with the eye-catching measurables. Though he didn’t flash as much as Hutchinson in his rookie season, there are signs to suggest Walker is coming good on that selection, with his 3.5 sack total this year already matching his tally for 2022.
He forms part of an imposing Jaguars defense that ranks in the top-10 in scoring, allowing only 19.5 points per game, and is tied with the New Orleans Saints for the most takeaways this season with 18 (11 interceptions, seven forced fumbles).
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The Jacksonville Jaguars made defensive lineman Travon Walker the first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars made defensive lineman Travon Walker the first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft
Josh Allen, namesake of the Buffalo Bills quarterback, has two of those forced fumbles to his name and is the standout on Jacksonville’s defense, with his nine sacks for the year already placing him only one behind league-leader Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings and on course for a career-best total to beat his 10.5 set in his rookie 2019 season.
The Jaguars are currently in the midst of a five-game win streak, coming off their bye, as they get set to welcome San Francisco this Sunday. Their only losses on the year came in consecutive weeks when dropping games to Kansas City and Houston following an opening win over the Indianapolis Colts.
It’s all a far cry from the team that was in turmoil as recently as 2021 when then-head coach Urban Meyer was fired from the team midway through a dismal 3-14 season which saw him clash with both his coaches and players, as well as be caught up in a viral video scandal which appeared to show the married man dancing inappropriately with a women at a restaurant one day after a defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Jacksonville Jaguars fired head coach Urban Meyer after a disastrous 2021 season on and off the field
Lawrence leaves London a franchise quarterback
Doug Pederson, Super Bowl winner in 2017 with Philadelphia, came in and though the team got off to a slow 2-6 start, seven wins in nine followed to secure a playoff berth, with Lawrence in particular stepping up following a Week Eight loss to the Denver Broncos in London.
Lawrence completed over 70 per cent of his passes for an average of 252.6 yards per game down the stretch, returning a 102.6 passer rating and a sparkling 15-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He registered three 300-yard passing games over the final nine games of the season, matching his tally from the first 25 games of his NFL career.
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Quarterback Jared Goff is having his best season for the Detroit Lions, here’s a look at some of his best plays so far this season
Quarterback Jared Goff is having his best season for the Detroit Lions, here’s a look at some of his best plays so far this season
But Lawrence isn’t the only top-drafted quarterback delivering against his lofty position. Jared Goff, a former No 1 overall pick for the Los Angeles Rams in 2016, was much maligned for the first five years of his NFL career – in spite of taking the team to the Super Bowl in his third season – but he’s enjoying quite the renaissance in Detroit.
Traded to the Lions in 2021 in a deal that also included two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, and a 2021 third-round selection, in exchange for QB Matthew Stafford, Goff was viewed as nothing more than a stopgap at the position until such time as Detroit could find better.
But Campbell and co have stuck with him and are now reaping the rewards, with Goff throwing 29 TDs to only seven interceptions last season and having tallied 12 already this year, along with 2,174 passing yards which places him fifth in the NFL when broken down into yards per game (271.8).
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs lept high into the stands to join the crowd after scoring on a 27-yard touchdown run against the Las Vegas Raiders
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs lept high into the stands to join the crowd after scoring on a 27-yard touchdown run against the Las Vegas Raiders
The weaponry available to both Goff and Lawrence is plentiful also. They each boast a sizeable threat in the backfield, with Lions rookie Jahmyr Gibbs boasting a breakout performance of 189 scrimmage yards and a score in their latest win over the Las Vegas Raiders, while the Jaguars have Travis Etienne who saved his best for their win over the Bills in London as he racked up 184 scrimmage yards and two TDs.
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Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Buffalo Bills at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Week Five of the NFL season
Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Buffalo Bills at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Week Five of the NFL season
In terms of pass-catching targets, Lawrence boasts Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk in Jacksonville, while Goff has Amon-Ra St. Brown leading the way, backed up by promising second-year speedster Jameson Williams. There’s also tight end talents Evan Engram (Jaguars) and Sam LaPorta (Lions), who by some strange coincidence both have 434 yards on the season to date – albeit the latter logging four TDs along the way.
Simply put, these two teams are stacked. And it’s time the NFL took these two teams seriously as, who knows, we could well have a Super Bowl first-timer on our hands this season. Or two of them.
Watch the Indianapolis Colts take on the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.30pm Sunday, with kick-off at 2.30pm; the San Francisco 49ers then face the Jacksonville Jaguars from 6pm followed by the Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Chargers.
