newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Indiana’s gamble pays off in OT upset over No. 8 Penn State

BLOOMINGTON , Ind .
— Michael Penix forced overtime with a 2-point conversion run with 22 seconds left , then scored on a diving 2-point conversion to give Indiana a season-opening 36-35 upset victory over No .
8 Penn State — ending the Big Ten ’ s longest streak of consecutive losses to Top 10 teams at 42 .
The winning play went to a replay review before the officials announced the initial call stood .
Indiana beat the Nittany Lions for the second time in 24 matchups , and beat a Top 10 foe for the first time since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 10 , 1987 .
And it took every trick in the book to get it done .
“ All I ’ d seen was an opportunity , an opportunity to go out and show the world what the Indiana Hoosiers are all about , ” Penix said .
“ They were playing man , so we ’ ve got to score to win the game and I wasn ’ t going to let my team down , so I went out and gave it my all.
” After Indiana failed to gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a go-ahead 60-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson with 2:30 left , coach Tom Allen instructed his defense to let Penn State score .
Devyn Ford obliged with a 14-yard run with 1:42 to go .
Penix then took the Hoosiers down the field , scored on a 1-yard TD run with 22 seconds to go , added the 2-point conversion and eventually wound up in overtime after Jordan Stout ’ s 57-yard field goal came up short with 3 seconds left in regulation .
“ In really six years at Penn State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach , we ’ ve not been a team to commit penalties and we ’ ve not been a team to get turnovers , and tonight we had both , ” Penn State coach James Franklin said .
“ We finally got into a rhythm in the second half a little bit , but you can ’ t not play well on the road in the Big Ten against good opponents.
” Penn State made it 35-28 when Clifford hooked up with Parker Washington in overtime , but Whop Philyor caught a 9-yard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won it when he dove for the goal line and the ball hit the pylon .
The mistakes were overwhelming for Penn State .
The Nittany Lions had three red-zone possessions that produced no points , two interceptions , two missed field goals , one lost fumble , a a muffed punt and a fumbled kickoff return in addition to Ford ’ s late scoring play and the late defensive breakdowns .
Coach James Franklin needs to get things cleaned up fast .
As for Indiana , coach Tom Allen ’ s team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew they needed to start beating ranked teams and this one certainly went a long way .
He took the gamble and it paid off .
The defense played well but the offense was out of sync until the final minutes .
Indiana gained just 211 yards and had the ball for 19:35 .
Penn State will slip in the Top 25 , perhaps precipitously .
Though the defense was suffocating until late and should keep the Nittany Lions close all season , the offense and special teams played nowhere close to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reappear in the Top 25 next week .

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana coach Tom Allen had grown weary of close calls in big games.
On Saturday, Allen went for it — and Michael Penix Jr. made those gambles pay off the Big Ten rivals’ first game of the delayed season,
After leading the Hoosiers on a touchdown drive in the final minute of regulation and scoring on a 2-point conversion to force overtime, Penix hooked up with Whop Philyor for 9-yard TD pass in overtime and dove into the pylon for the decisive 2-point conversion to give Indiana a 36-35 victory over No. 8 Penn State — its first win over a Top 10 team in more than 33 years.
This victory is a huge step for the program. Allen know the Hoosiers need to start beating ranked teams more consistently, and this one came on a day the defense played reasonably well and the offense managed only 221 yards 19:35 of possession time.
“We’d been close so many times, and I was tired of being close,” Allen said. “We liked the call and stayed with the call (after Penn State called timeout) and stayed with the call. We felt like we had our three players inolved in the play and one of those was going to get the ball or Michael was going to keep it. If felt like the right thing to do.”
Indiana snapped the longest streak of consecutive losses to Top 10 foes at 42, a skid that dated to a 31-10 victory at Ohio State on Oct. 10, 1987 — a game the late Earle Bruce dubbed as the darkest day in Buckeyes history.
They ended the second-longest active streak of losses to Top 10 opponents in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Only Wake Forest, at 63, had been longer.
They beat their highest-rated opponent since upsetting No. 6 Michigan State in 1967, which capped a three-game streak in which they also beat No. 10 Arizona and No. 7 Wisconsin and won for only the second time in 24 tries against the Nittany Lions.
They did it on a day Penix wasn’t at his best. He finished 19 of 36 with 170 yards, one touchdown and three sacks. But his magical feet worked wonders when the Hoosiers needed him most.
“All I’d seen was an opportunity, an opportunity to go out and show the world what the Indiana Hoosiers are all all about,” Penix said, referring to the final play of the game. “They were playing man (coverage), and we’ve got to score to win the game so I wasn’t going to let my team down. I went out and gave it my all.”
It took a lengthy replay review to confirm the initial call and when the official made the announcement Penix knew was coming, the wild celebration began inside the mostly empty stadium.
Allen needed to pull out every trick in the book, too, especially after Sean Clifford hooked up with Jahan Dotson on a 60-yard TD pass to give Penn State its first lead of the second half, 21-20 with 2:30 left in regulation.
Penn State sacked Penix on the next two plays, forced him to throw the ball away on third and an incompletion on fourth, taking the ball back on down at the Indiana 14. This time, Allen called for the defense to give up the touchdown, hoping for one more possession, and Devyn Ford obliged with a TD run that gave Penn State a 28-20 lead.
“We went through that situation this week. We went through that situation on the sideline. Obviously, we could have handled it better and I could have handled it better,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “What we wanted to do is get as much as you can and get down.”
That big misake and others proved costly. Franklin will be on major clean-up duty this week after seeing three red-zone possessions end without points, three missed field goals, two interceptions, one lost fumble, a muffed punt and a fumbled kickoff return in addition to Ford’s late TD run and the late defensive breakdowns.
Instead, Penix capitalized on the miscue. He took the Hoosiers 75 yards in seven plays, scoring on a 1-yard TD run before the tying conversion. And after Clifford made it 35-28 with 9-yard TD pass to Parker Washington in overtime, Penix hooked up with Philyor before beating two Nittany Lions defenders to the front pylon.
“What was going through my head, was that we’re playing the No. 8 team in the country and I knew if we scored would have had the ball on the 3 with a chance to win it,” Allen said. “When you think about all the things that happened and all the plays that had to be made to win this game, it’s just amazing.”
As for Penn State, it will slip in the Top 25, perhaps precipitously. The defense played well but broke down late while the offense and special teams weren’t anywhere near championship caliber.
“It’s turnovers and penalties,” Franklin said. “I would hope you guys would agree over last six years, that’s very uncharacteristic for us.”


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--NYCFC player tests positive for COVID-19

An NYCFC player has tested positive for COVID-19 , according to a report .
The Bronx-based Major League Soccer club @ @ @ @ @ made Friday , during pre-game virus testing of the athletes , and confirmed with an @ @ @ @ @ The player , who was not identified , is asymptomatic and is quarantining while being @ @ @ @ @ Saturday ’ s game against the Montreal Impact is not impacted .
One player expected @ @ @ @ @ s game , Ismael Tajouri-Shradi , is no longer listed in the lineup .

An NYCFC player has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a report.
The Bronx-based Major League Soccer club said the diagnosis was first made Friday, during pre-game virus testing of the athletes, and confirmed with an additional test early Saturday.
The player, who was not identified, is asymptomatic and is quarantining while being monitored by team staff.
Saturday’s game against the Montreal Impact is not impacted.
One player expected to be in tonight’s game, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, is no longer listed in the lineup.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--This is NYC’s best chance to end rent control and win a normal housing market

Rents for sky-high buildings have fallen to decade lows .

Rents are collapsing while vacancy rates soar citywide. This is clearly the time to finally free New York City from its unjust, destructive rent laws. That way, at least one good thing would come from this pestilence of a pandemic.
StreetEasy just reported that third-quarter market-rate rents in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens are all below their levels of a year ago — something that last happened in the wake of the Great Recession. The median Manhattan rent dropped below $3,000 for the first time in nearly a decade.
And the trends will continue — the market is fat with inventory, and the pandemic has plainly prompted a lot of people, especially higher earners, to move away permanently. Landlords are offering months of free rent to entice people to commit, even as the law temporarily bans evictions.
Unofficially, the city’s population is down by 500,000, and it won’t soar back up soon. Units are going for an average of 9 percent below the listed amount, and vacancies are still at historic highs.
In theory, this should end the city’s decades-long “housing emergency,” which stands as the legal justification for rent controls. If the vacancy rate is above 5 percent at the time of the next official survey, the rent laws are supposed to expire.
That would indeed be a cause for celebration. Landlords, who are now despairing, are given long-term hope. And it wouldn’t hurt tenants — not when rents are dropping.
Rent control and rent stabilization keep prices artificially low, which discourages move-outs and the private production of affordable housing. Without these laws, nearly everyone would benefit, as a functional market would finally encourage healthy investment in new housing, without the fear that lawmakers would change the rules after the fact.
Yes, a few people with insanely good deals might lose out — but those aren’t the truly poor or even working-class renters that the laws are supposed to help.
We realize that the Democrats who control the Legislature won’t like any of this: They’re all too likely to change the law to keep the phony “emergency” going, since they can score easy political points by denouncing landlords as long as the laws keep the market broken.
But the truth remains: In US cities without rent laws, an abundant apartment supply keeps rents reasonable and provides enough slack so renters — especially low-income ones — can more easily find and move into larger places as their needs change. Government doesn’t have to spend big creating or subsidizing low-income housing.
This is New York’s chance at a normal housing market — an opportunity not to be missed.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Anti-police protesters, pols prompting huge wave of cop retirements taking toll on Finest

Months of protesters pushing to “ defund the police , ” and politicians bending over backward to appease them , have taken a toll on America ’ s Finest .
Since protests began in late May after the death of George Floyd , over a dozen chiefs and record numbers of officers have retired or resigned in cities all over the country .
Here in the city , more than 2,000 members of the NYPD put in their retirement paperwork these last seven months , an 87 percent jump over the same period last year .
Protests over the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police chief and his whole command staff to step down rather than let critics “ destroy ” their characters by attributing the mistakes of individual officers to the whole department .
Politicians who try to appease the protesters by cutting police funding are another morale-killer .
Seattle ’ s first black woman police chief resigned in August after the City Council voted to reduce her budget by $ 4 million and cut 100 positions .
She cited the “ overarching lack of respect for the officers.
” Her city ’ s mayor had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pander to anarchists who took over several blocks to create the Capital Hill Autonomous Zone — only to eventually turn to police to clear out the loons after two teens got killed in the chaos zone .
A record 39 Seattle PD officers left in September , with devastating exit interviews .
One cop said Seattle had become a “ socialist city ” using restrictions against cops to promote a “ political agenda.
” San Francisco — whose radical DA has effectively decriminalized a host of public-order offenses — has already lost twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asheville , NC , has seen 13 percent of its force quit .
This , when the nation needs police most .
The National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice reports that homicides for June-July-August were 53 percent higher than in 2019 , even as the pandemic should ’ ve depressed violent crime .
One Portland cop said it best in a letter to fellow officers after retiring : “ It is up to us to tell the citizens that mob rule does not get to decide policy and law , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to blame officers for refusing to stay on the job when they ’ re slandered by protesters and hobbled by politicians .
Who needs to be a scapegoat ?
But the loss of experienced professionals is a nightmare for public safety — since new cops are more likely to make mistakes .
The protesters may think they ’ re getting what they want , but the reality is that everyone but the criminals are losers here .

Months of protesters pushing to “defund the police,” and politicians bending over backward to appease them, have taken a toll on America’s Finest.
Since protests began in late May after the death of George Floyd, over a dozen chiefs and record numbers of officers have retired or resigned in cities all over the country.
Here in the city, more than 2,000 members of the NYPD put in their retirement paperwork these last seven months, an 87 percent jump over the same period last year.
Protests over the death of Daniel Prude moved Rochester’s police chief and his whole command staff to step down rather than let critics “destroy” their characters by attributing the mistakes of individual officers to the whole department.
Politicians who try to appease the protesters by cutting police funding are another morale-killer. Seattle’s first black woman police chief resigned in August after the City Council voted to reduce her budget by $4 million and cut 100 positions. She cited the “overarching lack of respect for the officers.”
Her city’s mayor had ordered the East Precinct shut down to pander to anarchists who took over several blocks to create the Capital Hill Autonomous Zone — only to eventually turn to police to clear out the loons after two teens got killed in the chaos zone.
A record 39 Seattle PD officers left in September, with devastating exit interviews. One cop said Seattle had become a “socialist city” using restrictions against cops to promote a “political agenda.”
San Francisco — whose radical DA has effectively decriminalized a host of public-order offenses — has already lost twice as many officers as in all 2019. Asheville, NC, has seen 13 percent of its force quit.
This, when the nation needs police most. The National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice reports that homicides for June-July-August were 53 percent higher than in 2019, even as the pandemic should’ve depressed violent crime.
One Portland cop said it best in a letter to fellow officers after retiring: “It is up to us to tell the citizens that mob rule does not get to decide policy and law, but democracy must.”
It’s hard to blame officers for refusing to stay on the job when they’re slandered by protesters and hobbled by politicians. Who needs to be a scapegoat? But the loss of experienced professionals is a nightmare for public safety — since new cops are more likely to make mistakes.
The protesters may think they’re getting what they want, but the reality is that everyone but the criminals are losers here.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle’s season likely over after ankle fracture

You might recall the Great Wide Receiver Class of 1996 : ...

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Alabama coach Nick Saban said junior wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has a high ankle sprain with a fracture and will be out the rest of the season if he needs surgery.
Waddle was hurt when he took the opening kickoff out to the Alabama 15. He was tackled by Kenneth George Jr., and Waddle’s right foot got caught between the grass and George’s body. Waddle was helped off the field putting no weight on his right foot before being carted to the locker room.
Saban said after a 48-17 win over Tennessee that it’s a really sad time for Waddle and his family with Waddle probably needing surgery.
“We’re going to fly him back privately with the doctors and take him back to Birmingham and see what we have to do right away,” Saban said. “If that’s the case, and we’re pretty certain that it is, he would probably be out for the year.”
Waddle has been one of the nation’s top punt returners the past two years and has seldom had the ball kicked his way this year.
Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III said losing Waddle during the game was tough. No. 2 Alabama finished by beating Tennessee 48-17 without Waddle.
“I think we responded well on focusing on the most important thing, which is the next play at hand,” Metchie said.
Waddle had 733 yards on punt returns in his career, ranking sixth in Alabama history. Waddle currently leads all Crimson Tide returners averaging 19.3 yards per punt return in his career, nearly six years better than second place.
He opened this season with at least 120 yards receiving in each of the first four games and led Alabama with 557 yards on just 25 catches. Waddle was averaging 22.3 yards per catch and had four touchdowns.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Afghanistan suicide attack death toll hits 18; al Qaida leader killed in recent operation

At least 11 women were trampled to death in Afghanistan ...

KABUL, Afghanistan — The death toll from the suicide attack Saturday in Afghanistan’s capital has risen to at least 18 killed and 57 people wounded, including students, the interior ministry said.
Afghan security officials separately announced on Saturday that a senior al-Qaida commander had been killed in a recent operation in the country’s east.
Saturday’s explosion in the capital struck outside an education center in a heavily Shiite neighborhood of western Kabul, Dasht-e-Barchi.
Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian says that the attacker was trying to enter the center when he was stopped by security guards.
According to Arian, the casualty toll may rise further as family members of victims of the suicide bombing are still searching the several different hospitals where the wounded have been taken.
No group claimed immediate responsibility for the bombing. The Taliban rejected any connection with the attack.
An Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for a similar suicide attack at an education center in August 2018, in which 34 students were killed. Within Afghanistan, IS has launched large-scale attacks on minority Shiites, Sikhs and Hindus, whom it views as apostates.
Hundreds of Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan fled the country in September after a gunman loyal to the militant group killed 25 members of the shrinking community in an attack on their share a place of worship in Kabul.
Meanwhile, the Afghan intelligence service said in a tweet that special forces killed al-Qaida’s number two commander for the Indian sub-continent, Abu Muhsin al-Masri, in a recent operation in eastern Ghazni. The National Directorate of Security did not immediately share more details about the operation.
Al-Masri was listed among the most wanted terrorists by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2018.
The U.S. signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February, opening up a path toward withdrawing American troops from the conflict. U.S. officials said the deal also aimed refocus security efforts on fighting the Islamic State, which is a rival of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
There has been an upsurge in violence between Taliban and Afghan forces in the country recently, even as representatives from the two warring sides begin their own peace talks in Doha to end the decades-long war in Afghanistan.
Earlier Saturday a roadside bomb killed nine people in eastern Afghanistan after it struck a minivan full of civilians, a local official said.
Ghazni province police spokesman Ahmad Khan Sirat said that a second roadside bomb killed two policemen, after it struck their vehicle that was making its way to the victims of the first explosion.
Sirat added that the bombings had wounded several others, and that the attacks were under investigation.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks. The provincial police spokesman claimed the Taliban had placed the bomb.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--NFL 2020 receiving class is crazy good: Here’s the proof

Wide receiver Denzel Mims has only had six days of ...

You might recall the Great Wide Receiver Class of 1996: Keyshawn Johnson (Jets), Terry Glenn (Patriots), Eddie Kennison (Rams), Marvin Harrison (Colts) and Eric Moulds (Bills), all in the first round; followed by Amani Toomer (Giants) and Muhsin Muhammad (Panthers) in the second round; followed by Joe Horn (Chiefs) in the fifth round.
You might recall the Great Wide Receiver Class of 1985: Al Toon (Jets), Eddie Brown (Bengals) and Jerry Rice (49ers) in the first round; followed by Andre Reed (Bills) in the fourth round; followed by Eric Martin (Saints) in the seventh round.
And you will one day remember the Great Wide Receiver Class of 2020.
“I think it’s good as I’ve ever seen,” legendary NFL executive and historian Gil Brandt said.
This isn’t the time for young boys to start dreaming about becoming the Next Deion Sanders or the Next Darrelle Revis.
“All these guys,” ESPN “Monday Night Football” analyst Louis Riddick told Serby Says, “are showing the things that they showed in college, and they are delivering. It’s cool to see, because young wide receivers are generally thought to have a steeper learning curve and take some time. I think it’s tired, but the old perception that rookie wide receivers have to get off the jam in the NFL and that’s the No. 1 thing that they can’t do … nobody’s really jamming people. And these wide receivers are great athletes, and some of these guys are playing with real good quarterbacks, and they’re putting up real good numbers, and it’s pretty cool to see if you love offensive football.”
Henry Ruggs III (Raiders), Jerry Jeudy (Broncos), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys), Jaelen Reagor (Eagles), Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and Brandon Aiyuk (49ers) all were drafted in the first round. That was followed by seven more receivers in the second round.
“These guys were playing in offenses that many of the NFL offenses were integrating into their style,” Riddick said.
Ruggs (six receptions, 177 yards, one TD): He was slowed early by hamstring and knee injuries, but flashed his intoxicating speed that Jon Gruden craves with a 72-yard TD against the Chiefs. People once thought Tyreek Hill wouldn’t be more than a gadget guy. “Jon’ll work with him, he’ll make him a good all-around player,” Riddick said.
Jeudy (17-266-1): Best route-runner in the class, and Riddick’s highest-rated receiver in the draft. “His ability to get off the line of scrimmage and just set you up in the route and at the break point, nobody was better than him,” Riddick said. “Nobody.”
Lamb (36-497-2): A highly competitive yards-after-catch demon. He plays with swag and believes the ball is his. “He looks like Secretariat against a bunch of trial horses,” Brandt said. Brandt was 9 when Don Hutson caught 17 TD passes for the Packers in 1942. “I compared Lamb to Don Hutson,” he said. “And also to [Marquise] “Hollywood” Brown, but bigger and stronger than Hollywood Brown.”
Reagor (5-96): Has missed the past four games following thumb surgery. “He’s a Bob Hayes type of guy,” Brandt said. “Bob Hayes could run fast, but he was strong. He’s got that lower-body strength.” Riddick liked Reagor’s speed and toughness and yards-after-catch ability, but was surprised the Eagles selected him. “Because Justin was still on the board,” Riddick said.
Jefferson (36-537-3): “He looks like a three-, four-year veteran already,” Riddick said.
Aiyuk (14-165-1, 4-69-2 rushing): “A catch-and-run guy, a jet sweep guy who is great with the ball in his hands,” Riddick said. “He is a big play waiting to happen. He’s fun to watch.” Comparable to 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel. “Probably more fluid as an outside route runner,” Riddick said.
Tee Higgins (22-339-2): Joe Burrow’s 6-foot-4 target. “He needs to probably be a little better at the 50-50 balls down the field,” Riddick said. “With as long and tall as he is, he should be going up over top of people more often.” Brandt concurred: “I didn’t think he was a special guy. I thought he was kind of a guy that they threw the ball to him and he just jumped up and caught it up over other guys.”
Michael Pittman Jr. (9-73): The Colts expect him back next week following calf surgery. “Real good high-point skills down the field, strong run after the catch, better playing speed than clock speed. You never saw him get caught from behind,” Riddick said.
Laviska Shenault Jr. (26-280-1, 10-54 rushing): “They’re using him in the wildcat, using him like a running back, using him in the slot, using him outside,” Riddick said. “He’s had circus-type catches where he showed you real soft hands, real strong at the catch point. … He looks like a tailback. He is a Swiss Army knife that’s gonna be a problem as long as he stays healthy. “ A 6-1, 227-pound weapon for Jaguars offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. “You almost could play him at running back,” Brandt said.
KJ Hamler (6-78): The lightning-quick Bronco is expected back from his hamstring woes Sunday against the Chiefs. “He can be a matchup problem inside, no question,” Riddick said.
Chase Claypool (17-335-4, 6-21-2 rushing): At 6-4, 228, he reminds Riddick physically of Calvin “Megatron” Johnson. “His size and his speed and catch radius is just something that Pittsburgh is going to be able to take advantage of for years and years and years to come,” Riddick said.
Van Jefferson (6-84): The Rams drafted him two picks before he might have gotten the chance to play for his father, Jets wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson. “Very good pass catcher, doubles as a return specialist, good route runner, sure hands, not the fastest guy in the world,” Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline said.
DENZEL MIMS (0-0): Will be making his Jets debut Sunday against the Bills. Not as polished. “Baylor’s offense isn’t real complicated as far as what they asked him to do, the learning curve would be a little steeper for him, but he made some spectacular catches along the sideline, high riser, go up and get the ball,” Riddick said.
Brandt likes the Raiders’ Bryan Edwards (5-99), a third-rounder, and Riddick likes the Bills’ Gabriel Davis (14-194-2 TDs) a fourth-rounder.
And there are more on the way: The 2021 wide receivers class — Ja’Marr Chase, Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Rondale Moore, Rashod Bateman — is filled with blue-chip prospects. LSU’s Chase is the cream of the crop.
“If you have the same number of underclassmen enter the draft as is expected,” Pauline said, “it’s gonna be really strong. It’s gonna have better talent at the top, led by Ja’Marr Chase of LSU, and it’s gonna be pretty darn deep. It may be just a notch below last year’s draft class on paper, assuming the top underclassmen enter.”
Brandt: “If last year was a 10, this is a 9 ¹/₂.”
Defense wins championships. But offense will sell tickets, whenever the pandemic ends.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--DOE gives peek at widely differing attendance data for NYC schools

The city Department of Education is playing peek-a-boo with its school attendance data — which is all over the map , The Post has learned .
While Mayor de Blasio on Thursday told reporters he had no attendance data to report , the DOE quietly posted a total attendance rate of 87.8 % for all 1,600 schools on that same day .
For the first time since schools opened a month ago , the listing gave figures for both remote and in-person attendance .
Minutes after The Post asked about the data , it was yanked , suggesting it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , a spreadsheet downloaded before it was taken down shows that student attendance varies wildly among schools .
In-person attendance is supposed to track students in the blended program who come to school one to three days a week , learning online the other days .
The DOE data show 59 schools reported in-person attendance of less than 50 % , with PS 165 Robert E. Simon in Manhattan posting the lowest rate , 8.67 % .
The school cited 86.3 % online attendance .
Brownsville Academy HS posted a low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 % online .
Another 213 schools reported in-person attendance of less than 75 % , and 777 schools reported 75 % to 99 % of students showing up .
At one of those schools , Francis Lewis HS in Queens , teacher Arthur Goldstein called the figure “ ridiculous.
” Firstly , Francis Lewis gives its 4,500 students all-remote instruction .
Students may come to school one or two days a week only for tutoring and other support services .
Secondly , Goldstein said , “ No school ever has 100 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have other issues .
Even before COVID , we never had 100 % attendance .
It ’ s impossible.
” In addition , 463 schools did not report any in-person attendance data , marking “ N/A ” ( no answer ) instead .
Of those , 124 schools in Brooklyn and Queens were ordered shut because they are located in COVID-19 “ hotspots ” identified by the state .
Most will reopen Monday .
But that left 339 open schools reporting no in-person data at all .
The data on remote attendance also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 68 schools reported 100 % of students showing up online .
Marking students present online doesn ’ t necessarily mean they stay online to learn .
“ A student can log on for a minute and then not participate in class , but I still have to mark them present , ” a Brooklyn high school teacher said .
“ I ’ ll call on someone midway through the class , and no one is there.
” When asked about attendance data at his regular press conference Thursday , de Blasio said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers are accurate in what has been an ever-changing situation.
” He said parents are waffling between remote and blended instruction .
“ Some days they ’ re having their kids go to school , some days they ’ re not , and they haven ’ t really a hundred percent decided if they want to stay in that blended status or go to remote.
” Families can switch from blended to remote at any time , but they can only switch from remote to blended during specific times .
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , October 26 to 30 .
City Hall spokeswoman Avery Cohen would not answer questions about the yanked Oct. 22 attendance , figures , but said , “ It ’ s preliminary to draw broad conclusions from a snapshot of data.
” She added , “ Schools have been learning to use new systems to record and report data and now that most schools are using the system , we will be releasing data next week from the beginning of the school year .
This will provide a more complete understanding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Education quietly posted a total attendance rate of 87.8 % for 1,606 schools recorded on Oct. 22 , calling it a “ preliminary report.
” The data includes both remote and in-person rates .
• 124 schools shut down because of COVID-19 outbreaks

The city Department of Education is playing peek-a-boo with its school attendance data — which is all over the map, The Post has learned.
While Mayor de Blasio on Thursday told reporters he had no attendance data to report, the DOE quietly posted a total attendance rate of 87.8% for all 1,600 schools on that same day.
For the first time since schools opened a month ago, the listing gave figures for both remote and in-person attendance.
Minutes after The Post asked about the data, it was yanked, suggesting it was posted by accident in the first place.
However, a spreadsheet downloaded before it was taken down shows that student attendance varies wildly among schools.
In-person attendance is supposed to track students in the blended program who come to school one to three days a week, learning online the other days.
The DOE data show 59 schools reported in-person attendance of less than 50%, with PS 165 Robert E. Simon in Manhattan posting the lowest rate, 8.67%. The school cited 86.3% online attendance.
Brownsville Academy HS posted a low 11% in-person, but also only 35% online.
Another 213 schools reported in-person attendance of less than 75%, and 777 schools reported 75% to 99% of students showing up.
Stunningly, 152 schools reported 100% in-person attendance.
At one of those schools, Francis Lewis HS in Queens, teacher Arthur Goldstein called the figure “ridiculous.”
Firstly, Francis Lewis gives its 4,500 students all-remote instruction. Students may come to school one or two days a week only for tutoring and other support services.
Secondly, Goldstein said, “No school ever has 100% attendance. Students get sick, students have other issues. Even before COVID, we never had 100% attendance. It’s impossible.”
Francis Lewis listed remote attendance at 94%.
In addition, 463 schools did not report any in-person attendance data, marking “N/A” (no answer) instead.
Of those, 124 schools in Brooklyn and Queens were ordered shut because they are located in COVID-19 “hotspots” identified by the state. Most will reopen Monday.
But that left 339 open schools reporting no in-person data at all.
The data on remote attendance also ranged widely from 18% to perfect— 68 schools reported 100% of students showing up online.
Another 68 schools reported “N/A” for online attendance.
Marking students present online doesn’t necessarily mean they stay online to learn.
“A student can log on for a minute and then not participate in class, but I still have to mark them present,” a Brooklyn high school teacher said. “I’ll call on someone midway through the class, and no one is there.”
When asked about attendance data at his regular press conference Thursday, de Blasio said it was being withheld “to make sure the numbers are accurate in what has been an ever-changing situation.”
He said parents are waffling between remote and blended instruction. “Some days they’re having their kids go to school, some days they’re not, and they haven’t really a hundred percent decided if they want to stay in that blended status or go to remote.”
Families can switch from blended to remote at any time, but they can only switch from remote to blended during specific times. The first window of opportunity is this Monday through Friday, October 26 to 30.
City Hall spokeswoman Avery Cohen would not answer questions about the yanked Oct. 22 attendance, figures, but said, “It’s preliminary to draw broad conclusions from a snapshot of data.”
She added, “Schools have been learning to use new systems to record and report data and now that most schools are using the system, we will be releasing data next week from the beginning of the school year. This will provide a more complete understanding of remote and in-person attendance.”
Taking attendance
The city Department of Education quietly posted a total attendance rate of 87.8 % for 1,606 schools recorded on Oct. 22, calling it a “preliminary report.” The data includes both remote and in-person rates.
59 schools reported less than 50% in-person attendance
213 schools reported less than 75% in-person attendance
777 schools reported 75 to 99% in-person attendance
152 schools reported 100% in-person attendance
124 schools shut down because of COVID-19 outbreaks
339 open DOE schools reported NO in-person data
Source: NYC DOE


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Muhammad Ali’s road to history had unlikely starting point 50 years ago

Randy Arozarena dominated in the first three rounds of the ...

All these years later, it is the setting that surprises most of all. Back in 1939, the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium had hosted one of the most glamorous events in the city’s history, a ball to celebrate the release of “Gone With the Wind,” the seminal Civil War-era film set mostly within its city limits.
But on Oct. 26, 1970, a different kind of happening was scheduled.
There were 5,100 tickets sold for the night’s main event: a 15-round boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry. This wasn’t merely a sporting event, however. The last time Ali had entered a ring was March 22, 1967, when he knocked out Zora Folley in seven rounds at Madison Square Garden.
Much of the world — even the sporting press — continued to identify him as “Cassius Clay” before that fight against Folley. It was his eighth title defense as heavyweight champion, and everyone inside the Garden that night — even Ali — knew it might be his last. For months, Ali had declared that he would refuse induction into the Army, citing his religious beliefs.
“This may be the last chance to see Muhammad Ali in living color,” the 24-year-old Ali declared in the third person days before the fight. “So if you have always been wanting to see me, you better come to the Garden.”
And indeed, on April 28, 1967 in Houston, Ali was three times summoned to take the soldier’s oath and agree to become a private. All three times, he refused. He was stripped of his title. He was banned from the sport. Across the next three and half years he earned a meager living giving lectures on the college circuit and fighting a jail sentence, a dispute that would ultimately be resolved, in his favor, by the U.S. Supreme Court.
By the spring of 1970, Ali was older, he was thicker, he had lost what seemed certain to be his prime boxing years. The city of Atlanta was the first to grant him a license. And so it was that Ali-Quarry went on the calendar, scheduled for the Municipal Auditorium, which nine years later was sold to Georgia State University and today serves as its alumni center (now known as Dahlberg Hall).
Everywhere else, of course, this was the dominant sporting storyline. Ali was still a pariah in many circles, condemned as a draft dodger. Even before that he’d been a polarizing figure thanks to his chatty confidence and his conversion to Islam. Still, in an America in which boxing was king, his return to the ring was all-consuming.
There might have been a limited number of seats to witness the bout live, but in New York, there were 17,811 folks who damn near filled the Garden to capacity, paying $7.50, $10 and $15 to watch a four-sided screen showing the closed-circuit broadcast. The Garden cleared a cool $201,000 profit that night. In a world before cable TV and pay-per-view, the closed circuit drew 14,000 to the L.A. Forum, 12,000 to Chicago Stadium, 10,000 in Miami.
In Echo Lake, Pa., in training for an upcoming bout, the reigning champion, Joe Frazier, decided to go to bed at 9 o’clock, skipping the fight, as his manager explained. “because everyone knew Clay would dominate the fight.”
Ali did dominate, beating Quarry in three rounds, looking like he’d never been away. There was much sound and fury surrounding him, still, for his beliefs and his actions. But in the ring, Ali looked remarkably sharp.
“I knew from the first jab,” his trainer, Angelo Dundee said, “that I got the same fighter again.”
Everyone else knew from Ali’s first statement afterward that every other aspect of his makeup was back, too.
“I expect Frazier to be even easier,” he said.
That came in March 1971, and there was no shortage of hype for what remains one of the five most ballyhooed fights in the sport’s history, and one of its fiercest. Ali mailed-in one more bout before then, in December, a lackluster win against Oscar Bonavena. Frazier was there on the other side. And what happened from there … well, it’s history of the finest kind.
The path to that history began 50 years ago this week, in the most unlikely place of all. History happens that way sometimes.
Vac’s Whacks
It is with profound sadness that I must report that Jan Bottone, whom I wrote about in this space on Sept. 12, died last Saturday. Jan’s affection and affinity for the Yankees served as her most powerful medicine as she battled cancer, and her effervescence and engagement with many of the Post’s writers and editors were always a source of light and happiness. Condolences to her husband, Ross Sharp, and her daughter Jessica.
Ben Reiter was the Sports Illustrated writer who, three years before it happened and while the Astros were still in 100-loss-per-year hell, predicted the Astros on the magazine’s cover as the 2017 World Series champs. Now he has put together what, so far, is a magnificent six-part podcast, “The Edge,” which details Houston’s rise and precipitous fall from grace across the past year. Absorbing stuff. Episode 5 drops Wednesday.
I wonder if Mets fans are destined to look, longingly, at Jarred Kelenic in the same way Cardinals fans now must look at Randy Arozarena.
Can there be a better New York sports villain — maybe ever — than a guy named Boston who plays in Philadelphia?
Whack Back at Vac
Bob Ballen: For those of us of a certain age, don’t we wish the TV network would cut away from the Jets and switch to “Heidi”?
Vac: I think at this point we’d even settle for a remake of “Swiss Family Robinson” in lieu of another play-out-the-string fourth quarter.
Tony Sansone: Does Joe Judge have the phone numbers of Mark Bavaro or Bob Tucker? Both right now are better than Evan Engram. Jerry Reese’s “gifts” just keep on giving!
Vac: At this point, I think Giants fans would happily engage in an all-is-forgiven reunion with the young Jeremy Shockey, too.
@JBFOX508: It’s the same loser lament every season with the Giants. The only constant is that the GM has not gathered enough talent across the board. The sooner he goes the sooner they can start a search for his replacement and maybe John Mara won’t mess it up this time.
@MikeVacc: It is a growing point of curiosity what the threshold — if there is a threshold — Dave Gettleman needs to reach to be invited back for 2021.
John Jay: You should never use “Knicks” and “respectability” in the same sentence.
Vac: Sigh. Someday, maybe. Someday …


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--New bill would give loaded laptop to every NYC student

The city will have to give a laptop loaded with “ culturally responsive ” textbooks to every student under a bill to be introduced next week by Council Members Ben Kallos and Farah Louis .
The measure was prompted by a Department of Education official ’ s stunning testimony at a recent City Council hearing that 77,000 students still lack internet-equipped iPads needed for remote learning .
“ Every student should have a computer and internet as part of their public school education .
The homework gap was bad before the pandemic and has only gotten worse for low-income students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the internet or a device with a keyboard in their home , ” Kallos said .
Students in city schools get both fully remote and blended instruction , a mix of in-person and online classes .
While the DOE recently ordered 100,000 iPads in addition to 300,000 it distributed during the COVID-19 shutdown , the bill emphasizes laptops with keyboards — especially for older students .
“ It ’ s really hard to type out a 1,000-word essay by hunting and pecking each letter , ” he told The Post .
The bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or tablets loaded with “ culturally responsive ” textbooks which reflect student diversity .
The books can be obtained for free , Kallos said .
The legislation also would require the DOE to give an annual report on the number and cost of devices distributed , as well as the housing status of students receiving them .
Even with Internet-equipped devices , many students living in homeless shelters don ’ t have access to WiFi .
Kallos and Lewis plan to introduce the bill on Thursday .

The city will have to give a laptop loaded with “culturally responsive” textbooks to every student under a bill to be introduced next week by Council Members Ben Kallos and Farah Louis.
The measure was prompted by a Department of Education official’s stunning testimony at a recent City Council hearing that 77,000 students still lack internet-equipped iPads needed for remote learning.
“Every student should have a computer and internet as part of their public school education. The homework gap was bad before the pandemic and has only gotten worse for low-income students of color who don’t have the internet or a device with a keyboard in their home,” Kallos said.
Students in city schools get both fully remote and blended instruction, a mix of in-person and online classes.
While the DOE recently ordered 100,000 iPads in addition to 300,000 it distributed during the COVID-19 shutdown, the bill emphasizes laptops with keyboards — especially for older students.
“It’s really hard to type out a 1,000-word essay by hunting and pecking each letter,” Kallos told The Post.
The bill would require that all students get laptops or tablets loaded with “culturally responsive” textbooks which reflect student diversity. The books can be obtained for free, Kallos said.
The legislation also would require the DOE to give an annual report on the number and cost of devices distributed, as well as the housing status of students receiving them. Even with Internet-equipped devices, many students living in homeless shelters don’t have access to WiFi.
Kallos and Lewis plan to introduce the bill on Thursday.
Sponsors include Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Jamison Crowder injury keeps Jets receivers from getting whole

It could simply be that Sam Darnold will not be ...

The Jets were hoping to have their full set of starting wide receivers on the field for the first time on Sunday, but it looks like they will still be down one.
Jamison Crowder was downgraded to doubtful on Saturday afternoon, meaning he almost certainly won’t play Sunday against the Bills.
Crowder injured his groin in practice on Wednesday. He did not practice Thursday and was limited on Friday. Crowder has been the Jets’ most productive offensive player this season. He has 29 catches for 383 yards and two touchdowns in four games. He missed two games earlier in the year with a hamstring injury.
The Jets did activate rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims off injured reserve on Saturday, as expected. He will make his season debut. Wide receiver Breshad Perriman returned to the lineup last week after missing time with an ankle injury. The Jets have not had all three on the field yet this season.
They also elevated kicker Sergio Castillo from the practice squad, meaning he is expected to handle the kicking duties against the Bills. Starting kicker Sam Ficken injured his groin in practice on Wednesday.
The Jets also activated rookie OL Cameron Clark off IR and elevated LB Bryce Hager off the practice squad.
The Bills placed four players on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. Tight end Dawson Knox was the only one to test positive. Three other tight ends were added to the list based on close contact with Knox — Lee Smith, Tommy Sweeney (who is on the PUP list) and Nate Becker (a practice squad player).
Tight end Tyler Kroft, whose wife delivered a baby early Friday morning, was not at the meeting in which others were presumed to have been exposed to the virus, so he was not added to the list.
The Jets’ offense and defense have taken turns getting pounded this season. Last week, their special teams unit joined the party.
The Jets had three special teams penalties (one declined), fumbled a kickoff at their own goal line and gave up a long punt return.
Vyncint Smith committed a holding penalty on a punt return that moved the ball from their own 15 to the 8. Harvey Langi later committed a face mask penalty on a Jets punt that moved the ball for the Dolphins from their 20 to the 35 to start a drive. Langi was flagged for being offside later in the game, but it was declined.
“Beyond frustrating,” special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said. “I thought not only did we make bad decisions and things like that with the penalties, there’s no excuse for it. I’ll put 100 percent of that on me. I’m their coach. We got to get that stuff corrected, and not playing up to our standard at all. Needless to say, I’m not happy about it at all. That’s for sure. Something we got to get fixed.”
Smith had a really rough day. He went to field a kickoff in his own end zone, but it bounced off of him and rolled onto the field. Smith recovered, but the Jets started off at their own 9 instead of the 25. The Jets have not found a reliable return man yet. They are the worst return team in the NFL with the team’s average drive starting at their own 22.6 after kickoffs.
“Vyncint has done a good job for us in the past,” Boyer said. “I just think that it’s a matter of I will find somebody this year that can make good decisions back there and do a good job for us. If I have to keep trying other people and stuff like that, then I’m going to do it, because this is inexcusable and that falls on me as a coach. I’m obviously not happy about that at all.”


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Bronx Zoo ‘Lion Queen’ threatens to leap from Brooklyn pier

A Brooklyn woman infamous for stepping into the lion ’ s den at the Bronx Zoo , dancing and waving @ @ @ @ @ in a caught-on-camera moment that went viral , has resurfaced , sources said .
Myah @ @ @ @ @ by police Wednesday evening after she apparently threatened to jump from Steeplechase Pier in Coney @ @ @ @ @ who had a bench warrant for her arrest , was swiftly brought to Coney Island @ @ @ @ @ , sources said .
Autry ’ s antics last year included claiming she was a @ @ @ @ @ and taunting cops on social media as they looked to arrest her on criminal trespass @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 stunt .
In videos posted to her Instagram , she bragged about her @ @ @ @ @ rap songs while drinking green juice from a wine glass .
She was arrested by @ @ @ @ @ Brooklyn Nov. 6 , and a wild arraignment followed during which Autry shouted “ Shalom @ @ @ @ @ to Jehovah while wearing an NYPD T-shirt and white cut-offs .

The Lion Queen is back.
A Brooklyn woman infamous for stepping into the lion’s den at the Bronx Zoo, dancing and waving at one of the beasts in a caught-on-camera moment that went viral, has resurfaced, sources said.
Myah Autry was taken into custody by police Wednesday evening after she apparently threatened to jump from Steeplechase Pier in Coney Island.
But Autry, who had a bench warrant for her arrest, was swiftly brought to Coney Island Hospital for psychiatric evaluation instead, sources said.
Autry’s antics last year included claiming she was a “reincarnated” lion, and taunting cops on social media as they looked to arrest her on criminal trespass charges for the Sept. 28, 2019 stunt.
In videos posted to her Instagram, she bragged about her feline encounter and performed weird rap songs while drinking green juice from a wine glass.
She was arrested by cops near Barclays Center in Brooklyn Nov. 6, and a wild arraignment followed during which Autry shouted “Shalom” and professed her devotion to Jehovah while wearing an NYPD T-shirt and white cut-offs.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Bill Maher Coins Donald Trump’s Airlift Hospital COVID Treatment “Weathcare” On HBO’s ‘Real Time’

Last night on HBO ’ s Real Time with Bill Maher , the HBO host coined Donald Trump being airlifted to Walter Reed Hospital for COVID-19 treatment unavailable to the public as “ wealthcare.
” The late night comedian also poked fun at CNN ’ s Jeffrey Toobin for masturbating on a Zoom call .
Maher joked that there will be a slew of new words added to the dictionary after 2020 is over , from “ wealthcare ” as described above to “ toobin ” for masturbating during a Zoom call and “ funny-boning ” to describe the act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can check out the clip above .
Earlier in the show , on yet another political tear , Maher also compared Democrats trying to vote to an obstacle course competition series “ where a contestant has to get across a terrain of giant bouncy balls and slippery balance beams and swing on friggin ’ ropes like Tarzan.
” “ It occurred to me while watching this , watching Ricardo lose his grip on a foam roller , that this is exactly what our voting system has turned into .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move forward without getting knocked off the voter rolls !
” said the current events pundit .
“ For people who say both parties are basically the same , voter suppression is the starkest example that ’ s not true .
This is 100 % a Republican thing .
They know their policies aren ’ t as popular , so they catch up with an effective , time-tested political tactic called cheating .
I can ’ t make you vote for me but maybe I can keep you from voting for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rudy Giuliani , who was most recently seen “ tucking in his shirt ” on a bed in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm as well as attempting to push a new Biden conspiracy theory that was proven false .
“ Because that ’ s who you want looking into high-tech corruption in the former Soviet Union .
Someone who can get fooled by Borat ?
” Giuliani “ claims he works for Trump for free , ” said Maher , “ never takes any money .
His only compensation is he gets to eat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s head.
” Michael is a music and television junkie keen on most things that are not a complete and total bore .
You can follow him on Twitter — @ Tweetskoor

Last night on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, the HBO host coined Donald Trump being airlifted to Walter Reed Hospital for COVID-19 treatment unavailable to the public as “wealthcare.” The late night comedian also poked fun at CNN’s Jeffrey Toobin for masturbating on a Zoom call.
Maher joked that there will be a slew of new words added to the dictionary after 2020 is over, from “wealthcare” as described above to “toobin” for masturbating during a Zoom call and “funny-boning” to describe the act of bumping elbows instead of shaking hands. You can check out the clip above.
Earlier in the show, on yet another political tear, Maher also compared Democrats trying to vote to an obstacle course competition series “where a contestant has to get across a terrain of giant bouncy balls and slippery balance beams and swing on friggin’ ropes like Tarzan.”
“It occurred to me while watching this, watching Ricardo lose his grip on a foam roller, that this is exactly what our voting system has turned into. It’s American Ninja — Democracy Edition… Try to move forward without getting knocked off the voter rolls!” said the current events pundit.
“For people who say both parties are basically the same, voter suppression is the starkest example that’s not true. This is 100% a Republican thing. They know their policies aren’t as popular, so they catch up with an effective, time-tested political tactic called cheating. I can’t make you vote for me but maybe I can keep you from voting for the other guy.”
Maher also railed on Rudy Giuliani, who was most recently seen “tucking in his shirt” on a bed in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm as well as attempting to push a new Biden conspiracy theory that was proven false. “Because that’s who you want looking into high-tech corruption in the former Soviet Union. Someone who can get fooled by Borat?”
Giuliani “claims he works for Trump for free,” said Maher, “never takes any money. His only compensation is he gets to eat the flies that land on Mike Pence’s head.”
Michael is a music and television junkie keen on most things that are not a complete and total bore. You can follow him on Twitter — @Tweetskoor
Stream Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO Max


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Party raises ‘superspreader’ fears after NYC student tests positive for COVID-19

ALBANY — For the first time in four months , over ...

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An 8th grader held a birthday party with four classmates from her Bronx school before testing positive for COVID-19 — raising fears of a “super-spreader” event, The Post has learned.
The party, which took place inside a small apartment, featured a “cake fight” with girls smearing icing on each other’s faces, the kids told staffers at PS/MS 20 in Norwood.
“She blew out the candles,” one said. “They were not social distancing, and nobody was wearing masks.”
The birthday girl, 13, did not come to school on Monday because she felt ill.
On Wednesday morning, the mom told the school that her daughter had tested positive.
“She’s very sick,” with a fever, chills, chest pain, a sore throat and rashes, the insider said.
The school immediately sent the students in the same class to the isolation room to wait for parents to pick them up. The students were told to quarantine for 14 days.
But the girl’s seven teachers were not informed until the end of the day — after teaching all their other classes — because administrators could not find substitutes to cover for them immediately, insiders said.
The school remained open through Friday.
Staffers are worried because the four girls who went to the party are in two classrooms other than the birthday girl’s — so they possibly could have contaminated more classmates and teachers.
But while their parents were notified, the four girls either haven’t been tested for the coronavirus, or the results were not yet available.
One girl’s mother told the school she would take her daughter for a test “whenever I can get off work.”
The Department of Education’s “Situation Room” — a multi-agency team that handles all reports of COVID-19-positive teachers and students — should have extended the quarantine to the four girls and their close contacts, staffers contend.
“At the end of the day, our safety is not a priority,” one said.
DOE protocol includes quarantining only “close contacts,” said DOE spokesman Nathaniel Styer.
“A teacher of a close contact would not be considered a close contact themselves, because they have not directly contacted the positive case. We are looking into the details of this situation and will take any further action necessary.”
Under DOE protocol, one confirmed case requires only the closure of that classroom and a 14-day quarantine of the students and staff in contact with the infected person.
With at least two cases in different classrooms, the building closes for 14 days and converts to remote instruction.
That happened Thursday at PS 24 in Riverdale, after two students tested positive, Principal Steven Schwartz told parents in a Zoom call.
Since Sept. 14, the DOE has closed 440 classrooms, 35 buildings for 24 hours, and 13 buildings for 14 days. On Thursday, 192 classrooms and 11 buildings were closed.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Man injured after sinkhole opens on NYC sidewalk

Maybe the FDNY ’ s top doc should take a refresher course ...

It wasn’t a case of sink or swim.
A 33-year-old man escaped serious injury Saturday afternoon when the ground opened up on a Bronx sidewalk, causing him to plunge 15 feet, police said.
The victim, whose name was not released by police, suffered minor lacerations to his head after being virtually swallowed up, an NYPD spokeswoman said.
Firefighters responded to 4521 Third Ave. in the Belmont section shortly after 12:20 p.m. and pulled the injured individual out of the hole, FDNY officials said.
The man, who hit his head, was treated at the scene and taken across the street to St. Barnabas Hospital, officials said.
There was no immediate word on what caused the ground to suddenly open.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--FDNY chief doctor used ungloved hands to vaccinate department brass

Chancellor Richard Carranza ’ s highly anticipated new grading policy for this ...

Maybe the FDNY’s top doc should take a refresher course on how to properly administer a flu shot.
The department posted photos on Twitter last week showing its esteemed Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Prezant, giving a flu shot to Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro and two other department brass — with his bare hands.
But Prezant wasn’t following FDNY protocol: He wasn’t wearing gloves, which is always important when injecting patients — but especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s worse, Prezant had a small cut on his thumb, which is seen pressing against Nigro’s shoulder.
Photos also show Prezant vaccinating First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and Chief of Department John Sudnik.
FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer noted that Prezant, as well as his patients, importantly wore masks while they were doing the vaccinations.
But, Dwyer added, “The doctor did acknowledge that gloves should have been worn in this instance.”
The photo-ops aimed to promote the FDNY’s Operation BioPOD, an emergency-preparedness initiative. All department personnel are given the option to receive the flu vaccine while they are on duty.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Richard Carranza’s grading policy aims to bar failing marks: NYC DOE memo

Responding to criticism from a Queens Community Board about school ...

Chancellor Richard Carranza’s highly anticipated new grading policy for this school year will again ban failing marks, according to an internal memo obtained by The Post, riling educators and parents.
The city Department of Education document, titled “Grading Policy 2020-2021,” says schools should use the same softer “considerations” adopted last May during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Among the main guidelines:
“Continue to use ‘course in progress’ in place of failing grades.”
“Permit students in high school an additional semester to complete coursework and meet the learning outcomes for their courses.”
Under the DOE policy adopted in May, schools had to drop numeric grades. Instead, it directed the use of “meets standards,” “needs improvement,” or “course in progress” for marking periods as well as end-of-year grades.
The new policy will allow elementary and middle schools to give numeric grades — but not to fail students, the document states.
For kindergarten through 5th grade, schools can give grades of 1 to 4 but use “needs improvement” to replace a failing 1 or 2.
For 6th to 8th grades, report cards will replace a failing grade with “course in progress.”
In high school, “incomplete” will replace a failing mark.
The policy is likely to be controversial.
“This is in keeping with the DOE’s desire not to penalize students with extreme pandemic-related hardships, which seems fair,” said David Bloomfield, a Brooklyn College and CUNY Grad Center education professor.
“But the main issue remains: what intensive remedial help does the DOE plan for those students it knows are being left behind? The Mayor and Chancellor have yet to meet that urgent challenge.”
Some parents agree the DOE is watering down the standards to cover-up its own failures.
“The DOE is running away from an honest assessment of how far behind students are right now. Hiding the evidence does not help kids who need the most help,” said Maud Maron, a Manhattan mom of five kids in public schools and a member of Community Education Council in District 2. “This policy is about protecting adults.”
The DOE has not only kept parents in the dark about grading policy, but hamstrung principals and teachers. Parent conferences are coming up this month.
A Brooklyn principal told The Post his middle school is using its own grading policy and plans to “ignore” any guidance from Carranza.
“We’re focusing on daily participation, homework, tests and quizzes,” he said. “We’re going to fail them if they don’t participate at all or do any work. We have high expectations. The DOE has low expectations. They didn’t just lower the bar. They eliminated the bar.”
DOE spokeswoman Miranda Barbot would not comment on the grading memo.
“When we have a final grading policy, we’ll share it with principals first,” she said.


newyorkpost--2020-10-24--Trump and Biden trade COVID-19 attacks on the campaign trail

President Trump posted a sharper and calmer performance during his ...

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President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden traded coronavirus barbs over on the campaign trail Saturday, with Election Day looming a little over one week away.
As Trump hopscotched through three different battleground states – North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin – Biden trained his fire on Pennsylvania, which he aims to take back for the Democrats after Trump’s surprise 2016 win there.
But at two drive-in rallies in the critical swing counties of Bucks and Luzerne, he was met with scores of Trump fans who lined the roadways with campaign flags and shouts of “Go home, Joe!”
“We don’t do things like those chumps out there with the microphones, those Trump guys,” an irritated Biden told his supporters at a drive-in rally at Bucks County Community College – all of them ensconced inside about 130 cars to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Trump, at a non-socially-distanced rally in Lumberton, N.C. ridiculed his rival’s “tiny little crowds.”
“There were so few cars, I’ve never seen an audience like this,” Trump said. “You just heard a couple of horns going ‘honk honk.’ It’s the weirdest thing.”
In Bucks County, Biden defended his limited-size rallies.
“I don’t like the idea of all this distance, but it’s necessary,” he said. “We don’t want to become superspreaders.”
But Trump dismissed Biden’s doom and gloom.
“No, we’ve got to have spirit, our country,” the president said.
“We’re tired of all of this stuff,” he argued. “We’re tired of such negativity.”
Trump also lambasted Biden for the dire coronavirus prediction he issued at their Thursday debate.
“Did you hear him the other night?” Trump asked the crowd at the Robeson County Fairgrounds. “‘It’s going to be a cold dark winter,’” he said, imitating the mournful tone Biden used to attack Trump’s pandemic policies.
“Very inspiring guy, very,” Trump said sarcastically.
Trump stopped in Lumberton to shore up his base in Robeson County, a Democrat stronghold for more than a century — until 2016, when Trump won it thanks to support from the Native Americans who make up almost 40 percent of the population.
Trump promised Saturday to grant federal recognition to the local Lumbee tribe if he is re-elected — a vow that drew energetic cheers and pounding drumbeats from a large contingent of Lumbees in the crowd.
It was the first of three Saturday campaign stops for Trump, who is running 8 points behind Biden in national polls.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama stumped for Biden and vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Florida, where he ripped into Trump over coronavirus at a North Miami car rally.
“The idea that this White House has done anything but completely screw this up is nonsense,” an animated Obama railed in a 45-minute stemwinder.
“I’m asking you to believe in Joe’s ability and Kamala’s ability to lead us out of these dark times,” he pleaded, as supporters tooted their vehicles’ horns. “Honk if you’re fired up!”


newyorkpost--2020-10-25--Broncos vs. Chiefs prediction, line: Bad weather will help Denver cover

Dave Tuley , senior reporter at VSiN.com , is in his third season with the Post ’ s Bettor ’ s Guide .
His handicapping pieces appear in VSiN ’ s online magazine , Point Spread Weekly .
( Home team in CAPS ) The Broncos certainly stepped up for us in beating the Patriots outright last Sunday , but I ’ ve been equally impressed with how the defense has kept them in games vs. the Titans ( which looks better with each passing week ) and Steelers ( ditto ) , as the 2-3 Broncos are 4-1 against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rise after everyone watched the Chiefs pull away to cover against the Bills on Monday , but I contend that ’ s the market overvaluing the Chiefs .
Wait to see if we can get +10 .
If inclement weather hits Denver on Sunday as forecast , that tends to help level the playing field for underdogs .
The Panthers ’ three-game winning streak was snapped with their 23-16 loss to the Bears last Sunday , but I expect them — especially the offense — to fare better against the Saints , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Chargers ) stick around .
So getting more than a TD is too hard to resist .
This looks like an example of New Orleans being credited too many points for home-field advantage .
Though the Saints looked their best in their Week 1 home win over the Buccaneers , they lost to the Packers 37-30 in Week 3 at home then won but didn ’ t cover as 7-point home faves vs. the Chargers in Week 5 before their bye .
I expect a similar result with the points coming in @ @

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Dave Tuley, senior reporter at VSiN.com, is in his third season with the Post’s Bettor’s Guide. His handicapping pieces appear in VSiN’s online magazine, Point Spread Weekly. (Home team in CAPS)
DENVER BRONCOS (+9.5) over Kansas City Chiefs:
The Broncos certainly stepped up for us in beating the Patriots outright last Sunday, but I’ve been equally impressed with how the defense has kept them in games vs. the Titans (which looks better with each passing week) and Steelers (ditto), as the 2-3 Broncos are 4-1 against the spread. This line is on the rise after everyone watched the Chiefs pull away to cover against the Bills on Monday, but I contend that’s the market overvaluing the Chiefs. Wait to see if we can get +10. If inclement weather hits Denver on Sunday as forecast, that tends to help level the playing field for underdogs.
Carolina Panthers (+7.5) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Panthers’ three-game winning streak was snapped with their 23-16 loss to the Bears last Sunday, but I expect them — especially the offense — to fare better against the Saints, who have let lesser teams (Lions and Chargers) stick around. So getting more than a TD is too hard to resist. This looks like an example of New Orleans being credited too many points for home-field advantage. Though the Saints looked their best in their Week 1 home win over the Buccaneers, they lost to the Packers 37-30 in Week 3 at home then won but didn’t cover as 7-point home faves vs. the Chargers in Week 5 before their bye. I expect a similar result with the points coming in handy.
Last Week: 2-0, Broncos (W), Eagles (W).
2020 Season: 5-6-1.


newyorkpost--2020-10-25--These 10 SHANY makeup palettes and tools are now on sale

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store , from our partner StackCommerce .
NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links .
When dabbling in new makeup looks , we suggest taking a “ more is more ” approach .
Samples , minis , kits , and gift sets are a great way to try new colors without a huge commitment .
And if you pick up one of these 10 bestselling makeup kits from SHANY , your financial commitment won ’ t be huge either .
From nail art collections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordable products come with dozens of shades you can get creative with .
SHANY Cosmopolitan Nail Polish set – Pack of 24 Colors – Premium Quality & Quick Dry , now on sale for $ 34.95 This DIY nail set remedies some of the biggest at-home manicure headaches , thanks to its quick-dry , no-crack polish .
It comes with an array of 24 different hues to choose from .
Decisions , decisions… SHANY LUNA 6 PC Double Sided Travel Brush Set with Pouch – Synthetic , now on sale for $ 11.95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sin to use just one applicator when putting on a full face .
After all , each type of brush is crafted with a specific task in mind , whether that ’ s giving you a precise cat-eye or skillfully blending your contour .
The SHANY LUNA six-piece set comes with all the unique applicators you ’ d need when going full glam , and for a price that costs less than what you ’ d expect to pay for a single brush .
SHANY Black OMBRÉ Pro 10 PC Essential Brush Set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for $ 18.99 Like all of SHANY ’ s products , this 10-piece professionally designed brush set ( which includes a powder , blush , foundation , bronzer , eyeshadow and concealer brush ) has been crafted with cruelty-free , PETA-approved materials .
SHANY Carry All Trunk Makeup Set ( Eye shadow palette/Blushes/Powder/Nail Polish and more ) , currently $ 49.95 For the makeup newbies out there looking to explore a variety of color palettes , textures , and products that work best for their skin tone , the SHANY Carry All Trunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of products to explore .
This includes polishes , blushes , eyeshadows , lip glosses and bronzers .
SHANY Nail Art Set ( 24 Famous Colors Nail Art Polish , Nail Art Decoration ) , now on sale for $ 29.99 In recent years , funky patterns , subtle shapes and unique color pairings have dominated nail trends .
Those looking to dive into the exciting world of nail art can play around with their own designs with the help of this 24-polish set , which boasts quick-drying varnishes complete with a fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – 12 Piece Lip Gloss Set with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E , now on sale for $ 13.99 Fortified with aloe vera and vitamin E , this collection of 12 lip glosses gives you the shine and sparkle you look for , without drying out your lips .
Right now , the full set is on sale for 22 % off .
SHANY Boutique 40 color palette , now on sale for $ 11.96 For the more adventurous beauty enthusiasts among us , the SHANY Boutique 40-Color Palette provides plenty of highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of which are finely milled and glide onto your lids smoothly .
SHANY All In One Harmony Makeup Kit – Ultimate Color Combination – New Edition , now on sale for $ 39.75 And if 40 eyeshadow colors just don ’ t cut it for you , maybe 168 different options will .
SHANY ’ s All in One Harmony Makeup kit also comes with lip glosses , blushers , a mirror and a variety of applicators , too .
It ’ s almost like having an entire Sephora beauty counter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LIP Primer/Base – Paraben Free/Talc Free – Waterproof , now on sale for $ 9.94 A lip and eye primer can help improve your skin ’ s texture , help makeup stay in place and prevent any creasing or smudging throughout the day , making it a must for anyone sporting eyeshadow or lipstick for hours on end .
For those who don ’ t already have one in their beauty cabinet , SHANY ’ s version is now on sale for $ 9.94 .
SHANY 96 Color Runway Matte Eye shadow Palette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This professional-grade palette is now on sale for $ 18.99 — a total savings of 24 % .
With it comes 96 different matte colors that range in vibrancy , all of which were designed by makeup pros to help everyone from novices to beauty influencers get the best smoky eye possible .

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store, from our partner StackCommerce. NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.
When dabbling in new makeup looks, we suggest taking a “more is more” approach.
Samples, minis, kits, and gift sets are a great way to try new colors without a huge commitment. And if you pick up one of these 10 bestselling makeup kits from SHANY, your financial commitment won’t be huge either. From nail art collections to a professional eyeshadow palette, these affordable products come with dozens of shades you can get creative with.
SHANY Cosmopolitan Nail Polish set – Pack of 24 Colors – Premium Quality & Quick Dry, now on sale for $34.95
This DIY nail set remedies some of the biggest at-home manicure headaches, thanks to its quick-dry, no-crack polish. It comes with an array of 24 different hues to choose from. Decisions, decisions…
SHANY LUNA 6 PC Double Sided Travel Brush Set with Pouch – Synthetic, now on sale for $11.95
Makeup lovers know it is a cardinal sin to use just one applicator when putting on a full face. After all, each type of brush is crafted with a specific task in mind, whether that’s giving you a precise cat-eye or skillfully blending your contour. The SHANY LUNA six-piece set comes with all the unique applicators you’d need when going full glam, and for a price that costs less than what you’d expect to pay for a single brush.
SHANY Black OMBRÉ Pro 10 PC Essential Brush Set with Travel Pouch, now on sale for $18.99
Like all of SHANY’s products, this 10-piece professionally designed brush set (which includes a powder, blush, foundation, bronzer, eyeshadow and concealer brush) has been crafted with cruelty-free, PETA-approved materials.
SHANY Carry All Trunk Makeup Set (Eye shadow palette/Blushes/Powder/Nail Polish and more), currently $49.95
For the makeup newbies out there looking to explore a variety of color palettes, textures, and products that work best for their skin tone, the SHANY Carry All Trunk Makeup Set gives you a whole slew of products to explore. This includes polishes, blushes, eyeshadows, lip glosses and bronzers.
SHANY Nail Art Set (24 Famous Colors Nail Art Polish, Nail Art Decoration), now on sale for $29.99
In recent years, funky patterns, subtle shapes and unique color pairings have dominated nail trends. Those looking to dive into the exciting world of nail art can play around with their own designs with the help of this 24-polish set, which boasts quick-drying varnishes complete with a fine nail brush.
SHANY The Wanted Ones – 12 Piece Lip Gloss Set with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, now on sale for $13.99
Fortified with aloe vera and vitamin E, this collection of 12 lip glosses gives you the shine and sparkle you look for, without drying out your lips. Right now, the full set is on sale for 22% off.
SHANY Boutique 40 color palette, now on sale for $11.96
For the more adventurous beauty enthusiasts among us, the SHANY Boutique 40-Color Palette provides plenty of highly pigmented eyeshadows to have fun with, all of which are finely milled and glide onto your lids smoothly.
SHANY All In One Harmony Makeup Kit – Ultimate Color Combination – New Edition, now on sale for $39.75
And if 40 eyeshadow colors just don’t cut it for you, maybe 168 different options will. SHANY’s All in One Harmony Makeup kit also comes with lip glosses, blushers, a mirror and a variety of applicators, too. It’s almost like having an entire Sephora beauty counter in your own home.
SHANY EYE & LIP Primer/Base – Paraben Free/Talc Free – Waterproof, now on sale for $9.94
A lip and eye primer can help improve your skin’s texture, help makeup stay in place and prevent any creasing or smudging throughout the day, making it a must for anyone sporting eyeshadow or lipstick for hours on end. For those who don’t already have one in their beauty cabinet, SHANY’s version is now on sale for $9.94.
SHANY 96 Color Runway Matte Eye shadow Palette, now on sale for $18.99
This professional-grade palette is now on sale for $18.99 — a total savings of 24%. With it comes 96 different matte colors that range in vibrancy, all of which were designed by makeup pros to help everyone from novices to beauty influencers get the best smoky eye possible.
Prices subject to change.


newyorkpost--2020-10-25--Black Lives Matter mural outside Trump Tower vandalized again

The Black Lives Matter mural outside Trump Tower has been vandalized yet again — with a black substance smeared through @ @ @ @ @ yellow sign in the early hours Sunday .
Photos show black paint or tar stretching @ @ @ @ @ contentious sign outside President Trump ’ s iconic home on Fifth Avenue .
It was @ @ @ @ @ by protesters who suddenly opened the back doors of a van and poured it on @ @ @ @ @ sources said .
The mural — one of many in high-location sites across the country @ @ @ @ @ group — has repeatedly been vandalized since it was commissioned by Mayor Bill de Blasio @ @ @ @ @ 9 .

The Black Lives Matter mural outside Trump Tower has been vandalized yet again — with a black substance smeared through the middle of the bright yellow sign in the early hours Sunday.
Photos show black paint or tar stretching the full length of the contentious sign outside President Trump’s iconic home on Fifth Avenue.
It was believed to have been left by protesters who suddenly opened the back doors of a van and poured it on around 12.20 a.m., police sources said.
The mural — one of many in high-location sites across the country in support of the protest group — has repeatedly been vandalized since it was commissioned by Mayor Bill de Blasio and then painted on July 9.


newyorkpost--2020-10-25--NFL picks for Week 7: Jets will keep it close versus Bills

It ’ s amazing how willing we are to fast-forward through life .
Since 7 p.m. last Sunday , it has been concluded that the New York Jets will go 0-16 and secure the No .
1-overall pick in the 2021 draft … and that Trevor Lawrence either will pull a Peyton Manning and stay at Clemson , or pull an Eli Manning and force a trade .
Let ’ s remember it ’ s just Week 7 .
Last season entering Week 7 , the Jets were 1-4 , coming off a surprise win over the Dallas Cowboys and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” debacle versus the New England Patriots , which was followed by losses at Jacksonville and Miami .
Oh , did I forget to mention the Jets finished 7-9 ?
Now , there are a lot of reasons why 2020 isn ’ t 2019 .
Adam Gase looks like a goner sometime soon ; general manager Joe Douglas has begun a fire sale , even though the team won ’ t acknowledge those words ; and the schedule looks brutal .
But to that final point , we don ’ t know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single NFL game , let alone 10 games across more than two months .
The Jets are getting double digits at home against a Buffalo Bills team that has lost two games in a row and is traveling on a short week after giving up 245 rushing yards to the Kansas City Chiefs .
Sean McDermott ’ s team needs a win , but in this situation , the result figures to be more important than the margin .
It ’ s too soon to know if Sam Darnold will return on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will have use of the trio of Jamison Crowder , Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims for the first time .
If that band is together , it would be a different Jets offense than what we ’ ve seen so far .
This line opened Dallas -3.5 and has flipped , probably due to a combination of the Cowboys allowing 36.3 ppg and anonymous players complaining Mike McCarthy and his staff can ’ t coach .
A tough WFT defensive line goes up against a battered Cowboys OL .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes me want to pick them .
This is the first opponent Joe Burrow is facing for a second time .
The learning curve could go both ways , but he put up 30 points in Cleveland in Week 2 , and I ’ m figuring the familiarity will benefit him more .
Big win for the Falcons last week in Minnesota in Raheem Morris ’ s first game after replacing Dan Quinn as head coach .
Sharp bettors are not sold , however , as they bet this opening line down below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to VSiN , short road underdogs of +6 or less are 23-11 against the spread ( 64 percent ) this season .
The Panthers couldn ’ t get it done as favorites against the tough Bears defense last week , but now Teddy Bridgewater returns to New Orleans in his wildly successful role .
He is 20-5 ATS ( 80 percent ) in his career as an underdog , per VSiN .
Sharps and public bettors appear to be on the same side here , as they bet this up from Packers -3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss at Tampa Bay .
It was surreal how quickly and completely that game disintegrated , but the Packers are still a top team .
Here ’ s another line that flipped favorites after the Steelers started out -2.5 .
Now Pittsburgh fits into that 64 percent trend of short road ’ dogs .
Steelers are No .
2 in total yards and rushing yards allowed , so this is not a bunch Derrick Henry will be able to simply trample .
Game moved from Sunday night to the late-afternoon window as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which could prove to be anything from nuisance to dangerous .
And here comes Tom Brady , backed by a Tampa Bay defense that completely shut down the Packers ’ machine .
The Niners also qualify for our road ’ dog trend , and Jimmy Garoppolo carries a 10-3 ATS mark as an underdog into his Foxborough homecoming .
Niners LB Fred Warner has the speed to run down Cam Newton .
This is a “ hold your nose ” selection , as the Jaguars have lost five in a row by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good as Justin Herbert has looked , he ’ s still 0-4 , and every Chargers game has been decided by seven or fewer points .
Tricky handicap for the first expected snow game of the season , as 21 degree temps and 3-6 inches of snow are forecast for Denver on Sunday .
My sense is that Patrick Mahomes , Travis Kelce and a suddenly stout power running game will be fine , while the conditions will hinder Drew Lock from attacking Kansas City ’ s defensive weaknesses .
It is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver D that kept the Patriots out of the end zone , though .
Arizona has the edge statistically by 6 yards per game offensively and 125 ypg defensively .
The undefeated Seahawks do pull a lot of games out of the fire , often on the final play .
This game was moved from an afternoon kickoff to prime time .
Both teams are in the top seven in yards per game allowed and points per game allowed .
That likelihood of a lower total of points makes the near-TD spread more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Bears fit the road dogs +6 or less trend that ’ s been highlighted .
Best betS : Packers , Panthers , Bears .
Lock of the week : Packers ( Locks 1-4-1 in 2020 ) .
Last week : 7-7 overall , 1-2 Best Bets .
Thursday : Eagles ( L ) .

It’s amazing how willing we are to fast-forward through life. Since 7 p.m. last Sunday, it has been concluded that the New York Jets will go 0-16 and secure the No. 1-overall pick in the 2021 draft … and that Trevor Lawrence either will pull a Peyton Manning and stay at Clemson, or pull an Eli Manning and force a trade.
(Deep breath) …
Let’s remember it’s just Week 7. Last season entering Week 7, the Jets were 1-4, coming off a surprise win over the Dallas Cowboys and headed for the 33-0 “seeing ghosts” debacle versus the New England Patriots, which was followed by losses at Jacksonville and Miami. Oh, did I forget to mention the Jets finished 7-9?
Now, there are a lot of reasons why 2020 isn’t 2019. Adam Gase looks like a goner sometime soon; general manager Joe Douglas has begun a fire sale, even though the team won’t acknowledge those words; and the schedule looks brutal. But to that final point, we don’t know what’s going to happen in any single NFL game, let alone 10 games across more than two months.
The Jets are getting double digits at home against a Buffalo Bills team that has lost two games in a row and is traveling on a short week after giving up 245 rushing yards to the Kansas City Chiefs. Sean McDermott’s team needs a win, but in this situation, the result figures to be more important than the margin.
Sam Darnold and Mekhi Becton will return on Sunday, and will be playing with No. 2 pick Denzel Mims for the first time, along with Breshad Perriman. Even though Jamison Crowder is expected to miss the game, this collection of offensive talent is probably the best the Jets have fielded this season. The Bills, meanwhile, will be without deep-threat WR John Brown, and had to shut down TE Dawson Knox due to COVID.
The pick: Jets, +12.
(Home team in CAPS)
Dallas Cowboys (+1) over WASHINGTON
This line opened Dallas -3.5 and has flipped, probably due to a combination of the Cowboys allowing 36.3 ppg and anonymous players complaining Mike McCarthy and his staff can’t coach. A tough WFT defensive line goes up against a battered Cowboys OL. It’s all going against the Cowboys, which makes me want to pick them.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (+3) over Cleveland Browns
This is the first opponent Joe Burrow is facing for a second time. The learning curve could go both ways, but he put up 30 points in Cleveland in Week 2, and I’m figuring the familiarity will benefit him more.
Detroit Lions (+2.5) over ATLANTA FALCONS
Big win for the Falcons last week in Minnesota in Raheem Morris’s first game after replacing Dan Quinn as head coach. Sharp bettors are not sold, however, as they bet this opening line down below the key number of 3. According to VSiN, short road underdogs of +6 or less are 23-11 against the spread (64 percent) this season.
Carolina Panthers (+7.5) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Panthers couldn’t get it done as favorites against the tough Bears defense last week, but now Teddy Bridgewater returns to New Orleans in his wildly successful role. He is 20-5 ATS (80 percent) in his career as an underdog, per VSiN.
Green Bay Packers (-3.5) over HOUSTON TEXANS
Sharps and public bettors appear to be on the same side here, as they bet this up from Packers -3 in a bounce-back spot after the 38-10 loss at Tampa Bay. It was surreal how quickly and completely that game disintegrated, but the Packers are still a top team.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+1.5) over TENNESSEE TITANS
Here’s another line that flipped favorites after the Steelers started out -2.5. Now Pittsburgh fits into that 64 percent trend of short road ’dogs. Steelers are No. 2 in total yards and rushing yards allowed, so this is not a bunch Derrick Henry will be able to simply trample.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5) over LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Game moved from Sunday night to the late-afternoon window as the Raiders deal with another COVID problem, which could prove to be anything from nuisance to dangerous. And here comes Tom Brady, backed by a Tampa Bay defense that completely shut down the Packers’ machine.
San Francisco 49ers (+1.5) over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Niners also qualify for our road ’dog trend, and Jimmy Garoppolo carries a 10-3 ATS mark as an underdog into his Foxborough homecoming. Niners LB Fred Warner has the speed to run down Cam Newton.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+7.5) over LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
This is a “hold your nose” selection, as the Jaguars have lost five in a row by an average of 12.6 points. But as good as Justin Herbert has looked, he’s still 0-4, and every Chargers game has been decided by seven or fewer points.
Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5) over DENVER BRONCOS
Tricky handicap for the first expected snow game of the season, as 21 degree temps and 3-6 inches of snow are forecast for Denver on Sunday. My sense is that Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and a suddenly stout power running game will be fine, while the conditions will hinder Drew Lock from attacking Kansas City’s defensive weaknesses. It is a ton of points to give to a Denver D that kept the Patriots out of the end zone, though.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (+3) over Seattle Seahawks
Arizona has the edge statistically by 6 yards per game offensively and 125 ypg defensively. The undefeated Seahawks do pull a lot of games out of the fire, often on the final play. This game was moved from an afternoon kickoff to prime time.
Monday Night Football
Chicago Bears (+6) over LOS ANGELES RAMS
Both teams are in the top seven in yards per game allowed and points per game allowed. That likelihood of a lower total of points makes the near-TD spread more valuable. And unless the line increases, the Bears fit the road dogs +6 or less trend that’s been highlighted.
Best betS: Packers, Panthers, Bears.
Lock of the week: Packers (Locks 1-4-1 in 2020).
Last week: 7-7 overall, 1-2 Best Bets.
Thursday: Eagles (L).


newyorkpost--2020-10-25--Jets vs. Bills: Preview, predictions, what to watch for

Costello’s Call
I keep waiting for the Jets to be more competitive. I think it will happen this week. Sam Darnold returns with more healthy bodies around him. They’ll keep it close, but still lose.
Bills 26, Jets 21
Marquee matchup
Bills quarterback Josh Allen vs. Jets defensive line
Allen killed the Jets with his legs when they met in Week 1. He ran the ball 14 times for 57 yards and a touchdowns. He has not had as much success running since, but the Jets are going to have to watch out for him taking off and running through their defense. It is not easy to bring down the 6-foot-5, 237-pound quarterback.
“You’ve got to tackle the guy when you get your chances,” linebacker Jordan Jenkins said. “I was one of the guys who let one slip. You’ve got to treat this guy like you’re tackling a tight end in the open field. The problem is a lot of guys go after him and they get ready to tackle him like a quarterback. He’s a stockier guy. He’s a bigger guy. … You’ve got to come knowing he’s not going to go down easy.”
Allen has had an MVP-caliber season so far. He has faltered a bit in the past two weeks, against the Titans and Chiefs, but he will be trying to get back on track against the dismal Jets.
Four downs
Sam’s second season: Quarterback Sam Darnold gets to restart his season, in a way, on Sunday. He missed the past two games with a sprained right shoulder. He is still experiencing pain, but will play through it (probably with help from pain killers).
Darnold’s third season has not gone the way he hoped. He has three touchdown passes and four interceptions, and is being asked questions about the team drafting Trevor Lawrence to replace him.
“I don’t think I’ve played well enough to win,” Darnold said. “That’s just shooting straight. We haven’t won any games yet, so obviously, I haven’t played well enough.”
Darnold has 10 games left to impress general manager Joe Douglas and convince him he is the future of the franchise. If the Jets wind up with the No. 1-overall pick, then Lawrence would be in play, and Darnold could be on the trade block.
The big Diggs: The Bills pulled off a blockbuster trade for wide receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason, and it is paying dividends already. Diggs leads the AFC with 555 receiving yards and has caught three touchdown passes. He had eight catches for 86 yards against the Jets in Week 1 and has gotten better since then. He has three 100-yard games and is averaging 13.2 yards per catch.
“I mean there’s a reason why in four of their wins, they had all of those explosive plays, and in the two losses, they didn’t,” Jets coach Adam Gase said. “He’s made a huge difference for them. But anytime you get a No. 1 receiver added to the group that he already had. You put him and John Brown on the outside, you’ve got some real speed.”
Complete corp: The Jets may have their starting wide receivers on the field for the first time this season against the Bills. Rookie Denzel Mims is ready to make his debut after missing the first six games with hamstring injuries. He will join Breshad Perriman, who returned to the lineup last week after missing three weeks. The only question mark is Jamison Crowder, who injured his groin in practice on Wednesday and is questionable.
If the Jets can get Crowder on the field, the offense will look more like what they envisioned this offseason. They hoped the combination of Perriman and Mims could replace the speed element Robby Anderson brought to the team. But it has been a struggle for them to get on the field. We’ll see if they can make a difference.
Line dancing: The Jets will have their fifth different offensive-line combination in seven games. Left guard Alex Lewis will miss this game with several issues in his shoulder. That means Josh Andrews will start for him.
Rookie Mekhi Becton will be back at left tackle, which should help things. The line struggled last week against the Dolphins. Quarterback Joe Flacco got beat up in the game. The Bills have a strong defensive front, presenting another challenge for the Jets line.
“We’re playing better individually than we are as a group,” offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. “It’s not one player playing poorly it’s us playing together as a unit. … Unfortunately for us the continuity has not been what we would like, but we have to make the most of the situation. There are no excuses.”


newyorkpost--2020-10-25--Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson paired together in ZOZO Championship

THOUSAND OAKS , Calif. — The scorecards of Sebastian Munoz and ...

Two of golf’s biggest legends will be in the same group on Sunday at the ZOZO Championship, which is always noteworthy, despite the fact that both are at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson — who have been the two biggest names in the sport the past 25 years — will be teeing off with Adam Long at 2:28 p.m. Eastern at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Woods and Mickelson, who are tied for 68th in the 77-player field, are at 3-under par, 16 strokes behind leader Justin Thomas. Nevertheless, it’s likely the two longtime rivals will be looking to get the better of the other on Sunday.
This is the 38th time the two greats have been paired together in their career. With Sunday’s round, Mickelson will tie Ernie Els for the most of any player to be grouped with Woods. Unfortunately for golf fans, no spectators are at this event because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It will be the ninth time Woods and Mickelson play together in the final round on the PGA Tour, and the first time they have no bearing on the outcome. The first time they played together on a Sunday was at the 1997 PGA Championship when they were eight shots behind and each shot 75.
Woods, 44, won the ZOZO Championship in 2019 when it was held in Japan for his 82nd victory, tying legend Sam Snead for the most PGA Tour wins all-time. But a record 83rd win will have to wait. Woods has won 15 majors, trailing only Jack Nicklaus, who has 18.
The 50-year-old Mickelson, who has captured five majors, has won 44 times on the PGA Tour. He also has won his first two events on the Champions Tour.
Two of the biggest modern-day stars will be battling for the title in the final group as Thomas, ranked No. 3 in the world, will be paired with No. 2 Jon Rahm, who trails by a stroke. Unheralded Lanto Griffin, who is two back, is also in the final group. The three leaders will tee off at 2:50 p.m.
Coverage on the Golf Channel runs from 5-8 p.m.


newyorkpost--2020-10-25--NYPD looking for cop ‘impersonator’ who crashed into NYC mounted police stables

Police are looking for an odd character who walked into the NYPD ’ s mounted police stables Saturday night and @ @ @ @ @ Tates.
” Confronted inside the stables at W. 53rd Street and 11th Avenue , the @ @ @ @ @ , police sources told The Post .
He jumped into a black Mercedes-Benz and struck @ @ @ @ @ raced away westbound on W. 53rd Street before turning north — the wrong way — @ @ @ @ @ bizarre incident happened just after 6:30 p.m .
The suspect is described as 5 ’ @ @ @ @ @ pounds .

Police are looking for an odd character who walked into the NYPD’s mounted police stables Saturday night and announced himself as “Inspector Tates.”
Confronted inside the stables at W. 53rd Street and 11th Avenue, the fake inspector dashed outside again, police sources told The Post.
He jumped into a black Mercedes-Benz and struck a parked car as he raced away westbound on W. 53rd Street before turning north — the wrong way — onto 11th Avenue.
The bizarre incident happened just after 6:30 p.m. The suspect is described as 5’11” and about 190 pounds.
Additional reporting by Laura Italiano