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Tuesday 29 November 2022
Analysis: Aggressive coaching paid off Sunday in NFL

By ROB MAADDI the Cleveland 48, only 8
AP Pro Football Writer seconds remained when
With the ball in Tom Brady’s the Bucs finally used their
hands, Todd Bowles played first timeout.
it safe and lost. Doug Ped- Following an incomplete
erson and Brandon Staley pass, Brady could only try a
went for broke and cele- Hail Mary on the final play
brated wins. before OT.
Aggressive coaching paid Fox analyst Jonathan Vilma
off Sunday. called Bowles’ decision
The Tampa Bay Bucca- to not use a timeout af-
neers lost 23-17 at Cleve- ter the first play of the se-
land in overtime in a game ries “inexplicable.” Bowles
that Brady had a chance wasn’t asked about it after
to win in regulation with the game. He was ques-
another one of his vintage tioned about not stopping
drives in the final minute. the clock when the Browns
His coach didn’t trust the were driving for the tying
GOAT to make it happen. TD. “No. That clock was go-
Bowles didn’t call a timeout ing to run down. We didn’t
and chose to play for over- have enough to stop it right
time. It backfired. there,” he said.
Pederson and Staley avoid- “There was overtime right
ed OT and went for 2-point Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles, left, talks with line judge Mark Stewart during the there, right off the top.
conversions. It worked. second half of the team’s NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, Sunday, Once we couldn’t get
The Jacksonville Jaguars Nov. 27, 2022. Associated Press there, it was going to over-
upset Baltimore when Ped- time.” Bowles coached
erson decided to go for a then hit Gerald Everett for standard procedure when times in the regular season scared to lose. The Buc-
2-pointer after Trevor Law- the 2-pointer to give Los the seven-time Super Bowl and 14 more in the playoffs. caneers are fortunate
rence tossed a 10-yard Angeles a 25-24 victory champion is under center. This time, the Bucs needed they’re in the weak NFC
touchdown pass to Marvin over the Cardinals. The Buccaneers had three 43 yards to give Ryan Suc- South where 5-6 is still good
Jones with 14 seconds left Pederson and Staley are timeouts and the ball at cop an attempt at a 50- enough for first place.
to pull within a point. Law- known for making bold their 25 with 32 seconds yard field goal to win. When Pederson was asked
rence connected with Zay decisions. In Jacksonville’s to go in the fourth quarter Brady tossed a 1-yard about going for the win, he
Jones on the conversion case, Pederson had noth- after the Browns tied the pass to Rachaad White said: “We’ve got to think
and the Jaguars beat the ing to lose because the game at 17-17. on first down and the Bucs players, not plays, and trust
Ravens 28-27. Jaguars (4-7) are headed In Week 9, Brady needed could’ve stopped the our guys.”
The same scenario un- nowhere. The Chargers (6- just 35 seconds with all of clock with about 26 sec- Staley also trusted his team.
folded later in Arizona 5) are in the playoff chase, his timeouts to drive the onds to go. “I really believe in our of-
when Justin Herbert threw so Staley’s call was more Buccaneers 60 yards for a Instead, Bowles let it tick, fensive football team,”
a 1-yard TD pass to Austin risky. Bowles didn’t even comeback win against the tick, tick. Staley said. “I believe in our
Ekeler with 15 seconds re- try. Calling a timeout with Rams. He has led a win- After Brady fired a 26-yard quarterback. I believed in
maining to get the Char- Brady on the field isn’t ning drive in fourth quarter/ completion to Julio Jones the play call. We executed
gers within a point. Herbert considered a gamble. It’s overtime an NFL-record 55 on the next play to reach it well all week. q

AP source: Mavs close to deal with 4-time All-Star Walker

By SCHUYLER DIXON Marc Stein. The Mavericks lost Jalen las winning playoff games an All-Star in the last three
AP Sports Writer Dallas is on a season-worst Brunson to the New York without its three-time All- of eight seasons with Char-
The Dallas Mavericks are four-game losing streak Knicks in free agency after Star. The loss of Brunson also lotte before he signed as a
close to a deal with four- to drop below .500 after he flourished playing next cost the Mavericks one of free agent with Boston.
time All-Star guard Kem- reaching the Western Con- to Doncic, and Brunson their two primary ball-han- Walker played most of the
ba Walker, a person with ference finals last season. played a big role in Dal- dlers behind Doncic. Spen- pandemic-altered 2019-20
knowledge of the agree- cer Dinwiddie has had to season, the last of five con-
ment told The Associated carry most of that load this secutive seasons in which
Press on Monday. season. he averaged at least 20
Walker’s career has been The shooters around Don- points per game.
on hold because of knee cic also have been strug- Walker played just 43
injuries, but the 32-year-old gling, with Dorian Finney- games in his second sea-
could give superstar Luka Smith, Reggie Bullock and son with the Celtics before
Doncic some much-need- Tim Hardaway going in and an offseason trade to the
ed backcourt help for the out of slumps so far. Knicks.
struggling Mavericks. Walker was limited to 37 The Mavericks announced
The person spoke to the AP games last season, his only they have waived guard
on condition of anonym- one with the New York Facundo Campazzo, a
ity because the deal isn’t Knicks, because of knee move that clears a roster
finalized and is pending New York Knicks guard Kemba Walker (8) dribbles up the court issues that have been af- spot for Walker. Campazzo
a physical. The deal was during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the fecting him for years. played sparingly after sign-
first reported on Substack Brooklyn Nets, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in New York. The No. 9 overall pick in ing the day before the sea-
by longtime NBA reporter Associated Press 2011, Walker blossomed as son started.q