JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1141

Justin Herbert threw for 220 yards and a touchdown as the Chargers beat the Steelers 25-10 in Inglewood, their third straight win. Los Angeles’ defense hounded Aaron Rodgers, holding him without a TD until 2:57 left; he went 16-of-31 for 161 yards with two interceptions and three sacks. A Khalil Mack safety, Cameron Dicker’s 59-yarder that tied his team record, and scores by Ladd McConkey and Kimani Vidal built a 22-3 cushion. Pittsburgh was 0-for-9 on third down before its lone TD. Keenan Allen set the franchise receptions mark.

The Big Ten said USC should have been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after a reserve quarterback wore the same jersey number as the Trojans’ punter during a successful fake punt against Northwestern. Early in the second quarter in Los Angeles, third-string QB Sam Huard, wearing No. 80, took the snap and hit Tanook Hines for 10 yards on fourth-and-6. Regular punter Sam Johnson, also No. 80, punted on the next series. Citing NCAA Rule 9-2-2, the conference said it is reviewing the situation.

Virginia Gov-elect Abigail Spanberger urged Senate Democrats to join Republicans in voting to reopen the government, saying the shutdown is harming more than 300,000 Virginians and the broader state economy. Speaking on CBS’ Face the Nation before senators reached a potential agreement, she rejected the idea that recent Democratic wins justify keeping the government closed over Affordable Care Act subsidies. Any measure to temporarily reopen the government requires 60 votes, she noted, saying eight Democrats could cross the aisle. The parties remain at odds over ACA subsidies, with a Schumer proposal dismissed by GOP leaders.

Lenny Wilkens, the Brooklyn native enshrined in the Hall of Fame as both player and coach, died Sunday at 88. A nine-time All-Star and Providence College standout, he later guided Seattle to its lone NBA championship in 1979 and amassed a then-record 1,332 coaching wins, once honoring Red Auerbach with a celebratory cigar. He also led the 1996 U.S. Olympic team to gold and coached in Cleveland, Atlanta, Toronto and New York. The Knicks and NBA commissioner Adam Silver mourned his passing, praising his enduring impact on the game and the communities he touched.

Buffalo’s season wobbled with a 30-13 loss to Miami, its worst margin against a losing team since Josh Allen’s rookie year. Now 1.5 games behind the Patriots, the Bills faced more injuries: top target Dalton Kincaid left with a hamstring issue and rookie end Landon Jackson exited with a knee, forcing DaQuan Jones to shift roles. With the trade deadline passed, Sean McDermott hinted at roster thinness; a reported bid for Jaylen Waddle fell short as he scored for Miami. Allen’s late-inflated numbers masked an end-zone interception and a fumble, while the offense sputtered with repeated three-and-outs.

Despite listing Brock Purdy inactive again Sunday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the call was tighter than in recent weeks after a 42-26 loss to the Rams. Purdy, sidelined since Week 4 with a toe injury first suffered in Week 1 and aggravated in his Week 4 return, “could have gone,” Shanahan said, but the team chose caution. Mac Jones threw three touchdowns, yet Shanahan maintained Purdy’s health alone will determine the starter. If cleared, Purdy could return in Arizona next Sunday.

New York Assemblyman Chuck Lavine is pushing a bill to require public schools to teach the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, saying students deserve the unvarnished record. Similar moves are advancing elsewhere: Maine swiftly enacted a law to remember and preserve the accounts of witnesses, while Nevada’s Legislature passed a resolution condemning Donald Trump’s pardons of about 1,500 rioters and the attack itself. Supporters warn of whitewashing as House leaders decline to install a mandated memorial plaque, and the Justice Department removed its Jan. 6 prosecution pages after Trump’s inauguration.

Week 11 was an almost Saturday. No. 2 Indiana escaped at Penn State on Omar Cooper Jr.'s toe tap, No. 9 Oregon edged Iowa on an Atticus Sappington field goal, and Vanderbilt outlasted Auburn in overtime behind Diego Pavia. Upsets still landed: two more top 15 ACC teams fell, No. 23 Washington lost at Wisconsin, and Hawaii knocked San Diego State from playoff contention. Odds put eight teams at 81% or better for the 12 team field, with tiers and fatal flaws outlined. A Diego Pavia Heisman nod and a slate of tense finishes capped it.

Against long odds, the Miami Dolphins stunned the Buffalo Bills 30-13 at Hard Rock Stadium, snapping a seven-game skid and delivering the NFL season’s third-largest upset as an 8.5-point underdog. Miami raced to a 16-0 start and held Buffalo scoreless before halftime for the first time since 2007. De'Von Achane piled up 225 total yards and two touchdowns, including a 59-yard burst and a late 35-yarder that sealed it. Coach Mike McDaniel and linebacker Bradley Chubb said the performance reflected the team’s belief after parting with GM Chris Grier, with Miami flying to Madrid on Monday.

Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes and Los Angeles jumped ahead 21-0 en route to a 42-26 win over San Francisco, the Rams’ fourth straight victory. Stafford has 13 TDs in his past three games, a franchise record, and became the first NFL player with at least four TDs and no interceptions in three straight games. He hit Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Davis Allen and Colby Parkinson for scores, while Kyren Williams ran for two TDs. A short-handed 49ers defense struggled, and Mac Jones’ 319 yards and three TDs weren’t enough. Injuries included Adams’ back and Brock Purdy’s absence.