Last Top Stories: To the Winners, a Ring. And to the Losers, Also a Ring.

• To the Winners, a Ring. And to the Losers, Also a Ring.

  

  PhotoThe Times asked illustrators to design a runners-up World Series ring for the 2015 Mets.CreditTaylor Callery for The New York TimesThe day after their season opener in April, theKansas City Royalsinvited hundreds of their employees to a luncheon in the Diamond Club, the lounge area behind home plate at Kauffman Stadium. The guests included security guards, electricians and janitors; part-time employees and full-time employees — anyone who worked with the team in the 2014 season.One by one,R..

  >> view original



• Win or Lose, Todd Bowles Demands Accountability

  

  PhotoCoach Todd Bowles called out his rookie players last week, and maintained that the Jets were “a work in progress” despite beating Miami on Sunday.CreditPeter Morgan/Associated PressEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After watching his team absorb its fourth loss in five games last week, Todd Bowles broke from what had become the norm under his predecessorRex Ryanandcalled out the Jets’ rookie players.Mostly he was referring to receiver Devin Smith.Against Buffalo two weeks ago, Smith fumbled a kickoff..

  >> view original



• Improved Defense Helps Texans Turn Season Around

  

  HOUSTON — The Texans have won four straight games to improve to 6-5 and keep pace with Indianapolis for first place in the AFC South.The key to that turnaround? A much-improved defense powered by J.J. Watt, who leads the NFL in sacks with 13 1/2.The Texans have tightened up their play since giving up 44 points in a loss to the Dolphins in the game before the streak began. Since then they've allowed just two touchdowns and both of those scores came in one game.The defense was dominant in a 24-..

  >> view original



• Mediocre and Losing Teams Are NFL Contenders

  

  The NBA has a yearly ritual in which sub-.500 teams make the playoffs. Looks like the NFL could emulate that approach this season.With five weeks left in the schedule, two divisions (AFC South and NFC East) could wind up with a winner at 8-8 or worse. As for the wild-card races, you might want to shield your eyes.Consider that for the final NFC berth, the Seahawks and Falcons are tied at 6-5. Seeing how Atlanta has performed recently, losing five of six, a winning mark on Jan. 3 is a long shot.A..

  >> view original



• Chiefs' Houston Has Knee Strain, Future Outlook Unclear

  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs were quickly running out of offensive linemen as one by one they went down with injuries, and for the briefest of moments, Andy Reid might have thought he'd need to suit up himself.Hey, it's only been 34 years since the coach played for BYU.The Chiefs ultimately got by with Jeff Allen, hurt earlier in Sunday's game against Buffalo, getting back on the field. But things could be dicey going forward after left tackle Eric Fisher hurt his neck and center Mitch Morse s..

  >> view original



• McDonald's Restaurants In LA Introduce Custom Menus, Table...

  

  ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com) —Hundreds of Southern California McDonald’s restaurants have introduced custom menu options and table service on Monday, in an effort to bring customers back to the iconic fast-food chain.The company is identifying the changes as the “Three C’s”; customers, choices, and customization.The taste-crafted menu and table service was introduced in six counties, from Santa Barbara to San Bernardino.Chicken and beef are both possible to order on sesame, potato or artisan rolls. Flavo..

  >> view original



• Lincoln Center Celebrates 'Winter's Eve' With Tree Lighting

  

  NEW YORK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) —Lincoln Center got into the holiday spirit tonight, celebrating the season with a tree lighting at their 16th annual “Winter’s Eve” festival.The tree lighting was a bit delayed by a testy generator, but everything worked out smoothly in the end, WCBS 880’s Marla Diamond reported.“Oh, it’s gorgeous — beautiful,” Bill Domes, of Domes Tree Farm, said. Domes brought the 30-foot Concolor Fir Christmas tree from his farm in Bliss, a Western New York town near Buffalo.This ..

  >> view original



• O'Brien: The Playoffs Don't Start Today

  

  HOUSTON (CBS Houston) –If the 2015 NFL season came to a close Sunday, the Houston Texans would be in the playoffs. Their 6-5 record – which also ties them with the Colts for the best record in the AFC South – would make them the AFC’s 6th seed.But don’t tell that to head coach Bill O’Brien.“The playoffs don’t start today,” said O’Brien. “The playoffs start in six weeks.”From the start of today’s press conference, it was clear that O’Brien and company are directing all their focus towards Sunday’..

  >> view original



• Smiling Moose Deli rebrands to focus on Rocky Mountain image

  

  Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain DeliThe Smiling Moose Deli has launched a rebranding and name change designed to refocus on the concept’s Rocky Mountain roots with the hope of sparking new growth, the company told Nation's Restaurant News.The 19-unit Smiling Moose Deli is being reworked as Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli as part of a brand overhaul that includes a new prototype design and upgrades to the menu, said Sue Daggett, the chain’s president and CEO. Daggett joined the company about two y..

  >> view original



• Broncos Knock Patriots From Ranks of the Unbeaten

  

  PhotoC. J. Anderson of the Broncos scoring against the Patriots on a 48-yard run in overtime after the Denver defense forced a three-and-out.CreditJack Dempsey/Associated PressTom Brady lost yet another one of his trusted targets, and this time he also lost a game.C. J. Anderson scored on a 48-yard run with 12 minutes 32 seconds left in overtime, powering the hostDenver Broncospast theNew England Patriots, 30-24, on a snowy Sunday night.Watching from the cozy indoors at field level was Peyton Ma..

  >> view original