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Four Minute Offense: The Jets Circle the Wagons

This is the second installment of the Four Minute Offense. It’s the moment during the fourth quarter of a game when the team possessing the ball must run the ball, call high-percentage pass plays, and the war daddies (also known as the offensive linemen), can get off the ball and turn up. Four talking points […]

Published

2 weeks ago

October 27, 2025

Oakland Post

The Jets get their first win of 2025

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson publicly criticized and mocked Justin Fields, adding to what was already a difficult week for the team. The Jets’ offense had been struggling, ranking near the bottom across nearly every major statistical category. To make matters even worse, the franchise announced the tragic passing of Nick Mangold, the legendary offensive lineman, at just 41 years old.

On Sunday, the New York Jets took on the Cincinnati Bengals in what many expected to be a lopsided matchup. Joe Flacco, coming off a phenomenal performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers just ten days earlier — with 342 passing yards and three touchdowns — looked to keep the momentum going. Meanwhile, Ja’Marr Chase continued his dominance for Cincinnati, setting a single-game franchise record with 16 receptions, 161 yards, and a touchdown.

But that’s why they play the game!

The Jets beat the Bengals 39-38. Running back Breece Hall, an object of trade rumors, threw the game-winning touchdown to rookie tight-end Mason Taylor with 2 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. Hall was the first running back since Curtis Martin in 2000 to throw a go-ahead TD in the final two minutes of a game. Ironically, Martin’s touchdown pass was a game-winning TD.

In Sunday’s game, the Jets had 502 yards of total offense, the first time they accomplished this feat since 2001. Head Coach Aaron Glenn was hyped in the locker room:

“Our f— brand! 254 rushing yards! Man, I love this group. And man, from here on out. Grit. F–– grit. Because I told you during the offseason, man. We have to create an advantage, we f–– did. But you showed all the grit in the world to win this game,” Glenn bellowed to applause from the team. “Now, let’s have a good flight home, have a great week. I love this group, man.”

Also, Justin Fields admitted to reporters he relied on his faith to get him through a turbulent week.

“I’m going to get pretty vulnerable right here. This week I found myself in my closet crying on the ground, laying down. Not because of the hardships, not because of the troubles,” Fields admitted. “I felt like I was built to handle that. I was put in place to handle this situation. But in that moment, I was talking to my best friend. How hard it was. Not wavering faith-wise. I was praying over and over again, just one win. All that to say is, God is real. God is good. Everything that we go through in this life is for a purpose.”

Where do the Jets go from here? Nobody knows. But for one week, Gang Green can celebrate!

Tua and the Dolphins frustrate the floundering Falcons

Tua Tagovailoa helped the Miami Dolphins snap their three game losing streak, beating the listless Atlanta Falcons 34-10. Complicating matters for both teams, Tua threw for 205 yards and 4 touchdowns after waking up with a swollen left eye.

“Probably one of the worst experiences I’ve had in terms of waking up and having that on a game day,” he told reporters after the game, adding that Dolphins trainers gave him antibiotics to help with the issue and that he wore a visor on the field.

“It was different,” Tagovailoa said. “I can’t remember the last time I played with a visor outside of high school.”

Tua Tagovailoa struggled mightily last week in a shocking 31–6 defeat to the Cleveland Browns, ultimately being benched for poor performance. Despite the setback, this marks the third instance in his career where Tagovailoa has thrown at least four touchdown passes with no interceptions — a feat surpassed only by the legendary Dan Marino in franchise history.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons faced their own challenges. Star safety Jessie Bates III exited early in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Bates, who leads the team with 39 tackles this season, was sorely missed as Atlanta’s offense faltered. The Falcons managed just 11 first downs, 49 rushing yards, and converted only 2 of 11 third-down attempts — a disheartening showing for the Dirty Birds.

It’s worth noting that Atlanta played without several key starters, including quarterback Michael Penix Jr., wide receiver Drake London, and defenders Divine Deablo, Jalon Walker, Zach Harrison, and Billy Bowman Jr. Even so, their upcoming matchups against the resurgent New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts will be critical — not only for their playoff hopes but also for determining the future of head coach Raheem Morris.

“It all started right from the beginning, with not being able to run the football and control the game,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said after the game. “That’s our lifeline, and when that’s not working, it’s gonna look bad on us, whether it be defense, offense, or special teams. That’s our lifeline, being able to run the football offense.”

Jalen Hurts continues to shine

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw four touchdown passes as he led his team past the New York Giants 38-20 at Lincoln Financial Stadium. He finished the day 15-of-20 for 179 yards. Hurts is just the third Eagles QB ever to have back-to-back games with a passer rating of 140+, joining Nick Foles and Randall Cunningham.

Hurts – who has 15 touchdown passes, five rushing touchdowns and one interception this season – is the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 15 touchdown passes, five rushing touchdowns and one-or-fewer interceptions in his team’s first eight games of a season.

Also, in the last two games, Hurts has nine incompletions and seven touchdowns. The narrative is shifting in Philadelphia. As the offensive coordinators change, Hurts must continue to prepare and play at a high level, consistently.

“I look at how we are helping him,” Hurts said. “Are we playing penalty free? Are we mastering, mastering the things that take no talent? Are we getting in and out of the huddle? You know, the little things that can help all of us and help the play call to find the rhythm and what he does. And so we’re very critical of that. I’m very critical of that. That’s always something that I’m talking about, but we just want to continue to build.”

Saquon Barkley ran for 150 yards and scored one touchdown on a 65-yard house call.

Cam Ward shows progress, despite loss at Colts

Despite the Tennessee Titans’ 38-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Cam Ward demonstrated noticeable progress in his development. Ward completed 22 of 38 passes for 259 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. The interception came on a fourth-and-goal attempt late in the game when the outcome was already sealed. Throughout the game, Ward showcased solid accuracy, absorbed multiple hits, and effectively extended plays by moving within the pocket.

“We just got to finish drives with points,” Ward said postgame. “Yeah, we had some positive moments, but it wasn’t enough to win a game. I had to do more. I had to be more accurate with the football. We had to consistently, consistently move the ball up and down the field and end with points. I think the last couple weeks, we’ve been better just moving the ball, but we have to end it with points. If we don’t score points, if we don’t score points, we’re not going to be in a lot of games.”

The Titans will be back home at Nissan Stadium to face the 5-3 Chargers.

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Michael: The King of Pop’s Story Returns to the Big Screen

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The curtain has finally lifted on one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films. Lionsgate has unveiled the official trailer and release date for “Michael,” the sweeping biopic about Michael Jackson that has been years in the making.

Published

3 days ago

November 6, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The curtain has finally lifted on one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films. Lionsgate has unveiled the official trailer and release date for “Michael,” the sweeping biopic about Michael Jackson that has been years in the making. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film will arrive in theaters on April 24, 2026, with the singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, stepping into the spotlight to portray his legendary uncle.

The trailer wastes no time rekindling the aura of Jackson’s genius. Opening with a studio scene between Jackson and his longtime producer Quincy Jones, played by Kendrick Sampson, the clip builds from a quiet, familiar rhythm to the electrifying pulse of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” Viewers catch glimpses of the singer’s childhood, flashes of “Thriller,” and the silhouette that redefined pop culture. Each frame reminds fans of why Jackson remains unmatched in artistry and influence. The cast surrounding the late pop king’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, reads like a who’s who of Black entertainment and music history. Colman Domingo plays Joe Jackson, Nia Long portrays Katherine Jackson, and Larenz Tate takes on the role of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Laura Harrier portrays music executive Suzanne de Passe, while Kat Graham embodies Diana Ross. Miles Teller plays attorney John Branca, a towering entertainment lawyer and longtime Jackson confidant who later became co-executor of his estate. The film’s journey to release has been as complicated as the icon it portrays. Production wrapped in 2024, but legal hurdles over depictions of past controversies forced extensive reshoots and editing delays. Even so, Fuqua’s film now appears ready to reclaim the narrative, focusing on Jackson’s creative ambition and humanity beyond tabloid noise. IndieWire reported that the film had faced “a massive legal snafu” over a disputed storyline but was retooled to center the music and legacy that defined generations.

Maven. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson

“Michael” promises more than a chronological retelling. It aims to explore how a child star from Gary, Indiana, became the world’s most influential entertainer. The script, written by Oscar-nominated John Logan, traces Jackson’s early years with the Jackson 5 through the triumphs and isolation of global superstardom. With Fuqua’s cinematic eye and producer Graham King—who brought “Bohemian Rhapsody” to life—joining forces with estate executors Branca and John McClain, the film is positioned as both a tribute and a restoration of Jackson’s cultural truth. Branca’s work behind the scenes has long shaped Jackson’s posthumous success. After the singer died in 2009, Branca and McClain took control of the estate burdened by debt and turned it into a global powerhouse worth billions. Under their stewardship, Jackson’s projects have generated more than $3 billion in worldwide ticket sales and landmark deals, including a $600 million joint venture with Sony earlier this year. At its heart, though, “Michael” is a story about artistry that transcends scandal. It offers a reminder that, despite the noise surrounding his life, Jackson’s music still bridges continents and generations. The trailer’s closing moments capture that spirit. As the beat of “Billie Jean” swells and Jaafar Jackson moonwalks into a spotlight, audiences are left with a familiar feeling—the awe of witnessing something timeless return home.

“Michael” opens worldwide in theaters April 24, 2026. See the official trailer here.

Stacy M. Brown

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Donald Trump Is the Biggest Loser

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Trump Brand took a significant hit as it was swept up in the Democratic blue wave of the election last night.

Published

4 days ago

November 5, 2025

Oakland Post

By April Ryan

The Trump Brand took a significant hit as it was swept up in the Democratic blue wave of the election last night.

Chris Jones, Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (AR-02), says, “Last night was electric, and it was unquestionably a wave.” Democrats won big in what is widely considered a repudiation of Trump’s 9 months at the White House in his second term.

In the state of Virginia, which produced the first big election night win and saw the election of the first woman governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, 56% of Virginia’s residents disapprove of President Trump. In New Jersey, 55% of state residents disapprove of the president; in New York, 69% disapprove; and in California, 63% disapprove of the president. The Trump brand or his support for any candidates did nothing to benefit those he endorsed in this election. They actually lost in each race he publicly put his name behind. Trump endorsed former New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost the New York mayor’s race in his run as an independent. And New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who ran for governor with the presidential endorsement, also lost his prospective race.

The next question is, will the democratic momentum be sustainable? Jones further explained, “This can become a 2026 tsunami, but turning a wave into a tsunami takes energy. A lot of energy. It doesn’t just happen. The conditions are there. Now we have to work!”

Some Democrats would argue that the work is already underway. The pushback against Trump’s national redistricting efforts received a thumb in the eye from California voters. Prop 50, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s counterbalance to President Trump’s redistricting efforts, passed in California last night. Although Trump’s name was not on the ballot last night, his Republican policies were. The United States has now entered the longest government shutdown in its history. Forty-two million Americans are not getting SNAP benefits. Economists are acknowledging that the government shutdown is contributing to the rise in delinquent debt in the student loan, automotive, and credit card industries. These items are among the negatives Americans are protesting against.

Compounding Trump’s political problems is a tariff battle that’s directly impacting pocketbooks. The day after the elections, the Trump administration was arguing before the US Supreme Court in favor of the president’s tariff powers. Meanwhile, President Trump‘s poll numbers are underwater, standing at a 37% national disapproval rate

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Historic Beatdown: Democrats Sweep Virginia as Speaker Don Scott and Jay Jones Make History

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — In a clear rejection of the policies of President Donald Trump, history repeated itself in Virginia.

Published

4 days ago

November 5, 2025

Oakland Post

By Lauren Burke

In a clear rejection of the policies of President Donald Trump, history repeated itself in Virginia. Democrats once again swept all three statewide offices as they did in 2017 during Trump’s first term. Abigail Spanberger easily won the office of Governor, and State Senator Ghazala Hashmi won her race over John Reid to be the next Lieutenant Governor. The victories occurred against the backdrop of a historic win in Virginia by Spanberger that will give Virginia its first woman Governor.

Spanberger’s widely predicted win over Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears was called 17 minutes after the polls closed in Virginia at 7 pm. Former Delegate Jay Jones won his race against incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares. His victory means Jones will be the first Black Attorney General in Virginia’s history. Jones’ win was particularly noteworthy since the last month of his campaign was consumed by the issue of private text messages from 2022 to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner. Republicans ran a non-stop barrage of negative ads against Jones for a month.

Del. Coyner lost her bid for re-election to Delegate-elect Lindsey Dougherty. The Dougherty race was the number one target for House Speaker Don Scott and his campaign lieutenant, Delegate Dan Helmer. Coyner’s defeat was one of at least 13 victories for Democrats who have now added to their ranks in the Virginia House to historic margins. When the Virginia General Assembly returns to session in January, there will be at least 64 Democrats in the chamber. The widespread Republican defeat is a testament to a combination of historic fundraising, Democrats running in all 100 seats, dislike of President Trump’s policies, and an ineffective top of the ticket featuring Lt. Gov. Earle Sears.

+13: Speaker Scott and Del. Helmer Hit Historic Numbers in Fundraising and Power

As the evening ended, a glaring historic fact became clearer: The Virginia House of Delegates will expand to a historic number. The change means the largest Democratic House chamber in the modern era. There were several notable wins by Democrats running for the Virginia House. They include Virgil Thornton, Lilly Franklin, and Kim Pope Adams. Speaker Don Scott and his campaign chair, Dan Helmer, undertook a record fundraising effort never before seen in Virginia’s history. The moment of success for Virginia Democrats will be viewed as a positive signal for Democrats moving into the 2026 elections.