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NHL: Bolts Should’ve Won, but Jets Did Just Enough to Nab It

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Photo: Terrence Lee-USAT TODAY Sports

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Lightning appeared to have struck up consistency and chemistry within their lines, but that didn’t stop coach Cooper from still shuffling up his lines and creating some other interesting match-ups. Saturday’s lines against the Winnipeg Jets were as is:

Palat-Stamkos-Verhaeghe
Johnson-Point-Kucherov
Killorn-Cirelli-Joseph
Maroon-Paquette-Gourde
Hedman-Shattenkirk
McDonagh-Cernak
Sergachev-Schenn

Coach Cooper after the game said that he wasn’t too happy with how the first few shifts went in the game, but things started to pick up once the guys found their legs. Indeed, the first few shifts weren’t looking too strong, creating opportunity for Winnipeg to get on the board first and control most of the first period. The Jets were predominantly winning face-offs which they would capitalized throughout the game, but the Lightning took control of the game in the second period.

Although the Bolts SOG (56%) were strong, their finishing percentage struggled. Halfway through the game the Bolts began to pick up some momentum. Their penalty kills were managed quite well throughout the game, but there was still an unfortunate amount of penalties accounted for against them. The costly one was the delay of game penalty, when Coach Cooper challenged for a high sticking call on Nikolaj Ehlers seconds before Jack Roslovic connected down the center with Andrew Coop for a goal. Ehlers played at a pretty unstoppable pace; he needed to be marked a bit more aggressively, but he has consistently produced, given his 7 goals in 9 games against the Lightning.

Aside from the trouble Ehlers created for the Bolts, this game was really won by Winnipeg’s goalie Hellebuyck and his 31 saves. One of the biggest saves of the night was a shot from Ondrej Palat that could have swung the game into overtime with Cirelli’s goal 22 seconds before the end of the third period. Statistically, the Lightning should have won this match-up, but the Jets did just enough to take this win.

On a positive note, Bolts’ captain Steven Stamkos scored his 400th career goal versus the Jets, making franchise history with the Lightning organization and of course hitting a personal career benchmark. Cooper praised Stamkos’s accomplishment by saying that “many players don’t even get to play 400 games in this league, so to reach 400 goals says a lot.” Tampa Bay will head back on the road to face the St. Louis Blues, Tuesday night at 8pm.

___________________________________________________________

Kasey Hudson is the Sports Associate Editor for Florida National News. | social@floridanationalnews.com

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Maul The Patriots 35-6

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Jaguars vs. Patriots (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) beat the New England Patriots (1-2) 35-6 at EverBank Stadium today. The Jaguars have now won six consecutive home games dating back to November 16, 2025. The Jaguars lost their nine game regular season winning streak last week in Denver with their 20-13 loss to the Broncos.

The first quarter was a defensive battle, highlighted by the Jaguars sacking Patriots QB Drake Maye to force a fumble, which was recovered by NT DaVon Hamilton. But neither team put points on the board.

Early in the second quarter, Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence found WR Josh Cameron in the end zone for a 12 yard touchdown, followed by K Cam Little’s extra point, to put the Jags ahead 7-0. Soon after, it looked as though Maye had scrambled into the end zone for a 21 yard touchdown run, but that play was nullified by an offensive holding penalty by Patriots RT Morgan Moses. They did manage to score on a 35 yard field goal by K Andy Borregales, to narrow their deficit to 7-3. But the Jags extended their lead as Lawrence completed a 10 yard pass for WR Jakobi Meyers’ 25th career touchdown pass. That was also Lawrence’s 104th passing touchdown of his career, moving him past QB Blake Bortles for sole possession of second place on the Jaguars all-time list. QB Mark Brunell currently holds the team record with 144. After Little’s extra point, the Jags were up 14-3. The Patriots came close to scoring late in the second quarter, but Jaguars CB Travis Hunter had his first career interception, grabbing a pass by Maye intended for WR Efton Chism III in the end zone. The Jaguars gave Cam Little an opportunity to break his own NFL regular season record with a 70 yard field goal attempt, but it went wide right. The score remained 14-3 at the half.

Travis Hunter’s First Career Interception. (Photo Credit Arthur “Dell” Morgan)

On the Patriots first drive of the third quarter, Borregales attempted a 38 yard field goal, but it went wide right. Late in the quarter, Lawrence completed a 17 yard touchdown pass to WR Parker Washington, followed by Little’s XP, extending the lead to 21-3. As the Patriots took possession, Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones intercepted a Drake Maye pass intended for WR Kyle Williams. On the next play, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran for a five yard touchdown. After another Little XP, the Jags were up 28-3 at the end of the third.

Early in the fourth quarter, Borregales redeemed himself with a 40 yard field goal, but the Pats remained down 28-6. The Jags added to their lead as RB Bhayshul Tuten ran for a 1 yard touchdown, and with Little’s extra point they finished the game up 35-6.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 182 passing yards and 3 TDs. Bhayshul Tuten led the Jaguars’ rushing with 73 yards and 1 TD. Jakobi Meyers was the leading receiver with 64 yards and 1 TD.

The Jaguars will be on the road for the month of October. They face the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday, October 4th at 1:00 p.m. Their next two games will be across the pond in London, where they’ll play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, October 11th at 9:30 a.m. EST at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 18th at 9:30 a.m. EST at Wembley Stadium. The Jaguars have a bye for NFL Week 7, then return home to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, November 1st at 1:00 p.m. at EverBank Stadium. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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Business

FNN News Expands National Event Coverage With Los Angeles, Atlanta and Las Vegas Plans

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Florida National News invites businesses and brands to explore partnership opportunities as FNN Sports Zone prepares special programming and on-location coverage

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News is expanding its national news and sports presence with plans for special event coverage from Los Angeles in 2027, Atlanta in 2028 and Las Vegas in 2029, creating new opportunities for businesses and organizations to connect with FNN audiences across multiple platforms.

The multiyear initiative will focus on coverage surrounding one of the biggest weeks in American sports, with FNN journalists and content teams covering stories beyond the field, including sports, entertainment, travel and tourism, business, culture and community impact.

The expansion is part of FNN’s broader strategy to grow from its Florida-based reporting operation into a digital news network with an increased presence at major events and media markets across the country.

FNN Sports Zone Goes National

A major component of the initiative will be the FNN Sports Zone Podcast Show Live, featuring special programming, interviews, analysis, digital content and planned on-location coverage.

FNN Sports Zone’s national event programming is designed to provide audiences with coverage throughout major sports weeks, including conversations with athletes, sports personalities, business leaders, community representatives and other newsmakers when available.

The programming will be distributed across FNN’s digital and social media platforms as the network continues expanding its sports audience and original video content.

Opportunities for Businesses and Brands

Florida National News is also inviting businesses, brands, organizations and community partners to explore opportunities to support FNN’s independent national news and sports coverage.

Potential opportunities include FNN program sponsorships, brand partnerships, digital and social media campaigns, content collaborations, community partnerships and authorized on-site activations.

The initiative is centered on a simple message:

“Your Brand. Three Cities. One National Platform.”

Rather than limiting coverage to what happens on the field, FNN plans to highlight the economic and cultural activity surrounding major sports events — from hospitality and tourism to entertainment, local businesses and community stories.

Three Major Markets

The national coverage initiative is scheduled to spotlight Los Angeles in 2027, Atlanta in 2028 and Las Vegas in 2029.

Each market provides FNN with opportunities to produce original reporting and programming while developing relationships with businesses, tourism organizations, community leaders, sports professionals and other potential news sources.

The initiative also supports FNN’s long-term expansion of its national reporting footprint while maintaining its Florida news operations.

Partner With FNN News

Businesses and organizations interested in learning more about FNN News national coverage and partnership opportunities can contact:

Social@FloridaNationalNews.com

FloridaNationalNews.com | FNNNews.com

REAL NEWS. REAL PEOPLE. REAL FLORIDA. REAL IMPACT.

Florida National News/FNN News is an independent news organization. FNN is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the National Football League, its member clubs or event venues. On-site activities and coverage are subject to applicable credentials, permissions and venue or event requirements.

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Central Florida News

Buccaneers Stunned by Browns 23-19 in Home Opener, Fall to 0-2

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ampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) lines up behind the offense during game action against the Cleveland Browns in Tampa. Photo: Florida National News / FNN Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ home opener ended in disappointment Sunday as the Cleveland Browns handed Tampa Bay a 23-19 loss, dropping the Buccaneers to 0-2 to start the season.

The Buccaneers had opportunities to take control but were hurt by penalties, missed tackles and an inability to consistently finish drives in the end zone. A weather delay late in the game added another challenge, but Tampa Bay players and coaches refused to use the conditions as an excuse.

Bowles: ‘Nobody Is Coming to Save Us’

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles pointed directly to Tampa Bay’s mistakes after the loss.

“Too many penalties, offensively. Too many missed tackles in the second half, defensively,” Bowles said. “Nobody is coming to save us. We have to fix ourselves and we have to fix it in a hurry.”

Bowles repeated that message when discussing the team’s 0-2 start, saying the Buccaneers have faced adversity before but now must respond quickly.

“We’ve dealt with adversity before. This is an adverse situation again,” Bowles said. “We’re 0-2 right now and we have to pull ourselves up by our boots, and we’ve got to win.”

Defensively, Bowles said missed tackles contributed to Cleveland’s success, including a touchdown by Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston after two Tampa Bay defenders collided and failed to make the tackle.

Mayfield Frustrated by Missed Opportunities

Quarterback Baker Mayfield said Tampa Bay’s inability to convert opportunities in the red zone proved costly. The Buccaneers settled for field goals instead of touchdowns and struggled with negative plays.

Mayfield said the frustration comes from knowing how close the offense is to producing better results.

“I’m frustrated because it’s close. You can feel it. You can see it,” Mayfield said. “We’re moving the ball at times, and then just shooting ourselves in the foot.”

He added that the Buccaneers must become more self-critical and stop repeating the same mistakes.

Asked how surprised he was to see Tampa Bay begin the season with consecutive losses, Mayfield did not hide his reaction.

“Pretty shocked,” Mayfield said. “But, that’s where we’re at, so [we have to] fight our way out.”

Late Weather Delay Adds to Dramatic Finish

The game was also disrupted by a late weather delay. Bowles said both teams faced the same circumstances and rejected the delay as an excuse for Tampa Bay’s performance.

“They were doing the same thing. That’s not an excuse,” Bowles said. “We were ready to play.”

Left tackle Tristan Wirfs was more critical of the timing. He said players worked to stay loose, warm and hydrated during the interruption.

“I thought it was ridiculous with two minutes left in the game to call a lightning delay from ten miles away,” Wirfs said. “But, I don’t make the rules.”

Buccaneers Say They Beat Themselves

Wide receiver Ted Hurst III said Cleveland did not do anything defensively that made Tampa Bay incapable of moving the football.

“I feel like nobody can stop our offense — it’s just self-evaluating, doing your job and doing it to the best of your ability,” Hurst said.

Asked directly whether it felt like the Buccaneers beat themselves, Hurst responded, “Yeah, I would say that.”

Linebacker Alex Anzalone offered a similarly direct assessment of the Buccaneers’ position after two games.

“We’re in a bit of a hole. We’ve gotta dig ourselves out of it,” Anzalone said. He said the process begins with Wednesday’s practice and correcting the mistakes that have contributed to Tampa Bay’s winless start.

Irving: ‘We Are Going to Get This Thing Fixed’

Running back Bucky Irving urged the Buccaneers to follow the NFL’s traditional 24-hour approach — evaluate the loss, learn from it and move forward.

Irving said he is not concerned about outside criticism and views the early struggles as adversity the team can learn from.

“Let’s just learn from this game and move on to the [Minnesota] Vikings,” Irving said. “We are going to get this thing fixed in no time.”

The Buccaneers now face an early-season test: correct the penalties, improve tackling, finish drives with touchdowns and find a way out of an 0-2 hole.

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