NFL Week 7 preview: League’s best teams go head-to-head in big test

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October 22, 2023

It’s Week 7 in the NFL and things are tighter than ever.

The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles both lost last week, snapping some incredible streaks and leaving the 2023 season without any unbeaten teams. The Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions are also among the teams that are 5-1.

There are tons of important matchups heading into the seventh week of the season and a lot to keep an eye out for. So, before things kickoff on Sunday, read below for some of the important things fans should keep in the back of their minds as the 1 p.m. ET games begin.

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Battle of the best I

Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drinks from a Gatorade bottle during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

The Lions and the Baltimore Ravens will duke it out on Sunday. Both teams come into the game at the top of their respective divisions and wins for both teams would give them momentum going forward.

Detroit has been playing some of the best football their fans have seen in a very long time. Jared Goff had 353 passing yards and two touchdown passes in the team’s 20-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Only the 49ers (14-1) and Chiefs (14-2) have a better regular-season record than the Lions (13-3) since Week 9 of the 2022 season.

Baltimore’s defense is something Detroit will have to deal with. The Ravens are tied for first in sacks this season with 24. And, if Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers find a connection, the offense is going to make things even more interesting.

Battle of the best II

Tyreek Hill #10 and Raheem Mostert #31 of the Miami Dolphins celebrate after a touchdown during the second quarter in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on October 15, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Sunday will end with a matchup between the Dolphins and the Eagles, two teams that are also in first place in their respective divisions and could be a preview of Super Bowl LVIII early next year.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is leading the league in passing yards (1,876) and passer rating (114.1) and is tied for the league lead with 14 touchdown passes. It will be up to James Bradberry and Darius Slay to try to contain the speedy offense.

The Eagles’ defense is in the top five in sacks with 20. Getting to Tagovailoa quickly will be a challenge as the quarterback is known to sling the pill out fast to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. It will be interesting to see how they defend the Dolphins’ offense.

Gaining separation

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs is on a tear this season. He’s recorded 49 catches on 66 targets for 620 yards and five touchdowns. He’s already produced five 100-yard receiving games in his first six starts, including four straight.

He already owns the franchise record for most consecutive games with 100 yards receiving. The streak could continue on Sunday when the team plays the New England Patriots.

McAwesome

Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a touchdown after a catch during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 15, 2023, in Cleveland. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Even though the 49ers shockingly fell to the Cleveland Browns last week, Christian McCaffrey extended his streak of scrimmage touchdowns to 15 consecutive games. One more and he will break the record as he’s tied with Lenny Moore, John Riggins and O.J. Simpson for the longest streaks.

The 49ers take on the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.

Another close one brewing?

The Vikings have a big challenge ahead of them against the 49ers. Minnesota is 2-4 without Justin Jefferson and have trade rumors swirling around Kirk Cousins.

Each of the Vikings’ six games have been decided by eight points or less. The bounce of the ball is the difference between Minnesota being on top of the NFC North and the bottom of the division.

Cousins and the Vikings need to really dig deep to stun the 49ers for the second straight week.

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Bye, bye, bye

Some teams are getting a break in Week 7. After two teams were on a bye last week, six teams will have a weekend filled with rest and relaxation before picking it up again.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans will be off this week.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

String of Hamas, Islamic Jihad rocket misfires have resulted in the deaths of multiple civilians in Gaza: IDF

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October 22, 2023

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A steady stream of rocket misfires by Hamas and Islamic Jihad have resulted in the deaths of several Palestinians since the war between Israel and Iran-backed terrorists first began earlier this month, according to one Israeli defense official.

“They are killing their own people,” Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said Saturday.

Hagari noted that one-fifth of the rockets that have been fired by Hamas and Islamic Jihad have missed intended targets and landed inside Gaza, killing civilians. That number, Hagari said, amounts to more than 550 rockets.

The comments from Hagari came roughly four days after the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was struck by an errant rocket. The blast reportedly left hundreds dead. Hamas initially claimed the hospital was attacked in an Israeli strike; Israel countered after an investigation that it was hit by an errant missile launched by terrorists in Gaza.

ISRAEL REMAINS FOCUSED ON DESTROYING HAMAS DESPITE CEASE-FIRE CALLS: ‘NO OTHER OPTION’

A view of the surroundings of al-Ahli Hospital after it was hit in Gaza City, Gaza, Oct. 18, 2023. (Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Online video that made rounds on social media suggested the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was not directly hit by a rocket on Tuesday. Instead, the missile appears to have struck a nearby parking lot, leading to many conflicting claims of who was responsible, where the missile struck and how many people died.

After an investigation, Israel said the rocket was fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a State Department-designated foreign terrorist organization backed by Iran.

“An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the al-Ahli [Baptist] Hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit,” IDF officials said. “Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza.”

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participate in an expanded bilateral meeting with Israeli and U.S. government officials Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Biden, who was in Israel Wednesday, said intelligence from the Pentagon also supported Israel’s assertion that the blast originated from rocket fire in Gaza. The president reiterated his belief that Israel was not to blame later on Wednesday. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson also reaffirmed the U.S. position.

The string of misfires, according to Joe Truzman, a research analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Long War Journal, is a result of “Hamas and other groups like Islamic Jihad” having to “make do with the material they have.”

ISRAEL ELIMINATES TERRORISTS IN GAZA, LEBANON, WHILE STRIKING HAMAS AND HEZBOLLAH TARGETS

“Iran is the chief supporter of several Palestinian armed groups, including other bad actors across the region,” Truzman told Fox News Digital. “The regime in Iran funds, arms and supports its network of proxies and clients. The caveat with Palestinian groups in Gaza and the West Bank is that Iran is not able to transfer advanced weapons without the Israelis thwarting it. Iran has likely been able to get some weapons through, but it’s a difficult task.

“Because of this hurdle, the Iranians focus on arming Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian terrorist organizations with the know-how to build weapons,” he explained. “With this knowledge, Hamas is able to locally produce rockets, mortars, drones and other weapons. While this knowledge has its advantages in the war against Israel, Hamas and other groups like Islamic Jihad have to make do with the materiel they have.”

A chart released by the IDF last week showed an increasing trend in the amount of Hamas and Islamic Jihad rockets that failed upon launch and landed in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Spokesman’s Unit)

A chart released by the IDF last week showed an increasing number of Hamas and Islamic Jihad rockets failed upon launch and landed in the Gaza Strip. Nearly 13% of the rockets that were fired toward Israel Oct. 17 landed in the densely populated enclave.

Describing some methods terrorists have used in an effort to achieve their mission, Truzman noted that “Hamas has dug up underground water pipes that were left behind following the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip.”

Palestinian terror groups in Gaza launch rockets toward Israel. (Majdi Fathi/TPS)

“These pipes are used to build rockets. And while it may be a clever method to build up Hamas’ arsenal, it doesn’t mean the rockets are effective and will always travel to the intended target,” he added. “Also, the rockets are produced by terrorist organizations, not a complex arms industry.”

As for why there have been so many misfires, Truzman said he believes it’s because the terrorists have not “perfected” the process of developing efficient rockets with reliable materials.

“An example of a misfire was filmed last year by a pro-Hamas outfit called al-Mayadeen. The crew filmed a rocket fired by a Palestinian terrorist group, landing short, striking civilian infrastructure,” he said. “While Hamas and other groups have learned how to self-produce rockets, it certainly doesn’t mean they have perfected it, and this is likely the reason why we are witnessing some of these rockets landing inside the Gaza Strip.”

A salvo of rockets is fired by Hamas terrorists toward Israel in Gaza City Oct. 13, 2023. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

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The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry claimed Saturday that 4,385 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war broke out and 3,561 have been wounded in the Israeli strikes. It is unclear how many people in the Gaza Strip have died or been injured as a result of rocket misfires by Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror groups.

Fox News’ Greg Wehner, Michael Tobin, and Trey Yingst contributed to this report.

Mediterranean diet could help reduce belly fat and muscle loss caused by aging, study finds

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October 22, 2023

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What is a vegan diet?

Curious about becoming a vegan? Here is what you need to know about the vegan diet.

The Mediterranean diet could be the key to blasting belly fat.

A new study from the Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea-Plus (PREDIMED-Plus) revealed that the Mediterranean diet, partnered with physical activity, can counter aging-related body changes suchh as fat gain and loss of muscle mass.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open on Oct. 18, was designed to determine whether the diet could prevent cardiovascular disease — but in the meantime, a subgroup was evaluated to measure the impact on body composition after a three-year period.

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The results showed that an energy-reduced (lower-calorie) Mediterranean diet and increased physical activity appeared to reduce aging-related weight gain and muscle loss.

A total of 1,521 middle-aged and older participants, who were either overweight or had obesity and metabolic syndrome, were separated into two groups.

The study author explained that people in Mediterranean countries incorporate vegetables into every meal. (iStock)

The first group followed a Mediterranean diet while reducing their calorie intake by 30% and increasing their physical activity.

The second group followed a Mediterranean diet without calorie restrictions or changes in physical activity.

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The participants in the first group experienced “clinically meaningful” changes in body composition throughout the three-year experiment, according to the researchers.

This included a 5% or greater improvement in fat mass, visceral (belly) fat mass and loss of lean muscle mass after only one year of following the diet.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

The study revealed that an energy-reduced Mediterranean diet and increased physical activity can reduce fat gained with aging. (iStock)

Nutritionist and registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital that the Mediterranean diet has been “touted for many years as the healthiest diet in the world.”

She added, “And while that may be true, it is extremely arbitrary advice for a health professional to give to an average person.”

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The diet encompasses a “broad array of advice” beyond just emphasizing whole foods, Muhlstein said.

The “great aspects” of the diet include beans, legumes, whole grains, healthy fats, seeds, nuts and fish-centered entrées, the nutritionist said.

Foods with high levels of Omega-3 fats include salmon, sardines, avocado, extra virgin olive oil, and various nuts and seeds. (iStock)

An energy-reduced Mediterranean diet differs from the original by incorporating more protein, having less added sugars and containing higher volumes of fresh vegetables or fruit instead of dried fruit.

“Yet the healthiest part of the Mediterranean diet that so many Americans overlook is the absolute obsession with veggies and fresh herbs,” Muhlstein said.

MEDITERRANEAN, MIND DIETS SHOWN TO REDUCE SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S IN THE BRAIN, STUDY FINDS

“These high-volume, nutrient-dense, low-calorie ingredients are the heart and soul of the true Mediterranean diet that sadly get dismissed.”

Countries that have a “much better cardiovascular health status compared to America,” like Israel or Greece, have an “abundance” of vegetables present at every meal, according to the dietitian.

Participants saw a 5% or greater improvement in fat mass, visceral (belly) fat mass and total lean mass after only one year of following the diet. (iStock)

“These countries don’t just eat vegetables — they celebrate them and would never think to have a meal without them,” she said.

“When they serve dips, like hummus, and tzatziki, they are always accompanied by a tray of sliced cucumbers or a mixed salad.”

She added, “However, in the United States, I see people devour high-calorie Mediterranean delicacies, like pita, shawarma and falafel, with almost no veggies in sight, which misses the point.”

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Muhlstein said people in these other countries “tend to live healthier” since they “easily maintain a healthy body weight by filling up on lots of low-starch veggies every single day.”

She encouraged Americans to limit the pita bread and fill half of their plates with Mediterranean diet staples like roasted eggplants, pickled turnips and chopped salads.

As far as physical activity is concerned, Muhlstein recommended about 45 minutes of exercise six days a week to align with the “naturally active lifestyles” of people living in the Mediterranean.

Ilana Muhlstein, known as NutritionBabe on TikTok, has nearly two million followers on the app. (BODi)

Participants in the study were contacted by trained dietitians three times a month throughout the study, which Muhlstein said most likely led to “significantly improving” their relationship with food.

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“Sadly, in America, our view of food has become really unhealthy,” she said.

“We’ve been encouraged to seek carbs and sugar for emotional comfort, and only turn to vegetables if we have to go on a diet.”

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She noted, “This is a type of unhealthy mindset that can result [in] poor health and obesity … Giving the participants an opportunity to meet with a dietitian and to regularly and steadily improve their eating behaviors and relationships with food is key for creating results that last.”

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle writer for Fox News Digital.

Lightning Network faces criticism from Pro-XRPL lawyer John Deaton

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October 22, 2023

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Lawyer and cryptocurrency proponent John Deaton has criticized the Lightning Network, deeming it less effective than the ‘Spend The Bits’ protocol on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The Lightning Network is the second-layer solution built over the Bitcoin blockchain. It is designed to improve the scalability and efficiency of Bitcoin transactions by enabling off-chain, peer-to-peer transactions.

Deaton expressed his choice on Saturday, Oct. 21, through a tweet, revealing his role as an angel investor in ‘Spend the Bits’ and his recent appointment as its chief legal officer.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t Deaton’s initial endorsement of ‘Spend The Bits’ as a viable alternative to the well-known Lightning Network on the Bitcoin blockchain. In the previous month, the Ripple-supporting attorney commended the protocol, characterizing it as a more secure method for using your Bitcoin in comparison to the Lightning network.”

Let me be clear and transparent: I am now involved in @Spend_The_Bits as an angel investor and serve as its Chief Legal Officer. Therefore, please accept my comments with that in mind. But a major reason I invested in @Spend_The_Bits, or stated more accurately, invested in… https://t.co/aheyTxjGxp

— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) October 21, 2023

Interestingly, Deaton’s Saturday disclosure was well-timed, aligning with a tweet from the crypto investigator ‘WhaleWire.’ This tweet raised concerns about a recent discovery in the Lightning Network, indicating a notable security vulnerability that prompted a prominent Bitcoin developer to withdraw from the project.

As per the tweet, the developer alleged the presence of deliberate vulnerabilities in the Lightning Network’s code, which could potentially provide attackers with complete network control. Notably, major backers of the Lightning Network encompass Tether, Bitfinex, and BlockStream. This claim has raised inquiries and apprehensions regarding the network’s security and trustworthiness.

At present, the Lightning Network can handle transactions involving just 5,338 BTC, as reported by ‘IML,’ constituting only 0.025% of Bitcoin’s total supply. This significant trend has sparked doubts regarding the network’s resilience and long-term viability. Furthermore, this alarming figure is worsened by a recent 15% reduction in the capacity of the Layer 2 payment protocol over the past approximately three months.

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