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NFL Divisional Spherical: Largest quick query for advancing/eradicated playoff groups | NFL.com
Will all that relaxation be a very good or dangerous factor?
The Chiefs haven’t performed a significant sport since they beat Pittsburgh on Christmas Day to clinch the highest seed within the AFC. Kansas Metropolis sat its most important starters in a season-ending loss to Denver after which relaxed throughout a first-round bye. Basically, by the point Saturday’s Houston-Kansas Metropolis comes round, the Chiefs could have primarily loved 23 days of relaxation. It’s value questioning if all that point off will lead to a sluggish begin in opposition to Texans, however within the infamous phrases of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, that’s simply not how this workforce rolls. For one factor, Kansas Metropolis wanted the bye as a lot as any workforce within the postseason. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed the season with a excessive ankle sprain, All-Professional defensive sort out Chris Jones didn’t even play in opposition to Pittsburgh due to a calf pressure, and there are a number of stars on this workforce over the age of 30 (together with tight finish Travis Kelce, broad receiver DeAndre Hopkins and All-Professional guard Joe Thuney, who’s been enjoying left sort out over the previous month). Kansas Metropolis’s regular-season bye got here in Week 6. You’re rattling proper they beloved not enjoying within the Wild Card Spherical. Simply as necessary to notice is Reid’s document when coming off a bye. It’s 29-3. The person is aware of how one can use that further time to arrange his workforce for no matter challenges the following opponent would possibly create. That doesn’t imply loopy issues can’t occur, because the Chiefs are about to play a rematch in opposition to a Texans workforce that may trigger a variety of issues defensively. It merely means it’s a silly concept to wager in opposition to this workforce not being able to play. Kansas Metropolis has received three Tremendous Bowls in 5 years for a purpose.
Carl Cheffers and All NFL Referee Assignments for 2025 Divisional Spherical Playoffs | Bleacher Report
Within the AFC’s different matchup, the Chiefs will start their title protection in opposition to a Texans workforce that completed the common season simply 10-7 after a 5-1 begin however did look incredible in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers within the Wild Card Spherical. The important thing will likely be whether or not DeMeco Ryans’ protection can pester Patrick Mahomes into a couple of game-altering errors. Historical past would counsel that Mahomes will likely be greater than up for the duty, a lot as he was throughout a 27-19 Week 16 win over the Texans.
The Winners and Losers of NFL Wild-Card Weekend | The Ringer
Ryans doesn’t simply coordinate the protection, although, and his general job efficiency should account for failures elsewhere on the workforce. His dealing with of the offensive teaching workers will likely be value monitoring over the offseason. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who adopted Ryans from San Francisco to Houston, has had two full seasons to construct an offense to match the rising pressure Ryans has constructed on the opposite facet of the ball. It hasn’t occurred, and the Texans offense and quarterback C.J. Stroud, the franchise’s most necessary piece, appear to be heading within the flawed course. Sticking with Slowik for too lengthy may undo the entire spectacular work Ryans has achieved over his first two seasons.
If Houston’s season ends subsequent week in Kansas Metropolis, the offensive points— notably pre-snap penalties and the ineffective run sport—will possible be the explanation. However we shouldn’t make the identical mistake former Jets coach Rex Ryan did final week when he stated the Texans sport could be a “bye week” for the Chargers.
Don’t underestimate the significance of this soccer place | Kansas Metropolis Star
The lengthy snapper. The one who hikes the ball to punters and to holders for further factors and subject targets. Lengthy snappers additionally turn into blockers when the opposing workforce returns the kick after a punt.
It’s a place that requires pace, precision and the flexibility to carry out below strain. An extended snap has to go 15 yards for a punt or about 7 yards for an additional level or a subject purpose. And in a sport the place inches are essential, a defective lengthy snap may end up in a blocked punt or missed subject purpose and imply the distinction between successful and dropping.
“I believe it’s a fairly powerful place,” former New England Patriots legendary coach Invoice Belichick stated when requested about lengthy snappers in a 2021 interview. “You understand, no one is aware of or cares who the snapper is till there’s a nasty snap, and hastily it’s a front-page story.”
The Full Information to the Lengthy Snapper Place on throwdeeppublishing.com describes the lengthy snapper’s function this fashion:
“On further factors and subject targets, their job is to snap it again to the holder within the blink of an eye fixed with pinpoint accuracy — giving the kicker loads of time because the onslaught of the protection seems to get a hand on the kick.”
The snap requires perfection, it says, with minimal room for error.
Conspiracy theorist claims to have cracked the NFL’s secret code: Chiefs will win Tremendous Bowl LIX | Marca
In a latest Instagram video, the content material creator claimed, ”I discovered proof that each Tremendous Bowl in historical past has been predetermined.” He then revealed, ”Even this 12 months’s champion is spoiled” and displayed the logos of the Chiefs, 49ers, Payments, Eagles, Packers, and Jets.
“Keep in mind final 12 months we seen one thing unusual was occurring with Tremendous Bowl brand colours lately?” Mike requested after which defined, ”Certain sufficient, the prophecy got here true with this reddish-purple brand,” referring to the colours of Kansas Metropolis and San Francisco.
He defined that he checked the logos of each Tremendous Bowl and located that ”at the very least one of many groups enjoying in 54 of these Tremendous Bowls had at the very least one workforce with a shade featured in that workforce’s brand.” Based on the Instagrammer, one of many few instances his concept fails is in Tremendous Bowl XVIII, which was received by the Raiders.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Giants move on QB as Shedeur Sanders falls out of high 5; Steelers, Broncos take WRs | CBS Sports activities
Spherical 1 – Choose 31Jared Ivey DEOle Miss • Sr • 6’6” / 285 lbs
Jared Ivey is the form of jumbo defensive finish whom Steve Spagnuolo loves. He can simply cut back down in apparent passing conditions and rush in opposition to guards and facilities. Ivey had an enormous breakout marketing campaign after persistently flashing high-end potential his first 4 seasons.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Newest First Spherical Predictions Coming into Divisional Playoffs | The thirty third Staff
Derrick Harmon, IDL, Oregon
Top: 6’5”Weight: 310 lbs.Class: JuniorFit: Defensive tackles at present below contract in Kansas Metropolis in 2025:
1. Chris Jones
– Finish of checklist
Kansas Metropolis’s defensive prowess is well-established below defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. However the Chiefs could be smart to get some extra disruptive expertise within the pipeline to disrupt opposing offenses — notably with Denver trying to be related as soon as once more and the Chargers constructing off of a return to the playoffs within the AFC West. Harmon is an energetic expertise and has sufficient versatility to venture to a 3-down function on the subsequent degree, however his greatest reps include alternatives to assault the ball. He ought to have loads of alternatives one-on-one on this protection with a participant like Jones lining up subsequent to him.
Across the NFL
Supply – Mike McCarthy received’t return as Cowboys’ coach | ESPN
McCarthy’s contract with the Cowboys expired final Wednesday however the workforce held an unique negotiating window with the coach till Tuesday at midnight. Nonetheless, the perimeters haven’t had any negotiations relating to a brand new deal, sources instructed Schefter on Monday.
The Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints are anticipated to be considering talking with him relating to their vacancies, sources instructed Schefter. Final week, the Bears had an official request for permission to talk with McCarthy denied by the Cowboys.
Vikings-Rams on Wild Card Weekend Monday: What We Discovered from Los Angeles’ 27-9 win | NFL.com
Rams protection dominates Vikings’ high-powered offense. Minnesota entered Monday evening’s sport with the NFL’s sixth-ranked passing offense, ninth-ranked scoring offense and an elite receiving duo in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. They completed with 163 passing yards, 6 for 17 on third down and simply 9 factors. Los Angeles devised a masterful defensive sport plan for his or her rematch with the Vikings, limiting Sam Darnold with man protection (he completed 4 for 12 for 64 yards, one landing and one interception in opposition to man protection) and confounding him with a wide range of pressures generated by their glorious defensive entrance and defensive backs. Eight Rams registered at the very least half a sack on Monday evening, and two of these have been recorded by defensive backs. With the secondary complicating the image for Darnold, Rams rushers have been free to chase down the unsure quarterback, forcing two turnovers within the course of. The second — a fumble pressured by Ahkello Witherspoon and recovered by rookie Professional Bowler Jared Verse, who returned it for a landing — felt like a decisive blow, even when it occurred within the first half. As we finally realized, Minnesota lacked the potential to beat defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s plans, which labored to close perfection and produced an announcement win for the Rams, who added two extra turnovers to their plus-eight margin since their bye week and recorded their tenth win in 13 video games.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pleasure
Chiefs open as favorites over Texans in postseason’s Divisional spherical
On Saturday, the (15-2) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs play the (10-7) Houston Texans of their Divisional spherical playoff matchup on GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Arrowhead Time on ESPN and ABC — domestically on KMBC/9.
Based on FanDuel Sportsbook, the first-seeded Chiefs are 7.5-point residence favorites over the fourth-seeded Texans.
The 2 groups will likely be simply 4 weeks out from their Week 16 matchup, during which the (13-1) Kansas Metropolis squad opened as a 2.5 residence underdog to the (9-5) Houston workforce. The Chiefs received that sport 27-19. Within the Week 18 matchup in opposition to the Denver Broncos, Kansas Metropolis opened as an 8.5-point underdog. Resting its starters within the common season’s remaining sport, the workforce recorded a 38-0 loss.
In Saturday’s matchup, I just like the Single-Recreation Parlay the place the Chiefs cowl 9.5 factors, Travis Kelce collects at the very least one 20-yard reception and scores a landing. FanDuel at present has that SGP at +697.
Social media to make you suppose
I used to be rewatching a little bit of the 2000 NFC title sport the place Giants stadium simply exploded whereas they destroyed the Vikings and I bought to thiniking: What’s the loudest crowd for a sport in trendy NFL historical past? Say 2000 and onward.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 13, 2025
Chiefs titans Afc Champ Recreation after Sammy watkins TD
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 13, 2025