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Ja’Marr Chase retains up Chiefs barbs throughout, after Bengals loss | ESPN
Throughout and after Cincinnati’s 25-17 loss to the Chiefs that eradicated the Bengals from playoff rivalry, Chase continued to ship barbs aimed on the Kansas Metropolis protection.
Within the second quarter, Chase was whistled for pointless roughness after he and Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed engaged in a shoving match after a play.
Then after the sport, Chase took credit score for sparking the battle with Cincinnati’s AFC rival.
“I began it off,” Chase stated. “Their entire protection was mad at me. It began in the beginning of the sport. You’ve seen it. Everyone’s seen it. That’s simply what I love to do.”
Mentioned Chase of his battle with Sneed: “I simply be underneath folks’s pores and skin generally. Motherf—er gained’t struggle me.”
Chase completed the sport with 3 catches for 41 yards. In response to NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, he was lined up towards Sneed for 61.8% of his routes.
NFL Week 17 Takeaways: 49ers Moved on Rapidly From Ravens Loss | Sports activities Illustrated
If the Chiefs have proven us something, it’s that their method must be totally different this yr. That a lot, to me, was apparent in how they closed out the Joe Burrow–much less Bengals, and an eighth-straight AFC West title, Sunday.
The ultimate was Kansas Metropolis 25, Cincinnati 17.
Nearer inspection of the sport tells a extra vivid story of the place the Bengals are.
The Chiefs went into the half down 17–13, and so they scored 4 instances after the break. All 4 instances, it was Harrison Butker kicking a subject objective. There have been massive performs on these drives (67- and 24-yard connections from Patrick Mahomes to Rashee Rice, and a 41-yarder to Justin Watson), however two of these drives slowed down inside the ten and the opposite two required lengthy kicks from Butker.
In the meantime, the protection pitched a shutout over the sport’s last 36 minutes. And on the Bengals’ last possession, with Cincinnati making an attempt to return again, down 25–17, Steve Spagnuolo’s group posted 4 sacks. The primary two got here courtesy of a blitzing Justin Reid, and necessitated a fourth-and-18 conversion from Jake Browning to maintain the Bengals alive. The final two got here on consecutive performs from George Karlaftis and Chris Jones, pressured the Bengals to burn their final two instances, and set the Chiefs as much as shut out Cincinnati on third-and-27 and fourth-and-27.
So right here’s the factor: It’s been 16 video games. At this level, it looks as if we all know what the Chiefs have. On offense, with an ageing, diminished Travis Kelce, it’s a bunch with some skill-position steadiness, however no actual No. 1 weapon, which leaves loads on Mahomes’s shoulders to make it work (one purpose why Andy Reid leaned on the run recreation Sunday). On protection, they’ve maybe probably the most gifted group Reid has fielded in his 11 seasons in cost.
With the playoffs coming, it’s time to lean into that. And if Sunday is any indication, and you’ll examine Isiah Pacheco’s numbers to confirm this (130 yards on 18 carries), that will already be taking place.
NFL Week 17 grades: Steelers obtain ‘A’ as offense explodes once more; Eagles get ‘F’ for stunning loss to Playing cards | CBS Sports activities
B – Chiefs
The Chiefs offense may not be firing on all cylinders simply but, but when this crew proved one factor Sunday, it’s that they will win video games with their protection and particular groups (Harrison Butker kicked six subject objectives). The Chiefs’ pass-rush completely terrorized Jake Browning with six sacks, together with two by Justin Reid. The secondary clamped down on Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who mixed for simply 60 yards, together with solely 17 within the second half. The offense nonetheless doesn’t look good, however Andy Reid might be thrilled with what he noticed on this recreation. Isiah Pacheco introduced the speeding assault alive with 130 yards on 18 carries. And Patrick Mahomes appears to have a brand new favourite receiver in Rashee Rice, who caught 5 passes for 127 yards. The Chiefs have struggled at instances this yr, however the backside line is that they’re now within the playoffs, and this crew is at all times harmful within the postseason.
NFL Inventory Watch: Ravens clearly league’s prime crew; Rams appear like playoff menace | FOX Sports activities
Playoff-clinching groups
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs gained their eighth straight AFC West title after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The Chiefs protection allowed 17 first-half factors, together with seven on a brief subject after a Patrick Mahomes turnover. However their protection didn’t enable one other level the remainder of the sport. It’s a Tremendous Bowl-caliber protection. The query, and one thing we haven’t frightened about within the Patrick Mahomes period, is how the offense will play within the postseason. The offense was higher Sunday, minus just a few drops. Mahomes appeared extra in rhythm and so they moved the ball nicely. The Chiefs settled for extra subject objectives than they’d like. however 25 offensive factors is greater than they’ve scored in a bit.
NFL Rumors: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs ‘Whittled Down’ Playbook Forward of Bengals Sport | Bleacher Report
In response to NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, head coach Andy Reid “whittled down” his playbook, which means there shall be fewer performs and personnel packages, and sure fewer gamers closely concerned within the offense.
Famous person quarterback Patrick Mahomes has struggled to seek out dependable choices within the passing recreation this season outdoors of tight finish Travis Kelce and rookie extensive receiver Rashee Rice, and an offensive consolidation might imply much more targets going their approach Sunday.
Per Rapoport and Pelissero, the Chiefs additionally intend on spending much less time making offensive substitutions, which ought to enable them to function at a quicker tempo.
NFL takeaways: Week 17 provides perception into playoff eventualities | USA In the present day
15. How ‘bout them … Chiefs. Their string of divisional titles underneath HC Andy Reid reached eight Sunday, the second-longest run in NFL historical past behind the New England Patriots (2009-19).
16. Although the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, Tremendous Bowl individuals final season, definitely aren’t enjoying like they need to attain Las Vegas in February.
Across the NFL
Nick Sirianni says Eagles must ‘get issues mounted … quick’ | ESPN
“We now have to get issues mounted,” he stated, “and now we have to get them mounted quick.”
A brutal 35-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday delivered a significant blow to their probabilities of claiming one of many prime seeds for the NFC playoffs. The Eagles had the best closing schedule in soccer, in line with ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index, and simply wanted wins over the Cardinals (4-12) and New York Giants (5-11) to safe an NFC East title for a second consecutive yr.
Now it’s the Dallas Cowboys within the driver’s seat, needing only a win over the Washington Commanders in Week 18 to clinch the NFC East and sure put Philadelphia on the highway at some stage in the playoffs.
“That’s cool. No matter we’ve received to do. It’s a place we put ourselves in,” Eagles defensive finish Brandon Graham stated. “Keep collectively. On the finish of the day, that’s what it’s all about.”
Rams clinch playoff spot following Seahawks’ loss to Steelers | NFL.com
As soon as an afterthought within the playoff method, sitting at 3-6 after 9 weeks, the Rams have remodeled since their Week 10 bye right into a crew that ought to strike concern into any contender.
Matthew Stafford has been resurgent, a return to kind sparked by Cooper Kupp’s availability after lacking the primary month of the season and fifth-round rookie Puka Nacua’s meteoric rise. Kyren Williams has delivered Los Angeles its first 1,000-yard rusher since 2018, and seven-time All-Professional Aaron Donald has introduced alongside a protection that was shedding wage forward of the season.
This marks the crew’s fifth playoff journey in seven years underneath Sean McVay.
The place Do Ravens Rank Amongst NFL’s Finest Groups in Latest Reminiscence? | The thirty third Crew
Of these 10 No. 1 seeds, the one one that’s near having the identical scoring offense and scoring protection of the 2023 Ravens is the 2019 Ravens. Baltimore went 14-2 that season, averaging a whopping 33.2 PPG. Their protection was excellent, giving up simply 17.6 factors per recreation. They outscored their opponents by 249 factors, which was a franchise file (by practically 100 factors).
Nonetheless, the 2023 crew is best for a number of causes. Jackson is simply a way more well-rounded quarterback. He understands the sport higher and Baltimore has designed an offense underneath Todd Monken that may be profitable within the common season AND the postseason.
However don’t dismiss the protection. Baltimore has constructed a protection that may cease the highest-scoring offenses within the league.
The Ravens have confronted three of the highest 4 offenses within the NFL this season (not together with themselves) and have shut down all three opponents (49ers, Lions, Dolphins). In these three video games, they’ve outscored their opponents 127-44. Beneath Mike McDonald, they’ve a quick, athletic protection that may match up towards any model of offense.
Panthers proprietor David Tepper seems to toss drink at followers | ESPN
Carolina Panthers proprietor David Tepper was caught on video throughout Sunday’s 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars apparently throwing a drink within the course of Jaguars followers from his open-air suite at EverBank Stadium.
The video was posted on social media Sunday.
The incident appeared to occur with about three minutes to play after an interception by quarterback Bryce Younger, who was so pissed off after a sack early within the recreation that he threw a pill on the sideline.
A Panthers spokesperson declined to remark. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy stated the league is “conscious of the video” and has “no additional remark at the moment.”
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Satisfaction
Chiefs Information: Chris Jones mentioned beating Bengals in Week 17
Even with out beginning quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals have been placing up a struggle within the AFC playoff race. The Chiefs’ protection surrendered scores on the Bengals’ first three drives, permitting 17 factors by halfway via the second quarter.
However then the unit started swarming Cincinnati quarterback Jake Browning, pairing up with lockdown protection to carry the Bengals to no additional factors — and simply 159 internet passing yards.
“Kudos to Sneed,” declared Jones. “Each prime receiver we’ve performed towards, Sneed has held his personal.”
Then Jones realized he didn’t even know precisely what number of yards Chase had gained. Informed that the Bengals’ star had recorded simply 41 yards towards the Chiefs, Jones smiled.
“Precisely,” he stated.
