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Chiefs Should ‘Cease Seeking to Regain Magic’ on Offense | Final Phrase on Sports activities
“There’s undoubtedly a bit crimson alert. The Chiefs acquired to come back to the conclusion of who they’re: they’re a defensive soccer staff proper now,” stated NBC Sports activities’ Chris Simms on December 26. “Cease trying to regain some magic from the 2017 or 2018 staff – or 2019. None of that’s occurring. The league has caught on to this offense.”
What’s fallacious with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs? Inspecting the staff’s points after beautiful loss to Raiders | CBS Sports activities
Errors
Many instances, notably with good and nice groups, struggles merely stem from expensive errors. Whereas I’ve outlined how and why blame deserves to be unfold round, the errors for Kansas Metropolis this season have are available some huge, game-altering moments, just like the MVS drop in the long run zone towards the Eagles, and naturally Toney’s offsides penalty towards the Payments.
The Chiefs at the moment have the league’s worst turnover differential at -10. It was -3 on the finish of the 2022 common season.
What isn’t so easy to discern is whether or not or not expensive errors — turnovers and penalties — are genuinely a attribute of a staff or simply fluke performs occuring at inopportune instances.
If it’s the previous, that’s an enormous, lurking difficulty. If it’s the latter, there’s mild on the finish of the tunnel.
Chiefs’ Travis Kelce says staff’s hunch is just not attributable to a person: ‘It’s everyone on the staff’| The Athletic
“It’s not only one man,” Kelce stated on his “New Heights” podcast together with his brother Jason. “It’s not simply me enjoying like canine s—. It’s not simply us not with the ability to get the run sport going. It’s not simply us not being on the identical web page, passing-wise. Everyone’s on this f—ing factor collectively. Everyone sooner or later isn’t being accountable.”
The 2-time Tremendous Bowl champion was visibly pissed off on the sideline throughout the second quarter of the Chiefs’ 20-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day. Following a third-down incompletion, Kelce used his proper hand to slam his helmet.
49ers nonetheless NFC’s staff to beat? Chiefs damaged? Payments poised to leapfrog Dolphins? Scorching takes on scorching matters! | NFL.com
4) Chiefs should not a Tremendous Bowl staff
Talking of dangerous vibes, Kansas Metropolis’s all of the sudden churning ‘em out at a prolific price. Possibly essentially the most telling image of my insecurity on this 9-6 staff proper now: I by no means — not for one second on Monday — thought the Chiefs would erase a second-half deficit and beat the Raiders. It was Patrick Mahomes (the reigning MVP) and the Chiefs (the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions) enjoying a division rival at Arrowhead Stadium (one of many league’s most hostile venues for away groups), and but … As soon as Las Vegas went into the half with a two-score lead, the sport felt over. And it was. How far the mighty have fallen.
Andy Reid’s offense stays caught within the mud, with the Chiefs rating exterior of the highest 10 in scoring. Mahomes can’t constantly discover his receivers, and when he does, they drop the ball at an alarming price. It’s wild to see, and the frustration is clearly rising on the Kansas Metropolis sideline.
Mahomes overcame the lack of Tyreek Hill in as spectacular a fashion as doable — incomes his second Tremendous Bowl ring — however now it feels just like the chickens are coming house to roost.
Prisco’s Week 17 NFL picks: Ravens edge Dolphins in sport of the week; surging Buccaneers win fifth in a row | CBS Sports activities
Cincinnati Bengals (+7) at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
The Chiefs have points on offense, which they need to get fastened within the subsequent two weeks earlier than the playoffs. The Bengals are nonetheless alive, however barely. The Cincinnati protection had points with Mason Rudolph at instances final week, so perhaps this shall be a sport to get Patrick Mahomes going. I feel the Chiefs win, however the Bengals hold it shut.
Decide: Chiefs 26, Bengals 23
Finalists for Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame Class of 2024 revealed | NFL.com
The 2024 modern-era participant finalists with their positions, years and groups, as introduced on NFL Community:
Eric Allen, DB — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-1997 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
Jared Allen, DE – 2004-2007 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-2015 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
Willie Anderson, OT — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
Jahri Evans, OL — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Inexperienced Bay Packers
Dwight Freeney, DE — 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Detroit Lions, 2017 Seattle Seahawks
Antonio Gates, TE — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
Rodney Harrison, DB — 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-2008 New England Patriots
Across the NFL
Packers droop CB Jaire Alexander one sport following coin toss incident | NFL.com
“The choice to droop a participant isn’t straightforward and never one we take calmly. Sadly, Jaire’s actions previous to the sport in Carolina led us to take this step,” common supervisor Brian Gutekunst stated in an announcement. “As a corporation, we’ve an expectation that everybody places the staff first. Whereas we’re disenchanted, we had a very good dialog with Jaire this morning and absolutely anticipate him to study from this as we transfer ahead collectively. We sit up for welcoming him again subsequent week as he’s a valued member of this staff and can proceed to be sooner or later.”
The North Carolina native wasn’t introduced as a sport captain however crashed the pregame coin toss on Sunday and practically price the Packers a possession. After calling tails and profitable the flip, Alexander stated the Packers wished to be on protection. Referee Alex Kemp made Alexander make clear his which means that the Packers selected to defer. Had the clarification not occurred, Carolina might have acquired the ball to begin each halves.
Broncos to bench Russell Wilson, will begin Jarrett Stidham | ESPN
The Denver Broncos, going through a looming resolution about Russell Wilson’s future with the group, have benched the nine-time Professional Bowl quarterback for Sunday’s sport towards the Los Angeles Chargers.
Broncos coach Sean Payton knowledgeable the staff Wednesday morning that Jarrett Stidham will begin Sunday with Wilson serving because the backup.
“I perceive all of the hypothesis and all the pieces that surrounds a transfer like that,” Payton stated. “I can let you know — look, we’re desperately making an attempt to win.”
The quarterback change helps enhance the Broncos’ monetary flexibility this upcoming offseason, as Wilson will make an extra $37 million in assured cash if he can’t move a bodily by early March. An harm to Wilson in both of Denver’s final two video games of the season might set off that assure.
Steelers add former Professional Bowl linebacker amid last-gasp push to succeed in NFL playoffs | CBS Sports activities
Smith, 28, who’s finest recognized for a six-year run with the Cowboys, is predicted to start on Pittsburgh’s observe squad, in response to CBS Sports activities HQ Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson. He’ll be eligible for game-day promotions in every of the Steelers’ remaining two common season video games — Week 17 on the Seahawks, and Week 18 on the Ravens — in addition to any potential postseason video games.
The Steelers have been out there for LB assist for weeks, with veteran starters Kwon Alexander and Cole Holcomb each on injured reserve. Starter Elandon Roberts can also be battling an harm of his personal, with journeyman Blake Martinez subsequently pressed into the lineup. And that’s not accounting for accidents at different ranges of the protection, together with to star security Minkah Fitzpatrick.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Satisfaction
Chiefs Raiders Week 16: Patrick Mahomes embraces self-criticism in loss
Mahomes was concerned in each disastrous giveaways. Someway, he was on the receiving finish of a botched handoff — and on his subsequent play, threw the interception that flipped the sport on its head.
Whereas they have been the largest, they have been simply two of many miscues on Monday. The quarterback wore the blame on Wednesday.
“You need to be important with your self,” proclaimed Mahomes in his press convention. “You need to be true to what’s on the movie — and what’s occurring. Lots of people would make excuses. That’s why they don’t take that subsequent step or turn out to be higher due to it. Whenever you have a look at the movie — and also you made numerous errors that you could’t make on this league if you wish to have success — it’s important to study from them and get higher from them.
“When you have a look at it and attempt to make an excuse for why one thing occurred — or it’s not your fault as a result of this [thing] occurred — that’s when stuff snowballs. When you have a look at the movie and say, ‘I’ve to be higher right here. I’ve to get higher footwork. I’ve to work the pocket higher and get the ball out of my fingers after I have to,’ then you definitely might be higher the following week.”
