Dolphins rout Broncos 70-20, scoring the most points by an NFL team in a game since 1966
The Miami Dolphins scored the most points in a game by an NFL team since 1966, overwhelming the Denver Broncos 70-20 behind rookie speedster DeโVon Achaneโs 203 yards rushing and Tua Tagovailoaโs no-look shovel-pass TD.
Mostert runs for 2 TDs, Tagovailoa throws for another as Dolphins hold off Patriots 24-17
Raheem Mostert had a pair of TD runs, including a 43-yard romp in the fourth quarter, and Tua Tagovailoa added a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill to help the Miami Dolphins hold off the New England Patriots 24-17.
Chiefs say new Commanders coordinator Eric Bieniemy's intense style will pay off eventually
Many of the Kansas City Chiefs have rushed to the defense of their former offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, after word came out that some of the Washington Commanders were concerned about the intensity he has brought to their team.
Defending Super Bowl champion Rams open season as underdogs
Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams will raise their Super Bowl banner Thursday night before kicking off the NFL season at home where they became the second straight team to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy in their own stadium.
Mahomes leads Chiefs to 42-21 wild-card romp over Steelers
Patrick Mahomes threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns, Travis Kelce caught a TD pass and threw another one, and the Chiefs sent Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into his expected retirement with a 42-21 win in the wild-card round of the playoffs Sunday night.
Chiefs take playoff experience into Sunday night vs Steelers
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, Tyreek Hill was a wide-eyed rookie wide receiver, Chris Jones was learning the ropes at defensive tackle and Travis Kelce was just becoming one of the NFL's best tight ends.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/T4JD5IP3UBBK7G536P2RWJIZDQ.jpg)
Chiefs head into offseason with core intact, plenty of holes
Now, the Chiefs will have to take a much different tact if they want to make their third consecutive Super Bowl. While their core group is signed for the next several years, the Chiefs have a raft of important contributors that are due to hit free agency. AdโLike all teams, we'll get busy here going down the road,โ Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday. โEvery year is different because of your cap situation and what you have and what you need,โ Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said. WELCOME BACKThe Chiefs should get some help from guys that were injured or opted out of this past season.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6O23TWRLUBHYPP6NUGS666XV3Y.jpg)
Buccaneers defense rises to occasion again in Super Bowl win
Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Devin White (45) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrel Williams, right, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)TAMPA, Fla. โ Tampa Bayโs defense finished its redemption tour with a Super Bowl championship. Brees and the Saints beat Tampa Bay twice during the regular season. By taking down Mahomes in the Super Bowl, the Bucs (15-5) avenged three of their five losses. He also took exception with Tampa Bay having only one Pro Bowl selection on its roster, linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul. โOne Pro Bowl player and the team goes on to win the Super Bowl?
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AZMWFXIDRJD5NMNKP5ENP7MJ4M.jpg)
3rd down struggles doom Mahomes, Chiefs in Super Bowl
The lack of them doomed Kansas City in the Super Bowl when Mahomes didnโt complete a single third-down pass until late in the fourth quarter of a 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night. The Chiefs came into the game having converted 49.5% of their third-down tries this season for the second-best mark in the NFL. AdTwo drives later, the usually reliable Travis Kelce dropped a third-down pass, leading to the Chiefs' third punt in the first four drives. It was tough sledding from there.โMahomes had to throw a ball away on a third down late in the first half that set up a second field goal. AdโThose are the two most important parts of the field,โ Mahomes said about third downs and the red zone.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FN246YFBNJFGBPXRLNJ3ZZJWUI.jpg)
Brady vs. Mahomes offers Super Bowl of contrasting styles
In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady speak during Opening Night for the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. โ Tom Brady is the quintessential pocket passer, standing tall behind his offensive line and slinging the ball all over the place. Two very different styles from two of the game's very best quarterbacks, each on display Sunday when Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face Mahomes and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. โThis is going to be one of the great matchups in sports history,โ said CBS Sports analyst and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo, who will help to call the game. I just want to win no matter how it happens.โBrady and Mahomes may be similar in that respect, but the 24-year-old Chiefs quarterback takes a different approach to it.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/K4Z4GFQ3BBFBTK4NPQHBZBISPE.jpg)
Brady, improved defense keys to Bucs winning Super Bowl
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady during NFL football practice, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. (Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers via AP)TAMPA, Fla. โ Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wonโt be denied. The 43-year-old six-time Super Bowl champion may no longer be the best quarterback in the NFL, however, heโs shown in his first season with the Bucs that heโs still good enough to lead a team to the NFL title game. You want to make some moves that hopefully get your team into the Super Bowl.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CZRYXNLRXJE7PFQKBMO5HFO7XU.jpg)
From players to pedigree, Chiefs edge on Bucs in all aspects
Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) look on during NFL football practice Wednesday February 2, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55. (Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)KANSAS CITY, Mo. Based on offense alone, the Kansas City Chiefs are head and shoulders better than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If we stay in that mindset, we give ourselves a chance to win any big game.โNone is bigger than the Super Bowl.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JJWKNT46HRGYZFPOIXQR6UGCUE.jpg)
Reid, Arians bring stellar offensive systems to Super Bowl
In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians speak during Super Bowl 55 Opening Night, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. Reid and Arians have consistently run prolific offenses that have helped the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers reach the Super Bowl. But Reid and Arians reached title game because both coaches have also shown the ability to adapt. Reid has gradually used more shotgun and spread formations over the years, helping Patrick Mahomes develop into the gameโs top QB. Tampa Bay ranked 17th with 1,874 yards after the catch.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NAPAAPFSTVASTCI2KGPD2E3S7E.jpg)
Young Bucs secondary braces for another dose of Tyreek Hill
(AP Photo/Mike Roemer)TAMPA, Fla. โ Like most NFL cornerbacks, Carlton Davis plays with a short-term memory but never forgets a bad performance. The third-year pro and the rest of Tampa Bayโs young secondary was dominated by Tyreek Hill during the regular season and are eager to redeem themselves against the speedy Kansas City Chiefs receiver in the Super Bowl. Hill had 13 receptions for 269 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-24 victory over the Bucs on Nov. 29. โI play defensive back in the NFL, so youโre going to have your share of losses. Iโm going to continue to be a dog and go out there and give it my all,โ Davis said.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KG3HMWJQDJDXNNLGGQVJOVY4JQ.jpg)
Check downs? More like checkmate as Chiefs take what's given
Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) between drills during NFL football practice Wednesday February 2, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)KANSAS CITY, Mo. โ The casual football fan is likely to describe the Kansas City Chiefs offense this way: a go-for-broke, throw-it-deep highlight reel built around a quarterback with record-setting arm strength and wide receivers boasting Olympic-caliber speed. Some might call all those dink-and-dunk throws โcheck downs.โAdGiven the Chiefs are playing for a second straight Super Bowl tile Sunday? AdโThat starts with Pat getting the ball out of his hand and allowing us to get upfield and make those moves,โ Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins said.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/GTQKMGLBBBAOXC7DVYW7JOPHEQ.jpg)
Star-studded Chiefs rely heavily on late-round gems, too
โ It was an easy decision for Daniel Sorensen to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. No fewer than 22 players drafted in the third round or later โ or not all โ are on the Chiefs roster as they finish their prep work for the Super Bowl. The Chiefs have won consistently for the better part of a decade, with a roster dotted by more stars than there are in the nighttime sky. When injuries popped up on the offensive line, the Chiefs plugged a big hole with Nick Allegretti, a seventh-round pick in 2019. โWhen they're looking for guys to add to our roster,โ Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck said, โthey're looking for guys that love football, love to compete.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VCYF6U2L6ZEVNLOS3XZTBU75JA.jpg)
After shaky start, Chiefs' Hill matures into All-Pro star
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs up field after catching a pass during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. โ Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill will be the first to tell you that he almost threw away his football career. AdNow, after two big performances in the postseason, Hill has a chance to help the Chiefs defend their title. When it became clear his future was on the outside, Hill dedicated himself to being the best wide receiver he could be. He's spent countless hours with personal trainer Luther Glover at his sports performance facility in suburban Kansas City.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NDPSJVMCUNC4XBZT5MRX6AYZFM.jpg)
Brady, Mahomes prepare for 5th matchup after splitting 1st 4
(AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)There was a regular-season shootout and a playoff masterpiece the first season that Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady met on a football field. Brady came out ahead in those two meetings, but Mahomes has gotten the edge the past two times they met. Mahomes added a 20-yard TD pass to Hill in the third quarter to make it a 17-point game. Mahomes threw for 462 yards and three TDs, with Hill leading the way with 13 catches for 269 yards. Mahomes injured his hand on the second drive of the game yet finished with 283 yards passing and a TD.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SAWIGUWXSJHTBBU5374QMUVQEM.jpg)
Super rematch: Hill burned Bucs repeatedly in 1st meeting
Tampa Bay gets another shot at Hill and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. It was the second and most impressive of three scores for Hill, who was the star of Kansas Cityโs 27-24 victory at Tampa Bay in Week 12. Tampa Bay gets another shot at Hill and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl next Sunday, the first rematch in the NFL finale in nearly a decade. Davis was burned repeatedly, including on consecutive TD passes from Patrick Mahomes to Hill (75 and 44 yards) in the first quarter. Down three with 4:10 to play, Tampa turned to its defense to get a stop and get Brady the ball back.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FA6L5BYNJBDHXGW3T5GRBM6QUI.jpg)
More interviews didnโt equal more minority hirings in NFL
(AP Photo)The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach and reward teams who develop them. The Houston Texans hired David Culley this week, making the 65-year-old longtime assistant the leagueโs third Black head coach hired. Culley and Saleh join Pittsburghโs Mike Tomlin, Miamiโs Brian Flores and Washingtonโs Ron Rivera as the leagueโs only minority head coaches. โWe didnโt make as much progress on the head coaching side as we would have liked,โ Rooney said. AdPerhaps an increase in minority executives will lead to more minority head coaches.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MYEMJSDA45FBVDZG7LLQC4EVJQ.jpg)
Chiefs' Bieniemy misses out on head coach job once again
โ Tyreek Hill was thrilled to hear that his first wide receivers coach, David Culley, was going to be an NFL head coach. After interviewing for six openings, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy ultimately was passed over during the annual coaching carousel. That became official when the Houston Texans hired Culley, the long-time Andy Reid assistant who had been the assistant head coach in Baltimore. โI mean, I'm not a GM or anything but I will say, Coach Bieniemy has helped me a lot,โ Hill said Thursday, after the Chiefs finished their first real practice for the Super Bowl. He wants to be a head coach.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YIR5VAXV6BFW7LPOD5ZSN4P2HE.jpg)
Old (Brady), young (Mahomes), different Super Bowl 55 awaits
(AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)For Tom Brady, another trip to the Super Bowl โ but this time, in a Tampa Bay uniform. โWhoever would've thought a home Super Bowl for us? It gave New England its third straight trip to the Super Bowl, and Brady's last of nine as a member of the Patriots. He's leading the Buccaneers to only their second Super Bowl; the Bucs won on their first trip, back in 2002. But nobody would mistake Johnson for Brady, who could join Peyton Manning as the only other quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two franchises.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3A4KZZMETRETFBCL4Y2LS5P3EE.jpg)
Reigning champion Chiefs dump Bills 38-24 in AFC title game
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. โ It took the Kansas City Chiefs five frustrating decades to make their third Super Bowl appearance. Thatโs not how youโre supposed to play football.โIt capped a bitter night for the Bills, who had reached their first AFC title game since beating Kansas City at home on Jan. 1, 1994. You don't beat Kansas City by kicking field goals from the 3-yard line, though. Heโs fast.โAny hopes the Bills had of a comeback were dashed when Rashad Fenton picked off a tipped pass deep in Kansas City territory.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ANIA4ATRQZGU5GCJOHHFMH5K5U.jpg)
Big offenses, overlooked defenses in AFC title game
The Kansas City Chiefs won their first NFL title since 1970 when they beat San Francisco in last year's Super Bowl. What we get Sunday is a matchup of dynamic offenses and overlooked defenses, the top two teams in the conference. Kansas City (15-2) has the confidence of a reigning champion and a charisma few NFL teams can match. That could provide an edge over Bills rookie Tyler Bass โ except that Bass has been very reliable all season. Buffalo punter Corey Bojorquez and Kansas City rookie Johnny Townsend were two of the most dependable in the AFC.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/J7OZMAYHWRDGBLESF2GYM4VQ2M.jpg)
Chiefs' Reid, Bills' McDermott to match wits for AFC title
Funny thing: Even after firing him, Reid suspected deep down that McDermott was destined for big things. McDermott has the long-suffering Buffalo Bills playing in their first AFC championship game since beating Kansas City on Jan. 23, 1994, when they advanced to their fourth straight Super Bowl. They love football in Buffalo and he's really done a nice job with that whole program.โNot surprisingly, the job McDermott has done with the Bills neatly parallels the job Reid has done in Kansas City. Both have surrounded them with playmakers, such as the Bills' Stefon Diggs and the Chiefs' Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. McDermott never harbored any animosity toward Reid when he was fired from the Eagles on Jan. 15, 2011.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DIBOND73SVEPBNQWICCETITINM.jpg)
#HenneThingIsPossible as Chiefs look toward AFC title game
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne celebrates after a run during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. โ The 35-year-old journeyman quarterback that made the two plucky plays in the final minutes of regulation that helped get the Kansas City Chiefs into the AFC championship game was fortunate to even be on the team. โIt was almost a flip of the coin,โ Chiefs coach Andy Reid said this week. And three years later, he had the opportunity to reward the Chiefs for their faith in him. Mahomes got the Chiefs fans everywhere tweeting โHenneThingIsPossible.โโI talk to Chad basically every morning, I think.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/G2HFMOJH4RCKZLWXBBP63HPFXQ.jpg)
Analysis: Backup QBs saw plenty of action in NFL playoffs
Jameis Winston threw a 56-yard trick-play touchdown pass to TreโQuan Smith on his first playoff action after 76 regular-season games over six seasons. In his 72nd NFL game, Henne atoned for an end zone interception with two huge plays to allow the Chiefs to escape with a 22-17 win over the Browns. Rodgers and Tom Brady, making his 14th conference championship appearance in 21 seasons, square off next week at Lambeau Field. If this was it, Brees went out with a whimper: 134 yards passing and three interceptions in the worst playoff game of his career. The Chiefs forced a punt and Henne got the ball back with just over four minutes left.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZJM6FDB375CBPNFKJHXOINNVUA.jpg)
Brady vs Rodgers, possibly Mahomes vs. Allen in title games
Tom Brady will take on Aaron Rodgers in a matchup of quarterback legends in the NFC title game. Brady threw two TD passes and relied on his defense to make it to his 14th conference title game and first since joining Tampa Bay (13-5) in the offseason. SATURDAYโS GAMESPackers 32, Rams 18Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and also ran for a score as the top-seeded Green Bay Packers beat the Los Angeles Rams 32-18. The win sends Rodgers to his fifth NFC title game as starting quarterback and the first at home since taking over from Brett Favre in 2008. Rodgers threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams and a game-clinching 58-yarder to Allen Lazard with 6:52 left for Green Bay (14-3).
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WY3ZCH46A5GCFOMZNA4RZHUCMY.jpg)
Browns' comeback comes up short, fall to Chiefs in playoffs
(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)Just like so many painful playoff losses in their past, the Browns came up achingly short โ inches from a game-swinging play, inches from a last chance. After trailing 19-3, the Browns (12-6) fought back and were in position to maybe end the Super Bowl champions' one-year reign. "There is a finality to this one when you do not get it done in the playoffs, and that really hurts. However, Kansas City's defense dug in and forced the Browns to punt with 4:19 left. As they watched on the sideline, Mayfield and his offensive teammates felt that with one last chance, the Chiefs were finished.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XCSBJUGLLNB7BBYG7KXU7AYGPA.jpg)
Gutsy or insane? Depends on the outcome of tough calls
โMy coaches were on board, they all did a great job with the spot, with the calls, everything โ they were spot-on. It was a great job.โThat play is part of a pick-6 of great jobs โ and great flops โ with gutsy calls. PHILLY SPECIALThe Eagles led New England by three points approaching halftime in the Super Bowl for the 2017 season. Philadelphia went on to win its first Super Bowl. The Packers then won their second Super Bowl.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TSDC4NPTMBBU7GFLCGIO5WQ5FE.jpg)
Chiefs advance to 3rd straight AFC title game at home
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)The AFC title game is returning to a familiar place in Kansas City. The question all week will be whether Patrick Mahomes will be able to play quarterback for the Chiefs. Coach Andy Reidโs gutsy call helped make sure the Chiefs would become the first team to host the AFC championship game for the third straight year. New Orleans (13-4) is hosting Tampa Bay (12-5) later Sunday for the right to visit Green Bay in the NFC title game next week. The win sends Rodgers to his fifth NFC title game as starting quarterback and the first at home since taking over from Brett Favre in 2008.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ULMUETLZEBDMTCBZTXR4TF3XCM.jpg)
After losing Mahomes, Chiefs and Henne hold off Browns 22-17
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne celebrates after a run during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. โ The Kansas City Chiefs had lost Patrick Mahomes to a concussion and were in danger of losing the game. With their star quarterback reduced to a spectator, the oft-forgotten bunch opposite Mahomes' high-powered offense forced the Browns to punt in the waning minutes. After the teams swapped field goals, with Butker breaking the Chiefs playoff record with a 50-yarder into the wind, the Browns marched for what could have been a momentum-swinging score heading into halftime. First, the Browns held the Chiefs when Mayfield threw an interception and Butker missed a field goal.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JHJUMUE2IJFRBKXQK5VNMC4DVY.jpg)
Top cornerbacks standing out on NFL's Super Bowl hopefuls
Nearly every team still vying for the Super Bowl has an elite cornerback often capable of shutting down an opponent's top receiver all by himself. The NFC playoff bracket has three of the conference's four Pro Bowl cornerbacks: Green Bay's Jaire Alexander, Los Angeles' Jalen Ramsey and New Orleans' Marshon Lattimore. Staley's scheme has employed Ramsey in multiple roles throughout the season, and his job often changes from play to play. Oddly enough, the remaining playoff team perceived to have the least dominant cornerbacks is defending champion Kansas City, the favorite to make it back to the Super Bowl. โSome of the best cornerbacks happen to play on the best teams, thatโs all I can say,โ Bills safety Micah Hyde said.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KHK5GPC7SZBCLCZVIA7MSJEYJA.jpg)
Similarities abound for Browns, Chiefs in first playoff game
Then consider the quarterbacks: The Browns' Baker Mayfield hosted the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes during a visit to Texas Tech, before he transferred to Oklahoma. Browns running back Kareem Hunt got his start in Kansas City before off-field issues led to his release. Kansas City has won five straight AFC West titles and still has the tailwind of winning its first Lombardi Trophy in five decades. Very young team,โ Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill said. We have to play this game like any other game, come out and play hard and be the Chiefs."
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WC34RYYMYJF7JHDMVJW42WOYEU.jpg)
Donald, Kelce unanimous AP All-Pros; Rodgers, Henry chosen
(AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)Dynamic defensive star Aaron Donald and unstoppable tight end Travis Kelce were unanimous choices Friday for The Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team. Donald, who has helped the Los Angeles Rams to the top-ranked defense in the NFL, earned his sixth All-Pro selection. โI think the best display of greatness is making people around you better,โ Rams coach Sean McVay said of Donald. Joining Donald and Kelce were 15 players returning to the squad, and 14 newcomers. Rounding out the offense were Cleveland right tackle Jack Conklin (second selection), and Washington right guard Brandon Scherff (first).