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The latest
What we learned from the 2019 Pro Bowl | NFL
Patrick Mahomes knows we’re marveling at what he’s doing on a weekly basis. The AFC starter moved the team down the field with ease on its opening drive and went for more social media traffic by attempting a no-look pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster. The pass glanced off Smith-Schuster’s hands, which haven’t received enough passes from Mahomes to expect such a feat -- or if you’re old school, such nonsense.
Dee Ford nearly committed his offsides penalty again during the Pro Bowl | For The Win
Luckily, Ford realized he was lined up in the neutral zone and stepped back in a legal position just before the ball was snapped.
But hey, at least he caught himself in the game that mattered, right? Sorry, Chiefs fans.
Even if Mahomes was only on the field for a little more than one quarter, the ESPN mic still picked up some good stuff, though. He was shown on the broadcast complaining to the Chargers coaches about the NFC’s double coverage of Tyreek Hill. “I need the safeties to stop double teaming Tyreek. I feel like I’m back in the Patriots game.”
Every Patrick Mahomes throw from Pro Bowl debut | 2019 Pro Bowl | Yahoo! Sports
Watch every Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throw from 2019 Pro Bowl debut and MVP performance.
Tyreek Hill channelled Aaron Donald when he played defense at the Pro Bowl | Kansas City Star
Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill was voted to the Pro Bowl as a receiver, but he got a snap in on the defensive side of the ball when he subbed in for defensive end teammate Dee Ford on the last play of the game.
After all, Patrick Mahomes is still on an upward trajectory, his star rising with each sidearm throw and no-look pass, that looks more like video game sequence than real life. Those types of plays might have more to do with his background in baseball than one might realize. “It played a big role,” Pat Mahomes said. “Just being able to throw off different platforms and make different throws. Most people don’t try it in a game. He isn’t afraid to try that stuff.”
A Kansas City Chiefs fan finds a role model in Eric Berry | KOMU
“Looking over at him when Eric Berry came back from his illness and got to play,” Matt’s mom, Robin said,”There are just tears running down his face because it’s different for Matthew. He knows what it takes for Eric Berry to get where he’s at.”
Sean McVay sprang from the NFL’s most underrated coaching tree | ESPN
Currently, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who’s from a branch of the Walsh tree, has the league’s most successful group of former assistants. Both John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens and Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles have won Super Bowls. Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera led his team to a Super Bowl.
Over the past few years, though, Mike Shanahan’s onetime underlings have come to occupy a prominent place in the game.
Around the league
Concern around NFL that 4 officials in NFC Championship Game live in Southern California | ESPN
The Saints and other officials not involved in the game do not believe that these officials’ geographical ties influenced their non-call, according to sources. Officiating assignments are communicated to clubs on Monday, and there were no complaints from either the Rams or Saints in advance, according to a league source.
Redskins believe Alex Smith (leg) will miss all of 2019 | NFL
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the Washington Redskins are planning as if they won’t have Smith in 2019, according to sources informed of the situation. Washington believes Smith will miss the entire season with issues stemming from the compound fracture suffered in Week 11.
Smith-Schuster suffers knee contusion in Pro Bowl | NFL
The Steelers receiver, playing for the AFC, suffered a knee contusion after falling hard when tackled from behind by NFC linebacker Bobby Wagner. He was ruled questionable, NFL Network’s MJ Acosta reported, and did not return.
Why The NFL Can’t Rely On Defense | FiveThirtyEight
Antonio Brown hasn’t closed door on return to Steelers | NFL
Despite the latest round of public drama, Antonio Brown could remain a Steeler in 2019 and beyond. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that while a fresh start is now the preferred outcome, the Steelers have not yet given Brown and his agent permission to facilitate a trade, meaning the issue remains in the team’s hands.
In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride
Patrick Mahomes named offensive MVP of AFC’s 26-7 Pro Bowl win
Patrick Mahomes was named the game’s offensive MVP, as he went 7 of 14 for 156 yards and an 18-yard touchdown to Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron.
Green Bay Packers hire Mike Smith as outside linebackers coach
Smith served as the Chiefs outside linebackers coach in 2018 after spending the 2016 and 2017 seasons as an assistant defensive line coach under former defensive coordinator Bob Sutton.
De’Anthony Thomas arrested for suspicion of marijuana possession in Kansas
Thomas will soon be an unrestricted free agent after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Chiefs. Thomas had just three receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown in a 2018 season that was cut short due to Thomas suffering a broken leg in practice.
Looking back on the Chiefs season through my predictions — both right and wrong
Back in September, I wrote an article making 10 bold predictions for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. It was meant to be about 50 percent tongue-in-cheek, but I also believe people who write about sports are obliged to be accountable in their predictions.
So now that the Chiefs season has concluded, I’m going over what I got right (and wrong) in 2018 — and in so doing, looking back on the season.
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