Arrowheadlines: ESPN to show classic MNF games, kicks off with Chiefs at Rams

The latest

Rams’ 54-51 win over Chiefs to air Monday on ESPN as part of “MNF Classics” | Clutch Points

With people being told to quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic, sports fans are longing to get a chance to watch sports again. To give fans something to watch, ESPN is going to air the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs epic Monday Night Football contest on Monday as part of their new series, “Monday Night Football Classics”.

AFC West Win Totals: How Many Victories Will Each Team Have in 2020? | SI

Kansas City Chiefs – 11.5 wins (Over -115; Under -115)

The shift in power in the NFL now lies in the hands of Mahomes and the Chiefs. They are 6-1 to win the Super Bowl and 5-1 to win the AFC West in 2020. Kansas City won their division in each of the previous five seasons with a combined 57-21 record while averaging 11.4 wins per year.

Seven-Round 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Buccaneers help Tom Brady with O-linemen and RB, Patriots take Round 3 QB | CBS Sports

Round 1 - Pick 32

D’Andre Swift RB

Kansas City

Kansas City does not spend on running backs, right? Winning the Super Bowl is like getting a big raise at work, you feel the need to.

Mock Draft Round-Up 3.0: Who do the Experts Have the Chiefs Taking in the First Round? | The Mothership

Elsewhere, Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report projected yet another cornerback to the Chiefs in his mock, sending Alabama defensive back Trevon Diggs to Kansas City at pick No. 32. The younger brother of Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the six-foot-one, 205-pound Trevon earned Third-Team All-America honors in 2019.

Chiefs Rally Together to Support Community Amidst COVID-19 Crisis | The Mothership

The franchise and the Hunt Family Foundation are also matching all player contributions to Harvesters – the Community Food Network during the crisis, which began last week. Chiefs’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill was the first to announce that he was donating 6,000 meals to those in need in partnership with Harvesters, and he wasn’t interested in stopping there.

Lions agree to deals with LBs Reggie Ragland, Elijah Lee | ESPN

Ragland, who turns 27 in September, became a part-time player after the Kansas City Chiefs switched to a 4-3 base defense last season. After being a healthy scratch in the first two games of the season, Ragland started seven of the next 14. He also started Super Bowl LIV against the 49ers.

He joined the Chiefs in a trade with the Buffalo Bills before the 2017 season and was a full-time starter for Kansas City over two seasons. In three seasons, the linebacker had 160 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, an interception and a defensive touchdown.

Around the NFL

2020 free agency: NFL experts debate most improved teams, best signings, more | ESPN

Mike Clay, fantasy writer: The Chargers signing Chris Harris Jr. Harris has been one of the league’s best slot corners over the past decade and displayed his versatility by showing well on the perimeter during the 2019 season. He’s now 31 years old, but it doesn’t appear he has lost a step, so landing him for $11.5 million guaranteed over two seasons is quite the value. The Chargers now have the league’s best cornerback trio.

Five team fits for Cam Newton; Kyle Allen to win Redskins job? | NFL.com

New England Patriots: It’s rare for Bill Belichick to lavish praise on opposing players, but his respect for Newton’s talents is well documented. Belichick has outlined the challenges of playing against a big, athletic quarterback with power and versatility like Newton’s. Given offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ creative mind and his affinity for athletic quarterbacks (SEE: Tim Tebow), it would be interesting to find out what the Patriots could do with his talents. Keep these numbers, via Panthers Wire, in mind: Newton has posted his best passer rating against any opponent (128.2) while completing 71.9 percent of his passes (more than 12 points higher than his career rate) and averaging 7.07 yards per rush (almost two yards higher than his career average) against the Patriots.

That’s a lot of production for Belichick to see in person, and it’s one of the reasons why I think Newton could be on the Patriots’ roster this fall.

The Bills’ No. 1 priority should be getting Josh Allen more help | SB Nation

After free agency:

Buffalo was aggressive when it came to adding veteran help to a young core. The Diggs trade leaves the club with only two of the draft’s top 127 selections come April, so the Bills will have to draft carefully.

Cornerback: Tre’Davious White is great. Now the Bills need to give him some backup so teams can’t just straight-up avoid his side of the field. Josh Norman probably isn’t the answer.

Edge rusher: The Bills have some horses when it comes to rushing the passer, but could use some young, developmental help at a position where their top two guys are both nearing their mid-30s.

Running back: Devin Singletary had an impressive rookie year, but he could use a platoon-mate now that Frank Gore is a 37-year-old free agent.

2020 NFL MVP Odds: Is Drew Brees worth a bet? | Sportsbook Wire

Is Drew Brees worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

This offseason, the Saints added another top receiver by signing free agent Emmanuel Sanders to pair with Michael Thomas. The Saints are set up as the favorites to win the NFC South once again with plans of playing deep into the postseason. If Brees is healthy, he should put up big numbers for a really good Saints team. That makes him ABSOLUTELY WORTH A BET AS THE LEAGUE MVP AT +1400.

In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride

How worldwide uncertainty could be affecting how Chiefs are navigating the offseason

There are scenarios where the effects of COVID-19 are still prevalent in the summer. The first organized team activities (OTAs) usually begin in late May. Pushing those back would not only delay the beginning of scheme installation and on-field work with new teammates but also possibly affect the length of training camp.

There are even worse, more drawn out scenarios too. If there is dramatically less time for practice and team meetings, it’s safe to assume it will be harder than it ever has for a player to assimilate onto a new team.

Think how long it took some defensive players to truly understand Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s game plan last season. They began to really hit their stride as a unit after Week 10 and players looked more comfortable. For new incoming players, getting to that level may take even longer with a condensed period of time before the season to learn it.

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