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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs-Eagles fueled huge CBS ratings increase

Chiefs headlines for Wednesday, October 6.

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Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

The latest

CBS Sports sees huge ratings increase for Sunday’s TV window featuring Chiefs game | Kansas City Star

But the vast majority of the nation saw the Chiefs-Eagles game, which helped fuel a 73% increase in viewership compared with a year ago.

CBS Sports said 17.35 million viewers tuned to the early window compared to 10.006 million in 2020 when the Chargers’ game at Tampa Bay led the way.

CBS said it was the network’s most-watched regional window since Oct. 19, 2015.

Clark Hunt Gets Real About the Business of Sports | D Magazine

Q. On Feb. 2, 2020, the Chiefs were down 20-10 at the start of the fourth quarter but came back to win 31-20. What were the emotions at that time?

CLARK HUNT: “It was a special celebration that started on the field that day then carried over to the parade in Kansas City. The parade, which was three days later, is something I will never forget—experiencing the collective joy of 1 million people is an unforgettable experience. I was later reminded of a quote my dad gave in an interview toward the end of his life. Somebody asked him what the greatest day of his life was, professionally. He said it wasn’t the Super Bowl; it was two days later at the parade. After experiencing it myself, I know why he said that.”

NFL Week 4 grades: Cowboys get an ‘A-’ for beating unbeaten Panthers, Raiders get a ‘D’ for ugly Monday loss | CBS Sports

A

The Chiefs just had to make sure they didn’t beat themselves against the Eagles — and essentially did. Kansas City scored six touchdowns on seven possessions and dominated Philadelphia at the line of scrimmage in the process, rushing for 200 yards in the win. Patrick Mahomes threw for five touchdowns in the win — three of which went to Tyreek Hill — and had just six incomplete passes. The Chiefs defense also was better, holding the Eagles to just 3 of 6 in the red zone (and one of those touchdowns was in the final seconds) after allowing 91.7 percent of opponents red-zone trips to score heading into the game. Andy Reid had a well-coached game against an inferior team, scoring on all their red-zone trips. The Chiefs took care of business and got back on track, even though there’s still work to do.

‘Monday Night Football’ animation satirizes Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ love of ketchup | The Kansas City Star

The “Monday Night Football” cartoon that told that story took place at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant, Mahomes and Warner were at an outside table, and Mahomes was drenching his food with ketchup, a nod to the viral story about his love of the condiment.

I think we all know Mahomes would rather eat at a Whataburger than In-N-Out but that was more of a nod to Herbert.

Later in the broadcast, the animation showed Raiders coach Jon Gruden dancing with the movie character he is said to resemble: Chucky.

NFL Week 5 picks: Bills shock Chiefs in Kansas City, Chargers win thriller over Browns in Los Angeles | CBS Sports

The entire population of Buffalo might simultaneously smash themselves through a folding table if the Bills pull off the upset on Sunday night so my advice to any story selling folding tables is to make sure you have as many in stock as possible heading into the weekend.

The pick: Bills 37-34 over Chiefs

NFL picks, predictions against spread Week 5: Chiefs outgun Bills; Seahawks, Packers, Cowboys stay hot | Sporting News

The Bills’ defense has looked great this season but it hasn’t faced a quarterback of Patrick Mahomes’ caliber, home or away. The Chiefs have found a balanced offense and the big pass plays are flowing again to Tyreek Hill as teams continue to pick their poison between him and Travis Kelce. Mahomes didn’t like being under .500 and doesn’t want to be there again. The Bills’ offense also will cause plenty of problems for the Chiefs’ defense with Josh Allen playing well and spreading the ball around. Mahomes won’t be having a second consecutive loss at home while Buffalo is due for a bit of a road cooldown in prime time.

Pick: Chiefs win 34-27 and cover the spread.

Former Chiefs coach Katie Sowers accepts new position at Ottawa University | FOX4

Sowers has been named Director of Athletic Strategic Initiatives. Sowers will also continue her role as Defensive Coordinator and Director of Operations for the university’s Women’s Flag Football team.

“Coach Sowers’ addition to the Athletic Department office staff along with her visionary leadership will immediately impact our athletic programs positively. We have for a long time sought to elevate our ability to reach and provide opportunities to various underserved populations, and especially the continued growth and development of women in sport,” Arabie Conner, Ottawa University Director of Athletics, said.

Around the NFL

Fantasy football waiver wire: Chicago Bears turn to veteran RB Damien Williams | USA Today

RB Damien Williams, Chicago Bears ($17). Starter David Montgomery could miss several weeks with a knee injury he suffered on Sunday. Williams took over lead-back duties in the second half and rushed for 55 yards and a TD on eight carries. He should see plenty of touches, but is the Bears offense good enough to make him a worthwhile fantasy starter?

Source: Dallas Cowboys release former Pro Bowl linebacker Jaylon Smith | ESPN

The Dallas Cowboys have released linebacker Jaylon Smith , a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The move comes as a surprise because Smith has not missed a game in his career and the Cowboys are on the hook for his full $7.2 million base salary. The team had some trade discussions earlier in the season, according to sources, but a deal never came to fruition. By releasing Smith now, the Cowboys are free from the $9.2 million base salary in 2022 that was currently guaranteed only for injury.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan releases statement on HC Urban Meyer: ‘He must regain our trust and respect’ | NFL.com

One video in particular showed a woman dancing close to Meyer’s lap. Meyer, who is married, said Monday that he apologized to the team for “being a distraction,” but it’s clear from Khan’s statement that an apology was necessary both up and down the ladder.

“I have addressed this matter with Urban,” Khan said in a statement. “Specifics of our conversation will be held in confidence. What I will say is his conduct last weekend was inexcusable. I appreciate Urban’s remorse, which I believe is sincere. Now, he must regain our trust and respect. That will require a personal commitment from Urban to everyone who supports, represents or plays for our team. I am confident he will deliver.”

Chargers LB Joey Bosa bashes officiating following win over Raiders: ‘It’s so bad it’s unbelievable’ | NFL.com

Bosa was incensed enough in the moment to draw an unsportsmanlike conduct foul, and was still hot about it postgame.

“I didn’t even know they called the f—ing penalty on me because I was fuming,” Bosa said. “But, I mean, refs are blind, simple. I’m sorry, but you’re blind, like open your eyes and do your job. It’s so bad it’s unbelievable.”

Overreactions at quarter mark of 2021 NFL season: Kyler Murray a lock for MVP | NFL.com

Bills have the best defense since 2000 Ravens

What got the Bills to the 2020 AFC Championship Game? Stellar play from Josh Allen and a high-flying, Brian Daboll-schemed offense, right?

While that might be true, the Bills are dominating on both sides of the ball this year. Coordinator Leslie Frazier’s defense pitched two shutouts in the first month of the season. The last team to accomplish that feat? The 2000 Ravens. Yes, the famed Baltimore unit led by Ray Lewis that allowed just 10.3 points per game on the way to winning the first Super Bowl in franchise history.

Sound like a far-fetched comparison? Let’s compare the first four games for both defenses:

2000 Ravens: 3-1 record, allowed 13.8 points per game, posted 10 sacks and 10 takeaways.

2021 Bills: 3-1 record, allowed 11.0 points per game, posted 12 sacks and 11 takeaways.

Source: Miami Dolphins agree to trade WR Jakeem Grant to the Chicago Bears for ‘23 pick | ESPN

Grant, the Dolphins’ primary returner since they drafted him in the sixth round in 2016, is one of the NFL’s best special teams players with five return touchdowns in his career; he ranks 11th among active players in non-offensive touchdowns. He was voted a second-team All-Pro last season, one year after signing a four-year, $19.7 million extension in 2019.

For his career, Grant has 978 punt return yards and 2,206 kick return yards.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Report: Josh Gordon ‘officially signed’ to Chiefs’ 53-man roster, to play vs. Bills

“I’m just going to see how he does this week,” said Reid as it pertained to Gordon. “And talk to him. I haven’t talked to him [Monday], but we’ll just see where he’s at and how he’s feeling. There’s a chance, but there’s a chance that he’s not, also. So I’m just going to play it by ear and see how he feels. Really, it’s more of a comfort thing with the offense. I don’t want to put him in a bad situation out there.”

Chiefs designate Willie Gay Jr. to return from injured reserve

“Theres’ a chance,” said Reid. “He was kind of getting there last week. We’ll see on this, see where he’s at as we go forward here. But I think he’s starting to feel a little bit better, for sure.”

Now that Gay is designated for his return, he can fully return to practice, and the Chiefs have 21 days to see how he responds and activate him to the 53-man roster.

2 marinated takeaways from Chiefs-Eagles

Pete: I still find the normalizing of what Patrick Mahomes can do to be amazing.

I want to be clear here — as I make this point, I acknowledge that I, too, have become perhaps a little too accustomed to what Mahomes does on a weekly basis.

What we watched Sunday in the Chiefs’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles was wild. First of all, Mahomes threw for five touchdown passes (though that part’s hardly all that new; he’s done that three other times in his career).

I’m talking about three of the five touchdowns being thrown from three different arm angles — Mahomes had an underhand touchdown, a shovel-pass touchdown and the classic overhand touchdown all in the same game. And in a way, no one really made all that big of a deal out of it. It was business as usual.

Best of luck to his successor, 15 to 20 years down the line.

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