Tag: blocked field goal

Chiefs Dave Toub credits veteran DB for success on blocked field goals: ‘He studies tape’

Kansas City #Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub credits Justin Reid for success on blocked field goals: ‘He studies tape’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ success on special teams throughout the season has been credited to their special teams coordinator, Dave Toub. During Thursday’s press conference, Toub revealed the secret to their string of blocked field goals this season: veteran safety Justin Reid.

“He (Justin Reid) studies a lot of tape. He’s the main reason why we’re getting these blocks because he gets off – such a great get off on the edge and it makes everybody respond to that and it opens up gaps for Leo (Chenal) who is like a couple men down – a couple spots down from him,” said Toub. “He studies tape, he watches the snapper’s movements. Could be a squeezing of the hand, it could be a dip of the hips, whatever it is to indicate that the snap is imminent. He has a great get-off; I mean, he was tied to the football just about in that game – on two of them. It made a difference.”

Reid has not only led the secondary and occasionally kicked off during games, but his contributions to field goal block coverage have helped win games and were essential in the divisional round block against the Houston Texans. He will again be counted on for those big moments this Sunday in the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills.

Former Wisconsin linebacker blocks field goal to seal Chiefs playoff win over Texans

Former Wisconsin linebacker blocks field goal to seal Chiefs’ playoff win over Texans

Former Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal clinched the Kansas City Chiefs’ divisional-round playoff win with a blocked field goal on Saturday.

The play arrived at the end of what became the Chiefs’ seventh consecutive AFC divisional victory with quarterback Patrick Mahomes under center. After Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud orchestrated a 53-yard drive from the 4:38-minute to the 1:52-minute mark of the fourth quarter, Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn squared up for for a 35-yard field goal attempt.

After the ball was snapped and Fairbairn kicked the attempt, Chenal squeezed between two Texans offensive tackles, stretched his left hand and blocked the field goal. The play essentially secured the Chiefs’ victory.

Kansas City ended up taking a safety on the next sequence, but the game was already decided. The Chiefs now advance to the AFC Championship Game in search of a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

Chenal certainly has a knack for executing game-sealing blocked field goals. Earlier this season, the former Badger blocked Denver kicker Will Lutz’s 35-yard attempt to improve the Chiefs to 9-0 to start the year.

Outside of the blocked kick, Chanel finished Saturday’s game with four total tackles. He logged 60 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles during the regular season.

Chenal and the Chiefs will continue their campaign on Jan. 26 at home against either Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens or Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills.

Saints’ special teams was a tale of two halves vs. Giants

Special teams had their worst half of the season against the GIants, as described by Darren Rizzi. Then, they made the play of the day to close out the game:

Special teams is Darren Rizzi’s bread and butter, and it stood out for the majority of the New Orleans Saints’ Week 14 matchup against New York Giants. But the game’s third phase was in the spotlight for both good and bad reasons.

The two most notable moments on special teams were Rizzi letting loose on Matthew Hayball and Bryan Bresee leaping over the Giants’ blockers to block a game-tying field goals.

The stark contradiction between those moments is a good representation in the difference between each half of play.

Rizzi was extremely disappointed in the way his unit performed at the beginning of the game. “Our special teams had one of, maybe the worst half of the year in the first half.”

Things changed in quarters three and four. “We turned around and made some plays there in the second half. It’s kind of ironic that we ended up winning the game on a special teams play because we were having one of our worst days in recent memory.”

That improvement is highlighted by Bresee’s phenomenal play, but Hayball redeemed himself with two, much more successful, punts later in the game.

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Listen to radio call of Packers’ win over Bears: ‘It is blocked! Beautiful!’

Listen to Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren react to the Packers’ blocked field goal to win the game against the Bears on Sunday.

Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren of the Packers Radio Network had the dramatic call of Green Bay’s blocked field goal to win Sunday’s rivalry game over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

With the Packers leading 20-19 and three seconds to go, Bears kicker Cairo Santos lined up a 46-yard field goal from the left hash. The snap was good, the hold was good, but the Bears didn’t block Karl Brooks, who busted the protection and blocked Santos’ attempt.

The home announcers predictably went crazy.

From Larrivee: “Here’s the snap, placement made. The kick is…blocked! It is blocked! It is blocked! And the Packers have won! It is blocked! It comes up short, and the Packers have won 11 straight over the Bears, 20-19! Oh my godness, what a finish!’

All while Larrivee is making the call, McCarren is heard screaming “Blocked! Blocked! Beautiful! Beautiful!” in the background.

Here the call from the Packers Radio Network below:

 

Chiefs Dave Toub says Leo Chenal almost blocked an extra point vs. Broncos: ‘Got his finger on it’

Kansas City #Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub says Leo Chenal almost blocked an extra point vs. #Broncos: ‘Got his finger on it’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ thrilling victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 10 via a blocked field goal earned well-deserved praise for special teams coordinator Dave Toub. Toub discussed the well-designed play with reporters on Thursday for the first time since last Sunday and revealed that Leo Chenal almost had a blocked extra point earlier in the game.

“I mean, that’s what you do. You practice it. And our guys believe in what we’re doing. They always have great effort. So you always think that they got a chance to get it. And you know, it’s throughout the season you’ve seen, it’s been very close, whether it’s Justin off the edge or Leo. In fact, he got his finger on a ball in that game, his fingertip on a ball on the second extra point, and came into the huddle and told me that he got his finger on it. So we knew that there was a possibility. But, I mean, you’re always it’s; it’s such a long shot to get that, and we’re fortunate. The effort and everything was excellent, and the guys came through.”

The collective efforts of Justin Reid on the outside, Mike Danna, and the defensive line push led to Chenal’s game-winning block. Toub and his group will look for even more efficiency on the road against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday.

Chiefs LB Leo Chenal earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after blocked FG vs. Broncos

#Chiefs LB Leo Chenal earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his legendary field goal block against the #Broncos.

The Kansas City Chiefs narrowly escaped Week 10 with their undefeated season intact, due in no small part to the efforts of linebacker Leo Chenal, who blocked a Denver Broncos field goal attempt as time expired in the fourth quarter.

For his efforts against Denver, Chenal earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, an accomplishment he is sure to cherish as the Chiefs make their bid for a third consecutive Super Bowl title this season.

In addition to his blocked field goal, Chenal combined for four tackles against the Broncos, which helped lift Kansas City to victory on Sunday.

 

Though Chenal’s role in the Chiefs’ defense supersedes the contributions he makes on special teams, his outstanding effort against Denver wasn’t the first time that the budding young linebacker has made his presence felt against an opposing kicker.

In Super Bowl LVIII earlier this year, Chenal blocked a field goal that helped earn Kansas City its third championship of the Patrick Mahomes era.

Chiefs Dave Toub receives praise for execution of game-winning field goal block

Kansas City #Chiefs special teams Dave Toub receives praise for execution of game-winning field goal block | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off an incredible victory last Sunday over the Denver Broncos due to a blocked potential game-winning field goal in regulation. Head coach Andy Reid spoke highly of the team’s play execution, led by special teams coordinator Dave Toub, during his weekly Zoom press conference on Monday.

“Yeah, I mean, the details of it become important. The players want that. They want you to detail it up for them.” said Reid. “It helps them even more to show what their talents are, and as a result, hopefully, you win a game or two. So Dave (Toub) spends a lot of time on that, right there. You guys watch all that. So you know there’s an emphasis on special teams and the details of it. So we needed it yesterday; that was a big play for us.”

Leo Chenal got his palm on the football as Will Lutz kicked it for the potential game-winner. The interior rush, mixed with pressure from Justin Reid on the outside, was flawlessly done, leading to a walk-off that went in Kansas City’s favor at Arrowhead Stadium. Chenal is the second player in the past 10 seasons to block a field goal on the final play to win, joining Payton Turner with the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2022.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reflects on walk-off victory over the Broncos: ‘You live for these moments’

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes reflects on walk-off victory over the Denver #Broncos: ‘You live for these moments’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a front-row seat to one of the most extraordinary finishes in the league this season as his team pulled out the thrilling victory on Sunday. After the game, he shared his thoughts on the dramatic moment with reporters, revealing his mindset during the tense process.

“I was – I think more than anything I was just sick that last drive because I missed that touchdown throw that would’ve given us the chance to make it where they (the Broncos) had to score a touchdown – put our defense in a bad situation,” said Mahomes. “I thought our defense stepped up in that second half and did a great job. I was just happy. I was happy that we ended with that block, and Leo (Chenal) got through there. It was just joy after that.”

Mahomes had led the Chiefs to a go-ahead field goal on the drive before Denver got the ball into field goal range for the game-winning attempt. He missed Travis Kelce in the back of the endzone, which could have mitigated the stressful ending everyone on the sideline was experiencing.

“Yeah, I mean, you definitely are (worried) because it’s just a low percentage for a block, but if anyone’s going to do it,” said Mahomes. “I mean (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Dave) Toub and his team’s going to have a designed rush or designed way to getting a hand on it, so it was – obviously, you’re worried because it’s out of your control but at the same time I trust my teammates that they’re going to go out there and make a play.”

Mahomes was jumping for joy after the kick was blocked, filled with so much adrenaline that he didn’t show any pain from the sore ankle he’s been dealing with over the last few weeks.

“It’s awesome, man. You live for these moments. When you grow up playing football, you live for the walk-off, whatever it is.” said Mahomes. “It’s special when you build (with) these guys for so long, and you’ve built this chemistry with them, and guys get to make that play. It’s something that I’m sure Leo (Chenal) will have for the rest of his life. I’m just glad that we all get to experience it together.”

The Chiefs return to action next Sunday with another test on the road against the Buffalo Bills, who are entering the game 8-2 leading the AFC East.

Chiefs LB Leo Chenal reacts to blocking game-winning field goal attempt: ‘It’s complete shock’

Kansas City #Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal reacts to blocking game-winning field goal attempt: ‘It’s complete shock’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs pulled a rabbit out of the hate with Sunday’s victory over the Denver Broncos coming down to a blocked field goal attempt as time expired. Linebacker Leo Chenal is the player who got his hands on the ball and explained the moment to reporters after the game.

“It’s complete shock. Not much I can say about it. Glory to Jesus Christ and everything because I was really praying for something to happen.” said Chenal. “That moment is so heavy, there’s a second on the clock, and they’re going to kick the field goal. You feel the weight of the moment.”

Broncos kicker Will Lutz had time to position the spot to his benefit but was still unable to get the ball past Chenal, as he credited the push from his teammates on the line.

“That was definitely a big moment. I want to credit Mike Danna (the one in the Super Bowl) – I’ll get the stat for it; it went through my hand, but he was the one who really stopped the ball. He’s not going to get credit with the stat, but a big credit to him. It’s never that mentality of I’m never going to get there again.” said Chenal. “When you have guys like J. Reid (Justin Reid) rushing like he does, Jack (Cochrane) and the big push by the big guys in the middle, George (Karlaftis) and what he does. Working on get-offs, it’s bound to happen. It’s been a long time coming.”

Danna’s block in Super Bowl LVIII is memorable because of the stage, but Chenal’s block’s unlikelihood of winning the game is remarkable, considering the scenario against a division rival.

“It’s big. It’s a team effort. They have to respect (Justin Reid) J. Reid on the outside; they have to respect our guys rushing on the outside and in the middle.” said Chenal. “It’s not like they can just lean heavy to one guy. It’s a big credit. George (Karlaftis) is doing what he’s doing right beside me all the time; he’s getting pressure right there. Any time I get my hand near it, George is right there. He has a little bit bigger wingspan than me. It’s a big team effort.”

A seismic team moment adds to the many memories made over the years at Arrowhead Stadium as the Chiefs continue their three-peat journey.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid on the game-winning blocked field goal: ‘I get to see that every day’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the game-winning blocked field goal: ‘I get to see that every day’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have found unique ways to win games lately, with Sunday’s victory over the Denver Broncos ranking high on the unlikely scale.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the media immediately following the game, giving insight into the incredible blocked field goal that sealed the victory.

“I get to see that every day, we work that block and that last final shot there.” said Reid. “We did, but it’s also something that we work on like crazy, so – it normally doesn’t work quite like that, but that one, we had a couple of different guys. George (Karlaftis) was in there, too, I believe. I haven’t had a chance to look at the replay but it looked like we had a couple different guys in there.”

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub has worked with Reid for years and has practiced these scenarios in the past, so it wasn’t foreign to the league’s oldest head coach. Reid praised linebacker Leo Chenal, who got his hands on the kick, and credited his overall work since being drafted by the Chiefs.

“He’s (Leo Chenal) a great athlete, big strong kid, plays a hundred miles an hour, he does it in practice, he does it during games, plays anywhere and everywhere and never says anything,” said Reid. “(He) comes from a family – he’s got like 40 brothers and sisters, so he’s used to sharing, so he doesn’t really care about who gets the credit and doesn’t get the credit, he just goes.”

The victory does have its low moments, as the Chiefs were moments away from a loss, so the long-time head coach promised to work on more things during the week.