Tag: Broncos

Taysom Hill just won his second FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week award

Just one tight end has won the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week award in its 22-year history, and Taysom Hill has now done that twice:

The FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week awards have been a mainstay of NFL honors for 22 years, but just one tight end has earned it. And now he’s done it twice. New Orleans Saints star Taysom Hill won the award for the second time after his huge day against the Cleveland Browns, powering the Saints to a dominant win at home with three touchdown runs.

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix was also recognized with this week’s award after completing 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Broncos’ big win over the Atlanta Falcons.

FedEx has pledged that they “will make a $2,000 donation in Hill’s name to a Historically Black College or University of his choice, which will be applied towards needs-based scholarships to deserving HBCU students.”

Hill set some new personal-bests along the way, too. Hill totaled 138 rushing yards from seven carries and 50 receiving yards off of eight catches. He also completed an 18-yard pass and picked up 42 yards on a kick return, impacting the game on both offense and special teams. It’s not the type of performance you see too often in today’s game.

And it goes to show how special Hill is, and how important his presence is to the Saints’ success. They may not win every game when he sees such a heavy workload, but Hill playing well does tend to correlate with victories. When he’s running with a head full of steam there aren’t many NFL defenses who can slow him down.

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NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after win over Bengals?

The Chargers are in great position to play beyond the regular season.

The Chargers beat the Bengals on Sunday, picking up their fourth consecutive victory. They improved to 7-3, and their chances of playing beyond the regular season.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has a 91% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ win and the Ravens’ loss to the Steelers on Sunday, L.A. moved up to the fifth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 12:

1. Chiefs (9-1)

2. Chargers (7-3)

3. Broncos (6-5)

4. Raiders (2-8)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (9-1)

2. Bills (9-2)

3. Steelers (8-2)

4. Texans (6-4)

5. Chargers (7-3)

6. Ravens (7-4)

7. Broncos (6-5)

8. Colts (5-6)

9. Dolphins (4-6)

10. Bengals (4-7)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Broncos
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Ravens
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Chargers

Sean Payton moved to Denver and still owns the NFC South

Sean Payton swept the NFC South, proving nothing’s changed but his address. Unfortunately, his dominance now includes the Saints:

The Atlanta Falcons were painfully reminded of something that has been true for nearly 20 years. Sean Payton has partial ownership in the Atlanta Falcons. Maybe they hoped things changed since Payton was no longer leading the New Orleans Saints.

However, when the Falcons visited the Denver Broncos, Payton showed the new emblem on the hat doesn’t lessen his dominance over the Falcons. Payton improved his record to 22-9 against the Falcons with a dominating 38-6 victory.

Atlanta wasn’t the only team to get this reminder. Payton swept the NFC South this year and showed them why they all felt relieved by his temporary retirement. This included Payton’s first career victory over the Saints.

The games haven’t been too close either. The Carolina Panthers kept it the closest, and they lost by 14 points. At the end of that game, Payton flat out said Carolina isn’t a good team. Maybe that was the jolt Carolina needed because they haven’t lost a game since those comments.

During his 16-year run with New Orleans, Payton had a winning record against every team in the division. As the coach of the Denver Broncos, he’s undefeated against his former division.

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Saints schedule: Calendar change is the good news for New Orleans

Bleacher Report says October sank the Saints’ season. Calendar change is the good news for New Orleans:

We’re at the halfway point of the season. The New Orleans Saints have played 10 games, but other teams with a bye week just hit nine games last week.

Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon has isolated a single stat from every team’s season that defines how their season has transpired. For New Orleans, he used 58-136. That’s the Saints scoring margin in October, a month Gagnon believes ruined the season.

When you go on a seven-game losing streak it’s difficult to just point to one month as a season killer. Seven weeks is nearly two months, and technically, the streak went from the end of September to the beginning of November. October is the only month the Saints didn’t win a game.

He compares that stretch to the other six games of the season. The Saints went 3-3 and had a scoring margin of 169-110. That number is exaggerated by blowout victories to start the season.

The Saints have been in close games, but they lost all of their matchups in October by double digits. Comparatively, every other loss has been by three points or less. No team is happier to move into a new month — and get a fresh start — than they are.

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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.

Third-year Chiefs CB impressed coaches during second career start: ‘He did a nice job’

Kansas City #Chiefs cornerback Nazeeh Johnson impressed coaches during second career start: ‘He did a nice job’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have been hard hit with injuries on both sides of the ball this season but remain undefeated through nine games. Young players like Nazeeh Johnson have stepped up to help the team thrive through injury hardships.

Johnson recorded his first career sack in his second career start in last Sunday’s victory over the Denver Broncos. Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged his career game during the postgame press conference.

“I’m going to give credit to Nazeeh (Johnson) because Nazeeh never gets any credit – for leading the team in tackles,” said Reid. “he did a nice job there.”

Johnson finished his productive game by leading the team with ten tackles (six solo), including one for loss and one quarterback pressure. Week 10 marked his first double-digit tackle performance as the former 2022 NFL Draft seventh-round selection admirably fills in for injured starter Jaylen Watson.

Kansas City remains undefeated at 9-0 this season, becoming the fifth reigning Super Bowl champion to win its first nine games. They join the 2011 Green Bay Packers, 1998 Denver Broncos, 2015 New England Patriots, and 1990 San Francisco 49ers.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on connecting with Travis Kelce for another career milestone

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on connecting with Travis Kelce for another career milestone | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes helped his teammate Travis Kelce achieve another career milestone, tying Tony Gonzalez for the most touchdown receptions in franchise history. Mahomes explained the record-tying connection during his postgame press conference on Sunday.

“Yeah, I mean fourth-and-goal – (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid giving us a chance to get a touchdown. Trav (Travis Kelce) read it right. He kind of had a read-type option on that play and he got the DB (defensive back) to go outside. He (Broncos CB Ja’Quan McMillian) slips a little bit, and then Trav just kind of curls it in there.” said Mahomes. “I gave him the ball, and that was kind of my first read – I had a couple of other options there, but when your first read’s open, man, you just fire it to him.”

Kelce recorded eight receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown in the Chiefs’ Week 10 win over the Denver Broncos. He has 95 career touchdown receptions, including the postseason. The multiple-time All-Pro passed Jimmy Graham for the fourth-most touchdown receptions by a tight end in NFL history, including the postseason. He trails only Antonio Gates, Gonzalez, and Rob Gronkowski.

The Chiefs star also has 60 receptions this season. It is the sixth player all-time with at least 60 receptions in 11 consecutive seasons, joining Gonzalez, Larry Fitzgerald, Jason Witten, Jerry Rice, and Derrick Mason.

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 LB Nick Bolton describes his game-changing sack in Week 10: ‘I just had to make the layup’

Kansas City #Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton describes his game-changing sack in Week 10: ‘I just had to make the layup’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs defense pitched a shutout in the second half of Sunday’s victory over the Denver Broncos. Nick Bolton made another impactful play in the game as he secured an impressive sack on Bo Nix that changed the pace the rookie quarterback was creating after two first-half touchdown passes.

“(Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve Spagnuolo) ‘Spags’ saw something throughout the week and waited for the right position to call it,” said Bolton. “It was something new we put in this week. The back went over to block (Justin Reid) J. Reid, and I was free; I just had to make the layup. I missed the last couple ones the last couple of games, so it felt good to get that one.”

The Broncos’ sack from Bolton cost them 16 yards, knocking them out of realistic field goal position and changing the game’s momentum. Nix and the Denver offense were moving smoothly in the first half, and the Bolton sack was a much-needed message to turn the tide back to Kansas City’s defensive dominance.

“I think he did a good job playing within the system,” said Bolton of Nix’s performance. “He had a couple of tough throws. I thought we could have done a better job mixing up our looks and make him think a little bit more pre-snap. Overall, I thought he played a pretty decent game today.”

Bolton praised the young Broncos star in his first AFC West battle with the Chiefs. Both teams will meet in Denver in the final week of the regular season.

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.