Tag: Buccaneers

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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Dolphins saved the state of Florida from first ever winless weekend

NFL, FBS, and FCS teams from the state of Florida were 0-11 this weekend before the Dolphins got a win.

Football teams at the NFL, FBS, and FCS level in the state of Florida had a rough weekend. The Miami Dolphins didn’t, though.

Thanks to a 23-15 win against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, the Sunshine State avoided its first ever winless weekend. Prior to the victory, the state of Florida was 0-11.

  • East Carolina 49, Florida Atlantic 14 (Thursday)
  • Texas 49, Florida 17 (Saturday)
  • Georgia Tech 28, Miami 23 (Saturday)
  • Notre Dame 52, Florida State 3 (Saturday)
  • Navy 28, South Florida 7 (Saturday)
  • Arizona State 35, Central Florida 31 (Saturday)
  • Prairie View A&M 31, Florida A&M 12 (Saturday)
  • Southern 25, Bethune-Cookman 23 (Saturday)
  • Marist 40, Stetson 31 (Saturday)
  • San Francisco 49ers 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 (Sunday)
  • Minnesota Vikings 12, Jacksonville Jaguars 7 (Sunday)

Perhaps the Sunshine State’s curse had a Sunday night expiration date.

Had the Dolphins been unable to beat the Rams, it would’ve been an 0-12 week of results for the state. It also would’ve been the third week of NFL action with the Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Dolphins all picking up losses — another potential first.

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Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy describes learning from DeAndre Hopkins: ‘I try to pick his brain’

Kansas City #Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy describes learning from DeAndre Hopkins: ‘I try to pick his brain’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy spoke to reporters on Friday about DeAndre Hopkins’s influence on his development since arriving a few weeks ago.

“I try to pick his brain as much as possible without being super annoying,” said Worthy. “Ask him, like, little questions, like, How’d you go about this when you’re this age, and stuff like that, just little things. Just make sure I stay tuned with everything he went through.”

Since being traded to the Chiefs, Hopkins has made an immediate splash. His breakout performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Monday adds to his legacy. Worthy described Hopkins’ presence in the locker room as the veteran mentor.

“Just as calm and poised through times like in the game, he was super calm, chill, relaxed,” said Worthy. “So when somebody’s like dad in your room, and he’s a vet, he’s been there, made plays, it just makes everything easier.”

Worthy had a miscue in the Week 9 victory but has played well overall this season. He will pick up even better habits from one of the best receivers of his generation as the postseason push gets underway.

Why 49ers were worried about facing Buccaneers in NFC championship game

Kyle Shanahan: Big Baker Mayfield guy.

The San Francisco 49ers punched their ticket to Super Bowl LVIII with a thrilling NFC championship game victory over the Detroit Lions.

While the Lions’ sensational first-half performance forced a dramatic comeback by the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium, Detroit nearly didn’t get out of the divisional playoffs after an eight-point victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday told reporters he wasn’t excited about the prospect of facing the Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield.

“I think Baker is a stud,” Shanahan said. “I think last year, I thought he was at the top of his game last year playing real well and this year I think he’s the same, if not better. I think he’s one of the main reasons I think they were a couple plays away from playing us in the NFC Championship last year. We were worried, real worried about him going into that game. He just got hotter as the whole year went. And he’s playing at such a high level right now.”

The 49ers saw Mayfield up close in Week 11 last season. He completed 29-of-45 throws for 246 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 27-14 San Francisco victory at Levi’s Stadium. The numbers weren’t great, but he made some sensational throws in that game that helped paint a picture of what he might be capable of in a better offense.

This year, Buccaneers new offensive coordinator Liam Coen has gotten the most out of Mayfield. Even without his top two wide receivers, Mayfield managed to go into Kansas City in Week 9 and go 23-of-31 for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Shanahan was worried about facing Mayfield in January, but now in Week 10 the 49ers will have to face him with their chances of playing next January hanging in the balance.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reveals the status of his ankle at Wednesday’s practice: ‘A little bit sore’

Kansas City #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reveals the status of his ankle at Wednesday’s practice: ‘A little bit sore’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was momentarily helped off the field after rolling his ankle during the team’s Week 9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He returned but was still dealing with pain after the game. On Wednesday, he shared an update with the media on the progress of his injured ankle.

“It’s doing good,” said Mahomes. “Obviously, when you have a little bit of a roll, it’s a little bit sore. But I’m able to move around and look forward to getting out to practice and seeing how I can push it as the week goes on.”

Mahomes fought through the pain and led a game-winning drive in overtime on Monday night. He shared that he began treatment on the ankle immediately after the game.

“I mean, you can only do so much,” said Mahomes. “It’s pretty late, but getting some stuff in the training room after the game and getting some stuff to take home, you throw it on there, stuff you can do overnight, that you put on there to kind of reduce swelling and stuff like that. But you come in early Monday morning; it was a long day yesterday of watching film, getting treatment, doing some rehab-type stuff, and preparing yourself for a short week and practice today.”

Mahomes will likely play on Sunday against the Denver Broncos in Week 10 to build on his best game of the season.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reflects on Kareem Hunt’s game-winning performance: ‘He wants the football’

Kansas City #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reflects on Kareem Hunt’s game-winning performance: ‘He wants the football’ | @EdEastonJr

The running game has been essential to the Kansas City Chiefs’ success this season, especially after the addition of running back Kareem Hunt. After his walk-off game-winning performance in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Patrick Mahomes praised the veteran running back during his postgame press conference on Monday.

“It’s been fun. It’s been fun to watch, man. I mean, he’s (Kareem Hunt) come in the building – since he’s been here – and he’s just got after it every single day.” said Mahomes. “He works his tail off; he prepares himself for the moment, and then whenever we get down there in like (the) fourth quarter, and (at) the end of games, he’s going to make those runs. Five to six yards (or) seven yards, whatever it is, and he’s going to finish. When you play that hard the entire game, it wears on the defense. I think guys are proud of the way he’s playing and the way he’s come about his business this year.”

Hunt ended the game with 27 carries for 106 yards and the closing score in overtime. The rain and pressure didn’t affect the 29-year-old in his second tenure with the franchise.

“He (Kareem Hunt) wants the football. I think that’s the biggest thing. As the game goes on, it’s like he starts feeling it, and he starts going,” said Mahomes. “There are certain situations where I might have throws on the outside, and I’m like, ‘Man, I’m going to give this guy the football and let him go,’ because when he’s running – even though (it’s) six-yard (or) five-yard carries, they take a toll on the defense.”

Hunt remains the starter while Isiah Pacheco recovers from his fractured fibula, but Mahomes believes the two running backs will work well together.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce discusses his fumble vs. Buccaneers: ‘I almost handed it away’

Kansas City #Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce discusses his fumble vs. the Tampa Bay #Buccaneers: ‘I almost handed it away’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs pulled out a thrilling overtime victory in the pouring rain on Monday Night Football. The Arrowhead Stadium crowd supported their stars, including tight end Travis Kelce, who had a career night.

After the 30-24 victory, Kelce sat down with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, recapping his fourteen-catch, 100-yard night in front of the fans of Chiefs Kingdom. He immediately addressed his fumble in the first half, stalling a promising drive.

“I almost handed it away today a few times, and I’m lucky that my guys were right there for me,” said Kelce. “It’s a culture, man. It’s a culture set from the big man (Andy Reid) down, and everybody just believes at all times that we’re gonna get it done because we’ve done it in the past. We keep doing it on nights like tonight. I’ll tell you what when Arrowhead (Stadium) is rocking like it was tonight. Man, it’s hard to lose in this place.”

The Chiefs have now won a record fourteen consecutive games, counting back to last season, and Kelce and his teammates credit the winning culture.

Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins describes his chemistry with Patrick Mahomes: ‘I’m always learning’

Kansas City #Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins describes his chemistry with Patrick Mahomes: ‘I’m always learning’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is still adjusting to his new team but showed little uncertainty during his star performance in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran spoke to reporters after the game about working well with Patrick Mahomes during his press conference.

“A lot more comfortable. Coaches do a great job of getting me prepared,” said Hopkins. “It’s not just Connor (Embree), but everybody on the offensive side. Everybody’s always testing me and asking me questions. You know, just seeing my knowledge of the offense as we go.”

Mahomes and Hopkins connected early and often on Monday, with the five-time All-Pro finishing with eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

“Communication, talking through our practice, talking locker room, just communicating every day, just about looks that we see,” said Hopkins. “And me just picking his (Mahomes) brain, asking him what he likes, and when I’m not out there, taking the rep, I’m always learning and just seeing How he does things.”

The growing chemistry between Mahomes and Hopkins should grow with more practice time, as the duo will be back in action on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Inactives for Buccaneers vs. Chiefs, Week 9

Here are the players who will be inactive during the #Buccaneers vs. #Chiefs Week 9 game | From @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their list of inactive players before their Week 9 matchup.

Here are the inactive players for the Chiefs:

  • OT Ethan Driskell
  • OL CJ Hanson
  • DT Marlon Tuipulotu
  • WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
  • RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
  • DB Nazeeh Johnson
  • DE Mike Danna

Here is the inactive list for the Buccaneers:

  • TE Devin Culp
  • WR Mike Evans
  • DL Greg Gaines
  • LB Antonio Grier
  • WR Jalen McMillan
  • OL Royce Newman
  • OLB Jose Ramirez