Tag: Derrick Nnadi

3 burning questions ahead of Ravens AFC Championship matchup vs. Chiefs

We’re looking at seven burning questions ahead of the AFC Championship Game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game to take on the Ravens.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, here are three burning questions to answer.

Ravens vs. Chiefs: 7 early storylines to watch in the AFC Championship game

We’re looking at seven early storylines to watch when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game

The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game to take on the Ravens.  Kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium is slated for 3:00 p.m. ET.

Sunday will mark the Chiefs sixth-consecutive AFC title game appearance, it’s first of the stretch that will be played on the road.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The last time these two teams met was in 2021 in Week 2.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had two fourth-quarter rushing Touchdowns to defeat the Chiefs 36-35.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, here are seven storylines to watch.

Chiefs downgrade WR Kadarius Toney’s status to out vs. Bills

Chiefs downgrade WR Kadarius Toney’s status to out vs. Bills

The grind of the NFL regular season continues to take a toll on the Kansas City Chiefs as several players are listed on their injury report with various designations ahead of Sunday night’s divisional round matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The team announced on Saturday some status changes that should affect the lineup in Buffalo as key players are expected to be sidelined due to nagging injuries.

Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney will miss his fifth consecutive game due to hip and ankle injuries as the team has officially ruled him out for Sunday night. Toney won’t have the opportunity to redeem himself on the field following the infamous offensive offsides penalty in the teams week 14 game halting a potential Chiefs comeback victory. He’s been bothered by multiple injuries throughout the season including knee surgery at the start of training camp, finishing the 2023 campaign with 169 yards and a touchdown on 27 receptions.

On Saturday, the team also announced that defensive end Charles Omenihu is now questionable battling an illness and linebacker Willie Gay is questionable due to a neck injury. Gay was a limited participant in practice on Friday while wide receiver Justyn Ross remains questionable with a hamstring injury limiting his work in practice throughout the week.

Skyy Moore, Wanya Morris and Derrick Nnadi were ruled out on Friday according to head coach Andy Reid. Moore had been on injured reserve due to a knee injury but practiced on a limited basis this week, Morris remains in concussion protocol and Nnadi missed practice all week due to a triceps injury.   

5 Jaguars players to watch vs. the Chiefs in Week 2

Here are five Jaguars players to watch in their Week 2 game against the Chiefs:

The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday to move to 1-0 on the season and take hold of the first-place spot in the AFC South. But their Week 2 opponent will almost certainly be more challenging.

The Jaguars will host the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday in a rematch of last season’s divisional-round matchup between the teams.

The Chiefs lost to the Detroit Lions in the first game of the NFL season Sept. 7, but they may have tight end Travis Kelce and defensive lineman Chris Jones — likely the second and third best players on the team — available for the first time this season.

Here are five Jaguars players to watch in their Week 2 home opener versus the Chiefs:

15 Chiefs with the most to prove in 2023

These 15 #Chiefs have the most to prove in 2023 as Kansas City endeavors to win its second-straight Super Bowl title.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl aspirations hinge on the arm of quarterback Patrick Mahomes more than any other factor. Mahomes’ dominance in recent years has been nothing short of a miracle for Kansas City, and the team has two championship rings to show for his efforts.

But for the reigning MVP, there isn’t much left to prove. He has already shown an acumen for winning big games, secured himself one of the biggest contracts in pro sports, and is an icon who is seen on television daily.

Mahomes’ teammates now bear the burden of keeping his legacy and, by extension, the team’s reign as NFL champions, afloat. After a successful training camp and preseason, some of the quarterback’s cohorts have more to prove than others, especially after roster cuts left many of Kansas City’s most promising prospects without a place on the team’s payroll.

Check out our top 15 Chiefs with something to prove ahead of the 2023 season kickoff on August 7:

Chiefs DT Derrick Nnadi shared his thoughts on rookies Keondre Coburn, Felix Anudike-Uzomah

#Chiefs lineman Derrick Nnadi shared his thoughts on rookies Keondre Coburn and Felix Anudike-Uzomah after Wednesday’s practice. | from: @EdEastonJr

Strong play on the defensive line has traditionally been one of the most substantial aspects of the Kansas City Chiefs’ identity. The team’s line will be led by All-Pro tackle Chris Jones in 2023 once his prolonged holdout from training camp inevitably ends.

Jones is, rightfully, the face of the unit, but the efforts of veteran lineman Derrick Nnadi haven’t gone unnoticed. Nnadi is a fellow defensive tackle that has joined Jones in applying pressure to the middle of opposing offensive lines since 2018 when Kansas City selected him as a third-round draft pick.

The two-time Super Bowl champion revealed his thoughts on rookies Keondre Coburn and Felix Anudike-Uzomah to reporters after Wednesday’s practice.

“They have a lot of potential,” Nnadi explained. “They show flashes day in [and] day out coming to practice. They’re like sponges, especially Keondre [Coburn]. I’ve been working with him just trying to make sure he stays locked in on the things we got to do. Felix [Anudike-Uzomah]; he is improving every single day, in terms [of] one on ones, pass rush, things like that. I expect a lot of promising things from these two kids.”

Nnadi has been primarily focused on being a run-stopper, as he’s only tallied four career sacks heading into the 2023 season. As training camp rolls on without Jones, Nnadi has shown his ability and willingness to take on a more significant role if necessary and mentor the Chiefs’ young defensive talent.

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8 Chiefs with something to prove in training camp Week 2

These eight #Chiefs have something to prove in Kansas City’s second week of training camp.

The Kansas City Chiefs face sky-high expectations ahead of the 2023 regular season, and preparations for their championship defense campaign have already begun in earnest at their training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri. While the Chiefs’ up-and-coming receiving corps has been the object of intense adulation at Missouri Western State University, players in other position groups are still trying to break through to secure themselves a spot on Kansas City’s final 53-man roster.

Here are eight Chiefs who have something to prove during Kansas City’s second week of training camp:

Chiefs to re-sign free agent DT Derrick Nnadi

The #Chiefs are bringing back another one of their own free agents, this time with a player along the defensive line.

The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back one of their own free agents.

According to his agents at SportsTrust Advisors, Chiefs DT Derrick Nnadi is heading back to Kansas City. A former third-round draft pick in 2018, Nnadi is a two-time Super Bowl champion, returning to the mix after back-to-back years of hitting free agency.

In his five seasons with the Chiefs, Nnadi has started 80 combined regular season and postseason games. During that span, he’s recorded 226 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, one pass defended and one interception.

The 26-year-old is highly active in the Kansas City community, so it’s not a surprise to see him staying with the team. The Chiefs had a big need at the defensive tackle position, specifically adding someone who can be a run-stopper as opposed to a pass-rusher. Instead of perusing the market in free agency, they simply opted to keep one of their own.

Expect this to be a veteran salary benefit contract, similar to the one signed by Nick Allegretti to return to Kansas City. That’ll keep his salary cap hit low for the 2023 NFL season.

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Super Bowl LVII’s Secret Superstars

Who are the players capable of playing their best in the biggest games of their lives? Here are the Secret Superstars of Super Bowl LVII.

There are players in just about every Super Bowl who, quite unexpectedly, save their greatest performances for the biggest games of their lives. Packers receiver Max McGee tearing up the Chiefs’ esteemed secondary for seven catches, 138 yards, and two touchdowns in Super Bowl I. Jets running back Matt Snell doing what nobody else could do in Super Bowl III, and tearing through the Colts’ defensive line for 30 carries, 138 yards, and a touchdown. Raiders linebacker Rob Martin picking off three Ron Jaworski passes in Super Bowl XV. Doug Williams resuscitating his career and becoming the first Black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl, win a Super Bowl, and become Super Bowl MVP in one fell swoop in Super Bowl XXII against the Broncos. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles helping his team win its first Super Bowl in LII.

Who could be the Secret Superstar of Super Bowl LVII? There are several candidates who, based on their in-season exploits, might be perfectly primed to take that all-important leap.

Here are the Secret Superstars of Super Bowl LVII.

4 takeaways from Chiefs’ AFC divisional round win vs. Jaguars

The #Chiefs’ spectacular win against the #Jaguars on Saturday puts them one step closer to a Super Bowl berth. | from @TheJohnDillon

The story of this game starts and ends with the ankle injury sustained by Patrick Mahomes in the first half, which could have huge implications on the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff hopes moving forward.

Though they were outmatched by Kansas City from the start, the Jacksonville Jaguars fought hard in this game, and certainly gave the Chiefs a run for their money. With just more one game standing between Kansas City and a shot at another Super Bowl ring, Mahomes will need to lick his wounds in the coming days to win a crucial game next week.

Here are four key takeaways from the Chiefs’ Divisional Round win over the Jaguars: