Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Here are the players who will be inactive during the #Chiefs vs. #Bills AFC divisional round game | From @EdEastonJr
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have released their lists of inactive players ahead of their AFC divisional round matchup.
Here are the inactive players for the Chiefs:
Here is the inactive list for the Bills:
#Chiefs stars wore their most fashionable outfits as they entered Highmark Stadium ahead of Kansas City’s playoff matchup against the #Bills.
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to play their first road playoff game of the Patrick Mahomes era on Sunday night, and the team’s players dressed for success as they entered Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York ahead of their matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Pre-game fashion has become a phenomenon around the NFL, especially in the hours before highly-anticipated primetime games. The league’s biggest stars become runway models on social media as they enter the locker room, often showing off the latest styles in menswear.
Sunday afternoon was no different for the Chiefs, who strutted their stuff and showed confidence before their Divisional round kickoff against Buffalo.
Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes, clutch kicker Harrison Butker, and others could be seen making their grand entrances, sporting some high-end threads that got fans excited for the game.
Check out some of their most fashionable looks that were posted to Twitter:
Kansas City #Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce welcomes the hostile environment from #Bills Mafia.
The Sunday night showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will be the divisional round weekend marquee matchup. Kansas City will be playing its first post-season road game since 2015, well before the arrival of Patrick Mahomes.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has always embraced hostile environments on the road and expects a raucous crowd in Buffalo. The Pro Bowler spoke with the media on Friday about the team’s mindset heading into Sunday.
“I think the biggest thing is just the instead of being on the road game because everybody’s played on the road,” Kelce explained. “I think it’s more so in the playoffs; we take it up a notch from the wildcard last weekend, the playoffs just kind of speed up as you go along in the playoffs. And that’s (why) I think it’s more important to stay focused and understand your assignments a little bit more so you can go out there and play as fast as you possibly can.”
The fans, better known as the “Bills Mafia,” have a well-known reputation for supporting their team. A moment during last week’s Wild Card victory over the Pittsburgh Stealers included snowballs thrown from the crowd, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Kelce.
“It’s a hostile environment, ain’t it? Bills Mafia man,” Kelce said. “That’s why it’s their home-field advantage. That’s why I’m sure the guys love playing for that fan base. I grew up in Cleveland, man. We’re throwing beer bottles at people.”
The always fired-up Kelce will be an energetic presence if the weather elements or if fans play a factor in the game.
Packers CB Jaire Alexander is questionable to play against the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.
The Green Bay Packers listed cornerback Jaire Alexander as questionable to play on the final injury report before the NFC Divisional Round vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
Alexander did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday after re-injuring his ankle in the wildcard round in Dallas.
Coach Matt LaFleur said missing practice was part of the process of rehab and recovery ahead of Saturday.
“Just where he’s at right now. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go,” LaFleur said Thursday.
Alexander’s interception of Dak Prescott in the first half set up a touchdown that put the Packers up 14-0. He re-injured his ankle while trying to break down and make a tackle in the second half and didn’t return.
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry thought Alexander was “further ahead” in his recovery this week compared to last week, when Alexander had to get through a pre-game workout before proving he could play Sunday.
If available, Alexander would pair with perimeter cornerback Carrington Valentine and slot cornerback Keisean Nixon as starters. If not, Corey Ballentine would likely start in Alexander’s place. The Packers have David Long Jr. available to be elevated from the practice squad for depth at cornerback.
The Packers also listed running back A.J. Dillon (neck), linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (neck) and punter Daniel Whelan (illness) as questionable to play. Edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare is out after suffering a significant knee injury in Dallas. LaFleur said he wasn’t sure if the Packers would need to place Enagbare on injured reserve to open up a roster spot before Saturday.
On the latest episode of @TheChiefsWire podcast: @EdEastonJr shared his thoughts on Saturday’s victory and looks ahead to Buffalo w/ @TheBillsWire’s Nick Wojton. #KCvsBUF
We’re back with an all-new episode of the Chiefs Wire podcast! This week, we’re previewing the Kansas City Chiefs’ divisional round matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
We check in with this week’s press conferences featuring comments from head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and defensive end George Karlaftis as they reflect on the wild card victory over the Miami Dolphins. The Chiefs’ stars shined in big moments to get their postseason off to a roaring start.
Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. shared his thoughts on their victory last Saturday as they battled the historically low temperatures at Arrowhead Stadium. A look ahead to the eagerly anticipated road battle with the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round, emphasizing Mahomes playing his first postseason game as a visitor. Bills Wire’s Nick Wojton breaks down the game from Buffalo’s perspective, including his predictions.
Listeners can look forward to being well-informed about the Chiefs’ mindset as the team seeks a monumental road victory in Buffalo. Bills Mafia is expected to be fully energized and loud. An opportunity to play in the AFC Championship game is on the line as the Chiefs seek to keep their incredible streak alive.
Check out the link below to get your fill of Chiefs talk ahead of Sunday’s kickoff:
From superstars to Baker Mayfield, here’s our ranking of the NFL’s divisional round quarterbacks.
This time of year in the NFL, quarterback play reigns supreme.
Judging by the slate we’ve received for the divisional round coming this weekend, quality quarterback play can come from very different and very distinctive backgrounds.
The NFC side of the postseason field features two former No. 1 overall picks (Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield), a Mr. Irrelevant last draft pick (Brock Purdy), and a developmental prospect (Jordan Love) who sat behind a selfish egotist for nearly half a decade. And one could reasonably argue that the former top draft selections are the worst of the bunch. Go figure.
In the AFC, we’ve got two future Hall of Famers (Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen) meeting up for another surefire instant classic, the greatest rookie quarterback in history (C.J. Stroud), and a former unanimous MVP (Lamar Jackson) enjoying a resurgent season for the top overall seed. This final four has never screamed “pick ’em” more.
What’s clear about all eight quarterbacks left in this year’s NFL playoffs is that there is no exact science to finding your franchise guy. You might select them at the top of the draft. You might use a throwaway pick at the end of the draft and get extremely lucky. Heck, you might just focus your efforts on a reclamation project because you’ve got the time and energy. There is no right or wrong answer when trying to find a good quarterback.
Whatever works to find The Man, right?
Ahead of what should be a bonkers postseason weekend, let’s take stock of the divisional-round quarterbacks left. That’s right. Let’s make a totally definitive ranking of the NFL’s cream of the crop under center.
One of Baker Mayfield or Jared Goff will play for a spot in the Super Bowl. That’s not a typo.
Once upon a time, Baker Mayfield was a No. 1 overall pick. He was supposed to lead the Cleveland Browns to unmitigated glory. He lasted just four seasons in their uniform. Also, once upon a time, Jared Goff was a No. 1 overall. He was supposed to lead the Los Angeles Rams to tremendous success. He played just five years in L.A. (only four for Sean McVay).
Now, with Mayfield a catalyst of the rising Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Goff driving the Detroit Lions’ powerhouse, we get to see both square off for a spot in the NFC title game as mutual redemption stories.
How could you not be romantic about pro football?
Onward, @Buccaneers. pic.twitter.com/oo2qUKxAAe
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
The Browns didn’t want Mayfield. They blamed their rotten-to-the-core organizational issues on a quarterback they specifically failed to develop. Now he’s two steps away from a Super Bowl appearance. Similarly, the Rams didn’t think Goff was good enough to take them to a championship. When the opportunity presented itself, they traded him for Matthew Stafford without hesitation. Then he beat Stafford in a playoff game. Go figure.
It’s impossible to predict who will win next Sunday’s Divisional Round matchup in Detroit at this very moment. These playoffs have been anything but predictable. But with a spot in the NFL’s final four on the line, seeing Goff vs. Mayfield — two reclamation projects as former No. 1 picks — is one perfect example.
Chiefs will play Bills in divisional round of playoffs on Sunday night
The Kansas City Chiefs will officially be on the road to take on the Buffalo Bills in the AFC’s divisional round of the playoffs, and we now know the game schedule details.
The NFL announced that the Chiefs will face the Bills on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 5:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The Detroit Lions will host an NFC divisional round game in the afternoon spot on NBC, Peacock, and Universo at 2:00 p.m. CT.
The Buffalo Bills (2) are hosting for the first time in their postseason rivalry with the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs. On Monday afternoon, they secured their spot with a resilient victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at snowy Highmark Stadium. In two previous postseason matchups against the Chiefs, each at Arrowhead Stadium, the Bills fought valiantly only to come up short to Kansas City.
In their Week 14 meeting, Penalties and mistakes were the story of the Chiefs’ meltdown at Arrowhead Stadium that led to the controversial offsides call on Kadarius Toney. The offense turned the ball over, including a tipped Mahomes pass leading to an interception, and was ineffective in the red zone late in the game. The Bills’ offense had issues with the Chiefs’ defense but produced in clutch moments to steal a victory in Kansas City.
It's happening pic.twitter.com/EB3VJVSS9m
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 16, 2024
The Bills are playing the best football of their season heading into the game, while Kansas City’s offense showed positive signs of life in their wild card round victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Kelce tried to explain his bizarre lick-and-wipe maneuver on Patrick Mahomes’ jersey in the #Chiefs win over the #Jaguars last week. | from @TheJohnDillon
On the New Heights Show with his brother Jason Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce tried to explain a bizarre hand-wiping incident that occurred in his team’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.
The incident happened midway through the first quarter, where the younger Kelce clearly licked his hand and wiped it on his MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Seemingly embarrassed by the fact that he got caught, the tight end explained that this act was nothing out of the ordinary for a football player, to comedic effect.
Check it out:
Nothing gets by #ChiefsKingdom 😅@tkelce explained why he sometimes uses @PatrickMahomes as a napkin 😂 pic.twitter.com/ehR7bvDy1T
— New Heights (@newheightshow) January 26, 2023
It seems that his glove had some residue on it from the paint in the Jaguars’ end zone that needed to be removed so he could effectively handle any ball that might be thrown his way. Instead of seeking a more hygienic alternative to the classic spit-and-rub technique, Kelce decided to straight up lick his hand and wipe it on his teammate.
Perhaps Chiefs fans should view this more as an act of brotherly love than a disgusting act of malice against Mahomes, who he clearly has an excellent relationship with. One can only hope that if his glove becomes sullied by any kind of debris this week, Kelce might opt to reach for a splash of water and a clean towel rather than resorting to more crude methods of cleaning his mitts.
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Reid told reporters on Wednesday that Toney hit his stride with the #Chiefs once his hamstring was fully healed.
Kadarius Toney has been a game-changer for the Kansas City Chiefs since joining the team midway through the season via a trade with the New York Giants. A former first-round pick, Toney was seen as a bust by some who had lofty expectations for his time in New York. After putting together a productive season in Kansas City, his trajectory seems to have changed for the better in Andy Reid’s prolific offense.
Reid was asked about what has enabled Toney to become such a key factor in the Chiefs’ offense, and the veteran head coach told reporters that the receiver’s fully-healed hamstring has played a large part in his success.
“The main thing was that the hamstring was healthy, that was kind of the hang-up and it kept occurring,” Reid explained. “Knowing him now, I’m not sure he ever let it get to the healing point because he wants to play, you know it’s one of those things.
“I’m sure he was saying, ‘I’m okay, I’m okay, it’s fine,’ but (it’s) because of his desire to be out there, he loves to play the game. That’s what I’ve noticed most is that he wants to be in there so we backed him up a little bit and just made sure that he could be – kind of get healthy in that area and he’s been doing great since – knock on wood there but he’s been doing great.”
Kansas City will need Toney at full health against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend, and judging from Reid’s comments, it seems that the electric second-year receiver should be able to play at 100-percent effort in the AFC Championship Game.
With Toney completely healed from the hamstring injury that kept him out in Week 13 against the Bengals earlier in the season, all eyes are on quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the ankle injury he sustained last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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