Tag: game winner

Chiefs HC Andy Reid describes the game-winning drive vs. Chargers: ‘I wasn’t too worried’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid describes the game-winning drive vs. #Chargers: ‘I wasn’t too worried’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs thrillingly won another game over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, showcasing excellent late-game execution. Head Coach Andy Reid spoke with reporters after the game, breaking down the strategy for the final moments.

“I mean, I have trust in Matthew (Wright), so I was good with where we were. Percentages are pretty high; I know we’ve won a game in that same situation on the opposite end, so I get it, but he’s a solid kicker,” said Reid. “I wasn’t too worried about it once we got down in there. Now to get down in there was a nice job by our guys. That play that Pat (Mahomes) and (Travis) Kelce made right there at the end was something – that’s not quite the way it was drawn up.”

The completion from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce setting up Wright’s opportunity was drawn up differently, but his star players’ improvisation made it successful.

“It was a naked – with a back and a slide, and they zoned it off. Pat (Mahomes) had it in his hands, which is important, and on the move, which is important. He does some good things with that, and then we had some people coming to him.” said Reid. “Listen, I thought the Chargers did a nice job with that, but they zoned us off; that’s more of a man, though. They had been playing man up to that point, they had been zero blitzing us so if they would have done that, that would have been a great call.”

The Chiefs are finding ways to win games late and will have the opportunity to clinch the top seed in the conference within the next few weeks.

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy reflects on emotions after game-winning moments: ‘A phenomenal feeling’

Kansas City #Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy reflects on emotions after game-winning moments: ‘A phenomenal feeling’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy addressed his emotions typically following a game-winning drive or moment during his press conference on Tuesday.

“Well, it’s a phenomenal feeling to win, number one,” said Nagy. “I think that’s the initial part is as us being competitors, there’s so much time that goes into Monday through Saturday – Monday through Sunday when you put the game involved and you win in different ways. I think it’s been documented that we’ve been winning a lot of tight games and close games – final plays, and we’ve found ways.”

Nagy is grateful for the winning moments, but he continues to warn about the elite competition in the NFL. No game is guaranteed regardless of the record, and the Carolina Panthers matchup indicated the battles in each game.

“We always remind ourselves that it’s the NFL, it’s hard, and that you better enjoy it while you can, and that doesn’t mean (that) you can’t criticize yourself or want to be better,” said Nagy. “I think that’s a good thing, but we’re all very, very excited when we win, and that’s very important to have that.”

The Chiefs appreciate the thrilling victories, but the team is critical of their winning ways regardless of the AFC’s leading record.

Chiefs K Spencer Shrader describes the moments before his game-winning field goal

Kansas City #Chiefs kicker Spencer Shrader describes the moments before his game-winning field goal | @EdEastonJr

The game-winning drive led by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs offense has led to their conference-leading 10-1 record after Week 12. The field goal to win in regulation differed as rookie Spender Shrader stepped in for injured starter Harrison Butker.

Steadier spoke with the media during his postgame press conference on Sunday, explaining his mindset heading into the game-winning moment.

“I think the biggest emotion in that moment is gratitude and happy that I was able to go out and perform for the team. When you join an organization like the Chiefs, there’s a championship culture and a standard to uphold,” said Shrader. “For me, I just wanted to come in and do my best for the team for as long as I’m here. I was grateful to be put in this situation today and to step up and put up a couple of points up there. But, it’s a team effort at the end of the day, so I’m just really grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this team.”

The Chiefs’ final drive to put Shrader in position wasn’t a shock to the former Notre Dame standout, who is well aware of the offensive players’ talent and gusto.

“I try to prepare myself before that. You know the talent of the guys on your team, who your quarterback is, and who your offensive weapons are,” said Shrader. “So I knew I’d be getting an opportunity, so I just tried to stay calm, understand that it was going to come at some point, and when it did come, I was ready. That comes from belief in the team that they’re going to get you in that situation, and you go out there and just knock it through.”

Shrader has been perfect since signing with the team after two games and appears to fit the team’s culture and winning system.

Chiefs K Harrison Butker explains preparation before attempting game-winning field goals

Kansas City #Chiefs K Harrison Butker explains preparation before attempting game-winning field goals | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are 2-0 to start the new season after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 26-25 on a 51-yard game-winning field goal from Harrison Butker.

Butker spoke to reporters during his postgame press conference Sunday, revealing his unique ways of preparing for game-winning field goals.

“When you’re on the sidelines, you’re not able to see ball flight, right? You’re kicking into a net,” said Butker. “You don’t know where it’s going. So, one thing I changed a couple of years ago was I’ll finish warming up with the full operation probably 15-20 minutes before the period. So, I’m not kicking a ball for 15-20 minutes, and I really have to trust it going into that period.”

Butker connected on another game-winner at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday against the Bengals, remaining a nightmare to opposing teams late in games. He applauded the preparation from practice with the coaching staff simulating the moment.

“Mentally, I just try to put a lot of pressure on myself, and then again, when you have coach (Andy) Reid standing behind you for every single kick, and we don’t have music during that period, so the whole team’s watching,” said Butker. “It’s kind of awkward silence, and it’s just you, and are you making your kicks or not? There’s nowhere to hide. I think that prepares me really well for game days.”

The league’s highest-paid kicker lived up to the billing on Sunday, adding another Arrowhead Stadium game-winner to his already impressive career highlight reel.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco describes his game-clinching runs vs. Bills

#Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco described his game-clinching runs against the #Bills during comments to the media this week.

Running back Isiah Pacheco iced the Kansas City Chiefs’ Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and has been on a hot streak as the defending Super Bowl champions strive to defend their title in the AFC playoffs.

The Chiefs leaned on Pacheco to pick up a first down late in the fourth quarter that clinched Kansas City’s 27-24 win over Buffalo.

While speaking to the media on Wednesday, the 24-year-old running back explained his mindset going into the game’s consequential final drive.

“Just knowing that situation is extremely important,” Pacheco explained. “You [normally] only get those situations in practice and when you rep it and rep it and rep it, when it comes in a game, and it happens it’s like second nature. For us just understand the scheme, understand when you did that in practice before – that’s the mindset of me getting a first down and having the [offensive line] finish on that play.”

Pacheco yearns for these types of situations when the offense controls the outcome of the game, and told reporters that he welcomes the challenge of closing out matchups for his team.

“It’s a big enjoyment, you won the game right there, it’s all said and done,” Pacheco said. “You don’t have to send the defense back out there to get a punt or just have them back out there. It eliminates that part of the game and is a big win for us.”

Pacheco will continue to be an integral part of the Chiefs’ offense, and as he continues to become a more effective and efficient runner, head coach Andy Reid will need to lean on his explosiveness and power to open up the rest of Kansas City’s offense.

Through two playoff games, Pacheco has taken 39 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns, becoming a true workhorse back for the Chiefs.

Oklahoma Sooners Kicker Gabe Brkic named a finalist for Lou Groza award

Oklahoma Kicker Gabe Brkic was named as a semifinalist for the Lou Groza award for the third consecutive year.

The most interesting man in the Oklahoma football program is getting some national accolade. No, we’re not talking about Caleb Williams. We’re talking about the Sooners’ mustache man, kicker Gabe Brkic.

Today, Brkic was announced as a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award honoring the nation’s best kickers.

This marks Brkic’s third year in a row as a semifinalist. Only two others kickers hold the distinction of having been nominated as semifinalists three times; Wake Forest’s Nick Sciba and Nevada’s Brandon Talton.

Brkic has been excellent on the season making 17 of 20 field goals and has been perfect on his extra points this season. He is kicking at an 80 percent clip on field goals 40 yards or longer while also 5 of 6 from field goals on longer than 50 yards. His 56-yarders against Tulane and Western Carolina remain as the longest kicks of the season by any kicker in the NCAA.

He’s been clutch this season and in season’s past making game-winners like his winner against the West Virginia Mountaineers after Spencer Rattler and a struggling offense orchestrated a game-winning drive to get in Brkic’s range.

The finalists for the award will be announced on November 23rd effectively giving Brkic the rest of the Sooners regular season to make his case as one of the three finalists.  With the way the Sooner offense has been moving the ball of late, it stands to reason there will be many more opportunities for Brkic to showcase his talents.

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