Tag: Leo Chenal

Leo Chenal graded as PFF’s top defender in 2024 playoffs

#Chiefs LB Leo Chenal turned heads at Pro Football Focus, earning the highest grade of any defender in the 2024 playoffs.

The Kansas City Chiefs relied on their defense to win Super Bowl LVIII, and second-year linebacker Leo Chenal was a huge asset for the team in their playoff run to the big game.

Chenal cemented himself as one of the unit’s top producers in Kansas City’s matchups against the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and San Franciso 49ers, earning a 91.0 grade from PFF for his postseason efforts.

While he might not be a household name yet, Chenal figures to be a key fixture of the Chiefs’ defense in 2024 and beyond as he comes into his own in Steve Spagnuolo’s system.

Kansas City’s players will face sky-high expectations next season, and Chenal may prove to be a lynchpin on the team’s defense as the Chiefs seek to defend their Super Bowl LVIII championship.

Chenal will be a player for fans to keep their eyes on throughout the offseason as Kansas City reloads ahead of its next title defense campaign.

Former Wisconsin DL Beau Allen praises Super Bowl performance of former Badger

Former Wisconsin DL Beau Allen praises Super Bowl performance of former Badger

We’ve got some Wisconsin Badger-to-Wisconsin Badger praise here.

Former Wisconsin defensive lineman and Super Bowl champion Beau Allen joined the Green Light with Chris Long earlier this week to recap the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl 57 victory.

He spent time during his appearance praising the performance of another former Badger: Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal.

Related: ChatGPT ranks the most intimidating Big Ten football stadiums to play in

Chenal recorded six tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a blocked extra point in the game. I wrote earlier this week that his play practically won the game for the Chiefs, especially the forced fumble and blocked extra point.

Allen brought specific examples of Chenal’s play sticking out:

Allen comes with legitimate credentials. He played six years in the NFL, four with the Philadelphia Eagles where he won Super Bowl 52.

The main storylines after this year’s Super Bowl concluded were Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid’s legacies, Kyle Shanahan’s game management and Brock Purdy’s viability. Many intelligent football minds have pointed to Chenal, though, as one of the unheralded stars of the game.

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Leo Chenal led Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII with 92.0 PFF grade

Second-year linebacker Leo Chenal was the #Chiefs’ top graded player in Super Bowl LVIII, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Kansas City Chiefs relied on their depth to win Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, and one second-year linebacker stood out above the rest to Pro Football Focus when their analysts took a look at the film from the game.

Leo Chenal, who served the Chiefs well all season, played the best game of his life on the NFL’s biggest stage, earning a 92.0 grade from PFF for his efforts against the 49ers.

Chenal’s outstanding performance proved to be the difference for Kansas City in their effort to win a third Super Bowl ring. The budding young linebacker helped force a fumble on the game’s third drive and blocked an extra point late in the contest that helped the Chiefs push the game to overtime.

While he didn’t earn MVP honors for his amazing showing against San Francisco, Chenal’s incredible play won’t soon be forgotten by Kansas City’s fans, who will forever remember him as a difference-maker in a legendary Super Bowl.

Former Wisconsin linebacker now one of seven former Badgers to win multiple Super Bowls

Former Wisconsin linebacker now one of seven former Badgers to win multiple Super Bowls

Former Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal won his second Super Bowl title in as many years with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.

He wasn’t only on the winning team, but his play was arguably the biggest reason for the Chiefs’ victory.

Chenal was part of an impressive 2022 draft class for Kansas City. The class includes CB Trent McDuffie, DE George Karlaftis, WR Skyy Moore, himself, CB Jaylen Watson and RB Isaih Pacheco. That group has now been in the NFL for two seasons, both ending in Super Bowl titles.

Related: Win totals released for Wisconsin, every Big Ten team in 2024 football season

The former Wisconsin linebacker also joined some exclusive company of former Badgers with the win on Sunday: he is now one of seven Wisconsin products to win multiple titles. The others: Packers C Ken Bowman (two Super Bowls), Cowboys DT Bill Gregory (two), Steelers C Mike Webster (four), Saints and Patriots LB Jonathan Casillas (two), Seahawks and Eagles S Chris Maragos (two) and Patriots RB James White (three).

Given Chenal gets to play with Patrick Mahomes and for Andy Reid for the foreseeable future, that Super Bowl number is sure to grow.

Former Badger was the highest-graded player in the Super Bowl

Former Badger was the highest-graded player in the Super Bowl

 

The Kansas City Chiefs knocked off the San Francisco 49ers, 25-22 in overtime, to capture their second straight Super Bowl, and a former Badger played a massive role.

Linebacker Leo Chenal registeed six tackles (three solo) and a forced fumble, while also blocking a PAT, providing Kansas City with a pair of crucial plays.

His performance was good enough to earn the highest overall rating in the game by Pro Football Focus (PFF). Chenal has won the Super Bowl in each of his first two NFL seasons after a successful three-year career with the Badgers (2019-2021).

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Former Wisconsin linebacker’s play won Super Bowl 58 for the Kansas City Chiefs

Former Wisconsin linebacker’s play won Super Bowl 58 for the Kansas City Chiefs

Former Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal is a two-time Super Bowl champion in only two years in the NFL.

It helps to be drafted by a franchise led by Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes and play on one of the best defenses in the NFL. Though Chenal fell to the third round and 103rd pick of the 2022 NFL draft, he’s made the Chiefs’ brass look smart for selecting him.

Related: Win totals released for Wisconsin, every Big Ten team in 2024 football season

Through two seasons the former Badger has recorded 100 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and four sacks. He has quickly become a valuable part of a stellar inside linebacker corps alongside Willie Gay and Nick Bolton.

One could argue it was his play that propelled the Chiefs to a 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl 58 Sunday night.

Related: Social media roasted a Wisconsin legend during the Super Bowl broadcast

First, Chenal forced 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey to fumble on the first possession of the game.

Then, he blocked a San Francisco extra point to keep it a three-point game. That saved point allowed the Chiefs to force overtime and eventually take home the trophy.

Chenal finished the contest with six tackles, one tackle for loss, the forced fumble and a blocked extra point.

Brian Baldinger had a great breakdown of his entire night:

Patrick Mahomes won Super Bowl MVP, but Chenal made some of the game’s most crucial plays.

How to watch former Wisconsin Badger Leo Chenal in Super Bowl 58

How to watch former Wisconsin Badger Leo Chenal in Super Bowl 58

The 58th edition of the big game kicks off in a few hours. This year’s edition is the Kansas City Chiefs vs the San Francisco 49ers.

One former Wisconsin Badger will be in action: linebacker Leo Chenal.

Chenal is in his second NFL season — both with the Chiefs. He won the Super Bowl in his rookie season, and is now looking to go back-to-back to begin his career.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger who has played in the Super Bowl since 2000

The stellar linebacker recorded 65 tackles, eight tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, three sacks and one pass defended this season. He is part of an extremely productive Chiefs linebacker core alongside Nick Bolton and Willie Gay.

Here is how to watch Chenal tonight as he looks for his second Super Bowl ring:

  • Date: Sunday, February 11, 2024
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: CBS, streaming on Paramount+

Ravens reflect on AFC Championship loss to Chiefs during Locker room cleanout day

After having exit meetings on Monday, the Baltimore Ravens met the media and offered their reactions to the AFC title game loss to the Chiefs

The Ravens are again staring disappointment in the face after a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game at M&T Bank Stadium.

Jackson and the Ravens offense imploded with three turnovers, and the team is 0-8 in team history when committing three or more turnovers in the postseason.

Jackson finished 20 of 37 for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception as Baltimore tied a season-low with 10 points.

The consensus favorite for NFL MVP, Jackson will have to wait another year to escape the notion that he’s unable to win games in the most crucial moments.

With a critical offseason and major decisions ahead, the Ravens cleaned out their lockers and had exit interviews with the coaching staff.  Afterward, they met with the media, and here are the instant reactions.

Takeaways and observations from Ravens 17-10 loss to Chiefs in AFC Championship game

We’re looking at the takeaways from the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game

The Ravens are again staring disappointment in the face after a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game at M&T Bank Stadium.

The consensus favorite for NFL MVP, Jackson will have to wait another year to escape the notion that he’s unable to win games in the most crucial moments.

Jackson and the Ravens offense imploded with three turnovers, and the team is 0-8 in team history when committing three or more turnovers in the postseason.

Jackson finished 20 of 37 for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception as Baltimore tied a season-low with 10 points.

With a critical offseason and major decisions ahead, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the shocking loss.

Ravens vs. Chiefs: 10 takeaways from first half of AFC Championship game

We’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half as the Kansas City Chiefs hold a 17-7 lead over the Baltimore Ravens

The Chiefs heard all the noise and responded upon entering M&T Bank Stadium, jumping out to an early lead on the Baltimore Ravens and taking a 17-7 lead into halftime.

Sunday is the 5th time the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens have trailed by double digits at halftime (0-4 in the first four games).

Three other times, it has been vs. the Chiefs (2019 and 2020).

Kansas City answered the questions about Baltimore’s physicality, attacking the Ravens in the trenches on both sides of the football.

With the second half underway, we’re looking at takeaways from the first half.