Tag: nfl season

Chiefs DE George Karlaftis looking to carry rookie success into 2023

Heading into the 2023 NFL season, #Chiefs DE George Karlaftis is looking to build off of his successful rookie campaign. | from @LazarczykLogan

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Kansas City Chiefs DE George Karlaftis is looking to build on his rookie campaign in 2023.

Karlaftis spoke to the media at mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, showing his desire to pick up where he left off a season ago. He provided insight into what this season could look like and what he’s been trying to improve during the course of the offseason.

“(I’m) really trying to focus on the little things,” Karlaftis said. “The mental aspect, the mental side of the game, you can never get too good at that. The details, the fundamentals, really getting bigger, faster, stronger. Trying to hit it from every angle.”

Speaking on his rookie experience and carrying that over to his second season, Karlaftis feels like the extended number of games played will benefit him in 2023.

“Playing 20 games, having that experience and being around guys like Chris [Jones], Frank [Clark], Carlos [Dunlap], and all the other guys in the room, that helps you out,” Karlaftis said. “I learned a lot this past season, I’m ready to take that with me going forward.”

The second-year pass rusher couldn’t exactly pinpoint when things started to click for him during his rookie campaign. However, he felt that he eventually “figured it out” and overcame the early growing pains late in the season and into the playoffs.

“You have conversations – It happens at a different time for everyone, and at times it got frustrating,” Karlaftis said. “You just keep going forward, put your best foot forward.”

The 22-year-old pass rusher is coming off a productive rookie season, totaling six sacks and 33 sacks in 17 games. Karlaftis will look to carry that production over into this upcoming season, sharing in an even greater portion of the responsibility in his second season.

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Chiefs’ travel distance ranks eighth most in the NFL in 2023

The #Chiefs will travel a greater distance for their games in 2023 than they did just a season ago.

With the 2023 NFL schedule reveal coming on Thursday evening, it’s the season for some interesting facts about each team’s schedule.

We already know which teams the Kansas City Chiefs will face next season. We also know about their game against the Miami Dolphins in Germany and their game against the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year’s Eve. What else do we already know about the schedule? We know the exact distances that NFL teams will have to travel when playing all of their games.

In what has become an annual tradition, Boston Herald sports columnist Bill Speros shared the total miles and number of time zone changes for each of the league’s 32 teams. Being centrally located right in the middle of the country typically means that Kansas City is always around the middle of the pack for travel distance. This year is a little different, however, with the team traveling overseas for an international game.

Check it out:

The Chiefs will cover 24,156 miles with 30 time zone changes when they hit the road in 2023, which ranks No. 8 among all NFL teams. Last season, the Chiefs ranked dead center in the NFL with the No. 16 travel distance. 

The Seattle Seahawks will cover the most miles for the second consecutive year (31,600) and tie for the most time zone changes (36).

The Cincinnati Bengals (11,942) will have the fewest miles traveled in the NFL in 2023, while the Detroit Lions will have the fewest time zone changes (8).

The Chargers are the only team in the AFC West that will travel a greater distance than Kansas City this season (26,102). They’ll also match their 30 time zone changes.

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Where Chargers rank in 2023 strength of schedule

Here’s the entire NFL strength of schedule based on opponent’s records in 2023.

The Chargers have the NFL’s 12th-hardest strength of schedule in 2023 (.517) based on their opponents’ records from last season.

The teams Los Angeles will face this season combined for a 149-139-0 record in 2022.

The Bolts’ opponents for next season were announced a couple of months ago, but dates and times won’t be unveiled until the schedule is finalized in May.

Here’s a look at the NFL’s complete strength of schedule for the upcoming season, per Bills Wire.

Rank Team Record Win Pct.
1 Philadelphia Eagles 161-123-4   .566
2 Miami Dolphins 158-127-2   .554
3 New York Giants 157-129-2   .549
3 New England Patriots 156-128-3   .549
3 Dallas Cowboys 156-128-4   .549
6 New York Jets 155-129-3   .545
7 Buffalo Bills 155-131-2   .542
8 Washington Commanders 153-133-2   .535
9 Los Angeles Rams 152-133-3   .533
10 Las Vegas Raiders 150-136-2   .524
11 Arizona Cardinals 148-137-3 .  519
12 Denver Broncos 148-138-2   .517
12 Seattle Seahawks 148-138-2   .517
12 Los Angeles Chargers 149-139-0   .517
15 San Francisco 49ers 147-139-2   .514
16 Kansas City Chiefs 147-140-0 .  512
17 Cincinnati Bengals 146-140-2   .510
18 Chicago Bears 143-145-1   .497
18 Minnesota Vikings 143-145-0   .497
20 Detroit Lions 143-146-0   .495
21 Baltimore Ravens 138-147-2   .484
22 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 138-148-2   .483
23 Jacksonville Jaguars 135-148-4   .477
24 Green Bay Packers 137-151-1   .476
25 Pittsburgh Steelers 134-151-2   .470
26 Cleveland Browns 131-154-2   .460
27 Carolina Panthers 130-157-2   .453
28 Tennessee Titans 127-157-4   .448
29 Indianapolis Colts 124-162-2   .434
30 Houston Texans 123-163-2   .431
31 New Orleans Saints 122-164-3   .427
32 Atlanta Falcons 119-167-3   .417

The Eagles (.566) have the toughest strength of schedule in 2023, and the Falcons (.417) have the easiest.

Time, date set for Chargers’ regular season finale vs. Broncos

The Chargers look to finish 11-6 and secure the fifth seed.

The Chargers wrap up the regular season on the road against the Broncos.

Los Angeles will take on Denver on Sunday, Jan. 8, at 1:25 p.m. PT at Empower Field at Mile High, the NFL announced Monday.

The NFL’s scheduling rules permit the league to announce the Week 18 schedule in the days ahead of the final weekend of the regular season.

In their first meeting this season, the Bolts beat the Broncos in Week 6 of the season by the score of 19-16 in overtime.

Denver’s last divisional win came against L.A. in Week 12 of the 2021 season. That contest was played at Empower Field at Mile High.

L.A. will look to defeat Denver to finish the regular season with an 11-6 record and enter the playoffs with the fifth seed.

NFL Network gives update on Odell Beckham’s status

NFL Network provides an update on Odell Beckham’s free agency

As the NFL season grows closer, former LSU wideout [autotag]Odell Beckham Jr[/autotag] is still without a home.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network recently had an update on Beckham’s status.

Rapoport pointed out how Beckham is still recovering from an ACL and could be exercising patience. Beckham might not be able to play early in the year anyway, so why not take more time to recover?

It doesn’t seem like Beckham is signing anytime soon. This would give Beckham a chance to join a contender down the stretch in good health.

The Rams have maintained interest, but there hasn’t been much smoke around other teams.

Teams like the Cowboys, Titans, or Colts could use his services. All three of those teams expect to contend but need some more depth at wide receiver.

In 14 games last year, Beckham caught 44 passes for 537 yards. He really shined in the postseason, where he had 288 yards and a couple of touchdowns.

That included a 113-yard performance in the NFC Championship game. In the Super Bowl, he put the Rams up 7-0 with a first-quarter touchdown.

In his eight NFL seasons, Beckham has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on five occasions and that total could be even higher if it weren’t for injuries.

Beckham is just 29 and could be an important part of an offense this year.

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Chargers banking on Year 2 jump from Chris Rumph II

The Los Angeles Chargers expect more extensive contributions from their 2021 fourth-round pick.

It doesn’t come around often for NFL players to hit the ground running as rookies. However, history has shown that most players make strides in their development from their first to second season.

For the Chargers, they are banking on an ascension from edge defender Chris Rumph II, who they drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

As a rookie, Rumph played 176 snaps, which he turned into 19 tackles, four quarterback pressures, two hits, and one sack.

Rumph showed flashes of athleticism, lateral quickness, and secondary effort and range. However, his lean frame and lack of play strength led to him being engulfed at the point of attack far more often than not.

That is why Rumph has made the point to get stronger and bigger this offseason.

“Chris has really approached this offseason in a great mindset,” defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill said of Rumph. “He’s obviously put on some weight. We asked him to put on the weight and he looks really good.

We knew that that was going to be a process, when he got here, of him just growing into his body and spending more time in the weight room. He’s been doing everything that we’ve asked him to do.

I know that he is going to have a huge jump, just by having those guys in the room ahead of him giving him some nuggets there.”

Entering the league, Rumph was 235 pounds but on the team’s website, he’s now listed as 244 pounds.

Heading into Year 2, Rumph will serve as a rotational rusher behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, while continuing to make the majority of his money on special teams.

With the additional weight and strength and the pressure packages with the personnel in place coupled with his athletic ability, look for there to be an uptick in production from Rumph.

Projecting the Saints’ starting offense before training camp

Some key additions for the New Orleans Saints bring up a new-look offense in 2022, with several new starters projected in the lineup, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

As organized team activities (OTAs) begin around the NFL, important roster battles get started, injured players show their progress, and rookies look to establish themselves. There’s no exception for the New Orleans Saints as the team reports to the facility on Airline Drive. Many of the new additions and standout rookies will be on the offensive side of the ball thanks to the offseason additions of rookie wideout Chris Olave, fellow first-round selection tackle Trevor Penning, and veteran wide receiver Jarvis Landry.

From now through OTAs and the upcoming mandatory minicamp events the Saints offensive roster will look to shake out. Training camp will bring not only a clearer look at the 2022 depth chart, but will certainly provide it’s own intrigue as starters get solidified. Here’s a look at the projected starting Saints offense ahead of training camp and the preseason:

Chargers’ initial 53-man roster for the 2021 NFL season

The Chargers have finalized the full 53-man roster to start the 2021 season. Take a look at each player on the active roster.

The Los Angeles Chargers have announced their initial 53-man roster heading into the 2021 season, which kicks off next Sunday against The Washington Football Team.

The Chargers can still make additional roster moves in the coming days via waiver claims and free agent signings. They’ll also look to construct a 16-man practice squad.

Breaking down the Bolts’ 53-man roster by position:

Offense

Quarterbacks (3): Justin Herbert, Chase Daniel, Easton Stick

Running backs (4): Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree III

Fullbacks (1): Gabe Nabers

Wide receivers (5): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton, Josh Palmer, K.J. Hill

Tight ends (4): Jared Cook, Donald Parham, Tre’ McKitty, Stephen Anderson

Offensive linemen (9): Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler, Corey Linsley, Oday Aboushi, Bryan Bulaga, Trey Pipkins, Brenden Jaimes, Storm Norton, Scott Quessenberry

Defense

Defensive linemen (5): Linval Joseph, Justin Jones, Jerry Tillery, Christian Covington, Forrest Merrill

Edge defender (4): Joey Bosa, Uchenna Nwosu, Kyler Fackrell, Chris Rumph II

Linebackers (5): Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill, Kyzir White, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga

Defensive backs (10): Michael Davis, Asante Samuel, Jr., Chris Harris, Jr., Brandon Facyson, Tevaughn Campbell, Kemon Hall, Derwin James, Nasir Adderley, Alohi Gilman, Mark Webb

Specialists (3): Tristan Vizcaino, Ty Long, Matt Overton

What would you consider a successful 2021 Chargers season?

The Los Angeles Chargers are a highly anticipated team entering the 2021 season.

The Chargers are in preparation for the 2021 season, which will mark the start of a new era under first-year head coach Brandon Staley.

Los Angeles saw some turnover of players from previous seasons, but they added a few this offseason to complete a roster that’s capable of competing with anyone.

Earlier, I laid out three questions that could ultimately determine the team’s success rate this season.

With fan’s anticipation for the new year at an all-time high, I wanted to see what would be considered a “successful” season for the Bolts.

Submit your vote poll and let us know.

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Chargers-Patriots named one of the most intriguing matchups of 2021

The Los Angeles Chargers will be looking to get revenge this upcoming season.

The Chargers are set to face the Patriots for the second consecutive season in 2021.

This time around, Los Angeles should be more hungry than ever after suffering the worst loss in a franchise history to New England a year ago, where they were shutout by the score of 45-0.

The matchup between the two teams which comes in Week 8 was named one of the most intriguing games on the 2021 schedule by Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield.

Here’s what Schofield wrote about the bout:

Let’s look at when the New England Patriots have the football. Sure there have been a ton of new additions — including former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry — but now the Patriots offense will be squaring off against Brandon Staley and a new-look Chargers defense. Let’s not forget, Staley’s defense did a number on this Patriots team a year ago when he was the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. The chess match between Staley and New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will be fascinating to watch unfold.

Then when the Chargers have the football, young QB Justin Herbert will get his second shot at a Bill Belichick defense. Belichick has often enjoyed success against younger quarterbacks, and last year’s game was no exception, but year two of Herbert might find the young passer with a few more tricks up his sleeves.

The Patriots suffered a rough patch in their first season without quarterback Tom Brady. But the team brought in a handful of reinforcements this offseason for their presumed starter, Cam Newton, as well as their future, Mac Jones.

New England went on a free agency frenzy, acquiring former Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, TE Jonnu Smith and wide receivers Nelson Agholor and  Kendrick Bournce, among others, as they look to get back to their winning ways.

Last year, the Patriots offense was too much for Los Angeles. But it should be a different story knowing that Brandon Staley had no problem stymieing them last season when he was the Rams defensive coordinator, and the pieces on the defensive side of the ball are capable, if healthy.

In addition, the special teams department cost them this game, too. The Bolts allowed a punt return touchdown, and also had a kick blocked that the Patriots returned for a touchdown. New ST coordinator Derius Swinton II and the players brought in should help to avoid a repeat.

On the other side that could determine the outcome of this game is the play of quarterback Justin Herbert.

Bill Belichick is one of the best in the business at getting the best out of young quarterbacks, which is what he did last season, holding Herbert to a 49.1% completion percentage for 209 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions.

Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s game plan for Herbert and the rest of the offense could ultimately decide the fate of L.A. in this game.