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Drew Brees reflects on his most difficult games in the NFL

Which games caused Drew Brees to lose the most sleep? He says prime-time divisional rematches were his toughest challenges in the NFL:

Which games gave Drew Brees the most trouble in his storied NFL career? The former New Orleans Saints quarterback and future Pro Football Hall of Famer shared his take on the toughest challenges he and his teammates had to overcome during a Wednesday appearance on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd.

Brees said it was those divisional matchups on a short week, played under the bright lights in prime time, that lost him the most sleep. He emphasizes greatly with what players on both the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers are going through ahead of Thursday night’s kickoff.

“These games were more difficult,” Brees reflected. “These games were more difficult just because of the level of familiarity between divisional opponents. And especially when it’s divisional opponents that are the caliber that Green Bay and Detroit are, the caliber of quarterback, the caliber of team, the caliber of coach. Because there is so much familiarity that going into the game you were constantly thinking about, ‘Well man, they know us really well. They know all these tendencies. So they know that I know that we know that they know,’ you go through that whole exercise.”

Mind games were certainly part of it; in some cases Brees and the Saints played the same Atlanta Falcons team twice in three weeks, and that recency and familiarity made planning for a rematch a unique challenge. And in those situations, Brees said he and his teammates leaned on days of careful preparation to win the day.

Brees continued: “At the end of the day it comes down to, ‘We need to be so on point on our execution. This needs to be a flawless execution type of game.’ And that really became the emphasis in all these divisional games, especially the ones that were prime-time and the ones that have so much meaning given these guys’ status and fighting for a division title. So I found that these were the most difficult games given all the factors.”

Still, the results suggest Brees and his teammates rose to this challenge. Brees started in nine games against NFC South division rivals on Thursday nights with the Saints, winning six times. He went 5-2 against the Atlanta Falcons and 1-1 against the Carolina Panthers (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers never warranted a prime-time slot like this). You don’t achieve a Hall of Fame career without relishing a challenge, and there aren’t many tougher games in the NFL than those against familiar opponents on a short week.

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The NFC South stands alone in the worst way possible

Every team in the NFC South has lost at least three games in a row after the Falcons fell to the Los Angeles Chargers. No other division can claim that:

The Atlanta Falcons’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers extends their losing streak to three games. This now gives every member of the NFC South a three-game losing streak at some point in the season. The division is a mess from top to bottom — just check the latest standings.

No other division has achieved this in 2024. Matter of fact, there are five divisions with at least one team that has no more than three losses. The NFC North has three of them.

Until this week, the New Orleans Saints had owned the longest losing streak of the season. The Las Vegas Raiders took the mantle with their eighth consecutive loss.

The NFC South is the worst division in the NFL, and their only real rival is the AFC East. The advantage the latter has is the Buffalo Bills are one of the best teams in the league. The rest of the division is on par with the NFC South.

The problem is the NFC South doesn’t have that one team that stands out. The Buccaneers and Falcons are tied at the top of the division and don’t possess a winning record. Even with that low ceiling, the Saints and Panthers don’t seem like they have a chance. That’s the truest indictment of the division.

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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 DC Steve Spagnuolo frustrated over Panthers game-tying scoring drive: ‘Got me upset’

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo frustrated over Carolina #Panthers game-tying scoring drive: ‘Got me upset’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 12 victory over the Carolina Panthers was marred by late-game drama. The defense gave up the game-tying score, squandering a two-score lead before Patrick Mahomes, and the offense led a game-winning drive in regulation.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wasn’t thrilled with his unit’s performance in the game’s final minutes. He shared his thoughts with reporters during Tuesday’s press conference.

“I never like to finish a game like that and put Patrick (Mahomes) and the offense in that kind of situation. It would’ve been nice to win the fourth down or somewhere along the way get (to) a stop there where – we’ve been through this – we’ve actually practiced this a couple of times on purpose,” said Spagnuolo. “I’ve put the guys in situations in a walk-through where I’ve said, ‘Okay, they just scored. If we stop the two-point play, we win the game,’ because when people score on you, you tend to – now, I think our guys were ready to play the play. It didn’t work out that way, but that’s what kind of got me upset.”

Spagnuolo praised Bryce Young’s performance in leading the Panthers’ drives, but he still realizes some issues with his unit.

Chiefs TE Noah Gray discusses the team’s poise on the winning drive: ‘A lot of confidence in each other’

Kansas City #Chiefs TE Noah Gray discusses the team’s poise on the winning drive: ‘A lot of confidence in each other’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray spoke with reporters on Sunday after the victory over the Carolina Panthers. He explained the team’s uncanny ability not to get rattled after almost blowing a two-score lead in the fourth quarter.

“It goes back to the guys and trusting the guys on the team,” said Gray. “This is a great group of guys and I am fortunate enough to practice with them all week. The preparation that goes into it, from the coaches all the way down to the players, just super fortunate to play alongside those guys.”

Gray had another standout game, leading the team with two touchdown receptions, but he understood the formula for a comeback after the Panthers tied the game in regulation.

“We trust every single one of those guys in that locker room. We always have a lot of confidence in each other, and fortunately Spence made a phenomenal kick down the stretch,” said Gray. “You know, he’s only been here for a week and a half. But shout out to Spence, man; I mean, that guy just came to work and just kept his head down. He’s a humble dude, and he made a great kick to get the win for us.”

Sunday marks the first time the Chiefs had a pass catcher record at least two touchdown receptions in back-to-back games since WR Tyreek Hill accomplished the feat vs. the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers during the 2020 season. Gray finished his record-setting day by tying single-game career highs for catches (four) and receiving yards (66) to go with the two touchdowns en route to Kansas City’s 30-27 victory.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reflects on clutch fourth-quarter scramble: ‘You’ve got to make the play’

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes reflects on clutch fourth-quarter scramble: ‘You’ve got to make the play’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ winning feeling is back after holding off the Carolina Panthers in Week 12. Patrick Mahomes spoke with reporters after the game, reflecting on his scramble to set up the game-winning field goal.

“[The Panthers were in] man coverage, they got into a type of like match zone,” Mahomes explained. “They covered up our routes, and I got out to the left, and at that point [in] the game, yards were more important than getting out of bounds.

“So, with the three time-outs, I tried just to cut through… and I think it was Justin Watson. Obviously, [on] the video… [it was] a great block. I think it was him, and I was able to [run past] him, and I was able to get down the field and get out of bounds. I kind of fumbled out of bounds, but I got out of bounds, so I got us in football range.”

Mahomes scrambled for 34 yards in the final seconds of regulation to set up Spencer Shrader’s game-winner. The reigning Super Bowl MVP had another three-touchdown performance and explained his mindset during late-game situations.

“Yeah, I think it’s just certain times in games… It’s not like a pre-plan, that stuff. It’s just whenever it comes down to it. You’ve got to make the play,” Mahomes said. “I feel like I try to go out there and make the play, and that’s why I feel like it happens kind of later in games sometimes and in the playoffs, it’s you don’t want to slide, you have to put your body kind of out there knowing that you can take hits and stuff like that. But we’ve been able to make some big runs in big moments.”

Mahomes and the Chiefs have a quick turnaround for Week 13 on ‘Black Friday’ against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium.

Chiefs safety comments on the defense’s performance: ‘We’ve got to do better’

Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook comments on the defense’s performance: ‘We’ve got to do better’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs defense had a rough ending to Sunday’s victory over the Carolina Panthers. The highly praised unit couldn’t protect a two-point lead in the fourth quarter, as Carolina tied the game with a two-point conversion.

Safety Bryan Cook spoke after the game about the defense’s need to improve as the postseason approaches.

“We’ve got to do better. We’re doing good in the red zone but that’s only a third of the field. Overall, we just have to do better.” said Cook. “At the end of the day, we’re all vets in the room for the most part. As I said before, we got to go back to the drawing board, see what we’re doing, and correct it from there.”

Cook and the defense had lapses throughout the game as Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was able to convert on quick releases ahead of blitzes in the second half.

“Whether it’s then, the beginning of a quarter, or the beginning of a game, it comes down to execution. You have to execute,” said Cook. “They’re at a high level, and I know we had times where we didn’t execute at the highest level, and the team exploited that. So, we got to figure that out, go back to the drawing board, and see what we can do.”

Trent McDuffie, Nick Bolton, and Mike Danna were able to get their hands on Young for sacks, but the second-year starter proved elusive under pressure.

Inactives for Chiefs vs. Panthers, Week 12

Here are the players who will be inactive during the #Panthers vs. #Chiefs Week 12 game | From @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers released their list of inactive players before their Week 12 matchup.

Here are the inactive players for the Chiefs:

OT CJ Hanson
OT Ethan Driskell
DT Marlon Tuipulotu
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DE Cameron Thomas

Here is the inactive list for the Panthers:

S Jammie Robinson
CB Shemar Bartholomew
LB Thomas Incoom
LB DJ Johnson
OG Jarrett Kingston
DT Jaden Crumedy
WR Jalen Coker

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy reacts to college teammate playing in Week 12: ‘I’m happy for him’

Kansas City #Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy reacts to Jonathon Brooks playing in Week 12: ‘I’m happy for him’ | @EdEastonJr

The Carolina Panthers welcome the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday, along with the debut of their rookie running back, Jonathon Brooks. Chiefs rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, a college teammate with Brooks, shared his thoughts on the anticipated debut during Friday’s press conference.

“Yeah, that’s my guy, man,” said Worthy. “He had a hell of a college career; he just got, unfortunately, hurt, so I feel like we had him on our run in college with probably a bit different but just to see him back out there and do the things he is doing, I’m happy for him.”

The Panthers are in rebuild mode for their franchise, featuring younger talent on the field. Carolina drafted Brooks in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft out of Texas as part of the young nucleus to lead the franchise offensively alongside Bryce Young. Brooks has been recovering from a torn ACL he suffered while playing with the Longhorns last year. He rushed for 1,139 yards and ten touchdowns, teaming with Worthy during his final college season.

Sean Payton moved to Denver and still owns the NFC South

Sean Payton swept the NFC South, proving nothing’s changed but his address. Unfortunately, his dominance now includes the Saints:

The Atlanta Falcons were painfully reminded of something that has been true for nearly 20 years. Sean Payton has partial ownership in the Atlanta Falcons. Maybe they hoped things changed since Payton was no longer leading the New Orleans Saints.

However, when the Falcons visited the Denver Broncos, Payton showed the new emblem on the hat doesn’t lessen his dominance over the Falcons. Payton improved his record to 22-9 against the Falcons with a dominating 38-6 victory.

Atlanta wasn’t the only team to get this reminder. Payton swept the NFC South this year and showed them why they all felt relieved by his temporary retirement. This included Payton’s first career victory over the Saints.

The games haven’t been too close either. The Carolina Panthers kept it the closest, and they lost by 14 points. At the end of that game, Payton flat out said Carolina isn’t a good team. Maybe that was the jolt Carolina needed because they haven’t lost a game since those comments.

During his 16-year run with New Orleans, Payton had a winning record against every team in the division. As the coach of the Denver Broncos, he’s undefeated against his former division.

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