Tag: Super Bowl

Saints DT Khalen Saunders calls fanbase ‘most loyal’ he has ever seen

Khalen Saunders called the Saints fanbase the ‘most loyal’ he has ever seen. His time in New Orleans hasn’t been easy, but he’s felt the love:

The New Orleans Saints have had one of their worst seasons in recent memory, but the fans dedication to the team has left an impression on at least one player.

In replying to a highlight video of the first two weeks of the season, the wins over the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders had some nice words for fans of the team.

Saunders was a signing in the 2023 NFL offseason when he inked a three-year, $14.5 million contract. He spent the first four years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he won a couple of Super Bowl rings, but it’s New Orleans where he’s seen loyal fans show up each week during rough times.

His contributions haven’t led to a lot of winning this past two campaigns, but he has led the defensive interior in tackles both times. He has 93 tackles with four for a loss and two sacks. He also has an interception, which is one of the more memorable moments of the season in New Orleans. The big man took a pick back 37 yards against his former team.

Before the pick, he also won fans over with his surprising contributions on offense. He has lined up as a fullback and out wide. His kind words are sure to win over a few more as well.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Watch the Beyoncé Super Bowl halftime shows before her NFL performance on Christmas

Beyoncé had one of the best Super Bowl performances ever.

Beyoncé will perform the halftime show on Netflix when the Baltimore Ravens play the Houston Texans during an NFL game on Christmas Day.

This is a big moment for Beyoncé, whose performance from her hometown in Houston will reach homes around the world as it streams on Netflix. Lots of people, including Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, are excited to watch this show.

But this is not the first time that we have seen the iconic musician entertain football fans. She performed during the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans. It included Destiny’s Child and it ranked as one of the best performances we have ever seen during the Super Bowl.

A few years later, in 2016, she and Bruno Mars joined Coldplay at the Super Bowl in Santa Clara.

It made her one of the only performers to have multiple appearances in the Super Bowl. (However, we frankly would not mind if she just performed every year.)

https://youtu.be/c9cUytejf1k?si=lt9_8Ty-zCU6cz0e

You can watch both of these performances again before she plays in Houston on Christmas Day in 2024.

But her performance will likely sound a little different this year with her latest album, Cowboy Carter, proudly released in the country genre.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1098 tag=27950]

Bo Nix talking Super Bowl with Broncos on verge of playoff berth

Bo Nix says the Broncos aim to win their final three games and then “go into the playoffs and win a Super Bowl.” 

Well, that escalated quickly.

After winning four straight games, the Denver Broncos are now 9-5 and just one win away from clinching a spot in the NFL playoffs.

With three games remaining, the Broncos only need one victory to secure a spot in the postseason. At the end of his Tuesday press conference, rookie quarterback Bo Nix was asked about the win-one-of-three-and-you’re-in scenario.

This was his response: “We’ve got three games to win three and go into the playoffs and win a Super Bowl.”

That was Nix’s final answer of the day as he wrapped up with “Thank you all” and walked of the podium. You can watch the exchange at the 5:03 mark of Nix’s press conference:

This certainly isn’t the first time Nix has made his ambitions known. When he got “The Call” from Broncos general manager George Paton during the 2024 NFL draft, Nix said, “You wanna win a Super Bowl? All right. Let’s go.”

Before Nix gets too carried away, Denver’s first order of business is clinching a playoff spot. They can do that by beating the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Aidan Hutchinson says he’s ‘on track’ to return for the Super Bowl

Injured Lions star EDGE Aidan Hutchinson says he’s ‘on track’ to return for the Super Bowl

Amidst a series of devastating defensive personnel losses due to injury, the Detroit Lions desperately need some hope. Aidan Hutchinson, one of the first of many Lions defenders lost this season, offered up some of that hope.

In an interview with actor (and Lions fan) Taylor Lautner on the podcast Lautner does with his wife (also named Taylor), Hutchinson continued with his assertion that he would be able to return for a Lions appearance in the Super Bowl.

“I’m on track for my goal of returning for the Super Bowl,” Hutchinson said. “And so, I keep telling all the boys when I see them in the (Lions) facility, ‘you’ve just to get there. And I promise you I’m going to be back’.”

The NFL Network show Football Morning in America shared a clip of the exchange:

 

Hutchinson suffered a broken shin in the Lions win over Dallas on October 13th. He had surgery and has been rehabbing with the hope of being able to return deep in the postseason. The Super Bowl will be played in New Orleans on February 9th, just under four months after Hutchinson got injured. That’s on the very early end of the expected 4-to-6 month rehab for the injury.

Lions lose DT Alim McNeill and CB Carlton Davis to long-term injuries

Lions lose DT Alim McNeill for the season and CB Carlton Davis for at least the rest of the regular season to injuries

Another week down in the NFL and another set of injuries occur to the Detroit Lions defense. To this point, when was the last time the Lions played a game without any sort of significant injury to one of their defensive players? It feels like since July, they’ve been hampered by injuries.

 

After yesterday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, it was evident that cornerback Carlton Davis and defensive tackle Alim McNeill were injured. Both players were helped off the field, and it didn’t take long for announcements that both players were out for the game.

For McNeill, he will be done for the season as he tore his ACL. It’s unfortunate as he had been playing at such a high level for much of the season. According to PFF, McNeill has earned a 78.9 overall grade (10th in DL rankings) this season. He recorded 33 hurries (4th) and 40 total pressures (11th) with 4 sacks on the year. The Lions do have DJ Reader, but replacing McNeill will be tough this late into the season.

 

As for Carlton Davis, he suffered a broken jaw and will need surgery. He’s set to miss up to sixweeks due to the injury. If all goes right for the Lions, they could have Davis back for the NFC Championship. Prior to the injury, Davis had been playing some of his best football.

Since Week 9, Davis had an overall grade of 83.1 (among players with a minimum of 100 snaps played), per PFF. He also has a coverage grade of 86.4, which leads the league as well. The Lions will need to get creative in replacing Davis. Not just because of how productive he’s been but his backup, Khalil Dorsey, is also going to miss the rest of the season with a fractured leg that he suffered against Buffalo.

[lawrence-related id=117001]

The Lions certainly control their own destiny, but the injuries continue to mount for their defense. That makes it difficult to believe they find ways to stop the opposition moving forward. Despite there being a small glimmer of hope for the Lions to win the Super Bowl, one thing is for sure: never count a Dan Campbell-led football team out.

Steve Young almost joined Broncos after John Elway retired

After John Elway retired, Mike Shanahan tried to convince Steve Young to join the Broncos. Young retired instead, a decision he now regrets.

What could have been?

John Elway announced his retirement from the NFL on May 2, 1999. One year later, Steve Young announced his retirement on June 13, 2000, after numerous concussions, including one that ended his 1999 season.

Mike Shanahan, who served as the Denver Broncos‘ head coach from 1995-2008, wanted Young to reunite with him in Denver. Shanahan previously coached Young as an offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers.

Young ended up retiring instead, a decision that he and his wife now regret.

“I spent time some in Denver and we were ready to — we were thinking about it,” Young said during an interview on the Pardon My Take podcast this week. “He [Shanahan] was all in. He was all in, and I just — I don’t know. My wife says that’s one of the things I … we were newly married at the time and she regrets not like pushing me harder to do it. I was kind of emotionally cooked.”

The Broncos went 11-5 in 2000 with Brian Griese under center. Twenty-four years later, Young admitted that he regrets not reuniting with Shanahan.

“I regret — I should have jumped in,” Young said. “I would have played 2000 to maybe two or three years, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 would have been the years I played in Denver if I would have done it.”

Young was a backup behind Joe Montana when the 49ers won Super Bowls XXIII and XXIV. After Montana’s retirement, Young won Super Bowl XXIX with San Francisco. Elway retired after winning Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII with Denver. One can’t help but wonder if Shanahan and Young might have won another Super Bowl with the Broncos had the QB not retired.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Steelers climb 1 spot in new power rankings

The Steelers are up to No. 6 in the NFL Network power rankings.

Despite all their detractors and doubters, the Pittsburgh Steelers just keep finding ways to win games and stay on top in the AFC North. Pittsburgh is 10-3 with four games to play and can clinch a playoff spot in the AFC in Week 15 with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the latest updated NFL power rankings on the NFL site, they gave the Steelers a one-spot bump up after the win over the Cleveland Browns to No. 6 in their latest power rankings. Here’s what they had to say about the Steelers:

I’ve been asked a lot on radio shows whether the Steelers are truly a Super Bowl contender, and my answer always seems to turn into a version of: Why the heck not? They have a championship-level defense and an offense that can get cooking at times. Throw in a mortal-lock kicker in Chris Boswell (36 of 39 on field-goal tries) and terrific special teams overall, and the formula is there. 

If the Steelers want to be seriously considered as Super Bowl contenders, these next three games will tell all. The Steelers taken on the Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs in a span of 10 days. The Eagles are the No. 2 team on these rankings and the Chiefs are No. 3. Come out of this stretch with a win or two and it will do a long way toward legitimizing their shot in the AFC.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Russell Wilson offers ultimate praise of his head coach

Russell Wilson called Mike Tomlin the best coach in the NFL.

When it is all said and done, there’s a real chance Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s played for some of the best coaches in the NFL and has put together an incredible resume. After two tumultuous seasons with the Denver Broncos, Wilson has come to Pittsburgh and resurrected his career.

A big reason for that has been the support of head coach Mike Tomlin. Wilson spoke to the media after Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns and offered high praise of Tomlin calling him not only the best head coach in the NFL but in all of sports.

 

The Steelers currently sit at 10-3 and hold a two-game lead in the AFC North. Wilson has brought new life to the Steelers offense and made Pittsburgh a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Playoff losses a ‘huge thorn in my side’ for Steelers LB T.J. Watt

The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game during T.J. Watt’s career.

Going all the way back to his rookie season in 2017, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has established himself as one of the best all-around defensive players in the NFL. He has been the cornerstone of the Steelers defense for years and will go down in history as one of the best players in franchise history.

One thing that has eluded Watt during his career is postseason success. In fact, the Steelers have never won a playoff game with Watt on the team. This is something Watt takes very personal. He talked about it in an interview and was candid about the team’s playoff woes.

“I’m just trying to win games and get to the playoffs and have my first playoff win,” Watt said. “It has been a huge thorn in my side since I’ve been here.”

Watt and the Steelers have a great chance to break that winless streak this season. Pittsburgh is 9-3 and in the lead in the AFC North. They are currently the No. 3 seed in the AFC and look like legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Commanders’ offense reminding some of the 1991 team

The current Commanders are doing things that hasn’t been done since the last Super Bowl team.

This Commanders team has accomplished something Washington hasn’t achieved in 33 seasons.

This dates back to pre-Daniel Snyder era teams, all the way back to Jack Kent Cooke being the owner, Joe Gibbs still being the coach, and Mark Rypien being the starting quarterback.

In 1991 the Washington Redskins were Super Bowl XXVI champions, having defeated the Buffalo Bills 37-24 after having led 37-10. This year’s 2024 team has no guarantees to match that accomplishment. However, this year’s team has scored 40+ points three times, and that 1991 Super Bowl champion team last accomplished that.

Led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders have scored 40+ points at the Cardinals (42-14), against the Panthers (40-7), and the Titans (42-19).

The Commanders have converted 71 of 161 3rd down attempts for 44.1 percent. They have done quite well on fourth downs, as Washington has converted 13 of 15 plays for 86.7 percent. The Commanders offense has executed well in the red zone, scoring touchdowns 60 percent of the time on 33 of 55 possessions.

The 1991 team actually accomplished the 40+ points feat four times in the regular season: against the Lions (45-0), against the Browns (42-17), against the Falcons (56-17), and at the Steelers (41-14) and then also in their NFC Championship game win over the Lions (41-10).

Yes, this year’s offense has often been fun to watch. In fact, the Commanders have scored 30+ points in five games already this regular season: at the Bengals (38-33), at the Cardinals (42-14), against the Browns (34-13), against the Panthers (40-7), and the Titans (42-19).