Tag: Week 14

Travis Kelce made history with impressive performance vs. Chargers

#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce made history during Kansas City’s Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles #Chargers on ‘Sunday Night Football’

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has become one of the most decorated players in the NFL since entering the league in 2013, and he set another record during the defending Super Bowl champions’ Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Kelce went into Sunday’s game with 11,965 career yards, just 35 yards shy of becoming the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 12,000 yards.

When Kelce caught a seven-yard pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the third quarter of the AFC West showdown, he officially passed Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez to achieve the incredible feat.

The NFL paid homage to Kelce’s historic record in a post on Twitter:

Though Kelce hasn’t caught as many touchdown passes as he has in years past, he has remained Mahomes’ favorite target in the passing game and has been among Kansas City’s most productive players this season.

Stay tuned to see if Kelce can continue his run of dominance against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15.

Is the ‘Justin Fields package’ experiment over after Week 14 absence?

After Justin Fields’ absence in Week 14, questions arise about the future his rushing package and whether it was overused by Arthur Smith.

Oh, what a difference a week makes. It appears Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith and HC Mike Tomlin were tired of explaining their strange decision-making regarding when to utilize QB Justin Fields’ mobility over QB Russell Wilson’s arm, as Fields played zero snaps in Week 14.

Inconsistency and poor execution are the only fitting descriptions for the ‘Fields rushing package.’ It seemed that the plays were either creating huge scoring opportunities or game-changing scenarios for the Black and Gold, or were costing Pittsburgh the contests entirely—there is seemingly no middle ground.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense did look stagnant in terms of yardage in the Week 14 win over the Cleveland Browns, but the ball security and scoring prowess under Wilson’s leadership made up for it.

While it’s highly unlikely we’ve seen the last of the ‘Fields package,’ an argument can be made that Smith was incorporating it too heavily into every offensive gameplan since its debut in Week 11, instead of treating it as a last-resort gadget play, or red zone tool from week to week.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Seahawks won their 400th game in franchise history in Week 14

Seahawks won their 400th game in franchise history in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks reached an impressive milestone in Week 14. Seattle did not just defeat the Arizona Cardinals with their 30-18 victory, nor did they merely cement their status atop the NFC West. No, what the Seahawks did was truly momentous….

….the Seahawks also won their 400th game in franchise history!

Congratulations are in order to the newest member of the 400 win club. It has taken nearly 49 full seasons, dating back to its inception in 1976, but the Hawks finally reached the mark!

Overall, the Seahawks have an all-time record of 400-371-1, which includes a playoff record of 17-19, three NFC Championships and a lone Lombardi.

Seattle picked a great time to claim their 400th victory. The Seahawks were playing to defend their first place positioning in the division against their rivals, the Cardinals. Had Arizona won, they would have returned to first place. Yet this outcome did not occur, and Seattle won more than just a simple game on Sunday.

While reaching 400 wins is a remarkable achievement, the Seahawks are going to want a few more this season, and they will have a chance to do so against the team with the most wins in NFL history… the Green Bay Packers, who come to Lumen Field in Week 15.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Steven Nelson comes out of retirement, signs with Chiefs practice squad

The Kansas City #Chiefs signed veteran DB Steven Nelson on Monday after their win over the Los Angeles #Chargers on ‘Sunday Night Football’

The Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran defensive back Steven Nelson to a practice squad contract on Monday after their Week 14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Nelson, who initially entered the league as a third-round pick of the Chiefs in the 2015 NFL draft, played in Kansas City for four seasons before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019.

After his time in the City of Bridges, Nelson played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and the Houston Texans in 2022 and 2023 before he announced his retirement on June 6, 2024.

Though it may take some time for Nelson to earn an activation from the Chiefs’ practice squad, his addition signals that general manager Brett Veach saw a need to add experience to Kansas City’s secondary.

Fans can expect Nelson to become a key contributor to the Chiefs’ defensive backfield if injuries continue to affect Kansas City’s cornerback depth in the final weeks of the regular season.

Monday Night Football schedule: Is there a ‘ManningCast’ tonight?

The ManningCast returns tonight with Peyton and Eli calling the Bengals-Cowboys game on ESPN2.

Peyton and Eli Manning have returned for a fourth season of the ManningCast with the two former quarterbacks set to provide commentary for 11 weeks of Monday Night Football games this fall.

The brothers released a funny 10-minute musical to promote the upcoming ManningCast season in September. The 2024 slate will continue tonight with the Bengals-Cowboys game on ESPN2, which is available to stream on fuboTV.

Peyton and Eli will welcome new guests on the program each week there is a ManningCast, and Bill Belichick will be featured on every episode this fall.

In addition to 10 weeks of regular-season action, Peyton and Eli will also provide commentary for a Wild Card game in January.

Check out the full schedule below.

ManningCast 2024 Schedule

NFL Week Date Game TV
1 Sept. 9 Jets @ 49ers ESPN2, ESPN+
2 Sept. 16 Falcons @ Eagles ESPN2
5 Oct. 7 Saints @ Chiefs ESPN2
6 Oct. 14 Bills @ Jets ESPN2
7 Oct. 21 Ravens @ Bucs ESPN2, ESPN+
8 Oct. 28 Giants @ Steelers ESPN2, ESPN+
9 Nov. 4 Bucs @ Chiefs ESPN2
11 Nov. 18 Texans @ Cowboys ESPN2
12 Nov. 25 Ravens @ Chargers ESPN2
14 Dec. 9 Bengals @ Cowboys ESPN2, ESPN+
Wild Card Jan. 13 TBD ESPN2, ESPN+

The ManningCast is televised on ESPN2. The primary MNF broadcast will continue to feature Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters on ESPN.

[vertical-gallery id=642364]

Unsung hero wins Chiefs Wire game ball for breakout Week 14 performance vs. Chargers

See which player won #Chiefs Wire’s game ball for Week 14 after a breakout performance against the #Chargers on ‘Sunday Night Football’

The Kansas City Chiefs earned a gritty win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football in Week 14 to advance their regular season record to 12-1 and clinch a ninth-consecutive AFC West title.

The Chargers held the lead when Kansas City took possession on the game’s final drive, Patrick Mahomes managed to march the Chiefs’ offense downfield to give kicker Matthew Wright a chance to kick a walk-off field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter.

Though Mahomes and Wright both deserve credit for their efforts in primetime on Sunday, it was defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton who earned Chiefs Wire’s game ball for Week 14 after he put together a two-sack performance that helped keep Justin Herbert at bay.

Wharton was also credited with three solo tackles and was a key part of Kansas City’s stout run defense that held the Chargers under 100 rushing yards.

Fans can expect Wharton to continue his run of dominance against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15.

Looking ahead: Could Seahawks vs Rams in Week 18 decide the NFC West?

Looking ahead: Could Seahawks vs Rams in Week 18 decide the NFC West?

The Seattle Seahawks are in control of their own destiny, and took further charge of it by defeating the Arizona Cardinals 30-18 on Sunday. The Seahawks went into the weekend in first place, and their status on top of the division was at stake. Had Arizona won, they would have reclaimed the lead and the NFC West would have been thrown back into chaos. Instead, Seattle prevailed in the desert and maintained their position.

Unfortunately, they were not the only NFC West team to win a big game. The Los Angeles Rams, facing the Buffalo Bills, upset one of the best teams in the league with an explosive 44-42 victory at home. Sadly, this was a game the Seahawks really needed the Rams to lose, especially when considering both teams upcoming schedule.

Moving forward, Los Angeles’ next three games looks like this:

  • at 49ers
  • at Jets
  • vs Rams

As for the Seahawks, here are their next three:

  • vs Packers
  • vs Vikings
  • at Bears

Those with keen eyes will notice I’ve only mentioned three games, when both have four left to play. That’s because the regular season finale will be between Seattle and Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium.

The Rams winning in Week 14 sets up a remarkably rosier outlook for them to close out the year. If Los Angeles wins out, they retake the NFC West, and they will most assuredly be favored in the next three games. Yes, Arizona obliterated the Rams 41-10 in Week 2, and it took a heroic comeback to take down the Niners earlier this year, but both teams are reeling.

True, anything could happen, but even if LA loses a single game, they are still in a good position because Seattle’s upcoming slate of games is brutal. If a trip to Chicago in late December is the “easy” game, then yikes. Minnesota and Green Bay will provide stiff challenges, as both squads are among the upper echelon of the league this year. The Seahawks are playing their best football of the year so far, and it’s a good thing too because they will need to be on their A-game if they want to survive this stretch with no worse than a 2-1 record.

Los Angeles took the first game between them and Seattle this year, prevailing 26-20 in overtime at Lumen Field. The Rams continue to have the Hawks’ number, and still present their biggest threat. The way things are going, Seattle is going to have to find a way to exorcize their demons if they want to win the West for the first time since 2020.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

WATCH: Steelers NT Keeanu Benton snatches miraculous INT in Week 14

Pittsburgh Steelers NT Keeanu Benton amazes with a highlight-reel interception in Week 14, turning the tide against the Cleveland Browns.

Nose tackle Keeanu Benton’s talent has truly come to form in year two of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. From showcasing his incredible leadership abilities on HBO’s brand-new Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North to blowing up run plays on gameday, Benton has been nothing short of remarkable in 2024.

Trailing the Cleveland Browns 7-3 at the start of the second quarter, the Steelers needed a splash play—and big Keeanu made it happen. Browns quarterback Jameis Winston tried to let a screen play develop for running back Nick Chubb, but Benton channeled his inner defensive back, leaping several feet into the air to intercept the pass.

Benton’s extraordinary effort on the interception is a play that Pittsburgh Steelers fans could watch on repeat for years to come. The young nose tackle truly shifted the momentum in the Black and Gold’s favor, and the team’s victory might not have been possible without his elite level of play in Week 14.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Chiefs stars arrive at Arrowhead Stadium in style for ‘Sunday Night Football’

See what all of the #Chiefs stars wore to Arrowhead Stadium ahead of their Week 14 matchup against the #Chargers on ‘Sunday Night Football’

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football in Week 14, and with the eyes of the nation upon them, the defending Super Bowl champions were dressed for success as they entered the locker room at Arrowhead Stadium before the primetime divisional showdown.

The Chiefs’ star duo of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce wore their Sunday best for the occasion and showed off their signature style as they walked past cameras before kickoff.

Mahomes wore a khaki number with a long white undershirt and a stylish pair of Oakley sunglasses.

Kelce wore an oversized v-neck sweater, cargo pants, and sported his iconic perfectly coiffed hair.

Here’s what the rest of the reigning Super Bowl champions wore ahead of their matchup against the Chargers:

Patrick Mahomes

Travis Kelce

DeAndre Hopkins

Jaden Hicks and Drue Tranquill

Andy Reid

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Nikko Remigio

Seahawks beat Cardinals 30-18, further cement 1st place in NFC West

Seahawks beat Cardinals 30-18, further cement 1st place in NFC West

The Seattle Seahawks once again faced a divisional game with major implications for first place… and once more they delivered. Seattle went to the Valley of the Sun to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 30-18 to further cement their spot atop the NFC West.

Easily the most complete game since the 34-14 drubbing of the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7, the Seahawks were in complete control once they took a 10-7 lead after their first of two back-to-back interceptions in the first quarter. The turnovers, paired with two rushing touchdowns from Zach Charbonnet – who was nothing short of dominant – helped build a 24-10 halftime lead for the Hawks. Charbonnet, in relief of the injured Kenneth Walker III, rushed for 134 yards on 22 carries.

To read our first half recap, please click here!

Seattle was not as explosive in the second half, but they did more than enough to nurse their two-score lead. The Seahawks only scored two field goals on their five possessions, yet it helped keep the lead well out of reach from a Cardinals team falling back to Earth at a rapid rate.

Geno Smith and Co. played incredibly efficient in the second half, avoiding any crucial mistake or momentum-shifting giveaway. Smith completed 24-of-30 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown to help Seattle claim their fourth-straight win, and seventh-straight over Arizona. In his career as the Seahawks quarterback, Smith is now a perfect 6-0 against the Cardinals.

Next up, the Hawks return to the friendly confines of Lumen Field for a Sunday Night Football showdown against the Green Bay Packers. This game will be a bit of a playoff preview. As it stands, the Seahawks currently occupy the No. 3 seed in the NFC, and would play the No. 6 seed… which is currently occupied by the Packers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]