Tag: Week 15

Chiefs DL George Karlaftis earns game ball for stellar Week 15 performance

#Chiefs DL George Karlaftis won a game ball for his outstanding performance in Kansas City’s Week 15 win over the Cleveland #Browns.

The Kansas City Chiefs held the Cleveland Browns to just seven points in Week 15, thanks in no small part to their ferocious pass rush led by defensive linemen George Karlaftis, Tershawn Wharton, and Charles Omenihu.

Karlaftis was among the Chiefs’ most productive defenders in the game, collecting two of Kansas City’s five sacks that kept the Browns on their back foot.

In Week 15, the experts at Pro Football Network awarded Karlaftis a game ball for his outstanding effort against Cleveland.

For their parts, Wharton and Omenihu both tallied a single sack each and combined with Karlaftis to pressure quarterback Jameis Winston and force the veteran signal-caller to throw three interceptions.

According to PFN, the Chiefs have won 24 straight games when forcing multiple turnovers. Their last loss under such conditions came in Week 2 of Kansas City’s 2021 campaign in a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Expect Karlaftis, Wharton, and Omenihu to play a crucial role in Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive approach in the Chiefs’ Week 16 matchup against the Houston Texans.

WATCH: Week 15 mini movie of Bills win over Lions

WATCH: Week 15 mini movie of Bills win over Lions

The Buffalo Bills held off a dangerous Detroit Lions team in Week 15 to win, 48-42, in what many considered a “Super Bowl preview”.

Quarterback Josh Allen and the offense continued their red-hot streak by scoring 48 points, their second straight 40-point game and eighth straight 30-point game. Meanwhile, the defense made a few game-altering plays to hold off a Lions offense that ranks first in the NFL.

The Bills improved to 11-3 on the year and currently sit in second place in the AFC.

In a game full of highlight-reel plays, relive the high-scoring showdown with a mini-movie from the Bills’ official YouTube channel:

[lawrence-related id=144394,144335,144353]

‘Hard Knocks’ shows what officials said to anger Mike Tomlin vs Eagles

Officials’ unseen exchange with Mike Tomlin highlights one of the worst excuses after a controversial Week 15 Steelers penalty.

Viewers of this week’s new episode of Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North, were treated to what led to Steelers HC Mike Tomlin profanely telling officials to get away from him.

Before Tomlin’s choice words to the officials, he questioned why they decided to call such a heinous penalty on both Steelers players: “Y’all didn’t see that guy throwing punches for Philadelphia?”

The official speaking to Tomlin then provided the most embarrassing excuse one could imagine, claiming the Eagles player was “knocking his hands off him.”

Fans who saw up-close footage of the altercation could clearly see that while Steelers TE Darnell Washington blocked CB Darius Slay Jr. for an extended period, the Eagles cornerback was the first to throw punches.

No wonder Tomlin was so bewildered with the officiating crew during Week 16’s contest between the Steelers and Eagles. Not only was Pittsburgh wrongly penalized for the skirmish, but he was also given one of the worst officiating excuses imaginable.

As the Steelers prepare for the Ravens in Week 16, hopefully the team can put these wrongful penalties behind them, with the stakes higher than ever in the upcoming AFC North showdown—a chance at the divisional title.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers fall two spots in NFL’s latest power rankings

The Pittsburgh Steelers drop in the NFL power rankings despite injuries, but their overall strength remains undeniable in 2024.

Oh, how the Black and Gold have fallen—or have they? Following the completion of Week 15’s games, recent NFL power rankings suggest so. Heading into their matchup with the Eagles, the Steelers were ranked sixth in the entire NFL, third among all AFC teams.

However, the Steelers’ loss to the Eagles spelled disaster for their ranking, dropping them two spots to eighth, now one behind the Baltimore Ravens.

Currently, the top five teams in the NFL Network’s rendition of the post-Week 15 power rankings are as follows: the Philadelphia Eagles, the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Detroit Lions, and the Minnesota Vikings.

Several high-level teams made little to no change at all—the Vikings holding steady at fifth, and the Chiefs remaining at third. It’s not hard to argue that the Steelers should have been included among these teams.

The Steelers’ loss to the Eagles was not indicative of the team’s overall strength in 2024, as Pittsburgh was grappling with several short-term injuries at the time.

As Week 18’s regular season finale draws ever closer, power rankings from multiple sports outlets will have no choice but to acknowledge the true capabilities of the Steelers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Chiefs waive 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The Kansas City #Chiefs waived former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire on Monday after their Week 15 victory over the Cleveland #Browns.

On Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs waived veteran running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who had been with the team since his selection in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Though the team announced its decision to cut Edwards-Helaire loose, Kansas City hasn’t yet indicated if its front office has made a corresponding move to get the Chiefs’ roster back to 53 players.

Edwards-Helaire started his 2024 campaign on the NFL’s Reserve/Non-football illness list but was activated in October. Despite Kansas City’s decision to roster him, Edwards-Helaire hadn’t yet been utilized this season.

Edwards-Helaire has yet to take a carry this season and will get a chance to catch on with another team that might be keen to take a chance on a former first-round pick.

If he clears the waiver system, Edwards-Helaire is a likely candidate to earn a spot on the Chiefs’ practice squad, especially if injuries play a factor in Kansas City’s running back depth heading into the playoffs.

Former Steelers All-Pro WR shoots down comparisons to Buccaneers WR Mike Evans

Mike Evans surpasses Antonio Brown for 25th in career receiving yards, prompting a mix of praise and humor from the former Steelers star.

Congratulations are in order for Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans, who recently entered the top 25 in career receiving yards after a stellar Week 15 performance. Evans racked up 159 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions. However, one former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro wide receiver didn’t take too kindly to being surpassed by Evans.

Antonio Brown, who previously held the number 25 spot in career receiving yards, was overtaken by Evans’ 12,429 receiving yards. Brown was quick to remind fans that his path to NFL success was far more difficult than Evans’. He highlighted that he put up historic numbers despite being a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, while Evans was selected in the first round.

In a hilarious twist, despite congratulating Evans, Brown pointed out how much longer it took the Buccaneers WR to surpass him: “Took him 30 more games.”

At this point, it seems fans are comparing apples to oranges when it comes to Evans and Brown. However, Evans’ resilience in maintaining a high level of play for so long is commendable.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

PFF: Trent McDuffie earned Chiefs’ highest grade in win over Browns

Star cornerback Trent McDuffie was the #Chiefs’ highest-graded player in Kansas City’s Week 15 win over the Cleveland #Browns.

The Kansas City Chiefs are one step closer to clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs after their Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday/

The Chiefs’ defense led the charge against Cleveland, tallying a total of six turnovers—two fumble recoveries and four interceptions.

Though the unit’s dominance was undoubtedly a group effort, star cornerback Trent McDuffie’s performance caught the attention of the experts at Pro Football Focus after the game.

McDuffie snagged the first interception of his career against the Browns and earned the highest PFF grade among all of Kansas City’s players in the Chiefs’ 21-7 win:

The former Washington Husky has been among the best defensive backs in the NFL this season and will be a crucial part of Kansas City’s bid to win the AFC’s No. 1 seed in the coming weeks.

Chiefs fans can expect another stellar showing from McDuffie when Kansas City heads back to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Houston Texans in Week 16.

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

There’s no ‘ManningCast’ for the Bears-Vikings game tonight, but Peyton and Eli will return for a playoff game in January.

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 is now on a break as the regular season schedule has wrapped up for the ManningCast.

The program will return in the first round of the playoffs for a Wild Card game that will be televised 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.

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]

Chiefs HC Andy Reid exuded confidence in locker room speech after win vs. Browns

See what #Chiefs HC Andy Reid told his players in the locker room after Kansas City’s Week 15 victory over the Cleveland #Browns.

The Kansas City Chiefs are 13-1 after their Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and head coach Andy Reid was thrilled with the performance of his players.

Kansas City’s offense scored three touchdowns against reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, and the Chiefs’ defense forced six turnovers.

Though Kansas City’s 14-point margin of victory was a bit underwhelming, the Chiefs currently hold the best record in the NFL, and Reid’s confidence in the team was palpable in his locker room speech after the game.

Take a look at this clip of Reid’s comments to his players after Kansas City’s win over Cleveland:

Chiefs fans can look forward to an exciting matchup against the Houston Texans in Week 16 and should expect to see Kansas City’s players put on a show as the team inches closer to clinching the No. 1 seed for the upcoming AFC playoffs in January.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes broke NFL record in Week 15 win vs. Browns

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes set an NFL record during Kansas City’s Week 15 win over the Cleveland #Browns on Sunday.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is one of the most decorated players in the NFL and earned another place in the league’s record books during the defending Super Bowl champions’ Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

With his two-touchdown performance against the Browns, Mahomes surpassed Hall of Fame signal-caller Payton Manning on the NFL’s list of quarterbacks with the most touchdowns before the age of 30.

Mahomes has accumulated 254 total touchdowns in just 75 regular season games since joining Kansas City in 2018.

The Chiefs paid tribute to Mahomes’ incredible accomplishment in a post to Twitter from their official account:

The former Texas Tech Red Raider has already cemented himself as one of Kansas City’s most beloved icons and has shown no indication of dampening his legacy.

If the Chiefs can complete an ever-elusive Super Bowl three-peat this season, Mahomes may be well on his way to being forever enshrined in the halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.