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I think both the Lions and Chiefs will be slightly different teams than last season in that I think Detroit's defense will be better, but it's offense not as good. And the opposite for KC. I think their offense will improve, but their D will take a step back. Still, I'd be surprised if both aren't quite good. KC should again win that competitive division and make a deep playoff run. If some expert picks them to win the SB, that wouldn't be an unwise pick at all.
I agree with the Chiefs being better on paper and I think they’ll be more of a passing team and agree defense will be a little worse. Their record though will be worse in my opinion as they received a lot of help and had some lucky bounces. Lions though I think will still be playing at a similar level, they just won’t have to put up so many points like before making it look worse.
 
Yeah, I sort of despise this time of year, football wise. Plus there's this bike race going on in France...

As to Goff's list. He has both Rivers and Eli Manning on there, which to me is ridiculous. I would not only add Mahomes, I'd add Marino, replacing those two. He also has Big Ben on there, and he just had too many late season or playoff collapses. If it weren't for the one heroic drive and throw to beat the Cardinals, I'd really question his career. The SB win over Seattle was a joke. I'd replace him with either Johnny Unitas, or maybe Otto Graham, if you want to go back to old timers who sort of were the guys who changed the passing game to what we see today.

I think both the Lions and Chiefs will be slightly different teams than last season in that I think Detroit's defense will be better, but it's offense not as good. And the opposite for KC. I think their offense will improve, but their D will take a step back. Still, I'd be surprised if both aren't quite good. KC should again win that competitive division and make a deep playoff run. If some expert picks them to win the SB, that wouldn't be an unwise pick at all.
Excellent suggestion on Marino & Unitas replacing Manning & Big Ben. Marino's in the HoF. And Johnny U - HoF, SB title, 3×NFL champ, league MVP. Johnny U is a legend & the father of the pocket passing QB in the modern day passing game. Goff has got to be trolling or delusional to leave out Mahomes & Johnny U. Lol.

I don't have any comment on Detroit since I don't follow them that closely & don't like Goff's playing style anyway (pocket passer/non-dual threat QB. Lol). I enjoyed watching the Commanders beat them in the divisional round with Daniels torching their D for 350 yards of total O.

With KC, I'm picking them back to the SB...again. I think their offense will be explosive if key players can stay healthy. Hollywood Brown is back after missing all of last year. He & Worthy are two of the fastest receivers in the league. Kelce looks like he's ready for another 17 game season. Pacheco should be back at full speed plus Kareem Hunt showed what he could do last year in relief of Pacheco.

In the draft, Reid took Josh Simmons in the 1st; Ohio St's best OL. This guy is a beast at 6-5, 317, elite quickness & strong as an ox with 33 bench reps! He was projected as a top 5 pick but slid down due to his torn patellar tendon sustained last Oct. Reid said he's ahead of schedule on his rehab, and depending on his progress & conditioning in camp, he may compete for the starting LT job.

Reid also drafted 3 defensive players in rounds 2 & 3. The most notable is Nohl Williams, a big, physical 200 lb CB, who was a consensus All-American at Cal. Reid said he'll compete for a starting job.

The bottom line is the Chiefs are a juggernaut in the playoffs. Other than the rare upset by the Bengals & Burrow in 2021, no one has been able to take them down in this decade. The Bills have come the closest, but coming close doesn't mean anything until you actually defeat them on the field. Mahomes has an incredible 17-4 postseason record with two of those losses coming in the SB. Like him or not, Mahomes becomes a super playmaker in the postseason.

IMO, this is a dynasty team with no end in sight.
 
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Jets just have to get it together for one game this year.
 
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I agree with the Chiefs being better on paper and I think they’ll be more of a passing team and agree defense will be a little worse. Their record though will be worse in my opinion as they received a lot of help and had some lucky bounces.
I agree. But they could still definitely finish 13-4. Even if they "only" go 12-5, they still would be a solid pick to win that division, and get at least a home playoff game.

A lot of people are looking at the Sept 14 SB rematch in KC. But the Chiefs game I'm looking at is two weeks later hosting Baltimore. That could be great for fans.
 
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I agree. But they could still definitely finish 13-4. Even if they "only" go 12-5, they still would be a solid pick to win that division, and get at least a home playoff game.

A lot of people are looking at the Sept 14 SB rematch in KC. But the Chiefs game I'm looking at is two weeks later hosting Baltimore. That could be great for fans.
Oh there’s no way they’re losing the division barring a huge step up from Broncos or Chargers. I think they’re going to be 11 or 12 win team.
 
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I agree. But they could still definitely finish 13-4. Even if they "only" go 12-5, they still would be a solid pick to win that division, and get at least a home playoff game.
Or they could go 11-6 & win another SB. Remember 2023 when they went 11-6 & only the 3rd seed in the playoffs. A lot of pundits had written them off as SB contenders. After belting the Dolphins at home in the WC round in that polar vortex game, they defeated both the Ravens & Bills on the road on their way to becoming SB LVIII Champions. And Mahomes outplayed both Jackson & Allen in those road playoff games.
 
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Dolphins have two players injured with one out for the season. Artie Burns CB with ACL tear and then Barron Matos lineman had to be airlifted off the field.

Or they could go 11-6 & win another SB. Remember 2023 when they went 11-6 & only the 3rd seed in the playoffs. A lot of pundits had written them off as SB contenders. After belting the Dolphins at home in the WC round in that polar vortex game, they defeated both the Ravens & Bills on the road on their way to becoming SB LVIII Champions. And Mahomes outplayed both Jackson & Allen in those road playoff games.
Chiefs were good against the Ravens, but offensively had it easier playing against the Bills second to fourth stringers on defense with some who never played a game together. Both quarterbacks played comparable, one was just playing against a better defense.
 
Don't think the Bengals will be good enough to make waves in the playoffs, if they get there.
If the Bengals fail to make the playoffs, do you think Taylor & his staff should be fired? I can't imagine the Bengals with Burrow & that offensive talent not contending for the SB. The ESPN pundits have Burrow as a top 5 elite QB. Last season he slings for over 4900 yds (#1) with 43 TDs (#1) & 3rd highest passer rating (maybe he's the new Gunslinger. Lol). And Higgins & Chase - two 1st rounders & two of the best in the business.

With that kind of QB & offensive talent, Taylor had better figure a way to not only get to the playoffs but make a deep run or he's a complete failure as a HC, IMO.
 
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It's wasn't very comparable - Allen's QBR in that game was 66 vs 92 for Mahomes. However, in the regular season game between the two that year, the Bills managed to win at Arrowhead.

You’re leaving out Allens rushing stats of 72 yards and 2 touchdowns. Total yards and touchdowns Allen has 258 and 3 while Mahomes is 234 and 2. Mahomes attempts are way better at 28 to Allen’s 51 but again Mahomes was playing against the easier defense.
 
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Of course I'm not leaving out his rushing stats - remember I'm a big dual-threat fan. And QBR does factor in rushing stats. His QBR was very low. And his passing rating was even more lopsided: 86 vs 132 for Mahomes. Allen got outplayed by Mahomes...simple.

Look at the this past SB. Hurts rushed for 72 yards & a score but threw the ball very efficiently with a QBR of 75 vs 11 for Mahomes:


Hurts clearly outplayed Mahomes against KC's stud defense that you always seem point out.
 
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If the Bengals fail to make the playoffs, do you think Taylor & his staff should be fired? I can't imagine the Bengals with Burrow & that offensive talent not contending for the SB. The ESPN pundits have Burrow as a top 5 elite QB. Last season he slings for over 4900 yds (#1) with 43 TDs (#1) & 3rd highest passer rating (maybe he's the new Gunslinger. Lol). And Higgins & Chase - two 1st rounders & two of the best in the business.

With that kind of QB & offensive talent, Taylor had better figure a way to not only get to the playoffs but make a deep run or he's a complete failure as a HC, IMO.
I think their problems seem to be with management and some bad decisions re their O line and defense. Offense is elite as you say. See them in a similar situation to the Chargers with the name QB but apart from one SB appearance not much to show for it. The Chargers have achieved even less but without the same amount of talent as the Bengals. Coaches all talk about how good Herbert is but so far the results haven't been there. Bengals might have to start rebuilding like the 49ers and Rams and the pressure will continue to increase on coaches like Taylor and Shanahan and even more so on Daboll and McDaniel. Mike Tomlin also has to be getting close.
 
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Of course I'm not leaving out his rushing stats - remember I'm a big dual-threat fan. And QBR does factor in rushing stats. His QBR was very low. And his passing rating was even more lopsided: 86 vs 132 for Mahomes. Allen got outplayed by Mahomes...simple.

Look at the this past SB. Hurts rushed for 72 yards & a score but threw the ball very efficiently with a QBR of 75 vs 11 for Mahomes:


Hurts clearly outplayed Mahomes against KC's stud defense that you always seem point out.
I forgot QBR factors in rushing but that doesn’t negate how superior the Chiefs defense was versus the Bills. That defense was elite and marginally better than the 2024 season, but statistically way better. It’s easy to play well against a defense that’s decimated by injuries. The Chiefs offense literally got to play second to fourth stringers the first two playoff games. You’re always talking about the gap between starters and second stringers, now what about the third and fourth options. Both quarterbacks were comparable when factoring in the defenses they were playing, one just had the better overall team.

The Eagles destroyed the Chiefs at all three phases and Hurts played very well, but don’t let the score fool you. The Chiefs defense were keeping the game close and then manageable for a comeback until they couldn’t overcome their offenses mistakes and then they finally fell apart. The Chiefs offense were exposed as the decent unit they were that was riding on their defense and special teams the majority of last season. Thats not even factoring in losing the refs support on their favorable calls.
 
You're making excuses for Allen & the Bills not getting the job done when they had the Chiefs at home for that AFCCG. Big deal that Allen is playing an elite defense that you keep boasting about (it's not the first time he's seen an elite D & it won't be the last. Lol). Allen is an top 5 elite QB...is he not? He's going to have to step up his game & figure a way beat a defense like that. You can't keep giving free passes to these QBs that want the big $$$ & prestige of being an elite QB, but can't get the job done in the postseason. Lol

And Hurts didn't just play very well...he played exceptionally well. When the Chiefs shutdown Barkley, Hurts stepped it up becoming a one-man wrecking crew. A QBR of 75 & passer rating of 119.7! I'm sure you've seen this impressive pass - but it's worth watching a few times as it shows his elite passing ability.

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/cnYN29HOgjA?si=cT1Ixe1d2RNYSJ48
 
Here's the issue the Bengals have. They have 34% of their entire salary cap tied up into just three players: Burrow, Chase and Higgins. That's a hell of a factoid. And all three are tied to the team through 2029-2030.

Hurts deserved not only the MVP, but every single accolade and bit of praise he received for that game. He completely stepped up, wasn't phased by the pressure of playing the team that beat them two years previously, nor a D that stopped so many other QBs, and just demolished the Chiefs. Almost embarrassed them you could say. Hero game.
 
In Raider news that will perhaps impact the league, they cut DT Christian Wilkins, and voided his guaranteed contract. Can't do that, you say? We're going to find out. The Raiders are saying he ignored signs he needed additional foot surgery and as a result ended up on the PUP list, damaging the team. He filed a grievance, and it will go to arbitration. But he's out as far as being a Raider. Played just 5 games, and made $50m doing so. But perhaps more damning was the release the Raiders posted, which was direct, and to the point.

It also shows again why I say despite Mark Davis still being the majority and controlling owner, the Raiders are Tom Brady's team now. This has his fingerprints all over it. Driven to win. No exceptions.

raiders-statement-on-christian-wilkins-release-v0-5bbqby0ovwef1.jpeg
 
You're making excuses for Allen & the Bills not getting the job done when they had the Chiefs at home for that AFCCG. Big deal that Allen is playing an elite defense that you keep boasting about (it's not the first time he's seen an elite D & it won't be the last. Lol). Allen is an top 5 elite QB...is he not? He's going to have to step up his game & figure a way beat a defense like that. You can't keep giving free passes to these QBs that want the big $$$ & prestige of being an elite QB, but can't get the job done in the postseason. Lol

And Hurts didn't just play very well...he played exceptionally well. When the Chiefs shutdown Barkley, Hurts stepped it up becoming a one-man wrecking crew. A QBR of 75 & passer rating of 119.7! I'm sure you've seen this impressive pass - but it's worth watching a few times as it shows his elite passing ability.

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/cnYN29HOgjA?si=cT1Ixe1d2RNYSJ48
I have been critical of Allen and Jackson being below par in the playoffs. Mahomes has been more clutch in the playoffs and regular season and I haven’t said he hasn’t. Nor have I ever said anything about players wages being too high, but I can’t hate them for getting paid top dollar or more than they deserve for how much they get run down. If the owners want to pay them that, good for them. Just like Froome with his contract with IPT. That’s not what’s being argued right now.

The score was 27-24, the game was a one score game the whole time. One team had the far superior defense while also having the more clutch quarterback. The Bills were also very complacent in their play calling especially on the final drive thinking that they’ll make the game tying field goal. Did the Bills screw up and Allen missed things on the field, yes it happened. The same with Mahomes, there was things he missed on the field. How impressive is Brady’s Titans 2009 absolute blowout, amazing but you can still say it was against a bad defense.

Hurts had one mistake the whole game and that was the interception, exceptional might not even cut it either. Shut up everyone that was trash talking him. You could also argue it was top 10 best qb performances in the Super Bowl.
 
Mahomes has been a King in postseason - it's so lopsided compared to Allen & Jackson that it's not even funny:

Mahomes 17-4 (.810)
Allen 7-6 (.540)
Jackson 3-5 (.380)

Both McDermott & Harbaugh should be fired. When you have top-5 elite QBs who have been a league MVP (twice for Jackson!), and you've failed to get to the SB with below-average postseason & slightly above-average postseason performances, it's time for these coaches to be run out of town.

Talent like Allen & Jackson, especially with their dual-threat capability, doesn't come around very often. The Bills & Ravens may never have another QB of their talent level. McDermott & Harbaugh have failed miserably in capitalizing on their talent while Reid has done a magnificent job in capitalizing on Mahomes.
 
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Mahomes has been a King in postseason - it's so lopsided compared to Allen & Jackson that it's not even funny:

Mahomes 17-4 (.810)
Allen 7-6 (.540)
Jackson 3-5 (.380)

Both McDermott & Harbaugh should be fired. When you have top-5 elite QBs who have been a league MVP (twice for Jackson!), and you've failed to get to the SB with below-average postseason & slightly above-average postseason performances, it's time for these coaches to be run out of town.

Talent like Allen & Jackson, especially with their dual-threat capability, doesn't come around very often. The Bills & Ravens may never have another QB of their talent level. McDermott & Harbaugh have failed miserably in capitalizing on their talent while Reid has done a magnificent job in capitalizing on Mahomes.
I agree, it’s terrible for both coaches that they can’t get over the hump. Then for Reid, as much as he’s helped Mahomes with his schemes, personality, and development; Mahomes retuned that in spades for helping everyone relook at Reid’s career since before Mahomes you can say he was McCarthy or Tomlin and with big screwups like Harbaugh and McDermott. They helped each other just like Brady and Belichick, Manning and Dungy, or Montana and Walsh.
 
That's probably true. Other than McConkey, who does Herbert have to throw to? Quentin Johnston, their 1st rd pick from 2023 out of LSU, is on the bust path if he doesn't get it together this year. He's only caught 93 passes in 2 seasons with just 55 grabs last year with over a dozen drops including that wide-open drop as a potential game winning TD against GB in the closing minutes of that game last year.

This is unacceptable from a 1st rd WR out of LSU nonetheless (WR U). Chase & Jefferson, both 1st rounders also out of LSU, made huge impacts in their 1st two seasons with Jefferson catching 108 passes in just his 2nd year!
 
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