Justice served indeed.
Heftyinfo
Friday, February 16, 2024
Trump Loses Again
Sunday, February 11, 2024
SUPER BOWL LVIII - OT IN VEGAS
When the dust settled, the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl 58 by a 25-22 score for their second consecutive Super Bowl title. They became the first team to repeat as champions since the 2004 New England Patriots. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (333 passing yards, two TD, one interception and 66 rushing yards) connected with wide receiver Mecole Hardman on a three-yard touchdown pass for the win.
The 49ers had taken a 22-19 lead on a 27-yard field goal by Jake Moody, his third successful field goal in the game, with 7:22 remaining in the OT frame. From there, Mahomes directed the Chiefs 75 yards to paydirt and the Super Bowl title, the third one in five seasons for the team and fourth overall in franchise history.
The 49ers had a 10-3 halftime led, thanks to a 21-yard scoring pass from WR Jauan Jennings (who also caught a TD pass in the fourth quarter) to running back Christian McCaffrey late in the second quarter.
The Chiefs came alive in the second half as they scored ten unanswered points in the third quarter on a Super Bowl record 57 yard field goal by kicker Harrison Butker (His second of four field goals in the win) and later a 16-yard TD pass from Mahomes to Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 13-10 lead.
In the fourth quarter, 'Niners QB Brock Purdy (255 passing yards, one TD) hit Jennings for a ten-yard scoring pass and 16-13 lead. The PAT kick was blocked and from there the teams traded field goals for a 19-19 score and overtime in Las Vegas.
Congratulations to the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS -
Back-to-Back SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS !
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
SUPER BOWL PREVIEW
The Chiefs have been rolling since they laid an egg on Christmas Day in a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. On that same day, the 49ers were hammered by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football and since then, they have been getting it done and here they are back in the Super Bowl for the first time in four years.
The last time they made it here, the Chiefs beat them, 31-20 in come from behind fashion to win their second Super Bowl in franchise history. But that was then and this is now and both teams have strong defenses coming into this one. The Chiefs have only been giving up 14 points per game since the Christmas Day debacle against the Raiders.
The 'Niners had a huge 34-31 comeback win against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game while Kansas City disposed of the Baltimore Ravens, 17-10 with the defense getting it done. The key to this one will be which team can continue to step it up on defense and make the difference in the final outcome.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is playing his best football when it matters most (post-season) and so is tight end Travis Kelce, who made eleven receptions in the AFC title win two weeks ago. Meanwhile, San Francisco QB Brock Purdy has been like the Rodney Dangerfield of pro quarterbacks, getting no respect even though he led the offense to 27 consecutive points in their big win against the Lions to get to the Super Bowl. The key to the win was the fourth quarter drives that put the 'Niners in command as they opened up a 34-24 lead late in the game. Getting tight end George Kittle more involved in this game (he was not a factor at all in the NFC title game) would go a long way for the San Francisco offense.
The running games for both teams are strong with Christian McCaffrey (NFL's leading rusher in regular season) leading the charge for the 49ers while Isiah Pacheco has been a beast for the Chiefs, especially in recent weeks when the chips are down. San Francisco has a big X factor with wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who can make things happen whenever he gets his hands on the ball.
As for the defenses, the 49ers have Nick Bosa and (linebacker) Fred Warner leading the way while the Chiefs rely on the talents of defensive tackle Chris Jones and a secondary that has been solid, especially in the playoffs. Kansas City will be missing DE Charles Omenihu (knee injury) and that could be something that makes a difference this Sunday.
Both of these teams have excellent head coaches and Andy Reid has won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs and is attempting to become the seventh head coach in NFL history to repeat as a Super Bowl winner in his fourth trip to the Super Bowl with the Chiefs. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan is in his second Super Bowl (as a head coach) and would love to get his first ring with the team he has been coaching since the 2017 season.
As long as neither team has multiple turnovers and does their thing on both sides of the football, look for a close game that will most likely come down to the final possession. If Mahomes and the Chiefs get that opportunity, they are winning the game. If it comes down to San Francisco needing the last minute score to tie or win it, the Chiefs defense has shown they can get the job done.
PREDICTION - Chiefs 27, 49ers 21
Monday, January 29, 2024
Chiefs, 49ers Win To Advance To Super Bowl
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs celebrate their fourth AFC title in the last five years. |
The Chiefs defense did the job for a hard fought, 17-10 road victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game while the 49ers rallied back from a 24-7 halftime deficit and cashed in on some questionable decisions on fourth down (twice) by Detroit head coach Dan Campbell to win, 34-31 to get back to the Super Bowl after losing for two consecutive years in the NFC Championship game.
KANSAS CITY 17, BALTIMORE 10 - After a fast start for both teams, the defense took over and the Chiefs won the game to advance to their fourth Super Bowl in the last five seasons with the road victory. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce (11 receptions for 116 yards) and Isiah Pacheco added a two-yard TD run in the second quarter for a 14-7 lead after Ravens QB Lamar Jackson completed a 30-yard TD strike to wide receiver Zay Flowers (five receptions for 115 yards). The Chiefs increased the lead to 17-7 at tha half when Harrison Butker made a 52-yard field goal with fours seconds to play.
The only scoring in the second half was a 43-yard field goal by Ravens kicker Justin Tucker with 2:34 remaining in then fourth quarter. For the game, Kansas City gained 319 total yards in offense and had no turnovers while Baltimore gained 336 yards in offense, but had three turnovers (one interception, two fumbles), including a critical fumble by Flowers (pictured above left) at the Kansas City goal line following a reception that resulted in a touchback for the Chiefs.
SAN FRANCISCO 34, DETROIT 31 - In San Francisco, the Lions roared out to a 24-7 lead in the first half as running backs David Montgomery (one-yard run) and Jahmyr Gibbs (15-yard run) scored touchdowns and also WR Jameson Williams going 42 yards for a rushing touchdown to open the scoring. 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (20 carries for 90 yards, two TD) scored on a two-yard run with 13:49 left in the second quarter to trim the deficit to 14-7 prior to the Lions increasing it to 17 points at halftime.
In the second half, the tide turned when (with the Lions ahead 24-10) the San Francisco defense stopped Detroit on a fourth-and three as they opted to go for it rather than attempt a field goal to try and increase the lead back to 17 points. From there, 49ers QB Brock Purdy (267 passing yards, one TD, one INT) connected with WR Brandon Aiyuk (three receptions for 68 yards) for a six-yard scoring pass and then following a fumble recovery, the 49ers tied the game at 24-24 when McCaffrey banged it in from one yard out with 3:02 remaining in the third quarter.
The 49ers celebrate a huge comeback win over the Lions. |
The final quarter was more of the same as San Francisco went ahead 27-24 on a 33-yard field goal by Jake Moody with 9:52 left to play. The Lions once again eschewed a field goal attempt (from the 49ers 30-yard line) on fourth-and-two and failed to convert with an incomplete pass. The 'Niners struck again when RB Elijah Mitchell scored on a three-yard run with 3:02 remaining to make it 34-24.
Lions QB Jared Goff (273 passing yards, one TD) hit Williams on a three-yard TD pass with 56 seconds remaining to complete the scoring. The 49ers recovered the ensuing onside kickoff and are moving on to face the Kansas City Chiefs, whom they lost to four years ago in the Super Bowl.
Thursday, January 25, 2024
AFC Championship Game Preview
The game for the ages will take place this Sunday afternoon in Baltimore when the Ravens face the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and all the fanfare that goes along with them in the AFC Championship Game.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company knocked off the Buffalo Bills on the road last week and now face the mighty Ravens and their tremendous defense, led by linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith. This will be a great game as the Chiefs (in their sixth consecutive AFC title game) look to get back to the Super Bowl and try to become the first team in 19 seasons to repeat as champions.
The Ravens crushed the upstart Houston Texans in the divisional round and QB Lamar Jackson scored two rushing touchdowns and also threw for two more to lead the rout. The Baltimore defense held the Texans without an offensive touchdown in the game and snuffed out any hopes for a comeback after a 24-0 barrage in the second half. Both Baltimore (60 QB sacks) and Kansas City (57 sacks) can get after opposing quarterbacks, which could lead to more running in the game.
Both teams can run the football, but the Ravens clearly have the
edge in that area. Running back Gus Edwards (820 rushing yards this
season along with 13 touchdowns) has been superb this season and of
course Jackson is the best rushing QB in the NFL. The Chiefs have Isiah
Pacheco (935 yards, seven TD) and Mahomes is always a threat to use his
legs to gain crucial yardage when necessary.
The Chiefs know they have what it takes to win on the road and they have been to three Super Bowls in the last four years, winning two of them. Meanwhile, the Ravens have been ousted in the playoffs in either the wild card or divisional round every season Jackson has been with them in the post-season. This is their first AFC Championship game appearance since 2012, when they went on to win the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers.
Much has been said of Kansas City wide receivers dropping passes this past season, but Rashee Rice (79 receptions, 938 yards, seven TD) has stepped up in recent weeks and along with tight end Travis Kelce provides a solid target for Mahomes to throw to. Baltimore had a definite upgrade in their receiving corps this season as rookie Zay Flowers (team high 77 receptions) and tight end Isaiah Likely (playing in place of injured Mark Andrews) have made a difference along with Odell Beckham, Jr., Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman stepping up.
If the Chiefs can get off to a fast start and establish a lead, it remains to be seen whether Jackson and company can muster enough offense to come back from a deficit, which is something the Ravens haven't had to do much of this past season. Odds are the Ravens defense will do enough to prevent that problem and it will be the Chiefs playing from behind.
PREDICTION - Baltimore 28, Kansas City 20
Last Week's Record - 3-1
PLAYOFFS RECORD - 6-4
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
NFC Championship Game Preview
The Detroit Lions have become "America's Team" with their recent playoff push that has them in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 1991 season. That was way back when running back Barry Sanders was dominating the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers are the home team and are in their third consecutive NFC title tilt and are the favorites to advance to Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas.
This game will likely be an exciting and close contest with Detroit's running game looking to establish itself once again in the post-season. The 49ers defense has been vulnerable in recent weeks and they will need to tighten it up if they want to hold off a very hungry Lions team.
The 49ers offense is led by quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who was injured (shoulder) in last week's victory over Green Bay and might not be available for the game on Sunday. Others will need to step in, such as wide receiver's Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings and perhaps RB Elijah Mitchell.
The Lions defense has been suspect at times during their 12-5 campaign and defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson is the anchor that will look to pressure and rattle Purdy and keep things tight. As far as the Lions offense facing the 49ers defense, QB Jared Goff has been solid all season long and will need to be sharp in this one. His main target is WR Amon-Ra St. Brown along with tight end Sam LaPorta, who has been a rookie sensation. The running tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs has been great and they showed out against Tampa Bay last weekend in the win after doing the same in the wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The 'Niners will look to force Goff to have to scramble and throw on the run rather than stay comfortable in the pocket and choose his targets. The Lions have a solid offensive line and keeping San Francisco edge rusher Nick Bosa at bay will be huge in coming away with a win.
The key to the game as always, will be turnovers and if Detroit can maintain their poise on the road and play their game, they could pull this one out and get to the Super Bowl for the first time in team history. On the other side, San Francisco will be looking to avoid a third straight setback in the title game, so there is way more pressure on them to win.
Look for a close contest and as long as neither team is plagued with turnovers, one that will possibly come down to the final possession. If Deebo Samuel is ready to go, it could be a very significant swing to the 49ers side. The 49ers definitely rate the edge at home, but the Lions are a very gritty bunch and emulate (head coach) Dan Campbell's personality and that could make a difference in the outcome.
PREDICTION - Detroit 27, San Francisco 24
Last Week's Record - 3-1
PLAYOFFS RECORD - 6-4
Sunday, January 21, 2024
NFL PLAYOFFS - Divisional Round Recap
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson races for his second touchdown in playoff win. |
Saturday, January 20
Baltimore 34, Houston 10 - The host Ravens smashed the Texans, outscoring them 24-0 in the second half as quarterback Lamar Jackson rushed for two touchdowns and 100 yards on the ground while also passing for 152 yards and two more scores. The Ravens defense held Houston to just 213 yards in total offense as QB C.J. Stroud had a pedestrian performance, going 19-of-33 passing for 175 yards. The only TD for the Texans came on a 72 yard punt return by Steven Sims to tie the game at 10-10 with 4:17 left in the first half. The Ravens out rushed the Texans by a 229-38 margin in the blowout win.
San Francisco 24, Green Bay 21 - The host 49ers held off the Packers in a game that went down to the wire with running back Christian McCaffrey (17 carries for 98 yards, two TD) scoring the go ahead touchdown on a six-yard run with 1:07 remaining in the game. The 'Niners overcame a 21-14 deficit by scoring ten points on the TD run and a 52-yard field goal by Jake Moody. The Packers trailed 7-6 at halftime, but two TD passes in the third quarter by QB Jordan Love (194 passing yards, two TD, two INT) gave them the seven point lead entering the fourth quarter.
San Francisco twice took one-point leads thanks to a 32 yard TD pass by QB Brock Purdy (252 passing yards, one TD) to tight end George Kittle, who had four receptions for 81 yards in the win. McCaffrey gave the 49ers a 14-13 lead with 7:39 left in the third quarter on a 39-yard scoring run. The Packers had a chance to drive for the lead or tying field goal late in the final quarter, but 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw's second interception of the game sealed the victory.
Sunday, January 21
The Lions celebrate biggest win in 32 years. |
Detroit 31, Tampa Bay 23 - The Detroit Lions won at home and advanced to the NFC Championship game for the first time in 32 years with the win against the Buccaneers as QB Jared Goff had two touchdown passes (along with 287 passing yards) while RB Jahmyr Gibbs (74 rushing yards) scampered 31 yards for the go ahead score early in the fourth quarter to lead the way.
This game saw three ties as the stubborn Bucs continually battled back behind QB Baker Mayfield (349 passing yards, 3 TD, 2 INT) as they racked up 408 yards in total offense. But Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes intercepted Mayfield inside of two minutes left to play to seal the win and send the Lions onward in the playoffs.
Kansas City 27, Buffalo 24 - Wide right!
Buffalo Bills fans know all about that history.
Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed a 44-yard field goal try with under two minutes remaining and the Kansas City Chiefs won another classic playoff battle between these two teams to advance to their sixth straight AFC Championship game next weekend in Baltimore. It was the first true road playoff game for the Chiefs since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback in the 2018 season.
There were five lead changes in this game as Mahomes had two TD passes (both to tight end Travis Kelce, who had five catches for 75 yards) and 215 passing yards in the win. Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco (15 carries for 97 yards) scored the go ahead touchdown on a four-yard run with 14:20 left in the fourth quarter. Bills QB Josh Allen had two rushing touchdowns along with 72 rushing yards and also threw a TD pass (13 yards to WR Khalil Shakir for 24-20 lead late in third quarter) along with 186 passing yards.