Chiefs Enter the Dynasty Conversation, Welcome to the Offseason, and Other NFL Bullets
First and foremost, I’m always of the opinion that you let them play it out, especially down the stretch in the Super Bowl, So, that late holding call that iced the game was as ticky-tacky as it gets. The NFL’s officiating has been under fire all postseason. They didn’t do themselves any favors last night.
- Still, the Chiefs were the better team last night, especially when it mattered in the second half. Trailing by 10 at halftime, Kansas City showed what an experienced head coach can do with adjustments.
- The Chiefs scored on their first three possessions of the second half to erase the halftime deficit. Harrison Butker kicked a game-winning field goal with 11 seconds to play.
- The Chiefs now enter the dynasty conversation. Five straight AFC Championship games, two Super Bowl victories, and three appearances in the Reid-Mahomes era is early-Brady-Belichick good.
- Patrick Mahomes cemented his position as the NFL’s best quarterback last night. Not that there was much doubt before. Mahomes competed 21 of 27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
- Despite the loss, Jalen Hurts left no doubt that he was a franchise quarterback. Hurts completed 27 of 38 for 304 yards, one touchdown, 70 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.
- We learned that Derek Carr will hit the open market this week on Sunday. Late this week, it was reported that Derek Carr was meeting with the Saints and that a condition of that meeting was that the Raiders and Saints had the framework for a trade agreed upon.
- The Raiders were unwilling to allow Carr to meet with teams without that being a factor. Letting Carrr meet with teams without a trade in place verbally was seen as a disadvantage to the Raiders. Carr met with the Saints for extended periods on two days last week.
- Ultimately, it didn’t work out. While nothing has been confirmed, New Orleans likely wanted to restructure Carr’s contract before a trade was agreed to.
- The Colts head coaching search may be coming to an end this week. The Indianapolis Colts are moving toward a decision on their next head coach. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this morning that the Colts had informed other candidates — including interim head coach Jeff Saturday — that they are going in another direction. According to Schefter, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is the Colts’ preferred candidate at this point.
- Steichen is one of the hottest candidates in the pool of talented young offensive coordinators. Mainly because his fingerprints are all over the development of Jalen Hurts. Steichen took over the Eagles’ play-calling duties in November 2021. Since then, he has masterfully married Hurts running abilities with his improved presence as a passer.
- The Cardinals are rumored to be interested in Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Hires can be announced as early as today.
- The Fangio-Nagy Bowl?
