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Matchups, prediction for battle between AFC juggernauts

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A Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills game in October sure does feel like an AFC Championship Game preview. I know the Chiefs are 2-2, and their defense has been, well, the worst in the NFL. But they still have Patrick Mahomes, and if anybody can take a bottom-five defense to a Super Bowl, it’s him. Conversely, the Bills lost to a terrible (towel) team in Week 1 but have since thoroughly dominated their next three opponents.

Kansas City Chiefs offense vs. Buffalo Bills defense

This is a battle of the beasts. The Chiefs currently boast the league’s top offense, and by quite a margin. They’re first in both DVOA and EPA/play, and they’re second in success rate, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys.

Buffalo’s defense has possibly been even more impressive than Kansas City’s offense. Currently, their weighted DVOA sits at -49.4%. If the Bills keep up that performance through 17 games, their defense would rank as the best in the history of the DVOA database, which dates back to 1983. It would nearly DOUBLE the mark of a vaunted defense like the 2013 Seahawks (-27.9%).

However, defensive performance is often a product of the opposing team’s offense, and more importantly, the opposing quarterback — and Buffalo hasn’t faced many impressive offenses. I wouldn’t expect the Bills to post their third shutout of the season in Week 5.

Patrick Mahomes vs. Bills defense

As time passes, I’m more and more convinced that Patrick Mahomes is actually from a different planet. It’s difficult to watch any quarterback after watching Mahomes because no one can do half the things he can as a playmaker. The thing is, I’m not sure if Mahomes gets enough credit for his ability to play on schedule as a more traditional pocket passer.

The Bills have a top-3 NFL cornerback in Tre’Davious White, and their safety tandem is arguably the best in football. Additionally, their defensive line — particularly their pass rush — has drastically improved thanks to a slimmed-down A.J. Epenesa and rookie Gregory Rousseau. Meanwhile, Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds form an outstanding linebacking duo.

But they aren’t Patty.

Advantage: Chiefs

Chiefs weapons vs. Bills defensive backs

Pound for pound, I like the Bills’ defensive backs over the Chiefs’ weapons. Mahomes is the engine that makes Kansas City’s weapons go. I say this while acknowledging that Tyreek Hill is the best receiver in the NFL and Travis Kelce is the leagues’ best tight end. But they are undoubtedly elevated by the play of their quarterback.

On the opposite side, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, White, Milano, and Edmunds are all performing at a high level for the Bills. So, even though I believe the Chiefs’ offense will move the ball on a hat-on-hat basis, I think the Bills have more talent.

Advantage: Bills

Chiefs offensive line vs. Bills front seven

As good as the Bills’ front seven has been so far in 2021, the Chiefs’ revamped offensive line has been just as impressive. Creed Humphrey hasn’t simply been one of the best rookies in the league — he’s been one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. Of all the heavyweight matchups in this game, this is the one I’m most excited about.

If the Bills are going to make Mahomes uncomfortable, it’ll come off the edges. Orlando Brown Jr. and Lucas Niang haven’t been bad, but if there were any sort of weakness on Kansas City’s OL, it would be against good edge defenders.

I can’t wait to watch two of my favorites from the 2020 NFL draft — Epenesa and Niang — go at it on Sunday Night Football. That is if Epenesa is healthy enough to go in Week 5.

Advantage: Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs defense vs. Buffalo Bills offense

This one doesn’t need much text. Buffalo’s offense hasn’t looked as good as we expected so far in 2021, but they dominated the once-heralded Washington Football Team defense. There aren’t usually big discrepancies between DVOA rankings and EPA rankings, but the Bills’ offense is 9th in EPA/play and just 17th in DVOA.

The Chiefs’ defense is atrocious. I know it’s been bad for a while now, but this is so much different. They’re the worst in the league nearly any way you look at it. They can’t stop the run to save their lives, and you have to dig deep to find teams worse defending the pass.

Josh Allen vs. Chiefs defense

If I was allowed, I’d simply “LOL” this category and walk away. However, I need to break down the reasons why Allen has the advantage against the Chiefs’ defense. Allen is good and athletic, and Kansas City’s defense is really bad everywhere. I’ll explain more in the next few categories.

Advantage: Bills

Bills weapons vs. Chiefs defensive backs

Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, Emmanuel Sanders, Gabriel Davis, and Dawson Knox against Tyrann Mathieu. I know Honey Badger doesn’t give a rip, but even one of the fiercest animals in the kingdom can’t survive that gauntlet.

I can’t see a world where the Chiefs get consistent defensive stops against Buffalo, and those pass catchers are a big reason why.

Advantage: Bills

Bills offensive line vs. Chiefs front seven

The Bills’ offensive line certainly isn’t made up of world-beaters, but the Chiefs’ front seven isn’t anything to write home about either. However, if Kansas City wants to win this game, they must be able to pressure and contain Allen to the pocket — which is a tall ask given his frame and athleticism.

The Bills have been good as a run-blocking team so far in 2021, which spells doom for the Chiefs. Kansas City has far and away the worst run defense in the league, doubling the inefficiency of the next-closest team.

Advantage: Bills

Betting line and game prediction

The Kansas City Chiefs are currently 3-point favorites against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. With the Chiefs being 2-2, the Arrowhead crowd should be as rowdy as they’ve been in recent years.

I chose the Bills as my preseason Super Bowl participant from the AFC, but I can’t see the Chiefs actually holding a losing record five games into an NFL season with Mahomes under center. Even if Kansas City’s defense ends up being historically bad, Mahomes can wash away the sins of a franchise.

Every fiber of my being says the Bills should win, but my gut is calling a shootout victory for the Chiefs, with Mahomes appearing in my Player of the Week piece come Monday.

Prediction: Chiefs 38, Bills 35



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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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