NFL

TNF Flex, Commanders Sale, Third QB

Published

11 months ago

May 23, 2023

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The NFL takes care of any remaining business from their March Annual Owner’s Meetings in their Spring League Meeting, this year held on May 22 in Minneapolis. A number of leaguewide changes have already been implemented through the first day of meetings which cover where fans watch NFL games, when teams play those games, where the draft is occurring, who can be on the active gameday roster, and how special teams play out.

Let’s take a look at the major decisions the NFL made through the first day of the NFL spring meetings.

Thursday Night Football Getting Flexed

The NFL voted to allow itself the ability to move games from Sunday afternoon to Thursday night to boost ratings for the second year of Amazon Prime’s control of the Thursday Night Football product. We went over the changes in detail, the eligibility criteria, and which games are eligible to be flexed.

This has an impact on teams, players, fans, and broadcast partners, so it turned out to be a monumental decision on the NFL’s part that should increase marketability for their marquee products in future negotiations.

Progress on Washington Commanders Sale

The NFL will not vote on whether or not to approve the sale of the Washington Commanders to Josh Harris.

MORE: NFL Offense Rankings 2023

Given how many rules and bylaws govern the transaction, as well as how much they need to investigate the Harris ownership group, the finance committee will need more time to evaluate the potential transaction.

NFL Implements Emergency Third Quarterback Rule

The NFL voted to allow teams to functionally add an active game-day slot — currently restricted to 46 players — to a third quarterback so long as that quarterback is already on the 53-man roster on game day. That third quarterback would be on the inactive list until activated by the third quarterback rule.

This gives teams an emergency quarterback that they can rely on if their starting quarterback and their backup quarterback both get hurt.

Once teams play the designated third quarterback, they cannot bring the other two active quarterbacks onto the field. This would have prevented an injured Brock Purdy from re-entering the NFC Conference Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, with a healthy quarterback playing in his and Josh Johnson’s stead.

This is somewhat a revival of the old league rule that allowed teams to carry an emergency quarterback, though that rule was eliminated in favor of adding an active game-day slot, changing the number of active players allowed on game day from 45 to 46. Coaches had stopped opting to make the 46th player a quarterback, and so we revisit the rule, this time with another active player.

This may incentivize teams to carry a third quarterback on their roster coming out of training camp instead of on the practice squad. Teams may only elevate players from the practice squad onto the 53-man roster on game day if they are going to make the active game-day roster, and the third quarterback must be listed as inactive.

That said, they could carry that player on the practice squad for the majority of the week before elevating him to the 53-man roster prior to game day. Game-day elevations are limited regardless, as players can only be elevated on game day three times before league rules require the team to roster him.

The Onside Kick Remains

The NFL voted to table a proposal, once again, that would allow teams trailing late in the fourth quarter to substitute their kickoff attempt after a score with a play from scrimmage.

In this instance, that play would occur from the kickoff line of scrimmage (the team’s own 35-yard line) and would automatically be turned into a fourth down with 20 yards to go. Like any fourth down, a failure to convert would result in a turnover on downs.

Because the odds of an onside kick recovery are roughly on par with the odds of converting 4th-and-13, proposals like this have been kicking around the NFL for some time, with spring leagues and semiprofessional leagues experimenting with it.

No Touchback on Fair Catches on Kickoffs

The NFL delayed their vote on whether or not to automatically create touchbacks to the 25-yard line on any fair catches occurring on kickoffs. At the moment, only fair catches inside the end zone result in touchbacks, while fair catches within the field of play result in the team gaining position from the yard line of the catch.

This proposal would, in theory, reduce the number of injuries that occur on kickoffs — one of the most injury-laden plays in football — by encouraging teams to fair catch the ball even when the ball is kicked to their 2-yard line.

Owners have heard back from their own special teams coaches, who almost universally oppose the idea as it would eliminate the strategic benefit of a kicker who can force a return and kick short of the end zone — meaning teams can force opposing offenses to start inside their own 5-yard line on kickoffs if they make the tackle on the ensuing return.

Green Bay To Host the 2025 NFL Draft

The NFL unanimously voted to approve the proposal by Green Bay to host the 2025 NFL draft.

This was expected, as no other teams bid to host the 2025 NFL Draft.

San Francisco Bay Area To Host the 2026 Super Bowl

The NFL voted to approve the San Francisco Bay Area as hosts for Super Bowl 60, which comes at the conclusion of the 2025 season and would be played in February of 2026. Levi’s Stadium, which is an hour away from San Francisco in Santa Clara, would be the site of the game itself. The week of festivities in the lead-up to the game would occur throughout the Bay Area.

That year, the Bay Area will also play host to the 2026 World Cup, making San Francisco and surrounding cities an exciting, if busy, area that should test San Francisco’s infrastructure. 2026 will be San Francisco’s 250th birthday.

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

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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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.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

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!

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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?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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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.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

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.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

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.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

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

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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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)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

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+.