Tag: dolphins

Chase Young made the most notable move of the NFL’s trade deadline day as he switched from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers; listen to Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold every week on Inside the Huddle as they break down the biggest stories around the league.

Chase Young will provide a much-needed boost to the San Francisco 49ers pass rush amid their pursuit of a Super Bowl, believes Jeff Reinebold.

The 49ers landed the biggest move of the day ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline as they reinforced their defensive front by adding Young via a trade with the Washington Commanders.

Young joins a San Francisco side that have posted a joint-second-fewest 18 sacks so far in 2023, despite having a third-most 86 pressures across a contrasting start to the year that has seen them follow up a commanding 5-0 run with a three-game losing streak.

The former No 2 overall pick teams up with one of his old college companions to form one of the league’s most impressive edge rush duos.

“I think it’s really going to be really interesting watching that because him and Nick Bosa were college teammates at Ohio State and they reunite,” said Reinebold. “When they were at Ohio State you talk about coming off both edges, they were a dynamic pass rush and that’s what the 49ers are lacking.

“In the last few games, they’ve struggled to get pressure on the passer to finish up the quarterback and Chase Young will certainly do that.

“This is an interesting one because there’s been some discontent with Chase young in Washington, which I couldn’t figure it out. I did a little digging, and what I heard was that sometimes he has a tendency to go off-script and try and make splash plays on his own. I think he’s kind of wore out his welcome a little bit that way with the defensive coaches and head coach.”

Young was not the only departure in Washington on Tuesday, with the Commanders also trading Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a second-round draft pick. Sweat, a former first-round pick, has 35.5 sacks over four-and-a-half seasons in the NFL, including 6.5 this season as he joins a unit that has recorded a league-fewest 10 sacks and just 46 pressures in 2022.

“It’s it’s just perplexing to me,” added Reinebold. “When you look at the Commanders give up two pass rushers, and you think about it and say, ‘Okay, what’s the premium right now, in the NFL?’. If you can draft pass rushers, you’ve got to get pass rushers, they have pass rushers and they let them go.

“You’re in a division where you better be able to rush the passer because you have got great passers in your division. So it was really a surprising to see both of those guys leave the Commanders.”

Elsewhere in Minnesota, the Vikings acquired veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals following the news that Kirk Cousins will miss the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles.

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Christian McCaffrey equalled an NFL record by scoring a touchdown in the 17th consecutive game for the San Francisco 49ers against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dobbs had been the starter across the first half of the season in Arizona as the team waited on the recovery of Kyler Murray, whose return from a torn ACL suffered last year is imminent. The Vikings are riding a three-game winning streak and sit 4-4 to stay alive despite losing Justin Jefferson to injury a couple of weeks ago.

“I think he gives them a guy who has started,” says Reinebold .”If you think Josh Dobbs is going to go over there and be Kirk Cousins and do Kirk Cousins type things, you better think again.

“I think Josh Dobbs is a serviceable quarterback, he’ll be a very good backup quarterback, a bridge guy for them. And they got him for a seventh round draft pick, you have got to say that’s a good trade, because you’re going to get an experienced starter.

“He’s not Cousins by any stretch of the imagination. He’s not an elite quarterback, but he is a guy who has started proving he can win games. He took a Cardinals team and helped them beat the Dallas Cowboys earlier in the year, we’ve seen him do enough to say that’s a good move by Minnesota.”

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins left his team’s 24-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday with what the team believe is an Achilles tendon injury which will rule him out for the rest of the campaign

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is likely to miss the rest of the NFL season due to an Achilles injury picked up during his team’s 24-10 victory against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Cousins walked gingerly to the sideline in the fourth quarter after getting sacked for a second consecutive play, a series that ended with Green Bay’s Karl Brooks blocking Greg Joseph’s 44-yard field-goal attempt.

The 35-year-old was getting treatment on the sideline during the Packers’ ensuing possession, which ended with them losing the ball on downs at the Minnesota 10-yard line.

Backup quarterback Jaren Hall – a rookie fifth-round pick from BYU – entered the game when the Vikings regained possession with 7:15 left in the game.

“We are fearing an Achilles injury,” an emotional head coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game. “The severity of that, I do not know at this point.”

O’Connell said further testing to confirm the initial diagnosis at Lambeau Field would be completed in the next 24 hours.

“We’re thinking about our leader… our guy right now and I’m just so proud of him and way he’s played all season,” O’Connell said, adding Cousins was given the game ball in the locker room after leading the Vikings to a 4-4 record following an 0-3 start.

Cousins completed 23 of 31 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns before his injury.

The Vikings have no decision on whether Hall or Nick Mullens would start if Cousins is out for the season, but O’Connell said Mullens could be an option moving forward because his back injury has improved.

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The New York Giants are still yet to score an offensive touchdown in the first half of a game in the 2023 NFL season; Cincinnati Bengals rookie Andrei Iosivas scores his first NFL touchdown on his birthday in the win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder

Sky Sports Cricket statistician – and big Buffalo Bills fan – Benedict Bermange dives into the 2023 NFL season to pick out the best stats from each week…

It was a ‘Kickathon’ in London as there were nine field goals in the Ravens’ 24-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans – only the 10th game in NFL history with that many field goals. There were 10 in the 2019 meeting between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.

Justin Tucker made six field goals in the game, and Nick Folk tied Tucker’s record with his 70th consecutive field goal under 40 yards.

The Atlanta Falcons’ loss to the Washington Commanders was Desmond Ridder’s first home defeat in either his College or NFL career. Prior to this weekend’s 24-16 defeat, he was 5-0 at home in the NFL having gone 26-0 at home over the course of his college career in Cincinnati from 2018 to 2021.

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Highlights of the Seattle Seahawks against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week Six of the NFL season.

Andrei Iosivas of the Bengals scored his first career touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. He became the first wide receiver to score his first NFL touchdown on his birthday since Chris Conley of the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 25, 2015.

It was another one-score game for the Minnesota Vikings as they defeated the Chicago Bears 19-13. They improved their record this season to 2-4 having been a perfect 11-0 in one-score games in last year’s regular season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Colts 37-20 and in doing so raised their record to 4-2. This marks the first time for 82 games that they have been at least wo games above .500. The last time was when they were 3-1 after four games of the 2018 season. However, they then proceeded to lose 10 of their last 12 games to end 5-11.

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Tyreek Hill celebrated his touchdown by taking a phone and recording a selfie of himself doing a back flip.

Having scored two touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills in London last week, Travis Etienne scored two more against the Indianapolis Colts. He joined Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers as the only players to have scored at least two touchdowns in back-to-back games in different countries. Back in 2013 Gore achieved the feat in Week Seven against the Tennessee Titans and then in Week Eight against the Jaguars in London.

Etienne’s two touchdowns this week came in the space of 16 seconds. Only three players have scored two touchdowns in a shorter span in the same half:

The Cleveland Browns became the first team to defeat the 49ers in the regular season since the Chiefs in Week Seven of last year. The 49ers had won 15 straight regular-season games, tying the longest winning streak in franchise history.

Christian McCaffrey became the fourth player in NFL history to score a scrimmage touchdown in 15 straight games including the playoffs. He now trails only Lenny Moore for the most consecutive games with at least one touchdown scored of any kind. Moore scored in 17 consecutive games from 1963 to 1964.

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Highlights of the San Francisco 49ers against the Cleveland Browns in Week Six of the NFL season.

The Houston Texans defeated the New Orleans Saints despite CJ Stroud throwing his first career interception. It came on his 192nd pass attempt, a new record for the most consecutive pass attempts without an interception to begin a career.

The New York Jets won their first-ever game against the Philadelphia Eagles after a run of 12 straight defeats which dated back to their first-ever meeting back in 1973. It was the Jets first win against an opponent that was undefeated in Week Six or later since they beat the Colts in Week 16 of the 2009 season.

The Giants have still not scored an offensive touchdown in the first half of a game this season. The only teams to have had worse starts to a season in that respect were the 1998 Chargers and Buccaneers, neither of whom scored an offensive touchdown in any of their first seven games of the season.

Week Six in the NFL begins when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Denver Broncos, live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.15am in the early hours of Friday morning. Stream the 2023 NFL season and more with NOW.

Around the NFL’s Gregg Rosenthal joins Hannah Wilkes and Phoebe Schecter on this week’s Her Huddle to look ahead to Sunday’s final NFL London game of the season; coverage of the Baltimore Ravens against the Tennessee Titans begins at 1pm ahead of kick-off at 2.30pm live on Sky this Sunday

On this week’s edition of the Her Huddle podcast, Hannah Wilkes and Phoebe Schecter were joined by Around the NFL podcast hero Gregg Rosenthal to preview Sunday’s NFL London match-up between the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans.

It was an offseason of change in Baltimore as Todd Monken arrived from College Football national champions Georgia to lead a new era for the Ravens’ offense. In replacing Greg Roman he sought to install the most diverse offense yet, designed to preserve not only Lamar Jackson’s explosiveness but showcase his passing talents in a more expansive aerial attack.

“Lamar Jackson to me is different, I was curious as to how he was going to look in this offense,” said Rosenthal on Her Huddle. “I know they [the Ravens] are 3-2 and have blown two games they shouldn’t have, but as a Lamar Jackson fan this is what I’ve always wanted, which is a normal offense.

“That’s not just a unique and creative tough-to-stop running game, it’s like ‘ohh there’s open receivers down the field, I haven’t seen that in the past!’

“They still have a good running game because Todd Monken coaches that up, the offensive line is good and Lamar makes the running game better. But you see Odell Beckham open, Zay Flowers open, Mark Andrews open; I see Lamar more accurate and better from the pocket.

“I know people will say ‘Lamar has always been good from the pocket’, but guys do get better as they age, mentally he’s even better than he was four years ago and he’s really playing well.”

Derrick Henry remains the ever-familiar heartbreak of the Tennessee offense as he comes up against a Ravens defense that has ranked second against the run through five weeks this season.

“Henry is so hard if he can get to the second level, to take down,” added Rosenthal. “Roquan Smith on the Ravens’ defense has been one of the very best defensive players in the league, he is key to it.

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A look at the best plays from Titans running back Derrick Henry from this season so far

“They lose a lot of players but they are so well-coached it’s hard to run against them.

“If he can get to the second level he can make big plays. I’d love to see him with a big long run. It’s not just him, though. They have a rookie Tyjae Spears who went to my alma mater Tulane, he is making a really nice impact as a second running back.”

Which Titans team will turn up?

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Dan Hanzus and Marc Sessler from the Around the NFL podcast preview the London game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans

Fellow Around the NFL podcast hero Dan Hanzus has questioned which Mike Vrabel-led Titans team will show in London this weekend amid their to and fro form that has seen them cruise beyond the Cincinnati Bengals and lose to the Indianapolis Colts in recent weeks.

“The Titans are a team that is hard to figure out week to week, but they have playoff potential,” Hanzus told Sky Sports this week.

“Their offense is ranking near the bottom of the league in a lot of categories but there are pieces there. They added a veteran receiver in DeAndre Hopkins who has really played well for them, Ryan Tannehill is a veteran quarterback who has proven before he can lead a team to a deep playoff run.

“King Henry (Derrick Henry) is one of the great running backs of his era, it will be tough against the Ravens defense but he has the ability to go for 150 yards.”

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Odell Beckham Jr shows his excitement at being able to link up with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and says he is worth all the money in the world

Marc Sessler is, meanwhile, braced for the most dynamic and dangerous MVP-winning Jackson yet as the Ravens seek to bypass the Titans’ stern ground blockade.

“They’ve been real up and down the Titans, and it starts with their quarterback play,” said Sessler. “I really think Tennessee’s strength in most games has been their run defense, and Baltimore wants to attack you with the run but they are much more competent through the air right now.

“This is a much more different Ravens offense through the air than we’ve seen in the past. We’re getting the best version of Lamar Jackson that we’ve gotten in a while.”

Watch the Baltimore Ravens against the Tennessee Titans in the final NFL London game of the season live on Sky Sports this Sunday, with coverage beginning at 1pm ahead of kick-off at 2.30pm at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Elsewhere Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano looks set to miss the rest of the 2023 season after suffering a leg and knee injury during his team’s defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones also suffers an injury

The Indianapolis Colts were dealt a scare on Sunday as quarterback Anthony Richardson exited with a right shoulder injury in his side’s 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans. 

Richardson was officially ruled out early in the third quarter and replaced by Gardner Minshew after going down hurt at the end of a four-yard run.

NFL Network reported after the game that X-rays on Richardson’s shoulder came back as negative.

Richardson stayed down for several minutes before walking slowly to the injury tent, with his shoulder noticeably drooping on the right side. After spending several more minutes in the injury tent, he headed to the locker room with team medical personnel.

The fourth overall pick at this year’s Draft has been banged up on multiple occasions in his rookie year, missing the final minute of Indy’s season-opening loss to Jacksonville with minor knee and ankle injuries before going into the concussion protocol after scoring two touchdowns the following week at Houston and sitting out Week Three having not cleared the protocol.

Richardson was nine of 12 with 98 yards. He also ran twice for five yards and took a sack on a backward pass. He is 20 yards rushing away from passing Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas (155 in 1956) for the franchise’s third-highest single-season rushing total by a Colts rookie quarterback.

Milano likely out for season

The Buffalo Bills suffered another huge blow to their season as star linebacker Matt Milano was carted off with a leg injury during Sunday’s defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

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Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Buffalo Bills in Week Five of the NFL season

Milano went down after 11 snaps in the first quarter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after seemingly getting his leg caught in a pile of players.

NFL Network reported that Milano sustained a fractured leg while there are also fears he picked up a season-ending knee injury.

“It’s a knee and lower leg injury,” said Bills head coach Sean McDermott. “I know it’s not looking good right now, but I don’t know any details beyond that at this point.”

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell discusses the possibility of a Super Bowl being played in London and whether there will be a UK franchise in the future

Jones goes down for Giants

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones meanwhile exited Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins early in the fourth quarter due to a neck injury.

Jones was sacked by Miami linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel with 12:11 remaining in the game. The hit took Jones by surprise, as it came from his blind side, with his neck cocked back before he was driven to the turf.

Tyrod Taylor took over under center for the Giants, who were trailing 31-13 at the time of Jones’ departure.

Prior to exiting, Jones completed 14 of 20 passes for 119 yards while being sacked six times.

Tua Tagovailoa throws for 309 yards and four touchdowns while Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane combine for 285 rushing yards and five touchdowns to steer the Miami Dolphins to a team-record 70-20 victory over the Denver Broncos

The Miami Dolphins posted over 700 yards of offense on their way to a franchise-record 70-20 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. 

Mike McDaniel’s side logged the most points in a game by an NFL team since 1966 and the fourth 70-point game in history, falling short of the regular-season record of 72 points set by Washington.

Tua Tagovailoa, who was 16 of 16 in the first half, completed 23 of 26 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns, before backup Mike White threw for 67 yards and a score upon entering the game late. Rookie running back De’Von Achane meanwhile rushed for 203 yards and two scores in the company of Raheem Mostert’s 82 yards for three touchdowns and Chris Brooks’ 63 yards on the ground.

“Shame on us if you put a ceiling on what you’re capable of,” McDaniel told reporters. “If you just worry about the right things, you don’t worry about anything but your technique and fundamentals and assignment within the team, don’t worry about stats or credit, it’s amazing what a group of people can do going in one direction.

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A clever Miami Dolphins play design executed perfectly by Tua Tagovailoa as he finds De’Von Achane with this clever no-look pass for the touchdown

“The points don’t carry over but I do think this is a meaningful game for a lot of guys to understand to not let an opportunity on the field together slip through your fingers in any way, shape or form, because collectively we have all the right people to do some pretty cool stuff on the field.

“It’s just incredible, it goes through my mind all the intentional work that goes into it.

“I was most proud of the unrelenting nature we had. I think it was the first outside of the Houston game last year where we had a lead of maybe three touchdowns or more going into the half and it ended up being pretty close at the end. So we want guys to learn from stuff. It’s so key you don’t let the ebbs and flows of the game interject with how you play football, that’s the biggest thing the guys can learn from this game.”

Tagovailoa enjoyed another incredible day under center for the Dolphins

Miami had the chance to top Washington’s all-time record when they moved into field goal range, but instead elected to take a knee to ice the win.

“It felt like chasing points, chasing a record is not what we came here to do,” said McDaniel. “Ten times out of 10 you concede and kneel down. The message it would send wasn’t really in line with how I view things.”

Victory moved the Dolphins to 3-0 on the year and, for all of Denver’s struggles, reinforced their Super Bowl credentials behind a red-hot Tagovailoa.

Miami’s previous record had been 55 points set against St Louis on November 24, 1977, the Dolphins surpassing that mark on Achane’s 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter and Jason Sanders’ subsequent extra point.

The Dolphins are the first team to score five rushing touchdowns and five receiving touchdowns in the Super Bowl era, per ESPN stats. Their 726 total yards are meanwhile second only to the 1951 Rams’ 735 against the Yanks.

Joe Burrow “tweaked” his calf injury during the Cincinnati Bengals’ 27-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday; the Bengals have started 0-2 for a second successive NFL campaign; Burrow also vows to get wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase more involved with offense

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has admitted his calf injury could continue to be a problem throughout the NFL season, after aggravating the issue during Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Burrow limped off the field late in the 27-24 loss that dropped the Bengals to 0-2 for the season, and afterwards confirmed that he had “just tweaked it a little bit again.”

Having missed most of the pre-season with the issue, Burrow finished 27-41 for 222 yards and two touchdowns, after passing for just 82 in last weekend’s season-opening loss to Cleveland.

“We’re going to have to wait and see,” Burrow said after the game.

“I’m not sure how it’s going to feel the next couple of days. It’s pretty sore right now, but no telling how it’s going to fell, so I think we’re going to take it day by day.

Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals have lost their first two games of the NFL season

“We’ll give it a couple of nights, a couple of sleeps, and we’ll see, we’ll go from there.

“Whenever you have these kind of things, it’s always ongoing, it’s always something that you’re managing. I don’t know how I’m going to feel the next couple of days, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Asked whether he expects the injury to be something he needs to continue to manage throughout the campaign, Burrow added: “I don’t know. It’s tough to tell, tough to look into the future and see that.

“I’m doing everything I can to get healthy and get that thing the way I need it to so I can go out and perform the way I need to, to win, we’ll see.”

Burrow ‘still confident’ | ‘We need to get Chase involved’

The Bengals recovered from an 0-2 start last season to finish AFC North champions with a 12-4 record, and Burrow insists the team are capable of producing a similar turnaround.

The 26-year-old old has pinpointed getting off to quicker starts as a key factor in enabling the team’s offense to flourish.

“When your quarterback misses camp, it’s tough to start fast. It’s not an ideal situation,” Burrow said.

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Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Charlie Jones rushes for an 80-yard punt return touchdown.

“I’m still confident. I feel really confident in all the guys we have that in that room.

“We always want to start fast. Teams play us soft, keep everything in front.

“I think we did a good job of taking what they gave us today, but if you start fast, teams think twice about playing that way, so we’ve got to start fast.”

Along with Burrow, Bengals’ star receiver Ja’Marr Chase has made an underwhelming start to the season, hauling in just five receptions in each game, without scoring a touchdown.

Ja’Marr Chase has had a disappointing start to the campaign

Both of Burrow’s touchdown throws on Sunday went to his usual secondary option Tee Higgins, and the quarterback has admitted he needs to do more increase Chase’s output.

“I think we threw him (Chase) a couple today, we’ll go watch the film and check it out,” Burrow said. “It’s tough to tell from just sitting here and not having watched the tape. We’ll go back and re-evaluate that.

“We need to get him involved, he’s our best player on offense, so we need to find a way to get him off.”

Burrow will have extra time to recover for the Bengals Week Three fixture, which is a Monday Night Football clash with the Los Angeles, live on Sky Sports at 1:15am in the early hours of Tuesday, September 26.

Travis Kelce missed Kansas City Chiefs’ defeat to Detroit Lions in NFL season opener but is making progress ahead of Sunday’s clash with Jacksonville Jaguars, live on Sky Sports; Chiefs head coach Andy Reid says team “will work things out” after loss in Week One

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce could return for his team’s game against Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Kelce hyperextended his knee in training last week and missed the reigning Super Bowl champions’ 21-20 defeat to Detroit Lions but head coach Andy Reid says the 33-year-old’s fitness is improving.

Reid said: “Travis is getting better. We’ll see how he does the rest of today or tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

In Kelce’s absence against Lions, backup tight ends Noah Gray and Blake Bell combined to catch five passes for 43 yards.

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Highlights of the Detroit Lions’ win over Kansas City Chiefs during Week One of the NFL season.

Kadarius Toney, meanwhile, had several of the eight drops by Kansas receivers.

Reid added: “We’ll get the receiving things taken care of. I feel good about the receivers we have.

“We are not normally guys that drop the ball but we did and we have to fix it. I think there is talent that will just keep improving as they continue to play. I have seen them do it before. I think we’ll get that worked out.

“We’ve all got to do better. That’s the thing I took out of this. Whether it’s coaching, it’s playing, the O-line, the D-line – we can all take something out of this game and get better at it.

“There were spurts of good and there were spurts of not-so good, and we were in position to win the game. Normally we do that and we did not.”

Chiefs’ game with Jaguars is live on Sky Sports Action from 5pm on Sunday, with coverage also on Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm

Cooper Kupp injured his hamstring at the beginning of August in training camp and has since aggravated it; despite seeing a specialist for treatment he was unable to recuperate sufficiently and will not play for at least another month

The Los Angeles Rams’ star receiver Cooper Kupp will miss the team’s first four games of the new NFL season after being placed on the injured reserve list.

Kupp will now be sidelined until at least Week Five, when the Rams host Philadelphia on October 8.

The Rams also put new tight end Hunter Long on injured reserve on Saturday, just one day before their season opener in Seattle against the Seahawks.

Kupp injured his hamstring August 1 in training camp, and he aggravated the injury late last month. The Super Bowl 56 MVP got treatment and saw a specialist in Minnesota in recent days but didn’t improve enough to play.

Kupp also missed the final eight games of last season with an ankle injury. He won the triple crown of receiving in 2021 and was named the AP’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year before leading the Rams to their Super Bowl victory over Cincinnati.

The Rams also signed kicker Brett Maher and quarterback Brett Rypien from their practice squad ahead of their trip to Seattle to face the Seahawks. Rypien will be the backup to Matthew Stafford in the absence of Stetson Bennett, who wasn’t put on injured reserve despite a shoulder problem which is likely to prevent him from suiting up in Seattle.

Los Angeles also signed linebacker Troy Reeder from its practice squad, ahead of the trip to Lumen Field.

Week One of the 2023 NFL season continues Sunday as the San Francisco 49ers visit the Steelers, with coverage from 4.30pm ahead of kickoff at 6pm, followed by the Dolphins at Chargers at 9.25pm. Stream with NOW.

Super Bowl-winning defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will join the Sky Sports NFL coverage for four weeks during the 2023 season.

The five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro brings with him 13 seasons worth of expert knowledge, during which he has recorded 600 tackles and 71.5 sacks while winning one Championship ring across spells with five teams since being drafted by the Detroit Lions as the No 2 overall pick in 2010.

Suh arrives on the back of featuring in the Philadelphia Eagles team that reached Super Bowl LVII, where Nick Sirianni’s side were beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs.

He previously starred in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, led by Tom Brady, that toppled Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to win Super Bowl LV at the end of the 2020 season, having made the first of his three Super Bowl appearances with the Los Angeles Rams team that came up short against the New England Patriots in 2018/19.

The former Defensive Rookie of the Year is now set to bring his insight to your screens as part of Sky Sports NFL’s Sunday coverage in a four-week stint starting from October 1.

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Super Bowl-winning defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh discusses Lions head coach Dan Campbell and explains why their fans deserve a Championship run.

“You can expect a lot of excitement, great insights on football, especially from somebody who’s been doing it for 13 years plus and potentially 14 years,” Suh told Sky Sports.

“We’ll see how things pan out after my amazing time over in the UK with you guys so just looking to have a lot of fun and give great insights.

“I’ve explored the UK a lot. I think this will be probably my seventh or eighth time over. I’m looking forward to getting to my favourite restaurant in London, and then obviously to go check out some great football as you guys call it over there. I grew up playing since I was three and love watching the Premier League.

“UK fans, I’m excited to spend time with you guys. We’re gonna have lots of fun, lots of exclusive insights, and look to share many of those with you, not only in the studio, but also in person and around the game. So tune in and then let’s enjoy!”

The key to winning a Super Bowl…

The race to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas is on, with Suh able to vouch for the prime ingredients to any Championship contender.

“Outside of the little bit of luck, a lot of hard work,” he says. “Along with consistency and a team coming together, you’ve been able to see teams, dynasties that have core members for long periods of time, but then you’ve been on the flipside to see a team just put it together at the right time, which I think when you look at my run with Tampa Bay and winning a Super Bowl.

“We had an amazing group of guys on defense, amazing group of guys on offense and we all put it together collectively as a team at the right time. Because we went through plenty of struggles throughout that season and it was not smooth sailing like it was when I was in Los Angeles.

“My first Super Bowl, when I went to it was smooth sailing outside of one blemish during the regular season against the Saints and then maybe a couple towards the end of the year. But overall it’s like we’re just running over most of the NFC, even the league when we got into the playoffs, and then just at the very end, we couldn’t put it together to cement the deal. But I think there’s a combination of ways you get to this to the Super Bowl but it always comes down to hard work.”

The winning feeling

Suh finally captured his first Super Bowl ring a decade after entering the league, the wait only making the feeling of eventual victory even sweeter.

“That emotion was pure joy and excitement,” he recalls. “It was probably one of the best years of my life, if not the best year of my life. One not only winning a Super Bowl but bringing my kids in, my twin boys into the world as champions.

“And I’ve always said this, my wife is been a huge part of my success. She first moved in when I was living in Los Angeles, and that was my first year to get to a Super Bowl. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win it, but I was in the NFC Championship Game and then ever since then have been vying for one and been in three of the last six Super Bowls.

“She’s a big part of my corner, so you’ve got to have a strong woman behind every great man.”

Suh is coming to the Sky Sports studio!

Can Suh’s Lions surprise the NFL?

Suh’s introduction coincides with a season in which his former team Detroit have been touted as one of the league’s potential surprise packages after a sparkling end to the 2022 campaign.

“I think the biggest story I’m excited to watch and see is the city of Detroit and the Lions,” said Suh. “I’m excited to see them hopefully get back to an elite level like we were when I was playing there. We had some great seasons but 2014 especially.

“Aidan Hutchinson. Jared Goff, who I played with, and then obviously I wish the best for Dan Campbell, who was my interim head coach in Miami and spent some good time with him. Always respected him and and loved playing for him and then also against him when he was at the Saints.

“He (Campbell) is a ball of energy, just full non-stop bouncing off the walls. Great energy guy. There’s no quiet time around him from recollection. But a coach that you love to play for. Always brings excitement to the game, even through tough times. He finds a way to be very positive and push people, which I’ve always appreciated about him.”

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Peter Schrager has predicted that Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs will be this season’s Rookie of the Year

Having spent five seasons with Detroit from 2010-2014, the former Nebraska Cornhusker is eager to see Lions fans treated to another Super Bowl run.

“There’s no question you wanna see about some loyal fans,” he added.

“Detroit has some of the most loyal fans and normally the only fans that I would pick over them as loyal fans would be the University of Nebraska, which are obviously the best fans in college football!

“I definitely believe that city is deserving of a Super Bowl, and I wish I could be there. Part of something of that nature because I know it would be amazing. I got so much joy and support from them and I love that city deeply.”

Watch the 49ers at Steelers live on Sky Sports NFL on Sunday, with coverage beginning from 4.30pm ahead of kickoff at 6pm, followed by the Dolphins at Chargers at 9.25pm. Stream with NOW.

San Francisco 49ers reportedly “considering all options” with regards to quarterback Trey Lance with Sam Darnold to act as back-up to Brock Purdy; Lance was signed by San Francisco less than three years ago but has been hampered by injuries and started just four games

Sam Darnold has won the back-up quarterback role for San Francisco 49ers, casting doubt over Trey Lance’s future with the California team.

The 49ers traded three first-round draft picks to acquire Lance less than three years ago but are now reportedly “considering all options” with regards to their next move.

NFL Network first reported that Darnold had beaten out Lance for the back-up job behind No 1 Brock Purdy.

Lance spent his rookie season supporting Jimmy Garoppolo, starting just two games as an injury replacement and being hampered by a finger injury on his throwing hand.

Sam Darnold (left) will be back-up quarterback to Brock Purdy for 49ers this season

The 23-year-old was handed the starting position last season, but that lasted less than five quarters as he broke his ankle early in Week 2 and was sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

Purdy, taken with the last draft pick in 2022, came on late in the season and won his first seven starts to take over the starting slot.

San Francisco signed Darnold in free agency and he did enough in training and preseason games to beat out Lance.

Lance has completed 56 of 102 passes in his brief NFL career for 797 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

If San Francisco can find a trade partner for Lance, his four starts will be the fewest for any quarterback for the team that drafted him in the top five in the common draft era.

Jack Thompson started five games for Cincinnati after being taken third overall in 1979.

Dalvin Cook agrees one-year deal worth up to $8.6m with New York Jets, where he will team up with ex-NFC North rival, quarterback Aaron Rodgers; Ezekiel Elliott’s one-year deal with the New England Patriots reportedly worth up to $6m

Two big-name NFL running backs have new homes, with former Minnesota Vikings star Dalvin Cook signing with the New York Jets and ex-Dallas Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott joining the New England Patriots.

The Jets and Cook have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $8.6m, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Monday. Cook confirmed the deal by reposting social media posts about the news.

After being released by the Vikings on June 9 following his fourth straight 1,000-yard season, the four-time Pro Bowler will team up with an ex-NFC North rival, Aaron Rodgers, in New York. The Jets’ backfield is currently led by Breece Hall, who averaged 5.8 yards per attempt across seven games as a rookie last season before tearing his ACL.

Cook was slated to earn $11m in 2023 with Minnesota, where he rushed for 5,024 yards and 43 touchdowns the past four seasons.

The 28-year-old is coming into this season off the back of surgery in February, the latest in a series of major shoulder issues that include a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum.

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott with wear the No 15 with the New England Patriots

Elliott’s one-year deal with the Patriots is worth up to $6 million, according to sources. He confirmed earlier reports of the agreement when he announced on social media that he will wear No 15 for the Patriots, which had been his number in college at Ohio State.

The 28-year-old was released by the Cowboys in a salary-cutting move in March. He will provide important depth in New England behind starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson.

Elliott, who led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and posted four 1,000-yard seasons in Dallas, was slowed in the second half of last season because of a knee injury and posted a career-low 876 yards at 3.9 yards per carry.

He ranks third in Cowboys history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.

Aaron Rodgers fired back at Sean Payton, saying: “It made me feel bad that someone who’s accomplished a lot is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up for some sort of easy fall”; Payton had been highly critical of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett

Aaron Rodgers defended offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett after the latter recently was slated by Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton.

The New York Jets quarterback responded to the critical comments Denver Broncos’ head coach Payton recently made about Hackett.

On Thursday Payton told USA Today that Hackett’s 15-game stint with the Broncos last season “was one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL”.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers works with Nathaniel Hackett

The Broncos were 4-11 when they fired Hackett and finished 5-12.

Payton also said there were “20 dirty hands” around Russell Wilson’s career-worst season, and directed some pointed remarks at the Jets – Hackett’s new team where he and Rodgers are reunited after enjoying success together at Green Bay.

Payton subsequently apologized for his comments on Friday. However Rodgers didn’t let it end there.

“It made me feel bad that someone who has accomplished a lot in the league is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up for some sort of easy fall if it doesn’t go well for that team this year,” Rodgers told NFL Network.

“I think it was way out of line, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coaches’ names out of his mouth.”

Rodgers, acquired by New York in April from Green Bay, said Hackett is “arguably my favourite coach I’ve ever had in the NFL”.

They worked together for two of Rodgers’ four NFL MVP awards in 2020 and 2021 with the Packers.

Payton also criticized the Jets for being the latest NFL team “trying to win the offseason” – something he said the Broncos tried to do under Hackett and were “embarrassed”.

On Thursday Jets coach Robert Saleh said: “Hackett’s doing a phenomenal job here.”

He added: “There’s a lot of people that are hating on us and a lot of people looking for us to fail.”

Rodgers said Hackett is “arguably my favourite coach I’ve ever had in the NFL”

Payton on Friday said he regretted the remarks in which he disparaged Hackett, and said he would reach out to him and Saleh “at the right time”.

“Listen, I had one of those moments where I still had my Fox hat on and not my coaching hat,” said Payton, who’s returning to the sideline this season after a year’s sabbatical during which he worked as a studio football analyst for Fox Sports following a 15-year stint with the New Orleans Saints.

Rodgers told NFL Network he thought Payton’s initial comments “were very surprising, for a coach to do that to another coach”.

Meanwhile, the back-and-forth makes the Jets’ matchup in Denver in Week 5 on October 8 a bit spicier.

Payton acknowledged it “certainly will bring more interest to the game when we play them, but that seems like years from now”.

The Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines is expected to need surgery after the incident, which would keep him out of the whole 2023 NFL season; another rider collided with the 26-year-old while he was sitting on a jet ski, according to reports

Nyheim Hines will miss the whole 2023 NFL season after suffering a serious knee injury in a jet ski accident.

Another rider collided with the Buffalo Bills running back while he was sitting on a jet ski, according to reports.

The 26-year-old was expected to be the Bills’ primary kick returner and a back-up running back used primarily on third downs.

Hines will need surgery and will be out for the whole season

Hines was sitting on a stationary jet ski when he was struck, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.

It is thought Hines will require surgery after suffering a significant injury to his ACL in the incident.

It was not immediately known when he was hurt or where the accident took place.

Hines joined the Bills in a trade with Indianapolis last November and appeared in a combined 16 games and started five. He caught 30 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown and ran 24 times for 33 yards and a TD.

NFL owners unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris and including Magic Johnson for a record $6.05 billion I All 32 team owners voted for the sale, which is the highest price paid for a professional sports team

NFL owners have unanimously approved the $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders franchise to a group to a group led by Josh Harris and including Magic Johnson.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed though reports in April said the agreement was for an NFL-record price of $6.05bn.

The group led by Harris, who is a managing general partner at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), includes Maryland businessman Mitchell Rales and Magic Johnson, who won five NBA titles during a Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

“Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. He has a remarkable record in business, sports, and in his communities. The diverse group that Josh has put together is outstanding for its business acumen and strong Washington ties and we welcome them to the NFL as well.”

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones beamed as he walked off an escalator and headed toward the meeting room, granting a brief interview with reporters about the impending sale of his team’s division rival.

“It’s a hallmark day,” Jones said. “I’m excited about the prospects of going into Washington and giving them some capital punishment.”

Separately, the NFL also released the findings of the independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and financial improprieties made by former employees of the Commanders.

Due to the findings, outgoing owner Dan Snyder will pay $60m to the league “in resolution of the findings and all outstanding matters.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers were awarded marketing rights to Ireland and Northern Ireland this week as part of the NFL’s International Home Marketing Areas initiative; the Steelers have a long-term relationship with Ireland courtesy of the Rooney family.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have long-term plans to play a regular season NFL game in Ireland, the team said Thursday during a visit to celebrate its long-standing ties with the Emerald Isle.

The Steelers touched down in Dublin days after the NFL awarded the team marketing rights for Ireland and Northern Ireland, all part of the league’s push to expand its audience internationally.

“Our aspirations long term are to play a game in Ireland,” said Daniel Rooney, the team’s director of business development and strategy. “As we move through the process, we’ll be evaluating all options.”

Ireland has never hosted a regular season NFL game, but the Steelers beat the Chicago Bears 30-17 in a preseason matchup at Croke Park in 1997.

Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, holds 82,300 and would almost certainly be the site of any future Steelers game.

GAA president Larry McCarthy joined Rooney at a news conference at Croke Park and said the organisation is “delighted to be associated with [the Rooneys] and such a famous name and brand in the Steelers.”

Brett Gosper, NFL head of UK and Europe, was also on hand and called the Steelers and Ireland a “perfect fit.”

“There are so many connections, obviously the family’s heritage [and] the Steelers organising that first and only game – so far – in Ireland,” he said.

The late Daniel M. Rooney was U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009-12.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, who play in London every year, were also awarded marketing rights to Ireland.

The programme was designed to help individual teams build their brands abroad through commercial activity and fan engagement similar to what they do in their home markets. Rights are granted by the league for at least a five-year term.

San Francisco Bay Area to host Super Bowl for third time after being confirmed as venue for 2026; Levi’s Stadium to stage Super Bowl LX; game also played in Bay Area in 1985 and 2016

Super Bowl LX will head to the San Francisco Bay Area with Levi’s Stadium confirmed as the host venue in 2026.

The stadium, home of the San Franciso 49ers, last held the showpiece match in 2016 when Denver Broncos beat Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.

The Bay Area will stage its third Super Bowl, with the game also taking place at Stanford Stadium in 1985.

On that occasion, the 49ers beat the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement on Monday: “The Bay Area was an incredible host for Super Bowl 50, and we are thrilled to bring the Super Bowl back.

“We look forward to working with the 49ers and the Bay Area Host Committee to create an impactful Super Bowl LX in 2026 that showcases all the great things the region has to offer.”

49ers president Al Guido said: “We are honored to host the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium once again, and to be stewards of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

“Since hosting Super Bowl 50 in 2016, Levi’s Stadium has cemented its reputation as a world-class venue. I’m confident Super Bowl LX will be a terrific event that benefits the entire community.”

Super Bowl LVIII will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11 2024, with the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans to stage Super Bowl LIX on February 9 2025.

JJ Watt: “I believe in what [chairman] Alan (Pace) is doing at Burnley and what Vincent (Kompany) is building. It’s just a matter of coming in at the right time. We really enjoyed our time in Burnley and we’re looking forward to coming back”

Former NFL star JJ Watt and his wife Kealia Watt, a former USA international, have announced their investment in Burnley Football Club.

JJ is a three-time defensive player of the year winner. The 34-year-old retired from the game at the end of the 2022 season after 12 seasons with the Houston Texans (2011-20 and Arizona Cardinals (2021-22).

Kealia enjoyed a successful club career with Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars, representing the US national team on three occasions in 2016. She retains the record for scoring the fastest goal of any debutant for the women’s national team, netting 48 seconds into her international debut.

Three-time NFL defensive player of the year JJ Watt retired from the sport at the end of the 2022 season

The couple have always had an interest in English football, with JJ having been a fan of Chelsea and Kealia of Arsenal, she told Sky Sports News, but their loyalties lie firmly with Burnley now after announcing their investment into the club.

“We went to Burnley, visited the town and we just fell in love,” Kealia said. “It’s such an incredible place.

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Burnley’s celebrations begin after their victory against Blackburn to seal the Championship title!

“What Vincent (Kompany) has done with this team is unbelievable. We cannot wait to watch this [next] season.

“We’re so excited. It’s going to be so cool – we’ll be there on opening day. We’re counting down the days, we cannot wait.”

JJ added: “It’s all about the opportunity to have an impact in the club.

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Burnley manager Vincent Kompany says there is no better way to win after beating their biggest rivals Blackburn to secure the Championship title

“Chelsea is obviously an unbelievable club and they’ve built something incredible there, but I believe in what [chairman] Alan (Pace) is doing at Burnley and what Vincent is building.

“It’s just a matter of coming in at the right time. We really enjoyed our time in Burnley and we’re looking forward to coming back.”

The Watts spent time at the club and within the local community earlier in the season, when they attended the Clarets’ 3-0 victory over Wigan at Turf Moor. They are also due to be in attendance for Burnley’s final home fixture of the season against Cardiff City on Monday, May 8.

The pair also spoke of how following Wrexham’s story since the club’s takeover by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney proved to be an inspiration.

Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate with the National League trophy after their promotion to the fourth tier

Kealia said: “We watched the documentary a few months ago and it was so cool to see what they’ve done.

“That’s kind of what we’re modelling this after. They’re just incredible and Wrexham are such a fun team – we’ve followed that and that’s exactly what we’re trying to do here.”

JJ added: “I’ve spoken to Rob about his experience and I’ve tried to gain some insight into what he’s done, and I’ve spoke to Ryan too to try to get his ideas on what has worked and what hasn’t.

“Obviously they’re in a different league and a different situation, with what Wrexham are doing, but they’ve done an incredible job.

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Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has made an ambitious bid to get Gareth Bale out of retirement and sign for his team

“Our goal is to come in and get involved with the community. With the [Burnley] supporters, we want to earn their trust, we understand that we can’t come in and expect them to trust us right away.

“And then we want to help tell their story to America and beyond. We want people to know about the Clarets.”

Alan Pace, Burnley chairman, said of the Watts’ investment in a statement: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome JJ and Kealia into the Clarets family.

“This is a conversation that has been happening for some time and over the course of this season we’ve been hugely impressed by their passion and interest in both the club and the Burnley community. I am very much looking forward to working with them.”

A petition created for Travis and Jason Kelce’s mum Donna to do the ceremonial coin toss before Super Bowl LVII on Sunday has already gained over 170,000 signatures and is still rising; Donna: “I would [do it], if the two of you say I would not be a distraction”

Travis and Jason Kelce will become the first brothers to play against each other in Super Bowl history when the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles face off in Arizona on Sunday – and their mum has become a minor celebrity as a result.

On ‘Opening Night’ of Super Bowl week, Donna Kelce delivered cookies for her boys on stage while they spoke to the media, decked out in a half Chiefs, half Eagles jersey.

There has also been a petition created for Donna to do the ceremonial coin toss before Sunday’s game, which has already gained over 170,000 signatures and is still rising.

“‘Here’s the thing,’ Donna began saying. When asked about the possibility on her son’s New Heights podcast, she said: “There are so many legends and people that have their blood, sweat and tears on that field… I don’t think that’s the right place for me to be.

“Would I be a distraction out there for you guys? That’s what I would worry about.

“I would [do it] if the two of you say I would not be a distraction… and you’ll be focussing on the game plans.”

Travis then responded, saying, “You’re in,” before jokingly adding: “I’ll tell [NFL commissioner] Roger [Goodell].”

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The Super Bowl LVII countdown is on in Arizona ahead of Sunday’s game between Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

The two brothers have each won a Super Bowl previously, with Jason’s Eagles triumphant five years ago, beating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII, while Travis and the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV – their first of three Super Bowl visits in four years.

‘I would sure love to get this one over his head’

When asked about the matchup at Opening Night, Jason said: “We’re always rooting for each other.

“I always want him to do well, but I would sure love to get this one over his head and have at least something over top of Trav.”

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Travis and Jason Kelce, who will face each other in Super Bowl LVII, discussed on MNF when they had their last ‘fist fight’ when growing up.

Travis, meanwhile, said of what it was like growing up and competing against his older brother: “What he did do is he gave me a cool perspective on how to beat somebody that’s better than you.

“I kind of got to learn the mind games at a different level as a younger kid, so he’s helped me get to where I’m at without a doubt.

“But he got the majority of the wins for sure.”

Watch Super Bowl LVII – Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles – live on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event from 10pm on Sunday, February 12, with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Christian Wilkins and Efe Obada among the guests joining Neil Reynolds and Hannah Wilkes for 90 minutes of build-up to the big game.

The Kansas City Chiefs are back in another Super Bowl – their third in the last four years – but how did they get there?

With the retirement of record seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady still fresh in the memory, the man who looks to be the greatest challenger to his throne as the ‘GOAT’, Patrick Mahomes, gets the chance to add a second ring to his collection at Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arizona on Sunday.

That said, not only are the Eagles a fearsome opponent standing in their way, but there are injury concerns over the Kansas City star QB heading into the big game.

Here, we take a look back on the Chiefs’ road to Super Bowl LVII…

What went right?

The Chiefs once again proved themselves to be the elite of the NFL, particularly on offense, owning the No 1 unit in points per game (29.2), yards per game (413.6) and passing yards per game (297.8).

Kansas City’s 14-3 regular-season record not only wrapped up a seventh-straight AFC West divisional title, but it also secured them the No 1 seed in the conference for the third time in their dominant present-day stretch.

Highlights from the year include a 44-21 thumping of the Cardinals, in Arizona, on the opening day of the season to signal their intent, while they edged out Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers 27-24 in a thriller a week later.

Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were comfortably put away 41-31 in Week Four, as were the San Francisco 49ers 44-23 in Week Seven – both huge road victories against major NFC contenders.

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Highlights of the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers from Week Seven of the NFL season

The victory over the 49ers would kickstart a run of 10 wins across 11 games to close out the season, with only a defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals sandwiched in between.

But the Chiefs would ultimately have the last laugh, with star quarterback Mahomes gaining revenge for that defeat, and for his three total losses in three career games to Joe Burrow and the Bengals, with their 23-20 victory in the AFC Championship game over the same opponents to book their Super Bowl spot.

What went wrong?

As usual, not a great deal. Although there was the odd hiccup along the way, none more bizarre and unaccounted for than the 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week Three – a team which would ultimately end the season a dreadful 4-12-1.

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Highlights of the Kansas City Chiefs against the Indianapolis Colts in Week Three of the NFL season

Also, a 24-20 loss at home to the Buffalo Bills in Week Six that dropped the Chiefs to 4-2 on the year would hint towards a possible changing of the guard in the AFC, with Buffalo earning a second-straight regular-season win at Arrowhead (and after having pushed Kansas City all the way in an incredible overtime finish to their divisional round match-up in the playoffs the previous year).

But, while the Bills and the Bengals – who would themselves defeat the Chiefs in Week 13 – threatened to steal Kansas City’s throne, neither were able to deliver the decisive blow, with Buffalo bested by Cincinnati in the divisional round this time, before they themselves were undone in the AFC title game by Mahomes and co.

And a banged up Mahomes and Chiefs offense, at that. One of the biggest concerns going into Super Bowl LVII this Sunday is certainly the health of Kansas City’s star quarterback, who picked up a high ankle sprain in their divisional round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Watch the moment Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes picked up an ankle injury in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars

He has not looked the same since, limping his way through the subsequent one-and-a-half outings, only serving to make his sensational match-winning performances in those wins over the Jags and the Bengals all the more impressive.

Wideout Mecole Hardman has already been ruled out of the Super Bowl due to injury, while JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kadarius Toney were also banged up against the Bengals, weakening Mahomes’ receiving corps, with progress to be monitored this week.

Star names

Starting with the most obvious selection of them all, Mahomes, of course. The 27-year-old is favourite to win a second league MVP title this season in just his fifth year as a starter in the NFL.

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A look at some of the best plays from Mahomes this season, in his bid to grab his second league MVP award

Mahomes set a new record for the most offensive yards (5,614) in NFL history this season – breaking down as 5,250 passing yards, 358 rush yards and six receiving. He also led the league in passing TDs during the regular season, with 41, six greater than Josh Allen (Bills) and Burrow (Bengals) tied for second on 35. And Mahomes did it all despite the team trading away his best receiver too, with Tyreek Hill moving to the Miami Dolphins in the offseason.

Mahomes has at least retained the comfort blanket Travis Kelce on offense, with the superstar tight end notching his seventh-straight 1,000-yard season, finishing 2022 with 1,338 yards along with a career-high 12 TDs.

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A look at the best plays this season from the most impressive tight end in the NFL, Travis Kelce

Also, following on from last week’s AFC Championship game, only one quarterback and receiver duo have connected for more postseason touchdowns than Mahomes and Kelce’s 13 (Brady and Rob Gronkowski with 15).

Also, look out for seventh-round rookie Isaiah Pacheco, who has added a real spark to this Kansas City offense since his introduction midway through the season, averaging over five yards per carry, while defensive tackle Chris Jones is the standout from an underrated defense, having equalled his career high of 15.5 sacks this season.

Playoff push

REPORT: Jaguars 20-27 Chiefs – Divisional Round

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Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs

Kansas City are 5-0 in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs with Mahomes at quarterback. Though, having said that, this particular victory against the Jaguars to open their playoff run almost came without their star QB at the helm.

Mahomes missed most of the second quarter due to the injury he sustained to his right ankle, but ultimately returned to finish 22 of 30 passing for 195 yards and two touchdowns, while back-up quarterback Chad Henne also threw a scoring pass in his absence.

Kelce’s 14 receptions (for 98 yards), meanwhile, tied for the third most in NFL postseason history, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling also adding a touchdown catch for Kansas City.

REPORT: Bengals 20-23 Chiefs – AFC Championship

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Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game

The Chiefs had never before hosted a single Conference Championship game in franchise history, but are now coming into the Super Bowl off the back of hosting a fifth in a row, with Mahomes and co this time getting the better of the Bengals in a repeat of last year’s AFC title game which they lost.

Despite being hampered by his injured ankle, Mahomes threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns in the contest and the Chiefs’ star QB also helped set up the game-winning field goal on a crucial five-yard scramble for a first down with 12 seconds left.

As he crossed the sideline, Mahomes was shoved when already out of bounds by Cincinnati defender Joseph Ossai, resulting in a 15-yard penalty to further aid Harrison Butker’s game-winning kick to break a 20-20 tie after another epic battle with the Bengals.

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The Kansas City Chiefs are presented with the AFC Championship as Kelce sounds off on their opponents, the Cincinnati Bengals

Super Bowl pedigree

Despite their dominance over the past five seasons – appearing in five-straight AFC Championships – since Mahomes became the starter at QB in Kansas City, it has thus far translated into just one Super Bowl title over that span.

They lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy on their first visit to the Super Bowl in 50 years when they beat the 49ers to cap the 2018 season, with Mahomes named MVP after engineering a comeback from 20-10 down midway through the fourth quarter.

Mahomes and the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV to wrap the 2019 season

They have made it all the way to the Super Bowl on four occasions in total, losing to the Green Bay Packers in the first-ever Super Bowl to be played, back in the 1966 season, before triumphing over the Minnesota Vikings three years later.

After their Super Bowl LIV win over the Niners to break the drought, the Chiefs missed the chance to go back-to-back as they were beaten by Brady and the Bucs in the big game following the Covid-disrupted 2020 season.

Tom Brady got the better of Mahomes in Super Bowl LV, preventing the Kansas City Chiefs from claiming back-to-back titles

The concern for the Chiefs would be that, much like he is heading into this game, Mahomes was hobbled by injury in that game, making it easier for Tampa Bay’s ferocious pass rush to get after him and limit his explosive Chiefs offense to only nine points.

With the Philadelphia Eagles, and their own hugely-intimidating defensive line full of monsters, awaiting in Super Bowl LVII, Mahomes’ ability to still deliver enough magic moments despite his ankle injury will prove key to deciding the outcome of the game.

Watch Super Bowl LVII – Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles – live on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event from 10pm on Sunday, February 12