KANSAS CITY
Tyrann Mathieu Jersey , Mo. ??Andy Reid has always been considered an offensive-minded head coach, whether it’s because he played along the offensive
line in college or tutored the likes of Brett Favre once he reached the NFL.So
his response wasn’t all that surprising this week when the?Kansas City coach was
asked who generally comes out on top when a potent offense goes up against a
shutdown defense.“This thing is based on a point system,” Reid said with a wry
grin. “Pretty simple there.”Well, points might be at a premium even for the
Chiefs‘ potent attack Sunday, because Reid and Co. are getting precisely what he
was asked about: The Baltimore Ravens are rolling into Arrowhead Stadium
boasting the league’s top-ranked defense for an intriguing matchup between
playoff contenders.The AFC West-leading Chiefs (10-2) are tops in the NFL in
scoring at 37 points per game. They also lead in yards per play and are third in
yards passing and in the top five in most other categories.The Ravens (7-5), who
are a game back of Pittsburgh in the loss column in the AFC North, allow a
league-best 17.8 points per game. They’re also No. 1 in total yards, second in
yards passing and third in yards rushing. Their 35 sacks also rank among the
best in the NFL.“We’re going to face, arguably, the best offense in the league
on Sunday. We just have to go to work,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I know
that’s what you always hear, but that’s really got to be the focus. Just keep it
about that.”As for the Chiefs, their focus can return to what happens on the
field.They were preparing for last week’s trip to Oakland when video surfaced
that showed star running back Kareem Hunt assaulting a woman in a hotel hallway
in February. By the time they took the field 48 hours later, Hunt had been
released and Spencer Ware had taken over as the starter in a 40-33 victory.Now,
the veteran running back will have a week’s worth of work as their No. 1 running
back behind him, and just in time to face the Ravens and their rugged defensive
front.“They’ve got a lot of size up front and on their defense overall, but it’s
the same mentality,” Ware said. “We’re going to try to get in there and control
the football.”The Ravens have likewise become a ground-oriented attack with
elusive Lamar Jackson under center and the emergence of Gus Edwards at running
back. They’ve had at least 200 yards rushing in each of their past three wins,
becoming the first team since the 2010 Jaguars to accomplish that feat.“I just
play ball. I don’t think about all that when I’m out there,” Jackson said. “It’s
just moving the ball, get positive possessions, don’t get negative plays and
stuff like that. I just want to move the ball downfield, hopefully get in the
red zone and score points.”TEACHER VERSUS STUDENTHarbaugh was hired in 2008 by
Ray Rhodes and retained when Reid took over as Philadelphia’s coach in
2009
Steven Nelson Jersey , working first with special teams and then with the secondary.Harbaugh and Reid went to a Super Bowl together with the Eagles in
2004, before Harbaugh left for Baltimore in 2008.“Who you start with really
makes a big difference,” said Harbaugh, who won the Super Bowl with the Ravens
in 2012. “If you start with people that do it the right way it just gives you a
chance, gives you a leg up. And Andy, for me, was a big part of that in every
way.”PLENTY OF OPTIONSWhen Jackson runs the run-pass option, he’s got plenty of
backs from which to choose. Edwards has been receiving the majority of carries
lately, though his string of 100-yard games ended in Atlanta in part because
Kenneth Dixon and Ty Montgomery combined for 11 attempts. Dixon ran for 37
yards, but he also had one of the Ravens’ four fumbles in the game.“The good
thing is,” Harbaugh said, “he recovered it right away.”BELIEF IN BERRYChiefs
safety Eric Berry could make his season debut after hurting his heel early in
training camp. He never landed on injured reserve, but the Chiefs held their
star playmaker out of action until coming back from their bye last week. He
didn’t play in Oakland, but he now has two weeks of practice under him and Reid
said it is possible that he’ll be active Sunday.WEST’S RETURNThe Chiefs signed
former running back Charcandrick West to provide depth after Hunt’s release, and
don’t be surprised if he is active Sunday. West is familiar with the offense,
and he is excellent as both a pass-catcher and blocker in the passing game,
making him useful against the Baltimore defense.“Home is always the best-case
scenario,” West said of his return. “This is my family.”FORECAST FOR
FOOTBALLFreezing temperatures are expected Sunday, and some wonder how Chiefs
quarterback Patrick Mahomes will respond. He played collegiately at Texas Tech,
and the bye coupled with a trip to Oakland the past few weeks means his
experience in frigid weather is limited.“I don’t think it changes at all. Coach
Reid has us outside every single day,” he said. “But it will be awesome to be
back at Arrowhead. Hopefully, we can stay here more than these last three
(regular-season) games. Hopefully, we can use home-field advantage to our
advantage.”100View Gallery Gallery:View from the sidelines: NFL cheerleaders 2018Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports | Raj Mehta
ORLANDO
Tony Gonzalez Jersey , Fla. — The Pro Bowl has long been considered a laughable representation of the NFL game.It reached a new level of comedy Sunday as
several players swapped positions during the annual all-star game.Jacksonville
Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey caught a touchdown pass in the final minute,
capping a dominant performance for the AFC defense in a 26-7 victory over the
NFC in steady rain. It was the third consecutive victory for the AFC, all of
them at Camping World Stadium.The last two were played in sloppy weather, with
the latest one also coming amid temperatures in the mid-50s. It was far from
ideal conditions, raising speculation about the game’s future in Orlando, but
fairly fitting considering the effort players provided. It was two-hand touch
most of the day, with officials blowing plays dead at the slightest hint of
contact.“Who cares, man?” New York Jets safety Jamal Adams said. “At the end of
the day, we’re like little kids out there just playing in the mud, playing in
the rain.”Regardless of the elements, the AFC made the plays the NFC
didn’t.Kansas City‘s Patrick Mahomes completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to
Indianapolis’ Eric Ebron on the opening possession, helping Mahomes earn the
offensive Most Valuable Player award. Mahomes pleaded with voters to give it to
Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman, who caught three passes for 92 yards and ran
for a score.“Sherman had my vote. Sherman had my vote,” said Mahomes, who
completed 7 of 14 passes for 156 yards. “I thought I told everybody on the
camera. He made some plays out there. For a fullback, we have one of the best in
the league so I’m always happy to try to get him a little vote like that.”Adams,
who made headlines for sacking the New England Patriots mascot during a Pro Bowl
skills competition, was named the defensive MVP thanks to an interception and a
sack.“It’s a great achievement, but the main thing was to come out here and get
the victory,” Adams said. “That was the main thing, just to get the money, man.
That’s what we wanted.”Mahomes and Adams each got a luxury vehicle.AFC players
will get $67,000 each for the victory
Derrick Thomas Jersey , $8,000 more than the guys who lose the Super Bowl next week in Atlanta. The Pro Bowl losers will get $39,000 each.The AFC defenders
earned their share of the pot. The conference allowed the NFC 148 total yards
and 10 first downs while intercepting three passes and notching seven
sacks.Ramsey got in on offense late, catching a 6-yard slant pass from Houston’s
Deshaun Watson with 19 seconds remaining. Los Angeles Chargers rookie safety
Derwin James failed to haul in the 2-point conversion.“Man, me and Deshaun,
that’s my brother from another mother,” Ramsey said. “We’ve been plotting and
scheming all week, manifesting, and it just came about.”New York Giants running
back Saquon Barkley, Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott, Tampa Bay receiver
Mike Evans and New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara all got in on defense for the NFC.
Evans notched an interception.The AFC led 20-0 early in the fourth quarter,
looking like it might record the first shutout in Pro Bowl history. But Dallas’
Dak Prescott found Atlanta’s Austin Hooper for a 20-yard score on fourth down
with 9:09 remaining.The NFC had plenty of chances before that. The conference
failed to score on a fourth-and-goal run early. Chicago’s Mitchell Trubisky,
Minnesota receiver Adam Thielen and Prescott threw interceptions.Trubisky was
sacked by Adams on a flea flicker, and Dallas’ Amari Cooper had a wide-open
touchdown pass bounce off his face mask.Seattle’s Russell Wilson also was sacked
four times.MASCOT MADNESSAdams’ hit on the Pats mascot went viral, leading to
false reports about the guy being hospitalized.“It’s dying down now,” Adams
said. “He never went to the hospital. They blew it up. It was all for the fans.
I gained some fans and I gained some enemies, put it like that.”IN-GAME
HIJINKSIndianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron had his phone tucked into the
pocket of his sweatshirt and used it between the third and fourth quarters.
Ebron took pics with opposing players, working his way around the entire NFC
defense.ANOTHER NO-CALLAdams hugged a line judge who didn’t throw a flag on an
obvious pass interference play against Green Bay receiver Davonte Adams. Davonte
Adams dropped to the ground in disbelief, and several NFC teammates
protested.Players from both conferences spent the week lamenting a now-infamous
no-call in the NFC title game.INJURIESPittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu
Smith-Schuster and Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen left the game with
bruised knees. Neither was considered serious, although Smith-Schuster was
limping on the way to the bus and declined comment. Allen caught four passes for
95 yards before sitting out.UP NEXTNew England and the Los Angeles Rams play in
the Super Bowl next Sunday.
