Chiefs clinch No. 1 seed when Falcons' Koo misses late FG
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is tackled by Atlanta Falcons Foyesade Oluokun during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. The Chiefs had to watch as Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo missed a tying field-goal attempt with 9 seconds left to escape. The Falcons (4-11) took the lead when Matt Ryan hit Laquon Treadwell for a 5-yard touchdown with 4:33 to go. Kansas City finally took its first lead on Harrison Butker's 53-yard field goal with 14:08 left in the game. The Falcons squandered their first chance to match the points when Brandon Powell coughed up the ball deep in Kansas City territory.
Browns short-handed as they face Jets
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)The Cleveland Browns are short-handed as they try to clinch the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2002, the longest active drought in the NFL. They learned Sunday morning they will be without starting rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills against the New York Jets because of an illness. The Browns will be missing receivers Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge and linebacker Jacob Phillips. The Indianapolis Colts will be without both starting offensive tackles when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers. This comes after they placed LB Whitney Mercilus on the COVID list on Christmas.
Colts have left tackle Castonzo, LB Okereke vs. Raiders
Indianapolis left tackle Anthony Castonzo and starting linebacker Bobby Okereke are both active for the Colts’ visit to the Las Vegas Raiders. ___GREEN BAY AT DETROITPackers: QB Jordan Love, CB Ka’dar Hollman, LB Jonathan Garvin, G Simon Stepaniak, WR Malik Taylor, TE Jace Sternberger. Raiders: QB Nathan Peterman, CB Damon Arnette, RB Theo Riddick, OT Brandon Parker, OG John Simpson, DE Carl Nassib. Eagles: CB Michael Jacquet, QB Nate Sudfeld, WR John Hightower, RB Jason Huntley, DB Grayland Arnold, S Rudy Ford, LB T.J. Edwards. Jaguars: QB Jake Luton, CB Luq Barcoo, LB Kamalei Correa, LB Quincy Williams, C Brandon Linder, TE Tyler Davis, DE Reggie Gilbert.
Chiefs' offense keeps seeing red when it reaches red zone
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes runs the ball against the Denver Broncos in the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. Unless they get it in the red zone. That barely counts as the red zone. Those bleak numbers are made worse by the fact Kansas City generates the fourth-most red-zone attempts per game. "Red zone is pretty important to play, so we’re always looking to bring in new ideas.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' arm angles causing defenses fits
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws under pressure against the Denver Broncos in the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. One of the things that has made the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback so dynamic is his ability to unload a pass to his deep and talented group of wide receivers from seemingly impossible spots. “Every week you guys ask me about a record here or there, so I think he's cooking pretty good,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said with a grin. His quick release from so many angles allows him to squeeze the ball through the smallest of holes. He has one of its best rookies in Clyde Edwards-Helaire and one of its best veteran running backs in LeVeon Bell.