Peyton Manning has been practicing kicks at Broncos' facility with help from Wil Lutz
Peyton Manning and his younger brother, Eli Manning, are set to face off in a field goal battle on Super Bowl Sunday.
Ahead of FanDuel's 'Kick of Destiny 3' event, Peyton has been practicing at the Denver Broncos' indoor practice facility with help from the team's kicker, Wil Lutz.
'Lutz has kind of been my consultant,' Manning said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show last week. 'He didn't want anybody to know that based on how I kick. If I kick poorly, he's like, 'Don't tell anybody I've been helpin' ya.'
'But I was kicking straight on with a square toe and he's like, 'I gotta tell you, Peyton. You don't kick well like that and you look like a fool. They're going to kill you on social media.' So at least now I've gone soccer style. I look better, I'm not saying it's great, but I don't have to be great, I just have to be better than Eli.'
Lutz confirmed his involvement on his Twitter/X page:
I can attest. This dudes been GRINDING in his spare time. Happy to be apart of your kicking Journey, Peyton. Time to show the world whatcha got! 🏈💥#NoDoinks https://t.co/bbF6o8IMWm
— Wil Lutz (@wil_lutz5) January 31, 2025
FanDuel has released two commercials promoting the kick-off, and Manning starred in a mockumentary of him 'practicing,' but it didn't include any kicks.
The brothers will both attempt to convert field goals at 3 p.m. ET ahead of the Super Bowl LIX on Sunday. FanDuel will also have two Manning commercials air during the game.
The Super Bowl between the Chiefs and Eagles will be held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 9. The game will be televised on Fox and available to stream on FuboTV (try it free).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
11 minutes ago
- USA Today
Former Super Bowl champion predicts drama for Steelers' Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf
Former Super Bowl champion predicts drama for Steelers' Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf could have trouble in paradise before the end of the 2025 season — at least that's what former NFL defensive end Chris Long believes. Long, a two-time Super Bowl champion, recently appeared on The Rich Eisen Show and brought up Rodgers' infamous red line drama when discussing his pairing with Metcalf: 'When he was in New York — and I'm not taking a shot, but I don't love seeing stuff that should be worked out in the locker room, worked out on podcast,' Long said. 'Metcalf has not always been the most surgical route runner. You talk about if we end up in a situation where somebody's not on the right side of the 'red line', famously, infamously, I could see some stuff like that happening — and the growing pains being tough.' The situation that has Long worried stems back in Week 6 of the 2024 season, when then-Jets QB Rodgers criticized WR Mike Williams for running the wrong route — as he should've ran the 'red line.' Rodgers and Metcalf have been bonding heavily throughout the offseason so far — hopefully enough to prevent Long's worrisome prediction from coming to fruition. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
New York Times
26 minutes ago
- New York Times
Raiders, Bears, Jaguars among 6 offenses ready for a breakout: Nguyen
Aside from winning the Super Bowl, there are few things more fun for a fan base than an offensive breakout. Especially when a team has been in the offensive doldrums for years. Finding a star quarterback is usually the main catalyst, but having the stars assemble around a competent signal-caller can also spark a breakout. For example, a competent to dominant offensive line can make a quarterback's life much easier, and finding a complementary weapon to pair with a No. 1 receiver allows the offense to take advantage of the extra attention the No. 1 receiver routinely gets. Advertisement The Commanders' offense took the league by storm last season with a phenomenal rookie season from quarterback Jayden Daniels. The year before, quarterback Baker Mayfield had a resurgent season, establishing the Buccaneers as one of the best offenses in the league. A few years ago, pairing receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in Mike McDaniels' system created one of the most explosive offenses we've seen. Who will be the teams to finally break into the upper echelon of offenses this season? In 2023, the Cowboys ranked second in expected points added (EPA) per play, eighth in explosive play rate, and first in points per drive. In 2024, quarterback Dak Prescott was injured in Week 9, but before that, the Cowboys' offense floundered, ranking 22nd in EPA per play. They couldn't run the ball effectively and struggled to find a consistent option outside of receiver CeeDee Lamb. Though it'll be difficult for the offense to put up the same numbers they did a couple of seasons ago, there's a chance it could be one of the best this season and have better answers against good defenses than the 2023 team, which funneled targets to Lamb. Lamb had 79 more targets that season than the next leading receiver, tight end Jake Ferguson. The offense was built on timing and precision but needed another explosive option. In the playoffs that season, the Green Bay Packers' defense doubled Lamb, and the Cowboys' other receivers struggled to get open. The offense only scored 16 points in the first three quarters before making a late push when the game was mostly out of hand. This offseason, the Cowboys traded for George Pickens. Pickens has a very siloed skill set — he's a deep-ball winner. But he's elite at it, and he perfectly complements Lamb, who excels at winning inside and in the intermediate parts of the field. If teams double Lamb, Pickens can punish them deep and Ferguson can eat underneath. The skeleton key for the Cowboys' offense is the development of left tackle Tyler Guyton, last year's first-round draft pick. Guyton was relatively new to playing offensive line, having converted from defense in college, but he's a physical freak who understandably had a rough rookie season. If he lives up to his vast potential, the Cowboys will have a dominant left side with Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith. They also committed more resources to building upfront, drafting right guard Tyler Booker in the first round this year. The line has the potential to be a real strength for the Cowboys to go with their talented receiver duo. With Prescott's return, the stars could be aligning for the Cowboys' offense. Advertisement This will be the year quarterback Trevor Lawrence lives up to his draft billing! *ducks* After Lawrence's best season in 2022, when he threw 30 touchdowns to only eight interceptions, former head coach Doug Pederson gave up play-calling, which began his demise in Jacksonville. A lot went awry for the Jaguars besides play calling, but they hired one of the hottest offensive minds in the league in Liam Coen to give Lawrence an advantage in that department. Last season, as the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator, Coen was the architect of one of the most creative run games in the league. The Buccaneers went from 30th in EPA per rush in 2023 to tied for second in 2024. Week 13, 5:08 remaining in the fourth quarter, second-and-5 Bucky Irving big run! 📺: #TBvsCAR on FOX📱: — NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024 The Jaguars ranked 28th in EPA per rush in Pederson's tenure (2022-2024). Pederson's offensive philosophy was built on the drop-back passing game, but Coen will emphasize a diverse run game and make Lawrence's life easier with play action. Of course, every coach says they want to build their offense this way, but we saw proof of concept last season with the Buccaneers' run game and Mayfield's career year playing for Coen. The Jaguars signed Robert Hainsey, who was Coen's starting center in Tampa Bay, and former Ravens guard Patrick Mekari to bolster the offensive line. Walker Little is a solid left tackle, but there is a position battle at right tackle between former first-round pick Anton Harrison and Chuma Edoga. Harrison was a glaring weak link for the Jaguars last season. They need him to improve or find a suitable replacement for this team to take a step forward. The biggest reason for optimism is receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who appears to have superstar potential. He's nearly 6-feet-3 with a 90th percentile wingspan and ran a 4.3 40-yard dash. Thomas ran a limited route tree at LSU and was seen as a bit of a project, but he exceeded expectations, leading all rookies in receiving yards (1,282) and touchdowns (10), already becoming one of the league's biggest deep threats. Theoretically, first-round pick Travis Hunter will see a lot of time at receiver and complement Thomas. If Hunter takes time to develop or ends up playing more defense, free-agent signing Dyami Brown has a chance to be a strong No. 2 option. Brown was excellent in that role for the Commanders last year in the playoffs. Advertisement If Coen can scheme up an above-average run game and either Hunter or Brown emerges as a reliable No. 2 option, Lawrence will finally have the help he needs to excel. The Raiders arguably have improved more than any other team in the league this offseason. However, you can also argue they were one of the teams that had the furthest to go. Over the last two seasons, they ranked 27th in EPA per play and points per drive, and 31st in explosive play rate. This season, they've added stability by hiring coach Pete Carroll, who made one of the more interesting hires in offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Kelly's offensive philosophy has thoroughly evolved since his last stint in the league. Instead of relying on tempo to create advantages, he's shown the ability to scheme up a diverse run game and set up explosives off play action. The evolution of Chip Kelly's offense — Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) May 8, 2025 Geno Smith is an underrated quarterback who had to mitigate the most quick pressures in the league (pressures allowed under 2.5 seconds) during his time in Seattle. The Raiders brass is relying on the development of center Jackson Powers-Johnson and right tackle DJ Glaze to anchor the line and protect Smith. If Smith can get average protection, he has the football IQ and arm talent to produce like a top-10 quarterback. With All-Pro Brock Bowers and 2023 second-round pick Michael Mayer, who missed time last season for personal matters, the Raiders could have an effective two-tight end attack to counter the trending defensive meta of playing with light boxes and smaller defenders. Jakobi Meyers is one of the best No. 2 receivers in the league, first-round rookie Ashton Jeanty should step in and immediately be one of the best running backs in the league, and Dont'e Thornton, the 6-foot-5 rookie receiver with 4.3 speed, has been opening eyes in organized team activities (OTAs). The key will be whether they can get average offensive line play, but there is a lot to be excited about with this Raiders offense. There was much optimism for the Bears' offense and Caleb Williams entering last season, but the offensive line didn't perform and former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was fired midseason. A bad offensive line and a failed play caller are a lot for any rookie quarterback to overcome. This season, the Bears hired one of the best play callers in the league in Ben Johnson as head coach and fortified the offensive line by completely revamping their interior. The Bears are another team that committed resources to putting together an effective two-tight end duo. They drafted Colston Loveland with the 10th pick of the draft and his crafty route running will help him quickly establish a role, allowing Johnson to diversify his personnel usage. The biggest question is at running back. Johnson will want to run the ball, but they'll likely use a committee, led by D'Andre Swift, who is explosive but inconsistent with his vision. Williams had the fifth-highest average time to throw (3.13 seconds) last season. That'll have to drastically change in Johnson's offense, which requires making quick decisions. For context, Lions QB Jared Goff ranked 24th in average time to throw (2.88) last season. Johnson emphasized to Williams in OTAs the importance of quickly making his progressions and getting rid of the ball. Johnson got in Williams' face for being late on a throw and explained what happened to the media after practice. Ben Johnson correcting Caleb Williams for being "late" on a — the phantom of the gridiron (@RaidersAnalysis) June 15, 2025 How Williams responds to this type of coaching will determine whether the Bears' offense is ready to break out. The Bryce Young resurgence wasn't just a feel-good story last season; he was legitimately playing some good football and displaying the intelligence and play-making ability that made him a No. 1 overall pick. Notably, his ability to avoid sacks was drastically improved last season from his rookie year. According to Pro Football Focus, in 2023, Young ranked 38th in pressure-to-sack rate — 24.5 percent of the plays in which he was pressured became sacks. In 2024, he improved to 13th in pressure-to-sack rate (16.9 percent). Some thought his small stature would make it hard to get away from NFL pass rushers, but he's shown he can excel at creating plays. However, he's not reliant on out-of-structure plays — he's reading defenses and making quick decisions when needed. Advertisement Head coach Dave Canales put together a creative offense that got receivers open despite not having a lot of talent at the position. The Panthers have a pulverizing offensive line that opened up holes for running back Chuba Hubbard. They ranked 11th in EPA per rush and 12th in rushing success rate. The entire offensive line is returning, so they should be able to run the ball efficiently in 2025. Last year's first-round pick, Xavier Legette, had eight dropped passes in 2024, but the Panthers aren't entirely dependent on a Legette breakout. They also drafted Tetairoa McMillan No. 8 in this year's draft. Both are big, physical receivers with the ability to win on the outside. To reach their ceiling, the Panthers need Legette or McMillan to establish himself as a No. 1. Hunter Renfrow, who was one of the most productive slot receivers in the league in 2021, missed last season while recovering from an autoimmune disease. He could be a sneaky signing that will give Young an easy underneath target. Adam Thielen plays that role for the Panthers, but he'll be 35 years old this season. A physical run game and Young's play-making ability give the Panthers one of the most exciting young offenses in the league. The Falcons have all the right ingredients for a breakout: • A strong run-blocking offensive line without any notable weakness. • A star running back in Bijan Robinson, who finished third in rushing yards last season (1,456) and tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns (14). • A No. 1 receiver in Drake London, who finished fourth in receiving yards (1,271), and a good complementary receiver in Darnell Mooney, who nearly had a 1,000-yard season. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson helped get the best out of the Falcons' young talent last year and did so with Kirk Cousins playing on one leg for much of the season. First-round pick Michael Penix Jr. took over for the last three games and instantly gave the offense a spark — the Falcons averaged nearly a point more per drive in that stretch than they did in the first 14 games. Aside from mobility, Penix's arm allowed the Falcons to access throws Cousins just couldn't complete. The experience at the end of the season was invaluable for Penix, who was aggressive and saw what kind of throws he could pull off in the league. He'll have to cut down on some of the easy misses, but he's shown that his ability to make rare throws can overcome some of his misses. Of all the teams on this list, the Falcons feel likely to be the offense that has a true breakout. Advertisement Texans: New offensive coordinator Nick Caley should fix some of the schematic issues they had against pressure teams, but the offensive line depth chart is the stuff of nightmares. 49ers: Despite a down year, the 49ers still finished strong in several important metrics, so they don't qualify as a potential breakout offense.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Recent ranking gets to the heart of Jalen Hurts and Sirianni's bond
Most of you young Philadelphia Eagles fans will find this hard to believe, while some of the older die-hards can take a second and reminisce. Once upon a time, journalists were asked and encouraged to triple-check the facts before publishing a story. As you've probably figured out, we've ventured into a new era of sports reporting. Steering clear of rumors was often the rule of thumb in the days of yore. Now, reporting them isn't just welcomed. It's encouraged. The Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts era in Philadelphia has already given us enough stories to last a lifetime, but one of the best we've read came by way of a recent FOX Sports ranking. This description of Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni might be the most accurate Eagles fans have seen in a long time It doesn't take much to stir the pot in a sports-crazed town like Philadelphia. Unsurprisingly to no one, when the Eagles aren't performing well, there is often more to talk about, but who would have thought? The Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts era has become one of the best (and most widely-discussed) eras of Birds football we have ever witnessed. Nick was the coach no one believed in. Jalen was the second-round quarterback that fans couldn't believe their favorite team had drafted that early and invested a high selection in. Fast forward to the present. Nick and Jalen have helped lead the Birds to two Super Bowl appearances during Coach Sirianni's first four seasons at the helm, and had the Kansas City Chiefs groundsman not been responsible for preparing the turf, Philadelphia would, without question, be 2-0 under Nick on football's grandest stage. But, wait... More rumors... We've been bombarded with theories that detail disharmony between Coach and QB1. Thank Heaven for a recent take by FOX Sports' Henry McKenna. He recently ranked the NFL's best marriages between quarterbacks and their respective teams. The only thing better than Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' top-five ranking is the explanation of the dynamic between the star signal-caller and the man who patrols the sideline. "Opposites attract. Hurts is the calmest, chillest, most understated superstar in the NFL. Nick Sirianni is a ball of energy and emotion. And they don't always seem to like each other, but they love the same things and that's how they keep their love alive. I think it's because Howie Roseman lives in the space between the two guys, linking Sirianni and Hurts with personnel that suits both of them. Because you know … Philly also has Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, among others. It's one big family, fitting for the City of Brotherly Love." Finally! Someone got it right. Now, McKenna's list isn't perfect. Rankings that find any reason to place Baker Mayfield ahead of Jalen Hurts have grown tired. That is, however, another story for another day. Coach Sirianni and Jalen Hurts have come a long way since that speech about flowers and fertilizer. They haven't lost very often, and honestly, most wouldn't mind if Nick had another speech like that one in him somewhere. Two people couldn't be any more different. Jalen is cool. Nick runs hot. Jalen is reserved. Nick is emotional. Jalen is a southern kid. Nick was born in Jamestown, New York. But, they're both Eagles through and through. That's what ties them together. They have a lot of wins left in them, and something tells us they'll keep each other on their toes and focused.
