Latest news with #AFC
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex NFL QB Reveals What Sets Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Apart
Ex NFL QB Reveals What Sets Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Apart originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs are still one of the top teams in the AFC and NFL. Even after a disappointing loss in February that prevented the NFL's first "three-peat," Patrick Mahomes and Co. could come back stronger next year after offseason moves. Advertisement Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Dan Orlovsky recently offered his take on what makes Mahomes so different from the other top QBs in the league. "The gap has never been this ridiculously big gap when it comes to Patrick, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow," Orlovsky said. "All three of those guys had better seasons last year than Patrick did, yes. But there is the reality that Patrick, not once, not twice, but three or four times, has played his absolute best when it's been needed the most. Those other three guys haven't necessarily done that. And so, is Patrick the best at the position? "He's still the top dog when it comes to you got to go be your very best when it's needed the most. When it comes to the ability to play, those guys have always been kind of nipping at his heels." Mahomes was recently tabbed as the league's top quarterback by ESPN's Field Yates in his annual rankings, although he did note that the former Texas Tech Red Raiders' signal caller's "grip is loosening slightly." Advertisement "Mahomes' grip on the top spot is loosening slightly. After dominating the voting with back-to-back No. 1 rankings in convincing fashion, Mahomes garnered around 60% of the first-place votes this year, which is still impressive but well short of last year, when he received all but one first-place vote," Yates wrote. "He has finished eighth in QBR the past two years; from 2018 through 2022, he finished first or second four times. Rarely does Mahomes look as frazzled as he did vs. Philadelphia in Super Bowl LIV." Related: NFL Coordinator Offers Warning About Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes: 'No Coach Wants To Deal With Him!' Related: 1 Thing Stopping Chiefs' 'Explosive Element' Returning This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens' Secondary Questioned by Analyst
Ravens' Secondary Questioned by Analyst originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baltimore Ravens believe they're in a Super Bowl window right now, and general manager Eric DeCosta tried to fill perceived roster holes in this year's draft and in free agency. Advertisement Baltimore added cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jaire Alexander in free agency and drafted safety Malaki Starks in the first round and corner Bilhal Kone in the sixth. Add that bunch to second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins and veterans Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton in the secondary, and you have one of the best in the league. But Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine wonders if it's enough to put the team over the top in the AFC. "There's no way around it. Anything less than a Super Bowl is going to feel like a disappointment in Baltimore. Lamar Jackson is squarely in his prime," Ballentine wrote. "Derrick Henry continues to prove he can defy the laws of NFL aging. The Ravens are likely to have one of the league's most unique and dynamic offenses once again. That leaves it up to the defense to set the ceiling for this squad. Last year, their cornerback depth was tested and failed. This year, they signed Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie. The veterans will join second-year players Nate Wiggins and TJ Tampa as candidates to play with Marlon Humphrey. Advertisement "Finding success in the AFC playoffs means beating the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. As good as Jackson is, the secondary has to be able to hold up their end of the bargain." Related: Ravens Place 2 Tight Ends in Top 10 ESPN Position Rankings Related: Ravens Safety Moves Up in NFL Position Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nagpur Metro to shift to open-loop NCMC cards for seamless travel, invest ₹154.3 Cr
Nagpur: Nagpur: MahaMetro is set to transition from its current closed-loop Maha Cards to a ₹154.3 crore open-loop Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system. The move is aimed at enhancing commuter convenience and aligning with the national "One Nation, One Card" initiative. At present, Nagpur Metro commuters use closed-loop Maha Cards, which are valid only within the city's metro network. However, with the upcoming Phase 2 of the project, MahaMetro plans to introduce the RuPay-powered National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), following its successful launch on Mumbai Metro's Line 3 last month. The new system will enable seamless travel across metros, buses, and other public transport systems throughout India. Commuters will be able to tap in and out not just in Nagpur, but in any city that supports the NCMC ecosystem, offering a more flexible and user-friendly experience. MahaMetro has issued a tender for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the new open-loop AFC system. The project also includes QR code-based ticketing and a long-term Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC). Nagpur Metro currently has over 1.10 lakh Maha Card users, with at least two new cards being issued daily on average at metro stations. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Antivirus Protection May Be Expired - Renew now McAfee Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola Cardholders enjoy fare concessions—students receive a 30% discount, while regular passengers get 10% off. Importantly, officials have confirmed that the existing AFC gates installed during Phase 1 will not need to be replaced. "Only a software upgrade is required to accommodate the open-loop NCMC system," a senior MahaMetro official said, ensuring that infrastructure costs remain minimal. "In Nagpur Metro's earlier phase, we had tied up with banks and developed our own card system. Now, we will transition to NCMC cards. The exact number of machines and infrastructure required is yet to be assessed, as it will depend on ridership and other operational factors," said Anilkumar Kokate, director (operations and maintenance), MahaMetro. The existing SBI-Nagpur Metro Maha Card, developed in partnership with the State Bank of India and Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), is a dual-interface contactless prepaid card that supports stored-value transactions. The ₹154.30 crore investment is aimed at modernizing fare collection and improving interoperability across public transport systems. Launched in March 2019 by the Union govt, the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is part of the "One Nation, One Card" initiative. Developed by the ministry of housing and urban affairs and powered by RuPay, the NCMC allows users to pay for travel across metro, bus, and suburban rail networks, as well as at toll plazas, retail stores, and ATMs—provided the systems are upgraded to support open-loop infrastructure.
Times of Oman
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Oman appoints Portuguese Queiroz as new head coach ahead of fourth round World Cup Qualifiers
MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA) on Tuesday appointed the highly experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz as the new head coach of the national football team. The strategic decision comes ahead of the AFC fourth and final round of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the draw scheduled in Kuala Lumpur for July 17. Oman will compete in a high-stakes tournament hosted by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, vying for a place at football's most prestigious event. Queiroz boasts a distinguished international coaching career, having managed top national teams including Portugal, Iran, South Africa, Colombia, Egypt, and Qatar. He is famed for leading Iran to three consecutive FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, and 2022) and for his two spells as assistant coach at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. He was also the coach of Spanish giants Real Madrid from 2003-2004. Queiroz's wealth of tactical expertise and experience will be pivotal as Oman competes against Asia's elite for a historic World Cup berth. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will jointly host the fourth round of Asia's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October 2025. This stage features six teams that finished third and fourth in their respective third-round groups. The teams drawn on July 17 will be split into two groups of three nations each. Oman will join Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates in this final qualifying phase. Matches will be played over three matchdays, from October 8 to 14, in a centralised format. The winners of each group will earn direct qualification to the newly expanded 48-team World Cup finals. Meanwhile, the runners-up from each group will face off in a playoff scheduled for November. The victor of that playoff will advance to an intercontinental playoff tournament in March 2026, with the chance to claim one of the last two World Cup spots available. The AFC's eight World Cup slots (expanded from five in previous tournaments) have been claimed by Japan, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, and Jordan, who secured their spots by finishing in the top two of their respective groups during the third round. Oman now has the challenging task of navigating the fourth round to join these established teams on the global stage. In a message on X, the OFA expressed deep appreciation for the former head coach Rasheed Jaber, whose leadership was instrumental in guiding Oman to this crucial qualification phase. Jaber's tenure laid the groundwork for the team's current competitive position, which Queiroz now aims to build upon. In addition to Queiroz's appointment, Hamad Al Azzani has been named technical director for Oman's youth national teams and will temporarily serve as assistant coach for the senior team during the qualifiers, ensuring a seamless transition and focus on long-term development. The OFA's board, chaired by Sayyid Sulaiman Al Busaidi, endorsed the decision to appoint Queiroz, reflecting a commitment to get the best results at the top level.
CairoScene
19 hours ago
- Sport
- CairoScene
Jorge Jesus Returns to Saudi League as Al-Nassr's New Coach
The 70‑year‑old coach returns to Riyadh with a one‑year deal, replacing Stefano Pioli after leading Al‑Hilal to a domestic treble and an AFC semi‑final berth. Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus has officially signed a one-year contract to lead Al‑Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, following his departure from rival club Al‑Hilal two months ago. His previous season with Al‑Hilal was marked by success - a domestic treble and a deep run in the AFC Champions League - before he exited in May after a semifinal defeat to Al‑Ahli. Al‑Nassr confirmed the signing in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the move is intended to revitalise their coaching staff under the management of Stefano Pioli's predecessor . The reigning nine-time Saudi champions also recently extended Cristiano Ronaldo's contract.
