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Fox News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
2025 Chiefs game-by-game predictions: Can they keep the dynasty alive?
The Kansas City Chiefs went to a third straight Super Bowl last season, a first for a franchise in NFL history, but they enter 2025 with a chip on their shoulder. Their embarrassing 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles served as an emphatic reminder of the work that must be done to keep their dynasty alive. Big picture, the Chiefs are still the team to beat in the AFC. They still have coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The offense will feature a healthier skill group in the new season, too. But they have an imposing first-place schedule, including a Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles in Week 2, as well as tough games against the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. Here are our game-by-game predictions for the Chiefs: When they kick off in São Paulo, Brazil, don't be surprised to see a motivated Chiefs team to start 2025. They've won seven straight against the AFC West-rival Chargers, too. Result: Win, 1-0 record Kansas City avenges its Super Bowl loss, showcasing improved play in the trenches (on both sides of the ball) and at wide receiver with a healthy Rashee Rice and fully integrated Hollywood Brown. Result: Win, 2-0 New York's defense, which adds No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter to a deep pass-rushing group, could be a force to be reckoned with. But it won't be able to slow the Chiefs' offense down enough for its own offense to keep up. Result: Win, 3-0 The Ravens get back at the Chiefs, who won the regular-season opener between the teams last season. Kansas City could have issues against Baltimore's ascendant defense, which became a truly elite unit at the end of last season after a rough start under first-year coordinator Zach Orr. Result: Loss, 3-1 Even with Travis Hunter in the fold at cornerback for Jacksonville, it's hard to imagine that last season's NFL-worst pass defense will be able to adequately slow down Mahomes & Co. Result: Win, 4-1 A Trent McDuffie-led secondary will have a chance to prove itself against quarterback Jared Goff and a potent group of Detroit pass-catchers. Result: Win, 5-1 Las Vegas' offense is expected to run through rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who could have a challenging day against the Kansas City front. The Chiefs ranked eighth in run defense in 2024. Result: Win, 6-1 With star quarterback Jayden Daniels in his second season and the Commanders' revamped supporting cast, Washington looks like a true Super Bowl contender. Kansas City learns that the hard way at home. Result: Loss, 6-2 The Chiefs may have the Bills' number in the playoffs, but not in the regular season, where Kansas City has lost four straight to Buffalo. A motivated Bills team makes that five straight, playing in front of their home fans. Result: Loss, 6-3 A road game in-division is never easy, but the Chiefs get two weeks to prepare for the rival Broncos. Reid also has a 22-4 record (.846) in the game following a bye, dating back to his time coaching the Eagles. Result: Win, 7-3 The Colts are poised to be a tough out this season, between their revamped defense and Jonathan Taylor-led rushing attack. But Steve Spagnuolo's defense should be able to exploit Indianapolis' weaknesses at quarterback, whether Anthony Richardson Sr. or Daniel Jones is on the field. Result: Win, 8-3 On a short week, the Chiefs fall to the Cowboys in a Thanksgiving stunner. Kansas City has its hands full covering CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Result: Loss, 8-4 The Texans' new-look offensive line is a bit underwhelming on paper. The likes of George Karlaftis and Chris Jones figure to get plenty of pressure on quarterback C.J. Stroud, like they did in last season's divisional round, when the Chiefs sacked Houston's QB eight times. Result: Win, 9-4 The Chiefs sweep the Chargers for the third year in a row. Result: Win, 10-4 Even with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward offering hope at quarterback, the Titans are at least one year away from competing with upper-echelon teams. Result: Win, 11-4 In their second Thursday game of the season, the Chiefs fall to the Broncos on Christmas, splitting the season series with Denver for the third year in a row. Result: Loss, 11-5 Kansas City gets a much-needed victory to end the regular season, sweeping Las Vegas for the second consecutive year. Result: Win While the Chiefs' vulnerabilities were exposed in their Super Bowl loss last season, they still got to the Super Bowl. They're the three-time reigning AFC champions — and they'll be healthier around Mahomes in 2025, on top of having a chip on their shoulder. Having the Eagles, Ravens, Lions and Commanders at home in their gauntlet of a schedule is a major plus, too. Reaching 15 regular-season wins for a second straight year will be a challenge, but the Chiefs should be in the mix for the AFC's No. 1 seed once again. Final record prediction: 12-5 Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
2025 Chiefs game-by-game predictions: Can they keep the dynasty alive?
The Kansas City Chiefs went to a third straight Super Bowl last season, a first for a franchise in NFL history, but they enter 2025 with a chip on their shoulder. Their embarrassing 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles served as an emphatic reminder of the work that must be done to keep their dynasty alive. Big picture, the Chiefs are still the team to beat in the AFC. They still have coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The offense will feature a healthier skill group in the new season, too. But they have an imposing first-place schedule, including a Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles in Week 2, as well as tough games against the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. Here are our game-by-game predictions for the Chiefs: Week 1: vs. Chargers, Friday, Sept. 5 When they kick off in São Paulo, Brazil, don't be surprised to see a motivated Chiefs team to start 2025. They've won seven straight against the AFC West-rival Chargers, too. Result: Win, 1-0 record Week 2: vs. Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 14 Kansas City avenges its Super Bowl loss, showcasing improved play in the trenches (on both sides of the ball) and at wide receiver with a healthy Rashee Rice and fully integrated Hollywood Brown. Result: Win, 2-0 Week 3: at Giants, Sunday, Sept. 21 New York's defense, which adds No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter to a deep pass-rushing group, could be a force to be reckoned with. But it won't be able to slow the Chiefs' offense down enough for its own offense to keep up. Result: Win, 3-0 Week 4: vs. Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 28 The Ravens get back at the Chiefs, who won the regular-season opener between the teams last season. Kansas City could have issues against Baltimore's ascendant defense, which became a truly elite unit at the end of last season after a rough start under first-year coordinator Zach Orr. Result: Loss, 3-1 Week 5: at Jaguars, Monday, Oct. 6 Even with Travis Hunter in the fold at cornerback for Jacksonville, it's hard to imagine that last season's NFL-worst pass defense will be able to adequately slow down Mahomes & Co. Result: Win, 4-1 Week 6: vs. Lions, Sunday, Oct. 12 A Trent McDuffie-led secondary will have a chance to prove itself against quarterback Jared Goff and a potent group of Detroit pass-catchers. Result: Win, 5-1 Week 7: vs. Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 19 Las Vegas' offense is expected to run through rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who could have a challenging day against the Kansas City front. The Chiefs ranked eighth in run defense in 2024. Result: Win, 6-1 Week 8: vs. Commanders, Monday, Oct. 27 With star quarterback Jayden Daniels in his second season and the Commanders' revamped supporting cast, Washington looks like a true Super Bowl contender. Kansas City learns that the hard way at home. Result: Loss, 6-2 Week 9: at Bills, Sunday, Nov. 2 The Chiefs may have the Bills' number in the playoffs, but not in the regular season, where Kansas City has lost four straight to Buffalo. A motivated Bills team makes that five straight, playing in front of their home fans. Result: Loss, 6-3 Week 10: Bye Week 11: at Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 16 A road game in-division is never easy, but the Chiefs get two weeks to prepare for the rival Broncos. Reid also has a 22-4 record (.846) in the game following a bye, dating back to his time coaching the Eagles. Result: Win, 7-3 Week 12: at Colts, Sunday, Nov. 23 The Colts are poised to be a tough out this season, between their revamped defense and Jonathan Taylor-led rushing attack. But Steve Spagnuolo's defense should be able to exploit Indianapolis' weaknesses at quarterback, whether Anthony Richardson Sr. or Daniel Jones is on the field. Result: Win, 8-3 Week 13: at Cowboys, Thursday, Nov. 27 On a short week, the Chiefs fall to the Cowboys in a Thanksgiving stunner. Kansas City has its hands full covering CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Result: Loss, 8-4 Week 14: vs. Texans, Sunday, Dec. 7 The Texans' new-look offensive line is a bit underwhelming on paper. The likes of George Karlaftis and Chris Jones figure to get plenty of pressure on quarterback C.J. Stroud, like they did in last season's divisional round, when the Chiefs sacked Houston's QB eight times. Result: Win, 9-4 Week 15: vs. Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 14 The Chiefs sweep the Chargers for the third year in a row. Result: Win, 10-4 Week 16: vs. Titans, Sunday, Dec. 21 Even with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward offering hope at quarterback, the Titans are at least one year away from competing with upper-echelon teams. Result: Win, 11-4 Week 17: vs. Broncos, Thursday, Dec. 25 In their second Thursday game of the season, the Chiefs fall to the Broncos on Christmas, splitting the season series with Denver for the third year in a row. Result: Loss, 11-5 Week 18: at Raiders, Flex Game Kansas City gets a much-needed victory to end the regular season, sweeping Las Vegas for the second consecutive year. Result: Win While the Chiefs' vulnerabilities were exposed in their Super Bowl loss last season, they still got to the Super Bowl. They're the three-time reigning AFC champions — and they'll be healthier around Mahomes in 2025, on top of having a chip on their shoulder. Having the Eagles, Ravens, Lions and Commanders at home in their gauntlet of a schedule is a major plus, too. Reaching 15 regular-season wins for a second straight year will be a challenge, but the Chiefs should be in the mix for the AFC's No. 1 seed once again. Final record prediction: 12-5 Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
The new 'Beast Mode'? Why Ashton Jeanty was destined to be with Raiders
The new 'Beast Mode'? Why Ashton Jeanty was destined to be with Raiders Show Caption Hide Caption Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty excited to play for Pete Carroll Ashton Jeanty is getting ready to start his NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders. He hopes he can recreate the magic Pete Carroll had with Marshawn Lynch in Seattle. Ashton Jeanty might have been destined to be coached by Pete Carroll. The Boise State product and 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist grew up watching a former running back who starred under Carroll in the Pacific Northwest. 'I take a lot of different things from different guys. But one of the first guys I really watched, was Marshawn Lynch, crazy,' Jeanty told USA TODAY Sports, during a promotional appearance with Sharpie. 'Just loved his physical running style, and how he broke so many tackles.' Carroll had Lynch in the backfield for seven total seasons when he was the Seattle Seahawks head coach. Lynch rushed for 6,381 yards, was the single season rushing touchdown leader in 2013-14, was named to four Pro Bowls and helped the team win Super Bowl 48. NFL ROOKIE WATCH: Five non-first round players to make noise after minicamp Lynch powered one of the most famous runs in NFL history during his Seattle days and was appropriately nicknamed 'Beast Mode' for his aggressive running style. Under Carroll, Seattle had the NFL's best rushing offense in 2014 and a top-five rushing attack from 2012-15. Fixing Las Vegas' running game has headlined Carroll's responsibilities since being named the Raiders head coach in January. The Raiders averaged an NFL-worst 79.8 rushing yards a contest last season, the fewest single-season average of any club since 2022. Carroll's reputation and the Raiders' inefficient ground attack is why Las Vegas was a popular speculated landing spot for Jeanty ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Jeanty compiled 2,601 rushing yards his final year at Boise State, the second-most ever in a single season in FBS history, and won the Doak Walker Award. 'He's doing great. He really is. He's right on point with everything that we're doing. He's studying really hard. He's been really diligent about all aspects. There's nothing that he doesn't find important,' Carroll said of Jeanty last week. 'We're not holding anything back on him. He's getting a lot of plays.' Not only has he gotten plenty of plays, but the No. 6 overall pick believes he's ready for them as the Raiders' new workhorse running back. 'Already, I can see from the run schemes, and how we've started off getting with the guys and OTAs. We want to establish a run game. We want to be a very physical football team. We want to be able to make teams quit in the fourth quarter,' Jeanty explained. 'So just having that identity, coming from the head coach, and understanding that, right? He says it every day at practice, like, 'Hey, running backs, you guys set the tempo for everybody.' "How the defenders can finish every play and chase after the ball, to making the right cuts, pressing the line of scrimmage, all those types of things. I'm super excited for it.' MORE: Breakout rookie candidates for all 32 NFL teams If Jeanty has it his way, maybe he'll create his own variation of 'Beast Mode' with the Silver and Black. 'It's amazing, especially with how he used (Lynch) so much in the rushing attack,' Jeanty said. 'It makes me even more excited. I can kind of be that next iconic running back to play for Pete Carroll.' Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New York Giants had four players they wanted to trade back up for, including Jaxson Dart
The Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants are the only two teams that came away with two first-round picks after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons did so with an eye on fixing their NFL-worst pass-rush from 2024. Meanwhile, the Giants believe they landed the draft's best pass-rusher and their next franchise quarterback, all in one day. To do so, the Giants had to get aggressive, moving back into the first round to get their guy, but unlike the Falcons, they didn't have to give up a future first-round pick in the process. While the Giants targeted Dart with after trading up to the 25th overall pick, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reports that there were actually a total of four prospects the Giants were willing to trade back into the first round for, and Dart was one of them. 'The Giants circled three teams they thought could take a quarterback, or even move up for one—Pittsburgh at No. 21; the Browns, after the trade down from No. 2 to No. 5, had capital to come up from Nos. 33 or 36; and the New Orleans Saints had a history of moving up and a need. And with many trade-up options out there, the Giants had four guys targeted that they were willing to trade back into the first round from No. 34 for, with Dart being the quarterback option.' SI's Albert Breer on New York Giants Advertisement While the Giants came away with Dart, we can't help but wonder who the other three targets were. Were they a team that was considering ending Shedeur Sanders' freefall, but simply had Dart rated higher on their draft board? We may never know. The Giants' next two draft picks were defensive tackle Darius Alexander and running back Cam Skattebo. Were the Giants potentially looking at selecting Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins or TreVeyon Henderson? Quarterback Tyler Shough? Who knows? Maybe Dart was the only prospect they were willing to actually pay the price for. Related: 2025 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates, including Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart
South China Morning Post
25-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Titans take Cam Ward with first pick in NFL draft, Jaguars jump to second to grab Hunter
Tennessee Titans took University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward as the first pick in Thursday's NFL draft, while the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled a surprise move, trading up to take two-way star Travis Hunter. Advertisement The annual allocation of NFL rights for top college talent was held in front of thousands of fans gathered outside Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the Green Bay Packers. The Titans were handed the top draft spot ahead of Cleveland at second and the New York Giants picking third after all three finished an NFL-worst 3-14 last season. Ward, a 22-year-old from Texas, completed 305 of 454 passes for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns with only seven interceptions and ran 60 times for 204 yards and four touchdowns for the Hurricanes last season. 'The hard work that I put myself through, just the unbelievable work ethic that I have, I just always had faith,' Ward told ESPN. Quarterback Cam Ward was the first overall pick at the NFL Draft. Photo: AFP But that pick, widely expected, was quickly overshadowed by the Jaguars trading for Cleveland's No 2 pick to secure Hunter.
