Latest news with #NFL2025
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
It's Chiefs vs. Bills In Top-Ranked Rivalry Game In 2025
It's Chiefs vs. Bills In Top-Ranked Rivalry Game In 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs have been at the top of the NFL for the past couple of seasons, winning two of the last three Super Bowls and regularly beating some of the best teams in football. Advertisement After their exploits last season, the Chiefs again made it to the Super Bowl for a third consecutive year, and again, they slayed the Buffalo Bills, this time in the AFC Championship game, to get there. The Chiefs/Bills, Patrick Mahomes/Josh Allen rivalry is now perhaps the modern-day Tom Brady/Peyton Manning, with both usually playing each other in the postseason. And in 2025, the Chiefs are again facing off against the Bills - on November 2 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park - in what Kevin Patra has as his No. 1-ranked game of the year. "Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes make for appointment viewing on their own -- when they are on the same gridiron, it's a must-watch live situation," Patra writes. "Buffalo and Kansas City have faced off nine times since 2020, and while the Bills have won four straight regular-season clashes, they have yet to get over the postseason hump against Mahomes and Co. The influence this matchup tends to have on playoff seeding adds extra importance to the high-powered showdown between two otherworldly quarterbacks." Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) blocks Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) in pursuit of quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15). Mark Konezny-Imagn Images In what is a rather odd scenario, the Chiefs have beaten the Bills the last four times in the postseason, but the Bills have beaten the Chiefs in their last four regular-season meetings. Advertisement Odd, indeed. With the Chiefs' shine being taken off after the Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Bills seemingly in perhaps their best position to strike in the AFC, this game could decide the playoff seeding, which, as we know, is of the utmost importance. It will be Mahomes vs. Allen again, with bragging rights on the line. Grab your popcorn, folks. Related: What Happens For Kelce In Vegas Without Swift Stays In Vegas Related: Chiefs Rookie Getting Pro Bowl-Caliber Comps This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Titans' Brian Callahan, Cam Ward a duo 'NFL defenses should be most worried about in 2025'
The Tennessee Titans are rebuilding in 2025, and they're relying heavily on rookie quarterback Cam Ward to make some magic happen in Nashville this year. Ward, who was once a zero-star recruit, knows a little something about making magic happen, and he's ready to do it again. In fact, the combination of Brian Callahan calling plays and Cam Ward executing them was named one of the five new 'quarterback/play-caller duos NFL defenses should be worried about in 2025' by Bucky Brooks. The marriage between the No.1 overall pick and Joe Burrow's former tutor should add some spice to the Titans' 26th-ranked offense that lacked pizzazz and pop with Will Levis under center in 2024. With Ward bringing the talent, tools and tenacity that reminds me of a young Steve McNair, the Titans have a quarterback with the "alpha dawg" persona to lead an eye-popping offensive transformation in Nashville. As a pinpoint passer with the capacity to drop dimes from various arm angles, the rookie should easily connect with Calvin Ridley, Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett racing down the field on crossers and diagonal routes, which will enable the Titans to showcase their QB1's elite arm talent and impeccable timing. Moreover, Ward's superb passing skills will allow Callahan to utilize more pages of his creative playbook to punish defenses for overloading the box to slow down Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the backfield. Considering how Ward orchestrated dramatic turnarounds at Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami, he could help Tennessee quickly become an offensive juggernaut in the AFC. Brooks' opinion is more in line with what is most likely to happen in 2025, which is vastly different than what another outlet said of Cam Ward. Anyone who has spent any time watching Ward on film, watching his interviews, and how he handles himself publicly and privately would know that he's not your standard rookie quarterback. He legitimately had to fight and scrape and claw to get where he is, and he's not about to stop now. Advertisement The Titans may not make the postseason this year, and they will definitely lose some games. But they're not going to be the same team we've seen the last few years, and that's in large part thanks to Cam Ward. This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Big expectations for Titans' Brian Callahan, Cam Ward in 2025
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Quentin Lake thinks Rams' 2025 offense will be 'reminiscent of Greatest Show on Turf'
It'd be safe to say the Los Angeles Rams' offense underachieved in 2024. With Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Kyren Williams surrounding Matthew Stafford, it was supposed to be a big year on that side of the ball. The Rams finished the year ranked 20th in points scored and 15th in total yards, a far cry from 2023 when they were eighth and seventh, respectively. Advertisement Heading into the 2025 season, a bounce-back is expected. Davante Adams joins Nacua to give the Rams a fantastic wide receiver duo, while Terrance Ferguson steps in at tight end to provide another pass-catching threat. Kupp isn't there anymore but Tutu Atwell, Nacua, Williams and Blake Corum are all still in the mix. Quentin Lake has high expectations for that group, making a bold statement while on NFL Network recently. In raving about Adams and what he brings to the offense, Lake said the Rams could be reminiscent of the Greatest Show on Turf era when St. Louis led the league in scoring and yards three years in a row. 'He's a fantastic player. He's been doing it year in and year out, and you can kind of tell he's adding value not only what he does as a player, but as a mentor to the younger guys, too,' Lake said of Adams. 'Teaching these guys how to attack defensive leverages, what to do at the top of the routes. I still think he's one of the best route-runners in the NFL and there's a reason Sean McVay was very adamant about getting him. He just kind of unlocks things in the offense and obviously, we've got our future Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford over there. I expect big things because you got Puka on one end, Davante on the other, Tutu Atwell does a fantastic job, too. So we have all the weapons we need, and then Kyren in the backfield. It's going to be reminiscent of the Greatest Show on Turf. I hope we bring that back this year.' As talented as the Rams are on paper, no one should expect them to replicate the production from that 1999-2001 era when everything looked so easy offensively. Nacua and Adams should put up big numbers and Atwell could be poised for a breakout as the No. 3 receiver, but the Greatest Show on Turf had three Hall of Famers at quarterback, running back and wide receiver in Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce. Advertisement Torry Holt isn't a Hall of Famer (yet) but he's an all-time great who should be enshrined in Canton already. Lake's confidence is admirable and encouraging, but he might need to take his expectations down just one notch. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' Quentin Lake says LA offense will be like Greatest Show on Turf
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
5 most intriguing games on Patriots 2025 schedule
The New England Patriots have several games on the 2025 NFL schedule that should be circled in red. It's a pivotal season for the team with Mike Vrabel set to embark on his first year as the Patriots' head coach. They have finished their last two consecutive seasons with a 4-13 record, and the team has made every effort in the offseason to rectify the situation. Advertisement They've brought in a more experienced coaching staff, along with upgrading the roster through free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. That coincides with them being gifted arguably the easiest schedule in the league. There are plenty of reasons for fans to be optimistic about the Patriots heading into the season. Here are the five most intriguing games on their 2025 schedule: Week 5, Oct. 5: at Bills (8:20 p.m. ET) - Sunday Night Football on NBC and Peacock This is the first time that New England will face reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills under Mike Vrabel. It will also be the Patriots' first primetime game of the season in a Sunday Night Football matchup. The ultimate measuring stick for New England in the AFC East is the Bills. Advertisement They'll have their work cut out for them going on the road in a tough environment against one of the best teams in football. How will the new-look Patriots defense fare against Allen and the explosive Bills offense? Week 7, Oct. 19: at Titans (1:00 p.m. ET) - CBS The return of Mike Vrabel to Music City in Nashville immediately jumped out on the Patriots' 2025 schedule. Vrabel got the Titans back to the AFC Championship Game in 2019, and he won Coach of the Year in 2021. That didn't stop the Titans from firing him in 2024. He might not voice it publicly, but he's probably looking forward to the opportunity to come back to Tennessee and beat his former team. The Patriots' defense will also get its first crack at Titans quarterback Cam Ward, the rookie No. 1 overall draft pick. Week 12, Nov. 23: at Bengals (1:00 p.m. ET) - CBS It was quite an upset win for the Patriots when they took on the Cincinnati Bengals in the season opener last year. Will lightning strike twice? Advertisement Cincinnati has historically had slow starts to begin the year, and now the Patriots will face them in the middle of the season. This should be a good test for the team, and it could have a huge impact on the playoff race, depending on where each team sits. The Patriots' defense will face the monumental task of slowing down a high-powered Bengals offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow, who played at an MVP level last season. Week 13, Dec. 1: vs. Giants (8:15 p.m. ET) - ESPN The Giants have a revamped quarterback room led by Russell Wilson, while star rookie edge defender Abdul Carter provides hope for the defense. This will be a primetime Monday Night Football game featuring two teams with a rich history together. Advertisement An upstate rivalry has dwelled here ever since the Giants ruined the Patriots' perfect 2007 season. The players from that era might be gone, but tradition and pride should make this one of the more intriguing games on the Patriots' 2025 schedule. Week 11, Nov. 13: vs. Jets (8:15 p.m. ET) - Amazon Prime Video The Jets and Patriots were the two worst teams in the AFC East division last season. Things have obviously changed with Mike Vrabel taking over the Patriots and drastically improving the roster. Meanwhile, the Jets have a new head coach in Aaron Glenn and no more Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. It will likely be Justin Fields under center at quarterback when the Jets travel to Foxborough for this Thursday Night Football showdown in November. There are major question marks for both teams heading into the season, but we might finally get some answers when they collide in the primetime spotlight. Advertisement This could be the best opportunity for the Patriots to stand out and show their improvements against a Jets team most expect to struggle. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots 2025 schedule: 5 most intriguing games to watch
CBS News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
The Patriots are actually the favorites in 11 games during 2025 season
There is a lot of optimism the New England Patriots will actually win a decent amount of games during the 2025 season. The oddsmakers in Las Vegas appear to feel the same way. There's really nowhere to go but up for the Patriots, who are coming off two straight 4-13 campaigns in 2024 and 2023. But the franchise made some massive changes over the offseason, starting with the hiring of head coach Mike Vrabel, who has brought a lot of stability atop the organization. Mix in several impact additions through free agency and 11 intriguing picks in the NFL Draft, and the Patriots should be much, much better in 2025. But how much better? A lot better, according to the oddsmakers. According to DraftKings, New England is the favorite in 11 of its 17 games during the 2025 season. It marks a massive change from 2024, when nobody felt any confidence in the Patriots. Following a 4-13 campaign in Bill Belichick's final season at the helm, Jerod Mayo's Patriots weren't considered favorites in any of their 17 games ahead of last season. For good reason, too. The 2024 Patriots were a giant mess on the field, and finished the season with a disappointing 4-13 record. But things are looking much more positive for Vrabel's first season in New England. Patriots favored in 11 games during 2025 NFL season Lines can and will obviously change when we get closer to the games, but here are the 11 contests the Patriots are favored in ahead of the 2025 NFL season: Week 1 vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Patriots favored by 3.5 points Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Patriots favored by 1.5 points Week 4 vs. Carolina Panthers: Patriots favored by 3.5 points Week 6 @ New Orleans Saints: Patriots favored by 3.0 points Week 7 @ Tennessee Titans: Patriots favored by 1.5 points Week 8 vs. Cleveland Browns: Patriots favored by 5.5 points Week 9 vs. Atlanta Falcons: Patriots favored by 3.0 points Week 11 vs. New York Jets: Patriots favored by 5.5 points Week 13 vs. New York Giants: Patriots favored by 3.0 points| Week 17 @ New York Jets: Patriots favored by 1.5 points Week 18 vs. Miami Dolphins: Patriots favored by 2.5 points The Patriots aren't massive favorites in any of those games, with each spread within one score. The Patriots are favored by three points or fewer in seven of the games. But it's a huge contrast to last season, when the Patriots weren't the favorite in any of their 17 contests and were projected to win just 4.5 games ahead of the season. This time around, the Patriots head into the season with an over/under of 8.5 wins. New England also has the benefit of an easy slate in 2025. Based on last season, the Patriots have the third-easiest schedule in terms of strength of schedule, with their 2025 opponents winning at just a .429 clip in 2024. Of New England's opponents, only the Bills, Ravens, Steelers, and Buccaneers made the playoff last season. The Bills are 8.5-point favorites when the Patriots head to Buffalo in Week 5, and 4.5-point favorites when they come to Gillette Stadium in Week 15. The Buccaneers are 4.5-point favorites for New England's Week 10 visit to Tampa Bay, and and Ravens are 8.5-point favorites when the Pats visit Baltimore in Week 16. It's ultimately up to the Patriots to win games on the field once they kick off, but the feelings of promise and optimism aren't just limited to fans and local media.
