Latest news with #SuperBowl-contending
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL betting expert: Detroit Lions have third-toughest schedule for 2025
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability subject to change. The Detroit Lions will have a difficult route to the Super Bowl in 2025 — it's already projected to be of the most difficult in the NFL. According to NFL betting expert Warren Sharp, the Lions will have the league's third-toughest schedule, behind only the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants. Advertisement Sharp's analysis uses forecasted 2025 win totals for every NFL team and ranks each team's strength of schedule based on the number of projected wins from their opponents. Buy Lions tickets on StubHub According to Vegas oddsmakers, the average projected win total for each Lions opponent in 2025 is 8.97 wins. The Lions will face onlyh two teams with projected win totals under seven wins: the Browns and Giants, ironically. The strength of the Lions' schedule shouldn't be much of a surprise. Because the Lions finished in first place in the NFC North in 2024, NFL scheduling rules pit them against every other first-place NFC team, which includes the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Advertisement Additionally, NFC North teams are matched up to play AFC North teams for the upcoming season, which means the Lions will be matched up against the Super Bowl-contending Baltimore Ravens. And if that wasn't difficult enough, the "17th game" (not in chronological order, but based on how the schedule is is managed) matches the first-place NFC North team with the first-place AFC West team in 2025 — in this case, the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. THE NEW GUYS: Boise State coach breaks down what Detroit Lions are getting in DE Ahmed Hassanein That's not to mention the difficult division the Lions play in already. NFC North teams led all divisions last season in combined win total (45), beating out the second-place AFC West (40). Despite the Lions winning a franchise-record 15 regular-season games, they had to beat the 14-win Minnesota Vikings in their final regular-season game on Jan. 5 to claim the division title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. According to Sharp, of the 10 teams who finished the 2024 season with the toughest strength of schedule, only two made the playoffs. One of those teams, however, was the Lions, who had the seventh-toughest strength of schedule. (The other was the Los Angeles Rams, who the Lions will face again in the 2025 regular season.) Who do the Lions play in 2025? While we don't know in which order the Lions will play their opponents — the complete weekly schedule order will be released by the NFL on May 14 — we do know which teams the Lions will face on the road and which teams they will play on the road. Lions 2025 home games *Signifies team made playoffs. Advertisement Bears (5-12) *Packers (11-6) *Vikings (14-3) Cowboys (7-10) Giants (3-14) Browns (3-14) *Steelers (10-7) *Buccaneers (10-7) Lions 2025 away games **Won Super Bowl Bears (5-12) *Packers (11-6) *Vikings (14-3) *Commanders (12-5) **Eagles (14-3) Bengals (9-8) *Ravens (12-5) *Chiefs (15-2) *Rams (10-7) When is the Lions schedule revealed? Date: Wednesday, May 14 Time: 8 p.m. How do I watch the Lions schedule reveal? Channel: NFL Network, ESPN2 Streaming: NFL app, NFL+, Fubo The schedule reveal will be broadcast on NFL Network and streamed on the NFL's digital platforms. Additionally, ESPN2 will broadcast a schedule reveal event at the same time as the reveal. Fubo has packages carrying sports channels including ESPN2 and NFL Network. Watch NFL Network with Fubo We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage. Advertisement You can reach Christian at cromo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2025 NFL schedule: Detroit Lions have 3rd-toughest, better expert says
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Poughkeepsie's Ozzie Hutchinson signs with Baltimore Ravens as undrafted free agent
Ozzie Hutchinson remained composed, giving little to emotion even when his agent informed him that multiple NFL teams were interested. 'But when I got that call from the offensive line coach,' Hutchinson said, 'I was shaking while on the phone. That's when it started to feel real.' Advertisement Because, what for most kids is a farfetched dream, now is close to coming true for the Poughkeepsie native. It was at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday when he spoke to Baltimore Ravens assistant coach George Warhop, who made official their offer to sign him as an undrafted free agent. Poughkeepsie native Ozzie Hutchinson, who starred for the University at Albany football team, was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2025. 'I'm excited, ecstatic, grateful,' Hutchinson said, still beaming a day later. 'All the good feelings.' The Spackenkill High School grad completed a stellar career at the University at Albany and, even as a small-school prospect, he impressed professional scouts enough that a Super Bowl-contending team believes in his potential. Advertisement Diamond & gold: Maddy Siegrist has "exciting" offseason, leading into third WNBA season College credit: Ifkovits shines at Tennessee, former local stars earn All-American honors 'It's jubilation,' his former high school coach Clinton DeSouza said. 'He's a really smart, high-character kid who has worked his tall off for this. I'm incredibly proud of him. To see him get this far is amazing.' It's also rare. Three former Marist College players have made it to the NFL, but few Dutchess County products have gotten that far. Former New York Giants running back Andre Williams was born in Poughkeepsie but grew up in New Jersey. Advertisement DeSouza spoke on Sunday to former Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, a one-time teacher who established the football program at Spackenkill in 1973. He, too, was overjoyed with the small Poughkeepsie school helping develop an NFL player. Ozzie Hutchinson, who starred for the University at Albany football team, poses with former his Spackenkill High school coach Clinton DeSouza, left, after a fall 2024 game. Hutchinson, 23, anchored the offensive line for the Great Danes and earned all-Coastal Athletic Association honors last fall, despite injuries limiting him to six games. The offensive tackle travels to Baltimore on May 2 for a physical examination and, if cleared, will sign a contract. He then would participate in a rookie minicamp before organized team activities begin May 11. Advertisement 'It'll be crazy just being in the same building with these immensely talented players,' Hutchinson said of being part of an offense with superstars like Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. 'You watch these guys on TV and now to have a chance to be their teammate. It'll take a minute to adjust like, 'OK, these are my peers.'' Of course, it's his own talent that created this opportunity for him. Hutchinson demonstrated notable athleticism and footwork at 6-foot-4 and 307 pounds, along with pass-blocking skills that potentially project to the next level. The NFL draft concluded Saturday, after 257 players were selected, but teams typically supplement their training camp roster by signing undrafted free agents — players whom they deem worthy of an audition. 'I'm not surprised the scouts were enamored,' said DeSouza, who now is the principal of Hagan Elementary School. 'Ozzie's ability to bend and take on speed rushers, bull rushers and counter different moves is impressive. He didn't commit any penalties in the games I went to, and he didn't allow a sack last season.' Dave Gettleman, right, former NFL general manager and an architect of Spackenkill High School's football program, is shown the proposed layout of the new turf field by coach Clinton DeSouza during an Oct. 10, 2017 meeting. The Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins also had interest, Hutchingson said, but the Ravens foresee him remaining at his natural tackle position in the NFL, instead of having to shift inside to offensive guard. Advertisement 'But if it doesn't work or I'm a better fit elsewhere, I'll move to wherever,' he said. 'I'm versatile. I got a taste of it all in high school.' He played tackle, center and guard at Spackenkill, excelling in each role. And, to think, he once had his heart set on the other kind of football. Hutchinson's parents are from the Caribbean, and that early influence nudged him toward soccer. Never mind that he was the biggest seventh-grader on the field… by a lot. 'I had to recruit him off the modified soccer team,' DeSouza said with a chuckle. 'He was towering over the other kids, and I was like, 'What's he doing out there? We need him on the football team.'' Advertisement After a bit of cajoling, Hutchinson participated in a winter workout with the football team and quickly 'fell in love' with the sport and the camaraderie it produced. Hugh Hutchinson signed off on his son playing, but it took some work to convince his mom that the sport wasn't too dangerous. But in time, Ozzie said, Janice Hutchinson has become a football fan. Ozzie Hutchinson was the figurative torchbearer for Kyiev Bennermon, a former Spackenkill teammate who went on to play for Boston College. DeSouza said he thought Bennermon's success 'was the pinnacle for us,' but another Division 1-caliber lineman was only a year behind. Ozzie Hutchinson poses during his NLI signing day in 2019 while flanked by former Spackenkill High School teammate Kyiev Bennermon, left, and football coach Clinton DeSouza. Hutchinson starred for his high school football and track and field teams, but Albany was one of only a few colleges that offered him a scholarship, he said. He excelled there, though, and after a breakout season in 2022, coach Greg Gattuso told him that he was talented enough to play beyond college. Advertisement 'It's unbelievable,' Hutchinson said, reflecting for a moment on his journey here. 'From getting into football late and having to learn it in a short time, to being in this position now.' He twice earned all-conference honors and was a Phil Steele FCS Preseason All-American selection last summer, although a torn plantar fascia in his right foot and later a high ankle sprain cost him half the season. He now feels 'close to 100%,' he said, but those setbacks 'probably took any possibility of getting drafted off the table.' So, no extravagant party was held, and he spent the weekend at home, watching the draft while communicating with his agent and hoping for a life-changing phone call. 'There's a ton of pride in that, showing you can get far coming from small schools,' Hutchinson said. 'It's what you make of your opportunities. I'm proud to be a representative of this area and put on for Dutchess County.' Advertisement Stephen Haynes: shaynes@ 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4 This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: NFL: Spackenkill grad Ozzie Hutchinson signs with Baltimore Ravens
New York Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Bills 2025 NFL Draft takeaways: Lots of picks on defense to help get Buffalo over the top
After coming so close to getting to the Super Bowl in 2024, the Buffalo Bills entered the 2025 NFL Draft knowing they needed to address some key areas to try and help put them over the top, both in 2025 and into the future. The Bills leaned all the way into drafting defensive players, using their first four selections to improve the side of the ball that ultimately held them back in the playoffs last year. That began with Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston in the first round. The Bills eventually used a pick on an offensive player in the fifth round, and made a concerted effort to add core special teams players on Day Three. Here's a rundown of the nine-player draft class, along with some key takeaways when thinking about what it means for the Bills in the big picture. Although Jackson may not have the crazy speed or bend around the edge that vaulted some other edge prospects up the board, the Bills know exactly what they're getting out of him — power, a non-stop motor, effort, a good edge-setting run defender and consistent production (6.5 sacks each of the last two years). The 6-foot-6, 264-pound Jackson has all the makings of being a high-floor talent who could eventually start for the Bills as early as 2026. Although he may lack the high-ceiling outcome that some of the other edge rusher prospects could have, Jackson's consistency and work ethic will go a long way inside the building. In the third round, getting a potential starter in the player's second year on a Super Bowl-contending roster is excellent value. Advertisement The Bills certainly wanted to get bigger up front on defense, and they did just that by taking Walker (6-foot-7, 331 pounds), moving up 23 spots to draft him. You can see the appeal in Walker, as his movement skills at his size are rare to find, and he has seemingly untapped potential due to on-the-field inconsistency. But there are two main reasons why the pick is surprising. The first surprising roster reason is due to how many spots they're committing to the defensive line already. Now, including Walker, they have 12 spots of the 53-man roster eventually owed to their defensive line. There will immediately be five spots to defensive end with Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, A.J. Epenesa, Landon Jackson and Javon Solomon, and now five spots at defensive tackle for DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, T.J. Sanders, DeWayne Carter and now Walker. That's not counting defensive end Michael Hoecht and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who will serve six-game suspensions before counting toward their roster in Week 7. The Bills are likely going to need to get more special teams reps out of their defensive end room than they have previously with all of that roster commitment, seeing as how defensive tackles do not play on any core-four units. Second, it is fair to wonder where his position will land. If the Bills believe he can become their long-term one-technique defensive tackle, there are certainly some questions standing in the way of that. Because of his height, he can play a bit upright, making it tougher to hold the point of attack against double teams. That's one of the key responsibilities of becoming a trustworthy one-technique in the Bills system, and the ultimate reason why Jordan Phillips, despite his size at 342 pounds, was not a one-technique in their system. Walker and Phillips are pretty close comparisons. If he's more of a three-technique, then it makes the pick a bit more confusing when they already have Oliver and Sanders on the team. The team used their top draft choice on Hairston, hoping that he could be the long-term running mate for top cornerback Christian Benford, who is signed to an extension through the 2029 season. The big question is if Hairston can fulfill that role as early as 2025. The Bills are certainly hoping for it, and Hairston will likely have the inside track to the job as long as he stays healthy during training camp. The other options at cornerback are a bit uninspiring. Advertisement The team let starter Rasul Douglas walk in free agency, and now with five boundary cornerbacks on the team, it appears unlikely that a reunion will be in the works for 2025. Instead, the Bills signed two players they knew extremely well in Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson. White has a long history of starting in the Bills' scheme and was a star before all his injuries began, but he is not the same player he used to be due to those injuries. White struggled a bit during his stops with the Rams and Ravens in 2024, and may be in the final year or two of his career. He's best suited as a depth player. The same goes for Jackson, who teams have picked on in the past when he's had to be a full-game starter. He's more of a depth and special teams option at this point. If Hairston doesn't win the job out of camp, the Bills' second corner spot could be the weak spot of their defense in 2025. The best-case scenario for them is that Hairston is ahead of schedule and gives them average to above-average play for his rookie season. The Bills declined to select a wide receiver until the seventh round, and a pick that late does not usually mean a locked-in spot on the 53-man roster. That development helps free agent-signing Laviska Shenault a great deal, as he likely would have been on the wrong side of the roster bubble had they made a big investment in one. Shenault is also helped by the Bills declining to add a return specialist for special teams, which was part of the team's draw to signing him. The Bills also could have brought on another linebacker to challenge backup middle linebacker Baylon Spector for a roster spot in the final year of his rookie deal, but the value never lined up with their selections. The Bills could look to add to either position in post-draft free agency ahead of training camp. While the 2024 offseason and draft was the mini-reset year to help lengthen their Super Bowl window, 2025 was all about putting the missing pieces in place to help get past the Chiefs and everyone else in the AFC to play for their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. The Bills got the memo from what ailed them last season to add answers to their biggest questions — at least conceivably. They couldn't play man coverage well enough when needed due to their cornerback depth? Check. They couldn't stop the run at times throughout the season? Check. They couldn't get to the quarterback quickly or consistently enough in the late stages of the year? Check — on both the edge and the interior. While the Bills caught many by surprise in 2024 in what was supposed to be a year that featured a minor step back, they won't be catching anyone off guard in 2025. Their draft class and free agent moves this offseason have addressed major needs. They took away as many questions that could hover over their heads by extending NFL MVP quarterback Josh Allen and four key young starters to lucrative contract extensions. There is one collective goal throughout the building: to win the first Super Bowl in franchise history. Given all their moves and Allen coming off the best season of his career in 2024, the table is set for what could be another special season in Orchard Park. (Top photo of Maxwell Hairston: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Puka Nacua predicts 49ers' Super Bowl 'window closes' with Brock Purdy extension
Puka Nacua predicts 49ers' Super Bowl 'window closes' with Brock Purdy extension Show Caption Hide Caption Niners John Lynch provides update on negotiations with quarterback Brock Purdy 49ers general manager John Lynch reveals at NFL Combine that the team is in negotiations with Purdy's folks to secure him as their quarterback for the future. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are bitter, in-state and intradivisional rivals, but that didn't stop one Rams player from giving the 49ers an unsolicited piece of advice. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy is set to receive a significant pay raise from his team, and Los Angeles wide receiver Puka Nacua had some strong opinions on what the value of the contract should look like. Nacua joined former NFL wide receiver Julian Edelman on the latter's podcast, "Games With Names," and shared his thoughts on what the value of Purdy's upcoming contract should be: somewhere around $45 million per year, and definitely less than $50 million average annual value. OPINION: Aaron Rodgers, in full grievance mode, clearly enjoys holding the NFL hostage If Purdy were to agree to a contract extension below his market value – 12 quarterbacks make more than $45 million per year on their current deals, many of whom haven't played in a Super Bowl – the 49ers would have enough cap space to invest elsewhere in their roster. But if Purdy were to sign a higher value contract, Nacua believes it could doom the 49ers long-term. "I think he seems like a smart guy," Nacua said of Purdy. "They (the 49ers) have a chance to still be in their (Super Bowl-contending) window. And I think if he goes for a 5 [$50 million-plus per year], then the window closes." 2025 NFL DRAFT SLEEPERS: Which players could be gems after early rounds? Purdy, who was the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has been playing on a salary of fewer than $1 million for each of his first three seasons. After Year 3, he's finally allowed to negotiate with his team on a contract extension, and given his success, Purdy is in a good position to get a massive one. In his first three seasons with the 49ers, Purdy has compiled a 27-15 record as a starter – including a 4-2 record in the postseason. His career completion percentage sits at 67.5%, and he has 9,518 passing yards, 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in 40 career games. San Francisco went 6-11 in 2024 as an injury bug swept through their roster and held back some of their biggest stars. The 49ers hold the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which starts next Thursday.
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucs trade away 2024 starter in new projection by Bleacher Report
Bucs trade away 2024 starter in new projection by Bleacher Report The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been rumored to make some sort of bold move this offseason in the form of a trade. Whether it was by making one to acquire some talent, or to send a player away, something seems like it is bound to happen. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report gave a prediction this week that sees the Bucs being the ones sending a player away. Moton gave his prediction of seven trades that could shake up the NFL offseason on Bleacher Report. One of those trades included the Bucs sending away cornerback Jamel Dean to the Bills who have a big hole at the position. He writes, "The Buccaneers need change in the secondary. Despite finishing within the top nine in pressure rate and sacks, they ranked 29th in passing yards allowed last season, which points to an issue on the back end of the defensive unit. If Tampa Bay targets a cornerback early in the upcoming draft, Dean may be available for a Super Bowl-contending squad looking to fill a need." The Bucs have been tied to a lot of different cornerback prospects in mock drafts as of late, such as Maxwell Hairston, Darien Porter, and Shavon Revel. If they do draft one, it makes sense to move on from Dean, as the move would unclutter things and also save the team money. Time will tell, but there have been worse ideas than sending away a veteran player for a projected fifth-round pick, as Moton suggests.
