The three MVP finalists for the Associated Press 2022 NFL Most Valuable Player award, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes were announced on Wednesday, and three of them will be playing in the scheduled Conference Championship game this Sunday.
Two other MVP finalists, Josh Allen the Buffalo Bills’ quarterback and Justin Jefferson the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver took their exits from the postseason.
But, the three quarterbacks Mahomes (Chiefs), Burrow (Bengals), and Hurts (Eagles) will play this weekend to give their teams a spot in Super Bowl LVII.
The AFC Championship Game for Sunday evening featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals is also a faceoff between MVP finalists, Mahomes and Burrow.
Mahomes is in line to win his second MVP award, he was chosen for this title in the 2018 season. This season, Mahomes ended with 5,250 passing yards and 358 rushing yards, both career highs, led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns (41) and was the second position in quarterback rating (105.2).
Cincinnati Bengals had a rough start to the campaign, but are now in the AFC Championship Game, not losing a game since Halloween and with their best regular-season record with Burrow under center.
Joe finished the year as one of the top five in passing yards (4,475), touchdowns (35) and completion percentage (68.3), with the last two rankings second in the league.
When speaking on Burrow, the Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor said; ‘He’s deserving of anything that comes his way. He’s one of the greatest players in the league, and those are usually the type of guys that should be in that conversation,” Taylor said of his quarterback being nominated for the award. “I’ve said it a million times, we’re fortunate to have him.”
On the NFC side of the playoff bracket, Hurts when speaking on Wednesday following his nomination, said he was at a “loss for words” when he was mentioned as a finalist.
“It’s a cool honor,” he said.
This season, Hurts was 14-1 as the starter for the Eagles, and accumulated a career-high 3701 passing yards, 22 passing TDs and 13 rushing TDs, even after missing two games late in the season due to a sprained shoulder.
Nick Sirianni the Eagles’ head coach said on Wednesday “His body of work speaks for itself. He’s had a phenomenal year.”
For these three star players, the first other of business will be Championship Sunday, with an opportunity to appear in the Super Bowl on the line. After that, the NFL Honors ceremony holding on Feb.9, where one of the five finalists will take home a title considered one of the highest honours in Football.
Kansas City Chiefs Vs Cincinnati Bengals is a matchup between two of the NFL’s biggest teams facing off for the second season in a row. The Chiefs and Bengals will meet each other in the AFC Conference Finals this Sunday.
The Bengals ended the regular round as the AFC North’s champion and have already beaten the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, the Bills were defeated by a 27-10 score. Chiefs, on the other hand, secured first place in the AFC west and were already the best squad in the American Conference before trashing the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-27 in the Divisional Round.
Last year, Cincinnati won Kansas in this same stage, in a 27-24 overtime, will they repeat history this Sunday?
Ahead of the matchup that has most NFL fans at the edge of their seat, MatchPlug gives you the NFL Predictions for the Chiefs and Bengals’ Conference Championship match.
Season record: 15-3 (AFC West Champion – 1st seed AFC)
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline:1.85
1XBet Over/Under: Under 47.5
BetMGM Spread: -1
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.87
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 47.5
Kansas City Chiefs are going into Sunday’s game with a massive historic win against the strong Jacksonville Jaguars team, albeit after the scare that was Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury.
Mahomes the Chiefs’ quarterback, had to leave the game for some minutes, but even with his injury, he brought magic to the field, throwing 195 yards and two touchdown passes.
Although Patrick has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle, fans expect him to be on the frontlines this Sunday, playing a Bengals team that slowed him down on two different occasions.
Kansas City might have finished as the League’s best offense, but this is with credit to Mahomes’ efforts. Chiefs were first in points scored (496), the only team to pass 7,000 yards (7,032) and number one in average yards per play (6.4) too, air yards (5,062) and air TDs (41).
It is important that the Chiefs’ offense is charged. Defensively they are not one of the worst in the NFL, but they have quite the average performance, so the Bengals’ offense is expected to score some points as the Jaguars did to them during the Divisional Round.
Kansas is the team that forfeited the most TDS through the air in the league (33) is one statistic that puts a stain on Andy Reid’s squad’s record. This number doesn’t inspire confidence, particularly if they’re facing a team that has one of the NFL’s best aerial attacks, launched by Joe Burrow.
Season record: 14 -4 (AFC North Champion – 2nd AFC seed)
1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.95
1XBet Over/Under: Over 47.5
BetMGM Spread: +1
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.95
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 47.5
The Cincinnati Bengals’ are one match away from becoming American Conference champions again and their recent results speak well for one of the best teams in the league.
Cincinnati had no problems evicting the Bills in the divisional round and won the past 3 meetings against the Chiefs, plus last season’s Conference Final and Week 13 regular round game of this season.
Joe Burrow the quarterback is the one calling the shots for the Bengals, Burrow hasn’t settled, not even the avalanche that fell on Sunday in Buffalo could slow him down. He beat the NFL’s best defenses and threw for 242 yards with two touchdown passes.
Thanks to the 27 points scored, Cincinnati reached 10 successive games with at least 20 points. Making evident the offensive strength of this squad that doesn’t just depend on Burrow’s aerial game, but on Joe Mixon’s ground game too, which recorded 105 yards and a touchdown.
The Bengals’ defensive side is hard to crack too. This team haven’t allowed above 18 points to their opponents in four games. And last Sunday they schooled Josh Allen in defense strategy by holding Allen and his men ransom to only 10 points. That performance is why Cincinnati is the fourth-lowest TD defense through the air this season, and why Mahomes should be worried.
MatchPlug Prediction
NFL Predictions this week place the Bengals as a slight betting favourite for Sunday’s matchup, due to their strong home performance against the Bills and Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury.
But, the Chiefs are 8-1 at home this season and when playing them, nothing should be left to chance, especially since the Bengals have had a hard time defeating them four games in a row. A low-scoring result shouldn’t be expected for any of these teams. The game will be tough but end with a few points.
Sunday’s game features the two best quarterbacks in the NFL presently and the results that caused 9 losses in the past 12 meetings between the two leaders will be put aside.
In this game, we will have the two best quarterbacks in the NFL today and the results that led to the loss in nine of the last 12 meetings between the two will be left behind.
The NFC Conference Final scheduled for this Sunday features the overall two best squads in the National Conference. Philadelphia Eagles VS San Francisco 49ers face-off is a highly anticipated game.
San Francisco became NFC West champions after winning over the Seattle Seahawks in the Wildcard competition, it also defeated Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round.
Philadelphia on its own part didn’t lead the NFC East, but it had the best record in the Eastern Conference. They secured their record during the first weekend of the playoffs before settling down to defeat the New York Giants 7-38.
MatchPlug brings you a preview of the major matchup between the Eagles and 49ers, including the best NFL Predictions Today for the game.
Regular Season Record: 14-3 (NFC East Champion – NFC 1st seed )
1XBet Spread: -2.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.69
1XBet Over/Under: Under 46.5
BetMGM Spread: -2.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.67
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 46.5
The Philadelphia Eagles entered the match stronger than they’ve been, thanks to their bye week which they got by being the NFC’s best record and for ending their Divisional Round match with the New York Giants early on.
Philadelphia went into the break with a 0-28 lead, and the second half of the game, was merely to keep up appearances. The Eagles are recognised by many fans as one of the best teams in the regular round because its performance is consistent and each of its lines is impressive.
Nick Sirianni’s team gets its power from the offense, which is spearheaded by Jalen Hurts. His ball-throwing ability and great speed send fear into the hearts of opponents’ defenders.
It doesn’t come as a shock that the Eagles which are the best scoring team in the campaign recorded 268 rushing yards against the Giants and that they scored three out of five touchdowns using the same strategy. Can they pull off the same trick against the 49ers?
The answer to that question will define Sunday’s game. The Eagles’ defense is top 5 in the NFL. Although despite being above the League’s average, it has a weakness which is stopping the opponents’ rushing game. This Achilles heel for Philadelphia is exactly where the 49ers’ strengths lie.
To recap, Philadelphia places as one of the best defenses in the NFL, and they allowed the lowest total passing yards in the season, they also have more catches than other teams, registering 70.
Regular Season Record: 13-4 (NFC West Champion – 2nd NFC seed)
1XBet Spread: +2.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.178
1XBet Over/Under: Over 46.5
BetMGM Spread: +2.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 2.25
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 46.5
The San Francisco 49ers made it through their Wild Card and Divisional Round Games last week, before playing their first major pre-Super Bowl challenge.
San Francisco entered the game a bit down in the betting, even if their performance in the conference put them above the Eagles for some weeks, although they had a lower record than their opponents.
Kyle Shanahan’s boys won the Dallas Cowboys at home, the Cowboys fought till the end, but cracked under the weight of the best defense in the league. Dallas could barely score 12 points and 282 total yards. Dak Prescott the quarterback was intercepted on a couple of occasions.
The 49ers’ record shouldn’t also come as a surprise, especially since they finished first in the NFL in fewest points allowed (277), fewest total yards allowed (5,110) and most interceptions (20).
San Francisco’s offensive line is where they have problems. While in 7 of their last 10 games, the 49ers scored over 30 points, Dallas’ good defense which is almost the same as the Eagles’, rushed Brock Purdy several times.
Purdy could only amount 214 yards in the game, and the 49ers barely registered a touchdown, facilitated by Christian McCaffrey’s run. San Francisco finished with a total of 312 total yards, and the prowess that fans expected from the offense for some reason didn’t make it to the fight against the Cowboys’ defense.
MatchPlug Prediction
The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers both have top defenses that can stop the two best offenses in the conference any time and in any matchup. With that in mind, the 49ers and Eagles also have the two best offenses in the NFL because of their dynamism in attack.
These two teams have top defenses, capable of stopping the best offenses in the circuit at any time and in any circumstance. That said, the 49ers and the Eagles also have in their possession two of the best offenses in the league, because of how dynamic they can be in attacking both rushing and passing.
The Dallas Cowboys controlled the San Francisco 49ers to an extent, but their rushing game can bruise Philadelphia’s defensive line. The 49ers experienced a QB of Hurt’s characteristics this campaign when they played the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes in week 7 and forfeited 44 points. So, it remains to be seen what the Eagles can do.
In the last four games between these teams, the Under was met, but since it’s the Conference Final, it will look to be a thrilling game from beginning to end. Furthermore, the game will be shouldered by two quarterbacks whose names have been on the lips of fans because of their great qualities.
More NFL Predictions for this matchup can be found on 1XBet and BetMGM, alongside odds.
On January 5th, the UCLA Bruins defeated the USC Trojans, 60-58 at Pauley Pavilion. Bringing the question if the Bruins will humiliate the Trojans again tonight when they meet at Galen Center for ULCA Bruins VS USC Trojans. Or if the Trojans will return the favour.
MatchPlug has done well to cover the Basketball Predictions and Best Betting Tips Today for the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans matchup in the 2022-2023 NCAAB season. Keep reading for odds and picks for which team will win the game.
The UCLA Bruins are not used to tasting defeat this season, but then Mick Cronin’s boys have only lost 3 times in this campaign, their most recent loss was 58-52 to the Arizona Wildcats last Saturday in Tuscon. This was UCLA’s first loss in Pac-12 play this season, and in spite of this, they still sit on top of the conference table.
UCLA is considered to be a dangerous squad to play against, mainly because of their ironclad defense which is 9th in the country, allowing only 59.8 points per game. The Bruins put forward a tough defense that forces a high turnover rate for their opponents. UCLA is 10th in the nation with a 22.1% defensive turnover rate and is 3-1 ATS in its last four games.
The USC Trojans trashed the Arizona State Sun Devils on the road this past Saturday, 77-69, to secure their sixth win in the Pac-12 play. They have won three of their last four games, which is a good comeback from a bad two-game losing stint earlier this month.
USC is led by Drew Peterson and Boogie Ellis in scoring this season with 15.6 and 13.9 points respectively. They had some challenges with scoring points when they lost to UCLA, but they seem to have gotten their mojo back since then. Peterson and Ellis share 37 points in their game against the Sun Devils.
USC averages 71.3 points per game, allowing 66.4 points per outing and is 3-0 ATS in its last three games.
MatchPlug Prediction
UCLA Bruins have learned their lessons from their last game over the Trojans where they had a close win but loss. Basketball Predictions say they’ll be better for tonight’s games, especially on offense.
The Charlotte Hornets VS Chicago Bulls matchup is one of the six games happening this Thursday night in the NBA. The game features two sides with poor records in the Eastern Conference.
Charlotte and Chicago met once in the 2022-2023 season in November and the Chicago Bulls won 106-88.
As always, MatchPlug a Prediction Site you can count on brings you the preview for the Bulls and Hornets game, which has the most accurate NBA Predictions Tonight and betting odds too.
We would implore you to scan through our Prediction Site for more previews like this in other NBA and American sports games.
The Charlotte Hornets still fight the battle with the Detroit Pistons for which of them won’t be the worst team in the Eastern Conference. But, given the Hornets’ recent disappointing record, they seem to be already losing that fight.
Charlotte securing two wins over the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks for 122 points seemed to have given them a needed awakening, but the Utah Jazz gave them a reality check and the Phoenix Suns won them in their last game.
The Hornets are now one of the top 5 worst teams in defensive and offensive statistics. To worsen things, Charlotte still suffers the loss of LaMelo Ball who was their best player and leader in scoring average and assists.
The Chicago Bulls could not extend their 3-win streak after a surprising loss to the Indiana Pacers in their last match. They lost the game after taking a 12-point lead for the majority of the game but were overpowered by the home team who stopped their good results.
Throughout the campaign, Chicago’s problems have been made worse by their inconsistency in defense. They rank 8th overall in defensive average, with 114.7 points allowed per game. The Bulls also flop offensively, however, they’ve improved in this area in their most recent matchups, scoring up to 110 points in the last 5 games.
MatchPlug Prediction
The Charlotte Hornets do not have a positive home record too in the campaign, they won 12 games and lost in the same breathe. NBA Prediction Tonight reckons that the Hornets will try to get back on their winning streak today, but if LaMelo doesn’t play ball then it might be more difficult than they anticipated.
Chicago’s last game was a smarting loss, but since their performances have been interesting so far, they can be optimistic for tonight’s challenge. The Bulls are predicted to take home a good result from their visit to Charlotte.
Full NBA Expert Picks for tonight’s Hornets and Bulls game can be found on 1XBet and BetMGM.
The Nashville Predators VS New Jersey Devils game features two teams who although they seek to dominate each other, want different things this season.
New Jersey has a 31-12-4 record and consecutive wins that placed them at the top of the Metropolitan Division. While Nashville has a 23-18-6 record and has improved in the Central Division by winning their past two games.
Both the Predators and the Devils want to climb the standings in their respective divisions, and that energy will translate into today’s game.
MatchPlug is a good Prediction Site where you can find the best previews and odds for all NHL games. We have provided you with Betting Tips Today for the Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils game.
Nashville’s challenging season stems largely from their struggling offense which scored just 2.74 goals per game. Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene combine for 31 goals and 45 assists, while Roman Josi the defenseman, added 12 goals and 28 assists from the blue line.
The rest of the offense battled to score points; only 5 skaters scored 8 goals or higher and the opposing defenses wasted no time in destroying the helpless offense.
Although the Predators’ offense fails, their defense improved, allowing just 2.89 goals per game, including four goals in the last two games. Ryan McDonagh and Roman Josi share 5.5 defensive points and 189 blocked shots. Mattias Ekholm and Dante Fabbro combine 4.3 defensive point shares.
In addition, Jusse Saros the Predators goaltender came through with a .930 save percentage and a 2.70 goals-against average on 1204 shots.
Betting On The New Jersey Devils
Season Record: 31-12-4
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.262
1XBet Over/Under: Over 5.5
BetMGM Spread: -1.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.77
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 6
Of the two teams, the New Jersey Devils are the ones who are having a fantastic season. The Devils’ offense led with 3.47 goals scored per game, plus 32 goals in the last 8 games. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier scored 69 goals and 85 assists two leading the top lines.
However, the rest of New Jersey’s offense has played well too. Dawson Mercer, Miles Wood, and Yegor Sharangovich combine 30 goals and 46 assists, while Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Graves the defensemen have contributed 18 goals and 40 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The defense also improved, allowing just 2.60 goals per game, which includes only 3 goals in the last 2 games. Graves and Jonas Seigenthaler combined 7.2 defensive point shares and 168 blocked shots. Hamilton, Damon Severson, and Brendan Smith share 6.5 defensive points, adding to the unit’s depth.
Vitek Vanecek the Devils’ goaltender, improved with a .916 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average on 776 shots.
MatchPlug Prediction
NHL Predictions Today foretells that New Jersey which has had a good season will try to control the matchup from the first period, despite Nashville wanting to win on their home ice.
The Devils with their 3.47 average goals per game will pile on the goals with Hughes, Bratt, and the other members of the forward unit taking the Puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots.
New Jersey which allows only 2.60 goals per game, will curb the efforts of the Predators’ offense. Hamilton, Graves, and the defensive unit will create turnovers in the defensive zone and limit shots on the net, giving Vanecek the chance to make saves.
NHL Expert Picks select the Devils to win the game with a powerful performance on the road, giving them their third consecutive victory.
Today’s Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets matchup is between two NHL teams heading in different directions this season.
Winnipeg Jets have a 30-16-1 record and rank second place in the Central Division, while the Philadelphia Flyers have a 20-20-7 record and are close to the bottom of the Metropolitan Division.
The Jets hope to remain close to the top of the Western Conference, and the Flyers want to turn the season they’ve been having around. These motives make the upcoming game an interesting one.
MatchPlug is a sure Prediction Site where you can find previews and odds for all NHL games and American Sports. On that note, these are the best Betting Tips Today for Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets.
Predictions, Odds and Betting Preview for Philadelphia Flyers VS Winnipeg Jets
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
When: Sunday, January 22nd, 2023
Time: 16:00 GMT
Teams to play: Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets
These are some NHL Predictions Today by experts to pay attention to if you are betting on the Flyers and Jets game:
Betting On The Philadelphia Flyers
Season Record: 20-20-7
1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 3.3
1XBet Over/Under: Under 5.5
BetMGM Spread: +1.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 2.35
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 6.5
Philadelphia’s offense has struggled this season, scoring just 2.78 goals per game. Kevin Hayes, Travis Konecny, and Scott Laughton scored a combined 49 goals and 69 assists, but the rest of the offense line was found wanting.
Only six of the Flyers’ skaters have eight goals or higher and because of this, opposing defenses can eliminate their weak offense.
The Flyers’ offense isn’t the only part of the team that battles with performance, its defense struggled too, allowing 3.22 goals per game. Travis Sanheim and Ivan Provorov share 3.8 defensive points. The other members of the Flyers’ defense can’t perform, allowing opponents to score shots as they, please.
Additionally, Philadelphia’s goaltender Felix Sandstrom couldn’t do his job in the net, with a .888 save percentage and a 3.37 goals-against average on 251 shots.
Betting On The Winnipeg Jets
Season Record: 19-21-3
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.1
1XBet Over/Under: Over 5.5
BetMGM Spread: -1.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.60
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 6.5
Winnipeg Jets have had a fantastic season with their offense scoring 3.24 goals per game. Kyle Connor, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Mark Scheifele scored 71 goals and 77 assists leading the two top lines. The rest of the offense line played well too, Blake Wheeler, Cole Perfetti, and Adam Lowry combined for 26 goals and 57 assists. Defensemen Josh Morrissey and Neal Pionk added 15 goals and 56 assists put the offense over the top.
Although the Jets’ offense has been good, the defense was what carried the team, allowing 2.65 goals per game. Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo combined for 5.9 defensive point shares and 117 blocked shots. Brenden Dillion, Neal Pionk, and Nate Schmidt have combined for 7.1 defensive point shares, adding depth to the unit.
Furthermore, Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg’s goaltender stepped up too with a .923 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average on 1102 shots.
MatchPlug Prediction
Philadelphia will move to win this match on their home ice, but Winnipeg who has had a fantastic season will try to control the game.
The Jets with their 3.24 goals per game average, should score several times against the Flyers’ defense that allows 3.22 goals per game. Connor, Dubois, and the forward unit will control the puck in the offensive zone and create open shots using quick centering passes.
Winnipeg will also disable the Flyers’ offense as Morrissey, DeMelo and the defensive unit create turnovers in the defensive zone and limit shots on the Jets’ net. This should allow Hellebuyck to make lots of big saves.
NHL Expert Picks select the Winnipeg Jets who are predicted to win the match with a superior performance on the road.
Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout said he is looking forward to the fun interactions with contemporaries while playing in his first World Baseball Classic. But the overall objective for him is winning.
Trout when speaking to the media via Zoom on Friday discussed his expectations for the upcoming Classic, where he would captain a Team USA that is looking to retain its title as champion.
Mike Trout speaking via Zoom about World Baseball Classic
“The main reason we’re here is to win this thing,” Trout said. “All the other stuff is great – being able to play with each other and getting to know each other a little bit more. But there’s only one thing on our mind and that’s trying to win this whole thing.”
Mike still deals with regret for not participating in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Watching from a distance, nothing down everything from the unique atmosphere to the joy and pride players felt representing the United States during an impressive run that ended in a victory over Puerto Rico in the championship game.
“I’m always having fun on the baseball field,” Trout said. “But when they were out there making them plays and winning, that’s what I regretted. I should have been out there. I wanted to do it and then I didn’t want to do it. I was kind of up in the air about it.
But I just wanted to be a part of it.”
Trout playing for Team USA has already made a significant impact on what is expected to be a stacked roster. Briefly, after he announced it during All-Star Week last July, the three-time AL MVP award winner said several “big name” players from other teams reached out to him about joining the list.
The list of players chosen for Team USA for the Classic is packed with stars like Mookie Betts, Pete Alonso, Nolan Arenado, Tim Anderson and Paul Goldschmidt, to mention a few.
“A lot of players reached out,” he said. ”It’s going to be something special getting to represent Team USA and go out there with the whole country behind you.
“
He said he believes the names on the USA roster can defeat any team provided they play their game.
Still, he knows that every team in the tournament has a roaster filled with star players too, including Team Japan, which has his teammate and friend Shohei Ohtani.
With high expectations for both the U.S. and Japanese teams. It is most likely that the two teams will square off at some point next month.
“Talking to Shohei about [Team Japan], he tried to tell me that he doesn’t think he’s the best player on the team,” Trout said. “There’s no way that there’s somebody better than Shohei. But he knows his baseball players.
I’m looking forward to that matchup if we get there and have to face them.”
Kansas Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes came back to Saturday’s 27-20 Divisional Round win against the Jaguars despite sustaining an injury to his right ankle in the first quarter which made him miss out the majority of the second frame.
Mahomes played through the pain, returning to the field after halftime to end the match with 22 completions on 30 attempts for 195 yards and two TDs to secure his Chiefs the victory.
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes
Head coach Andy Reid when speaking about Mahomes’ performance after the game said; “So, he wanted to be in there. He wanted to be competing. It’s a tribute to him and his competitiveness. However, you got to make sure he’s physically OK where he can protect himself. If he can’t then he can’t play, and we have to go to the next guy. But he’s a tough nut. I tell you, he’s competitive. He’s very, very competitive.”
Patrick’s X-rays came back negative, but Ian Rapoport an NFL Network Insider reported during halftime that his injury looked like a high ankle sprain.
The quarterback’s injury occurred when his ankle got caught and rolled up under Jaguars’ linebacker Arden Key at the tail end of a short, four-yard pass.
Mahomes stayed in the game for the remaining part of the drive, using the break between the first and second quarter to get his ankle wrapped, but went to the locker room for evaluation and did not come back for the Chiefs’ third drive.
“I did want to go and they kind of gave me the ultimatum of I wasn’t going back in unless I went it [to be looked at]”, Mahomes told Melissa Stark from NBC after the game. “They’re trying to take care of me, and we’ve got a lot of great people here. It will take a lot to keep me out of a football game.
”
He was 12-of-15 passing for 84 yards and a touchdown to tight end Travis Kelce at the time he left the field.
Kansas’ longtime backup Chad Henne took over for Mahomes for one drive that leaned on the run game and eventually went 98 yards for a score.
Mahomes managed to complete 10 of his 15 attempts when he returned in the second half for 111 yards and a leaping six-yard TD throw to Marquez Valdes-Scantling standing on his good foot. But he first operated a quick-pass offense and barely looked comfortable putting down his feet to throw or manage handoffs to running backs from under center.
Due to their quarterback’s injury, the Chiefs received big-time performances from several offensive playmakers and the defense as a whole. Kelce led Kansas City with 14 receptions for 98 yards and a TD catch from every quarterback, while Isiah Pachecho was far and away the team’s leader on the ground with 12 carries for 95 yards (7.
9 yards per carry).
Kansas City’s defense forced two crucial second-half turnovers to help hold leads, they never allowed the game to get knotted up even when the Jaguars made it a one-possession game twice in the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs have reached their fifth straight AFC Championship Game with Mahomes as a starter after he powered through an injury for a 5-0 career record in the Divisional Round.
Patrick Mahomes now waits for a week of recovery to either face the Cincinnati Bengals or Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship, a match he is positive about taking the field for.
“X-rays were negative,” Mahomes said. “They haven’t diagnosed anything yet, but I’ll be good to go.
Hall of Fame football player Shannon Sharpe was in a heated courtside argument with Memphis Grizzlies players Ja Morant and Dillion Brooks, and Morant’s father at the end of the first half of Friday night game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sharpe exchanged words with Brooks throughout the first half and then yelled at Morant during the final possession of the second quarter. When the halftime buzzer sounded, Brooks yelled at Sharpe who moved toward Brooks.
Morant was walking toward Sharpe at his courtside seat before Steven Adams stepped in front of him.
Ja Morant’s father, Tee Morant got involved in the conversation too before security separated all of them.
Sharpe, yelled “I bet you won’t!” at Tee Morant when the guards were breaking things up.
Initially, Brooks did not want to comment on their spat, saying: “You can ask him about that. He’s the blogger or whatever he is,” before addressing it later.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and Ja Morant did not want to discuss the altercation after the Lakers secured a 122-121 victory and ended the Grizzlies’ 11-game winning streak.
Sharpe at halftime when speaking to an ESPN reporter said he was reacting to the Grizzlies’ chatter.
“They do all that talking and jockeying and I ain’t about that jockeying.” He said. “It started with Dillion Brooks. I said he was too small to guard LeBron.”
The former football player said Brooks swore at him, and he swore back. Brooks said that was not the case and that he told Sharpe that James missed the shot.
“He started to come at me and I said, “You don’t want these problems.’ And then Ja came out of nowhere talking. He definitely didn’t want these problems.
Then the dad came and he obviously didn’t want no problems.
But I wanted anything they had, Don’t let these fools fool you now.”
Sharpe and Tee Morant talked to security before going back to their seats when the second half started. They hugged it out at the end of the third quarter.
Brooks was asked if Sharpe or any other fans should be allowed to return to their seats after getting into an argument with a player.
”A regular pedestrian like him? No. He should have never come back into the game, but it’s LA,” Brooks said.
