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2024 NFL owners meetings takeaways: Berlin game, new Nike deal, Dolphins among teams with new minority owners | CBS Sports
NFL owners met in Dallas on Wednesday, hosting annual discussions on a number of league matters as the 2024 playoffs draw near. Among the biggest developments: a historic announcement regarding the NFL’s international plans, a renewed partnership with Nike and new ownership setups for multiple teams.
Here’s a roundup of key takeaways from the meetings:
The NFL is going to Berlin
Germany has hosted at least one regular-season game in three straight seasons, but the country’s capital city will get its first-ever NFL matchup in 2025, with owners approving Wednesday plans to put a game in Olympic Stadium, which was originally constructed for the 1936 Summer Olympics.
The ‘Box’ That Protects Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Keeps Him Normal | SI
Still, let’s not forget, Mahomes is the single best player in professional football. The Kingdom knows this, regardless of how this odd, injury-heavy, bad luck 2024 season has unspooled. He’s still Patrick F---ing Mahomes, right? Thrower of touchdowns. Consumer of Whataburger. Winner of Super Bowls. Devoted dad. Destroyer of souls.
There’s more interest in Mahomes and the Chiefs than there is in any other player or any other team in North America. More than 20 million viewers recorded for K.C.’s victory over Tampa Bay earlier that week, touts a news release from ESPN.
On this Wednesday, Patrick Mahomes is behind a lectern, addressing local media, when one reporter uses the phrase “regular Sunday.” Mahomes lost those years ago, soon after embarking upon an unprecedented start to an NFL career. Normal ceased for Mahomes as soon as he became the most abnormal quarterback in league history.
Did it? Because those who know Mahomes best cannot stop using that word: normal. From his physique (proud dad bod) to his celebratory drink of choice (Coors Light cans) to his favorite snack (Cool Ranch Doritos) to his hobbies (watching sports), there’s little beyond the headlines that paints his day-to-day existence as tied, in any way, to celebrity.
Title contenders’ kryptonite: Trouble spots for Chiefs, Lions, Bills, Eagles, Ravens | FOX Sports
Kansas City Chiefs: Will Patrick Mahomes’ turnover bug cost them?
Yes, the Chiefs have a habit of making games interesting each week. Ten of the team’s 12 wins have been by seven points or fewer, including the latest — a 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on a 31-yard field goal that bounced off the left upright and through the goal post.
The Chiefs are set up to hold home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and chase an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl.
However, something that could keep Kansas City is actually the substandard play of Mahomes in one key area. He’s had trouble taking care of the football, having already thrown 11 interceptions this season. He’s also been sacked 35 times, tied for sixth-most in the league. So, keeping Mahomes upright, healthy and holding onto the football are key issues for Kansas City heading down the backstretch of the season.
The Chiefs are tied for the NFL lead with a 12-1 record, but they have a minus-4 turnover margin, which is tied for No. 22 in the league. Kansas City has lost the turnover battle four times this season, but only lost one of those games — to the Bills on the road in Week 10.
Mahomes has 87 turnovers since entering the league in 2018. According to FOX Sports Research, the Chiefs have a 48-19 record (including postseason) in games where Mahomes has at least one turnover. Kansas City is 53-7 in games in which Mahomes has not turned the ball over.
The Best NFL Bets for Week 15: Goodbye, Bye Weeks | The Ringer
Sunday Matchups
Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5) atCleveland Browns
This matchup presents a classic scenario of movable object versus stoppable force whenever Kansas City has possession on Sunday. The Chiefs currently rank 30th in explosive play rate, making it a challenge for them to methodically advance the ball and score points. However, facing the Browns, who rank 31st in explosive play rate allowed, provides the Chiefs with a prime opportunity to generate big gains. It is worth noting that there is some wind in the forecast and potential showers in Cleveland.
The Browns should have success passing the ball against the Chiefs secondary, a unit that has not performed as well as it did last season. Since Week 8, Kansas City has ranked 20th in pass success rate allowed, coinciding with the absence of cornerback Jaylen Watson.
FanDuel offers the option to parlay the Chiefs to win the game while the Browns cover the +4.5 spread at +398. At this stage of the season, it may be prudent to acknowledge the likelihood that the Chiefs are destined to win every game by a one-score margin. After all, the Chiefs have outperformed their Pythagorean win expectation by 12.6 percent in all games since Patrick Mahomes became the starter in 2018, a margin unmatched by any other team (Pittsburgh is second at 7.3 percent).
Verdict: Pass, but consider the Chiefs inevitability parlay +398
Bill Belichick loved one particular play from Monday night
Around the NFL
North Carolina hires Bill Belichick: Legendary NFL coach, 72, joins college ranks in stunning career move | CBS Sports
Bill Belichick has been hired as the next coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, the school announced Wednesday. The six-time Super Bowl champion, who has never coached at the collegiate level in any capacity, will take over the top coaching position on the open market.
“I am excited for the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill,” Belichick said in a statement released by the school. “I grew up around college football with my Dad and treasured those times. I have always wanted to coach in college and now I look forward to building the football program in Chapel Hill.”
Belichick agreed to a five-year deal, pending administration approval. Previous coach Mack Brown was paid $5 million per season.
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Chiefs Injury Updates: D.J. Humphries, Harrison Butker, Hollywood Brown
WR Hollywood Brown
The prevailing thought has been that wide receiver Hollywood Brown, who suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation during the preseason, would return to the practice field at some point in mid-December.
“He’s getting close,” said Reid, providing an update on Brown. “He’s champing at the bit to get back out there, but he’s got to visit with the doctors and make sure that he gets clearance there, but I’d probably say he’s getting close. [I] can’t give you a date. I don’t know a date on it, but he says he feels great.”
Though it likely won’t be this week for the wide receiver, there appears to be optimism for his return sometime soon.
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