Kansas City Chiefs

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NFL denying throwbacks for 49ers in Super Bowl was best decision

The uniform matchup from the two teams’ preseason meeting in 2019 is what we will get at the Super Bowl.

The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are going to face off in Super Bowl LIV in a couple weeks and one of the first big news stories that came out this was the uniform matchup for the game.

The designated home team rotates every year and this year the AFC team is the home team. The Chiefs are going with the red jersey and white pants for the game. That means the 49ers will be in a white jersey. However, it was reported that the 49ers petitioned to be allowed to wear their throwback uniforms for the game.

The NFL denied that request and the image you see above is what the Super Bowl matchup will be.

It is the best move by the league.

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My predictions for Sunday’s Divisional round games

Here are my predictions for the second round of the playoffs.

Let’s hope this game doesn’t have a major controversy.

GREEN BAY (4) VS COWBOYS (1)

This matchup is intriguing because we have the Cowboys, who have been playing well with a rookie quarterback, against a Packers team that ended the season strong with a seasoned veteran. Dallas has to play mistake-free with Dak Prescott under center. The rookie has been tremendous all year and has matured very well this season. Prescott must avoid the turnovers and be able to find his big-time players, especially Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. Ezekiel Elliot and the offensive line will give the Packers’ front seven a challenge in maintaining the pace of the game.

Aaron Rodgers has been here before and he appears to be the most dangerous player in the playoffs right now. The running game will hope to counter the Cowboys’ attack but it may once again come down the passing game. Jordy Nelson is out which means we have to see more Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. Still Rodgers can make a lot of plays despite the obstacles. Despite the Cowboys beating the Packers earlier this year, this is a different Packers team. They are the most dangerous team out in the NFC.

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My predictions for Saturday’s Divisional round games

Here are my predictions for the second round of the playoffs.

The Chiefs pass rush could frustrate Tom Brady.

KANSAS CITY (5) VS NEW ENGLAND (2)

This might be one of the best games of the year. The New England Patriots get their first crack in the playoffs at defending their title against a Chiefs team that is so well-rounded. Of course, the Chiefs don’t feature an explosive offense but because they are so meticulous in moving the ball down the field without turning the ball over, that makes them so dangerous. Alex Smith is playing well and the passing game with Travis Kelce is looking good. This is what will be the key for the Chiefs.

The defense will have a big task trying to stop Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. The pass rush will be the key in flustering Brady. But if Brady has the time in the pocket, expect to see him dissect the Chiefs secondary. Will Rob Gronkowski go off for a big game? We will see.

Both teams will have to rely on a strong running game to keep the momentum of the game on their side. The team that can establish that early, and with solid field position through special teams, will have the edge in the game.

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My predictions for Saturday’s Wild Card round games

It’s time for the playoffs once again! Here are my quick predictions on today’s games.

The Chiefs beat the Texans in Week 1.

KANSAS CITY (5) VS HOUSTON (4)

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans in Week 1 of the NFL season. The two teams are very different entering their matchup on Saturday. The Chiefs are riding this amazing winning streak, having won their last 10 games. The offense isn’t mind blowing but the team is not making mistakes and that comes from the leadership of Alex Smith. The offense isn’t making big plays but are consistently moving up and down the field. This is the time for the receivers to step up big time.

Houston however could spoil all of that with their strong defense. Once again, the attention will be on J.J. Watt and to see how much pressure he can put on the offensive line. That should focus the attention of the game to Brian Hoyer and how he can run the Texans offense. The running game will be huge for the Texans but look for DeAndre Hopkins to be a huge factor in the passing game for Houston.

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Why I have no problem with the flag Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah got for his prayer celebration

Was Husain Abdullah penalized for the slide or for the prostration?

Following Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah’s pick-six, he went to the ground and prostrated. Abdullah is a devout Muslim and many know that such actions are common with the religion. However, he was given a penalty flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct — mainly for going to the ground in celebration.

Naturally, there was a negative reaction to this, with people claiming that someone shouldn’t be flagged for praying.

But first, let’s look at the rule in Section 3. Article 1. Line D.

“Individual players involved in prolonged or excessive celebrations. Players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground. A celebration shall be deemed excessive or prolonged if a player continues to celebrate after a warning from an official.”

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My predictions for Saturday’s Wild Card round games

It’s time for the playoffs once again! Here are my quick predictions on today’s games.

A rematch of two former No. 1 picks

KANSAS CITY (5) VS INDIANAPOLIS (4)

This is going to be a fun matchup to watch because both teams are coming back after miserable seasons. Two years ago, the Colts suffered through a horrific season and came back as a playoff team under the guidance of a new quarterback. Last year, the Chiefs retooled after a disastrous season, got their new quarterback and a new coach to lead the way.

I am looking forward to see how Jamaal Charles will be used in this game. He is coming off a strong finish this year and could be the x-factor in this game. But on the Colts’ side on offense, I am really impressed at how their running game is starting to show some signs of life. I don’t expect them to have to run really well, but maybe just well enough to keep a strong balance.

This game might come down to field position. Both quarterbacks are smart generals and won’t try to take big risks to jeopardize the team. And I believe that might be the difference, allowing the defenses to set the tone for the game.

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Why A.J. Jenkins and the 49ers just didn’t work out and who is to blame for this separation

About 16 months later, the dream is gone for the 49ers and A.J. Jenkins.

San Francisco 49ers WR A.J. Jenkins was traded to the Chiefs for receiver Jon Baldwin. This ends Jenkins’ short and disappointing tenure with the 49ers after being taken 30th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.

In his brief time with the 49ers, he was on the field for 47 total snaps all of last season including the playoffs, He ran 22 routes, and dropped the only pass that came his way. What looked to be a potentially promising career with the 49ers is now over.

But where did it go wrong?

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The first round off the 2012 NFL Draft had just concluded. The 49ers had just taken Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins with the 30th overall pick about 20 minutes earlier. It was a pick that nobody except for the 49ers’ front office expected. Jenkins wasn’t the top receiver available by most draft boards and it felt like a reach for the team.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke were convinced that they landed a diamond in the rough with their first selection of the draft.

“Trent Baalke last night put his name in an envelope and said ‘this is who we’re going to pick’,” Harbaugh recalled that night with a smile on his face. “We all agreed on it and it held true. That was the guy we wanted. That was the highest player on our board when the time came to pick him. We’re very excited about the pick.”

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Did 49ers get a fair deal from Chiefs in Alex Smith trade?

Alex Smith follows the likes of Elvis Grbac, Steve Bono, Steve DeBerg and Joe Montana as former 49ers quarterbacks to end up in Kansas City.

The word is out now. Alex Smith will be on his way to the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers have a deal in place to send the eight-year veteran to the Chiefs for draft picks. The report right now is that it’s likely to be a second-round pick this year and a conditional one next year.

Is that a good deal?

The Chiefs traded a second round pick several years ago to acquire Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel. Without a good consistent quarterback for so long, a second round pick at the time seemed fair enough to the Chiefs. Now that Cassel has not worked, Andy Reid has decided that a second round pick is worth it for a quarterback that’s still young (28) and most recently was leading the league in completion percentage.

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Jovan Belcher’s murder-suicide and trying to really understand something I know I never will

Jovan Belcher was a great success story on the football field.

Jovan Belcher was a great success story on the football field but had problems that led to Saturday’s tragedy.

I don’t understand and I don’t think I ever will.

I woke up on Saturday morning to the news of Jovan Belcher’s murder-suicide. It’s still hard to wrap my head around how he could kill his girlfriend, meet with general manager Scott Pioli, head coach Romeo Crennel and another coach moments later at Arrowhead before killing himself.

It doesn’t make sense. In the following days, we’ll likely figure out what exactly was going in his life and maybe piece together the puzzle as to why he would do this and leave his three-month old daughter orphaned. Maybe then I’ll have an idea what may be going on, but I know I’ll never understand it.

One of the sad things about the NFL is our perception of these men. Despite the fact that they can do great physical things that most people can’t, we can’t view them as gladiators. They are human beings just like us and sometimes because of the NFL lifestyle, it’s harder to really keep in check with all the problems.

I wish it wasn’t that way, but when a sport is designed to make all of the players look like superheroes, we tend to think that their lives are problem-free. In fact, maybe they have more problems than the average person.

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