Cardinals Request To Interview Lou Anarumo
10 hours agoThe Arizona Cardinals have requested permission to interview Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo for their vacant head-coaching position, according to a league source. The Bengals were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and Anarumo will now interview with Arizona this week. The 56-year-old has been Cincy's defensive coordinator since Zac Taylor took over as the head coach in 2019. The Bengals D finished 16th in yards allowed in 2022 but also sixth in points allowed. Among others, former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores are in the mix for the Cardinals' vacant head-coaching job.Source: FOX Sports - Peter Schrager
Kellen Moore Expected To Become Chargers' Next OC
10 hours agoFormer Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is expected to become the Los Angeles Chargers' next offensive coordinator, according to sources. The talented play-caller parted ways with the Cowboys on Sunday, but he'll make the move from quarterback Dak Prescott to quarterback Justin Herbert. Moore served as Dallas' offensive coordinator for the last four seasons and led them to an offensive rank inside the top 10 in the league three times. In LA, he'll replace Joe Lombardi and will have an arguably better collection of offensive skill players to work with in the likes of Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler and receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. With Moore now gone in Dallas, it's possible that head coach Mike McCarthy could take over play-calling duties in 2023.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Texans Could Hire DeMeco Ryans Soon
10 hours agoThe Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans could meet as soon as Monday afternoon after he handles his responsibilities with the 49ers after they were eliminated in the NFC Championship on Sunday. If all goes well, the Texans could hire him on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to sources. Ryans has been Houston's top candidate for their vacant head-coaching position all along. The 38-year-old was a former second-round pick by the Texans in 2006, and he spent his first six NFL seasons with the team. He was also a finalist for the same job with the Denver Broncos, but Ryans has reportedly told them he's no longer in the running, making it a likely foregone conclusion that he becomes the Texans' next head coach this week.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Eagles Defense Holds 49ers To Seven Points
12 hours agoThe Philadelphia Eagles defense yielded seven points to San Francisco, generated three sacks, and forced three turnovers during the team's 31-7 victory. The lone touchdown the team gave up was to all-star running back Christian McCaffrey. The Eagles forced three fumbles and recovered all of them in this contest, with the first causing an injury to the elbow of starting quarterback Brock Purdy. Backup Josh Johnson played a few series after this before suffering a concussion on a sack, forcing the injured Purdy back into the game without being able to throw downfield. Philadelphia's defense held up after this and ended the day with the top fantasy performance of all defenses during Conference Championship Weekend. Even against Patrick Mahomes in two weeks during the Super Bowl, the Eagles' defense will be the favorite option for many playing DFS.Source: ESPN
Jake Elliott Converts Four Extra Points, Nails Lone Field Goal
12 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott nailed his only field goal attempt from 31 yards away and converted four extra points during the team's 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Philadelphia took the game over once 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) suffered an injury on a fumble. After this, backup Josh Johnson was taken off the field after suffering a concussion, forcing the injured Purdy to play. The Eagles were not their usual aggressive selves after this but still found the end zone when in scoring range four times. It led to just one field goal attempt for the 28-year-old and another mediocre fantasy performance. He will have a chance to have a better performance in two weeks against Kansas City in the Super Bowl, but Harrison Butker will be the favorite for most in DFS lineups.Source: ESPN
Dallas Goedert Reels In Team-High Five Receptions
12 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert caught 5-of-6 targets and gained 23 yards during the team's 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The 28-year-old led the team in receptions during what was a quiet night for the entire Eagles' passing attack. Goedert has now accumulated 10 receptions on 11 targets over the past two weeks and will face a Kansas City Chiefs defense that gave up the 10th-most fantasy points per game to the tight end position in two weeks during the Super Bowl. While Travis Kelce will be the clear top option for those playing in DFS tournaments in two weeks, Goedert will be a cheaper and viable option for those who want to spend up at other positions.Source: ESPN
DeVonta Smith Leads Team In Receiving Yards
12 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith caught 2-of-3 targets and gained 36 yards during the team's 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It was a quiet night for all Eagles receivers, as the team elected to run the ball at a high rate, especially once they were up by two scores over the No. 1 defense in the NFL. The 24-year-old made a controversial 29-yard grab on the game's first drive, putting the Eagles inside the 10-yard line. Philadelphia will now meet the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl in two weeks in what will potentially be a shootout. Smith will be one of the most popular wide receivers in DFS lineups and should be more involved against a Chiefs secondary that has struggled to stop opposing wide receivers this past season.Source: ESPN
A.J. Brown Quiet Again During NFC Title Game
12 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown caught 4-of-8 targets and gained 28 yards during the team's 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Philadelphia got the 25-year-old involved early, peppering him with targets on the opening drive. The problem was that this game got out of hand quickly. The 49ers lost quarterback Brock Purdy to an elbow injury, then had to put him back in after backup Josh Johnson suffered a concussion. Philadelphia did not stay on the attack through the air often after they were up by two scores, leading to a quiet day for the entire Philadelphia receiving corps. There was no sulking by Brown in this contest, especially after leading the team's receivers in targets by a wide margin. The fourth-year receiver will be in most DFS lineups in two against a Kansas City secondary that has struggled at times to stop the pass this season.Source: ESPN
Kenneth Gainwell Leads Eagles In Rushing During NFC Championship
12 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell took 14 carries for 48 yards and two receptions on three targets for a gain of 26 yards during the team's 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. While the 23-year-old led the team in rushing last week during the divisional round, it was built on the back of garbage time carries at the end of the fourth quarter when Philadelphia's victory was already secured. This week, Gainwell was given carries throughout the entire game and ended the night with three more than starting back Miles Sanders. Sanders did find the end zone twice in this game, but it is clear Philadelphia wants to get Gainwell more touches moving forward. The second-year back will be a viable FLEX option in the Super Bowl against Kansas City and has the chance to break off a long touchdown run at any point, especially with more carries going his way.Source: ESPN
Miles Sanders Scores Twice During Blowout Victory
13 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders took 11 carries for 42 yards and two touchdowns, adding one reception for three yards, during the team's 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles' offense tallied just 269 yards of total offense against the No. 1 defense in the NFL, but they were able to capitalize on short field and turnovers, scoring four times in total on the ground. Sanders accounted for two of these scores and ended the night with a solid fantasy performance. Teammate Kenneth Gainwell has seen more usage in the playoffs, gained more yards, and securing more carries than Sanders against San Francisco. However, the 25-year-old Eagles starting back will have a much easier time running the ball against Kansas City in the Super Bowl than he did against San Francisco this past weekend and will be in plenty of DFS lineups in two weeks.Source: ESPN
Jalen Hurts Tallies 160 Yards, Secures First NFC Championship
13 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 15-of-25 passes for 121 yards, gained 39 yards on 11 carries, and scored a rushing touchdown during the team's 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The third-year quarterback did not need to do much at allread more...
JuJu Smith-Schuster Suffers Knee Injury
13 hours agoKansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a knee injury in Sunday's AFC Championship Game. He finished the game with just one catch for seven yards. The former Steelers wideout has now finished with 35 yards or less in five consecutive games, so even if he's good to go in time for the Super Bowl, his recent production hasn't been encouraging. Keep an eye on the injury report to see which way Smith-Schuster trends over the next two weeks.Source: Kansas City Chiefs
Marquez Valdes-Scantling Finds End Zone Against Bengals
13 hours agoKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling stepped up on Sunday with numerous injuries to other receivers on the team, catching six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown while sharing the team lead in targets with eight. The yardage total was his highest as a Chief. If the Chiefs can get healthy by the Super Bowl, MVS will likely see a reduction in his production, but there's the possibility that he'll be forced into a larger role again.Source: ESPN
Travis Kelce Catches Touchdown In AFC Title Game
13 hours agoKansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (back) was a game-time decision for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he suited up and ended up leading the team in receptions, catching seven passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Kelce has been quarterback Patrick Mahomes' top weapon all season long, so it's not a shock to see him continue to look Kelce's way, even with Kelce banged up a little bit. Kelce will be an elite DFS option against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.Source: ESPN
Isiah Pacheco Gets 15 Touches In AFC Championship Game
13 hours agoKansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco saw a lot of usage in Sunday's AFC Championship Game win over the Bengals, with 10 carries and five receptions. He didn't produce a ton on the ground as he finished with just 26 rushing yards, but that was enough to lead the team, as the rest of the Chiefs combined for 10 carries and 16 yards. The passing game was there Pacheco made a real impact, as he turned his five catches into 59 yards. He likely won't get quite as much usage against the Eagles in the Super Bowl, but it's an encouraging sign to see how much more usage he had than the team's other running backs.Source: ESPN