ESPN is scared

[KansasCityCats]

I never realized until recently that ESPN can't admit when they're wrong.  After Dukie V and the idiots that encouraged Schlabach's inaccurate Ayton/Miller never apologized for having bad info (and publicly humiliating Arizona), I've lost all respect for their weak network.

If you Google the video "Why Stephen A Smith thinks Josh Allen will outduel Patrick Mahomes", you'll click and see "link does not exist".  I found another way to locate the video but it's hilarious that they don't want their "professionals" to regularly be inaccurate when it comes to sports.

[Wildcat Dad]

What took you so long to learn how bad ESPN is? lol

[KansasCityCats]

I stopped watching Sportscenter (and all other "non sports games") 25 years ago but I was too oblivious to recognize that they won't admit defeat.  Jay Bilas is the only broadcaster that seems to admit when he was wrong about a prediction.  You know I'm being fair when I give a Dookie credit for his behavior...

[KansasCityCats]

The espn employees have no choice but to discuss KC. They doubted the Chiefs over the past two seasons. Last year because Tyreek was traded and this season because our WR's continually dropped the ball (literally).

They can hate on the small markets but Mahomes will continue to bring hardware, regardless of his offensive weapons.

[arxpert]

The espn employees have no choice but to discuss KC. They doubted the Chiefs over the past two seasons. Last year because Tyreek was traded and this season because our WR's continually dropped the ball (literally).

They can hate on the small markets but Mahomes will continue to bring hardware, regardless of his offensive weapons.

From my understanding, the bulk of Football viewers thought this was a poorly played game.

I can understand you doing backflips for the result, but even I think it was a poorly played game.

It was 2 poorly played halves by 1 team and mediocrely played halves by the other. Then a really foolish decision in OT by a clearly inexperienced all around production where SF didn't even realize that it is always better to defer and see what your opponent does first. The ref had a hard time explaining the rules.

It was not a real "new game". It was just both teams get 1 chance to possess the ball unless the Defending team creates a turnover and then scores. SF even took CMC off the field for a play or two so he could catch his breath when they could have just used their timeouts. No one should have ever expected the game to just be rebuttal after rebuttal through 4 more quarters to get to a point where I have no idea if the game starts over again where both teams must possess the ball at least once (or the defense stops them and next score wins). That would just be crazy to consider if that is the actual rule.

Nantz and Romo didn't even know how to explain it. This was the first time OT happened with the new rules. I think the league will learn from it. Shanahan is a horrible coach. 28-3 was on him. The 10pt lead blown to KC years ago was on him. And this 10pt lead blown was also on him.

He goes down as probably the greatest loser in Superbowl history. Worse than the Bills of the 90s due to the control he had. Never dominated, just completely outclassed in the crunch. It is always more of an indictment on talent and ability when you are in the driver's seat and blow it.

KC may be the only team I've ever seen that is able to win games by virtue of teams beating themselves. I don't think KC played any good games this postseason tbh. They just did enough. Which is all that is necessary.

That AFC Title Game was kind of a joke in retrospect to tonight. Every flag thrown for something cheap and petty when KC did all the initiating after the whistle to provoke... seemed like none of that was going to fly tonight with Vinovich's crew.

Also interesting that a team could have 5 fumbles was it? and still win.

Congrats to Mahomes for being the mature QB that can harness the moment properly. I think Kelce showed a very darkside of himself tonight. Any other game and I think he would have been benched. Credit to Andy Reid for not caring about that because he is smart enough to remember all his close failures in Philly and is mature enough to say to himself it's not worth it.

Overall Game Grade: C- (Just missed the mark. With around 10min left in the 3rd quarter, KC's live Team Total was 11.5... they really needed so much to bounce their way in the end)
Halftime Show: D+ (Credit for some of Usher on the skates, but he was largely outperformed and outshined by his cameo artists)

Had SF Won the Game, I would say the grade would have been a C because they really didn't play well either in any capacity. 11 Targets to Deebo with a broken shoulder and busted Hammy is laughable. CMC probably should have ran the ball 35 times. It was just another instance of KC getting let off the hook. Credit to them for creating havoc in that way, getting into opponent's heads.

I think after this, the league is about to wake up big time and not carry that mental baggage into games with them.

Lest we forget - SF only barely beat GB on the last drive and needed to come back down 17 to the Lions. Seems like the game would have been more entertaining if it were KC vs Detroit.

Styles make fights. This one was as boring as the Ravens game except SF didn't really lose their minds in the process and there were not many flags thrown at all either way which is the best way considering the Superbowl was decided on a horrible flag thrown last year even though I am a smart enough football fan to know that Jalen Hurts casual Fumble 6 last year early in the game when Philly had all that massive momentum was the true turning point in opening the door (Eagles beating themselves) - similar to the foolish punt situation tonight that was the clear turning point.

Glad Football is done. It was a full circus this season. Now onto the road to March Madness.

[arxpert]

I must also PS this one with disagreeing because ESPN was all over KC pregame and they were kissing the feet of everyone on KC in the postgame. It was like they were in the presence of royalty.

I do think they secretly rooted for KC to not get to the Superbowl. They were trying to push Josh Allen the most, then Lamar after Allen failed. Seemed like they wanted Allen vs Lamar. There was hardly any coverage of the Superbowl until around Wednesday on ESPN. I don't think there was enough of a story to talk about really. It was either talk about Mahomes on his trajectory or Taylor Swift's effect on Football.

The rest was talking about how all the KC opponents beat themselves by psyching themselves out.

So does ESPN hate KC? I don't think so. I just think they waited until the absolute last second to kiss their asses and for the next 2 to 3 days (or through whenever their parade is) there will be a PEPPERING of "WE KNEW IT ALL ALONG KC THIS KC THAT" with plenty of segments of Shanahan blowing it just like all the other segments the entire postseason of everyone blowing it more than KC winning it.

WHICH IS TRUE AND UNDENIABLE, but I do understand how it comes off as a very backhanded compliment to a KC fan. However, that was part of KC's formula this particular season and it worked.

Personally I would rather hear more about McDuffie than Kelce, but that's not how the entertainment business works.

[KansasCityCats]

True, ESPN finally started to back the Chiefs when they made the Super Bowl. Until that point, there was virtually no respect. Miami, Baltimore and Buffalo were rarely criticized throughout the final 7-8 weeks of the regular season (and especially against KC).

Even when the Chiefs had their worst roster over a 6 year period, they won it all. It always takes "some" luck to win a title but this team always found ways to win against a brutal schedule.

MVS was the highest paid receiver and he finished the season with 315 yards, in addition to leading the WR corps with the most drops in the NFL.

KC only has the second youngest defense in the NFL because Green Bay made mid-season roster changes and has a slightly less experienced team. Spagnuolo turned a bunch of nobodies into the top defense (most NFL fans have likely heard of NOBODY outside of Chris Jones).

Coaching and QB is the difference. If Baltimore were competent to recognize that Lamar can't throw an accurate pass, they would have won it all with the best all-around roster. If Buffalo could coach Josh Allen into not being the league leader in turnovers, their balance could have also won. In the end, it'll be Reid and Mahomes until one of the two retires.

[KansasCityCats]

Also, heard an interview on local sports radio with Chris Jones this morning.  Not only did Reid reiterate the playoff overtime structure extensively over the past two weeks...they were learning about the new rules when camp first started.  Back in AUGUST, the Chiefs were preparing for the postseason; that's good coaching.

[arxpert]

Also, heard an interview on local sports radio with Chris Jones this morning.  Not only did Reid reiterate the playoff overtime structure extensively over the past two weeks...they were learning about the new rules when camp first started.  Back in AUGUST, the Chiefs were preparing for the postseason; that's good coaching.

ESPN is always going to be a joke. I'll probably tune in today and see how much they try to spin it as another Shanahan  meltdown instead of KC defense carrying the team the distance --- because ESPN dares-not bite the hand to say this was the Taylor Swift rigged narrative [Temu] Bowl.

I don't think the 49ers played OT wrong. They just didn't win.

It doesn't take practicing in August to play OT in the playoffs correctly. It's all situational football in general. Had SF been the one who had just tied up the game on a long drive I think they would have deferred and put their more rested defense on the field first.

If KC coached or planned for it so much they would have just used that plan to score a TD in regulation lol.

SF Defense were definitely gassed from a long drive on defense that they did make a huge stop on to hold to a FG.

I thought if anything KC was playing it scared not going for a quick pass to win it with 6 seconds left.

SF looks like they didn't understand the rules in retrospect, but the way it was presented was confusing all around.

Even when KC won the game not many players were even celebrating except Hardman and a couple other players on the field basically. They stood around as if they thought they needed to kick an XP and keep going (which would have made the OVER 47.5 btw lol)

I think we will never see a game that is played tit for tat, score for score in OT through 4 full quarters in our lifetime.

Wouldn't that be the only reason there is even a clock in the first place? If 4 quarters elapse and it's tied the whole way, then they have to start another "New Game" where both teams get a chance to possess it once unless the Defense gets a turnover and then scores off the stop.

It's more likely that the league changes the rule to something like if there's no winner by the end of the 1st half, then we go to an untimed format.

Credit where credit is due, someone had to win. Now we can move to March Madness season.

[KansasCityCats]

KC wasn't playing scared.  They knew what it took to win because SF took the ball first.  In regulation, they trusted their QB AND defense, although I was pretty damn nervous on 3rd and 4 with 2 minutes left.  A first down likely ends the game...and I'm a little shocked that SF didn't go for it on 4th (or run it on 3rd so they have an opportunity to put KC away).

Regardless, it was another fun game to watch.  On to College Basketball, which is my personal preference anyway.

[arxpert]

KC wasn't playing scared.  They knew what it took to win because SF took the ball first.  In regulation, they trusted their QB AND defense, although I was pretty damn nervous on 3rd and 4 with 2 minutes left.  A first down likely ends the game...and I'm a little shocked that SF didn't go for it on 4th (or run it on 3rd so they have an opportunity to put KC away).

Regardless, it was another fun game to watch.  On to College Basketball, which is my personal preference anyway.

I would have ran a play with 6 seconds left. I trust Mahomes enough to not royally screw it up. That's what I meant by playing it scared if that wasn't clear. It only looks smart because it worked out. Had they lost, I believe plenty of people would have questioned not trying 1 more play. It took 4 seconds for the Kelce play that Warner defended.

Yes:

Conference Title Hunt
Conference Tournaments Around the Country
Selection Sunday
Brackets
March Madness ---> Especially Ro64 Thursday and Friday, the Two Best back to back sports days of the Year IMHO.

[KansasCityCats]

Heck yeah. First two rounds (Thursday through Sunday) are the four greatest days of the entire calendar year. 5 weeks and counting.

[arxpert]

Heck yeah. First two rounds (Thursday through Sunday) are the four greatest days of the entire calendar year. 5 weeks and counting.

I made a mistake - according to my further research over the overtime rules, now I know with 100% certainty that SF made the correct call to take the ball.

Taking the ball first was in fact the correct decision because had SF held KC to a FG instead of allowing the TD, the Niners would get the ball back on the ensuing kickoff and only need a FG to win the game on their own terms. There would not be continuous rebuttal opportunities. This is where my initial thought was incorrect.

It now seems to me that the OT coinflip decision MUST 100% depend on the immediate situation at hand. I don't care what Mahomes said regarding Kicking the ball off or not. If they were that cocky about everything, then they would have had more successful drives in Regulation. It's a noble comment when victorious, but not something I would expect to hear much about had they failed.

SF Criteria:
-Defense Gassed from defending a long drive to hold KC to the FG to go to OT.
-No 30 Minute Half Time Show to gather your team and come out with a fresh plan.
-Defense didn't indicate they would surrender a TD from a long field scenario all game.
-SF Offense had that entire long drive to draw up a plan for their next drive - whenever that may have been, which did in fact work out to move the ball, but stalled out very close to the end zone.

I think if anything the 3rd down call before the stall out probably should have been a run play to potentially break through or preserve an option to consider going for it or drawing KC offsides (since timeouts are effectively meaningless, plenty of time to figure it out).

So there really is no purpose for a game clock other than if the game continued to be a shutout through 4 quarters of play or tied after the first 2 possessions in any capacity.

Then and only then, from my understanding, would they have to start another new game where both teams get to possess the ball at least once (except for a defensive turnover scenario). So I guess technically not wrong that I don't think we will ever see 8 full quarters of football in the playoffs, but now I see that SF's choice to receive was even better than I originally thought.