Sports

Insights Into City Chiefs’ Week 11 win over Raiders

Published

4 years ago

November 23, 2020

The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders combined for a nail-biter on “Sunday Night Football.” It couldn’t happen any other way between the two teams at the top of the AFC West.

Insights Into Chiefs' Week 11 win over Raiders

Patrick Mahomes and the offense were the stars of the show for Kansas City and they ultimately pulled out all the stops to secure the game-winning score. It was an ugly game for the Chiefs on defense, with practically nothing going right for a typically stout unit. In the end, it was Daniel Sorensen coming away with an interception to ice the game 35-31 for the good guys.

Insights Into Chiefs' Week 11 win over Raiders

The opening drive for the Chiefs defense was a letdown, to say the least. They allowed a six-play 75-yard scoring drive that was reminiscent of Week 5. They allowed big plays on third down, struggled to pressure Derek Carr in the passing game and let Josh Jacobs run all over them.

A noticeable adjustment on offense was how quickly Patrick Mahomes was getting the ball out to his receivers. In Week 5, Las Vegas got a ton of pressure because the Chiefs were trying to drop back and throw it deep. This time they’re getting the ball out much more quickly.

The one-two punch of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell is only getting better and better for Kansas City. The way that their carries and snaps were managed tonight was the best we’ve really seen from them so far. I have a feeling that it’ll only improve as we get deeper into the regular season and postseason.

The Chiefs don’t seem to have an answer for Darren Waller in coverage. Neither Daniel Sorensen nor Tyrann Mathieu has been able to handle him. Willie Gay Jr. actually seemed to have some of the best reps against him, but they came in zone coverage rather than man.

Sammy Watkins can’t get back soon enough. It’s not that the other receivers are bad, but the offense just isn’t quite the well-oiled machine that it typically is when he’s on the field. He doesn’t only add another weapon, but he’ll help open up opportunities for other players like Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

The lack of pressure on Derek Carr during this game was truly astounding. The Chiefs defense had a single quarterback hit during the game by Chris Jones. That was the closest the team got to a sack during this game. My explanation for it has to do with the threat of Josh Jacobs in the ground game. I feel like the edge rush could have got more pressure had they lined up wide, but that would open up some rushing lanes for Jacobs. Seems like Steve Spagnuolo opted to not get gashed on the ground.

Penalties again hurt the Chiefs quite a bit in this game, especially on special teams. They had two penalties on kick returns and one penalty on a punt return. It’s not a great look coming off the bye week, especially when special teams are supposed to be a strength of the team.

A really disappointing look late in the game came on the Chiefs sideline, which appeared to have Chris Jones and rookie CB L’Jarius Sneed getting into it. Instead of working together to stop the Raiders, they were fighting amongst themselves. Obviously, we don’t know the full story here, but it didn’t look like a productive conversation.

Travis Kelce made one of the most impressive sideline catches I’ve ever seen tonight. It was a 19-yard toe-dragging grab late in the fourth quarter. It’s one thing when you see a receiver with the body control to do that, but a 6-5 and 260-pound tight end, it’s just unheard of.

How about Patrick Mahomes? He needed just over 60 seconds to march this team down the field and score on the Raiders in crunch time. You can’t leave any time left on the clock for him if you’re the opposing team.

The Kansas City Chiefs will head to Tampa Bay, home of the Buccanneers and Super Bowl LV. They’ll get the benefit of facing the Bucs when they’re on a short week, facing the Los Angeles Rams on “Monday Night Football” in Week 11.

Related Topics:city chiefs Featured raiders sports

Up Next

How Primate Ayodele Warned CAF President Against Embarrassment

Don't Miss

What’s The Way Forward For Gordon Hayward

Sahara Weekly

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

Sports

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Lille’s financial gain from Victor Osimhen’s high-profile 2020 transfer to Napoli was far less than expected, with the French club earning only €7 million despite the deal being valued at over €70 million. The shocking revelation was made by Lille’s President, Olivier Letang, who explained that the €7 million figure was the net result after factoring in the purchase price of Osimhen, four Napoli players who never played for Lille, and various intermediary fees and commissions.

“The net amount, after accounting for the player’s purchase, four players valued at €20 million who never featured for us, as well as intermediaries and commissions, was around €7 million,” Letang told L’Equipe TV.

This disclosure comes amid ongoing investigations by both Italian and French authorities into the circumstances surrounding the transfer, though Napoli has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Napoli’s legal team highlighted the club’s clean record, with lawyer Mattia Grassani emphasizing that the club had been acquitted after facing scrutiny from multiple judicial levels.

Letang, who took over as Lille’s President months after Osimhen’s departure, has now shed light on the intricate financial details behind the deal that saw Osimhen move to Italy. The striker’s move to Napoli would become a pivotal moment in his career, propelling him to stardom and helping Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.

Born in the tough environment of Lagos’ Olusosun community, Osimhen’s rise to prominence began at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot with a record-breaking 10 goals. After stints at Wolfsburg in Germany and Charleroi in Belgium, Osimhen’s impressive performances at Lille led to his transfer to Napoli, where he went on to score 76 goals in 133 appearances. In 2023, he helped Napoli end their long wait for the Serie A title, earning the Serie A Golden Boot and breaking records, including becoming the highest-scoring African in Serie A history.

Currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray, Osimhen has continued his impressive form, with 10 goals and five assists in just 14 appearances. Though contracted to Napoli until 2026, his future remains uncertain, as his contract includes clauses that could facilitate a permanent departure either in January or the summer. The details of his transfer and the shifting dynamics between player and club add another layer to the complex and ongoing saga of Osimhen’s career.

Sports

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Moroccan football enthusiasts have expressed disappointment following Atlas Lions captain Achraf Hakimi’s loss in the race for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award.

Atalanta’s Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman clinched the prestigious title during the CAF Awards ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday evening. Lookman’s achievement sees him succeed compatriot Victor Osimhen, marking consecutive wins for Nigeria in the category.

Lookman’s stellar performances in 2024 made a compelling case for his selection. He played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s historic Europa League triumph, notably scoring a remarkable hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the final—the Italian club’s first-ever European title. Additionally, the 27-year-old was instrumental in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, contributing three goals and an assist, and earning a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.

Speculation leading up to the awards had suggested that Hakimi was the favorite for the accolade, given his outstanding contributions to both the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain throughout the year. Reports from Moroccan and French media fueled expectations of a Hakimi win, only for Lookman to be announced as the victor.

The decision has drawn criticism from Moroccan football analysts and fans. Tawfiq Al-Sanhaji, a prominent sports commentator, told 365scores: “It is a great regret for all Moroccan fans, and for all those who follow football in Morocco, because Achraf Hakimi presented distinguished levels throughout the year with the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain.”

Another sports analyst, Abdel Salam Kourahi, suggested potential internal politics within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) might have influenced the outcome. He remarked, “Perhaps there were understandings, calculations, and divisions within CAF that tipped the scales in favor of the Nigerian over the Moroccan international at the last minute.”

Some fans also pointed to past decisions by CAF, noting that Yassine Bounou, a key player in Sevilla’s Europa League victories in 2020 and 2023, was similarly overlooked for the award.

Lookman’s victory represents a milestone for Nigerian football. It is the first time in three decades that the nation has produced back-to-back winners of the African Player of the Year award, harking back to the consecutive victories of Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba in 1996 and 1997 respectively.

While Lookman’s achievements are undeniably remarkable, the debate over the decision underscores the intense passion and pride that the African Player of the Year award evokes across the continent.

celebrity radar - gossips

CAF Awards 2024: Sanwo-Olu Celebrates Lookman, Nnadozie, and Super Falcons

Published

4 days ago

December 17, 2024

Sahara Weekly

CAF Awards 2024: Sanwo-Olu Celebrates Lookman, Nnadozie, and Super Falcons

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on being named the 2024 CAF Men’s African Footballer of the Year.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also applauded Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie for winning the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award and commended the Super Falcons for clinching the Women’s National Team of the Year honor.

The awards, which celebrate excellence in African football, took place on Monday night at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the governor described the winners as exemplary ambassadors of Nigeria, praising their talent and contributions to the nation’s pride on the global stage.

“As a proud Nigerian and football enthusiast, I celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie at the 2024 CAF Awards. Their victories as the Men’s African Footballer of the Year and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year are a source of immense pride,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recognition as the 2023 Women’s National Team of the Year, emphasizing their dominance as Africa’s best female football team.

“These awards reflect the dedication, skill, and hard work of our footballers. They have not only brought personal acclaim but also showcased the immense potential of Nigerian football to the world,” he added.

Governor Sanwo-Olu concluded by encouraging young Nigerian footballers to draw inspiration from the achievements of Lookman, Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons, reaffirming his government’s commitment to supporting the sport.