IQ - Football Wiretap

NFL Conference Championship Sunday: DVOA Ranks, Odds, TV Schedule

Jan 25, 2024 5:17 PM

Conference Championship Sunday for the 2023 NFL season will take place on January 28th in Baltimore and Santa Clara.

AFC

Kansas City Chiefs (Total DVOA: 5, Offense DVOA: 8, Defense DVOA: 7) at Baltimore Ravens (Total DVOA: 1, Offense DVOA: 4, Defense DVOA: 1)

3:00 PM EST, CBS, Baltimore -4, Total: 44.5

NFC

Detroit Lions (Total DVOA: 7, Offense DVOA: 5, Defense DVOA: 13) at San Francisco 49ers (Total DVOA: 2, Offense DVOA: 1, Defense DVOA: 4)

6:30 PM EST, FOX, San Francisco -7, Total: 51.5

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Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, IQ, Stats

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NFL Final Four: Conference Championship Teams Since 2014

Jan 21, 2024 10:19 PM

The 2023 NFL Conference Championship Games feature the Kansas City Chiefs for the sixth consecutive season, while the San Francisco 49ers have reached this stage for the third straight season and fourth time in five seasons. 

The Chiefs and 49ers are joined by the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions. The Ravens haven't reached the Conference Championship since they won the Super Bowl in 2012. The Lions have only reached the NFC Championship in one prior season when they lost to Washington in 1991.

The Lions are the 12th separate NFC team to reach a Conference Championship over the past decade, while 10 separate AFC teams have reached that point during the timespan.

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Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Infographic, IQ

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NFL Divisional Round: DVOA Ranks, Odds, TV Schedule

Jan 19, 2024 2:24 PM

Divisional Round weekend for the 2023 NFL season will take place over two days on January 20th and 21st.

Saturday, January 20

Houston Texans (Total DVOA: 12, Offense DVOA: 14, Defense DVOA: 16) at Baltimore Ravens (Total DVOA: 1, Offense DVOA: 4, Defense DVOA: 1)

4:30 PM EST, ESPN, Baltimore -9.5, Total: 43.5

Green Bay Packers (Total DVOA: 13, Offense DVOA: 6, Defense DVOA: 27) at San Francisco 49ers (Total DVOA: 2, Offense DVOA: 1, Defense DVOA: 4)

8:15 PM EST, FOX, San Francisco -9.5, Total: 50.5

Sunday, January 21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Total DVOA: 18, Offense DVOA: 20, Defense DVOA: 14) at Detroit Lions (Total DVOA: 7, Offense DVOA: 5, Defense DVOA: 13)

3:00 PM EST, NBC, Detroit -6.5, Total: 49.5

Saturday, January 20

Kansas City Chiefs (Total DVOA: 5, Offense DVOA: 8, Defense DVOA: 7) at Buffalo Bills (Total DVOA: 3, Offense DVOA: 3, Defense DVOA: 12)

6:30 PM EST, CBS, Buffalo -2.5, Total 45.5

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, IQ

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49ers Have 5th Best Ever DVOA Through 13 Games

Dec 11, 2023 12:08 PM

The San Francisco 49ers are now the fifth best ever DVOA through 13 games, according to Aaron Schatz. 

The 49ers trail only the 2007 New England Patriots, 1991 Washington Commanders, 1985 Chicago Bears and 1998 Denver Broncos. All four teams reached the Super Bowl while only the Patriots lost it.

The Baltimore Ravens are 11th all-time despite dropping this week.

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Tags: San Francisco 49ers, IQ, Stats

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Patrick Mahomes: Andy Reid Lets Me Play QB The Way I Want To Play It

Jul 13, 2023 1:44 PM

Patrick Mahomes opened up about Andy Reid has helped his career by letting him be the best version of himself.

Since his redshirt season as a rookie, Mahoes has won two MVPs, two Super Bowls and has reached at least the AFC Championship in all five seasons.

"He's meant the world to me. He's just the best," Mahomes said of Reid. "He's the best coach, obviously, one of the best coaches of all time, but he's just one of the best people of all time. He's learned how to get the most out of me every day. He doesn't let me be satisfied with where I'm at. He teaches me a ton.

"Not only the quarterback position, but how to be a leader and how to be a great dad and how to be a great husband. He lets me be who I am every single day. I think if I'd have went to some other places, I would've had to learn how to play the quarterback position a different way, and he just lets me play the quarterback position the way that I want to play it. I think that's what's made me such a different type of quarterback in this league."

Kevin Patra/NFL Media

Tags: Kansas City Chiefs, IQ

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Lions View Jahmyr Gibbs As 'Positionless' Like Christian McCaffrey

Jul 13, 2023 1:41 PM

The Detroit Lions have compared Jahmyr Gibbs in how he is a positionless running back similar to Christian McCaffrey. The Lions used the 12th overall pick on Gibbs.

GM Brad Holmes told Peter Schrager he views Gibbs as a "multi-phase, elite, explosive, positionless weapon."

The GM mentioned Gibbs could have the same impact on the Lions' offense as two of the greatest dual-threat backs in NFL history.

"When I first got with the Rams in 2003, Marshall Faulk was still there, and I was a huge Marshall Faulk guy -- just kind of seeing what he does in both phases," Holmes said. "And just from a scouting standpoint, when Christian McCaffrey came out, he was the last guy that I was like, 'Holy cow, this guy can run routes like a slot receiver but also run it.' So, you start getting reminders of those players. I'm not sitting here saying Jahmyr Gibbs is those players, but (he's) just a special weapon like that. We have a lot of excitement and optimism."

Kevin Patra/NFL Media

Tags: Detroit Lions, Fantasy, IQ

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49ers, Bengals, Eagles In Top-3 Of ESPN's Playmakers Rankings

Jun 27, 2023 1:06 PM

ESPN's Bill Barnwell ranked all 32 NFL teams in terms of the strength of their wide receivers, tight ends and running backs, which is headlined by the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers ranked third in 2022 and then upgraded by trading for Christian McCaffrey to join their core of Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk.

The Cincinnati Bengals are ranked second, down first first a year ago.

The Philadelphia Eagles jumped from eighth to third. 

Full Rankings
1. 49ers
2. Bengals
3. Eagles
4. Seahawks
5. Chargers
6. Vikings
7. Cowboys
8. Dolphins
9. Jaguars
10. Falcons
11. Raiders
12. Browns
13. Steelers
14. Saints
15. Ravens
16. Lions
17. Bears
18. Buccaneers
19. Chiefs
20. Bills
21. Commanders
22. Jets
23. Rams
24. Broncos
25. Colts
26. Patriots
27. Giants
28. Packers
29. Titans
30. Cardinals
31. Panthers
32. Texans

Bill Barnwell/ESPN

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team, IQ

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ESPN Ranks Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles Atop List Of Best Cores In NFL

Jun 8, 2023 11:19 AM

ESPN ranked the Kansas City Chiefs first in the NFL in terms of having the best core five players on their roster. Kansas City's core consists of QB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce, DT Chris Jones, C Creed Humphrey and G Joe Thuney.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills comprise the remainder of the top-5.

1. Chiefs
2. Bengals
3. Eagles
4. Dolphins
5. Bills
6. Cowboys
7. Chargers
8. Jets
9. Ravnes
10. 49ers
11. Browns
12. Jaguars
13. Vikings
14. Seahawks
15. Giants
16. Saints
17. Raiders
18. Lions
19. Steelers
20. Broncos
21. Rams
22. Titans
23. Panthers
24. Packers
25. Bears
26. Buccaneers
27. Patriots
28. Commanders
29. Texans
30. Colts
31. Falcons
32. Cardinals

Seth Walder/ESPN

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team, IQ

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Bill O'Brien: Mac Jones Gets 'Fresh Start' This Season

Apr 18, 2023 1:48 PM

Bill O'Brien said he is giving Mac Jones a clean state as quarterback of the New England Patriots after a disappointing second season in the NFL.

"Fresh start," O'Brien said in his first remarks to reporters since he was hired in January. "It's really not anything about what's gone on in the past. That's one of our themes on offense -- to move forward."

Jones took a step back after Josh McDaniels left the Patriots to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jones started 14 games, missing three due to a high-ankle sprain, and finished 288-of-442 for 2,997 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, IQ

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Parsons, Jefferson, Chase Headline ESPN's Top-25 Under 25

Nov 29, 2022 11:09 AM

ESPN has released its top-25 players under the age of 25, headlined by Micah Parsons at No. 1., Justin Jefferson at No. 2 and Ja'Marr Chase at No. 3.

ESPN's Jordan Reid writes that "a strong argument could be made that Parsons is the top defensive player in the game, regardless of age."

Justin Herbert is the first quarterback on the list at No. 5.

  1. Micah Parsons, DE/LB, Dallas Cowboys
  2. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
  3. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
  4. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  5. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
  6. Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets
  7. Rashawn Slater, OT, Los Angeles Chargers
  8. Pat Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos
  9. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
  10. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
  11. Brian Burns, DE, Carolina Panthers
  12. Andrew Thomas, OT, New York Giants
  13. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
  14. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
  15. Trevon Diggs, CB, Dallas Cowboys
  16. Rashan Gary, DE, Green Bay Packers
  17. A.J. Terrell, CB, Atlanta Falcons
  18. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
  19. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
  20. Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets
  21. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
  22. Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions
  23. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Minnesota Vikings
  24. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
  25. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ESPN

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14 Percent Of NFL Coaches Are Related To Current Or Former Coaches

Kalyn Kahler/Defector

Bucs, Chiefs, Browns Headline PFF's Roster Rankings For 2021

Ben Linsey/ESPN

Kyle Shanahan Details Why 49ers Selected Trey Lance

Peter King/NBC Sports

NFL Moving More Towards Position-Less Player Profiles

Peter King/NBC Sports

Patriots Thought Transition From Brady To Lamar Would Be Too Dramatic

Michael Lombardi/The Athletic

Rams COO: The NBA Is Coming To The NFL

Peter King/Sports Illustrated

Bills Have Fewest Draft Picks On Roster In NFL, Bengals Have Most

Jason Fitzgerald/OverTheCap

Steve Keim Calls Kyler Murray 'Generational Talent'
The Cardinals made the bold decision to draft Kyler Murray with the first overall pick one year after taking Josh Rosen at No. 10.

Robert Mays/The Ringer

Sean McVay: Watching So Much Film Watered Down Thought Process For SB
Sean McVay believes he may have over-prepared for Super LIII.

Andy Benoit/Sports Illustrated

Video: How Contracts For NFL Quarterbacks Have Increased
New contracts for Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson have raised the annual average to $33.5 million and $35 million per season.

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Belichick Praises Quinnen Williams For Ruining OU's Scheme In CFP
Bill Belichick praised Quinnen Williams' effectiveness for continually splitting two blockers to create pocket pressure on Kyler Murray.

Jim McBride/Boston Globe

Nobel Prize Winner Explains Raiders' Logic Of Khalil Mack Trade
Richard Thaler won the 2017 Nobel Prize for Economics and has consulted with an NFL team about the value of draft choices and how to build a team.

Peter King/NBC Sports

Raiders Given Best Transaction Award By MIT For Khalil Mack Deal
The Sloan Sports Analytics Conference at MIT honored the Raiders with the Best Transaction award, calling it the best move any franchise made in 2018 in any sport.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Chiefs, Rams, Saints, Patriots In Top-5 Offensive DVOA
The combined over/under for both Championship Games is the highest in NFL history.

RealGM Staff Report

Nick Bosa Headlines Latest ESPN 2019 Mock Draft, Two QBs In Top-10
Todd McShay has released his latest mock draft with Nick Bosa going to the Cardinals with the No. 1 overall selection.

Todd McShay/ESPN

Chiefs Have Three Of ESPN's Top-5 Players Under 25
Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt are first, second and fifth on ESPN's list.

Mike Sando/ESPN

Access To Game Tape At All Levels Credited For Offensive Boon
Plays and schemes can immediately rise up from the high school or college to the NFL due to technology and a new group of coaches who are ready to run them.

Kevin Clark/The Ringer

Chiefs Talk Up New Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy
The Chiefs find the new offense far easier.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Ten-Year DVOA Rankings: Washington Redskins
Washington was pretty good but not great during the Kirk Cousins era and enter 2018 optimistic about Alex Smith.

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Ten-Year DVOA Rankings: Tennessee Titans
The Titans have largely been stuck in the bottom half of the NFL since their 13-3 season in 2008, but they reached the playoffs in 2017 despite a negative point differential.

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