By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The what-if game is a dangerous (and unnecessary) one, but in the aftermath of a close playoff finish, it’s often inevitable.

Kansas City fans were left with only that to play for the next six months after Saturday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. Theirs will surely revolve around two plays that, had they gone the other way, might have significantly altered the outcome of the game.

The first was a sack of Marcus Mariota on a play in which Derrick Johnson blitzed and crushed the quarterback. During the hit, which lifted Mariota off the ground, it appeared upon review that the quarterback fumbled before hitting the ground. Mariota was ruled down by forward progress, which had been stopped (though he wasn’t moving forward prior to the contact), on a quick whistle. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Alex Smith has battled the stigma earned by his early career struggles for much of the last decade and throughout his tenure with the Chiefs. Saturday night’s result won’t quiet the uninformed doubters.

Individually, the quarterback had yet another solid performance, completing 24 of 33 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns in the 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans. But while Smith did his job, Kansas City crumbled in the second half, surrendering an 18-point lead to a hungry Titans team led by Marcus Mariota and Derrick Henry. As the Titans stunned fans at Arrowhead Stadium and viewers around the globe, Smith’s Chiefs couldn’t respond, with the result sending Kansas City home earlier than expected yet again. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Jon Gruden’s contract — a mammoth one — is still being worked out, but with a number like $100 million and multiple reports packing his backs for the Bay Area, ESPN decided to acknowledge the news.

ESPN broadcaster Sean McDonough opened Saturday’s broadcast of Chiefs-Titans by addressing the elephant in the room. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Kareem Hunt‘s rookie season included a hot start, and the regular season portion of it came to a close with a strong finish and a rushing title.

Turns out, the former Toledo Rocket wanted that last part badly enough to make a hard sell on his coach. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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A year after finishing 13-3 and reaching the divisional round of the playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys are spending the postseason at home.

To owner Jerry Jones, that isn’t acceptable — and some of it has to do with the play of wide receiver Dez Bryant.

“Well, I think Dez is right. We need more from Dez. We need bigger plays,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “That’s obvious to everybody is we didn’t get big plays. I don’t know that you ever get enough of them, but we certainly didn’t get the amount that we have to have to change our fate here. And, so, I agree with him. We need to have bigger plays. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Two neck injuries that sidelined key Seahawks might spell the ends of their careers.

That’s the sentiment Seahawks coach Pete Carroll conveyed during his Tuesday appearance on KIRO-AM when speaking about defensive end Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor. Both of the players suffered neck injuries in 2017 that ended their seasons. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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With the front office situation suddenly in flux in Houston, Bill O’Brien spoke to reporters on Tuesday and offered a little insight.

The Texans coach answered questions about his future, discussions with owner Bob McNair and the general manager situation after Rick Smith’s leave of absence. Most of the responses involved talking about, well, talking. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Matthew Stafford will soon welcome his third head coach during his career in Detroit. He’s hoping a new offensive system doesn’t come with him.

The quarterback was one of two Lions to give their endorsement for retaining offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, even after head coach Jim Caldwell was fired on Monday. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Michael Bennett isn’t ready to walk away from the game. Whether his next snap comes with the Seahawks or another team isn’t as certain.

The 32-year-old defensive end expressed his desire to continue playing after Seattle’s Week 17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but spoke as if there was a better chance of him doing so elsewhere in 2018. Continue reading →