Travis Kelce Returns to 99 Club in Madden 23 Player Ratings Update After Week 15
Dec 22, 2022
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Houston Texans during the first half at NRG Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The virtual Travis Kelce is now as unstoppable as the real one.
Madden NFL 23 released its latest batch of ratings updates Thursday, and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end returned to the 99 club:
That Kelce received the one-point boost to his rating comes as no surprise given how well he has played this season. He has 91 catches for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns through 14 games, which was good enough to clinch his eighth straight Pro Bowl berth.
Kelce is coming off a performance of 10 catches for 105 yards in a narrow 30-24 overtime victory over the Houston Texans. It was the fifth time this season he went over the century mark in yardage in a game.
Kansas City turned heads last offseason when it traded star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. It seemed like its grip on the AFC West might be in jeopardy after the move, especially with Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr quarterbacking the division's other teams.
Instead, Patrick Mahomes and Kelce have kept the Chiefs on the shortlist of Super Bowl contenders at 11-3, and the tight end is seeing the benefits on the virtual gridiron with the latest Madden boost.
He is not the only one to see a ratings change for the Chiefs, as Mahomes went up one point to a 98. The quarterback could be on his way to his second career MVP, especially if Jalen Hurts misses significant time with a shoulder injury.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is right behind them at 97 overall following a one-point boost of his own.
Jefferson posted 12 catches for 123 yards and one touchdown in a dramatic 39-36 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts that saw Minnesota overcome a 33-0 halftime deficit. It came after the LSU product posted 11 catches for 223 yards in a loss to the Detroit Lions.
Like the Chiefs, the Vikings are in ideal playoff position at 11-3. They likely won't catch the 13-1 Philadelphia Eagles in the race for the NFC's No. 1 seed, but they will remain a postseason threat as long as Jefferson is on the field.
NFL Playoff Picture 2022: Official AFC, NFC Clinching Scenarios for Week 15 Released
Dec 14, 2022
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 11: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) relays the play call in the third quarter during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 11, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
With four weeks remaining in the 2022 NFL regular season, five teams can clinch a playoff berth by the end of Week 15.
The San Francisco 49ers can become the first team to claim a division title if they defeat the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. The Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings can win their divisions with a victory or with losses by the Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Tennessee Titans) and Detroit Lions (vs. New York Jets).
The Buffalo Bills will clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Miami Dolphins. The Dallas Cowboys will make the playoffs with a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars or with losses by the Seahawks and either the Lions or Washington Commanders.
The Philadelphia Eagles, owners of the league's best record at 12-1, were the first team to clinch a playoff berth. They locked up their spot with Sunday's 48-22 victory over the New York Giants.
Odds are strongly tilted toward the Eagles winning the NFC East, but the Cowboys are making them work for it. Dallas' 10-3 record is tied with the Vikings for the second-best mark in the NFC.
The Eagles have a 26-17 victory over the Cowboys earlier this season. The two NFC East rivals will meet for the second time on Christmas Eve in a game that could swing the balance of power in the division to Dallas if the Cowboys beat the Jaguars and Philadelphia stumbles on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
The Chiefs have the easiest path to clinching a postseason berth this weekend. Their opponent, the Houston Texans, have the NFL's worst record (1-11-1). Houston did play well in a 27-23 loss to the Cowboys in Week 14.
Kansas City is coming off an uninspiring 34-28 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes threw a season-high three interceptions, though he also had 352 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The NFC West race seemed like it was going to be a battle all season. The Seahawks have been a pleasant surprise, while the 49ers have had to navigate losing Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to injuries.
Instead, the 49ers have rattled off six consecutive wins, and Seattle has lost three of its last four games. A Seahawks victory would move them within one game of the Niners atop the division standings.
Despite losing to the Lions on Sunday, the Vikings have built up such a big cushion in the division that they would have to lose out and Detroit would have to win out for the NFC North to become a race.
The Dolphins-Bills game has lost some of its luster because of Miami's recent struggles on offense. Miami already holds a victory over the Bills, and sweeping the regular-season series would put pressure on Buffalo in its quest to win the AFC East for a third consecutive year.
Tyreek Hill Says He Gave Chiefs Chance to Match Dolphins' Contract Offer Before Trade
Dec 13, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Tyreek Hill has offered new insight into the discussions that led to his trade from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins during the offseason.
Appearing on the Club Shay Shay YouTube show with Shannon Sharpe (starts at 3:40 mark), Hill said he approached the Chiefs about what the Dolphins were offering him for a contract extension and they decided to trade him rather than try to match the proposal.
Hill previously said on his own podcast he told Chiefs head coach Andy Reid they didn't need to give him the same deal as Miami was willing to in order to re-sign him.
"I'm like, 'Hey Coach, yo like, I ain't even gotta be the highest-paid, for real. I just want to be put in like a realistic position that's like realistic for me and my family,'" Hill said. "I don't gotta get $30 million. At least get me 25, 26. ... Numbers wasn't even close to that."
Despite expressing some desire to remain in Kansas City, Hill told Sharpe he started to realize around "mid-last season" he might not finish his career with the team and he felt like the Chiefs weren't getting him involved in the offense enough.
"I'm the type of guy, like, I love playing ball and I love being about the team, because football is a team sport, right? And it would be some games where, like, I'd get two targets; I'd get three targets," he explained. "And we'd go into meetings and my coach would be like, 'Hey, 'Reek. We've got to get you involved, we've got to get you involved.'"
Hill was traded to the Dolphins in March and signed a four-year, $120 million extension. The deal made him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL by average annual salary ($30 million) and total guaranteed money ($72.2 million).
The Chiefs already had several veteran players on expensive contracts that limited their cap flexibility. Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Orlando Brown Jr. and Frank Clark all have cap hits of more than $13 million, per Over the Cap.
Hill was still very productive in Kansas City last season. The six-time Pro Bowler led the team in targets (159), receptions (111), receiving yards (1,239) and tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions (nine).
Things have worked out well for both parties since the trade. The Chiefs offense remains one of the most dominant units in the NFL, ranking first in yards per game (423.8) and second in points per game (29.5).
Despite the Dolphins' dip in performance over the past two games, they are still on track to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Hill leads the league with 100 catches and ranks second with 1,460 receiving yards.
Odell Beckham Jr.'s Top Landing Spots After T.Y. Hilton's Cowboys Contract
Dec 12, 2022
NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. watches action during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The ongoing courtship between the Dallas Cowboys and free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. appears to have reached its end, as the Cowboys are reportedly bringing in a veteran pass-catcher.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater reported that Dallas reached an agreement with receiver T.Y. Hilton on Monday. The 33-year-old had played 10 years with the Indianapolis Colts and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
The addition of Hilton gives the Cowboys the extra offensive weapon they need as the playoffs approach. But where does that leave Beckham?
Here are the top remaining landing spots for the 30-year-old now that Dallas is likely no longer in the running.
Buffalo Bills
Beckham undoubtedly wants to join a contender to win another championship as he did with the Los Angeles Rams last season in Super Bowl LVI. He should look no further than the top team in the AFC.
The Buffalo Bills remained in the No. 1 spot after Sunday's gritty win over the New York Jets. At 10-3, Buffalo is one of the favorites to compete for a Super Bowl title this year, but the team could still use another target for star quarterback Josh Allen.
The Bills have one of the best receivers in the league in Stefon Diggs, who leads the team with 94 receptions, 1,239 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, no other player on the team has 40 catches. Allen's over-reliance on Diggs can come back to haunt Buffalo if teams focus their defense on him.
Adding Beckham to the mix would help take some attention off Diggs. For what it's worth, last month Beckham named the Bills as one of four teams he'd be interested in joining after he completed his recovery from a torn ACL.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL, earning their sixth straight victory on Sunday with a blowout over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, star receiver Deebo Samuel went down with an ankle injury during the game, putting his status in question for the next few weeks.
Beckham could be the perfect option to fill in for Samuel if he misses extended time. If both are able to be on the field together, it would add a different dimension to an already dynamic 49ers offense.
San Francisco lost veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for at least the remainder of the regular season because of a broken foot. Rookie signal-caller Brock Purdy proved he can steer the ship in the interim with a three-touchdown performance (two passing, one rushing) against the Bucs.
The 49ers could look to add Beckham as another reliable target for the seventh-round pick as they charge toward the postseason.
Kansas City Chiefs
After losing star wide receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs have had to adjust on offense. However, perennial MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes still has the Chiefs on the cusp of a seventh straight AFC West title.
While Mahomes has been able to make up for Kansas City's deficiencies throughout the regular season, cracks have begun to show. In Sunday's win over the Denver Broncos, he threw three touchdown passes but also had a season-high three interceptions.
The Chiefs had been hoping free-agent additions JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling would be able to make up for the absence of Hill. They've combined to reach the end zone just four times through 13 games. All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce remains the top target in Kansas City's passing attack.
Beckham would provide Mahomes with another option in the explosive Chiefs offense. He could also open things up for Smith-Schuster and Valdes-Scantling. The three-time Pro Bowler would likely have a ton of fun playing in Andy Reid's scheme.
New York Giants
It's never too late to come home. In Beckham's case, a reunion with the team he started his NFL career with would come at a perfect time.
At 7-5-1, the New York Giants are clinging to the seventh seed in the NFC and could surely use a boost as the regular season winds down. New York is 0-3-1 in its last four games and has dealt with injuries to multiple receivers throughout the year.
Darius Slayton leads the Giants with 608 receiving yards, while Richie James leads the team's wide receivers with 38 receptions and three touchdowns. Quarterback Daniel Jones ranks near the bottom of the league with 194.9 passing yards per game. Clearly, New York's air attack could use an injection of energy.
Beckham has appeared to be open to rejoining the Giants, and he had a "good dinner" with head coach Brian Daboll earlier this month. A return to New York would give him the opportunity to be a key contributor to the team's push for the playoffs.
Caleb Williams on Patrick Mahomes: Don't Think There's Anything He Does That I Can't
Dec 10, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 02: USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws a pass during the Pac-12 Conference championship game between the Utah Utes and the USC Trojans at Allegiant Stadium on December 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
No one can accuse USC quarterback Caleb Williams of lacking self-confidence.
The 2022 Heisman finalist believes his skill set compares favorably to Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes.
"I always said even in high school that I don't think there's anything—obviously, he's special, but I don't think there's anything that I can't do that he's doing out there," Williams told Zach Gelb of CBS Sports.
The comparisons between Williams and Mahomes have been ongoing throughout the 2022 season.
It's arguably an unfair comparison to make for Williams. Mahomes, now in his fifth season as a starting quarterback in the NFL, has completely warped what fans and analysts believe is possible at the position.
Throws like this are completely absurd, yet we just assume it's natural because Mahomes does something similar every single week.
Williams' raw ability might suggest he can make some plays that Mahomes does, but no one can predict it to happen before he proves it in the NFL.
Remember when draft analysts were comparing Zach Wilson's skill set to Aaron Rodgers?
For his part at least, Williams seems unfazed by the chatter.
None of the comparisons matter right now anyway because Williams isn't draft-eligible until 2024. He had a phenomenal sophomore season, throwing 4,075 yards and 37 touchdowns for the Trojans.
Williams will likely be rewarded with the Heisman Trophy for his efforts in 2022. He will almost certainly be the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft when next season begins.
NFL Playoff Picture 2022: Official AFC, NFC Clinching Scenarios for Week 14 Released
Dec 6, 2022
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
There are still five weeks left in the NFL regular season, but three teams have a chance to clinch a playoff berth in their next game.
The Minnesota Vikings can clinch the NFC North with a win or tie against the Detroit Lions. The Kansas City Chiefs can wrap up the AFC West with a win and a Los Angeles Chargers loss to the Miami Dolphins.
The Philadelphia Eagles can clinch a playoff berth with a win or with losses by the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks:
No teams have clinched a postseason berth at this point. The Houston Texans and Chicago Bears are the only teams that have been eliminated from contention.
The Eagles have been the best team in the NFL all season, but they still have heat in the division race with the Dallas Cowboys sitting at 9-3. The NFC East rivals will play at AT&T Stadium on Christmas Eve in a game that could decide the No. 1 seed.
Philadelphia has made the postseason four times in the past five years. It hasn't won a playoff game since Jan. 16, 2019.
Even though they don't do it in dominant fashion, the Vikings keep winning games. Their plus-10 point differential through 12 games is the worst in NFL history by a team that started 10-2.
The Vikings' two losses were against the Eagles and Cowboys by a combined 54 points. They have a stiff test on Sunday against a Lions team that has won four of their last five games and has scored at least 25 points in four straight games.
Minnesota hasn't won the NFC North since 2017 when it advanced to the NFC Championship Game.
The Chiefs will play the Denver Broncos on Sunday. This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams. Kansas City has won 13 consecutive games against the Broncos dating back to 2015.
Coming into this season, there were some doubts about the Chiefs' ability to keep playing at the same level they had been at the previous four years with Tyreek Hill traded to the Miami Dolphins.
The rest of the division looked like it got better with players like Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders), Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos), J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack (Los Angeles Chargers) joining the AFC West.
Instead, the Chiefs have looked the same with the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL. Patrick Mahomes is arguably the MVP front-runner with a league-leading 3,808 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.
Kansas City owns the NFL's longest streak with six consecutive division titles. It will take a historic collapse over the final five weeks for that streak to end.
Rams' Aaron Donald Fined $15K for Unnecessary Roughness on Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes
Dec 3, 2022
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 27: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is pressured after a pass by Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
The NFL has fined Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald after he committed an unnecessary roughness penalty on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Sunday in L.A.'s 26-10 loss.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided the details.
#Rams DT Aaron Donald was fined $15,914 for unnecessary roughness for a facemask on #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes that wiped out a sack last week.
The play in question occurred with 9:51 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Chiefs up 20-10. On 3rd-and-goal from the 7-yard line, Donald and Michael Hoecht combined to sack Mahomes, but the former was called for a facemask penalty.
The play didn't cost the Rams. Three snaps later, Mahomes tossed an interception to safety Nick Scott.
L.A. quarterback Bryce Perkins threw his own pick two plays after that, however, and the Chiefs closed the game with two field goals.
Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Announces Birth of Son Patrick 'Bronze' Lavon Mahomes III
Nov 29, 2022
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 27: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has led his team to five straight wins, and he has reason to celebrate off the field as well.
On Monday night, Mahomes announced the birth of his son, Patrick "Bronze" Lavon Mahomes III. It is the second child he shares with his wife, Brittany, following the birth of their daughter in February 2021.
Mahomes has been a man on a mission this season, leading the NFL with 3,585 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns through the first 12 weeks. He has powered the Chiefs to a 9-2 record, the best in the AFC.
Kansas City will return to action Sunday at the Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) in a rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game.
