DapperCam

MVP is a largely narrative driven award and you can see it happen in real-time during the season following the media. Lamar happened to be near the top of the MVP projections along with Purdy, Dak and Allen going into that 49ers game. The media pushed very hard that it was the game to decide MVP (not sure if just to juice the ratings of a primetime game, or what). We all know that Jackson won (in a fairly pedestrian game by the way…It wasn’t Lamar out there intercepting Purdy). And that was that. Allen and Dak had some okay/good but not great games to end the season and the narrative was finished. There is a heavy bias in your performances at the end of the season vs the beginning of the season. Allen also had a 5 TD perfect passer rating game vs the Dolphins, it just happened months earlier. That doesn’t work for a nice media narrative. Your strongest performances have to be at the end of the season.

I agree with some of the unknowns. For example I was concerned with LBers last year and Bernard was great and Dodson did well also. So maybe by the end of the season Bishop will be starter caliber. But I feel like I’ve seen enough of Hamlin and Rapp to know what they bring. Also having both starting LBers (if it’s Dorian Williams and Bernard) having a combined 1 year of starting experience is concerning.

Pretty concerned about our safeties and linebackers. Hopefully isn’t a big deal, but I’m thinking the offense is going to have to do some serious scoring this year to compensate.

Last night is an example where if you just read the stat line you would think Jackson actually had a pretty good game. The truth is he couldn’t seem to complete a pass further than 5 yards down the field the majority of the game. A large chunk of his passing yards and only TD was on a play that was 90% his TE making an incredible play (even the broadcast said the throw only had a 0.3% chance of a TD based on their models). It was actually a pretty bad game for Jackson IMO. Especially on that last drive I’m not sure he even made one good/accurate pass. He is very lucky he didn’t have another INT. I can’t believe the DB dropped that nice pass right into his hands. On the other hand… - His offensive line was terrible. He did a good job to escape pressure. - The short passing game seems to have been the game plan. - He did well to recognize the defender had his back turned on his big TD play.

Mahomes was so surprised by being on the wrong side of a bad luck play he short circuited and had a meltdown on the sideline after the game.

Even Jackson's two big passes weren't even great throws. Really just excellent plays by the skill players.

Seems that way based on the coverage and how they vote on MVP.

Regardless of fault, it was still talked about a large portion of the week in the sports media because Allen is held to some ridiculous standard. Doubt the Flowers miss even gets mentioned past tomorrow morning.

He made nice throws, but his only TD was on a busted coverage play. I think almost any QB makes that play. To be fair, the Chiefs ran more in the red zone tonight, so he didn't pad his stats.

He was constantly in the backfield forcing Jackson to scramble. Dude is next level.

I remember the Eagles game last year where Gabe Davis cut the wrong way and it made it look like Allen missed him for a game winning TD. It's all anybody talked about for like 3 days.

They will all experience amnesia where we didn't see Jackson attempt a pass more than 5 yards down the field for almost 3 quarters.

That last pass was also super high and fast. Jackson could have made it a touch lower or a touch softer and it's probably a TD. Likely seems like a great TE.

Looks pretty clearly out to me, ouch

Jackson with 3 pretty bad passes in a row. WR bailed him out on the first one.

That really looked like it hurt

This is why Lamar Jackson gets MVPs. This game he looked pretty terrible and he still has a 95 passer rating somehow and a decent amount of rushing yards.

2 minute drill with no timeouts. I'm thinking a pick.

On the replay all 3 guys mistimed their jumps. Mahomes caught it basically back on the ground already.

McDermott is a good enough coach to make the playoffs (see the Tyrod Taylor Bills), so no they wouldn't be the Buffalo Sabres of the NFL.

The first guy pushed Mahomes in bounds, and the other guy grazes his legs while he's still airborne.

That was not a late hit at all

With my conspiracy hat on, they put their thumb on the scale this drive because they want to make the end of the game as close as possible. Give the Ravens another drive.

Same here, but I wouldn't read into it like it was indicative of a big rookie season.

On a gadget rushing play and blown coverage that my grandmother could walk in if she managed to catch it.