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It's been a raging debate amongst the NFL taking heads in recent years, but the postseason victories almost always steer the argument in favor of Kansas City Chiefs' superstar Patrick Mahomes.
As was the case again this past January, Mahomes and the Chiefs squeaked out a three-point win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game. Despite another remarkable effort from quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills fell to 0-4 in their last four head-to-head postseason meetings with Kansas City.
Likely going off the fact that Allen is and the four-time finalist finally captured his first NFL MVP award, analytics expert Sam Monson has determined that Allen has surpassed Mahomes in performance over the past two seasons. On his Check the Mic Podcast, the ex-Pro Football Focus analyst named the Bills' field general as the No. 1 quarterback in the NFL.
"I believe the best quarterback right now is Josh Allen. I think he's become the guy," said Monson. "For years, it was Patrick Mahomes. Obviously, [Tom] Brady, that generation, once they went, Mahomes took over. The start of Mahomes's career was absolutely mind blowing. The last couple of years though, he's not been that guy, and really, it's been Josh Allen."
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While the Bills have been consistently tripped up in the playoffs, they have four consecutive regular season wins over the Chiefs, and their star quarterback has performed at an elite level each time. Not to mention, over four postseason battles against Kansas City, Allen has been responsible for 11 total touchdowns and one turnover.
"Allen's combination of freak show 'wow' plays, like everything he can do with his arm, the cheat code that is his short yardage ability, his athleticism. The fact that he basically does not take sacks, one of the lowest pressure-to-sack rates you're going to find anywhere. Utterly absurd analytics numbers behind him as well. I think Allen's the guy right now," said Monson.
The 29-year-old Allen is the only player in NFL history to account for at least 40 total touchdowns five years in a row, a streak that he carries into 2025.
Significantly cutting down on turnovers in 2024, Allen's 5.13 touchdowns per turnover average led all NFL quarterbacks. The Bills also paced the circuit in sack percentage as only 2.69 percent of pass attempts ended in a sack.
More must-reads:
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- The '2024-25 NFL TD catch leaders' quiz
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Cowboys make decision on Micah Parsons' trade request
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer has been trying to instill civility at practice when tempers flare, but he has no choice but to stay idle as the Dallas Cowboys front office and Micah Parsons face off at training camp. On Friday, Parsons took to social media to announce he sent executive vice president Stephen Jones a request to be traded from the Cowboys. "Unfortunately I no longer want to be here," Parsons wrote, per a post on X. "I no longer want to be held to close door negotiations without my agent present. "I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization our fans and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me." Dallas didn't appear fazed by Parsons' request. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Cowboys have no plans to trade Parsons this summer, though multiple teams will plan to inquire about the three-time All-Pro pass-rusher. "The Dallas Cowboys have no intention of trading Micah Parsons, per sources," Russini posted on X. "Still, teams around the league are planning to reach out to check on his availability today." The Cowboys selected Parsons with the No. 12 pick in the 2021 draft. The four-time Pro Bowl nominee has recorded 256 tackles and 52.5 sacks during his four years in the league. The former Penn State standout has appeared and started in 63 games. Parsons missed four games last year due to an ankle injury. The Cowboys front office could have made the situation better by talking with Parsons' agent and keeping any issues with the star pass-rusher in-house. The Cowboys have another preseason distraction. This one is of their own making.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Shares Impressive Take On Troy Fautanu Versus TJ Watt
The Pittsburgh Steelers felt very good when they were able to select offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Fautanu quickly impressed during his rookie offseason, showing the kind of talent and maturity that led Head Coach Mike Tomlin to name him a starter before the regular season began. Unfortunately, his rookie year was derailed by a season-ending injury, and he never got the chance to showcase his ability on the field. Now in his second season with the team, there is a lot of excitement building around Fautanu’s return. At the same time, there is also pressure. With 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers expected to lead the offense, protecting the pocket becomes even more important. The Steelers are counting on Fautanu to stay healthy and play at a high level, especially as he takes on a critical role in protecting Rodgers from opposing pass rushers. On Wednesday, Tomlin was asked about Fautanu’s progress in training camp, and his response made it clear that he likes what he’s seen. Tomlin said he has been impressed with Fautanu’s growth and toughness, especially in his one-on-one matchups with star linebacker TJ Watt. Competing against Watt in practice is one of the toughest tests a young offensive lineman can face, and Fautanu has handled it well according to Tomlin. "I thought he [Troy Fautanu] represented himself well today [against TJ Watt]," Tomlin said. "As you mentioned, he really gets an opportunity to improve and improve fast because of who he gets to work against every day." The Steelers currently have one of the highest-paid defenses in the NFL, and they recently committed $41 million per year to Watt. The team has invested heavily in building a dominant pass rush, and while that has paid off on the defensive side of the ball, it has also created a valuable environment for the team’s young offensive linemen to grow. Going up against elite defenders like Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cam Heyward in practice has given the young group consistent, high-level reps. That kind of experience has helped them improve, and it’s exactly the kind of internal competition that the Steelers believe will lead to long-term success. Concerns are already starting to emerge about Broderick Jones and what he may or may not be able to contribute in the 2025 season. That uncertainty adds even more pressure to the second-year tackle, Fautanu, who will be counted on to solidify the right side of the line. Steelers' Have Full Faith In Troy Fautanu Even if Jones ends up playing well on the left, the right side will still need to be outstanding for the offense to operate efficiently. If Jones struggles again this season, Fautanu’s responsibilities will only increase, and the expectation will be for him to play nearly flawless football. Tomlin has remained confident in Fautanu’s development and has praised the way he has handled himself in practice, especially in matchups against Pittsburgh’s elite pass rushers. The Steelers do not typically move young, inexperienced players into the starting lineup as quickly as they did with Fautanu. That decision says a lot about how highly regarded he is by the Steelers’ leadership. Tomlin, General Manager Omar Khan, and Team President Art Rooney II clearly believe Fautanu has the tools and mentality to become a long-term fixture on the offensive line. While he still has to prove it during the regular season, everything he has shown so far points to a player who is capable of meeting the challenge.
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Lakers reportedly monitoring two-time All-Star's availability
The Los Angeles Lakers finished last season with a dud after propelling to the third seed of the Western Conference, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. The one thing that the Wolves exposed was the Lakers' lack of an inside presence. The center spot was weak once they traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic midway through the season, but they found a way to manage despite putrid numbers coming from the center position. The Lakers were bottom five in both rebounds and points per game for centers during the regular season after the All-Star break. However, in the postseason, the numbers got worse. They tried to use their original starting center, Jaxson Hayes, to man the paint, but he only played 7.8 minutes per game while only scoring 1.8 points and grabbing two rebounds per contest. This team knows it needs extreme levels of help for the center spot, which is why it is reportedly looking at a former All-Star center's situation. Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints reported that the Lakers are closely monitoring the situation between Nikola Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have shipped out several key players over the last year, with Vucevic being the lone former All-Star still on the roster. As his trade market winds down, some have speculated that a potential buyout is on the horizon. However, Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson reported on "The Fastbreak" podcast that the Bulls have no intentions of a buyout and would like to move him for assets at the trade deadline. Vucevic would be a massive upgrade alongside Deandre Ayton, whom the Lakers signed earlier in the offseason. Vucevic put up very impressive numbers last season, averaging 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the field in 73 games. His career numbers are just as impressive, and he's a former two-time All-Star as well. The Lakers should continue to monitor Vucevic and assess the Bulls' ultimate plan for him. With Ayton already in the fold, a trade for Vucevic could put them at the top of the Western Conference.
Why the Chargers Are the Perfect Team to Trade for Micah Parsons
Three-time All-Pro Micah Parsons requested a trade from the Dallas Cowboys on Friday afternoon due to a lack of action from the Cowboys’ front office regarding signing Parsons to a long-term extension. Parsons, who placed in the top three for defensive player of the year voting for three consecutive seasons before his injury-riddled 2024, has made it clear that this request isn’t a typical situation where it’s mainly to pressure the team into getting a deal done. His statement, seen below, clearly indicates that he no longer wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys, making the idea of him actually being moved feel like more of a reality. If the Cowboys decide to trade him, the Los Angeles Chargers are an ideal trade partner due to their roster timeline, team needs in 2025, and financial flexibility to sign Parsons after the trade. The Chargers had a resurgent 2024 season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who brought an improved culture and a talented defensive coordinator to Los Angeles. That coordinator, Jesse Minter, helped turn around a Chargers defense that allowed the ninth-most points in the league in 2023, to the fewest allowed in 2024. Minter achieved this with a solid but not exceptional pass rush last season, with Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, and the aging Khalil Mack leading the team in sacks at 8.5, 6, and 6, respectively. If Parsons were dropped into this rotation, their pass rush could be fully weaponized, helping to ease some pressure on their young cornerback group and elevating the defense to truly elite status. The Chargers chose to avoid spending big in free agency this offseason, instead trusting that their recent draft picks will develop over the coming years. This decision leaves the Bolts with the third-most cap space in the league after the 2025 season, giving them the flexibility to make a blockbuster move such as this. Additionally, the Chargers have several key positions secured on either rookie contracts or long-term deals. Their promising tackle duo of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are both signed for at least the next three seasons, with Alt on a rookie deal and Slater having recently agreed to a long-term extension. Justin Herbert, their star quarterback, is under contract through 2029, and their young receiving duo of Ladd McConkey and Tre’ Harris are on rookie deals for multiple years as well. All of this is to say that the Chargers are a young team that will likely remain inexpensive for a few years, which means they can and should consider making a bold move such as trading for Parsons, who could boost an already formidable defense into a world-wrecker. While many still believe Parsons will eventually sign with the Cowboys, don’t be surprised to hear the Chargers have been making calls to Dallas over the coming days and weeks.
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