The Jets opened the ball by picking up receiver <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/nfl-end-of-season-review-individual-honors/" title="NFL End-of-Season Review: Individual Honors”>Davante Adams last week and the Bills followed by grabbing Amari Cooper. Above all, we should not imagine that the Chiefs would react to this declaration of war by remaining idle.
• Also read: The Lions are the team to beat in the NFL
This is why they attacked in turn by looking for another veteran receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, in the backyard of the Titans, who can do no other than already wave the white flag with their execrable record of 1-5.
The Chiefs only had to give up a fifth-round draft pick, which could become a fourth if they reach the Super Bowl and Hopkins plays 60 percent of their games. That’s not a lot to pay, considering the Titans retain a portion of Hopkins’ salary.
It is therefore a long seduction operation which finally has the hoped-for outcome for the Chiefs, who had tried to bring Hopkins on board in 2022.
Welcome reinforcement
Some will say that the Chiefs were 6-0 and that they didn’t need to go for a 32-year-old veteran, but that would be a poor understanding of their roster and, above all, their aspirations.
Before the season, their big acquisition on the free agent market, Marquise Brown, fell in action and ultimately did not play a single game. Last year’s point guard, young Rashee Rice, was injured in his turn. . And rookie Xavier Worthy, despite big flashes of extremely explosive potential, is integrating a complex offensive system at his own pace.
The Chiefs went to get JuJu Smith-Schuster, but he in turn injured his knee.
A team trying to win a third straight Super Bowl can’t rely on receivers as unproductive as Skyy Moore or Mecole Hardman.
It was unusual that the leader among Chiefs receivers was still Rashee Rice with 288 yards, even though he only played three full games.
The Chiefs’ aerial attack stalls at 12e rank in the league this season. For many teams, it would be heaven. For an Andy Reid-led team with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, this was unacceptable.
What value?
Getty Images via AFP
Many will say that Hopkins did not start the season strong with only 15 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown. Recall that Will Levis and Mason Rudolph were throwing him the ball. The Titans versus the Chiefs are the third world and Dubai.
Last season, Hopkins rushed for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns despite the very ordinary play of his quarterbacks. He’ll be Mahomes’ go-to guy in heavy traffic for contested catches, while Worthy and Hardman will be in the right seats as speed merchants.
And the Thursday match…
As for the Thursday night game between Vikings and Rams, I foresee a surprise. The Vikings are favorites, but must travel to the West Coast after a grueling and emotional duel against the Lions. They will only have had three days of rest.
The Rams are re-signing wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who is transforming this offense. Even Puka Nacua could return to the game. There are times when you have to take risks and Thursday night was one of them.
MY PREDICTION FOR THURSDAY NIGHT: Vikings 20 Rams 23
IN THE WORLD OF THE NFL…
News from Bergeron
Matthew Bergeron is doing well, at first glance, after a neck injury suffered last Sunday. – Photo Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons
For the first time in his young career, Falcons Quebec guard Matthew Bergeron was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. He was placed in the concussion protocol, but passed all the tests and instead suffered a neck injury. The next day, head coach Raheem Morris felt it was not a major injury. According to Pro Football Focus, Bergeron was the third highest-rated player in the loss, with a rating of 81.9.
Trade rumors
Could Matthew Stafford end up with a team other than the Rams? – Getty Images via AFP
The NFL trade deadline is scheduled for November 5 and already, several rumors are going around. The Rams would be ready to part with their veteran receiver Cooper Kupp and several teams would be interested. The Rams would even accept part of his salary this year. Other rumors even send quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Vikings. The 49ers would be interested in Kendrick Bourne, from the Patriots, to make up for the loss of Brandon Aiyuk.
Massacre among the receivers
Chris Godwin had a good start to the season with the Buccaneers before injuring his ankle. – Getty Images via AFP
In addition to Brandon Aiyuk who saw his season end with the 49ers and Deebo Samuel who was hospitalized with pneumonia, the Buccaneers experienced the same heartbreak with Chris Godwin on Monday night. His season obviously ended with a broken ankle. They also lost receiver Mike Evans for at least three weeks. And now the Lions will be deprived of Jameson Williams for another reason, he who is suspended two games for violating the anti-doping policy.
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