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NFL Energy Rankings Week 13: Cowboys, Steelers transferring up, plus best-case situations

Daily SF News — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 10:07:26 +0000

The homestretch of the NFL season is upon us, and the Power Rankings are in an optimistic mood. That means that this week we’ll look at the best-case scenario for all 32 teams the remainder of the season.

For some, it’s a Super Bowl ring, for some, it’s a postseason appearance and for some, it’s a new head coach under the Christmas tree.

(Last week: 1)

Sunday: Beat Buffalo Bills 37-34 in overtime

Best case: Super Bowl ring

Three coaches in NFL history have started 10-1 in back-to-back seasons, according to Elias Sports. They are Don Shula, Tony Dungy and … Nick Sirianni. The Eagles, who played without offensive tackle Lane Johnson (groin), have beaten the Cowboys, Chiefs and Bills in consecutive games, and their next three are against the 49ers, Cowboys and Seahawks. Jalen Hurts, who had five touchdowns Sunday, is second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (11) and has 18 passing touchdowns. This team can erase the bad taste of last year’s Super Bowl loss.

Up next: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

GO DEEPER

NFL Week 12 takeaways: Are Bills’ playoff hopes over after OT loss to Eagles?

(Last week: 4)

Sunday: Beat Los Angeles Chargers 20-10

Best case: Super Bowl ring

The Ravens are the most balanced team in the AFC. They are second in scoring defense (15.6) and defensive success rate (62.9 percent). Offensively, they lead the league in rushing (158.6 per game) and are seventh in yards overall (366.1 ypg). Linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen each have more than 100 tackles, and Jadeveon Clowney has 7 1/2 sacks. Baltimore hasn’t advanced past the divisional round since its 2012 Super Bowl win. That looks like it’ll change.

Up next: Bye

3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)

(Last week: 2)

Sunday: Beat Las Vegas Raiders 31-17

Best case: Super Bowl ring

It would be the second in a row for the Chiefs. Any worries about the state of Kansas City’s wide receiving corps should be offset by the fact that this team won its last Super Bowl with the same group plus JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has 24 catches this season for 159 yards for the Patriots. Rashee Rice was a bright spot Sunday, catching eight passes for 107 yards. With Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, the best case is a ring. On Sunday, Reid became the first coach in NFL history to become the winningest coach for two franchises.

Up next: at Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

4. San Francisco 49ers (8-3)

(Last week: 5)

Thursday: Beat Seattle Seahawks 31-13

Best case: Super Bowl ring

Since acquiring defensive end Chase Young at the trade deadline, the 49ers are second in the league with 15 sacks. They have at least four sacks in each game since then, and they got Geno Smith six times on Thanksgiving Day. Plus, they still have Brock Purdy and that offense. San Francisco has played one other contender this season. It beat the Cowboys 42-10 in that game. This team could finally get Kyle Shanahan his championship.

Up next: at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

5. Dallas Cowboys (8-3)

(Last week: 7)

Thursday: Beat Washington Commanders 45-10

Best case: Super Bowl ring

Dallas hasn’t been able to do better than regular-season rings for a while now, so there’s some understandable skepticism about this team, but the Cowboys are a very real threat. They lead the NFL in scoring margin (162). They are second in offensive EPA, third in defensive EPA and 10th in special teams EPA. Dak Prescott received PFF’s highest game grade (97) of any quarterback since 2007 for his Thursday performance. He has topped 300 yards passing and a 115 passer rating four times in the last five games.

Up next: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins’ explosive offense gives coach Mike McDaniel’s team a chance against everyone. (Mike Stobe / Getty Images)

(Last week: 6)

Friday: Beat New York Jets 34-13

Best case: Super Bowl

The Dolphins are second in the league in scoring (30.82 ppg) despite having 19 turnovers (the sixth most in the league). If Miami’s offense plays cleanly, this team can beat anyone. However, a defense that ranks 22nd in points allowed (22.82 per game) and lost Jaelan Phillips to an Achilles injury Friday combined with the fact that the Dolphins didn’t top 20 points against the Bills, Eagles or Chiefs makes it hard to think this group can beat three really good teams in a row.

Up next: at Washington Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 3)

Thursday: Lost to Green Bay Packers 29-22

Best case: Super Bowl ring

Even Jared Goff’s most ardent fans get nervous this time of year, and Goff wasn’t great Thursday against the Packers. Still, in an off game, he produced 332 yards, two touchdowns and a 103.6 passer rating. The Lions play the Saints, Bears, Broncos and Vikings (twice) down the stretch. If Detroit can get home-field advantage, it can make a run with this offense, which ranks second in the league in yardage (405.5).

Up next: at New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

GO DEEPER

Explaining the inexplicable Denver Broncos and other NFL mysteries: Sando’s Pick Six

(Last week: 9)

Sunday: Beat Houston Texans 24-21

Best case: Two playoff games

Jacksonville’s stars are getting hot at the right time. Linebacker Josh Allen had 2 1/2 sacks Sunday and now is second in franchise history with 38 for his career. On the offensive side, Calvin Ridley has 192 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the last two weeks. Jacksonville has won seven of its last eight with the only loss coming to San Francisco.

Up next: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

9. Buffalo Bills (6-6)

(Last week: 12)

Sunday: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles 37-34 in overtime

Best case: Super Bowl

We’re having a hard time giving up on the Bills even though they lost for the third time in four games Sunday. The reason? That very game. Buffalo gained 505 yards and went toe-to-toe with the defending NFC champions in Philadelphia. The Bills are fifth in scoring (27.33 per game) and fourth in scoring margin (101). It’s not going to be easy to claw back into the picture with the Chiefs, Cowboys and Dolphins still on the schedule, but if they do …

Up next: Bye

(Last week: 10)

Sunday: Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars 24-21

Best case: Two playoff games

This team will be dangerous in the playoffs, if it makes it, because of C.J. Stroud. The rookie topped 300 yards passing for the fourth consecutive game (an NFL rookie record) and sixth time this season Sunday and also led Houston in rushing with 47 yards. The Texans are one spot outside the playoff picture but still play the Titans twice and the Jets once down the stretch.

Up next: vs. Denver Broncos, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 15)

Sunday: Beat Cincinnati Bengals 16-10

Best case: Two playoff games

Firing Matt Canada seems to have served its purpose. After failing to top 400 yards in 44 games with Canada as the offensive coordinator, the Steelers gained 421 the week after firing him. Pairing an actual offense with a defense that ranks fifth in points allowed (18.6 ppg) is a winning formula, but it’s hard to imagine Kenny Pickett (31st in EPA per attempt, minus-.05) making much of a playoff run.

Up next: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

GO DEEPER

Who could Panthers target as next head coach? Jim Harbaugh, Belichick and more candidates

12. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)

(Last week: 11)

Thursday: Lost to San Francisco 49ers 31-13

Best case: Playoffs

There was a time not long ago when the Seahawks looked like a threat to San Francisco in the NFC West. That thought died Thursday when Seattle had three first downs compared with San Francisco’s 16 in the first half. It was the Seahawks’ third loss in the last four games, but they are holding onto the sixth seed in the NFC right now. Still, a defense that ranks 22nd in points allowed (22.6) puts a ceiling on this team.

Up next: at Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

13. Denver Broncos (6-5)

(Last week: 16)

Sunday: Beat Cleveland Browns 29-12

Best case: Playoffs

Denver won its fifth straight Sunday, giving it the longest active winning streak in the league. In that stretch, the Broncos are third in the league in scoring defense (16.8 ppg allowed). Prior to the winning streak, Denver was giving up 33.3 points per game, which ranked last in the league. Russell Wilson threw for only 134 yards Sunday, but he’s fifth in the league in passer rating (103.4). The Broncos only play two more teams with a winning record — the Lions and Texans. They are a very real playoff contender, but it’s hard to forecast much more considering all the energy it will take to get there.

Up next: at Houston Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 8)

Sunday: Lost to Denver Broncos 29-12

Best case: Playoffs

The Browns would be the No. 6 seed in the AFC if the playoffs started today. Now, they just have to see if they can hold on to that spot. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson was knocked out of Sunday’s game with a head injury and was replaced by P.J. Walker, who completed 6 of 13 passes for 56 yards. That puts more pressure on a defense that ranks first in the league in success rate (67.6 percent) and sack percentage (10.6) and seventh in points allowed (19 per game).

Up next: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

With running back Jonathan Taylor hitting his stride, the Colts could be dangerous down the stretch. (Lauren Leigh Bacho / Getty Images)

(Last week: 20)

Sunday: Beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-20

Best case: Playoffs

The Colts are the seventh seed at the moment and play only two more teams with a winning record — the Steelers and Texans. And this is with Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Jonathan Taylor had his second 90-plus-yard rushing game of the season (91 on 15 carries), and Indianapolis is 11th in the league in scoring (23.3). Shane Steichen has entered the Coach of the Year conversation.

Up next: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

16. Green Bay Packers (5-6)

(Last week: 23)

Thursday: Beat Detroit Lions 29-22

Best case: Playoffs

After upsetting the Lions on Thanksgiving, the Packers are only one spot out of the playoff picture. The reason is the improvement of Jordan Love, who is fourth in the league in EPA per attempt (.32) and passing yards (1,193) in November. He threw three touchdowns versus no interceptions on Thanksgiving against the Lions. After throwing eight interceptions in the first seven games, he has only two in the last four games.

Up next: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

(Last week: 24)

Sunday: Beat New Orleans Saints 24-15

Best case: Playoffs

The Falcons are in first place in the NFC South despite winning for the first time since Oct. 22 on Sunday. The run game produced a season-high 228 yards against New Orleans. Combining more of that with a defense that ranks sixth in the league in success percentage (61 percent) might be enough to keep the Falcons in front in this division. The best part of the weekend for Atlanta was the team’s celebration of 50 years of hip-hop music at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ludacris even came out of the ceiling.

Up next: at New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

18. Minnesota Vikings (6-6)

(Last week: 14)

Monday: Lost to Chicago Bears 12-10

Best case: Playoffs

Despite Josh Dobbs throwing four interceptions and despite losing to the Chicago Bears, the Vikings are still in the playoffs as the No. 7 seed for the moment. The problem is they still have to play the Lions twice. The Dobbs story was fun for a while, but the Vikings should have started working on a new deal for Kirk Cousins at some point in the second half Monday night.

Up next: Bye

(Last week: 25)

Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 37-14

Best case: Playoffs

The Rams are in the ninth spot in the NFC after their second consecutive win. Kyren Williams had 143 yards on 16 carries and led the team with six catches (for 61 yards) in his first game since Week 6. Williams has topped 100 rushing yards in three of the last four games he has played, and Los Angeles looks like a different team with him in the lineup. “That was a big deal getting him back,” coach Sean McVay said.

Up next: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

GO DEEPER

QB future of all 32 NFL teams: Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and other intriguing scenarios

(Last week: 13)

Sunday: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers 16-10

Best case: Marvin Harrison Jr.

They’ve probably already won too many games to get into the top three of the draft, but we are talking about the best-case scenario after all. The Joe Burrow-less Bengals have the second-toughest remaining schedule in the league. They aren’t going to the playoffs, so why not solve their Tee Higgins problem in the best possible way? Lose out. Root for the Patriots, Bears, Commanders and Giants to stumble into a few wins, let Higgins walk and put Harrison, the Ohio State star, with Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.

Up next: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

21. New Orleans Saints (5-6)

(Last week: 17)

Sunday: Lost to Atlanta Falcons 24-15

Best case: Playoffs

Three of the four teams in the NFC South remain in the playoff hunt simply because the division stinks. The Saints had 444 yards of offense but failed to get into the end zone against Atlanta on Sunday. The performance dropped them to 24th in the league in scoring (18.17 ppg). That’s even with Chris Olave having seven catches for 114 yards before leaving with a concussion in the third quarter.

Up next: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 22)

Sunday: Lost to Indianapolis Colts 27-20

Best case: Playoffs

The Buccaneers have lost six of their last seven. We should be able to count them out of the playoff race, but they’re only one game back in the win column for first place in the NFC South. Mike Evans is second in the NFL with nine receiving touchdowns after two more Sunday, but Tampa Bay is 23rd in the league in scoring (19.27 ppg). The rest of the Buccaneers have only 13 touchdowns combined.

Up next: vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 4:05 p.m.

(Last week: 19)

Sunday: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs 31-17

Best case: Jim Harbaugh

The Antonio Pierce interim coach bump appears to be over. Las Vegas went up 14-0 on Kansas City on Sunday but was outscored 31-3 in the final 37 minutes and has now dropped two in a row. They trail the Broncos in the division and have four teams between them and sniffing a playoff spot. Harbaugh is the type of big name the Raiders love to hire. He’s 49-22-1 all-time in the NFL. And there are reasons to believe his time at Michigan is short.

Up next: Bye

24. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)

(Last week: 18)

Sunday: Lost to Baltimore Ravens 20-10

Best case: Ben Johnson

The Chargers were flagged for having 12 men on the field on their first defensive snap Sunday night, which may be their only hope defensively. Los Angeles is last in the league in defense (390.6 ypg allowed), and Justin Herbert’s talents are being wasted. Herbert is fifth in the league in EPA per attempt (.19) and ninth in passing yards (2,826). Herbert needs an offensive-minded head coach, and the Lions’ offensive coordinator looks like the perfect match. The problem is the Panthers might outspend the Chargers for Johnson.

Up next: at New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

GO DEEPER

QB future of all 32 NFL teams: Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and other intriguing scenarios

25. New York Giants (4-8)

(Last week: 29)

Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 10-7

Best case: Stop winning

Tommy DeVito has more passing touchdowns (seven) than Zach Wilson and Kenny Pickett (six each) this season. DeVito, the undrafted free agent who is living with his parents, has started the last three games, and New York has won two of them. The problem is that has cost them valuable draft positioning. They now sit sixth in the order. The good news is they still have to play the Eagles twice.

Up next: Bye

(Last week: 21)

Thursday: Lost to Dallas Cowboys 45-10

Best case: Dan Quinn

Washington fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer on Friday. Head coach Ron Rivera is almost certainly next. Quinn, the former Falcons head coach and current Cowboys defensive coordinator, would bring the kind of energy and confidence-building style this organization desperately needs. Quinn might even be able to keep pass-happy offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on board.

Up next: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

27. Chicago Bears (4-8)

(Last week: 27)

Monday: Beat Minnesota Vikings 12-10

Best case: Brian Johnson

Jalen Hurts is a powerful, athletic, strong-armed quarterback. Justin Fields is a powerful, athletic, strong-armed quarterback (who is faster than Hurts). In Brian Johnson’s three seasons with the Eagles — two as quarterbacks coach and this one as offensive coordinator — Hurts has gone from a question mark at the position to an MVP candidate. It’s folly to assume Fields could follow the same path, but at least Johnson knows what the path looks like. Or, they could just draft Caleb Williams.

Up next: Bye

28. Tennessee Titans (4-7)

(Last week: 28)

Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 17-10

Best case: Losing out

Right now, Tennessee would have the No. 9 pick in the 2024 draft, but it can do better than that. Its five remaining opponents all have winning records, and it’s not inconceivable that Sunday’s win could be the Titans’ last. That would leave them picking in the top five, where they could nab one of the top tackles available — Olu Fashanu of Penn State or Amarius Mims of Georgia.

Up next: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

29. New York Jets (4-7)

(Last week: 26)

Friday: Lost to Miami Dolphins 34-13

Best case: A media blackout

No one needs to see the rest of this season, for their sake or for the Jets’. Having Robert Saleh do a television interview moments after New York gave up a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown on a Hail Mary attempt to end the first half against Miami felt cruel. Of course, the Jets bring a lot of this on themselves by doing things like starting Tim Boyle over Trevor Siemian (or a long list of other quarterbacks who could have been acquired during the season).

Up next: vs. Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Last week: 30)

Sunday: Lost to Los Angeles Rams 37-14

Best case: A beneficial Kyler Murray trade

The Cardinals got a Murray bump in his first game back from a torn ACL, but they have returned to form now. Murray had an 83.2 passer rating, rushed for only 2 yards and was sacked four times Sunday. The Cardinals are in position to draft either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, and Murray is dynamic enough that he can bring them a good return on the trade market.

Up next: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

31. New England Patriots (2-9)

(Last week: 31)

Sunday: Lost to New York Giants 10-7

Best case: An amicable parting

The Patriots are 4-14 in their last 18 games. Their best quarterback options are Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Both played Sunday, and neither topped 100 passing yards. Bill Belichick spoke for four minutes in his postgame news conference before he walked out. Owner Robert Kraft has been quiet about Belichick’s job status, but it’s hard to imagine him coaching in New England next year.

Up next: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

32. Carolina Panthers (1-10)

(Last week: 32)

Sunday: Lost to Tennessee Titans 17-10

Best case: Ben Johnson

In what may be the weirdest stat in the league right now, Carolina has seen its point total stay level or decrease in each of the last six games — 24, 21, 15, 13, 13, 10. That’s the kind of thing that gets a head coach fired, and it did Monday as the Panthers dismissed Frank Reich. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young could use a dose of Johnson’s offense. Carolina won’t be the most attractive job this offseason, but Panthers owner David Tepper can afford to pay to lure Johnson, and now he has a head start on the competition.

Up next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

(Top photo of DaRon Bland, left, and Dak Prescott: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)

“The Football 100,” the definitive ranking of the NFL’s best 100 players of all time, is on sale now. Order it here.

The post NFL Energy Rankings Week 13: Cowboys, Steelers transferring up, plus best-case situations appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Dallas Cowboys vs. 49ers: The newest information from the San Francisco facet

Daily SF News — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 05:19:51 +0000

We take one last glimpse at the enemy this week, the San Francisco 49ers.

By

TCDeckard
on October 6, 2023 8:30 pm

Ward and Greenlaw Return to Practice; McCaffrey Talks Gearing up for Cowboys – Lindsey Pallares, 49ers.com

After a veteran rest day, RB Christian McCaffrey looks ahead to his toughest test yet.

“My body feels great,” McCaffrey said. “Even when you take the off day, all the trainers and strength and conditioning coaches do a good job of moving you and keeping you in shape. At the same time, getting a little day off once in a while feels great on your body.”

Having the NFL’s leading rusher feeling fresh midway through the week bodes well for the 49ers who will face one of the league’s most formidable run defenses. Factoring out the Cowboys Week 3 loss to the Cardinals, Dallas has given up an average of 75 yards per game on the ground. McCaffrey has only had one game in which he hasn’t hit 100 rushing yards on his own. It’s one of the matchups to watch come Sunday.

“Any time you’re playing a team like this, you have to come ready to go and just be about executing,” McCaffrey said.

Last season in the NFC Divisional Round game, the 49ers do-it-all back logged 10 carries for 35 yards and touchdown to help San Francisco secure the 19-12 win. McCaffrey says his game planning for the Week 5 game entails some looking back to that January matchup, but it’s just one piece of the preparation.

“You’ll look at last year’s tape, a little bit of it, look at the games they’ve had this year and take notes off of everything,” McCaffrey said. “Really, each week is a new week. I try to treat it that way.”

Cowboys-49ers rivalry is undergoing a renaissance – Nick Wagoner & Todd Archer, ESPN

This storied, yet balanced rivalry (series tied at 19-19-1), is rooted in postseason contests.

Theirs is a rivalry borne not out of geography or divisional alignment but of repeated meetings in the postseason crucible.

It started in the 1970s, when the Cowboys won consecutive NFC Championship Games over the 49ers in the 1970 and 1971 seasons and bested San Francisco in a divisional playoff game in 1972. In the 1980s, the 49ers won four Super Bowls, beating the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 10, 1982, on the strength of “The Catch” by Dwight Clark, arguably the most memorable moment of the rivalry.

Dallas came storming back in the 1990s, knocking off the Niners in the NFC Championship Game after the 1992 and 1993 seasons on its way to two Super Bowl titles. San Francisco finally got past Dallas the next season in the NFC Championship Game on its way to its fifth (and most recent) Lombardi Trophy. The Cowboys would bounce back to win their fifth (and most recent) championship the following year.

And then … nothing.

The teams did not meet again in the postseason until a wild-card game on Jan. 16, 2022, a span of 9,863 days. The teams met again last season in the NFC divisional round. The 49ers won both games by a combined 13 points, reviving the rivalry and setting the stage for Sunday night.

With 49ers at 4-0, George Kittle is just fine with limited production in pass game – Myles Simmons, ProFootballTalk.com

George Kittle is all team.

George Kittle has long been one of the league’s most effective tight ends, playing in 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system.

But last week was the first time in a regular-season game that Kittle’s received just one target.

Kittle caught the pass for a 9-yard gain. But even though he was on the field for 96 percent of San Francisco’s offensive snaps, quarterback Brock Purdy threw to Kittle just that once.

With the 49ers at 4-0, Kittle’s limited passing-game production is alright with him.

“Niners are winning the football games,” Kittle said Thursday, via David Bonilla of 49erswezbone.com. “I’m playing well in the run game, and as long as I’m playing to my standard, I can only control what I can control. If Kyle’s calling plays — we have six guys who, when they touch the ball, you don’t know what’s going to happen. They can score touchdowns, they can break tackles.”

“Sure, I love getting the football,” Kittle said. “I love running in space. It’s fun. If those aren’t the play calls being called, it is what it is, and I’m just going to do everything I can to either get those guys open or block my ass off. And I’ve been doing that pretty well so far.

Friday’s injury report for Dallas @ San Francisco.

Cowboys:

Questionable – LB Damone Clark (shoulder); Out – TE Peyton Hendershot (ankle)

49ers:

The post Dallas Cowboys vs. 49ers: The newest information from the San Francisco facet appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Trey Lance finds ‘breath of recent air’ shifting on with Cowboys

Daily SF News — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 20:05:27 +0000

Todd ArcherESPN Staff WriterAug 29, 2023, 07:16 PM ET3 Minute Read

FRISCO, Texas — Trey Lance is still getting accustomed to his new surroundings, but he is glad to be with the Dallas Cowboys after a trade from the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.

“I really tried to not expect anything one way or another, but I can say that when I heard ‘Cowboys,’ I had a big smile on my face,” Lance said. “I was very excited to be here.”

When the Niners selected him with the third overall pick in 2021, giving up three first-round picks to the Miami Dolphins to move up from the No. 12 spot, Lance expected to have a long career in San Francisco. He played just eight games, the fewest a top-five pick has played for the franchise he made his debut with in the common draft era (since 1967 and excluding the 2023 draft class), according to ESPN Stats & Information. In two seasons, Lance completed 56 of 102 passes for 797 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions.

“It’s not how I expected it to go. It’s not how I think a lot of people expected it to go,” Lance said. “But I believe that everything happens for a reason. I think I’m here for a reason. Regardless of what it is, just want to try to find a way to help the team.”

After being informed the Niners were making Sam Darnold the backup to starter Brock Purdy, Lance was allowed time to gather his thoughts as the 49ers worked on a potential trade, eventually picking up a 2024 fourth-round pick from the Cowboys.

“I’m kind of really trying to move on, but yeah, it definitely took some time,” Lance said. “That conversation obviously wasn’t something I wanted to hear, but that’s the reality of the situation. Nothing but respect and gratitude for everyone there — coaching staff, locker room, athletic training staff, everyone I spent a ton of time with these last few years. Obviously, it was tough, but for me it was trying to figure out what was next and what’s going to happen in the future.”

Lance’s immediate future is learning a new offense, which he acknowledged is much different from the scheme used by Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. He will not be asked to do too much too soon behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush as he learns the Cowboys’ offense under Mike McCarthy, who worked with Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Brett Favre and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers before joining the Cowboys.

“It was a little bit surreal for me hearing I was going to come here knowing everything about this historic organization,” Lance said. “Just compared to the 49ers, obviously you think of that as another one of the top-tier, historic organizations, but for me, just very excited to be here. Coach McCarthy and the entire coaching staff, man, nothing but knowledge being in all these meetings. It’s been awesome for me. It’s been fun. Kind of a breath of fresh air to learn a new offense and being around the guys the last two days. I feel like I’ve learned so much just ball.”

Lance connected with Prescott for the first time on Tuesday, although they have met before. When Lance suffered a severe ankle injury last year, Prescott, who suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle in 2020, reached out to him.

He said he is looking forward to learning “everything” from Prescott.

“The type of person he is, first and foremost. I think everyone knows that, with the Walter Payton Man of the Year and things like that, how he treats people, how I’ve seen him treat people just in the building these few days,” Lance said. “The few conversations I had with him, just texting him when I had my ankle injury, things like that. Just the type of person he is. And obviously the football stuff kind of speaks for itself. I’m still trying to learn Day 1 install, so for me, obviously got a long way to go there. But definitely looking forward to being a sponge, just soaking up everything I can from him.”

Lance won an FCS national championship for North Dakota State at Toyota Stadium in Frisco just a few miles from The Star. He also trained this offseason in Fort Worth with his personal coach, Jeff Christensen.

“Hopefully I don’t bring any snow but, yeah, great memories in Frisco,” Lance said. “Hopefully continue to make more.”

The post Trey Lance finds ‘breath of recent air’ shifting on with Cowboys appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Former Dallas Cowboys exec Gil Brandt dies – 102.3 KRMG

Daily SF News — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 18:48:45 +0000

Former Dallas Cowboys executive Gil Brandt has died.

He was 91.

>> Read more trending news

The team announced Brandt’s death Thursday morning.

Brandt was the team’s vice president of player personnel from 1960 to 1988. He was fired by Jerry Jones when Jones bought the team in 1989, ESPN reported.

Before joining America’s Team, Brandt had graduated from the University of Wisconsin. He became a part-time scout for the Los Angeles Rams, before going over to the San Francisco 49ers full-time in 1958.

He was the first chief talent scout for the Cowboys when they were created in 1960.

Brandt adopted the use of computers in scouting and evaluations and helped draft such iconic players as Roger Staubach and Herschel Walker. He also signed Drew Pearson, Cliff Harris and Everson Walls, the team said.

Brandt along with coach Tom Landry and general manager Tex Schramm, lead the team to 20 consecutive winning seasons and five Super Bowl appearances, winning the big game twice, ESPN reported.

Jones said in a news release announcing Brandt’s death:

“We are so deeply saddened by the passing of Gil Brandt – a true icon and pioneer of our sport. Gil was at the very core of the early success of the Dallas Cowboys and continued to serve as a great ambassador for the organization for decades beyond that. His contributions cemented his spot in the Ring of Honor. He was my friend and a mentor not only to me, but to countless executives, coaches, players and broadcasters across the National Football League, which rightfully earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame where his legacy will be celebrated forever.

“He was an innovator and set the standard for excellence in player acquisition. From the creation of the NFL Combine to revolutionizing the NFL Draft, Gil finished his over six-decade NFL career with an eye towards the future of the league and teaching fans about the sport he loved as a radio broadcaster. Gil was as good a storyteller as it gets, with a memory as sharp as a tack. His dedication to, and passion for, this game left a lasting impact on generations of Hall of Fame players and coaches. There are very few people that have been able to have the kind of generational impact that he did. Gil was as dedicated to growing this league and sport as anyone ever was, and we are all grateful and better for it.

“Our hearts go out to Gil’s wife, Sara, his son Hunter and all of Gil’s family and friends.”

Brandt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2019 and was installed as part of the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2018, ESPN reported.

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Trey Lance finds ‘breath of contemporary air’ transferring on with Cowboys

Daily SF News — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 02:43:59 +0000

TODD ARCHER via ESPN

via

August 29, 2023, 7:19 PM ET

5 min read

FRISCO, Texas — Trey Lance is still getting accustomed to his new surroundings, but he is glad to be with the Dallas Cowboys after a trade from the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.

“I really tried to not expect anything one way or another, but I can say that when I heard ‘Cowboys,’ I had a big smile on my face,” Lance said. “I was very excited to be here.”

He said he is looking forward to learning “everything” from Prescott.

“Hopefully I don’t bring any snow but, yeah, great memories in Frisco,” Lance said. “Hopefully continue to make more.”

The post Trey Lance finds ‘breath of contemporary air’ transferring on with Cowboys appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

San Francisco 49ers Commerce Trey Lance To The Dallas Cowboys

Daily SF News — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 03:18:35 +0000

the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers have finally bit the bullet, sending former No. 3 pick Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the news, indicating that a fourth-round pick is heading back to San Francisco in the trade.

This moves comes mere days after Sam Darnold passed over Lance as San Francisco’s primary backup quarterback behind Brock Purdy. It also comes after Lance, 23, threw just 102 regular season passes in two seasons since being selected with the third pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

For general manager John Lynch and the 49ers, this has to be seen as a bittersweet move. They exhausted two future first-round picks and change to move up from the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, ultimately selecting the North Dakota State product in the process.

Lance got two starts in as a rookie back in 2021, throwing five touchdowns against two interceptions. He was named the 49ers’ starting quarterback heading into his sophomore season. Unfortunately, Lance suffered a season-ending injury early in San Francisco’s Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks. He entered training camp battling with the aforementioned Darnold to be Purdy’s top backup. Relegated to third-team duties, it made sense for the 49ers to trade Lance.

“If we can find a landing spot for Trey that is a really good one for him and works for our organization, that’s not something that we’d turn a blind eye to,” Lynch said after Darnold was named QB2.

Apparently, the 49ers found that happy medium with Dallas.

San Francisco 49ers Admit Trey Lance Mistake

Moving off Lance for a mere fourth-round pick doesn’t enable San Francisco to save face. Given what it yielded to acquire him in the first place, it will go down as one of the worst trades in modern franchise history.

With that said, this is a decision the 49ers had to make. Lance deserved a fresh start. Rostering him as an emergency quarterback behind Purdy and Darnold made no sense in the first place.

MORE FROM FORBESSan Francisco 49ers Add Multiple Veterans, Including Wide Receiver Anthony MillerBy Vincent Frank

In the end, San Francisco ended up paying Lance $27.85 million to throw 102 passes in two seasons with the team. Lynch and Co. swallowed their pride to find the best possible landing spot for the still-young quarterback.

By virtue of this move, Brandon Allen is now slated to make the 49ers’ 53-man roster. A sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Arkansas back in 2016, Allen has started nine games throughout his career. During that span, he’s thrown 10 touchdowns against six interceptions.

Dallas Cowboys Buy Low On Trey Lance

Lance. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)Getty Images

As noted above, Dallas yielded a mere fourth-round pick for Lance in the trade with San Francisco. Owner Jerry Jones and Co. acquire his services while paying the youngster a mere $6.25 million over the next two seasons.

By virtue of this trade, Lance will likely start in Dallas as its No. 3 quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.

With that said, it was a buy-low proposition for the Cowboys. Worst-case scenario is that Lance doesn’t pan out and Dallas finds itself out a mere fourth-round selection. The best-case scenario is that he develops into a starter-caliber quarterback under offensive-minded head coach Mike McCarthy.

No one has questioned Lance’s athletic ability and arm talent. Instead, it was all about him being extremely raw coming out of a small school. He’ll now have a chance to learn behind a true professional in Prescott moving forward. Fans in Dallas couldn’t have asked for more.

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Managing editor at Sportsnaut, an affiliate of the Publisher Desk. Heard on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio.

Formerly of Yahoo! Sports, Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus and Fox Sports.

The Bay to Vegas!!!

Have the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers Climbed Into Elite Territory?

Daily SF News — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 04:31:29 +0000

It’s June, and the summer is the land of hopes and dreams for fans of all 32 NFL teams. But the NFL Power Rankings are where dreams go to perish. While there is a path to the playoffs for most NFL teams, whether because of their own merit or the lack thereof in their division, a few teams have no realistic chance at the postseason.

Post-Minicamp NFL Power Rankings: Tier 5 | It Would Take a Miniature Miracle

32) Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals aren’t necessarily “tanking,” their roster is simply so uninspiring that they don’t even need to try. However, this is partially by design.

Arizona turned over the front office from top to bottom. They have an inexperienced coaching staff and a completely underwhelming roster, which includes a very expensive Kyler Murray coming off a torn ACL.

Monti Ossenfort still figured out a way to win, even through losing. For the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cardinals have amassed more draft capital than any team in recent memory. Depending on what direction the team wants to go next year, they could either receive a king’s ransom for the top pick or reset the clock entirely by drafting the top QB on the board with their own pick.

The Cardinals also hold the Houston Texans’ first-round pick, so they could end up with two selections inside the top five.

31) Los Angeles Rams

Nobody approaches the 2023 NFL season with more first-year players than the Rams, who absolutely annihilated their roster during the offseason. Bobby Wagner and Jalen Ramsey are gone. The offensive line is still entirely underwhelming, and it appears L.A. is relying solely on the idea that Aaron Donald may be able to play like an elevated form of being on the interior, because they have nobody aside from him to rush the passer.

Tier 4 | There’s a Path But It’s Dimly Lit

30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Placing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 30 is disappointing, but it’s hard not to be at this point. Although Tom Brady wasn’t quite himself a season ago behind a shell of the offensive line they’d fielded the two seasons prior, he was still going to be a better option than what they’re offering today.

Baker Mayfield has flashed some decently high-level play in the NFL, but it was before the shoulder injury that ruined him mechanically for the better part of two whole seasons. The problem is, the rest of the roster is still impressive. So if Mayfield can somehow wind the clock back to 2020, the Buccaneers could have a chance — but unlikely –at the division.

29) Las Vegas Raiders

Josh Jacobs might not play in 2023 amid a contract dispute. The team expects Jimmy Garoppolo to be ready by training camp, but will the veteran QB with a history of not maintaining his ability to stay on the field do so behind the Raiders’ OL?

28) Houston Texans

The Texans were scrappy a season ago despite having one of the most underwhelming NFL rosters. Now, they have a new head coach that should be able to get this young and talented defense humming and a rookie QB with all the talent in the world to bring Houston back to a state of league-wide relevancy.

But it will likely take time.

27) Tennessee Titans

The OL remains a point of contention for the Tennessee Titans. Peter Skoronski should certainly help in some capacity, even as a rookie, but there are several unknowns strewn along the rest of the Titans’ offensive line.

Additionally, Tennessee has had horrible luck keeping key contributors on the defensive side of the ball healthy over the past few seasons. And aside from Treylon Burks, there isn’t much juice on the offensive side of the ball.

26) Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are fascinating. They weren’t awful in 2022, but they weren’t necessarily competitive either. But that didn’t stop them from loading up defensively with aging veterans like Calais Campbell and David Onyemata. Bud Dupree and Kaden Elliss also joined the team defensively, as did Jessie Bates and Jeff Okudah.

It’s actually an interesting roster, and adding Ryan Nielsen as the defensive coordinator is another intriguing piece. However, Atlanta’s season will ultimately come down to how much development we see from Desmond Ridder and how efficiently the Falcons are able to run the ball.

25) Green Bay Packers

Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Robert Tonyan, and Marcedes Lewis are all gone. Oh, and the long-time franchise QB is in New York now. Joe Barry is still the team’s defensive coordinator, and Rashan Gary is returning from a serious knee injury. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson are a young and exciting WR trio, but they’re very young.

24) Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos improved on the offensive line and at head coach, but the season will ultimately come down to the right arm of Russell Wilson. If Sean Payton cannot figure out a way to pull Mr. Unlimited from the abyss, it doesn’t matter how good Denver’s defense performs, as was painfully evident last season.

23) Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts were in a somewhat similar situation to Denver a season ago. They have talent on defense, but QB and OL play let them down. Shane Steichen arrives with Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor in the backfield, and a hopefully improved Bernhard Raimann at left tackle.

The Colts’ rushing attack could be entirely devastating, and that will help keep them in many games against better opponents.

22) Chicago Bears

Can Justin Fields improve in the quick game? That is the question for the 2023 Chicago Bears. If he can do that and remain healthy, this Bears team could be surprisingly competitive.

Chicago’s defensive line remains anonymous, but they improved drastically at linebacker and are throwing darts at the secondary. Among the newcomers, though, DJ Moore is the main attraction.

Post-Minicamp NFL Power Rankings: Tier 3 | The Bones Are Good

21) Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are going the wrong way with their roster, but every move they’ve made has been by design. They’ve traded or released most of their veteran pieces and could move on from Danielle Hunter before the season starts as well.

The Vikings could still end up winning the NFC North, but they’ll need Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr. to take massive developmental leaps, and one of Mekhi Blackmon or Akayleb Evans must contribute. It will be fascinating to see how Brian Flores’ aggressive defense plays in Minnesota.

20) Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers put together an all-star staff and used the top pick in the NFL Draft to select their franchise QB. Ejiro Evero should have the back end of the Panthers’ defense moving as one, and it will be incredible to see how Jaycee Horn fares in the same defense as his draft-mate Patrick Surtain II did.

19) Washington Commanders

There are few teams in the NFL more confounding than the Commanders. Jacoby Brissett played the best football of his career in Cleveland a season ago. If he played that way again for Washington, he’d give them a chance to compete for a Wild Card spot in the NFC.

The problem is the Commanders’ defense has always been talented, but they’ve also been incredibly inconsistent over the past few seasons. If they play like they did in 2022, they’ll be a tough out this season.

18) Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are allergic to underachieving. Their offensive line has overachieved in the past few seasons, so while Broderick Jones was a developmental piece on the left side, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see him succeed as a rookie.

Kenny Pickett will need to continue taking baby steps forward as a passer and playmaker for Pittsburgh in order to keep pace in a treacherous AFC.

17) New England Patriots

The Patriots are in a somewhat similar situation to the Steelers, except their defense was one of the best in the league a season ago. New England’s offense should be multiple levels better by hiring Bill O’Brien to call the offense.

16) Cleveland Browns

Cleveland’s ceiling is much higher than 16th best, but they need Deshaun Watson to look like the one we saw for years on the field in Houston. The Browns’ most significant issue last year was a soft defensive interior and a secondary that was not on the same page. Adding Jim Schwartz to call the defense and Dalvin Tomlinson, Za’Darius Smith, and Siaki Ika to the defensive line should help improve Cleveland’s run defense.

15) Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers should see an uptick in offensive efficiency with the addition of Kellen Moore and the return of Rashawn Slater. The problem is, we’re talking about the Chargers, who always seem to find a way to cock things up after getting us excited about their ability. Keeping Joey Bosa on the field is paramount because L.A. doesn’t have a lot of depth behind them.

Tier 2 | The Potential Playoff Field

14) New Orleans Saints

The Saints aren’t likely the 14th-best team on paper, but they have the best chance of sneaking into the playoffs in a completely underwhelming NFC South. Garrett Wilson steals the shine of the second-year OSU wide receivers, but Chris Olave is the exact type of WR who could go berserk with Derek Carr playing QB.

Joe Woods may be scary to see as the team’s defensive coordinator, but this should still be Dennis Allen’s defense, and he’ll remain the defensive play-caller. And while splitting responsibilities can be tough for a head coach, it’s better for the Saints to have Allen calling plays.

13) New York Giants

The New York Giants won’t sneak up on anybody in 2023. After a surprising run to the playoffs with very little offensive firepower, the Giants have added Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, Darren Waller, and John Michael Schmitz to the offense.

Last season, Daniel Jones’ legs were an incredible weapon a season ago, and they could save the Giants’ rushing attack even without Saquon Barkley, should he decide to sit out the season.

Can New York’s secondary survive behind what should be a dangerous pass rush? Wink Martindale’s defense puts DBs on an island quite often. There will likely be growing pains with Deonte Banks, but the rest of the secondary must remain healthy if they want their defense to elevate their caliber of play in 2023.

12) Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are exciting. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett are immediately one of the top three trios in the NFL. It’s the Seahawks, so of course, they also drafted a running back high. And this is all coming off a spectacular campaign for Geno Smith, who didn’t show any signs that 2022 was a fluke for him.

It’s unfortunate to see Al Woods go elsewhere, but Bryan Mone is a very good nose tackle. Adding Bobby Wagner, Dre’Mont Jones, Jarran Reed, Julian Love, and Devon Witherspoon makes this defense very fun.

11) Detroit Lions

It feels like everyone wants the Lions to run away and hide with the NFC North. But this is a franchise that has never won the NFC North and hasn’t won their division since 1993. Since 2000, Detroit’s been to the playoffs just three times.

But that all changes in 2023 if Jared Goff remains the QB we saw a season ago behind an offensive line that thrived and a play-caller that helped keep the offense efficient.

Defensively, the Lions should be much improved. Adding Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the mix in free agency should greatly improve the back end. Brian Branch gives Detroit yet another option in the nickel or on the back end.

10) Jacksonville Jaguars

Last year, we saw flashes from Trevor Lawrence suggesting he could round into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Adding Calvin Ridley on the outside should only improve his performance.

Year 3 is massive for young QBs, and one of the best prospects we’ve seen at the position in a long time could round into one of the best in the league with this roster around him.

9) Baltimore Ravens

Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor, and Zay Flowers are an incredible improvement over what we’ve seen from the Baltimore Ravens in recent seasons on the outside. Getting a long-term deal done with Lamar Jackson also takes a ton of heat off the team, knowing they’re secure at QB.

The Ravens have more than enough firepower in the secondary to thrive in Mike Macdonald’s defense, and the idea of Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo coming off the edge is terrifying for opposing blockers and quarterbacks.

8) Miami Dolphins

If Tua Tagovailoa remains healthy in 2023, there are few teams in the NFL with a higher ceiling than the Miami Dolphins. Miami’s offensive efficiency a season ago was unbelievable, and their ability to attack the intermediate middle of the field was insane.

Adding Jalen Ramsey and Vic Fangio to the defense gives the Dolphins a fierce starting secondary, and unlike last year, they also have depth. Not only will they be much better schematically on defense, but they’ve also added talent to that side of the ball.

7) New York Jets

The New York Jets have done this before. They’ve traded for a late-30s Green Bay Packers QB legend, and it didn’t go well. But the Jets are in a different spot now, with a young defense that is incredibly talented. They also have offensive weapons and a solid offensive line.

Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the MVP-caliber QB a season ago that he was the two prior seasons. Nevertheless, his arm is still absolutely ridiculous, and as long as he trusts these receivers more than he did the very inexperienced unit in Green Bay, Rodgers should be efficient in 2023.

6) Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys may be a better team on paper than the San Francisco 49ers. They may even be one of the few elite rosters in the NFL. But it’s impossible to place them in the top tier because the 49ers have knocked them out of the playoffs in consecutive seasons, and San Francisco can’t be in the top tier because there are questions about the health of their QBs.

Adding Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore were as good as they were necessary for Dallas to take the next step. Can the offense actually improve with Mike McCarthy and Brian Schottenheimer?

5) San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have lost a couple of key pieces, particularly on defense. However, they lost Robert Saleh a few years back, and DeMeco Ryans ended up being a rockstar defensive play-caller. Steve Wilks now takes over San Francisco’s defense, and although things may change a little, the continuity they have defensively have made them consistent over the past few seasons.

The 49ers’ season, like all of their seasons, will come down to whether or not they can keep a QB healthy. Will Brock Purdy’s elbow recover? Can Trey Lance improve enough to push for the starting spot?

They’re a talented roster, but San Fran has too many questions to answer to be elevated into the top spot.

Post-Minicamp NFL Power Rankings: Tier 1 | Elite Teams

4) Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills have won double-digit games in four straight seasons and have won the division the previous three. Sure, there’s a little bit of hoopla surrounding Stefon Diggs, but that will all be worked out when he gets 150 targets this season.

And all Buffalo’s defense did was improve their depth chart, after being one of the best five defenses over the past two seasons. The Bills should be one of the best teams in the NFL once again in 2023.

3) Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals, despite their flaws on the offensive line, are one of the few elites in the NFL. Zac Taylor and Co. figured out how to make the run game work last season, moving much farther toward shotgun-only sets to maintain some semblance of disguise, and it worked wonders.

Lou Anarumo is one of the best play-callers in the league, and the Bengals have done a fantastic job of mitigating future losses by drafting a year ahead.

2) Philadelphia Eagles

The Georgia Eagles, or the Philadelphia Bulldogs if you prefer that, are arguably the most complete roster in the NFL. The only problem is they don’t have Patrick Mahomes or Andy Reid.

1) Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes. Reid. Super Bowl champions.

The post Have the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers Climbed Into Elite Territory? appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Cowboys high wishlist for Fox, Deuce Vaughn makes good on promise, Dak for MVP in ’23?

Daily SF News — Sat, 13 May 2023 16:23:05 +0000

Friday was a day to digest the NFL schedule and analyze the weekly fixtures and calendar dates from every possible angle. Cowboys fans had plenty to munch on with the numerous prime-time appearances and big duels that will make up the 2023 season. We have the full coverage of Cowboys Wire, from key takeaways to point spreads to TV ratings predictions. We also look back at the schedule release videos – that of the Cowboys and their opponents – to see how the other clubs announced their participation in America’s Team (and sometimes started their trash-talk a little earlier).

Meanwhile, the front office had a busy day of paperwork with all eight draft picks. We have news on the training program that has helped the Cowboys find three of this year’s most athletic youngsters, Luke Schoonmaker goes straight to the top for advice on how to be a tight end in Dallas, and Deuce Vaughn sits down that draft day by his father’s offer. All that plus an undrafted free agent to get to know now and why the first month of the season will be crucial in keeping headquarters in Big D a little less hot. Next up are news and notes…

Subscribe to the Austin American-Statesman for the best in Austin local news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage.

Final Score Prediction for every Cowboys Game in 2023 :: Cowboys Wire

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Bookmark now; The Cowboys end the season 14-3. Along the way there will be a surprisingly clean victory over the NFC East, five Fortyburger games, an overtime thriller and the exorcism of at least one longtime green jersey demon.

The 10 Best Insights From The Cowboys 2023 Schedule, Plus Preseason Matches :: Cowboys Wire

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The good news: No triple road trips and there are plenty of lower level attacks for Dan Quinn’s group to take on. The bad news: There are very few enemy defenses that can move around with ease, and a lot of late nights for those tracking and covering the team. In the preseason, the Cowboys host Jacksonville, travel to Seattle, and welcome the Raiders to town.

Cowboys open -2.5 at Giants in Week 1, 12-game favorite in 2023 :: Cowboys Wire

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It’s early days, but Dallas starts as an underdog in just five competitions: San Francisco, Chargers, Philadelphia, Buffalo and Miami. The widest spread is +4 for the week 15 game against the Bills in mid-December in upstate New York.

Must-See TV: The 5 Biggest Games on the Cowboys Schedule of 2023 :: Cowboys Wire

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America’s team always turns heads. But this year, the encounters with the 49ers, Eagles, Bills, Seahawks and (check again) the Lions could be the biggest games of the season.

Cowboys 2023 schedule: FOX desperately wanted the Cowboys’ game in Buffalo for massive ratings :: Blogging the Boys

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The network had the Cowboys’ visit to Buffalo — a scenario guaranteed to only happen once every eight years — higher on its wish list than the Cowboys-Eagles. It’s one of eight Dallas games in 2023 to air on Fox.

The Bengals have campaigned with the NFL to host a Black Friday game every year :: ESPN

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NFL manager Mike North said the Bengals have volunteered to not only host the league’s first Black Friday football game, but also serve as a permanent venue for the game, much like Detroit and Dallas have traditionally Home teams are on Thanksgiving. Amazon, which airs the game on the busiest shopping day of the year, suggested to the league that launching the game in the country’s largest retail market would be a “fun way” to showcase the concept.

WATCH: Cowboys Auditions for “Yellowstone” Scheduled for 2023 Release Video :: Cowboys Wire

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For this year’s production, the team received Hollywood help from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan. And they let cowboys past and present, from the Triplets to Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, try out their acting and even singing skills.

Chew toys, rap, and that anime bus: How Cowboys opponents revealed the Dallas 2023 matches :: Cowboys Wire

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Some teams kept their videos simple (look at cards). Some chose sweet (Philadelphia). Some tried to capitalize on the latest trends like TikTok and AI. And some went straight for the jugular, impaling every opponent as hard as they could; The Chargers remain the trolling kings with their Easter egg-filled anime video that holds no fire.

NFL Betting 2023: Exploring Which Coach Could Be Fired First :: The 33rd Team

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The first four games of the season will set the tone for any coach… and could be the beginning of the end for someone. The Cowboys appear to have a 3-1 start within reach (and maybe even 4-0). But if they come out with just .500 in week 4, you should be on your guard. The next two games will be tough; Going into a bye with a 2-4 mark could cause panic and result in Mike McCarthy being substituted on the week off.

Deuce actually went to work with his father :: The Mothership

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This line from Cowboys scout Chris Vaughn to his newly drafted son wasn’t just for dramatic effect. The two actually drove to The Star together on Thursday to begin minicamp activities. “We had our conversations like we always do,” Deuce said. “I’m just talking about what exactly it takes to make it at this level.”

Dallas Cowboys second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker wants to speak to Jason Witten :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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The rookie tight end grew up with Rob Gronkowski but wants to learn what he can from the greatest cowboy to ever play the position. “I’ve been looking at Witten lately,” Schoonmaker said. “As a player he is of course spectacular. He will be a Hall of Famer. He as a person, as a teammate. He’s such a leader.” He’s already reached out to Big Witt for advice.

How pre-draft practice gives a glimpse into the physical and mental state of the Cowboys’ rookie trio :: Dallas Morning News

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44 NFL contenders trained at the EXOS facility in Phoenix this year. That group included seven players drafted in the first round…and three of the Cowboys’ eight picks. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown scored best in lower body explosiveness while nose tackle Smith took second place. On the sixth lap, Eric Scott Jr. finished fourth overall.

All Cowboys draft picks officially signed; Contract Details :: Cowboys Wire

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The team signed all eight draft picks Thursday, just ahead of this weekend’s rookie minicamp. Mazi Smith, who was selected in the first round, leads the way with a four-year contract worth $13.27 million that is fully guaranteed. The last pick that year, Jalen Brooks, signed a contract worth $3.92 million.

Sources: Agent Allegedly Offered Gifts to Encourage Players to Draft :: ESPN

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Agent David Canter is under investigation for allegedly offering the teams bribes — such as the use of vacation properties — in exchange for brokering his clients. Canter’s veteran clients include DeMarcus Lawrence, the defensive end of the Cowboys. Attempting to incentivize a team to recruit a player is not specifically prohibited by the NFLPA; Canter’s attorney says the agent did not commit any wrongdoing.

The NFL’s Best UDFA Matches 2023: An Undrafted Contender to Watch on Any Roster :: The Athletic

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The Cowboys always find highlights in the UDFA league, but Kansas offensive player Earl Bostick could be the one to watch this year. A characterful ex-tight end with 34 1/8-inch arms, he’s athletic enough to stand a chance.

NFL QB Index: Who tops a way-early list of MVP candidates in the middle? Check out my top 10! :: NFL.com

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2023 could not only be a rebound year for the Cowboys starting quarterback, but his best year ever. Marc Sessler picks Prescott as one of his top ten candidates for MVP. Brandin Cooks and the team’s new tight end could improve Prescott’s numbers. But “durability concerns – he’s missed 17 games in the last three seasons – and problematic plays are part of the mix.”

Dak and Emmitt open Academy of Country Music Awards at The Star :: Bri Amaranthus (Twitter)

The story originally appeared on Cowboys Wire

The post Cowboys high wishlist for Fox, Deuce Vaughn makes good on promise, Dak for MVP in ’23? appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

If the Cowboys make a change at kicker, they need to pursue San Francisco’s Robbie Gould

Daily SF News — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 10:38:07 +0000

Getting into the playoffs of the 2022 NFL season, it seemed like the Dallas Cowboys had finally found their kicker in Brett Maher. He had an incredibly efficient regular season, making 29 of his 32 field goal attempts. He went 9/9 for 20-29 yards, 5/5 for 30-39 yards, 6/7 for 40-49 yards, and 9/11 for 50+ yards. Heading into the postseason, Maher’s kicking was pretty low on the Cowboys’ list of concerns for their team.

Then the wild card round happened, in which Maher missed an NFL-record four PATs. It seemed unfathomable after being so consistent all year, but it happened. To make matters worse, he had his first PAT attempt blocked the following week against the San Francisco 49ers.

Even if it hadn’t been blocked, it seemed like it wouldn’t be on target. Whether Maher suddenly hit rock bottom after his great regular season or whether his confidence was shaken in the playoffs, the front office took notice.

On February 1, Jerry Jones said Maher’s team would move on and start over at the kicker position.

That feels like a potentially wrong move for the Dallas Cowboys. A poor playoff stretch shouldn’t make up for the incredible season Maher has had with the team. It’s important to remember that Maher has not only been consistent with his accuracy throughout the season, he also has an incredibly strong leg. He has netted four 60-yard field goals over the course of his career, while no other kicker in league history has netted more than two.

If the Cowboys front office has truly decided to move in a different direction at the position, they should be looking at a familiar foe. San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould is currently a free agent and the most attractive option out there.

Gould is an experienced kicker, currently aged 40; In his playoff career, however, he was nothing short of perfect. During his 16 career playoff games, he has 29/29 in field goals and 39/39 in extra points. In particular, he was incredibly efficient against the Dallas Cowboys in the postseason.

In their wild card matchup in the 2021 playoffs, Gould went 3/3 on field goal attempts and 2/2 on extra point attempts. In their divisional matchup in the 2022 playoffs, Gould went 4/4 on field goal attempts and also made his only extra point attempt.

Gould might not be the answer of the future for the Cowboys, but considering the Dallas front office approached this offseason with a goal of “Win Now,” it makes sense that Gould be signed for the upcoming season.

The post If the Cowboys make a change at kicker, they need to pursue San Francisco’s Robbie Gould appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy says he needs Micah Parsons’ place ‘transferring round’

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 09:58:05 +0000

The Dallas Cowboys made the most with first-round pick Micah Parsons in 2021, as the rookie out of Penn State put together a monstrous season en route to taking home NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Honors. Parsons proved himself as a versatile playmaker en route to terrorizing opposing offenses, and versatility is something Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy wants to maintain with Parsons “moving around” despite questions over a potential full-time move to defensive end.

“The people that say, ‘Hey, why don’t you play him at defensive end?’ (are) very fair. That’s a very fair question,” McCarthy said, via the team’s website. “But we’ve made it clear: We want him moving around. It would be very easy to just line him up at end and play him there every down, but the fact of the matter is he had, what, 13 sacks. Seven came from the linebacker position, six from the defensive end position.”

Parsons played a pivotal role in 2021 in turning around what had been a disastrous defense for the Cowboys one year prior and getting Dallas back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018 before suffering a first-round exit at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers . Parsons, during his rookie season, established a new Dallas rookie record with 13 sacks, totaling 84 tackles and 42 quarterback pressures with three forced fumbles.

Parsons’ disruptive presence produced 20 tackles for loss, which ranked third across the league. He was named a Pro Bowl selection for his efforts. Parsons was one one of four rookies who were selected and was the only first-year player picked as an Associated Press first-team All-Pro, collecting more votes than any positional peer. He also was named the winner of the Butkus Award as the league’s top linebacker.

A 2019 All-American and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, Parsons twice led Penn State in tackles before opting out of 2020 collegiate competition amid the pandemic. In 26 career Nittany Lions gameshis statistical output included 192 tackles — 19 for loss — and 6.5 sacks.

Parsons earned Cotton Bowl MVP honors in his final college contest and graduated from Penn State a year later. Despite spending a season away from game action, he was the first linebacker off the 2021 NFL Draft board in April, selected 12th overall.

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A former five-star prospect in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, Parsons came out of Harrisburg (Penn.) High School as the No. 5 overall prospect in the nation for the 2018 cycle, regardless of position.

Lions247.com contributed to this report.

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