Latest news with #MoeMoton
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers' RB Has 'X-Factor' Impact on NFC West Race
49ers' RB Has 'X-Factor' Impact on NFC West Race originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Superstar running back Christian McCaffrey dealt with a lower leg issue at the beginning of the 2024 season, and just when he was healthy enough to play four games in the middle of the schedule, he was sidelined again with a knee injury. Advertisement McCaffrey's encore to his 2023 Offensive Player of the Year win was anything but memorable, but of course, that was out of his control. He has made it clear that he is fully committed to returning to top form in 2025 now that he is back healthy after a longer offseason. McCaffrey's return is a much-needed boost for the 49ers' offense, which will be without top receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton also believes that McCaffrey will have an impact on not just the 49ers, but the entire makeup of the NFC West this season. The 49ers' team success has been directly tied to the play of their ball carrier McCaffrey. San Francisco was 10-1 after trading for him in 2022. The next season, McCaffrey won the rushing title and powered the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance. Advertisement Last year was his first major injury scare since joining the Niners, and the team's 6-11 record shows just how much of an impact his absence made. That's why there are two factors in McCaffrey becoming the biggest "x-factor" of the 2025 season in this division: his availability and his workload. As long as "CMC" is in the backfield, the San Francisco offense will run smoothly, as Moton references the ground game as a "staple" part of Kyle Shanahan's scheme. Bumps and bruises may come, but hopefully, a long offseason after missing the playoffs benefits McCaffrey's body to get him fully healed and prepared for a 17-game season. Advertisement Once he's on the field, how will he be used? McCaffrey's remarks about his health this spring offer some confidence that he can withstand a full workload, but as one of the most versatile backs in the league, that won't be easy coming off two slow-recovering injuries. Aiyuk being out could predict a slight uptick in carries, but quarterback Brock Purdy still has numerous weapons to keep the passing game afloat, including McCaffrey himself. We'd expect Shanahan to ease his star running back into the offense, so judging how his body responds to the load each week will determine his usage going forward. Advertisement In an ideal world, that usage rate will hit its peak at least by the midway point of the season and be expected to maintain to the finish. As we've seen in the past, the 49ers' success is dependent on a healthy McCaffrey performing at his best. San Francisco was at the bottom of the division last season, but they are not content with staying there long. If things are clicking with McCaffrey and the offense, it means bad news for the rest of the NFC West. Related: 49ers' Christian McCaffrey-Led Run Game Benefits From Best 'Building Block' Lineman Related: 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk Speaks Out On Trade Rumor Involving Raiders This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Houston Texans Cornerback Revealed as Team's ‘Most Promising Building Block'
Houston Texans Cornerback Revealed as Team's 'Most Promising Building Block' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The future of the Houston Texans may not run through quarterback C.J. Stroud, but rather one of their young defensive stars. Advertisement In a recent Bleacher Report article, NFL writer Moe Moton suggested that the team's 'most promising building block entering 2025' was second year cornerback Kamari Lassiter. "In the Houston Texans' cornerback room, All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. is the star, and Kamari Lassiter is the budding building block. They're arguably the league's best boundary duo." Moton wrote. Before being selected 42nd overall by the Texans in the 2024 NFL Draft, Lassiter was a standout at the University of Georgia. He appeared in 44 games for the Bulldogs over three seasons (2021-'23), registering 86 tackles (60 solo), 15 pass breakups and one interception. Advertisement In his first year with the Texans, Lassiter excelled, recording 58 tackles (42 solo), three interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Expectations will be high for the cornerback in his second-year. Houston Texans corner back Kamari Lassiter (4) celebrates an interceptionTroy Taormina-Imagn Images "Lining up opposite Stingley in the secondary, Lassiter could see more targets in the upcoming year, which may result in an increased number of takeaways." Moton suggested. "Though it's too early to consider Lassiter a ball hawk, he's shown the ability to become one in coverage. The 6'0", 180-pound cover man is also consistent, allowing a 64 passer rating and a 43.8 percent completion rate in coverage." "Performing at that level, Lassiter could follow in Stingley's footsteps, earning a market-setting extension after three seasons of quality play." he concluded. Advertisement Lassiter, Stingley Jr. and the rest of the Texans will begin their march towards a third consecutive postseason when training camp officially opens on July 22nd. Related: Texans' Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Ranked Among Best Pass-Rush Duos Entering 2025 Season Related: Texans Legend J.J. Watt Catches Attention with Major Announcement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is 2025 More About 'Motivation Than Pressure' For Chiefs?
Is 2025 More About 'Motivation Than Pressure' For Chiefs? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs have been knocked off their perch as the NFL's top dogs, but make no mistake, they're determined to get it back. Advertisement We have seen a host of questions raised about the offensive line, and Patrick Mahomes' weapons being able to put last year behind them, improve, and get this team back to what it has been over the past couple of seasons. There are skeptics to that, but regardless of how Chiefs fans feel, the target and standards haven't changed thanks to one Super Bowl loss. However, according to Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, when examining the Super Bowl pressure meter, with one being no pressure and 10 being urgent to win now, the Chiefs are rated an eight in 2025. "Teams never get tired of winning championships, and after a title game loss, perennial playoff contenders have an appetite to avenge that defeat," Moton writes. "In 2025, Kansas City likely feels more motivation than pressure, but this is a proud franchise that has been used to winning Lombardi Trophies. The Chiefs want to add another chapter to their dynasty." Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Moton is right, it does feel more like motivation rather than pressure for Kansas City. Advertisement The franchise has won two Super Bowls and played in another in three years, so it is more about proving to them and the outside football world that they still are "the" team to beat. Granted, some think the Chiefs are about to fall off the proverbial cliff in 2025, and that is where the motivation stems from. One bad loss doesn't define this dynasty, and the Chiefs aren't under any more pressure to win a Super Bowl than they were three years ago. So yes, the 2025 season is more about motivation for Kansas City than it is actual Super Bowl pressure. Related: Chiefs Push For Major Move Amid Stadium Relocation Rumors Related: Chiefs Urged To Make Desperate RB Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens Facing Super Bowl-Or-Bust Expectations in 2025
Ravens Facing Super Bowl-Or-Bust Expectations in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. This isn't the first time the Baltimore Ravens have been expected to be competing for a championship entering a new season. Advertisement But approaching the 2025 schedule, the Ravens' Super Bowl aspirations may be stronger than ever after last season's playoff heartbreak. This roster will always be pinned as a contender as long as perennial MVP candidate Lamar Jackson is running the show under center. This offseason, Baltimore did well in holding the foundation around him by retaining crucial pieces in running back Derrick Henry and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. Defensively, the front office made due in the secondary with a savvy pickup of veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander - despite needing a nudge in that direction by Jackson. Is this enough around Lamar? The quarterback is the only player in NFL history to win multiple MVP awards without a Super Bowl. Could this be the year that changes? Bleacher Report believes the pressure is on to the tune of 9 out of 10 on their scale - which was the second-highest rating in the league, just behind the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles. Advertisement "[The] Baltimore Ravens are one of the few teams that should have a Super Bowl-or-bust mentality," Moe Moton writes. "Since Lamar Jackson took over as Baltimore's starting quarterback in 2018, the Ravens have made the playoffs in six out of seven years. Yet, they haven't won an AFC Championship Game with him under center." Baltimore has lost by one possession in the last three playoffs, most recently last season when a dropped Mark Andrews two-point conversion would have tied the game in the waning moments. Jackson, however, isn't excused from all of these shortcomings. B/R notes how the dual-threat quarterback has struggled in the playoffs throwing the ball. Lamar has appeared in eight postseason games, throwing 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions on a below-average 61 percent completion rate. However, Jackson has improved his play mightily over the last few playoff runs. If this roster doesn't have what it takes when the lights are the brightest, Moton questions what else could be done. Advertisement "If the Ravens fall short of a Super Bowl appearance, one has to wonder what the team must do to get over the playoff hump," he wrote. "That said, Harbaugh and his coaching staff have strong job security, and Baltimore has begun negotiations with Jackson's camp on an extension." The Ravens begin their season against another team with dreams of climbing the AFC mountain in the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football Week 1. Baltimore currently has +700 odds of winning the Super Bowl this season - tied for the shortest in the NFL with the Eagles and Bills. Related: Scouting Report Reveals Surprise On When Ravens' Lamar Jackson is Most Deadly Related: Ravens Icon Justin Tucker's Agent Speaks Out On Major NFL Announcement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Running Back Duo Given Top Ranking By Analyst
Bills Running Back Duo Given Top Ranking By Analyst originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills know what they have in James Cook. In that regard ... Whether he shows up or not for offseason workouts is irrelevant, as 1,000-yard running backs are hard to come by. Advertisement Meanwhile ... A lesser-known talent in Buffalo's backfield happens to be 2024 fourth-round pick Ray Davis. The Kentucky product is coming off a season in which he recorded over 450 yards rushing and 189 yards receiving. While those numbers aren't exactly eye-popping, they do show that Buffalo's duo has the potential to be one of the better ones in the NFL. Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton agrees. He ranked the top 10 running back duos in the NFL. Cook and Davis made the list at No. 8 thanks in part to Davis' potential. "James Cook and Ray Davis come in front of the Pittsburgh Steelers tandem because both running backs have NFL production," Moton said. "The former has earned Pro Bowl nods in consecutive years, and the latter racked up the third-most rushing yards (442) among rookie running backs last year." Advertisement Of course, this list goes by the wayside if Cook sits out beyond training camp and into the regular season. He led the league in rushing touchdowns last year and is looking for a contract that pays him over $15 million. Buffalo doesn't want to spent at that level ... so for now, and if the holdout continues, it will only put more pressure on Davis as a prospect. Oh, and it would sort of ruin the idea of Buffalo boasting a top running back duo. Related: 'Big Game Gabe' Davis Gets Visit As Bills Ex Seeks Contract With Saints Related: Bills' Rumored Target Released By Packers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
