By Roy J. Akers – www.skyviewsports.net
Week 14 saw great playmakers (Josh Allen, players dogging it (George Pickins) and Patrick Mahomes knowing his team will not make the playoffs. Here is the week 14 they said it.
The writing is on the wall for the Chiefs
“We know the chances are getting lower and lower, but I know the guys on this team are going to give everything they have, every opportunity we get,” Mahomes said.
The Chiefs face the Chargers, Titans, Broncos and Raiders over the final four games of the season, and Mahomes vows Kansas City will be a tough team to beat.
“We’re not winning games, but that mindset the guys have in this locker room, in the games we’re not winning, you can never question the fight of this team,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, we’re not executing at the right moments and we’re not making those plays, but at the end of the day you can never question that, and I think you’ll see that these last four weeks.”
McCarthy said it’s about time
The Vikings took the opening kickoff and easily moved through the Commanders defense before McCarthy threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Oliver. McCarthy would throw two more touchdowns while going 16-of-23 for 163 yards in a 31-0 win.
It’s likely too little and too late to help the team’s playoff chances, but McCarthy said it was a “step in the right direction” during a season that has featured multiple injuries and underwhelming play for the 2024 first-round pick.
“It’s definitely reassuring,” McCarthy said in his postgame press conference. “I always knew I had that and I always knew the potential is there, but I’m looking at it right now and there’s so many ways I could get better. I’m so far from where I want to be, so it’s just great to get the win and grow in this game.”
It’s great having an AR
“We knew what was on the line today and that’s why you go do business with a guy like Aaron,” Tomlin said in his postgame press conference. “For thick days like today. He’s a been-there done-that guy. Beyond the experience component of it, he relishes it. You can just tell. That’s the benefit of having a guy like AR.”
Jason Garrett on the Packers
Garrett on the Packers’ win over the Bears: “When they attack you and you can answer in different ways, like Jordan Love did the entire game, you’re going to have a lot of success. That was the difference.”
Modern Day John Elway
“We’re watching the modern-day John Elway. There’s nothing he can’t do. He’s the greatest one-man show in the NFL.” – Chris Simms on Bills QB Josh Allen’s performance in Buffalo’s win over Cincinnati
December is Baker’s Month
“Don’t bet against this guy. I know it’s ugly right now, but I like him in December.” – Jason Garrett on Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield
Richard Sherman calls out George Pickens of the Cowboys
“The big story here was George Pickens,” Sherman said. “George Pickens throughout the game, especially late in the game, just looked uninterested. Uninterested in playing football. And that’s what you can’t have if you’re gonna be a superstar. If you wanna be the best receiver in the National Football League, you can’t ever be disengaged. Doesn’t matter if the game’s going your way or not going your way. “You can’t just disappear in these games… You’re the guy! CeeDee Lamb is not in this game… And you can’t be the guy and half a– it. I’m sorry. It’s unacceptable.”
Dan Campbell on Jahmyr Gibbs
“He’s unique. He’s special,” Campbell said of his third-year running back. “Everybody knows what he can do in the run game … but the pass game stuff, he just continues to grow.”
Gibbs also added seven receptions for 77 yards and totaled 120 scrimmage yards with those three touchdowns.
Roy J. Akers covers the NFL and the Detroit Lions for www.skyviewsports.net
