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Tag: CJ Stroud

  • NFL | 2024/25 Season Punts

    NFL | 2024/25 Season Punts

    As summer winds down, for football fans, September heralds the arrival of the new NFL season, and we’ve got our eye on a trio of NFL punts for the coming term.

    Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs open the new term as defending Super Bowl champions, hosting the Baltimore Ravens in a tasty rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game.

    But looking father afield, can punters pick up any pre-season value?

     

    Texans to reach AFC final

    As the all-conquering Chiefs begin their defence of the crown for the second season on the spin, Andy Reid will be eyeing NFL history come next February.

    No team in franchise history has won three consecutive Super Bowls, but the Missouri outfit are the lone favourites to do so this term.

    They are also red-hot favourites to seal the AFC title for a fifth time in six years, but lurking in the shadows, a hungry QB in CJ Stroud and his Houston Texans, could be a surprise package once more.

    Having won three out of four pre-season outings, the Houston side look in very nick with new but experienced faces in tow.

    Plucking Stefon Diggs from the Bills and Joe Mixon from Cincinnati, Cam Akers should be a very handy number two also.

    The Texans were the revelation of last term, but now with a real heavyweight line-up, Houston look a very tidy 13/4 with LiveScoreBet to reach the AFC final.

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    CJ Stroud to throw most passing yards

    Next up for our season NFL punts, we stick with the aforementioned Texas and ponder the question: can CJ Stroud take down Patrick Mahomes in the regular season?

    We say, perhaps.

    It should be noted, that neither Texan nor Chief QB finished in the top 5 for passing yards last season, but both are backed to be on song this term.

    Mahomes threw 5250 yds two terms ago – a full 500+ more than Rams’ QB Justin Herbert.

    Last year, Stroud finished in eighth spot, 75 yds behind Mahomes, but a full 516 behind Dolphin king Tua Tagovailoa.

    Ahead of the new season, both Mahomes and Stroud are the favourites for the crown, but for Stroud to top the list, 888sport carries a 13/2 punt.

     

    De’Von Achane to rush 1000+ regular season yds

    Our third punt looks to the rushing game, and the perennially electric Miami Dolphins.

    Whilst Mike McDaniel will look to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for most of the plays this campaign, the Florida side leant on their rushing game to a greater degree last term.

    Running the football over 2000 team yds for the first time in well over a decade, the Dolphins were spearheaded by Raheem Mostert, finishing 10th with over 1000 yds.

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    However, De’Von Achane was a real eye-catcher in his rookie season.

    In a term dominated by Christian McCaffrey, the 84th pick in last year’s third round draft, Achane rushed 203 yds against the Broncos, before his season was broken up by a knee injury.

    Though that remains a potential issue, Achane now has 11 years youth on Mostert and could become the number one rusher for McDaniel.

    If he is, Achane will be eyeing an improvement of 800 last term, and a landmark 1000 yd season is definitely on the cards for the Texas native at 11/4 with William Hill.

     

    The 2024/25 NFL season kicks off on Thursday evening as the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead.

  • NFL Divisional Weekend | CJ Stroud and Texans can push Ravens in Baltimore

    NFL Divisional Weekend | CJ Stroud and Texans can push Ravens in Baltimore

    Six down, eight to go. Is CJ Stroud ready to shake up the Super Bowl picture?

    After Super Wild Card Weekend saw the surprise exit of the Dallas Cowboys and the downward-spiralling Philadelphia Eagles, it’s Divisional Weekend time.

    As Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes travel to Orchard Park to face the Bills in a mouth-watering closing act, to begin the weekend, the number one seed Baltimore Ravens step up to the plate.

    Their opponents, the Houston Texans are the sizeable 7/2 underdogs in Maryland on Saturday.

    However, like the Green Bay Packers last time out with Jordan Love, their own young rookie QB Stroud, is ready to re-write the script.

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    CJ Stroud-Collins key

    After dismantling the Cleveland Browns in Houston last weekend, the Texans are rolling.

    DeMeco Ryans could go a long way to being named NFL Coach of the Season with a second playoff win on the spin.

    However, against the top seeds at M&T Bank Stadium, that is easier said than done.

    Yet, in CJ Stroud and Nico Collins, the Lone State stars boast one of the hottest duos around right now.

    Only last weekend Stroud became the youngest-ever QB to win a playoff game.

    Meanwhile, in WR Collins, the Michigan collegiate notched 96 yards in rolling Cleveland. That, after dropping narrowly short of 200 receiving yds against the Colts of the final day of the season,

    The chemistry between Collins and Stroud is indisputable; the Ravens’ flock must be prepared.

     

    The best D-Line

    The Texans’ task this weekend is to circumnavigate the best defense in the NFL this term.

    Indeed, the Ravens conceded the fewest points per game this season.

    Arguably, Baltimore are the biggest favourites this weekend.

    But, as Roquan Smith told the media earlier this week when posed whether his team was under pressure in Baltimore, the inside linebacker retorted:

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    “Pressure? I don’t feel pressure at all but some do say pressure burst pipes and makes diamonds and you know a lot of guys in there like diamonds.”

    And I’d say we’re in a diamond-making business at the end of the day”.

     

    In turn, the Texans could point to busting up Cleveland, one of the best defenses in the final weeks of the season.

    Notwithstanding, the Ravens are very much on for a third Super Bowl since the turn of the millennium.

     

    Andrews back for Lamar?

    As the Ravens return to action after their bye week, Lamar Jackson goes back to work.

    The now outstanding favourite for MVP after his 5-TD showing against the Dolphins in Miami in Week 17 is ready to shine.

    Despite being only 14th in passing yds this season, Jackson has been unmatched in the pocket this term.

    Ahead of the weekend, their offense has also been boosted twice-fold.

    Potentially, Jackson could have TE Mark Andrews after a cracked fibula to tag with Isaiah Likely, whilst waiver signing RB Dalvin Cook jumps to the active roster.

    The Floridian’s fresh legs may prove vital, with Gus Edwards only rushing 50+ yds four times in the last nine weeks of the regular season.

     

    Handicap

    Backing Houston to take down the Ravens on home turf looks a tall task.

    However, the Texans appear capable of scoring points at any moment.

    Therefore, a +7.5 Texans punt at 11/10 with 888sport has chances.

    When the two sides met on opening week of this season, a rusty Lamar Jackson threw just 167 yds, whilst CJ Stroud – on NFL debut – put up 249 yds.

    Stroud is likely to be gunning the field, whilst Jackson will mix up running the football with the throw.

    The Texans’ QB may notch the greater numbers, and 239+ yds looks a good bet, with those bolder opting for 300+ at 16/5, both with William Hill.

    For Jackson, finally, scrimmage yds is the sensible move at 285+ passing AND rushing yds for 17/20 with BetUK.

     

    The Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, during Divisional Weekend, Saturday, 21:30 GMT/4:30 ET .

  • NFL Season Kick-off: Franchise QB Punts in 2023 Draft

    NFL Season Kick-off: Franchise QB Punts in 2023 Draft

    September. The end of summer, yes; The beginning of the new NFL season, OH yes!

    Just short of seven months on from the Kansas City Chiefs regaining their Championship crown in an epic Super Bowl LVII, America’s favourite pastime roars back.

    As the Chiefs signal NFL season kick-off at Arrowhead Stadium, Patrick Mahomes leads his side for Thursday Night Football against the Detroit Lions.

    In looking ahead to the new term, we hark back to the 2023 Draft and what better way to stir the pot than with a QB pick?

    So which franchises have seen the biggest shake-up and who hope to have made the biggest moves?

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    Panthers bank on Bryce

    As the Carolina Panthers begin their first full season under Frank Reich, the Charlotte-based outfit have gone out on a limb this post-season.

    Looking to end a six-year exodus from the playoffs, their opening pick of Bryce Young in April’s Draft at Union Station was bold.

    Yet, it was also arguably the pick of the draft.

    Despite concerns over his billed 5’10 frame and 204lb weight, the Philadelphia-born 22-year-old set tongues wagging at Alabama.

    The Panthers are still stinging following the trade of Christian McCaffrey last term, but in RB Miles Sanders and former Lions’ WR D.J. Chark, there is cause for optimism.

    Young will have sharpened tools at his disposal, however, are Jonathan Mingo and Adam Thielen necessarily an upgrade to D.J. Moore?

    Carolina will need all the pieces to come together.

     

    Houston sweet on C.J.

    The second of three likely starting QB picks, C.J. Stroud’s recruitment by the Houston Texans was a bit of a no-brainer.

    With little competition in the shape of the inconsistent Davis Mills and veteran Case Keenum, Stroud has a clear path in the Lone Star State.

    The Texans’ third first round QB pick in their history, the rookie will have multi-million dollar protection around him on the field.

    As ESPN report, Houston have invested around $118millon on their offensive line, including bringing in Shaq Mason from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

    The same issues to affect their QBs in the past might be swerved, but can Stroud prove a cut above?

     

    Colts hope for ‘Rich’ start

    The Indianapolis Colts are also hoping for a fresh start with Anthony Richardson, despite bringing Gardner Minshew into the fold.

    A capable deputy to Jalen Hurts’ at Lincoln Financial Field at the back end of last term, it is Richardson who will start the campaign in the pocket.

    It is also hoped that despite just turning 21, his nasal surgery to improve breathing should aid his game.

    With 26 passing and rushing TDs for Florida last season, Richardson has shown glimpses of savvy in pre-season and could be one to watch.

    Very much a ‘learning on the job’ kinda guy, the Colts’ fourth pick could be very shrewd.

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    Elsewhere…

    Two other franchises head into NFL season kick-off on the back of QB drafts, but are unlikely to feature this term.

    In Nashville, Will Levis was selected by the Tennessee Titans but for now, Ryan Tannehill remains number one. Levis will spend the year learning behind the veteran, whilst also competing with Malik Willis for deputy spot.

    The other team to have moved for a QB were the Lions, who plumped for Hendon Hooker in the third round. Hooker is coming off of an ACL injury and will play back-up to Jared Goff this season.