Brian Flores doesn’t believe the Kalif Raymond block on Andrew Van Ginkel was “malicious”
A kerfuffle emerged this week regarding the claim by multiple Vikings defensive players that Lions receiver Kalif Raymond engaged in “dirty play” with a blindside (but apparently legal) block on linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel during the Week 9 game. On Thursday, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores took a softer approach.
“I didn’t think it was malicious,” Flores told reporters, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. “I think it was kind of a bang-bang situation. I see kind of both sides of it. I do think it’s something that maybe [the NFL] will take a look at. I’ll leave it there. Thankfully, there was no big injury and he’s OK. So we’ll chalk it up to football and we’ll let the league kind of look at it and see if they want to take a harder stance or anything like that.”
Raymond, who was coming in motion from right to left, hit Van Ginkel from the side, just after the snap. The block knocked Van Ginkel down; he still tackled Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs for a one-yard loss.
Given the timing of the play, it appeared to be designed that way. And, again, it apparently was not a violation of the existing rule against blindside blocks. The question for the offseason is whether a play like that, when a player going north-south is hit from the side by someone running west-east, should be permitted.
Patrick Mahomes Warns: ‘We’re Not Easy to Beat, When We Get Going, Nobody Can Stop Us!’
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is sending a bold message to the NFL: when the Chiefs hit their stride, there’s no stopping them. After a series of tough games and a season filled with intense competition, Mahomes’ statement comes as both a warning to opponents and a rallying cry for his team. His confidence in his team’s potential is unwavering, and he believes that once the Chiefs find their rhythm, they are an unstoppable force.
“Don’t think we’re easy to beat. When this team gets going, nobody can stop us. Don’t wait to see it — be prepared for it.”
Mahomes’ words reflect his belief in the Chiefs’ resilience and talent. Despite some challenges during the 2025 season, he’s confident that when the team is firing on all cylinders, they are as dangerous as any team in the league. His mentality is one of determination and focus, and he’s making sure everyone knows that the Chiefs are far from being counted out.
💪 The Chiefs’ Potential Unleashed
The Chiefs have faced a mix of ups and downs this season, but Mahomes’ leadership has remained steady. He’s seen firsthand how the team can overcome adversity and turn games around. The key, Mahomes believes, is maintaining focus and not letting the pressure of past struggles define their future.
For Mahomes, it’s not just about individual brilliance, but about the collective effort of the team. He knows that when the offense, defense, and special teams are all aligned, the Chiefs can dominate. The biggest takeaway from his message is that the Chiefs are
🏈 The Importance of Consistency
Mahomes’ comments also highlight the importance of consistency. While the Chiefs have the tools to win, staying consistent is the key to their success. Mahomes knows that teams in the NFL can be streaky, and finding the right rhythm can take time. However, once the Chiefs hit that rhythm, it’s game over for any opponent.
“We know we can win it all, but it’s about putting together those complete performances,” Mahomes said. “We’ve seen how good we can be, now it’s just about putting that together week in and week out.”
🚀 Looking Forward
As the season progresses, Mahomes and the Chiefs are more than capable of making a deep playoff run. With a strong roster, including key players like Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, the team has all the pieces in place to make a championship push. But the key will be finding that consistent performance that Mahomes talks about.
“When we’re rolling, there’s no team in the league that can touch us,” Mahomes said confidently. “We’ve got the pieces, we’ve got the talent, and we’ve got the mindset to take this thing all the way.”
For the Chiefs, it’s all about hitting their stride and maintaining that level of intensity through the rest of the season. Once they find their groove, Mahomes believes the sky is the limit.
🔥 The Chiefs Are Ready
In the competitive AFC, the Chiefs are one of the most dangerous teams when they’re on their game. Mahomes’ leadership, paired with the team’s talent, makes them a formidable force. As the season heads into its critical stretch, the Chiefs are more than capable of overcoming any challenges they face — and Mahomes is confident they’ll be the team to beat once they get going.
