Kevin Byard snub in favor of Eagles DB called out by Bears teammate
Are the Bears getting greedy, or just snubbed ... again?
After everything they've been through the past four seasons, no one would begrudge them a few complaints. One of those was by safety Jaquan Brisker after the final results came out for NFC offensive,
Josh Blackwell made special teams player of the week for his game-deciding blocked field goal, the second time in five games he has won this award. However, the fact
"The fact it should be two Bears players on here... KB got robbed ! G check out his stats," Brisker posted on "X."
The winner was Quinyon Mitchell of the Eagles in their 31-25 win over Tampa Bay.
Byard made two outstanding interceptions and finished with seven tackles.
Not only did Byard make two interceptions, but he had 47 return yards with them. He brought one back 35 yards to the 24-yard line of the Raiders to set up a field goal and another was made at the Raiders 36 and returned 12 yards to the 24 to set up another field goal. That's six big points in a one-point game.
What Mitchell did was rather rare. He had five pass defenses, meaning he broke up five passes. Yet, he never took the ball back for his team. He also had fewer tackles (5) than Byard. One of the big selling points on Mitchell’s side when the announcement was made was his passer-rating against (39.6 per Pro Football Reference) when targeted, but Byard’s passer-rating against that game was even better at 20.6.
Brisker also said: "Two pick and some tackles ... is not worthy no more?!?! They ain't wanna put two bear players on it. Cause cmon now. A pick alone is worth GOLD.."
Bears coach Ben Johnson tried telling everyone in the offseason that turnovers no longer were determining factors in games, and that expected points added (EPA) was.
Apparently turnovers aren't even as good as a pass breakups now, let alone EPA. Tremaine Edmunds found that in Week 3 when he had two interceptions and 15 tackles and couldn't make defensive player of the week.
None of this could hide the fact Byard is having an outstanding year so far and could present the Bears with a tough decision after this season. Just like with Brisker, Byard is out of contract.
Whether both he and Brisker return as safeties will be dependent largely on the season as a whole and also most likly on whether Dennis Allen feels they both fit the scheme he has put in place better than some other safeties who might be available in free agency or the draft.
Lamar Jackson's Ravens Receive Tough Blow Ahead of-Bills Game
Week 1 of the National Football League season has arrived, and arguably the biggest game of the week comes in primetime on "Sunday Night Football." It is the Buffalo Bills hosting the Baltimore Ravens, in a battle of MVP quarterbacks with Josh Allen taking on Lamar Jackson taking.
On Friday, the Ravens announced some bad news for Jackson and the offense. One of his top targets, tight end Isaiah Likely, has been declared out for the game with an ankle injury.
Likely, since late July due to an ankle injury and was still not able to practice this week, was ramping up in individual drills, which many were hoping was a sign he could be on his way to returning. It will not be in Week 1.
The 25-year-old tight end played his college football at Coastal Carolina and is entering his fourth season with the Ravens. In 49 games, Likely has 108 receptions for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns. Last season, he had a career-high 42 receptions, 477 yards and six touchdowns.
Likely has also played in five postseason games in three seasons and has 11 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
That gives more opportunities to the birthday boy, Mark Andrews. After celebrating his 30th birthday on Saturday, Andrews will get the start at tight end for the 56th time in his career. Andrews had a career-high 11 touchdown receptions a season ago and has 51 in his Ravens career. Andrews has played in eight postseason games but has yet to record a touchdown reception.
The next chance for Likely to suit up will come on Sept. 14 as the Ravens play their home opener against the Cleveland Browns.
Jackson is coming off a massive season in 2024. While he finished second in MVP voting to Josh Allen, his 4,172 yards, 41 touchdown passes and just four interceptions were eye-popping. Plus, he rushed for 915 yards and four TDs. Jackson threw two touchdowns and an interception in the 27-25 loss in Buffalo in January that ended the Ravens' season in the divisional round.
