In the world of sports, only a few teams have achieved legendary status, and the San Francisco 49ers are undoubtedly one of them. Known for their iconic red and gold uniforms, the 49ers have become synonymous with success, passion, and a storied history. When it comes to sporting apparel that embodies these qualities, Nike has been a game-changer for the 49ers and their fans. Let’s explore how Nike’s partnership with the 49ers has revolutionized team gear and elevated the fan experience to a whole new level.
Unleashing the Power of Innovation: Nike, as a brand, is celebrated for its innovation and commitment to cutting-edge technology. This ethos is perfectly exemplified in their collaboration with the 49ers, where they constantly push the boundaries of design and performance. From the innovative jersey fabric that enhances player performance to the advanced footwear technology that aids in speed and comfort, Nike has truly revolutionized the game.
Captivating Designs that Honor Tradition: While Nike is known for embracing innovation, they also understand the importance of paying homage to a team’s heritage. With the 49ers, Nike has struck a balance between modernity and tradition, creating uniforms and merchandise that both dazzle and respect the team’s rich history. The sleek jersey designs that incorporate both classic elements and modern aesthetics seamlessly represent the team’s past, present, and future.
The Perfect Fit for Every Fan: Nike recognizes that their audience extends beyond the players on the field, catering to the most passionate of fans. By offering a wide range of sizes, fits, and styles, Nike ensures that every fan can find the perfect gear to cheer for the 49ers. From jerseys and caps to shoes and accessories, Nike leaves no stone unturned in their mission to create an inclusive and stylish fan experience.
Community and Social Impact: Beyond just creating exceptional products, Nike has established itself as a brand that values social responsibility and community engagement. Through various initiatives and partnerships, Nike demonstrates a genuine commitment to giving back to the communities that support the 49ers and their brand. This commitment creates a sense of unity and inspires both players and fans alike to be agents of positive change.
The partnership between Nike and the San Francisco 49ers has elevated the game, both on and off the field. With their dedication to innovation, respect for tradition, inclusivity, and social impact, Nike has proven to be the perfect match for a legendary team like the 49ers. Whether it’s the feel of the cutting-edge jerseys or the pride in representing a team that stands for excellence, Nike 49ers gear has become a symbol of unwavering support and a must-have for fans. So, next time you find yourself cheering for the 49ers, remember to don the iconic swoosh and embrace the feeling of being part of a winning legacy. By keeping the spirit of collaboration alive, Nike continues to write history alongside the San Francisco 49ers. Just do it with Nike!
Conference championship weekend is finally here. In the first of two Sunday games, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will visit the Baltimore Ravens as two of the NFL’s best team vie for the right to call themselves the AFC’s best.
The Ravens finished the regular season with the NFL’s best record and will bring likely league MVP Lamar Jackson to bear against Patrick Mahomes and Co. Baltimore is looking for its first AFC title of the Jackson era, and its first as a franchise since the 2012 season, when John Harbaugh’s squad defeated his brother Jim’s 49ers in the Super Bowl.
Kansas City, meanwhile, is looking to head back to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in Mahomes’ six seasons under center, and to capture its first road AFC title game win. The Chiefs have hosted the conference championship in each of the last five years, and this will be a new challenge for them a week after going on the road for the first time in the playoffs, period.
Which of these teams will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl? We’ll find out soon enough. Before we break down the matchup, here’s a look at how you can watch the game.
Coming off two of their best offensive performances of the year, the Chiefs will now face the toughest defense they have seen all season. Baltimore finished the regular season ranked first in FTN’s DVOA, with the league’s seventh-best unit against the run and best defense against the pass.
Mike Macdonald’s group held C.J. Stroud and the explosive Houston Texans offense — which was fresh off tearing up the Browns — to just 213 total yards, 10 first downs, and three offensive points a week ago. Obviously, doing that against a rookie quarterback in his first road playoff game, while missing his Nos. 2 and 3 wide receivers (Tank Dell and Noah Brown), is a far different task than doing it against Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and this Chiefs offense — even if that offense did not perform up to its usual standards this season.
The single-most important aspect of this matchup will be how Kansas City’s offensive line holds up against Macdonald’s various pressure looks. The Ravens don’t actually blitz all that often (23.4% of opponent dropbacks during the regular season, per Tru Media, the seventh-lowest blitz rate in the NFL), but Macdonald makes heavy use of simulated pressures so that opponents do not know where the rushers are coming from.
The Chiefs in recent seasons have been excellent up front, but their signings of Jawaan Taylor and Donovan Smith to man the tackle spots did not work out as well as their other tackles have over the past couple years, and they have thus been far more vulnerable up front than at any time since their Super Bowl loss to the Buccaneers a few years ago. Mahomes is able to mitigate and avoid pressure with the best of them due to his ability to create on the move as a thrower and runner, but he was also more affected by pressure this season than at any previous point in his career. If the Ravens can get after him early and often and prevent him from throwing in rhythm, this year’s Chiefs can be thrown off their game. We’ve seen it happen.
Kansas City has negated that issue these past couple weeks, for the most part. Even if they’re able to do that again, though, the Chiefs will face tougher matchups in the secondary than they did against either the Dolphins or Bills.
Travis Kelce will see a lot of Roquan Smith in the middle of the field, as well as Marcus Williams over the top. If he heads to the slot, Kyle Hamilton will be there waiting for him. Rashee Rice lines up in the slot quite often, and will have to deal with Hamilton there. If and when he heads outside, he could see Marlon Humphrey, who returned to practice this week, but could also see Brandon Stephens and cloud coverage to his side. (I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rice in motion quite often to get him free releases on downfield routes.) Judicious use of screens will be key against this Baltimore defense, as you want to be able to use the Ravens’ aggressiveness against them but also don’t want to be too passive when it comes to challenging them downfield.
Considering the relative weakness of the rest of the pass-catching group, it would not be surprising to see Macdonald devote extra attention to both of those players and try to force Mahomes to beat him by throwing to the likes of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Richie James, and Noah Gray. That’s easier said than done with Reid scheming things up, but there have also been few things more difficult in the NFL this season than throwing the ball against the Ravens defense.
Isiah Pacheco has mostly run quite well since returning from injury, but Kansas City’s run game was inconsistent at best during the regular season. The Chiefs will need the mauler version of their offensive line to show up on Sunday, whether or not Joe Thuney (who has still yet to practice due to a pectoral injury) is able to suit up. And if he’s out, that only makes what has just been an okay-ish unit weaker, putting KC further behind the eight-ball against this terrifying Baltimore group.
When the Ravens have the ball Unlike in previous seasons, Kansas City’s defense is a unit that is capable of tangling with a high-level offense and coming out the other side as the victor. The Chiefs finished this season ranked seventh in DVOA, checking in 27th against the run and fifth against the pass.
The former number, obviously, is concerning against a Ravens team led by Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs allowed the 10th-most rushing yards to quarterbacks during the regular season, according to Tru Media, though they notably held QBs to a low rate of explosive runs (6.6% compared with a league average of 9.7%), thanks to their strong tackling ability on the second level. If Kansas City can limit Jackson’s runs to short-to-medium gains and prevent him from ripping off big plays on the ground, that can tip the matchup in their favor a bit here.
The Ravens averaged the sixth-most yards before contact per carry un running-back runs this season, per Tru Media, and though the Gus Edwards/Justice Hill combination does not provide nearly as much in the way of explosiveness as the likes of J.K. Dobbins and/or Keaton Mitchell would, they do each have their merits as ball-carriers. Both players mostly tend to just get what is blocked for them and don’t do much tackle-breaking, but Hill, in particular, looked quite good against the Texans last week — and that was a team that had finished the season ranked second in run defense DVOA.
How well Baltimore’s offensive line can control the matchup up the middle, and whether the Ravens can take advantage of the fact that Chris Jones — a true game-wrecker in the pass game — has not been as good defending the run this year as he has for most of his career, will also be key. The middle of the pocket is the key for the Ravens in the pass game as well. Jones is by far the best pass-rush threat on Kansas City’s defensive line, and he’ll hang to tangle with a strong interior trio of John Simpson, Tyler Linderbaum, and Kevin Zeitler. Jackson tends to be most susceptible to pressure up the middle due to the way he navigates the pocket, so keeping Jones from pushing that interior back into his lap will be of paramount importance.
Last week against Houston, DeMeco Ryans unleashed an avalanche of blitzes throughout the first half that kept Baltimore’s passing game at bay. The Texans rarely blitzed during the regular season, but did so on an incredible 72.2% of Jackson’s pre-halftime dropbacks a week ago. Steve Spagnuolo sent blitzes on 38.4% of opponent dropbacks during the regular season, the fifth-highest rate in the league, per Tru Media. It would not at all be surprising if Spags tried to heat Lamar up as often as possible in this one, making him prove that he can beat the blitz in the same way he did after halftime last week. (He went 8 of 9 for 79 yards and a touchdown.)
The Ravens could get Mark Andrews back for this game, and the combination of him and Isiah Likely could give the Ravens an advantage over the middle of the field. It will be interesting to see whether the Chiefs decide to shadow Zay Flowers with L’Jarius Sneed, or whether they’re comfortable with any of Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, or Jaylen Watson winding up on him at any time. Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t see the much-rumored expansion of playing time last week, instead taking a back seat behind Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor in the pecking order. How that group shakes out and whether they’re able to find the same type of success that they have for much of the season, against a very stingy secondary, will obviously play into how much success Jackson is able to find through the air.
Prediction: Chiefs 20, Ravens 17
Most of the numbers and matchup details point toward the Ravens. They’re at home, they were the better team during the regular season, they have the likely league MVP … and yet, I cannot bring myself to pick against Patrick Mahomes and/or Andy Reid. Until these guys get knocked off, I’m going to keep rolling with them.
As the NFL season is coming to a close, finalists for post-season awards have begun to be named. With two former Bulldogs landing as finalists for two separate awards. Here is a list of which Bulldogs were named finalists and what awards they were nominated for.
Matthew Stafford – Comeback Player of the Year After injuries shortened his 2022 season, Matthew Stafford returned in 2023 to throw for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns. His efforts would secure the Rams a 10-7 record and a playoff spot. The Rams would eventually lose to the Lions on the road in the playoffs, but would likely not have made it as far as they did without the efforts of their veteran quarterback.
Jalen Carter – Defensive Rookie of the Year As one of the many recently selected Bulldogs by the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive lineman Jalen Carter put on a show in his first year as a professional. Carter finished the 2023 season with 20 tackles and six sacks, which would eventually propel his team to a playoff spot.
We may earn a fee if you make a purchase through one of the links in this article. The USA Today Network newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content. The Chiefs ended the Bills’ season for the third time in four years in the Divisional round, beating Buffalo 27-24 to move on to the AFC Championship Game for the sixth straight season – the second-longest streak ever behind only the eight straight of the Tom Brady Patriots from 2011-18. The third-seeded Chiefs will meet the top-seeded Ravens at 3:10 p.m. ET on Sunday in Baltimore for the right to defend their title in Super Bowl 58. You can continue to follow our Kansas Chiefs odds tracker to keep up with the latest Chiefs betting lines, futures & Super Bowl odds.
AFC Championship: Chiefs Odds vs Ravens
Team
Spread
Moneyline
Over/Under
Chiefs
+3.5
+165
O 44.5
Ravens
-3.5
-200
U 44.5
Odds via BetMGM and current upon publishing
Playing on the road in the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs looked right at home at hostile Highmark Stadium. Mahomes was 17 of 23 for 215 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns to Travis Kelce. He did not turn the ball over and wasn’t sacked. Isiah Pacheco rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. After a back-and-forth game, the Kansas City defense kept the Bills off the scoreboard fourth quarter, including on Buffalo’s final drive that resulted in a missed field goal that would have tied the game with 1:47 remaining. The Ravens coasted through the first half in their Divisional matchup against the Texans and went into the locker room tied 10-10. But they shifted into high gear in the second half, outscoring the Texans 24-0 on their way to a 34-10 victory at M&T Bank Stadium. MVP favorite Lamar Jackson put on his usual show, throwing for a pair of touchdowns and rushing for two more.
This will be the first AFC Championship Game in Baltimore since 1971 when the Colts beat the Raiders on their way to a 16-13 victory over the Cowboys in Super Bowl V.
The Ravens won the last meeting between the teams 36-35 in 2021, but the Chiefs had won four straight before that. Kansas City is 13-2 ATS in its last 15 games as a road underdog and has won six of seven ATS against teams riding a winning streak of three or more games.
Chiefs Super Bowl Odds Defending on the sportsbooks, the Chiefs’ are anywhere from first to third in the Super Bowl odds at most of the top online sportsbooks. They are at +450 behind the Eagles and 49ers, who are each +400 at BetMGM but are +430, tied with the 49ers and ahead of the Eagles (+460) at FanDuel.
AFC Championship Odds The Chiefs are the underdog in the NFL odds for the AFC Championship game and they are +150 to Baltimore’s -180 in the AFC title odds at DraftKings.
Other Kansas City Chiefs Futures Odds NFL futures are available soon after the final seconds tick off the clock in the Super Bowl as sportsbooks begin to gear up for the following season. Regular season futures change throughout the year and run through the final game of the regular season.
Once the playoffs begin, the odds reset and you can bet on things like the Super Bowl matchup, the Super Bowl MVP, the first player to score a touchdown in a respective playoff game and the most passing yards throughout the playoffs. Following the conference championships, online sportsbooks will begin to post a plethora of prop bets and parlays in the days leading up to the big game.
Where to Bet on Kansas City Chiefs Odds You’ll have your pick of multiple online sportsbooks to bet on Kansas City Chiefs odds, yet the percentage play is to do so after creating an account with one or more of the following NFL betting promos, as these introductory offers provide new customers with bonus bets and downside protection on an opening wager.
Here the are the top Chiefs betting promos available right now for the 2023 season:
BetMGM: New users who register with the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to receive a Bet $5, Get $158 in Bonus Bets offer. Just sign up and deposit a minimum $5 into your new account. Place your first wager of $5 or more and you will instantly receive two $50 bonus bets and one $58 bonus bet regardless of the outcome of your first wager. These bets carry a 1X playthrough, meaning any winnings are yours to keep, and expire in seven days.
Caesars Sportsbook: First-time customers who register for a new account with the Caesars Sportsbook bonus code SBWIRE1000 will unlock a $1,000 First Bet on Caesars offer, which will pay back a losing opening wager with a bonus bet worth up to $1,000. You’ll get 14 days to use the bonus bet, which has a 1X playthrough.
DraftKings: There is a potential for a better than 40-1 return with the DraftKings promo code, as this deal provides first-time customers with a Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets opportunity. It really is that simple, as all you need to do is make a real money wager of $5 or more after signing up for this offer and you will then receive eight $25 bonus bets in your account.
FanDuel: Register for a new account with the FanDuel promo code and make a $5 first wager and you will get $150 in bonus bets. The bonus bets will hit your account within 72 hours after your first bet settles and you will have 7 days to play them. They can be broken up in any manner you choose can anything you win while using them is yours to keep.
ESPN BET: New customers who sign up with the ESPN BET promo code SBWIRE will be welcomed with a Bet Anything, Get $250 in Bonus Bets offer. Once you place your first bet, you’ll immediately receive four $50 bonus bets – and your fifth will be credited to you within 24 hours after that
Are you a die-hard Detroit Lions fan, constantly on the hunt for an authentic jersey that screams your unwavering support for the team? Fret not, fellow Motor City enthusiasts, as we’ve scoured the depths of the internet and beyond to bring you the ultimate guide on where to buy your cherished Detroit Lions jersey. Get ready to don the roar and show your true colors wherever you go!
Official Team Stores: Near or far, find Lions gear: When it comes to buying an authentic Detroit Lions jersey, the best place to start is the official team store. These stores, both online and physical, offer a wide range of merchandise, including jerseys personalized with your favorite player’s name and number. Browse through the latest designs and choose the style that resonates with your Lions fandom the most.
NFL Shop: Get your blue and silver delivered to your door: If you prefer the convenience of online shopping and want to explore a broader range of options, the NFL Shop should be your go-to destination. With an extensive inventory of licensed merchandise, this official online store offers a plethora of Lions jerseys to suit every fan. Plus, you can browse various exclusive designs and take advantage of occasional promotional offers.
Local Sporting Goods Stores: Support local and represent the Lions: Supporting local businesses while embracing your Lions pride? Yes, please! Check out your neighborhood sporting goods stores, as they often stock a selection of team apparel. Not only will you find official Lions jerseys at these stores, but you may also stumble upon unique gear that sets you apart from the crowd. It’s a win-win situation!
Online Marketplace Giants: Digging for hidden treasures: While browsing popular online marketplaces like eBay or Amazon, you might be surprised by the number of hidden gems you can find. Here, you can discover vintage or throwback Detroit Lions jerseys that are hard to find elsewhere. But remember, exercise caution and ensure the seller has a good reputation before making a purchase to guarantee authenticity.
Lions Fan Forums and Social Media Groups: Join the pride! Being part of a passionate fan community is not only exhilarating but also quite informative. Joining Detroit Lions-focused forums or social media groups is an excellent way to connect with fellow fans who can guide you to reliable, lesser-known sources for authentic jersey purchases. Share your love for the team and leverage the collective knowledge of the pride!
Now that you know where to buy the perfect Detroit Lions jersey, it’s time to gear up and represent your beloved team with pride. Whether you choose to visit the official team store, explore online retail giants, or support local businesses, donning the blue and silver will undoubtedly showcase your unwavering loyalty. So go ahead, unleash your inner Lion, and let the world hear your roar!
