👍 Good Luck Getting To Patrick Mahomes This Season

Protecting Patrick Mahomes has been the top priority for the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason.

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In today’s FOX Sports Insider with Martin Rogers: The Kansas City Chiefs had one big issue this offseason, which was rebuilding their offensive line ... we take a look at the top newcomers in the Big Ten this season ... and we are treated to a must-see high school football catch. How do you succeed this year if you’re Patrick Mahomes? Easy, just take the Kansas City Chiefs to a second Super Bowl title, win the MVP of both the season and the biggest game of all, toss the ball for - oh I don’t know - 5,200 yards and have a regular season record that looks something like 14-3 or better. How do you fail? Don’t accomplish all of the above. That’s essentially how things stand for Mahomes, who goes into the upcoming campaign with a level of expectation on his shoulders that allows for zero wiggle room. It’s his own fault – the 25-year-old quarterback has been so impressive the past three seasons and made historic achievements look so routine that such things are now par for the course. For him, anyway. It’s hardly realistic and no other player is levied with as many demands. As an extension of that, no other player would be judged as harshly if “all” he managed to do over the next few months was, say, to get to the AFC Championship Game but no further. But part of the reason why Mahomes seems to be wearing the pressure with a minimum of fuss is because he expects that no one will be able to touch him. Not in terms of the TD number he reaches or the impossible-looking passes he pulls off, but literally, that no one will be able to lay a hand on him.   “I don’t think I got touched today,” Mahomes said after the Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 28-25 in their final preseason game last Friday. He expects that to continue. In the stretch of time that followed their Super Bowl defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February, the Chiefs got to work rebuilding their offensive line. Protecting Mahomes has long been identified as a critical factor in ensuring this window of opportunity for the franchise is maximized but the line was left short-handed in 2020 due to a combination of injuries and opt-outs. But then came left guard Joe Thuney from the New England Patriots on a big free agent contract, veteran Kyle Long came out of retirement to join the team, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif returned from an absence where he worked in the medical profession and the Chiefs made a big trade for tackle Orlando Brown from the Baltimore Ravens.   The Chiefs also addressed the offensive line in year’s NFL Draft, selecting center Creed Humphrey in the second round out of Oklahoma and then grabbing former five-star prospect Trey Smith in the sixth round. Both are expected to start when Kansas City takes the field in Week 1. The result is a group that, if healthy, can viably be considered one of the best in the league, giving Mahomes a level of protection some elite QBs can only dream of. “The Chiefs are as deep as the ocean on the line,” wrote FOX Sports NFL Analyst Geoff Schwartz. Mahomes has played more this preseason than might have been expected, which was largely part of head coach Andy Reid’s plan to get the offensive line unit as much realistic playing time as possible in order to gel together as one. “It’s gotten better each and every week,” Mahomes said, when asked about his relationship with the men in front of him. “They’ve had an amazing preseason. Obviously, they are all really talented. When everybody is on the exact same page is when you get those truly great offenses.”   According to three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth, the new-look front makes facing the Chiefs an even more daunting prospect and should allow Mahomes to make a greater impact. “They had one big issue this offseason, that was rebuilding their offensive line,” Schlereth said on FS1’s “First Things First.” “They took that issue very seriously. They look great up front. They allow those guys to stud up and take care of business up front and when they do break down, which happens occasionally, that’s when Mahomes steps up.” While preseason performances must be kept in context, there was nothing to suggest the Chiefs’ Super Bowl favoritism (+500, per FOX Bet) is undeserved.   There has still been time to pack a few extra-curricular activities into the late summer for Mahomes, like launching his signature shoe and apparel collection through Adidas, with the footwear selling out immediately. Even more fun, he orchestrated a lavish birthday party for his fiancée Brittany Matthews, complete with signature cocktails, brand new designer dresses and a spectacular view over Kansas City. So yeah, it sounds like it’s pretty fun to be Patrick Mahomes, regardless of all those expectations. Especially when, and this is a little less on the romantic side, there are a bunch of big scary guys whose sole intention is to protect you.   Here’s what others have said ... John Dixon, SB Nation: “Performances in preseason games can only tell you so much. The true test won’t come until the regular season begins. Still... Mahomes didn’t sound like he is concerned.” LaVar Arrington, FOX Sports: “Going into this season, we don't know how much longer the Kansas City Chiefs have until they cool off. It's gotta be Super Bowl or bust for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs because that’s the standard they've created in Kansas City.” Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach: “We've got a handful of guys, plus some. Maybe two handfuls that we feel are pretty good players.” Even as the playoff races heat up, Shohei Ohtani continues to steal the show. FOX Sports MLB Writer Ben Verlander has the story. A total of 44 Big Ten players were selected in the NFL Draft, which means fans will see plenty of new faces this season. FOX Sports Senior Editor Sean Merriman has the story. Heading into the playoffs, some former NASCAR champions aren’t overly concerned with the standings, FOX Sports NASCAR Writer Bob Pockrass writes. Let’s all let out a giant smile because football is BACK! While Week 1 of the college football season gets underway this upcoming weekend and the NFL kicks off the weekend after that, high school football is here, and fans were treated to a must-see play from this past weekend. Check out this video, which shows Lincoln High School (San Diego, CA) senior Nathan Acevedo make an incredible catch over two defenders. You simply have to watch the video to appreciate how amazing this catch really is! Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET) Nick Pivetta takes the mound for the Boston Red Sox, who take on Luis Patino and the Tampa Bay Rays. WWE Monday Night Raw (USA, 8 p.m. WWE Champion Bobby Lashley is set for a thunderous showdown against Sheamus. Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET) Drew Smyly and the Atlanta Braves go up against Julio Urias and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Odds provided by FOX Bet Oklahoma to the make the College Football Playoff: -213 As good as Alabama and Clemson have been since the first College Football Playoff took place back in 2015, the truth is that the Oklahoma Sooners are right on their tail. The Sooners have appeared in four of seven CFPs and look to be a heavy favorite to head back this season. The Sooners return preseason All-American QB Spencer Rattler and he has the luxury of throwing to one of the best wide receiver units in the nation. On defense, the Sooners return 10 starters from a year ago, including OLB Nik Bonitto, who led OU with nine sacks in 2020. FOX Bet is offering a bet to take Oklahoma to make the CFP at -213. Go ahead and lock that bet in. “Your start does not determine how you’re going to finish.” — Herm Edwards Download FOX Sports App: Also available on these devices: Trademark & Copyright Notice: ™ and © 2021 Fox Media LLC and FOX Sports Interactive Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Please do not reply to this message. If you do not wish to receive emails like this in the future, please unsubscribe. FOX Sports respects your privacy. Click here to view our Privacy Policy. Fox.com Business & Legal Affairs - Manager Digital Media P.O. Box 900 Beverly Hills, California 90213-0900

Plus, NL division leaders battle on a busy night in MLB.

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Naomi Osaka Begins Her U.S. Open Defense

Kevin Sweeney

Happy Monday! I still feel like I'm catching my breath from the thrilling Patrick Cantlay–Bryson DeChambeau playoff at the BMW Championship yesterday, but it's time to turn our attention to the week ahead. There's a ton of college football toward the end of the week, but today's slate is headlined by the start of the U.S. Open and some big-time MLB matchups. Plus, catch up on Ted Lasso while you have the time.

Here's my streaming plan for the evening.

MUST WATCH

U.S. Open

Naomi Osaka will look to defend her 2020 U.S. Open title.

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

The final Grand Slam of the year gets underway today in New York City. And while it may be only the first round, today's slate (particularly on the women's side) is fantastic. Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka each get their tournaments underway during the night session, while the afternoon is loaded with intriguing matches as well. That includes Coco Gauff's taking on Magda Linette.

The men's draw today also features multiple intriguing matches, including a night matchup between Daniil Medvedev and Richard Gasquet. It should be a great day to kick off two weeks of tennis.

ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN+, watch on fuboTV

READ MORE:

• 2021 U.S. Open Seed Reports (Jon Wertheim)
• Insider Tips for Attending the 2021 U.S. Open (Jon Wertheim)
• Mailbag: What Is the Future of Mid-Match Coaching in Tennis? (Jon Wertheim)

LINEUP

• Ted Lasso | It was a busy weekend in sports, so I don't blame you if you haven't had time to watch the sixth episode of the new season yet, which dropped Friday. Today's a great day to catch up. Apple TV+
• Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays | Today begins a stretch of seven games in 10 days between these two AL East rivals. The Red Sox have been better lately after a disastrous start to August but will have to stack wins in that stretch to get back in the divisional race. 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, watch on fuboTV
• Paralympics | The games continue from Tokyo with wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and cycling action tonight. NBC Sports Network, watch on fuboTV
• Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers | After taking two of three from the Giants, the Braves head south to Los Angeles for three with the Dodgers. They'll face Julio Urías, who has given up more than two earned runs just once in his last 10 starts. 10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, watch on fuboTV

HIDDEN GEM

Milwaukee Brewers at San Francisco Giants

A pair of NL division leaders face off in the Bay Area in what I believe will be the best MLB game of the night. Watching Corbin Burnes pitch is never not fun—his ability to stack strikeouts is impressive, but he has also improved throughout the season at working through trouble even when he doesn't have his best stuff. It's a main reason he's a top candidate for the NL Cy Young Award this season.

The Giants will send Johnny Cueto to the bump as they look to continue to hold off the Dodgers at the top of the NL West. SF maintained its 2 ½-game lead atop the division despite this weekend's series loss to the Braves because of the Dodgers' surprising struggles against the Rockies.

9:45 p.m. ET, Bally Sports Wisconsin/NBC Sports Bay Area, watch on fuboTV

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Tom Brady's Forgotten Rookie Year

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