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Why The Kansas City Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney Could Become A Deep Threat

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2023

Why The Kansas City Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney Could Become A Deep Threat

Kadarius Toney of the Kansas City Chiefs runs onto the field during introductions against the … [+] Jacksonville Jaguars on Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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After the Kansas City Chiefs lost wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in free agency this offseason and traded away Tyreek Hill the year prior, it’s no secret that Kadarius Toney will have a bigger role in 2023.

He also may take on the added role of deep threat.

“He has a vertical game,” Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach said.

Toney ran a blistering 4.39 in the 40 at his University of Florida pro day in 2021. So he has wheels.

But kind of like Percy Harvin, another former first-round pick from Florida, Toney has primarily been more of a versatile, all-over-the-field guy, including lining up as a slot receiver, returner, runner and gadget guy during his career thus far.

Hardman excelled in those latter roles with the Chiefs before signing a one-year contract with the New York Jets. He repeatedly victimized the San Francisco 49ers on end-arounds while scoring three touchdowns in a 44-23 victory last season.

Originally, Hardman, though, was one of the Legion of Zoom’s deep threats. He averaged more than 20 yards a reception during his rookie year.

Toney’s career average is only 10.7 yards per catch (about three yards fewer than Hardman’s). That suggests Toney’s more of a possession receiver like Smith-Schuster, who signed a three-year, $25.5 million deal with the New England Patriots.

Veach, however, questioned whether those low YPC numbers were a function of the offenses he’s played on.

The No. 20 overall pick in 2021 spent his first one-and-a-half years catching passes from Daniel Jones, who has never had a year where he averaged more than 6.8 yards per attempt, in the New York Giants’ dink-and-dunk system.

“Has he ever played with a quarterback that likes to push the ball down the field?” Veach said.

Well, Toney did when he was traded to a Chiefs offense led by Patrick Mahomes, but that transaction occurred on Oct. 27 — or basically halfway through the 2022 season.

Having to quickly cram in the new, complicated offense mitigated the ways he could be used by the Chiefs, making it more difficult for him to become a deep threat from the get-go last year.

It often takes receivers a year or two to master the Chiefs’ scheme.

“We condensed it because we were in the middle of the season. There is only so much you can do and get him on board with,” Veach said. “He picked up that stuff really easy.”

He acclimated to his new team quickly and made a major impact. Perhaps no one played a more significant role in the Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVII, 38-35, against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He scored a five-yard touchdown on the first possession of the fourth quarter to give the Chiefs their first lead, 28-27, of the game.

After the Eagles went three and out on their next possession, Toney returned the punt 65 yards to the Eagles’ five-yard-line. That was the longest punt return in Super Bowl history and set up the Chiefs’ final touchdown of the game.

So there’s no doubt about Toney’s ability to perform on the biggest stage.

But one question is whether he can become more of a vertical threat to take advantage of Mahomes’ transcendent arm strength.

The other question is whether he can stay healthy. He missed 11 of his first 23 NFL games and struggled through hamstring injuries last year, including missing three games during his short stint with the Chiefs.

Veach, though, remains confident in Toney.

“The sky is the limit for him,” he said. “We have a lot of high hopes for him. I mean, he was a first-round pick for a reason.”

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Colorado vs. Kansas prediction, odds, best bets for NCAAF Week 13

Published

8 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Colorado vs. Kansas prediction, odds, best bets for NCAAF Week 13

No. 16 Colorado will face off against Kansas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium today at 3:30 p.m. EST. Despite the Buff’s star power on both sides of the ball, our data model likes the Jayhawks’ chances to pull off the upset — our best for today is Kansas +2.5 (+102).

Ahead of this Big 12 matchup, the data analysts at Dimers.com have simulated the game 10,000 times, and then compared these results to current NCAAF betting odds to inform the data-driven betting preview provided to you below.

This preview includes Dimers’ best bets and predicted scoreline for Colorado vs. Kansas. To unlock Dimers’ full suite of data-driven betting insights, which includes daily props, trends, and parlays, sign up for Dimers Pro with promo code SYRACUSE10, which will save you 10% off your first subscription payment.

Bet365 is fully legal in Colorado, making this the perfect time for Buffs fans to claim huge betting bonuses with our brand new exclusive bet365 bonus code “SYRACUSE”, while sports fans in New York State can take full advantage of our NBA League Pass FanDuel promo code. Additionally, bettors are encouraged to check out this exclusive promo offer from DraftKings and the latest deal from BetMGM.

Colorado vs. Kansas betting preview

Utilize the interactive widget below to discover the current spread, total, and moneyline odds and probabilities for the Colorado-Kansas matchup at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

This prediction and best bet for Saturday’s college football matchup between Colorado and Kansas is from Dimers.com, a trusted source for sports betting predictions.

Check out all the important details on today’s game, as well as the best odds sourced from the top sportsbooks in the country.

Game details

Key information on the Colorado vs. Kansas matchup, including where the game is and what time it kicks off.

Teams: Colorado vs. Kansas
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. EST
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
NCAAF rankings: Updated AP Top 25
College football news: Check the latest updates from the official NCAA football news site

Odds

The latest and best odds for the college football showdown between the Colorado and Kansas.

Spread: Colorado -2.5 (-105), Kansas +2.5 (+102)
Moneyline: Colorado -135, Kansas +126
Total: Over/Under 59.5 (-108/-110)

The odds and lines presented in this article are the best available from selected sports betting site at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Expert prediction: Colorado vs. Kansas

Using state-of-the-art data analysis and machine learning, the experts at Dimers have executed 10,000 simulations of Saturday’s Colorado vs. Kansas game.

According to Dimers’ independent predictive analytics model, Colorado is more likely to defeat Kansas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. This prediction is based on the model giving Colorado a 56% chance of winning the game.

Elsewhere on the betting board, Dimers predicts that the bookmakers have got it right and Colorado and Kansas each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the 59.5-point over/under is also considered an equal 50-50 chance of hitting.

These predictions and probabilities are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.

Colorado vs. Kansas best bet

Our top pick for the Colorado vs. Kansas game on Saturday is to bet on Kansas +2.5 (+102).

This expert betting advice is based on cutting-edge modeling and valuable wagering intelligence, designed to assist you in making more informed investments.

Score prediction for Colorado vs. Kansas

Dimers’ projected final score for the Colorado vs. Kansas game on Saturday has Colorado winning 30-28.

This expert prediction is based on each team’s average score following 10,000 game simulations, offering a glimpse into the potential outcome.

College football Week 13: Colorado vs. Kansas

Get ready for Saturday’s college football action between Colorado and Kansas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, which is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EST. We emphasize that all of the college football predictions and college football best bets on this page are derived from 10,000 data-driven simulations of the Colorado vs. Kansas matchup, and they are correct at the time of publication to help you make better decisions when placing bets at online sportsbooks.

Please note that when engaging in online betting, it is important to exercise responsible gambling practices and seek reliable sources for the latest and most accurate information.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mac Douglass | Special Correspondent

Mac Douglass is the Senior Sports Betting Editor at Cipher Sports Technology Group. In addition to covering the sports betting industry for several news sites across the US, Mac provides Formula 1 analysis and betting tips for Dimers, and tennis commentary for Stats Insider.

Ryan Leaver | Special Correspondent

Ryan Leaver is a highly experienced sports betting digital content producer for Cipher Sports Technology Group. He boasts an impressive writing portfolio, contributing to prominent platforms like Dimers, Fox Sports, Stats Insider, and Triple M.

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Travis Hunter responds to Kansas’ Cobee Bryant after trash talk episodes

Published

16 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Travis Hunter responds to Kansas’ Cobee Bryant after trash talk episodes

Kansas Jayhawks defensive back Cobee Bryant has made it clear he’s been anticipating this weekend’s matchup against the No. 16 Colorado Buffaloes. In an interview earlier this week, Bryant openly expressed his excitement to face Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter. “I’m not going to lie, I have been waiting,” Bryant said. “I already marked this on my notes… I’ve been waiting on this game all season. This is gonna be the game.” His eagerness spilled over onto social media, where he posted, “Now I’m piss hurry tf up Saturday I meant that omm bet,” highlighting his impatience for the showdown.

Despite Bryant’s bold trash talk, Hunter has kept a calm and confident demeanor. During a livestream, he responded to questions about Bryant, saying, “We let people talk, bro. Would that make him feel better? It’s going to make him feel better, let that boy talk. They know they are going to have to double team.” Hunter’s composed reply suggests he’s more focused on his game than engaging in verbal sparring.

Deion Sanders meets up with coaching legend before Kansas matchup

Bryant’s trash talk hasn’t been limited to Hunter. The Kansas defensive back also took aim at Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, reportedly texting him and drawing a response from the Buffs’ leader. Sanders, unshaken, has hinted at exploiting Kansas’ coverage, adding fuel to the growing tension. This back-and-forth has only energized the Buffaloes, who are vying to strengthen their College Football Playoff resume.

For Kansas, this game represents a golden opportunity to make a statement by taking down a CFP-ranked opponent. A win would allow the unranked Jayhawks to end their season on a high note and potentially climb the rankings themselves. Colorado, meanwhile, has its sights set on maintaining momentum. A win over Kansas, followed by another against Oklahoma State, would propel the Buffaloes into the the Big 12 title game and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The stakes are high and the stage is set at Arrowhead Stadium. The clash between Kansas and Colorado promises to be intense, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

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Will Weather Play a Factor in No. 16 Colorado vs. Kansas? Latest Update

Published

1 day ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Will Weather Play a Factor in No. 16 Colorado vs. Kansas? Latest Update

As No. 16 Colorado and Kansas prepare to face off on Saturday, the stakes have never been higher.

Colorado enters the game with an 8-2 record and hopes of making a college football playoff run in year two under head coach Deion Sanders.

On the other hand, Kansas has struggled for much of the season but comes into this game with newfound confidence after securing back-to-back wins against Top-25 teams in program history.

The game is set to take place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time.

Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

According to the latest forecast, the weather should be relatively mild, but there are a few elements to keep an eye on as the game unfolds.

Temperatures will reach a high of 57 degrees during the afternoon, with game-time conditions hovering around 54 degrees.

Fans attending the game can expect clear skies with only a 1% chance of precipitation, so rain isn’t expected to be a factor.

However, wind could still have an impact. Gusts of up to 10 mph are expected, which could affect passing and kicking games.

The humidity will sit at 43%, which shouldn’t be a significant factor for the teams, but it’s something to keep in mind as the afternoon wears on.