Team Need Score: 10/10. Hargrave will be 30 years old this season, so he’s not an ideal fit for a young, rebuilding Bears team. But he also had 11 sacks from an interior DL position and if the Bears hope to climb into respectability next season, Hargrave would be a huge step in that direction.

2022 Highlights on YouTube: Javon Hargrave 2022-23 Highlights || HD – YouTube

B/R Contract Projection: “Three years, $61.2 million, $40.25 million guaranteed”

Analysis: “Eagles All-22 Film Review: Javon Hargrave will be greatly missed if he’s not back.” Read the full report HERE.

Team Need Score: 10/10. There is no bigger need for the 2023 Chicago Bears than along the defensive line. They were pushed around weekly in the interior and displayed no pass rush on the outside.

2022 Highlights on YouTube: Daron Payne FULL 2022-23 Season Highlights | PRO BOWLER| 2023 NFL Free Agent |Washington Commanders – YouTube

PFF Contract Projection: “Four years, $80 million ($20M per year), $55 million total guaranteed.”

Analysis: “The cost may be high, but losing defensive tackle Daron Payne is something the Washington Commanders can’t afford.” Read the entire piece HERE.

[Note: Rumors out of D.C. are that the Commanders will tag Payne, making him only available to the Bears via trade.]

Team Need Score: 8/10. The Bears need to make additions at wide receiver, either through free agency or the draft, and Meyers would give them a steady, professional presence in the slot/outside.

2022 Highlights on YouTube: Jakobi Meyers 2022-23 Highlights || HD – YouTube

PFF Contract Projection: “Four years, $64 million ($16M per year), $40 million total guaranteed.”

Analysis: “To Re-Sign Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots Will Need to Place Priority on Proven Production.” Read the full article HERE.

Team Need Score: 7/10. The Bears need to add an offensive tackle in free agency, and expectations are they will leave Braxton Jones on the left side to develop. If they focus on the right side, McGary should be their primary target. McGary will only be 27 to start the season.

2022 Highlights on YouTube:

• Kaleb McGary SHUTS DOWN T.J. Watt | Kaleb McGary (RT – 76) Week 13 Highlights vs PIT – YouTube
• He’s getting PAID this offseason | Kaleb McGary (RT – 76) Week 17 Highlights vs ARZ – YouTube

PFF Contract Projection: “Four years, $52 million ($13M per year); $31 million total guaranteed.”

Analysis: “Ranking the Falcons’ top 10 free agents: Kaleb McGary in line for a big raise.” Read the rest from The Athletic HERE.

Andrew. Wylie. pic.twitter.com/HWr0O386dT

— Josh Cohen (@JCohen_NFL) February 13, 2023

I know it looks simple, and that’s because it is.

Uses motion all game and right when the moment requires excellence he leans on the tendencies he’s fed to the defense to scheme a man wide open for the score.

A masterclass of a play call by Andy Reid. pic.twitter.com/JhSzkpGYB4

— Iestyn T Harris (@IestynTHarris) February 14, 2023

As always, the day after the Super Bowl is reserved on DBB to simply celebrate the champion. Winning the Super Bowl is exceedingly difficult, and the achievement should not be underestimated.

Congratulations to Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Four Thoughts on the Ballgame

• The legs of the quarterbacks could possibly be the story. Patrick Mahomes has always extended drives with his legs in the biggest moments of his career. Jalen Hurts’ ability to carry the ball is the added dimension that makes Philly so difficult to defend. Mahomes is on one leg. Hurts has been reticent to carry the ball since injury. It begs the question: which player is more lethal with limited mobility? The answer is simple: Mahomes.
• How do these two quarterbacks handle the pressure? Hurts and the Eagles were sacked 44 times. Mahomes and the Chiefs only 26 times. What does it mean? It is a question of design. The Eagles want to get the ball to their big-ticket wide receivers. And doing so takes time. The Chiefs are perfectly happy to dink and dunk their way around the field, especially considering they can dink to an unstoppable Travis Kelce.
• If you’re looking for a statistical dividing line between the two clubs this regular season it is turnover differential. Eagles were +8. Chiefs were -3. What questions can we ask? Can the Eagles continue this trend of not turning it over? Can the Chiefs survive a turnover or two against this, the best opponent they have faced all season? How might an early turnover swing each team’s approach?
• This feels even, with two players capable of being game winners: Chris Jones (KC) and DeVonta Smith (PHI). If one of these two guys dominates, I think it swings the result. If neither dominates, I like the Chiefs narrowly.

Kansas City Chiefs 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21

Five fun bets for Super Bowl Sunday, and as always, the odds come from DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Coin Toss: Tails (+100)

Tails, it has been said, never fails. And if something never fails, why would you not place a wager on it?

Travis Kelce: First TD Scorer (+650)

How much explanation does this require? Kelce might be the best pass-catching tight end in the history of the league and he’s the favorite weapon of Patrick Mahomes. When they get down inside the red zone, Kelce is options one, two and three.

Jalen Hurts: Under 49.5 Yards Rushing (-115)

It’s been well over a month since Hurts has eclipsed fifty yards rushing, and he did so against the Bears on December 18th. Hurts is sort of an up-the-gut rusher, exploiting gaps left by interior DL. The Chiefs have some of the best players in the league in the interior of their DL. The Eagles will run the ball effectively, but not with the quarterback.

Chris Jones: Over 0.25 Sacks (-135)

Hard for me to imagine a scenario where Jones doesn’t get on the stat sheet. Not a ton of value here but you should be able to parlay it in some locations, perhaps with your choice to win the game on the money line.

DeVonta Smith: 125+ Receiving Yards and 1+ TD (+1000)

The odds are long for a reason. This is a long shot bet. But as someone who has earmarked Smith as a potential MVP of this game, I feel it’s worth a slight financial risk. $10 to win $110 sounds about right.