SportsBeat KC

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Congrats, Chiefs, on making the playoffs again. Now, get better: SportsBeat KC podcast Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

The Chiefs outgained the Houston Texans 502 yards to 219, held an overwhelming advantage in first downs (33-18) and controlled the ball for 10 minutes longer than their hosts. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes completed 20 straight passes in Sunday’s game at NRG Stadium.

So why the Chiefs need overtime to record a 30-24 victory over a team that dropped to 1-12-1 this season? Let’s count the ways: Two fumbles, 10 penalties and a missed field goal and extra point, for starters.

The Chiefs bumbled enough to keep the game close. But in the end they found a way to get it done. A big play by the defense, forcing and recovering a fumble, and Jerick McKinnon’s 26-yard touchdown run in overtime made the difference.

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, we cover it all with columnist Vahe Gregorian and beat writer Herbie Teope. This wasn’t a championship performance from the Chiefs, but it was good enough to clinch their seventh straight AFC West title.

And in the end, that’s the most important takeaway for a team that nearly gave it away twice.

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Sitting down with “Legatron.” K-State’s Ty Zentner booting his way to stardom Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

Ty Zentner had a smile on his face as he prepared to kick the 31-yard field goal in overtime that would give Kansas State the victory over TCU in the Big 12 Championship Game. What was he thinking?

On today’s SportsBeat KC, Zentner provides the answer and much more in a conversation with beat writer Kellis Robinett and host Blair Kerkhoff.

It’s been a wild ride for the Kansas State kicker who came to place-kicking late in his career. Zentner was an all-around athlete in Shawnee Hights High in Topeka, including goalkeeper on the soccer team. He was a punter and keep kickoff specialst throughout most of his college career at Butler County Community College and K-State.

But when Zentner became the full-time place kicker for the Wildcats in late October, he’s been, well, perfect. He’s made all nine field goals and 29 extra points. Next stop: Caesars Superdome, where Kansas State takes on Alabama on New Year’s Eve.

After a break, Robinett, who owns a winning record with his college football wagers against the spread this season, discusses the early bowl games. Here’s how to factor in changes in rosters and coaching staffs when considering bowl wagers.

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Chiefs carry the NFL’s highest standard, so it’s easy to nit pick Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

The Chiefs head to Houston on Sunday with a chance to clinch their seventh straight AFC West title, and the division dominance is an amazing thing. But the past two games have shown some flaws. The Chiefs split games with Cincinnati and Denver and have had issues on the defensive side and with turnovers.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell and columnist Sam McDowell break down the Chiefs, warts and all. We discuss Patrick Mahomes’ recent performances and discuss his league MVP chances. We also get into the issues in the secondary.

The Chiefs have been so good for several years that the standards are the NFL’s highest: Super Bowl or disappointment. What needs to improve for the Chiefs to reach that bar?

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Hear what John Sherman and other Royals officials said about their proposed downtown ballpark Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

The Royals conducted the first program on their new stadium/entertainment district “listening tour,” on Tuesday. About 300 came to event held at the Plexpod Westport Commons. A lineup that started with Royals chairman and CEO John Sherman made their pitches for about an hour, then took submitted questions for 45 minutes.

The presentation covered many details, although it was short on certain specifics. Left unanswered about the proposed $2 billion project are the specific breakdown between private and public contributions and a timetable.

Among the revelations: The cost would be split between the ballpark and entertainment district, about $1 billion each. And, according to Populous, the architectural design firm, the cost to maintain Kauffman Stadium with a new lease would be the same as building a new stadium.

The event hosted by Royals announcer Ryan Lefebvre wasn’t available via broadcast or livestream, so you’ll hear it here on SportsBeat KC. The speaker lineup after Sherman bats leadoff:

Sarah Tourville, Royals senior vice-president, business operations

Brooks Sherman, Royals senior vice-president, Chief Operating Officer

Sarah Dempster, principal, Populous

Earl Santee, global chair and founder of Populous

Adam Sachs, Royals vice president and chief legal officer

Sharita Hutton, Royals senior director, communication

Cary Hirschstein, partner, HR&A Advisors

Host: Ryan Lefebvre

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SportsBeat KC podcast: After Broncos battle is your Chiefs’ cup half full or half empty? Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

The good news first. In defeating the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Chiefs improved to 10-3 and won their 14th straight over the AFC West rival. The final score was 34-28.

But the Chiefs led this game 27-0 and seemed on their way to a blowout victory. Three Patrick Mahomes interceptions and some shaky defense brought Denver back into the game.

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Star columnist Sam McDowell and beat writer Jesse Newell break down the game’s ebbs and flows. What tells us more about their Chiefs; jumping to the big lead, or losing nearly all of it.

The show started as a SportsBeat Live broadcast about 30 minutes after the game.

Story link:

Chiefs grades: On the way to making the honor roll, the Chiefs fooled around and barely passed.

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article269880312.html

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Why the Border War matters as Kansas visits Missouri in renewal of fierce rivalry Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

One of college basketball’s top rivalries–Kansas vs. Missouri–continues on Saturday, and we’re here to break it down. The current state of the programs, the history, Norm Stewart, we talk about it all on today’s SportsBeat KC.

Star columnist Vahe Gregorian joins beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha to preview the game that begins at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday and will be televised by ESPN.

Mizzou is 9-0 under new coach Dennis Gates and roster full of transfers. Kansas, the defending NCAA champion, is ranked sixth at 8-1. The Jayhawks overwhelmed Missouri in last year’s first meeting in a decade in an incredible atmosphere at Allen Fieldhouse. Mizzou Arena should be just as frenzied on Saturday.

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Are the Chiefs the AFC’s best team? Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

The assumption for several weeks has been the Chiefs are the top team in the AFC, if not the NFL. Is that still true after the team’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend? The outcome dropped the Chiefs to 9-3 and they no longer have the top seed in the AFC playoff picture.

If that’s the case, how do the Chiefs get back to the top, and what issues did the Bengals expose? We discuss that and more on today’s SportsBeat KC with the reporters and columnists who cover the team for The Star.

The Chiefs remaining schedule, starting with Sunday’s game at Denver, looks manageable, so the Chiefs could eventually work their way back to the top seed. But against some of the top teams in the AFC this season–Cincinnati, Buffalo and Tennessee–the Chiefs have struggled. It’s never too early to begin thinking, or fretting over, playoff matchups.

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A full bowl lineup: How postseason matchups came about for Kansas State, Mizzou, KU Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

Kansas State won a conference championship, then joined Missouri and Kansas in learning its bowl destination.

SportsBeat KC tells the huge weekend in college football in podcast form. You’ll hear comments from K-State coach Chris Klieman and players Daniel Green, Deuce Vaughn, Will Howard and Felix Anudike-Uzomah after their stirring 31-28 victory over TCU for the Wildcats’ first Big 12 championship in a decade.

The Wildcats are headed to the Sugar Bowl to face Alabama. Also with their suitcases packed are the Tigers and Jayhawks.

Mizzou is headed to the Gazparilla Bowl to meet Wake Forest and Kansas to the Liberty Bowl to play Arkansas. You may have heard about a poential Mizzou-KU matchup in a bowl game last week. Missouri Coach Eli Drinkwitz addresses that topic, and Kansas coach Lance Leipold talks about the unexpected success of Kansas in his second season.

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What to make of Chiefs’ loss to Bengals and the power structure in the AFC Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

So much for the Chiefs circling the Bengals game on the schedule.

The team that defeated Kansas City twice last year — and knocked them from the playoffs — did it again. Cincinnati defeated the Chiefs 27-24, winning the matchup for the third time in 17 games.

The Chiefs had won 26 straight games in November and December until Sunday.

On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Herbie Teope joins host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss the game. It shifted momentum a few times, the time last swinging toward the Bengals after Travis Kelce lost a fourth-quarter fumble. We also discussed what the outcome means for the NFL playoff picture.

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Breaking down Kansas Jayhawks’ victory with Star’s new beat writer Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

Kansas rolled to a big victory over Seton Hall in the Big 12/Big East Battle on Thursday with the Jayhawks getting double-figure scoring from six players. The victory capped a 2-0 week for KU after suffering its first loss of the season.

On today’s show new beat writer Shreyas Laddha discusses the game and more. Laddha joined The Star this week and offers his first impressions of the defending NCAA champion. We also discuss some bowl game possibilities for the football team.

After a break, you’ll hear from Bill Self as he broke down the Seton Hall game.

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