Chiefs hire Steve Spagnuolo to run the defense

Jan 24, 2019

Andy Reid is putting his faith in Steve Spagnuolo.

The Kansas City Chiefs fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton after the team’s 37-31 overtime loss in the AFC championship game to the New England Patriots. On Thursday, NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported the team will hire Spagnuolo to be the team’s new defensive coordinator.

It’s not an overstatement that Reid’s best shot to finally win a Super Bowl might rest on whether Spagnuolo can transform the defense. The offense is perhaps the best in the league. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is going to win NFL MVP next week and the Chiefs have a window to build around him while he’s on his rookie contract, before he signs a massive extension.

If the defense improves, the Chiefs can finally win another Super Bowl. Spagnuolo has some experience building championship defenses.

Spagnuolo’s best work has come with the New York Giants. In 2007, his first season as Giants defensive coordinator, his unit was crucial in a massive Super Bowl upset over the previously undefeated Patriots. The next season, the Giants ranked fifth in the NFL in yards and points allowed.

That was also the last time a Spagnuolo defense ranked better than 10th in yards allowed.

Fantasy Impact:

Across 10 seasons, Spagnuolo's defenses have had an average ranking of 21.8 in yards allowed and 20.8 in points allowed.

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Raiders RB Alexander Mattison set to return Week 15, Sincere McCormick still starting

Levi Edwards

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Antonio Pierce stated that Sincere McCormick will remain the team’s starting running back even with Alexander Mattison nearing a return this week.

“He deserves it. … He has run his tail off.”

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah

Fantasy Impact:

At 2-11, the Raiders would be silly to not see what they have in McCormick, with 31-year-old Abdullah and Mattison, who is on a one-year contract, only there to give the former UDFA a breather. Consider McCormick a volume-based RB3.

Giants QB Drew Lock in walking boot, Tommy DeVito set to start Week 15

Adam Schefter

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Giants HC Brian Daboll told reporters that QB Drew Lock is in a walking boot due to a heel injury and Tommy DeVito now is expected to start Sunday vs. the Ravens.

Fantasy Impact:

The Ravens path to an overall D/ST1 finish on the week becomes a little clearer. DeVito can safely be kept on benches in SuperFlex leagues on a week with zero byes.

Bills WR Keon Coleman, TE Dalton Kincaid return to practice ahead of Week 15

Ian Rapoport

2 hours ago

Good news on the way for Buffalo: Bills WR Keon Coleman (wrist) and TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) are expected to practice fully today. A positive step forward in advance of the showdown with the Lions.

Fantasy Impact:

It's probably still best to start other options over Kincaid, as he takes on a Lions defense that ranks 4th in TE aFPA, but there could be a ton of points here, so if you're in a bind he makes sense as a top-15ish option.

As for Coleman, he's more in the boom/bust WR4 range as Shakir should continue standing atop the target share.