There’s always fun to be had around the Super Bowl. Between the commercials, the halftime show, and all the pageantry around the game, the NFL always goes all out.
So what is the Kick Of Destiny? The two quarterbacks will compete to prove that they could do Adam Vinatieri and Lawrence Tynes’ jobs, and go head-to-head in a competition of 25-yard field goals attempts.
(It’s worth noting that extra points are 33-yard kicks.)
Rules
Peyton and Eli Manning will face off in a field goal kicking competition.
Each kicker will attempt a 25-yard kick.
If the first kicker makes, the second kicker is given a chance to tie.
If the first kicker misses, the second kicker is given a chance to win.
If both kickers miss, they will kick again until there is a winner.
If no winner is decided after three rounds, the kicker who kicked it closest to the center target on the net in the last round wins the tiebreaker.
SB Nation reacts asked fans who would come out on top, with the majority voting for the younger Manning.
The Brothers Manning are among the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history. But unlike triple-threat George Blanda, Eli and Peyton were quarterback specialists.
But as we all know, being a multi-discipline athlete requires athleticism. Eli has always been the more athletic of the two — recall the time Eli outran reigning DPOY and HOF pass rusher Jason Taylor for a touchdown. Being a successful kicker also demands the cool, calm demeanor to not let nerves impact the process, and Eli was well-known as one of the most clutch quarterbacks of all time. Easy E is famous for his steady keel and imperviousness to pressure.
That all works in Eli’s favor, and hopefully he’ll get the ultimate bragging rights over Peyton.
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The highly anticipated matchup between brothers Eli Manning and Peyton Manning in the FanDuel Kick Of Destiny is set to be a showdown for the ages. And according to the latest odds, Eli Manning is favored to come out on top.
Eli Manning, known for his clutch performances and two Super Bowl victories, is no stranger to pressure situations. With his experience and skillset, many believe he has what it takes to outduel his older brother on the virtual gridiron.
Peyton Manning, on the other hand, is a future Hall of Famer and one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. His football IQ and ability to dissect defenses could give him the edge in this matchup.
But when it comes down to it, the odds are in Eli Manning’s favor. Fans and analysts alike are predicting a close game, but ultimately believe Eli will emerge victorious in the FanDuel Kick Of Destiny.
Who will come out on top in this epic battle of the Mannings? Tune in to find out.
It’s been quite difficult to judge the market surrounding New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso this winter. Alonso was the best first baseman available by a long shot, but he was also reportedly demanding a lot more money than all the others.
As a result, just about every other first baseman has come off the board and Alonso remains a free agent with nearly zero leverage.
Still, he’s a very talented player and he’s going to make whichever team signs him very happy next year.
Keegan Matheson of MLB.com recently listed the Mets as the favorites to land Alonso, but he also acknowledged the presence of the Toronto Blue Jays in the sweepstakes.
TORONTO, CANADA – SEPTEMBER 11: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays talks with Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets in the fifth inning during a game at Rogers Centre on… TORONTO, CANADA – SEPTEMBER 11: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays talks with Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets in the fifth inning during a game at Rogers Centre on September 11, 2024 in Toronto, Canada.
Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images
“Pete Alonso’s market — and some of the reporting around it — has been … unique,” Matheson wrote. “Yes, the Blue Jays like Alonso, but this continues to feel like a situation where Alonso is waiting for the Mets. Like they’ve done many times in past pursuits, the Blue Jays can position themselves well as the next-best option here, which may be enough in the end, but my eyes are still on the Mets.”
While the Mets are the favorites for good reason, the Blue Jays are a real threat to steal him.
Toronto needs to add talent around Vladimir Guerrero Jr., or it needs to trade the superstar first baseman away. After signing Anthony Santander, it seems like the Blue Jays will look to compete in 2025 with Guerrero, Santander, and others.
Adding Alonso to this lineup on a three- or four-year deal would be quite an upgrade for the Blue Jays. If any team has the money to steal the slugger from the Mets, it’s the Blue Jays.
According to recent reports, star first baseman Pete Alonso is favored to sign a contract extension with the New York Mets. Alonso, who has quickly become a fan favorite and one of the team’s top performers, is expected to secure a long-term deal that will keep him in Queens for years to come.
In addition to the news about Alonso, there is also speculation about a surprise American League contender who is making waves in the offseason. While many had predicted that the usual suspects would dominate the AL standings, this underdog team has been quietly building a strong roster and could be a dark horse in the upcoming season.
Stay tuned for more updates on Pete Alonso’s contract negotiations and the emergence of this unexpected AL contender. It’s shaping up to be an exciting offseason in Major League Baseball!
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Pete Alonso, New York Mets, MLB, baseball, offseason, free agency, signing, rumors, AL contender, surprise team, sports news, player news, trade rumors
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It was so convincing as an error that there was little thought to delete it.
The story had been turned in during the early morning hours and drowsiness is undefeated when it comes to causing unforced errors by even the best of reporters in stories. Texas Tech being the underdog against Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl was quickly highlighted and deleted without much of a thought.
However, a short while after the story published sans Red Raiders underdog status, a haunting nagging feeling crept in. Sports Illustrated writer Bob Stephens is a veteran writer and tends to err on the side of being overly meticulous when it comes to making sure his facts are right, so, while the deletion of the claim that Vegas has Arkansas favored over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl essentially changed nothing in the story, certainty was needed.
Turns out, as outlandish as it may seem when the story was submitted earlier this week, Stephens was right. The Razorbacks are favored by 2.5 over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl. With no gamblers on staff, point spreads rarely get anything more that a cursory glance at best.
However, with Texas Tech at 8-4 with wins over second round playoff team Arizona State, an almost playoff bound Iowa State and a win over an Oklahoma State team for which the Hogs account for 1/3 of its wins, there was no reason to think about point spreads in terms of who is favored to actually win. Arkansas has a depleted receiving corp, backfield and offensive line, all important to actually scoring points.
The NFL draft and transfer portral not only deprived offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino of weapons, but Ole MIss, Michigan, Purdue, SMU, Oklahoma, Texas and Kentucky ran off with 11 of the Hogs’ top players. On top of that, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has been buried in transfer portal business in an effort to make sure 2025 at least begins with a reason for his team to think there’s at least a chance at a winning record.
So, what has been going on out in Lubbock to make oddsmakers think the Razorbacks should win this thing?
LACK OF A QUARTERBACK
Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) throws against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. / Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
As would be advised by even the worst agents, players with NFL prospects shouldn’t risk potential injury in bowl games. While Behren Morton won’t be featured in the upcoming draft, the numbers he put up this season make him a strong prospect come next draft.
Morton tortured defenses by throwing for 3,325 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was good enough to make them a legitimate threat to claim the Big 12’s lone playoff spot.
The injury came against TCU back in October. Although he was able to return for the rest of the season, it was decided it was best not only for Morton’s NFL future, but the future of the Red Raiders program as well. Skipping out on a meaningless bowl game greatly increases the odds he will be ready for spring practices where he will get to build chemistry with a surprisingly strong transfer portal class headed to Lubbock.
In Morton’s place will be freshman Will Hammond, a former 4-star and Top 300 recruit from Hutto, Texas. Hammond is 15-of-23 on the year for 191 yards. For perspective, former Arkansas back-up Malachi Singleton was 21-of-28 for 358 yards.
TOP RECEIVER GONE
Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Josh Kelly (3) rushes against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. / Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
As is the case for Arkansas and pretty much every other team not in the playoffs, Texas Tech’s leading receiver won’t be playing in the Liberty Bowl. Josh Kelly, who led the Red Raiders in overall receiving yards and catches with 89 for 1,023, is off preparing for the NFL draft.
However, it should be noted that options Nos. 2 and 3, Caleb Douglas and Coy Eakin, are expected to play. Douglas averaged 14 yards per catch and Eakin 13.4, both significantly higher than Kelly, and they each put up six touchdowns while combining for 100 catches for 1,367 yards.
That means there won’t be nearly as much drop-off at the position, if any, when compared to Arkansas. Quarterback Taylen Green has only one of his top four receivers from this season, Isaac TeSlaa, as an available throwing target.
It should also be noted that Taj Brooks, Texas Tech leading rusher an a significant threat in the passing game, is in Memphis and technically slated to play. He’s declared for the NFL draft, so head coach Joey McGuire has been reluctant to declare Brooks will carry a heavy workload.
TOP ASSISTANTS GONE
Texas Tech’s defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter gives instructions during football practice at the Sports Performance Center. / Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Texas Tech fired defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter and secondary coach Marcel Yates at the end of the season. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Zach Kittley left to take the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic. However, it should be noted that while interims will officially make the calls during the actual game, new coordinators Shiel Wood and Mack Leftwich have been around and available for input.
So, while Vegas may lean heavily toward Bobby Petrino and Travis Williams against a pair of interims, it’s not as lopsided as it looks on paper from a coaching experience standpoint. And, yes, Texas Tech is without its starting quarterback, leading receiver and a couple of part-time starters in the offensive line, but Arkansas barely has receivers, tight ends or running backs.
Coaching experience can only go so far. There has to actually be someone to coach.
PERCEIVED HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Because Memphis is so close to Arkansas it has a counterpart to its west just across the border, the thought is Razorbacks fans will pack out the Liberty Bowl. After all, surely an underserved portion of the fan base in the eastern half of the state will seize the opportunity to see their beloved Hogs.
However, there are two factors at play here. First off is a solid case of apathy combined with a Liberty Bowl stadium that is currently a giant construction zone.
Arkansas fans are showing mild curiosity in what’s being built for next season, but haven’t shown much interest in what’s left of a 6-6 team. Plus, the last time the Hogs showed up in Memphis, the plumbing didn’t even work as portable restrooms crowded the landscape.
Not exactly a solid combination for families to spend hundreds of dollars on bowl game tickets to give out as Christmas gifts. It’s preferred by most to simply watch it on ESPN with the option to do literally anything other than spend a day in Memphis should the game go poorly.
The second factor is the disadvantage Arkansas faces if Razorbacks fans do fill up the stadium. The last thing the Hogs need is for it to feel like Fayetteville.
The past several seasons have proven Pittman’s teams perform at a much higher level in hostile environments than in Razorback Stadium. It’s almost a guaranteed loss when a current Power Four school (or Liberty) comes to town.
The only saving grace for Arkansas is Pittman seems to find a way to make creme brulee out of the stinkiest of delta mud come bowl season. His teams always appear prepared and convinced non-playoff bowl games really matter.
DEFYING VEGAS
Still, despite all of this, it is hard not to believe Vegas has this one wrong. There are so many red flags against Arkansas that indicate there’s too much of a mountain to climb to pull this one out.
Yes, all those players who haven’t had a chance to shine are going to be overly motivated to put out good tape, but internal motivation can only go so far. Surely they have wanted to do as much all season long, yet have rarely earned that opportunity.
In an off-field war of attrition, Texas Tech has won the battle. Unless Green, Rodney Hill, Braylen Russell and Issac TeSLaa combine to each play out of their minds despite a makeshift offensive line, there’s not a lot of reason to think this one is going to go the Razorbacks’ way.
However, there are no other games going on at that time and tickets to the live action “Lion King” prequel are sold out pretty much everywhere, so fans will just have to hope for the best because there’s no other alternative.
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There are a few reasons why Sam Pittman’s Arkansas Razorbacks are surprisingly favored against Texas Tech in their upcoming matchup.
First, Arkansas has shown significant improvement under Pittman’s leadership. In just his second season as head coach, Pittman has already led the Razorbacks to a 3-0 start, including an impressive win over Texas. The team’s strong performance so far this season has given them momentum and confidence heading into the game against Texas Tech.
Second, Arkansas has a strong defense that has been able to shut down opposing offenses. Led by defensive coordinator Barry Odom, the Razorbacks have been able to limit their opponents’ scoring opportunities and force turnovers. This strong defensive play has been a key factor in Arkansas’s success this season.
Lastly, Texas Tech has struggled offensively in their first few games, averaging just 24 points per game. If the Red Raiders are unable to get their offense going against Arkansas’s stout defense, the Razorbacks could have the upper hand in the game.
Overall, the combination of Arkansas’s improved performance under Pittman, their strong defense, and Texas Tech’s offensive struggles have led to the Razorbacks being favored in this matchup. It will be interesting to see if they can continue their winning streak and come out on top against Texas Tech.
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Sam Pittman, Arkansas Razorbacks, Texas Tech, college football, SEC, Big 12, betting odds, underdog, upset alert, game analysis, football coaching, sports news
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