Cowboys Lock Up Their Star WR ⭐️, Harper Walks It Off + Our AFC South Preview

Dearest Blitzers,

How goes it? Hope your morning is off to a strong start. If not, the Blitz is bringing the extra Sebastian Janikowski kick that you need.

Today we're covering CeeDee Lamb's massive contract extension, the Packers' interesting QB move, and we're continuing our NFL Season Preview with an in-depth look at the AFC South. And as always, we'll wrap up with some MLB highlights and our daily trivia. By the end, you'll be ready to kick it into high gear/attempt a 76 yard field goal. Let's get into it!

WTF Stat: According to Nielsen, 19 of the 20 most viewed television broadcasts of all time in the US are from Super Bowls. Last year’s Super Bowl holds the top spot with 123.7 million average viewers. The only non-Super Bowl that made the list was the M*A*S*H final episode. Here is the full list.

🏈 WR CeeDee Lamb, has agreed to a four-year, $136 million contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys, making him the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal includes a $38 million signing bonus and $100 million guaranteed. Lamb has held out all of training camp due to contract disputes, but now is locked up through 2028. The Cowboys can now shift their focus to potentially securing a long-term deal with QB Dak Prescott, whose contract is set to expire after this season.

• 🔥 Take: This was a no-brainer. He’s been unguardable since he’s entered the league, and a big part of the reason the Cowboys put up a league high 30.1 points per game last season.

🏈 The Green Bay Packers have traded a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans for QB Malik Willis, who is expected to back up starting QB Jordan Love this season. This move comes after a summer competition between QB Sean Clifford and rookie QB Michael Pratt, that failed to produce a clear winner. Willis was initially the third-string quarterback for the Titans, behind QB Will Levis and QB Mason Rudolph.

• 🔥 Take: The perfect landing spot for any QB. Willis has the talent, he was at one point a first round projection, and the Packers are known for turning QBs into Hall of Famers (Love’s immediate success last year was pretty impressive). So it’s a win-win for everyone except the Titans who continue to be a revolving door of QBs, but maybe Will Levis will be the answer…

NFL SEASON PREVIEW - AFC SOUTH

1. Houston Texans

The biggest surprise of the 2023 season, rookie head coach Demeco Ryans and rookie QB CJ Stroud led the Texans to their first division title since 2019. From rebuild to win now, the Texans went out and added to the offensive firepower with veterans RB Joe Mixon and WR Stefon Diggs. They also added sack-master DE Danielle Hunter to pair with 2023 first round pick DE Will Anderson. The Texans are young, talented and poised to repeat as AFC South champs in a weak division.

Biggest Additions: EDGE Danielle Hunter, RB Joe Mixon, WR Stefon Diggs, OT Blake Fisher, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, DT Denico Autry

Biggest Departures: RB Devin Singletary, LB Blake Cashman, DT Maliek Collins, EDGE Jonathan Greenard, DT Sheldon Rankins

Biggest Question: After two tumultuous tenures and now in the twilight of his career, does WR Stefon Diggs add to the good vibes in Houston or will it be a drama, drama, drama?

Playmakers: WRs Tank Dell and Nico Collins - The unheralded duo crushed in 2023, Collins brought in 80 passes for just under 1,300 yards and 8 TDs, while Dell caught 7 TDs in just 11 games before getting hurt.

Name You Should Know: CB Derek Stingley Jr. - Caught in the shadow of Sauce Gardner in the 2022 draft, Stingley is starting to emerge as one of the best corners in the game picking off a team high 5 INTs in 2023.

Sleeper: LB Henry To’oTo’o - 61 tackles in his rookie season, the former 5th round pick has an opportunity to elevate his game under Ryan’s tutelage.

Projection: 10-7

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags went from John Wick, “Yeah, I’m thinking I’m back” after starting 6-2, to Tobey Maguire gingerly holding his lower back, “My back, my baaaack,” while finishing the season 3-6 and missing the playoffs. Former top-prospect QB Trevor Lawrence has yet to live up to his potential under Doug Pederson. However, the front office has been investing on the defensive side of the ball led by pro-bowler DT Arik Armstead and DE Josh Hines-Allen and could give Lawrence some breathing room.

Biggest Additions: WR Brian Thomas (R), WR Gabe Davis, C Mitch Morse, CB Ronald Darby, DB Darnell Savage Jr., DT Arik Armstead, QB Mac Jones

Biggest Departures: WR Calvin Ridley, K Brandon McManus, CB Darius Williams, S Rayshawn Jenkins

Biggest Question: Is this the year that Trevor Lawrence plays up to his potential?

Playmaker: RB Travis Etienne Jr. - Faded down the stretch just like the rest of the team, but if he’s on his A-game, he’s a true gamechanger.

Name You Should Know: DE Travon Walker - The former number 1 overall pick didn’t pop in his rookie year, but registered 10 sacks in 2023. Walker and Hines-Allen should give opposing QBs nightmares.

Sleeper: WR Brian Thomas Jr. - Fellow rookies WR Malik Nabors, WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and WR Rome Odunze are getting the shine in the 2024 class, but Thomas could be the dude we’re talking about as the steal of the draft.

Projection: 8-9

3. Indianapolis Colts

Colts fans got really excited about QB Anthony Richardson…for about 4 games and then he missed the rest of the season. Still, reason for hope in Indianapolis. RB Jonathan Taylor is 100 percent healthy, they have a solid WR1 in Michael Pittman Jr., and one of the best offensive lines in the league. The pieces are there for the Colts to be entertaining to watch. IF Anthony Richardson can stay healthy and IF the defense can be better than 28th in points per game. A lot of IFs.

Biggest Additions: QB Joe Flacco, EDGE Laiatu Latu

Biggest Departures: RB Zach Moss, QB Gardner Minshew II

Biggest Question: Can Anthony Richardson stay healthy long enough for us to get a true evaluation of his talent?

Playmaker: WR Michael Pittman Jr. - One of the more consistent receivers in the NFL since 2021...that you’ve never heard of. His QBs during his career so far: Old Man Philip Rivers, Old Man Carson Wentz, Old Man Matt Ryan, and Moderately Aged Gardner Minshew II.

Name You Should Know: OG Quenton Nelson - Entering his 7th season, pound for pound best offensive guard in the NFL.

Sleeper: WR Alec Pierce - Rookie Adonai Mitchel hasn’t looked good, Josh Downs is banged up, leaving room for Pierce to step into the WR2 role.

Projection: 7-10

4. Tennessee Titans

Times are a-changin’ in Nashville. For the first time in 8 seasons, RB Derrick Henry will not be trotting onto the field in a Titan uniform. Mike Vrabel was also shown the door in favor of first time head coach Brian Callahan, who came over from the Cincinnati Bengals. New head coach, aging veterans, and a young QB? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Biggest Additions: WR Calvin Ridley, CB L’Jarius Snead, C Lloyd Cushenberry, OT JC Latham (R), RB Tony Pollard, CB Chidobe Awuzie

Biggest Departures: RB Derrick Henry, DT Denico Autry, CB Kristian Fulton, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, HC Mike Vrabel

Biggest Question: What is the offensive identity of this team in the post-Henry/Vrabel era?

Playmakers: WRs Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins - Levis loves to chuck the ball deep and both Ridley and Hopkins can go up and get it.

Name You Should Know: DL Jeffery Simmons - Big Jeff is a monster in the middle like his fellow former Mississippi State Bulldog DT Chris Jones.

Sleeper: RB Tyjae Spears - Titans went out and paid RB Tony Pollard, but the Tulane alum has got the juice and should be the heir to King Henry’s throne.

Projection: 6-11

• Phillies 3, Astros 2: Harper comes through in the 10th to walk it off.

Game 1: Royals 4, Guardians 3 & Game 2: Royals 9, Guardians 4: Kansas City wins both games of the double-header, thanks to some good defense and Salvador Perez’s 6 RBIs in the second game:

• Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 3: Danny Jansen makes history but not good enough for his new team.

• Braves 10, Twins 6: Atlanta blows out Minnesota, Matt Olsen drives in 5 RBI.

• Yankees 5, Nationals 2: Aaron Judge does it with his glove this time, as the Yankees beat up on Washington:

See the full MLB scoreboard here and the current standings here.

On this day in 1982, Rickey Henderson steals his 119th base of season breaking Lou Brock's record. Henderson would go on to finish the season with 130 stolen bases. He eclipsed the 100 stolen bases mark 3 times in his career and finished with 1,406 stolen bases. The active MLB player with the most stolen bases currently is Starling Marte with 351.

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

With their 100th loss yesterday, the White Sox remain on pace to break the record for most losses in a season, which team holds that record?

B. 1962 New York Mets - 210 errors and a 5.04 ERA. Woof, you can find the other top losers on the list here.

Check back in tomorrow for today’s trivia answer and more info!