The paramount reason that the Eagles may have won Super Bowl LIX with an overwhelming defensive performance — but make no mistake — they also won the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history with a nearly unstoppable running game setting up one of the best passing attacks in Eagles history.
This past season — was offensively regrettable with a running game that could barely get going and a passing game that had moment of greatness but even more periods of mediocrity accompanied by criticism from the players themselves. Now two new coaches will attempt to right the ship from inside the Novacare Complex.
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
With a national narrative brewing that working for the Eagles may not be as desirable as other NFL opportunities — and after nearly three weeks of an on-going-soap-opera — like — carousel of nearly everyone being considered for Eagles Offensive Coordinator it seems (and even more people applying on LinkedIn) we finally have our man. Or men.
Former Los Angeles Rams Sean Mannion as and former Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Brian Grizzard are now charged with jumpstarting a talent-rich Eagles offense plagued with mistakes and underperformances last season.
As deflating as the end of this Eagles season was — it’s hard to remember that only five years ago in January 2021 — the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl victory was actually three years before that. In a complete upheaval that it’s conclusion was the outcome of jettisoning the team’s only Super winning coach and leaving Philadelphia with a quarterback controversy between the Love Hurts Camps and the Carson Wentz Camp.
Even so — Doug Pederson may never again have to pay for a meal or a drink in Philadelphia — but he will not be the Eagles new Offensive Coordinator. There will not be a reunion with the man who stands with quarterback Nick Foles in the bronze statue that resides outside of Lincoln Financial Field capturing one of one of the best moments in franchise history nor with the same man who drafted Jalen Hurts, and won a Super Bowl with Brandon Graham, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jake Elliott.
The challenge for Mannion and Grizzard will be two-fold. The first is paramount. Taking one of the most talented offenses to every play in this City from the 24th ranked motionless, out-of-sync display of 2025 back into a Super Bowl Champion unit in 2026. To bring new life to the finest Eagles offense ever to play in this City.
The second will be even harder and less obvious. To transform the role of Sirianni’s second-in-command on the offensive side of the ball from a temporary stay on the way to greener Head Coaching pastures like Kellen Moore or Shane Steichen did — to a role with more stability to build that continuity with the Eagles Offense over the next several seasons rather than just the next season.
If both men are successful — the Eagles can return to a previous Top 10 NFL Offense that can compliment Vic Fangio’s Defense by scoring points and keeping them off the field at the same time.
With the announcement that the Eagles would need to be in search of a new Offensive Line Coach. Panic began to set in. Not only would a new offensive coordinator be taking over for the 5th consecutive year. But a vacancy was suddenly open that hasn’t been available since 2013.
The Eagles had kept the doors to Stoutland University open for 13 seasons. With players including Jason Peters, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks having come and gone through the Eagles doors. While the legacy will live on as long as Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson continue to play for the city of Philadelphia.
Kuper’s 2025
Chris Kuper spent the last 4 years as the Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach. With Mannion having spent time in 2023 with the Vikings, another familiar face to his new staff makes sense.
Could a resume stack up against Jeff Stoutland’s tenure? Unlikely. But the Vikings were building towards something that ultimately didn’t work out in 2025.
When it was all said and done. The Vikings tied 2nd for most sacks given up with a total of 60. Tied with the Chargers and Jets. Only the Raiders gave up more with a total of 64.
Minnesota also saw three different Quarterbacks across the 17 game season. With starts from J.J. McCarthy to Max Brosmer and Carson Wentz. Injured QBs were the least of the Vikings concern.
Injuries, Injuries, Injuries
Last offseason, the Vikings signed Ryan Kelly and Will Fries to play Center & Right Guard. Slotting in with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Niell returning from previous seasons. The Vikings also added Donovan Jackson with the 24th overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Things started slow for the Vikings as Darrisaw didn’t play until Week 3 and only started 10 games.
Ryan Kelly only saw action in 8 games throughout the season, being placed in concussion protocol weeks 2, 4 and 16.
While both Jackson & O’Neill finished the season with 14 games. The Vikings OL was constantly rotating out players and rarely saw consistent starting lineups.
With tattered and bruised players, even the Eagles offensive line struggled only missing Lane Johnson for 7 games and Landon Dickerson for 2.
If given a healthy season, there’s opportunity for Kuper to cement himself in a new era of Eagles football. One that might find itself in need of new cornerstone pieces to the offensive line.
With the draft coming in April, are you expecting the Eagles to draft OL in the first round?
Sure — when your NFL Team is ninety-two years old, like a lifetime full of tons of happy memories and some that you’d probably rather forget — it’s often hard to believe that one moment defines you.
And of course — from a franchise that stopped Emmitt Smith on 4th and 1 in 1995, threw a 46-yard dagger into the Chiefs’ secondary in the second half of Super Bowl LIX to end the competitive phase of the contest, and pulled off not one but three Miracles in the Meadowlands — it’s hard to pick just one moment. But it certainly helps when ESPN’s SportsCenter 30 for 30 has produced a film about one of those moments.
Eight years ago this weekend , the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. That brought home the first-ever Lombardi Trophy for the franchise, even without quarterback Carson Wentz, Jason Peters, Darren Sproles, or Jordan Hicks, by defeating the New England Patriots, perhaps the best quarterback-coach combination in NFL history.
Right before halftime with the Eagles up 15–12 — Philadelphia running back Cory Clement took a swing pass 55 yards from Nick Foles. Three plays later, Philadelphia had a 4th-and-goal from the one-yard line.
One aspect that defined the Eagles’ 2017–2018 season was their boldness in keeping the offense on the field on fourth down. Right before halftime and nursing a three-point advantage, this was no exception for Doug Pederson. Calling timeout — Pederson wildly scanned his playsheet. When Foles ran over to the sideline, and their eyes met , he immediately asked for Philly, Philly . This play had been included in the Eagles’ Install Package two weeks earlier for the NFC Championship Game against Minnesota. Moments later , Cory Clement took the snap, flipped it to Trey Burton, who threw the ball to Nick Foles for a touchdown to put the Eagles up by ten.
The irony was that earlier in the game, the Patriots tried to run a similar halfback pass to Tom Brady, who dropped the ball.
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Philly Special was not the play that won the Super Bowl. The Eagles would need some 4th-quarter magic on both offense and defense to win 41–33, and even trailed 33–32 in the final period.
But what the Philly Special did was to symbolize the fearlessness of the 2017-2018 Philadelphia Eagles. Not only the confidence to go for it on fourth down, but to run a play that they had never called before.
That same boldness and fearlessness wasn’t just a perfect fit for the Eagles.
It was a perfect reflection of the city that they have called home since 1933.
One whose unyielding resolve had never waivered in its support — each season waiting for another championship celebration — the first since 1960.
One year ago, thousands of fans who enjoyed a 55–23 rout of the Washington Commanders at the Linc — passed a bronze statue capturing that decisive moment when Foles and Pederson decided on a play to stun the opposing team completely. It will forever live as the most remembered play from a storied franchise nearly as old as the NFL itself — a play known now to the ages with just two words:
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Carson Wentz arrived in Philadelphia with big expectations, giving the Eagles fans hope.
Unfortunately, then came the injuries and setbacks that stole the momentum.
It’s a story that feels more human than headline-glamour, and Philly still has mixed feelings.
The Promising Rise
Drafted as the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz showed promise. But it was in 2017 that things really kicked into gear, and by the time he got hurt near season’s end, he’d thrown for 3,296 yards with 33 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions in just 13 games. His passer rating was 101.9 in that stretch. He also rushed for 299 yards that season.
Credit: NFL Network-Facebook
That stretch had everyone talking. He had the kind of spark that made fans believe he could be special. And when you look at what defines the greats, like steady leadership and the ability to make a team feel, it’s easy to see why some thought Wentz might join top NFL quarterbacks of all time. For a brief stretch, he looked like he was heading straight there.
…And Then The Fall
One play in Los Angeles changed everything. An awkward step, an ACL tear, and suddenly his season was done. Nick Foles took over. They won the Super Bowl, and Wentz had to watch the celebration from the sideline.
Injuries have followed him ever since. Back, knee, head. All at different times. He played only 11 games in 2018, and the numbers were fine, but the rhythm was gone, as was the explosiveness.
In 2019, he posted more than 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, but still, it simply wasn’t the same as he was pressing. By 2020, the confidence had cracked. The throws that once looked automatic were suddenly forced or late.
He bounced from Philadelphia to Indianapolis to Washington. Each stop brought the same story: flashes of talent, followed by inconsistency.
NFL executives started using a brutal word – “broken.”
They said he looked fine in practice, but when the games started, everything had to be perfect around him. If it wasn’t, his mechanics unraveled. He’d freeze up, double-clutch, miss the open read. He wasn’t the same athlete anymore, either, with the pocket becoming a cage.
The Verdict
By late 2023, the league had made up its mind, and analysts compared his situation to Sam Bradford, who was talented, got paid well, but was out of the league before 35.
And yet, people who’ve worked with him still like him. They describe him as earnest, coachable, and even kind. He tried to fix things, tried to make it work. But sometimes, football doesn’t give you another shot.
Why It Unraveled
The physical damage was part of it. But the mental toll might’ve been worse. Wentz never seemed to fully trust his body again. That led to hesitation. Hesitation led to mistakes. And mistakes, in the NFL, cost you your job.
The Eagles moved on. The Colts moved on. Washington did too.
More recently (2025), he signed with the Minnesota Vikings, seeing action after younger QBs were injured and revealing that he’s now more of a stopgap option than a long-term franchise leader.
Why Philly Fans Still Feel Something
If you’re a Philadelphia fan, you saw Wentz do something rare. He gave hope and made big throws. He helped the team earn an 11-2 record in games he started in that 2017 run, then got hurt, and the team won the Super Bowl with the backup. A lot of complicated feelings: gratitude, frustration… and sadness for what might have been.
The human side matters. Wentz wasn’t perfect; he made bad throws and had games where he struggled. But he also overcame injuries, came back, and tried to lead. Loved his team. The “could’ve-been” element resonates.
Ideally, What Could He Have Been?
Had Wentz stayed healthy, kept improving, and maybe adapted his game, he might have joined the ranks of the top-tier quarterbacks – those are QBs who remain elite 8-10 years, evolve when defenses evolve, maintain leadership.
The missing piece in Wentz’s story is the “sustained” part. One season isn’t enough. Injuries interrupted the rhythm. Changes in team staff, receivers, and the offensive line all added turbulence.
The Takeaway
So here’s what I came away with: Wentz achieved a level that gave hope. But he didn’t stay there. That doesn’t mean he failed. He still had a good career, made plays, and was a starting QB for many years. But he didn’t reach the “special” level that the very best QBs show.
And for Philly fans, it’s okay to feel both pride and disappointment. He gave you the thrill of imagining a franchise quarterback. You bought into that. Then reality hit. And life moved on.
In a world where so many QBs never even get close to what Wentz did in 2017, his story is one of both promise and caution. A reminder that in the NFL, being very good isn’t enough if you want to be legendary. Being durable, being consistent, being the guy on the late-night drives in January, that’s where the legends live. Wentz almost got there. He had that moment. But he didn’t live there.
And maybe that’s okay. Because sometimes the most human quarterback stories aren’t about records or Hall-of-Fame résumés. They’re about the rise, the fall, the “what if,” and how fans remember it.
You’ve got to give Carson Wentz credit for this. He just keeps on coming back. Last year — as a member of the Chiefs when asked what NFL quarterback that he would trade places with for one chance — one opportunity — of course he wanted to suit up instead of Nick Foles’ in Super Bowl LII’s 41–33 Philadelphia win over New England.
And who could blame him?
This Sunday — Carson Wentz has resurfaced against the Eagles once again as he leads the Minnesota Vikings against 4–2 Philadelphia. It’s just another episode of Wentz vs. the team that drafted him in the first round in 2016. After being traded in 2021 and passing an incoming Nick Sirianni like ships in the night when Nick left Indianapolis and Carson went to the Colts — Wentz has now played for five NFL teams. Last season — he ended the year trying his best to support Patrick Mahomes in the second half of the Eagles 40–22 domination of Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX.
Eight years ago — when Wentz ripped multiple ligaments in his knee against the Rams in Los Angeles — almost everyone thought that although the Eagles 11–2 season was over that Wentz was it’s future franchise quarterback. But coming back from injury too soon in 2019 coupled with other ailments, a regression, and a sense of invincibility amid a 4–11–1 season all contributed to finally sending Wentz packing.
To Wentz’s point — what if things had been different? Do we really think that he could have put on an aerial performance worthy of outscoring Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl LII? Or if Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni had refused to give up and re-tooled and fortified around him in 2021 — keeping Jalen Hurts on the sideline? Would the Eagles have advanced to play in Super Bowl LVII and win Super Bowl LIX? And would Jalen Hurts have been satisfied as a backup quarterback?
The answer to certainly all of these questions is no. Even at the level that Wentz was playing at in 2017 would have been a hard sell to believe that in his second year he could have mirrored Nick Foles’ veteran offensive output in the Super Bowl. Even with Nick Foles already gone it would have been difficult to fortify the future around Wentz — a quarterback who had already asked for a trade. And would Jalen Hurts have been the player asking for that trade a few years later if the Eagles had been unwavering in their support of Carson Wentz?
Carson Wentz is now 32 years old. It’s increasingly unlikely to be targeted as a franchise quarterback with another NFL team. Odds are that he’ll finish his career as a journeyman — filling in for JJ McCarthy until his return or a backup to players like Patrick Mahomes. The difference between the former first-round draft pick and the team that drafted him in April 2016 has one constant — it turned out to be a missed opportunity for both.
Once again in 2025 — the Eagles had high hopes for the physical play of wide receiver Johnny Wilson. Wilson — who was drafted in 2024 from the Florida State — injured himself in practice this week and will be shortly undergoing surgery that will keep him out for the 2025–2026 season.
When we last saw the Eagles offensive line during the NFL regular season — they weren’t in a meeting. They were meeting at the quarterback. Patrick Mahomes spent the evening of Super Bowl LIX on the turf of the Caesars Superdome. Now they have added yet another weapon (to their arsenal.)
Former Bears DT Jereme Robinson is now a Philadelphia Eagle. Robinson played four seasons at Kansas where he had fourteen sacks, five forced fumbles, ninety-eight tackles (29 of them for a loss.) Robinson had been with both the New England Patriots as well as the Bears as a UDFA after the 2025 NFL Draft — Jereme Robinson had been with Chicago for less than a month prior to the trade and had a hurry against Jets quarterback Adrian Martinez.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
But the Eagles roster moves weren’t done there before the weekend was over — in more ways than one. Six months after Carson Wentz watched the team that drafted him in 2016 obliterate his then team (Kansas City) Minnesota signed the journeyman quarterback. Subsequently — they then sent quarterback Sam Howell to Philadelphia (along with a 6th round pick in 2026 in exchange for a 2026 5th round pick and a 2027 seventh round pick.)
The move comes after Eagles Quarterback Tanner McKee broke his finger in practice. After a successful college career in which he passed for over 10,000 yards — (Howell) was selected with the 144th selection in the 2022 NFL Draft by Washington. Two years ago (2024) — he was traded in return for a third and fifth round selection. Last Spring— Minnesota traded a fifth round selection for Howell and another fifth round selection in order to bring the quarterback to the Vikings.
The Moment in Time When Nick Sirianni’s Eagles Were Changed Forever.
Shortly after you absorb that euphoric feeling of your team winning a Super Bowl — you immediately want to feel it again.
Not fifteen minutes after Tom Brady’s final Hail Mary Pass in Super Bowl LII fell short in the end zone — the priority shifted from celebration to preservation.
What would it take for the Eagles to return to claim another Lombardi Trophy?
The wait for another shot at NFL immortality wasn’t as quick as initially wished for, but it wasn’t as long as it could have been.
Just two years after the Eagles hired 39-year-old coach Nick Sirianni and committed to 23-year-old quarterback Jalen Hurts — the Eagles whose seemed like its bold offense could never be stopped from scoring — were back in the Super Bowl once again.
When the Eagles advanced to Super Bowl LVII and powered their way to a 24–14 lead through two quarters — it looked as though not even a short halftime to regroup could save Andy Reid’s Chiefs and a hobbled Patrick Mahomes.
PHOTO: Denny Medley/Imagn Images
During that fifteen-minute window — with Rhianna crescendoing her greatest hits on a stage at the 50-yard line — something happened to the Eagles. Perhaps it was arrogance, overconfidence, or inexperience. Perhaps it was a feeling that they were better than the game itself. Perhaps it was a combination of all of these.
What happened during the next 30 minutes was that a Head Coach—once skewered in Philadelphia for nearly fourteen years for not being able to make in-game adjustments—flipped the script on the Eagles. He gave his injured quarterback quick throws, attacked the Eagles’ defense in different ways, and contained Philly’s devastating offensive attack.
The team that wins the second half wins the game. That is exactly what happened.
Nick Sirianni’s Eagles never recovered from that moment. Even when the Eagles were eking out wins at 10–1 last season, something didn’t look right. When they went 1–6 the rest of the way, something certainly didn’t.
Many people didn’t want Nick Sirianni back this season. But making a convincing argument to stay — he did. At an early bye week, the Eagles are 2–2. They return from Tampa after yet another shellacking to a team that doesn’t have a talent level equal to Philadelphia.
Since 2016, the Eagles have spent too much time purging themselves of coaches and players who utilize arrogance as a defining quality. The last coach and franchise quarterback to try to plow forward, driven by this sense, left the Eagles in an eventual rebuild.
For the Eagles to return to the euphoric feeling of the NFC Championship Game win against the 49ers in 2023, it will take an adjustment of this team back to good fundamental football and a new approach for one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses.
With teams needing to trim down rosters by nearly 40 spots in the next 5 days. Roster moves are inevitable, and the Eagles kicked things off with two roster changes, releasing CJ Uzomah, and signing Jason Poe. A necessity to bolster the OL with concern over Tyler Steen’s injury.
Like most teams, we might not see the Eagles starters in this weekends final preseason game. Giving an indication of most of the 53-man roster, days before the deadline.
However with injury reports already growing, there was a position of concern.
What would happen to the Eagles offense if they were to lose DeVonta Smith or A.J Brown at any point of the season?
Thursdays Trade
The Eagles kicked Thursday morning off with a trade announcement. And one that’s hard to complain about.
We have agreed to terms on a trade with Washington Commanders for WR Jahan Dotson and a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft in exchange for a third-round pick and two seventh-rounds picks from the 2025 draft. pic.twitter.com/slf7qTD0An
Trading a 3rd and two 7th round picks to add what will likely be the teams WR3, and to gain a third 5th round pick for next years draft is excellent work from the Eagles front office. Leaving a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th also available for the upcoming trade deadline on November 5th.
With the trade for Dotson, the Eagles WR depth should seemingly be in place. With AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith being the WR1&2, pushing for another season with matching 1000+ receiving yards, while Dotson & Campbell should be the WR3/4.
Some may have been hoping for Johnny Wilson to crack the roster, but it just didn’t make sense in the wake of a serious injury to one of the starters, the Eagles required depth – and forcing a 6th round pick into a large role could end the same way Quez Watkins tenure did.
This way, even the Eagles WR3/4 will have had previous 500+ yard seasons, and look to expand their roles in Kellen Moore’s offense.
Dotson’s Time As a Commander
In 2 years with the Commanders, Dotson put up the following stat lines:
2022 – 35REC on 61TGT, 523Yards, 7TD, 12GP
2023 – 49REC on 83TGT, 518Yards, 4TD, 17GP
Both years Dotson finished 3rd in Receiving yards on the Commanders, behind Curtis Samuel and Terry McLaurin.
Something else to note for the Commanders performances was the inconsistency in QB play. A team that Dotson (and others) saw Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell all have drastic levels of play across two seasons.
With Campbell & Dotson looking to make impacts with their new team. Will either, or both of these receivers see a 500+ yard season?
After 11 years, Nick Foles has called it quits—he’s retiring from the NFL. Fittingly, he’s doing it as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at his five most unforgettable performances with the team.
Following an injury to starter Carson Wentz in 2018, Foles took over in an impossible situation. He had started that season due to the former still recovering from an ACL and LCL tear the season prior, but things were rocky once Wentz went down for the second time. Sitting at 6-7, the team’s only real chance was going undefeated the rest of the way and getting some help on top of that. Upsetting the 11-2 Los Angeles Rams in Week 15 was a start, but the 10-4 Houston Texans were up next—Foles took charge.
Not only did Foles set his own career high in passing yards with 471, but he set the franchise record, too. Completing 35 of his 49 attempts (71.4 percent) basically fresh off the bench with four touchdown passes to just one interception, he was incredible. It was enough to clinch an intense 32-30 win at home, setting up a do-or-die Week 17.
That was another game that the Eagles won, so they finished 9-7. But they had a problem. Needing the Chicago Bears (who had already clinched the playoffs and were thus content with benching their starters) to beat the Minnesota Vikings, things still looked dire. As fate would have it, the Bears came through and Philadelphia made the postseason.
If we’re just looking at individual performances from Foles, this one is far closer to average than good stats-wise. He wasn’t even on the field when the most memorable play of this game happened, but he’s the one who made it possible. Let’s revisit Cris Collinsworth’s notoriously-coined “double doink” affair in wildcard weekend against, ironically, the Bears.
Following three consecutive wins at the end of the 2018 regular season (of course, including the one against the Texans), the Eagles were back in the postseason when it looked like they had no chance. Against the soaring Bears, Foles—but especially Philadelphia‘s defense, admittedly—kept the game close.
He had a sufficient day moving the ball with 25 completions on 40 attempts (62.5 percent), 266 yards in the air, and two touchdown passes versus two interceptions (one of which was a ball wrestled out of Wendell Smallwood’s hands). But his last drive of the game—with everything on the line—is when he stood out. Taking the Eagles all the way down the field with a roaring Soldier Field crowd making that just a bit harder, Foles was as cool as a cucumber and threw for a sweet touchdown on fourth-and-goal.
The Bears swiftly drove down the field, but the Eagles’ defense gave themselves at least a slight chance by making Bears kicker Cody Parkey take a stab at a 43-yard attempt. The kick was partially blocked and went off both the left upright (single doink), the crossbar (double doink), and out—Foles and the Birds lived to see another day with a 16-15 victory.
Tying what could very well be an unbreakable NFL record (more so due to the “code” and not any athletic limitations) would probably be first on the list for most quarterbacks who only started 63 total games in the league, but not for Foles—we’ll see why in a bit. Getting back to this matchup, passing for a whopping seven touchdowns in a 49-20 win against the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders was a game to remember.
Foles had fewer incompletions (six) than touchdowns on the day, throwing for 406 yards on 28 pass attempts. He threw for his last touchdown with some time to spare in the third quarter, evidence of how hard this record is to beat—games aren’t ever close enough to justify keeping a starting quarterback off the bench after that seventh touchdown pass. There’s a code that teams do respect, so Foles should be in the history books for a very long time.
The impressiveness of passing for seven touchdowns aside, this was a huge victory that set up great things to come for Philadelphia. Starting the season 3-5 and scoring just 10 points combined against their division rival Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants at home in the previous two weeks, things were spiraling for head coach Chip Kelly and his team. But that all changed with this win.
The Eagles won seven of their last eight games, clinching the NFC East title and finishing with a 10-6 record. The playoffs were a bit of a heartbreaker, losing to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on a last-second field goal in the wildcard round, but this record-setting afternoon for Foles made that a reality. You know, if that season did go poorly, perhaps the Eagles wouldn’t have signed him in 2017. That’s purely speculation, but the 2013 season was his defining run and probably a big reason why he was brought back.
Speaking of which, why was 2017 so special, anyway?
Following a 10-2 start to their season, the Eagles lost Wentz to that aforementioned ACL and LCL tear for the rest of their 2017 season—he was basically the undisputed MVP of the league at this time. Foles, signed to be the backup in the offseason after contemplating retirement during his post-Eagles days, was there to take over for a Philadelphia team starving for a championship. On paper? That sounds pretty bad.
And, immediately, almost nobody believed in him. In fairness, there was really no reason to even after he clinched out a low-scoring nail-biter against the Atlanta Falcons to make it to the NFC Championship in the first place. Foles, with all the pressure in the world and a Super Bowl berth on the line, had what was quite easily the best performance of his career since that Raiders game—four-and-a-half years later.
Against what was regarded as the NFL’s best defense at the time by many, Foles torched the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings. On 33 throwing attempts, he had 26 completions (78.8 percent), 352 passing yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He led the Birds to a 38-7 massacre—and their first trip to the Super Bowl in 13 years.
With a performance like this, that’s when real hope started to be put in Foles. One game doesn’t completely sell anyone on a player, but people were at least starting to respect the Eagles somewhat. The team was still an underdog heading into the Big Game, but they proved one thing, in the words of legendary center Jason Kelce: “Hungry dogs run faster”.
The hungry dog did indeed run faster against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at what was arguably the peak of their dominance. Foles didn’t just win, and he didn’t just win Super Bowl MVP. He had one of the best performances in Super Bowl history—pretty good for a “backup quarterback”.
PHOTO: —
With tens of millions of people watching across the country, Foles made each and every one of them remember his name. He completed 28 of his 43 passes (65.1 percent) for 373 yards, passed for three touchdowns, caught one on perhaps the most iconic trick play in history, and threw just one interception that wasn’t his fault, anyway—it was bobbled. Most importantly, he won the game 41-33 and gave Philadelphia its first Vince Lombardi Trophy in history—it took them 52 tries.
For this game, Foles will always be a hero in the city of Philadelphia. The sentimental value (perhaps somewhat unfairly) makes this the most important performance in Philadelphia sports history. Nothing will ever top it. This was a city that hadn’t seen a professional sports championship in 10 years, and its most popular team—the Eagles—hadn’t won since 1960.
Tears were shed, poles were climbed, lifelong fans got a long-awaited moment of triumph, and a city was brought together. Foles was the biggest reason for that.
They say championships are a team accomplishment—fair enough. But when we look back at Foles’ career, one piece of information is essential to remember. This backup out-dueled the greatest quarterback to ever live with everything on the line.
The Philadelphia Eagles of today are spoiled with talent, and that especially applies to the receiving room. When all is said and done, both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith could be heralded as two of the best receivers in the history of the franchise — they are on the team at the same time.
Just before those two arrived, the Eagles were in a dreadful spot regarding their wide receiver room.
The 2020 Birds were the absolute worst example of this on the talent front, leading to an awful 4-11-1 record.
Let’s take a look at all of its members.
Travis Fulgham // 539 yards
The 2020 season was that one time that Travis Fulgham, a practice squad wideout before starting out, led the Eagles in receiving yards. At 25 years old, he had one of the most unlikely breakout seasons in team history, with 539 yards through the air. He didn’t have a single reception in his NFL career before this.
In Week 5, he had the game of his life. In an eventual 38-29 loss to a Pittsburgh Steelers team that would go on to win their first 11 games, he had 10 catches on 13 targets for 152 yards and a touchdown. From Week 4 through Week 9, he had 435 receiving yards and four touchdowns in just five contests.
After this stretch of excellence for Fulgham, things died down. He is now in the Canadian Football League (CFL). With all due respect to him and his worth, he being the team’s best receiver is exactly why they won four games. It shows just how far the Eagles have come in such a short period of time.
Greg Ward // 419 yards
Greg Ward’s stint with the Eagles was short yet somewhat memorable. Even though he maxed out at just 419 yards through the air with six touchdowns, the college quarterback turned receiver in the NFL had his clutch moments.
Ward’s story is a pretty wholesome one, getting a few looks with the Eagles after once being released by them in 2018. Fun fact: he was actually a member of the practice squad when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII.
Jalen Reagor // 396 yards
Now we get to one of the more scorned players on the list. Third up in yards for the Eagles was Jalen Reagor, who had 396 of them in his rookie season. Infamously drafted in the 2020 first round, the pick before Justin Jefferson, who already has an Offensive Player of the Year title to his name, Reagor didn’t live up to expectations.
For a little while, Reagor showed some flashes. Still, it didn’t take long for the Eagles to realize his upside was essentially zero. He was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
DeSean Jackson // 236 yards
DeSean Jackson’s second stint in Philadelphia could have been something special, but it was absolutely crushed by injury. From 2019 to 2020, he only played in eight games, yet he had a 154-yard game against the Washington Commanders in Week 1 of 2019, ending things off with a single catch that went 81 yards for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in 2020.
Even though he was getting up there in age, Jackson could still play by the time he went to the Eagles the second time around. His lack of health did not do the Eagles any favors, as he probably would’ve been their best receiver by a landslide had he played in all 16 games.
John Hightower // 167 yards
Next up, former fifth-round selection John Hightower finds himself on this list. 2020 was the only time in his career that he caught as much as a pass, appearing in 13 games and having 167 yards along with that. Today, he is in the United Football League (UFL) with the Michigan Panthers.
Alshon Jeffery // 115 yards
For the sheer importance of Alshon Jeffery to the Eagles franchise, it’s a shame he ended his tenure in Philadelphia so poorly. He only played in seven games, scoring a touchdown and gaining 115 yards on 13 targets.
While Jeffery never had a 1,000-yard season with the Eagles, he was essential in their Super Bowl win in 2017. After his notorious drop against the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs, he was never the same.
Quez Watkins // 106 yards
Of all the players mentioned to this point, Quez Watkins was the only one to last for at least two more seasons in Philadelphia after 2020. He was an Eagle through 2023, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
He had a peak of 647 yards and a touchdown catch in 2021, so he was one of the few Eagle draft picks here that actually lived up to his potential. Selected in the sixth round, he had a decent tenure in Philadelphia, but of course, that is clouded a bit by one play in particular.
Drafted in the second round in 2019, he simply never lived up to his potential and is now in the CFL.
Deontay Burnett // 19 yards
For the last Eagles wide receiver who caught a pass in 2020, Deontay Burnett finds himself last on the list. He was an undrafted free agent after the 2018 NFL draft, having stints with the Tennesse Titans, New York Jets, and San Francisco 49ers. He had five catches in Philadelphia for 67 yards during his whole tenure.
If you ever want to complain about the Eagles’ struggles again, just remember how bad they were not too long ago. The lack of talent on the offense was unbearable at times, but they seem to have that under control now.
All we can do in the present is wonder how it got as bad as it did; Fulgham, Ward, and Reagor were their three best wide receivers in terms of yardage.
Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa shouldn’t hear about their teams pursuing other quarterbacks anymore.
The former Alabama teammates continued their MVP-caliber seasons with spectacular performances Sunday. They’ve silenced critics who questioned their ability to be franchise quarterbacks and are setting themselves up for huge contract extensions in the offseason.
Geno Smith is another QB who has proved people wrong this season. A full-time starter for the first time since 2014, the 32-year-old Smith has the surprising Seahawks (5-3) leading the NFC West.
Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles are off to a 7-0 start following a 35-13 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tagovailoa again rallied Miami from a double-digit, second-half deficit in a 31-27 victory over the Detroit Lions. The Dolphins (5-3) are undefeated in the five games Tagovailoa has finished. He missed 2 1/2 games with a concussion.
Hurts threw four touchdown passes of 25-plus yards against the Steelers, including three to A.J. Brown in the first half. He has 1,514 yards passing and 10 TDs with only two interceptions. Hurts also has run for 293 yards and three scores.
The biggest question mark surrounding the Eagles entering the season centered on Hurts. They made the playoffs last year mainly because they had the best rushing offense in the NFL with Hurts leading the way. They were blown out by the Buccaneers in a wild-card game and knew they needed to improve their passing attack to compete for a championship.
The team considered trading for a quarterback in an offseason that saw Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson and several other big-name QBs switch uniforms. But Philly stuck with Hurts for another season and the third-year pro has been outstanding.
He still hasn’t even reached his potential.
“Jalen is the type of guy that’s going to continue to get better because of the type of person he is, the type of football IQ he has, the football character he has, the toughness he has, how much he loves football,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “I was always taught those are the types of guys that reach their ceiling. I don’t know if we know what his ceiling will be. I know this: He’s getting better every day and he’s committed to that. That’s a good thing for the rest of your team when your best players and captain is getting better every day.”
Hurts is also a bargain. A second-round pick in 2020 who replaced Carson Wentz as the starter late in that season, Hurts is making $1.6 million. A total of 53 QBs make more.
“He’s not focused on what his next contract might be or what we’re going to do in three weeks or what the outcome of this season is or anything like that,” Sirianni said.
Just don’t ask Hurts to talk about himself.
“People don’t see the work that’s put in, not just by me individually but. … by everybody,” Hurts said. “It takes work. It’s a grind. The beautiful thing about this team is that we’ve grinded together.”
Hurts led Alabama to the national championship game as a true freshman in 2016 only to lose to Clemson. He took them back to the national title game against Georgia the following season but was benched at halftime and watched Tagovailoa lead a comeback win. Hurts transferred to Oklahoma for his senior season and finished runnerup to Joe Burrow for the Heisman Trophy.
Now, he’s the man in Philly.
Tagovailoa left Alabama after suffering a serious hip injury during his junior season, was drafted by the Dolphins fifth overall in 2020 and went 13-8 in his first two seasons. Still, there’s been plenty of doubt about his future in Miami.
The Dolphins pursued Watson before the 2021 trade deadline and were penalized for tampering with Tom Brady after the season. Left with Tagovailoa, they surrounded him with more talent, acquiring star receiver Tyreek Hill in a blockbuster trade to team with Jaylen Waddle.
Hill has been dynamic, helping Tagovailoa take his game to another level. Despite battling injuries and a concussion, Tagovailoa has 1,678 yards passing, 12 TDs, only three picks and a passer rating of 112.7.
Tagovailoa was sensational against the Lions on Sunday, completing 29 of 36 for 382 yards and three TDs.
“That was a game that we all know he’s capable of,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “He was relentless during the game with worrying about the right stuff. I didn’t see him press and make forced decisions. He took what was there and protected the ball while being aggressive.”
Like Hurts, he’s not satisfied.
“The greatest thing about this game is that you can never get content,” Tagovailoa said. “You have to continue to keep growing. We’ll go and watch the film and look at things that we could’ve done better. So, that’s the best part about it.”
Smith tossed two TD passes and played another error-free game for Seattle in a 27-13 win over the New York Giants.
Playing for his fourth team, Smith was considered a placeholder for the rebuilding Seahawks until the team finds a franchise QB. So far, he’s outplayed the superstar he replaced — Wilson — and has resurrected his career after starting only five game in the previous six seasons.
Smith has thrown for 1,924 yards with a 72.3 completion percentage, 13 TDs and just three interceptions for a 107.2 passer rating.
“He’s the real deal,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “There’s no mystery he’s going to run out of gas or something. It’s not like that. He knows exactly what he’s doing and he shows you week in and week out, throw after throw after throw. There’s nothing for us to hold him but in the highest of expectations really. What a thrilling story for the kid. He just hung in there so tough and outlasted it, and now he’s enjoying all the fun of it. He did great.”
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The Commanders did not specify how much time Wentz will have to miss, only that he “will begin rehab and is expected to make a full recovery.”
If Wentz is placed on injured reserve he will have to miss at least four games before he could return.
Dr. Steven Shin at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center did the operation, the team said.
Wentz fractured his right ring finger in Washington’s 12-7 win over the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. Taylor Heinicke would replace Wentz as the starter. Rookie Sam Howell, a fifth-round draft pick, would become the primary backup.
Wentz hurt the finger with two minutes left in the first half when, on his follow-through, his right hand hit the arm of Bears defensive lineman Justin Jones. Wentz could be seen shaking the hand after that play and later on the drive. He never left the game.
In six games, Wentz has thrown for 1,489 yards and 10 touchdowns — tied for fifth in the NFL — with six interceptions, third most in the league. Wentz’s Total QBR of 36.0 ranks 27th in the NFL.
The team traded three draft picks for Wentz and a 2022 second-round choice. The Commanders surrendered second- and third-round picks in 2022 plus a conditional pick in 2023 that will be a second-rounder if Wentz plays 70% of Washington’s offensive snaps.
Heinicke started 15 games last season, throwing for 20 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. His legs could provide a spark for an offense that needs one. The Commanders scored a combined 55 points in the first two games but only 47 in the ensuing four games.
Wentz has been sacked 23 times, tied for most in the NFL.
Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz fractured a finger on his throwing hand and will see a specialist in Los Angeles on Monday, a source confirmed to ESPN.
The specialist will determine what the fracture means in terms of how much time he might have to miss. Washington hosts the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 23.
If Wentz can’t play, it is expected that Taylor Heinicke would replace him. The Commanders also have rookie fifth-round pick Sam Howell, who has been inactive for each game.
Wentz hurt his finger with 2 minutes left in the first half when, on his follow-through, his hand hit the arm of Chicago Bears defensive lineman Justin Jones. Wentz could be seen shaking his hand after that play and later on the drive. He never came out of the game, a 12-7 win for Washington.
NFL Network first reported on Wentz’s finger injury.
It has been a rocky start to Wentz’s Washington career. The Commanders have struggled to protect him, as he has been sacked 23 times, tied for the most in the NFL. Wentz has compounded some of that pressure by at times holding the ball too long.
In six games, Wentz has thrown for 1,489 yards with 10 touchdowns passes — tied for fifth in the NFL — and six interceptions, third most in the league. Wentz’s Total QBR of 36.0 ranks 25th.
Heinicke started 15 games last season, throwing 20 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. But Washington wanted to upgrade at quarterback, viewing Heinicke as a high-end backup. The team traded three draft picks for Wentz and a 2022 second-round choice. The Commanders surrendered second- and third-round picks in 2022 plus a conditional pick in 2023 that will be a second-rounder if Wentz plays 70% of Washington’s offensive snaps.
If Heinicke plays, his legs could provide a spark for an offense that needs one. The Commanders scored a combined 55 points in the first two games but only 47 in the ensuing four games.
The once-mobile Wentz has been hampered over the years after tearing an ACL in 2017 and suffering a fracture in his back a year later.
Heinicke won over teammates and fans the past two seasons with his ability to escape pressure and make plays, though limited arm strength hindered his game. He worked with trainers during the offseason on increasing his arm strength.
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera apologized to quarterback Carson Wentz for comments Rivera said were misconstrued by some Monday, regarding why there’s a gulf between his rebuilding team and its NFC East rivals.
“Carson and I had a nice conversation, so I think we’re ready to roll,” Rivera said.
He also spoke to his team about the comments he made Monday. On that day, Rivera was asked why the Commanders were 1-4 in his third season compared with the other teams in the division, which are all at least 4-1. Rivera answered, “Quarterback.”
He later said the other teams’ quarterbacks had been in place longer than Wentz had in Washington. The Commanders traded for Wentz this past offseason; Rivera said the quarterback is still getting comfortable in the offense and with teammates. Rivera said they now have a quarterback they can build around.
But his initial one-word answer drew national attention, with former Washington quarterback Alex Smith ripping his former coach.
Wentz said he was unaware of what had been said until he was told by a team spokesperson. He wasn’t bothered by what Rivera said.
“Coach addressed it, handled it, nothing for me that I’m overly concerned about,” Wentz said. “Coach is a very straightforward, upfront guy. He addressed it in the team meeting, which I thought was really cool, in what he meant by it all. I feel very confident in that.”
Rivera said he understood why his comments were perceived in a negative light, which is why he wanted to address the entire team.
“I told them I said some things that were misconstrued; I didn’t present them properly. That’s on me,” he said. “I took accountability, told the guys I should know better. S—, I had a bad day so I figured I was feeling better today, let’s move forward.”
Rivera said he worried about his words becoming a distraction during a short week; the Commanders (1-4) play at the Chicago Bears (2-4) on Thursday. But players said they understood what Rivera was saying.
“We all assumed that was taken the wrong way,” Washington backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke said. “He did a good job clearing that up this morning. Carson has broad shoulders; he understands the deal. … It meant a lot to the whole team. For anyone who didn’t know what [Rivera] meant, it was good to hear from him.”
Heinicke said Wentz stays off social media so he wasn’t even aware of the controversy Rivera’s answer had created. Heinicke also said having played in a tough media market such as Philadelphia steeled Wentz.
“Once you play in Philly, everything else is easy-peasy from there,” Heinicke said.
Washington tackle Charles Leno Jr. said Rivera’s words were well-received.
“He’s never the type to say anything underneath the table or back door,” Leno said. “He’s always a straightforward guy, so I appreciate him and appreciate his words.”
Wentz, meanwhile, is listed as having a shoulder injury on the injury report for Thursday night’s game. Wentz brushed off any concern about his right, throwing shoulder despite the injury report indicating he would have been a limited participant if the Commanders had held a full practice each of the past two days.
“I don’t know when [it occurred], and it feels pretty good,” Wentz said. “It feels pretty good. It was a Monday after a game, so I’m feeling pretty good.”
Rivera said Wentz reported the shoulder was sore Monday morning after the team’s loss to Tennessee on Sunday. He said Wentz took all his snaps in practice Tuesday.
“He was fine,” Rivera said. “I don’t expect it to be a problem.”
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera said he had no regrets about trading for quarterback Carson Wentz, adding that now they need to keep building around him.
Rivera said the difference between his 1-4 Commanders and the rest of the NFC East teams, who are all 4-1 or better, comes down to the quarterback position.
“The truth is that this is a quarterback-driven league,” Rivera said. “And if you look at the teams that have been able to sustain success, they’ve been able to build it around a specific quarterback.”
Washington traded two draft picks in the offseason to acquire Wentz, giving up a second-round selection in this past draft and a conditional pick in 2023 that could become a second based on play time.
Rivera said his point is that the other teams in the division all have built around their quarterbacks.
Dallas, though, has won four in a row with Cooper Rush starting for the injured Prescott. Rivera said Rush, who has been with Dallas since 2020, plays well within what the Cowboys want to run offensively.
The Giants, who went a combined 10-23 the past two years, have a new coach in Brian Daboll, and they declined to pick up Jones’ fifth-year option. They also were widely considered the worst team in the division entering the season — and rallied to beat Green Bay on Sunday despite missing their top receivers.
The Eagles went from 6-10 in 2020 to 9-8 last season, and they are 5-0 this year. Hurts has been the full-time starter the past two seasons.
Wentz hasn’t been the primary reason Washington has struggled. He threw four touchdown passes in a season-opening win versus the Jacksonville Jaguars and tossed three more in the second half the following week during a comeback that fell short at the Detroit Lions.
Wentz is tied for fifth in the NFL with 10 touchdown passes but also is tied for third with six interceptions. He ranks 24th in total QBR at 38.0 — two spots ahead of the Denver Broncos‘ Russell Wilson and three in front of the Indianapolis Colts‘ Matt Ryan, two other veterans who changed teams this offseason.
“I’ve got no regrets about our quarterback,” Rivera said. “I think our quarterback has done some good things. There’s been a couple games that he’s struggled, but the way he performed [Sunday], it just shows you what he’s capable of. We chose him because we believe in him. We chose him because we looked at what we felt were things that pointed toward him.”
Wentz threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s 21-17 home loss to the Tennessee Titans. He also threw an interception on third-and-goal from the 2-yard line with six seconds remaining.
“We’ve got a guy that we think we have a chance to build around,” Rivera said. “We have a guy that is really growing in what we’re doing. I thought yesterday was a good indicator of his potential for us in this, and we’ll continue to work with it.”
Washington’s offensive line has been banged up. The Commanders have started three centers, and they were missing 60% of their original starters against Tennessee. They did not adequately replace departed guards Ereck Flowers (cut) and Brandon Scherff (free agent).
“We have some pretty good pieces in place,” Rivera said. “I’d like to have them all on the field at the same time. We don’t, we can’t, so this is the lot we have, so we have to go out and play.”
Tua Tagovailoa and the unbeaten Miami Dolphins are underdogs in Week 4.
The Dolphins (3-0) kick off this week’s schedule against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) on “Thursday Night Football.”
The Bengals are 3 1/2-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
If a victory over the Buffalo Bills wasn’t convincing enough, perhaps a win over the defending AFC champion Bengals would prove the Dolphins are legitimate contenders.
“There are still some doubters, but we don’t really pay attention too much,” Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert said. “We just go out here and do what we got to do at the end of the day. Whether if it’s against a tough opponent or a not-so tough opponent, each week is a different challenge and each week is a different opportunity for us to grow.”
Tagovailoa is trying to play with an injured back on short rest. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa would be questionable in a typical week. Miami has a capable backup in Teddy Bridgewater if needed.
Tagovailoa’s uncertainty makes this one easier to predict.
BENGALS 26-20
Denver (plus 2 1/2) at Las Vegas
The Raiders are too talented to be stay winless after winning 10 games last season. Russell Wilson still hasn’t found a rhythm in Denver’s offense and rookie coach Nathaniel Hackett has made several head-scratching decisions. It’s an opportunity for Raiders coach Josh McDaniels to get his first win since Nov. 14, 2010, when he coached the Broncos.
BEST BET: RAIDERS 24-19
Arizona (plus 2) at Carolina
The Cardinals have struggled in the first half and need to start games the way they finish them. They’ve won nine straight road games in the regular season. Kyler Murray should outduel Baker Mayfield in the battle between former Oklahoma quarterbacks.
UPSET SPECIAL: CARDINALS 26-20
Los Angeles Chargers (minus 5 1/2) at Houston
Justin Herbert is playing hurt, the Chargers are banged-up and they were blown out by the Jaguars last week. The winless Texans have been outscored a combined 30-0 in the fourth quarter this season.
CHARGERS 30-16
Jacksonville (plus 6 1/2) at Philadelphia
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are rolling. They dominated Carson Wentz last week and have another reunion against coach Doug Pederson, who led them to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title.
EAGLES 27-17
Los Angeles Rams (plus 2 1/2) at San Francisco
The 49ers have owned the Rams the past three years, winning six straight, though Los Angeles beat San Francisco in the NFC championship game.
49ERS 23-20
Minnesota (minus 2 1/2) at New Orleans
The Saints, especially Jameis Winston, need to stop turning the ball over. The Vikings are still finding their offensive groove under new coach Kevin O’Connell.
SAINTS 23-20
Tennessee (plus 3 1/2) at Indianapolis
Matt Ryan rallied the Colts to their first win of the season in a comeback victory over the Chiefs. Now, he gets his first taste of this AFC South rivalry.
COLTS 24-21
Chicago (plus 3 1/2) at New York Giants
The Bears have won two games without testing Justin Fields too much. He’s thrown only 45 passes. The Giants have a short week after a tough loss at home to Dallas on Monday night.
GIANTS 22-16
Jets (plus 3 1/2) at Pittsburgh
The Steelers are sputtering offensively under Mitch Trubisky. The Jets have held a lead for just 22 seconds.
STEELERS 21-17
Cleveland (minus 1 1/2) at Atlanta
Jacoby Brissett is proving he’s more than a game-manager for the Browns, who rely on Nick Chubb and an excellent ground game.
BROWNS 27-19
Washington (plus 3 1/2) at Dallas
Cooper Rush is 2-0 filling in for Dak Prescott this season. Carson Wentz tries to bounce back from a beatdown against the Eagles to face another familiar opponent.
COWBOYS 23-21
New England (plus 10) at Green Bay
After beating Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, the Packers face the reeling Patriots.
PACKERS 30-13
Buffalo (minus 3) at Baltimore
Josh Allen and the Bills ran out of time last week in an exhausting game in Miami. Lamar Jackson is off to an MVP-caliber start.
BILLS 27-26
Seattle (plus 4 1/2) at Detroit
The Lions are better than their 1-2 record. The Seahawks are exactly where they should be.
LIONS 30-17
Kansas City (minus 1 1/2) at Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers are in hurricane upheaval, struggling on offense and facing a team seeking to get even for its loss in the Super Bowl two years ago.
CHIEFS 24-21
2022 RECORD
Last Week: Straight up: 10-6. Against spread: 10-6.
Season: Straight up: 27-21. Against spread: 24-24.
Best Bet: Straight up: 1-0. Against spread: 1-0.
Season: Straight up: 2-1. Against spread: 2-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 1-0. Against spread: 1-0.
Season: Straight up: 1-2. Against spread: 1-2
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PHOTO: Denny Medley/Imagn Images
