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Tag: eagles

  • Eagles power ranking roundup: Week 9

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    Are power rankings completely dumb and meaningless? Yes. Yes, they are. However, personally speaking, whenever I see them, I click. And now that I’ve sucked you in with promises of many power rankings, you’ll read it and like it.

    Here’s where people around the country have the Eagles ranked after Week 8 of the regular season. Oh, and here’s our version of these sellout rankings, too.

    NFL.com: 5th

    We finally saw 2024 shades of Saquon Barkley, as the reigning Offensive Player of the Year racked up 174 scrimmage yards with a touchdown on the ground and through the air in a blowout of the Giants. That said, Barkley left the game late with a groin injury and didn’t return, so there’s a little hesitation with the Eagles because of that. But that’s now two straight games where they flexed their muscles and looked like heavyweight contenders again. If Barkley is sidelined, it’s good to know that someone else can have success running in this offense. Tank Bigsby had one carry for Philadelphia entering Sunday but ran for 104 yards on just nine totes against New York. Considering all of that came in a game without A.J. Brown (hamstring), the Eagles should feel pretty good about where they’re headed after this week’s bye.

    #JimmySays: When Brown doesn’t play, the Eagles’ offense typically just looks different, as in, nowhere near as potent. And certainly, they’re going to need him playing at his best if they’re going to do special things this season. But for one week, the Eagles’ offense played very well without him.

    Of course, it probably didn’t hurt that the Giants were down their CB1, CB2, and their best safety.

    ESPN: 3rd

    Best offseason addition: LB Jihaad Campbell

    The first-round pick out of Alabama has been a contributor in Vic Fangio’s defense from the jump. Campbell has played 87% of the snaps with 45 tackles, eight QB pressures and an interception. His role shifted when Nakobe Dean recently returned from a knee injury, moving from starting inside linebacker to more of a hybrid edge player. That has come with a learning curve, but Campbell’s versatility is already proving valuable.

    #JimmySays: Campbell is a pretty easy choice for best offseason addition. In addition to the stats noted above, he also has a forced fumble and he’s been surprisingly good in coverage, especially for a rookie. 

    USA Today: 8th

    Their bye comes at a terrible time after the offense put up 59 points and nearly 800 yards over the past two weeks. Their bye also comes at an ideal time given RB Saquon Barkley left Sunday’s win hobbled by a groin injury.

    #JimmySays: It comes at a good time, in my opinion. Nolan Smith could be back after the bye, as could other guys like Brandon Graham and Jakorian Bennett. A.J. Brown can heal up, as can Cam Jurgens, and the aforementioned Barkley. And the offensive line in general has had all kinds of bumps and bruises this season. They pretty badly need this bye week. 

    But also, the trade deadline is next Tuesday. By having the bye this week, that won’t be a distraction for the coaching staff. And if the team makes a trade this week, they can get that player into the building and he’ll have more time to get ready for the next game.

    Yahoo: 4th

    Seeing Saquon Barkley break off a 65-yard run was huge. Those explosive Barkley runs hadn’t happened all season after being a staple of Philly’s Super Bowl run last season. Barkley’s groin injury doesn’t seem serious, and the Eagles need him to gain momentum.

    #JimmySays: Yep, the Eagles are 6-2 even though their rushing offense hasn’t lived up to its potential in 7 of their 8 games. If they can get that going, they’re the best team in football.

    The Athletic: 3rd

    Something scary: A fully operational Death Star

    Saquon Barkley: 150 yards. Jalen Hurts: four passing touchdowns, no interceptions. DeVonta Smith: six catches for 84 yards. The problem for the rest of the league is that the Eagles can be a hot mess for a month and then immediately turn back into the team that dominated the Super Bowl a year ago. That, and the fact that referees refuse to officiate the Tush Push at all.

    #JimmySays: I don’t know what “(The) referees refuse to officiate the Tush Push at all” is supposed to mean. If there’s a complaint to be made from Sunday’s game, it’s that they over-officiated it, by saying that Hurts’ “forward progress” had stopped instead of letting it play out. 

    CBS: 11th

    It’s amazing what happens when Saquon Barkley gets the ball. The offense has to be able to run the ball, even if Jalen Hurts has had some nice moments throwing it.

    #JimmySays: CBS with the 🔥 analysis, as always. (Also, it’s not like Saquon hasn’t gotten the ball. He’s third in the NFL in carries. That was just the first game the rushing attack looked good.)

    Also also… 11th? 🤔. There aren’t 10 teams better than the Eagles.

    Average power ranking of the six media outlets above

    1. Week 1: 1.0
    2. Week 2: 1.2 📉
    3. Week 3: 1.7 📉
    4. Week 4: 1.2 📈
    5. Week 5: 1.2 😐
    6. Week 6: 2.7 📉
    7. Week 7: 7.5 📉
    8. Week 8: 6.2 📈
    9. Week 9: 5.7 📈

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  • The Eagles needed Tank Bigsby, and he trucked straight through the Giants

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    Saquon Barkley pulled up limp along the sideline and exited the game with what was ruled a groin injury soon after, then Jalen Hurts went 16 yards backwards on a sack from an attempt to escape the pocket gone awry. 

    The Eagles were faced with a long 2nd-and-26 at their own 40 early into the fourth quarter, still leading the rival New York Giants by 11 at that point Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, but under a scenario where they’ve allowed too many of their games to be much closer than they probably ever really needed to be. 

    Then the Eagles ran the ball out of the gun with Tank Bigsby. He made a cut back to his right at the line, turned the corner into space, then trucked through the remaining Giants defenders who were suddenly flailing to stop him short of the marker. 

    They couldn’t. 

    Bigsby made it 29 yards for the first down and then some, flexing after the whistle to the roar of the Philly crowd, all celebrating that huge down and distance erased.

    A few plays later, Hurts found tight end Dallas Goedert on a clear path to the end zone for a touchdown that shifted the Eagles into cruise control. 

    They went on to win 38-20. Bigsby crashed through the Giants’ defense a few more times after that first big run to set up one more Philadelphia touchdown and to top out at 104 yards rushing for the day. He joined Barkley, who finally broke out to 150 yards rushing himself, to help put together what was clearly the Eagles’ best running effort of the season and to send the team breathing easy into a much-needed bye week at 6-2. 

    But moreover, when Barkley exited early in the fourth quarter with injury, Bigsby stepped up. 

    Barkley told reporters afterward that the injury wasn’t anything too concerning and that the Eagles could’ve put him back in if they needed him, but Bigsby prevented the risk. 

    He got them to the finish line in a big way, and seemed to be just waiting for that chance.

    “There’s a reason we traded for him,” head coach Nick Sirianni said of Bigsby postgame. “Really explosive runner. You see that, we see that all the time in practice, and as he’s caught up to our system and everything that we do, learning it, he’s gotten more opportunities, and it’s been fun to see him run with the football.”

    In Sunday’s win, Bigsby’s opportunity jumped to nine carries, which proved more than enough to break the 100-yard rushing mark at an average of 11.6 yards per carry against an ailing Giants defense.

    Originally, when the Eagles acquired him from the Jaguars back in early September for two 2026 late-round draft picks, the general thought was that he would be for kick return help since second-string running back and returner Will Shipley was down with injury. 

    The listed 5-foot-11, 215-pound back runs with considerable power, though, and after this week – and with the bye week ahead to plan – maybe Bigsby’s showing against the Giants was enough to work toward more of a two-headed rushing monster between Barkley and himself in the offensive backfield. 

    After all, as slow as Barkley’s start to the year has been up until Sunday, the Eagles still do need to be considerate of his carries after heavy usage last season if they hope to make it to the end again.

    Plus, even though Bigsby has only had 10 carries total between this week against the Giants and last week’s win over the Vikings in Minnesota, it’s still a pretty impressive sample size at an average of 11.5 yards per carry. 

    Not a lot, for sure…

    “But we know we can count on him,” Sirianni said. “He can run violently, he can make you miss, he’s explosive, he can hit a home run, so I’m excited about what he brings to the table.”

    “Just thankful for the opportunity,” Bigsby told reporters from the Eagles locker room postgame. “Because I’ve always been ready when my name gets called.”

    Tank-Bisby-Run-Eagles-Giants-Week-8-NFL-2025.jpgBill Streicher/Imagn Images

    Tank Bigsby makes a couple of Giants miss in the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ 38-20 win on Sunday.

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  • Handing out 10 awards from the Eagles-Giants game

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    The Philadelphia Eagles got their asses kicked by the New York Giants a couple weeks ago. On Sunday, they returned the favor. As always, win, lose, or tie, we hand out 10 awards.

    1) The ‘Reborn Bullies’ Award 💪: The Eagles’ trenches

    The Eagles got flat-out bullied by this Giants team Week 6. It was one of the worst performances we have seen from the Eagles’ trenches in recent memory, as the Giants’ defensive line dominated the Eagles’ offensive line, and the Giants’ offense ran all over the Eagles’ defense.

    In Week 8, the big boys on both sides of the line for the Eagles played with pride, and outclassed the Giants.

    As a team, the Eagles outgained the Giants 276 to 68 on the ground, while also sacking Jaxson Dart five times. The Eagles have hung their hat on line play during their successful stretch from 2017 to the present day, but we haven’t always seen that this season. Sunday was a vintage Eagles performance in the trenches.

    2) The ‘It’s Been a While’ Award 😌: Saquon Barkley

    On the second play of the game, Barkley ripped off a 65-yard TD run. 

    Credit Brett Toth, Landon Dickerson, Jordan Mailata, and DeVonta Smith on that play for blocks that helped spring the TD run, and credit Barkley for blowing past safety Tyler Nubin like Nubin had cinderblocks for feet.

    In 2024, Barkley had 17 carries of 20+ yards. His longest run of the 2025 season before his 65-yard gallop on Sunday was 18 yards. Today was confirmation that Barkley can still break a big one.

    After Barkley’s last carry of the day — a 28-yard sprint down the right sideline — Barkley pulled up at the end of his run and looked gimpy heading off the field before taking a trip to the medical tent. The team later announced it was a groin injury. 

    But at least it comes at the right time, with the Eagles on their bye Week 9.

    3) The ‘Tank You Very Much’ Award 🪖: Tank Bigsby

    After Barkley went down, Bigsby took over at running back and kind of crushed it. He finished with 9 carries for 104 yards (11.6 YPC), including this badass run that put him over the century mark on the day (video via @Eaglesfans9): 

    I think Eagles fans can get behind that kind of effort.

    4) The ‘Efficiency’ Award 🎯: Jalen Hurts

    Hurts had to carry the Eagles to a win in Minnesota a week ago. Against the Giants on Sunday with a comfortable lead for most of the day, Hurts merely needed to be efficient, and that he was.

    Hurts finished 15 of 20 for 179 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, and a QB rating of 141.5.

    Over the last two games, Hurts is 34 of 43 for 505 yards, 7 TDs, and 0 INTs, for a QB rating of 155.2.

    5) The ‘End Zone Magnet’ Award 🧲: Dallas Goedert

    Goedert had just 3 catches for 28 yards, but two of his receptions were for touchdowns. 

    Goedert previously never had more than 5 TD receptions in a single season. He now has 7 TDs in 7 games played this season.

    6) The ‘Who Needs Him?’ Award 🤷‍♂️: A.J. Brown

    Well, the Eagles need him, frankly. But for one game, they didn’t.

    7) The ‘Blood Pressure’ Award 🤯: Brian Daboll

    Giants head coach Brian Daboll leads the NFL in blood pressure. His head nearly exploded several times throughout this game:

    102525DabollDiaper

    But also, he made a few asinine decisions on Sunday. To begin, he threw a challenge flag on a play in which Jalen Hurts was stripped on a Tush Push. The referees blew the whistle, and ruled that Hurts’ forward progress had stopped.

    To be fair, it was a bad call. The Giants were hosed out of a turnover, and the Eagles would finish that drive with a touchdown. Daboll had a right to be upset. But after the referee announced that it was an unreviewable play, Daboll threw his challenge flag again, like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum.

    The Giants were stripped of one of their timeouts, which they could have used at the end of the first half.

    Then later, on a 2nd and 11 play, Hurts completed a 5-yard pass to Goedert, but Jordan Mailata was flagged for being an ineligible receiver downfield. The Giants declined the penalty, lol. They chose a 3rd and 6 over a 2nd and 16. 

    Before the next play was run, the referee looked at the Eagles’ sideline and shrugged, like, “I don’t understand that decision either.”

    And then of course, on the next play, this happened: 

    If I were the Giants’ owner, Daboll would be a goner. I mean, he’d have been a goner a long time ago if I were their owner, but whatever.

    8) The ‘Separation’ Award 🛣️: The Eagles, in the standings

    With this win, the Eagles inched closer toward becoming the first NFC East team to repeat as divisional champs in more than 20 years. The updated NFC East standings:

     NFC East Record  Div record  GB 
    Eagles  6-2  2-1  – 
    Cowboys  3-3-1  2-1  2 
    Commanders  3-4  1-1  2.5 
    Giants  2-6  1-3  4 

    As of this writing, the Cowboys are losing 30-17 to the Broncos. The Commanders play the Chiefs on Monday Night Football, and are double-digit underdogs.

    Meanwhile, the Eagles gained ground on the other 5-2 NFC teams who had byes this week, like the Lions, Rams, and Seahawks, as well as the previously 5-2 49ers, who lost to the Texans.

    9) The Rest Up Award 🛌: The Eagles, on their bye week

    The Eagles will be on their bye Week 9. They pretty badly need to heal up physically and mentally. The next time they take the field will be November 10, in Green Bay. By then, important players like WR A.J. Brown, C Cam Jurgens, EDGE Nolan Smith, and EDGE Brandon Graham could be ready to play again.

    10) The ‘It’s Your Show’ Award 🤝: Howie Roseman

    Before the Eagles play another game, the trade deadline (November 4) will come and go. Roseman will probably make a trade or two. Will it be for an edge defender? A cornerback? Will they do something crazy? We’ll find out over the next nine days.

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    Jimmy Kempski

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  • Broncos vs. Cowboys: Live updates and highlights from the NFL Week 8 game

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    Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High.

    Live updates

    Pre-game updates

    Scouting report (10:45 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Cowboys in Luca Evans’ scouting report.

    Game predictions

    Parker Gabriel, Broncos writer: Cowboys 28, Broncos 24

    The Broncos’ performances offensively and in the penalty department have been enough to engineer fourth-quarter comebacks against Philadelphia and the two New York teams the past three weeks. Those three are, in order, 14th, 27th and 18th in scoring so far this season. Dallas is second. They’ve got two elite receivers, a resurgent Javonte Williams, a terrific and underrated tight end in Jake Ferguson and a quarterback in Dak Prescott who is playing at an MVP level. The Cowboys’ defense is bad and Denver’s is good, but all the same, a long dry spell or a continuation of the penalty plague will not end well this weekend.

    Luca Evans, Broncos writer: Cowboys 31, Broncos 24

    Denver’s dangled at the edge of a cliff for about three games now, and that ability to finish is both a skill and a cover-up for larger issues. The Broncos haven’t shown the ability to play a complete offensive game for — well, the entire year. Their underneath coverage got exposed against New York. Their special-teams play and general discipline are touch-and-go. Now the best offense in the league rolls into town, and Denver’s own offense hasn’t quite shown the consistent capability to win in a shootout (last Sunday notwithstanding).

    Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 27, Cowboys 24

    The way the Broncos are playing is not sustainable. Puntapalooza for long stretches, blown assignments, endless penalties, all erased by magical fourth quarters. They cannot keep winning this way. But they should not have to against the Cowboys. Dallas averages 41.3 points and 441 yards at home, 24.5 and 353 on the road. And for Dallas, D has been optional. If the Broncos cannot find traction against this group, then sound the alarm. A Broncos cornerback will post an interception for the first time this season, Javonte Williams will find no room to run, and Bo Nix will rediscover the middle of the field with Evan Engram.

    Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 25, Dallas 23

    The Broncos are the NFL’s ultimate Rorschach test. Are they good? Are they lucky? They’ve stumbled and bumbled, but they’re 5-2. When the offense stinks in London, the D bails them out. When the D struggles vs. the Giants, the offense catches fire. Belief is a heck of a thing. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are 1-3 on the road, where they’re averaging 24.5 points per game, and where old pal Javonte Williams sometimes looks mortal. Sean Payton is 5-1 against NFC opponents at Empower Field, and 3-0 vs. NFC foes at home in October. It’s OK to sweat the details, given the last two weekends of weirdness. Just don’t sleep on the trends.

    Broncos-Cowboys NFL Week 8: Must-reads

    Here’s how much postgame interactions with NFL referee Brad Allen have cost the Denver Broncos defense

    The Broncos inside linebacker room paid a steep price for the sequence that immediately followed Wil Lutz’s walk-off, 39-yard field goal Sunday against the New York Giants.

    Dre Greenlaw, of course, got hit with a one-game suspension for chasing and verbally threatening referee Brad Allen, according to the NFL, which was upheld on appeal. He won’t play Sunday vs. Dallas and is out $292,778 when combining a game check and a $90,000 per-game roster bonus.

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    Joe Nguyen, Parker Gabriel, Luca Evans, Sean Keeler, Troy Renck, Matt Schubert

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  • Eagles-Giants Week 8 inactives, with analysis

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    The Philadelphia Eagles will be without four starters in their matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday. They are WR A.J. Brown, C Cam Jurgens, EDGE Nolan Smith, and CB Adoree’ Jackson.

    The Giants have a growing injury list as well, with a few defensive starters inactive, and star wide receiver Malik Nabers on IR.

    Here’s the Eagles-Giants injury report, with analysis.

    051020EaglesLogo2020

    Eagles inactives

    Sam Howell will be the emergency quarterback.

    • WR A.J. Brown: Brown made the game-clinching catch at the end of the Eagles’ game against the Vikings Week 7, on what was essentially the last play of the game. He then missed all three practices this week with a hamstring injury and was ruled out. His weird, dramatic season continues.

    • C Cam Jurgens: Jurgens hasn’t played to the level of his 2024 season, as he is still recovering from a back surgery from this offseason. Against the Vikings, he added a knee injury to his back ailments. Even though he hasn’t played at a Pro Bowl level again, this is a bad loss, as the backup, Brett Toth, is a significant downgrade.

    • CB Adoree’ Jackson: Jackson isn’t an ideal starter, but he has been more competent than Kelee Ringo, who will likely start in Jackson’s place.

    • EDGE Azeez Ojulari: With Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo both on IR, Za’Darius Smith having retired, and Brandon Graham not yet in football shape, the Eagles have just three healthy edge defenders. Expect rookie LB Jihaad Campbell to get some snaps on the edge, like he did against the Vikings Week 7.

    Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

    • EDGE Nolan Smith (IR, triceps, eligible to come off of IR at any time): In 2024, Smith got out to a slow start, but the light seemed to come on for him after the Week 5 bye. In the 15 games he played from October on, Smith had 10.5 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles, and he did a lot of the dirty work in the defense like taking on pulling guards and burying them. He also led the NFL with four postseason sacks. He tore his triceps in the Super Bowl.

    Smith entered the 2025 as the team’s top edge defender. Through the first three games he had 10 tackles and 0 sacks, before “tweaking” his triceps injury. He is eligible to come off of IR at any time.

    • CB Jakorian Bennett (IR, pectoral, eligible to come off of IR at any time): The Eagles traded for Bennett in early August at a time when existing corners Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo were struggling during training camp.

    The CB2 spot in the Eagles’ defense has not yet stabilized, so it will be interesting to see if and when Bennett gets a chance to play. On Wednesday, the Eagles opened Bennett’s 21-day window from return from IR.

    • WR Johnny Wilson (IR, knee/ankle, out for the season): Wilson is a massive receiver at 6’6, 228 who carved out a dirty work role as a physical blocker his rookie season in 2024, though sometimes he was a little too aggressive, as he committed four penalties (3 holding, 1 OPI). He wasn’t much of a threat as a receiver, catching only 5 passes for 38 yards and a TD. He played a little over 400 snaps, and actually started four games.

    • EDGE Ogbo Okoronkwo (IR, triceps, eligible to come off of IR after Week 8, but will be out much longer than that): Okoronko was signed to provide edge depth. He played in just one game (4 snaps), before tearing his triceps.

    • FB Ben VanSumeren (IR, knee, out for the season): VanSumeren was poised to take on a bigger role in the Eagles’ offense in 2025 as a full-time fullback, but he tore his patellar tendon on the opening kickoff of the season. His season is over.

    • LS Charley Hughlett (IR, eligible to come off of IR after Week 8): Hughlett throws the ball through his legs. The Eagles signed Cal Adomitis to throw the ball through his legs in place of Hughlett.

    051020GiantsLogo2020051020GiantsLogo2020

    Giants inactives

    1. CB Paulson Adebo
    2. S Jevón Holland
    3. DL Chauncey Golston
    4. WR Jalin Hyatt
    5. T James Hudson III
    6. OL Evan Neal
    7. QB Jameis Winston (emergency QB)

    Adebo is the Giants’ best corner, and Holland is the Giants’ best safety. Of course, the Eagles won’t have A.J. Brown to help exploit the Giants’ secondary.

    Golston is a rotational defensive lineman. The rest are healthy scratches. 

    Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

    • WR Malik Nabers (IR, out for the season): Nabers is the Giants’ best offensive player. As a rookie in an awful offense in 2024, Nabers had 109 catches for 1204 yards and 7 TDs. He tore his ACL Week 4 against the Chargers. His season is over.

    • LB Micah McFadden (IR, foot, eligible to come off of IR at any time): McFadden was a starting linebacker. He had 107 tackles and 3 sacks last season. He is expected to miss a big chunk of the season with a foot injury. Second-year player Darius Muasau has filled in at linebacker in McFadden’s absence.

    • OL Joshua Ezeudu (IR, eligible to come off of IR at any time): Ezeudu has filled in at various position for the Giants, and it has usually gone badly. He’s on IR with an undisclosed injury suffered during training camp.

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  • Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie went on the record to discuss a possible A.J. Brown trade

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    Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie goes on the record to talk about the team every year at the NFL’s annual Owners’ Meetings, which are held each offseason after the meaty part of free agency and before the draft. 

    Otherwise, it takes a pretty noteworthy event — such as “Media Night” the week of a Super Bowl that the Eagles are participating in — for Lurie to talk on the record.

    This week at the NFL’s fall meetings in Manhattan, the Athletic’s Dianna Russini got Lurie to comment on a potential trade of star wide receiver A.J. Brown.

    I asked Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie what he would do if Brown knocked on his door and asked for a trade. His answer was firm, team-first and championship-minded.

    “We do what’s best for the team,” he said. “We don’t even consider it seriously unless it’s best for the Eagles. We will always do what gives us the best chance of winning big. Everything else is secondary.”

    Bottom line: Brown can be frustrated all he wants, but this team plays for the ring first. However, GM Howie Roseman will always listen, and if the Eagles get an exorbitant offer? Nobody is untradable in Philadelphia.

    Of course, Brown’s relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts has been an ever-present storyline since last season, and Brown has taken to social media multiple times this season to voice his frustration after games.

    For an owner who is shielded from public commentary built on decades of precedent, Lurie’s willingness to comment on the record in-season about the trade of a star player is noteworthy, to say the least. 

    To begin, Lurie took the question seriously. Had he been asked about the trade of other star players like Jalen Carter or Zack Baun or Jalen Hurts, I imagine that the question would be met with confusion. But with Brown, the fact that Lurie answered at all confirms that it was a legitimate inquiry, and likely strategic. 

    It is highly unlikely that the Eagles will deal Brown before the November 4 trade deadline. But Lurie had the opportunity to say the team wouldn’t trade him — or simply to decline to talk at all, as usual — but he did neither.

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  • Five college prospects who could interest the Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft

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    During the college football season each year, as long as you’re watching the games, we point out five players each week to keep an eye on who make logical sense for the Philadelphia Eagles in the following year’s NFL Draft.

    Caleb Tiernan (72), OT, Northwestern (6’7, 325): Northwestern at Nebraska, 12:00 p.m.

    Tiernan obviously has great size at 6’7, 325, and he is powerful, as you would expect, but he also has good athleticism. 

    Tiernan has some versatility, having played both at RT and LT at Northwestern. He’ll also be battle tested heading into the pros, as he has faced a bunch of players this season who will be in the NFL.

    He makes sense as a swing tackle who can eventually take over for Lane Johnson on the edge. He’s also probably just a good enough pure football player to play at guard short-term.

    Michael Trigg (1), TE, Baylor (6’4, 240): Baylor at (21) Cincinnati, 4:00 p.m.

    Trigg is a playmaker who has 495 receiving yards, which leads the country among tight ends. He has good athleticism and outstanding hands, as shown in the following two-play sequence, which was actually two consecutive plays against Kansas State. (Video via @dpbrugler):

    He also fights for every yard after the catch and is a surprisingly good route runner. 2024 highlights: 

    Trigg’s blocking needs some work, but he is willing, at least. He should be a Day 2 target.

    A’Mauri Washington (52), iDL, Oregon (6’3, 330): Wisconsin at (6) Oregon, 7:00 p.m.

    Washington came in at No. 4 on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list.

    The 6-3, 338-pound Washington is of the caliber of elite D-linemen head coach Dan Lanning saw while in the SEC. His numbers made me do a triple-take when the staff sent them over. To be that massive and clock 20.89 mph and vertical jump 36 inches is mind-blowing. Washington squatted 755 pounds, bench pressed 475 and power cleaned 385. He’s coming off a season in which he had 10 tackles and 1.5 TFLs, but he figures to make a much bigger impact now that defensive tackles Derrick Harmon and Jamaree Caldwell are in the NFL.

    “He’s always been extremely explosive, and his conditioning has gotten better and better each year,” Lanning said. “He’s always had an elite get-off and can get knocked back on the line of scrimmage, but his technique has really come along to match it now.”

    Washington is a little raw and he had zero starts before this season so there’s some development ahead, but his blend of power and quickness is obvious. Quick cutup from Dane Brugler: 

    The Eagles built along the interior of their defensive line, and it might not be the worst idea to continue doing that. 

    Chris Bell (0), WR Louisville (6’2, 220): Boston College at (19) Louisville, 7:30 p.m.

    Bell is having a breakout season for Louisville, as he has 44 catches for 638 yards (14.5 YPC) and 6 TDs in 6 games. Over his last three games, Bell has 31 catches for 441 yards and 5 TDs. He was the best player on the field when Louisville knocked off then No. 2-ranked Miami: 

    (Note the clown Miami fan at the 1:50 mark, lol.)

    At 6’2, 220, Bell has similar dimensions as A.J. Brown, and he plays like him too. Like Brown, Bell is a YAC beast, and he might even be faster.

    If Bell continues to play anywhere near the level he has over the last month or so, he’s going to be a first-round pick. 

    Cashius Howell (9), EDGE, Texas A&M (6’2, 248): (3) Texas A&M at (20) LSU, 7:30 p.m.

    Howell spent his first three seasons at Bowling Green, where he had 9.5 sacks in 2023. He trasferred to Texas A&M, where the starting edge rushers were 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart and second-round pick Nic Scourton. Howell was too good to keep off the field, so he played something of a hybrid LB/EDGE role in 2024. That season, he had 40 tackles (8.5 for loss), an INT, and 7 pass breakups.

    In 2025, with Stewart and Scourton off to the NFL, Howell is getting more pass rush opportunities, and he is capitalizing on them, with 8.5 sacks so far. Howell is undersized and he isn’t an elite athlete, but he has an impressive repertoire of pass rush moves and can win one-on-one matchups.

    With his versatile college experience, Howell should be a good fit in Vic Fangio’s defense. Probably a Day 2 guy.

    Previously profiled players

    • August 23

    1. Dylan Edwards, RB/SWR/KR/PR, Kansas State
    2. Daniel Hishaw, RB, Kansas
    3. Dontay Corleone, iDL, Cincinnati
    4. D.J. McKinney, CB, Colorado
    5. Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

    • August 30

    1. Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
    2. Ethan Onianwa, OT, Ohio State
    3. Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State
    4. Nic Anderson, WR, LSU
    5. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

    • September 6

    1. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
    2. Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
    3. Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
    4. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
    5. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

    • September 13

    1. Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern
    2. Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
    3. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
    4. Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
    5. Caleb Banks, iDL, Florida

    • September 20

    1. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
    2. Lee Hunter, iDL, Texas Tech
    3. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
    4. Rueben Bain, DL, Miami
    5. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

    • September 27

    1. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
    2. Harold Perkins, EDGE/LB, LSU
    3. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
    4. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
    5. Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

    • October 4

    1. Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
    2. Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
    3. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
    4. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
    5. Hezekiah Masses, CB, California

    • October 11

    1. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
    2. Cayden Green, OT/OG, Missouri
    3. Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
    4. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
    5. Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina

    • October 18

    1. Dae’Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss
    2. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
    3. Iapani Laloulu, C/OG, Oregon
    4. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
    5. Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

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  • DeVonta Smith – On Pace For Career Highs In 2025 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Even through offensive inconsistencies. An Offensive Coordinator nobody seems confident in, and a run game that seems to be non-existent. The Eagles have a wide receiver looking to put up career high numbers if he can keep pace for 10 more games.

    Racking Up The Yards

    After putting up 183 receiving yards against the Vikings on Sunday. Devonta Smith set a new career high for most yards in a game. Surpassing his previous total of 169 which came against the Commanders in 2022. 

    With a total of 504 receiving yards through 7 games in the 2025 campaign. Smith currently sits at 9th across the league in receiving yards, sitting just behind Christian McCaffrey’s 516 and above Drake London’s 469. 

    But will Smith be able to keep pace?

    The Eagles offense has shown struggles for 7 weeks and has yet to play a full four quarters. Are all of their woes to be blamed on the offensive lines play? Or are the problems stemming from an inexperienced play caller?

    10 Games To Go

    With 10 games left in the season, Smith is currently on pace for a total of 1,224 receiving yards. Potentially surpassing his previous high of 1,196 yards which he achieved in the 2022 season. 

    On top of being able to set a new high for receiving yards, Smith is on pace for 92 receptions on the year. Just 3 shy of his 95 reception total, also from the 2022 season.

    Both are achievable if the Eagles offense is able to continue putting up performances similar to Week 7. Has Kevin Patullo finally found a rhythm that doesn’t stall the offense during pivotal drives? Or did the Eagles talent on offense manage to over power the Vikings defense?

    This Sunday, the Eagles take on the Giants in their first Kelly Green game of the season. With a laundry list of players on the Thursday injury report, will they be walking in to another trap against Jaxson Dart & Cam Skattebo? Or did the Eagles learn their lesson after a 34-17 loss to send them to 4-2 two weeks ago.

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  • The Ultimate Fan’s Guide to the Philadelphia Game Day Experience – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    ••••

    This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: Unsplash

    From roaring crowds to iconic eats, the Philadelphia sports scene offers some of the most passionate, intense, and unforgettable game days in the country.

    Whether it’s a chilly Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field or a summer evening at Citizens Bank Park, every Philly venue delivers something unique for fans.

    Philadelphia is a city that breathes sports. The energy surrounding every major game, whether football, baseball, hockey, basketball, or soccer, is woven into the city’s identity. Visitors often find that the atmosphere here goes beyond simple fandom.

    It is about pride, tradition, and being part of a community that celebrates every victory and feels every loss together.

    Each venue in the city has its own character and rituals that make attending a game a one-of-a-kind experience. For those exploring Philly’s entertainment culture beyond the arenas, local hotspots like Millioner add another layer to the city’s vibrant leisure scene.

    Lincoln Financial Field and the Eagles’ Fierce Tradition

    Credit: Unsplash

    Few experiences compare to an Eagles home game at Lincoln Financial Field. From the moment you step near the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, the air buzzes with anticipation. Tailgating begins early, often hours before kickoff, as fans fire up grills, set up tents, and share food and stories with complete strangers who feel like old friends.

    Inside, the sound of “Fly, Eagles Fly” echoes from every corner of the stadium. The Linc’s design keeps the noise close to the field, creating an electric environment that can overwhelm even seasoned visiting teams. For many fans, the best part of the experience is the sense of unity. Win or lose, everyone in green and white shares the same emotional roller coaster.

    Those looking for food should not miss the local flavor. From Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks to Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries, the concessions at the Linc celebrate Philadelphia’s comfort food traditions. For a quick bite before the game, head to Xfinity Live across the street, where the pregame party spills over with live music and team chants.

    Citizens Bank Park and the Phillies’ Family Atmosphere

    While the Eagles’ home turf thrives on intensity, Citizens Bank Park offers a more laid-back but equally passionate vibe. Phillies fans bring a deep sense of tradition, often attending games as families who have followed the team for generations. The ballpark’s design makes every seat feel close to the action, and its wide concourses and open views of the field enhance the fan experience.

    The food selection here is widely regarded as one of the best in Major League Baseball. Beyond the expected hot dogs and pretzels, fans can find gourmet options like Bull’s BBQ, Manco & Manco pizza, and classic roast pork sandwiches from Tony Luke’s. The Yard, located in right field, is a family-friendly zone complete with a wiffle ball field and photo spots for kids.

    On summer evenings, the energy is unbeatable. The skyline glows in the distance, the crowd rises for the seventh-inning stretch, and the stadium fills with the rhythm of rally towels and cheers. For locals and visitors alike, it is the quintessential Philly summer night.

    Subaru Park and the Rise of Philadelphia Union

    Soccer has been steadily growing in popularity in Philadelphia, and nowhere is that more evident than at Subaru Park in Chester. The Philadelphia Union’s home sits along the Delaware River, offering a scenic backdrop for an increasingly devoted fan base. What makes the Union’s matches stand out is the community atmosphere. The Sons of Ben, the club’s official supporters’ group, leads chants, songs, and coordinated displays that make even first-time visitors feel part of the action.

    The match-day experience starts well before kickoff, with tailgates lining the parking lots and fans waving blue and gold flags. Inside, the energy is constant. Soccer may not yet rival football or baseball in overall attendance, but the intensity of the Union faithful makes every goal, save, or penalty kick feel monumental.

    Subaru Park also emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity, making it easy for new fans to get involved. With affordable tickets, easy transit options, and a welcoming culture, it represents the next evolution of Philadelphia’s sports identity.

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    Enhancing Your Philadelphia Sports Fan Experience

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  • Eagles-Giants memories: Pivotal points and playoff victories at the Linc

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    The Eagles-Giants rivalry brings a wealth of memories to look back on. 

    At the Meadowlands, it’s a history of miracles. 

    Back at home at Lincoln Financial Field (and the Vet before it), it’s a history of playoff victories and pivotal points in Eagles history. 

    The Eagles face the Giants again this week in South Philly, looking to get one back on their division rival after they flat-out got embarrassed by them two weeks ago up at MetLife Stadium. 

    Before they try to settle the score, here’s a look back at some favorite Eagles-Giants memories at the Linc, and some old highlight packages along with them…

    The Tanner McKee Game

    Jan. 5, 2025, Week 18 – W, 20-13

    The Eagles were all set. At 13-3, they were locked in as the NFC’s No. 2 seed, with divisional round home-field advantage in the playoffs. 

    There was still a reason to play their starters, or one of them, in what was rendered a meaningless Week 18, as Saquon Barkley was pushing for the NFL’s single-season rushing record. 

    Head coach Nick Sirianni made the call to sit everyone in the end, though, which handed the keys to third-string QB Tanner McKee and the Eagles’ reserves, up against all of the New York Giants’ starters playing for whatever shred of pride they had left. 

    But McKee took it from them. He stayed cool and collected in the pocket, and tagged the Giants for 269 yards and two touchdowns on 27-of-41 passing.   

    He caught a floundering division rival completely off guard, but his Eagles teammates watching from the sideline? Hardly.

    “Man, did you see Tanner McKee just throwing dimes all over the field?” starting center Cam Jurgens quipped afterward. “He’s fun to watch. We get to see him dice up our scout team. It’s just fun watching him go out there and make plays.”

    The harder they fall

    Jan. 21, 2023, NFC Divisional Round – W, 38-7

    The 2022 Eagles broke out and tore through the regular season with a defense that had piled up sacks to a record degree, and with an offense that had threats all over the field and saw Jalen Hurts make his way into the MVP conversation. 

    They were a juggernaut entering the playoffs. The Giants, who rode Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones to a surprise playoff berth and then an upset over the Vikings in the Wild Card round, hoped to stand in their way, but their luck ran out in brutal fashion.

    The Eagles had them crushed by halftime. The Giants couldn’t hope to cover anyone, playoff Kenny Gainwell became the new unsung hero of Philadelphia sports lore, and the Linc was breathing easy and celebrating a trip to the NFC Championship on the way to a 38-7 final – a familiar playoff score from the last Super Bowl run. 

    “Pick your poison, honestly,” former running back Miles Sanders said of how stacked that Eagles team was. “Starting with the quarterback, to the tight ends, to the running backs and the O-line, it’s just all good work. Everybody plays for each other.” 

    Which left the Giants with no chance.

    From 61

    Sept. 24, 2017, Week 3 – W, 24-27

    Carson Wentz and the Eagles had rallied back from highlight-reel Odell Beckham Jr. catches and a resurgent Eli Manning performance to bring the game down to a field goal kick with one second left.

    It was just that rookie kicker Jake Elliott would have to make the shot from 61 yards away. 

    But he nailed it. Elliott got the distance and put the ball just inside the right upright, and the Eagles mobbed their new kicker as they improved to 2-1, in what would become one of the key moments that propelled them to their first-ever Super Bowl.

    Wild Card Westbrook

    Jan. 7, 2007, NFC Wild Card – W, 23-20

    The Eagles rallied into the playoffs with Jeff Garcia at quarterback, and in the Wild Card round, against the Giants, Brian Westbrook kept the run going for one more week into New Orleans. 

    Westbrook took off on an unreal 49-yard touchdown run and had 141 rushing yards in total, Garcia fired a 28-yard laser to Donte’ Stallworth for a score late in the first half, and down to the wire tied 20-20, Westbrook marched them in close to bring the game down to a David Akers field goal. 

    Akers made the kick, the Giants were going home, Philadelphia celebrated, and a season once thought to have gone down along with Donovan McNabb and his torn ACL instead lived another week.

    Grand T.O.pening

    Sept. 12, 2004, Week 1 – W, 31-17

    The Delaware Valley had waited an entire summer for this: Terrell Owens’ Eagles debut. 

    The Eagles finally had their true No. 1 receiver for Donovan McNabb, and along with him, the hope that they had the final piece to break through and, at long last, get to the Super Bowl.

    The start of it all couldn’t have been drawn up any better. 

    Week 1 at home against the Giants, McNabb and Owens carved New York up and connected on three touchdown passes, with the new star receiver flexing and then flapping his wings in celebration upon each score. 

    The Eagles pummeled the Giants, 31-17, and it was one of those games where you just knew right away, after repeated NFC Championship failures, that this year was going to be different.

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  • Eagles-Giants Week 8 injury report, with analysis

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    During their Week 7 win in Minnesota over the Vikings, four Philadelphia Eagles players — C Cam Jurgens, CB Adoree’ Jackson, EDGE Azeez Ojulari, LB Jeremiah Trotter — all left with injuries and did not return. They also added a bunch of other players to their injury list this week.

    The Giants have a growing injury list as well, with three defensive starters who did not practice on Wednesday.

    Here’s the Eagles-Giants injury report, with analysis.

    051020EaglesLogo2020
    Player  Injury  Wed  Thurs Fri  Status 
    WR A.J. Brown Hamstring DNP 
    C Cam Jurgens  Knee  DNP       
    CB Adoree’ Jackson  Concussion  DNP       
    EDGE Azeez Ojulari  Hamstring  DNP       
    LB Jeremiah Trotter  Ankle  DNP       
    LG Landon Dickerson  Ankle/Back  Limited       
    iDL Moro Ojomo  Shoulder  Limited       
    TE Dallas Goedert  Calf  Limited       
    TE Grant Calcaterra  Oblique  Limited       
    CB Jakorian Bennett  Pectoral  Limited       
    EDGE Brandon Graham  Not injury related  Full       

    Wednesday notes:

    • Brown didn’t practice, but he was out on the field today, chatting it up with Big Dom. He finished the game against the Vikings on Sunday, and made the game-clinching play, so my sense is that he’s getting something of a rest day. We’ll see.

    • Jurgens’ status for Sunday will be of major importance. If he can’t go, Brett Toth would likely get the start at center. 😬

    • Vic Fangio said that Ojulari isn’t likely to play on Sunday.

    • Dickerson’s ailments continue to pile up.

    • Goedert and Ojomo are important players, and new additions to the injury report. We’ll monitor them throughout the week, but as practice participants on Wednesday, they feel likely to play Sunday.

    Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

    • EDGE Nolan Smith (IR, triceps, eligible to come off of IR at any time): In 2024, Smith got out to a slow start, but the light seemed to come on for him after the Week 5 bye. In the 15 games he played from October on, Smith had 10.5 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles, and he did a lot of the dirty work in the defense like taking on pulling guards and burying them. He also led the NFL with four postseason sacks. He tore his triceps in the Super Bowl.

    Smith entered the 2025 as the team’s top edge defender. Through the first three games he had 10 tackles and 0 sacks, before “tweaking” his triceps injury. He is eligible to come off of IR at any time.

    • CB Jakorian Bennett (IR, pectoral, eligible to come off of IR at any time): The Eagles traded for Bennett in early August at a time when existing corners Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo were struggling during training camp.

    The CB2 spot in the Eagles’ defense has not yet stabilized, so it will be interesting to see if and when Bennett gets a chance to play. On Wednesday, the Eagles opened Bennett’s 21-day window from return from IR.

    • WR Johnny Wilson (IR, knee/ankle, out for the season): Wilson is a massive receiver at 6’6, 228 who carved out a dirty work role as a physical blocker his rookie season in 2024, though sometimes he was a little too aggressive, as he committed four penalties (3 holding, 1 OPI). He wasn’t much of a threat as a receiver, catching only 5 passes for 38 yards and a TD. He played a little over 400 snaps, and actually started four games.

    • WR Darius Cooper (IR, shoulder, eligible to come off of IR at any time): Cooper is an undrafted rookie free agent who was able to crack the 53-man roster after an impressive training camp and preseason. He had begun carving out a role as the “dirty work” receiver after Johnny Wilson was lost for the season. He went on IR After Week 3 and is eligible to come off of IR at any time.

    • EDGE Ogbo Okoronkwo (IR, triceps, eligible to come off of IR after Week 8, but will be out much longer than that): Okoronko was signed to provide edge depth. He played in just one game (4 snaps), before tearing his triceps.

    • FB Ben VanSumeren (IR, knee, out for the season): VanSumeren was poised to take on a bigger role in the Eagles’ offense in 2025 as a full-time fullback, but he tore his patellar tendon on the opening kickoff of the season. His season is over.

    • LS Charley Hughlett (IR, eligible to come off of IR after Week 8): Hughlett throws the ball through his legs. The Eagles signed Cal Adomitis to throw the ball through his legs in place of Hughlett.

    051020GiantsLogo2020051020GiantsLogo2020

    Player  Injury  Wed  Thurs  Fri  Status 
    DE Brian Burns Hip  DNP 
    CB Paulson Adebo   Knee  DNP       
    S Jevon Holland   Neck  DNP       
    DE Chauncey Golston  Neck  DNP       
    RT Jermaine Eluemunor  Knee  Limited       
    C John Michael Schmitz  Concussion (non-contact)  Limited       
    WR Darius Slayton  Hamstring  Limited       
    DT DJ Davidson  Ankle  Limited       
    TE Daniel Bellinger  Neck  Limited       
    LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles  Hamstring  Limited       
    LB Swayze Bozeman  Ankle  Limited       
    QB Jaxson Dart  Ankle  Full       
    K Graham Gano  Groin  Full       

    Wednesday notes:

    • Three Giants starters —  Burns, Adebo, and Holland — did not practice. Obviously, their progress throughout the week will be of high importance. They’re also three of the Giants’ highest-paid players.

    • Like the Eagles, the Giants have a couple of nicked-up offensive linemen in Eluemunor and Schmitz.

    • The Giants opened the 21-day practice window for Gano, who is a significant upgrade over his replacement, the recently released Jude McAtamney.

    Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

    • WR Malik Nabers (IR, out for the season): Nabers is the Giants’ best offensive player. As a rookie in an awful offense in 2024, Nabers had 109 catches for 1204 yards and 7 TDs. He tore his ACL Week 4 against the Chargers. His season is over.

    • LB Micah McFadden (IR, foot, eligible to come off of IR at any time): McFadden was a starting linebacker. He had 107 tackles and 3 sacks last season. He is expected to miss a big chunk of the season with a foot injury. Second-year player Darius Muasau has filled in at linebacker in McFadden’s absence.

    • K Graham Gano (IR, groin, 21-day practice window opened): Gano seems to get hurt every year. The Giants signed K Jude McAtamney and Younghoe Koo while Gano was out, and decided to play McAtamney, who missed two consequential PATs in the Giants’ loss to the Broncos Week 7. 

    • OL Joshua Ezeudu (IR, eligible to come off of IR at any time): Ezeudu has filled in at various position for the Giants, and it has usually gone badly. He’s on IR with an undisclosed injury suffered during training camp.

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  • Eagles announce some roster moves, including CB Jakorian Bennett’s impending return from IR

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    The Philadelphia Eagles announced a handful of roster moves in advance of their first practice of Week 8. Let’s review each of the moves.

    • The Eagles opened the 21-day practice window for Jakorian Bennett: The Eagles traded for Bennett near the end of training camp, after Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo failed to definitively win the CB2 job. Both Jackson and Ringo have been benched for each other at different times this season, and Bennett hasn’t yet gotten a chance start, mainly because he suffered a pectoral injury Week 3 against the Rams and landed on IR. 

    “You can’t practice when you’re on IR, so once we open up his window and get him on the practice field, see where he is at, I can answer that better,” Vic Fangio said on Tuesday, when asked what type of role he might have as early as Sunday against the Giants. “But obviously, he’s a guy we’ll take a hard look at.”

    • The Eagles did not open the practice window for EDGE Nolan Smith: Smith has been on IR the required four games, but the Eagles opted not to open his 21-day practice window. He will almost certainly remain on IR for at least another week, missing the Eagles’ Week 8 game against the Giants. To be determined if he’ll be good to go against the Packers Week 9 after the bye.

    • The Eagles signed OG Sua Opeta to the practice squad: Opeta played for the Eagles from 2019 to 2023, playing in 38 games, starting 10. He signed in free agency with the Buccaneers in 2024, but suffered a torn ACL during training camp and missed the entire season. Opeta did not make the Bucs’ initial 53-man roster out of 2025 training camp, but signed back to their practice squad. The Bucs released him from the practice squad a couple weeks ago. 

    • Brandon Graham will have a two-game roster exemption: This wasn’t a team announcement, but Graham won’t take up a roster spot for a maximum of two games while he tries to get back into football shape, following his unretirement. In other words, he’ll be added to the 53-man roster prior to the Eagles’ Week 11 home matchup against the Lions on November 16th, unless the team decides he’s ready to play sooner, in which case they can activate him to the 53-man roster at any time.

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  • Eagles power ranking roundup: Week 8

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    Are power rankings completely dumb and meaningless? Yes. Yes, they are. However, personally speaking, whenever I see them, I click. And now that I’ve sucked you in with promises of many power rankings, you’ll read it and like it.

    Here’s where people around the country have the Eagles ranked after Week 7 of the regular season. Oh, and here’s our version of these sellout rankings, too.

    NFL.com: 6th

    This was the kind of offensive game we really hadn’t seen from the Eagles this season. Jalen Hurts was dealing against the Vikings, especially with downfield shots, and getting the ball to his best playmakers. A.J. Brown had two TDs and the dagger catch to end it, while DeVonta Smith had more than half the Eagles’ net yardage. Things still aren’t churning up front in the ground game behind a remixed offensive line, but when the aerial attack hums like this, the run’s not as critical. Defensively, the Eagles had a few slip-ups and didn’t defend the perimeter of the field well enough, but they forced two INTs of Carson Wentz (including a Jalyx Hunt pick-six) and held Minnesota to 1-for-6 in the red zone. Job well done.

    #JimmySays: It’ll be interesting to see if the ground game opens up as a result of the Eagles’ ability to win through the air. I imagine opposing defenses will continue to make them prove it a while longer.

    ESPN: 3rd

    Unsung nonstarter/role player: DT Moro Ojomo

    A seventh-round pick in the 2023 draft out of Texas, Ojomo tends to get second billing at defensive tackle behind the Georgia duo of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. But Ojomo has been key in making up for the departure of Milton Williams to the Patriots this offseason. He has three sacks, five QB hits and three tackles for loss. “He’s a good football player. You need to stop being surprised by that,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said earlier this season.

    #JimmySays: Ojomo leads the team with those 3 sacks. It was clear during training camp that he was going to make a leap this season.

    USA Today: 8th

    Effectively swapping in un-retiring DE Brandon Graham for retiring DE Za’Darius Smith seems like a net win … even as we wait to see what GM/EVP Howie Roseman might have up his sleeve ahead of next month’s trade deadline.

    #JimmySays: There’s debate whether BG should have just rode off into the sunset, keeping his storybook ending intact, but he just really likes to play football. From the Eagles’ perspective, it’s kind of a no-brainer to bring him back in, especially given his contributions off the field. I know that sounds corny, but it’s real.

    Yahoo: 4th

    The Eagles are very good. They’re one step from being great, and that’s getting Saquon Barkley going. Barkley had 42 total yards on Sunday. Did last season’s workload catch up to him? Maybe. The Eagles are still 5-2 without Barkley doing much yet.

    #JimmySays: There are a lot of factors at play with the Eagles’ rushing woes, including a banged-up offensive line and an often predictable scheme, but also yes, I do think Barkley’s heavy usage a season ago was both (a) defensible, since, you know they rode him to a Super Bowl, but also (b) harmful to his explosiveness this season.

    The Athletic: 5th

    Reality check: They can throw the ball

    Jalen Hurts was awesome this week, completing 19 of 23 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Both DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown topped 100 receiving yards with a touchdown (Brown had two). The good vibes are back in Philly.

    #JimmySays: Well, I don’t know that the “good vibes” are back just yet, but the Eagles’ explosive afternoon in Minnesota certainly helps.

    CBS: 11th

    Jalen Hurts showed against the Vikings that he can still throw it for big plays when needed. But they do need to get the running game going.

    #JimmySays: CBS with the 🔥 analysis, as always.

    Average power ranking of the six media outlets above

    1. Week 1: 1.0
    2. Week 2: 1.2 📉
    3. Week 3: 1.7 📉
    4. Week 4: 1.2 📈
    5. Week 5: 1.2 😐
    6. Week 6: 2.7 📉
    7. Week 7: 7.5 📉
    8. Week 8: 6.2 📈

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  • Report: Brandon Graham finalizing deal to rejoin Eagles, teases return

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    Brandon Graham’s unretirement appears imminent.

    The two-time champion and fan-favorite Eagle is finalizing a contract to rejoin the team this week, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, in what would become a 16th NFL season for the longtime edge rusher. 

    Adding fuel to the fire is Graham himself, who uploaded a video through his “Brandon Graham Unblocked” Twitter/X account on Monday night, teasing that he had some “special news.”

    “Unblocked” is Graham’s podcast with AllPHLY, which is set to livestream on YouTube at 9 a.m. ET. 

    “We got a lot to talk about, go Birds!” Graham said in the video. 

    Buzz of Graham entertaining the prospect of returning broke this past Sunday, just ahead of the Eagles’ 28-22 win over the Vikings in Minnesota. 

    The Eagles’ pass rush has been spread thin between Nolan Smith going on IR with a re-injured triceps and Za’Darius Smith’s sudden retirement last week. Plus in general, their defensive front has just struggled to get to the quarterback since the season began. 

    Graham coming back would give them an extra rusher to rotate in and, at minimum, bring a familiar and trusted veteran presence back into the fold. 

    Time to see what Tuesday morning brings.

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  • Handing out 10 awards from the Eagles-Vikings game

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    The Philadelphia Eagles got back in the win column on the road over the Minnesota Vikings, 28-22, after two straight losses to the Denver Broncos and New York Giants.

    As always, win, lose, or tie, we hand out 10 awards.

    1) The ‘Almost Perfect’ Award 🎯: Jalen Hurts

    Hurts had one of the best games of his career, going 19 of 23 for 326 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs and the highest possible QB rating of 158.3.

    He was efficient in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, and he was deadly when he ripped shots down the field.

    101925HurtsChart

    The green dots above are completions, the white dots are incompletions, and the blue dots are TD passes. I don’t know if that white dot on the left side is past the 20-yard marker, but if not, Hurts was 5/5 on throws over 20 yards down the field.

    Hurts was decisive when the Vikings blitzed; he was patient when they only rushed three and dropped eight into coverage; and he made a number of off-schedule plays after escaping pressure with his legs.

    Hurts was awesome on Sunday.

    2) The ‘Happy Again’ Award 😊: A.J. Brown

    It’s no secret that Brown has been less than thrilled with his usage in the offense, but he was a major factor against the Vikings, making 4 catches on 6 targets for 121 yards and 2 TDs. 

    He opened the scoring on the day with a 37-yard TD reception…

    …and he closed the game with a 45-yard kill shot.

    In between, he hauled in a 26-yard TD pass.

    If the Eagles are going to make any kind of run at a Super Bowl repeat, they’re going to need Brown to play at a high level. He made a bunch of big plays in Minnesota.

    3) The ‘Also Happy’ Award ☺️: DeVonta Smith

    Smith had an even bigger game than Brown, making 9 catches of 11 targets for 183 yards and the following 79-yard TD:

    On a side note, former Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers had a tough day.

    4) The ‘Maybe Just Let Them Coach Themselves’ Award 📋: The players

    DeVonta Smith lobbied for the play that would become the 79-yard touchdown.

    “He came in advocating for that play,” Jordan Mailata said. “He and [Landon Dickerson] were talking about it. Landon figured out the play that he was talking about — because DeVonta doesn’t know what we’re doing up front and what protection it is, he just knows his routes — and they got on the same page, and Landon advocated for that Smitty play, and shoot, the next drive we came out… (and scored).”

    “He was chirping about it and it ended up getting called,” Hurts added.

    Additionally, Hurts claimed after the game that he pushed for more plays from under center, which were very successful, at least in the passing game.

    And on the other side of the ball, Moro Ojomo credited rookie Ty Robinson for pointing out a Vikings O-lineman’s technique vulnerability, which led to a key Ojomo sack.

    5) The ‘EDGE Redemption’ Award 📈: Jalyx Hunt and Josh Uche

    The Eagles’ edge rushers have come under fire of late, as they have struggled getting to the quarterback. On Sunday in Minnesota, they made a bunch of plays.

    To begin, Jalyx Hunt made one of the biggest plays of the day, when he dropped into coverage, picked off Carson Wentz, and ran it back for a touchdown. 

    Additionally, Uche had a sack, and Hunt would have had another if Wentz hadn’t thrown the ball away for an intentional grounding penalty.

    The Eagles still need help on the edge — and it’s very likely Brandon Graham is coming out of retirement to provide some help — but on Sunday, they played well.

    6) The ‘Thanks Old Friend!’ Award 🙏: Carson Wentz

    Wentz sucks. I mean, holy crap. There was a sequence of three Wentz throws that went:

    1. Pick-six
    2. Backwards throw out of bounds for a loss of 8.
    3. Interception

    And this intentional grounding throw, lol (video via @TGLMSports)

    Note the wide open FB in the flat. 

    He also made a poor throw to a wide open T.J. Hockenson that should have been a touchdown, but instead resulted in an incompletion. The Vikings have a good team, and they might have otherwise won this game if not for Wentz’s many mistakes.

    7) The ‘Still Waiting’ Award ⏲️: The Eagles’ rushing attack

    Saquon Barkley had 18 rushes for 44 yards (2.4 YPC) and a long run of 9 yards. The Vikings loaded the box and dared the Eagles to beat them through the air, which, you know, they did.

    But we wait another week for the run game to look anything at all like it looked a year ago.

    8) The ‘Walking Wounded Award 🩼: Cam Jurgens, Adoree’ Jackson, Azeez Ojulari, and Jeremiah Trotter

    Jurgens, Jackson, Ojulari, and Trotter all left the game with injuries and did not return.

    The most concerning injury is Jurgens’. The dropoff in play at center from Jurgens to Brett Toth was significant, and that’s with Jurgens already not playing at his best because of a lingering back injury.

    9) The ‘Chutes and Ladders’ Award 🛝🪜: The Eagles, after ending their slide

    After dropping two games to the Broncos and the lowly Giants, the Eagles pretty badly needed to put an end to their slide. 

    Did you ever play Chutes and Ladders? 

    101925Chutes101925Chutes

    You’re going to hit a chute (or slide or whatever) at some point. It’s just a matter of how devastating the slide will be. Like in 2023, the Eagles hit an “87 to 24” slide, as shown above. This slide was more like a “93 to 73” slide.

    10) The ‘Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk’ Award 🗣️🚶‍♂️: The Giants

    The Giants did a lot of talking after stomping the Eagles Week 6. And, well, it’s understandable why. They beat the reigning champs, and a team that has absolutely owned them over the last 15 or so years. 

    The Eagles will have a chance to get a bit of revenge on the Giants, as they’ll face their division rival twice in three weeks. And then… a much-needed bye.

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    Jimmy Kempski

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  • Eagles-Vikings Week 7 injury report, with analysis

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    The Philadelphia Eagles suffered their second straight loss Week 6, and they also were without a few of their most important players in that game, in iDL Jalen Carter, LG Landon Dickerson, and CB Quinyon Mitchell. The Eagles do have a mini-bye heading into their Week 7 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, so they will have a little extra time to heal up.

    The Vikings are coming off their “real” bye, after playing two straight games in Europe. They have battled injuries all season long, but could be getting a number of key players back in time for the Eagles’ visit to Minnesota.

    Here’s the Eagles-Vikings injury report, with analysis.

    051020EaglesLogo2020
    Player  Injury  Wed  Thurs Fri  Status 
    TE Grant Calcaterra Oblique DNP  DNP  DNP  Out
    CB Quinyon Mitchell  Hamstring  Limited  Full   Full   – 
    LG Landon Dickerson  Ankle  Limited  Limited  Full  – 
    iDL Jalen Carter  Heel  Full  Limited  Limited  Questionable 
    LB Zack Baun  Finger  Full  Full  Full  – 
    iDL Jordan Davis  Shoulder  Full  Full  Full  – 

    Wednesday notes:

    • Mitchell is the player of highest importance on the Eagles’ injury report this week, seeing as the Vikings employ Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at receiver. He practiced on Wednesday, which is a good sign for his availability on Sunday.

    • Carter told reporters that he would play on Sunday. He was listed as questionable against the Giants last week, and did not play.

    Thursday notes: 

    • Mitchell was a full participant. He’s nearly certain to play.

    Friday notes: 

    • Calcaterra is the only Eagles player ruled out.

    • As noted in the Wednesday notes above, Carter said that he was playing, but that was before he was limited participant on Thursday and Friday. He’s officially listed as questionable.

    Saturday notes: 

    • It was brought to my attention that I didn’t include Landon Dickerson as questionable. Per the team’s website, Dickerson does not have an injury status designation:

    101825LandonDickersonInjury101825LandonDickersonInjury

    Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

    • EDGE Nolan Smith (IR, triceps): In 2024, Smith got out to a slow start, but the light seemed to come on for him after the Week 5 bye. In the 15 games he played from October on, Smith had 10.5 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles, and he did a lot of the dirty work in the defense like taking on pulling guards and burying them. He also led the NFL with four postseason sacks. He tore his triceps in the Super Bowl.

    Smith entered the 2025 as the team’s top edge defender. Through three games he has 10 tackles and 0 sacks. He “tweaked” his triceps injury, and will miss at least four weeks on IR.

    • CB Jakorian Bennett (IR, pectoral): The Eagles traded for Bennett in early August at a time when existing corners Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo were struggling during training camp.

    • WR Johnny Wilson (IR, knee, ankle): Wilson is a massive receiver at 6’6, 228 who carved out a dirty work role as a physical blocker his rookie season in 2024, though sometimes he was a little too aggressive, as he committed four penalties (3 holding, 1 OPI). He wasn’t much of a threat as a receiver, catching only 5 passes for 38 yards and a TD. He played a little over 400 snaps, and actually started four games.

    • WR Darius Cooper (IR, shoulder): Cooper is an undrafted rookie free agent who was able to crack the 53-man roster after an impressive training camp and preseason. He had begun carving out a role as the “dirty work” receiver after Johnny Wilson was lost for the season.

    • FB Ben VanSumeren (IR, knee): VanSumeren was poised to take on a bigger role in the Eagles’ offense in 2025 as a full-time fullback, but he tore his patellar tendon on the opening kickoff of the season. His season is over.

    • LS Charley Hughlett (IR): Hughlett throws the ball through his legs. The Eagles signed Cal Adomitis to throw the ball through his legs in place of Hughlett.

    051020VikingsLogo2020051020VikingsLogo2020

    Player  Injury  Wed  Thurs  Fri  Status 
    QB J.J. McCarthy Ankle Limited  Limited  –  Questionable 
    RT Brian O’Neill  Knee  Limited  Limited  –  Questionable 
    LG Donovan Jackson  Wrist  Limited  Full  –  – 
    OLB Andrew Van Ginkel  Neck  Limited  Limited  –  Out 
    DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins  Hip  Limited  Limited  –  Questionable 
    QB Carson Wentz  Shoulder  Full  Full  –  – 
    LB Blake Cashman  Hamstring  Full  Full  –  – 
    C/G Michael Jurgens  Hamstring  Full  Full  –  Questionable 
    OLB Tyler Batty  Knee  Full  Full  –  Questionable 
    EDGE Jonathan Greenard  Hamstring  –  Limited    – 

    Wednesday notes: 

    • McCarthy has missed the last three games with his ankle injury. In the two games he did play, he had one good quarter of football, and seven bad quarters. He is not 100 percent yet, but believes he can play:

    Wentz has started those three games while McCarthy was out. The Vikings won two of them. Wentz is basically the same guy we knew in Philly – no pocket awareness, misses layups, takes big hits when he runs, but every so often he’ll rip a throw down the field that only a handful of other quarterbacks in the league can make.

    My bet: Wentz will start. We’ll see.

    • Van Ginkel has only played in two games so far this season. He’s a playmaking edge defender. In 2024 he had 79 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 2 INTs (both were pick-sixes), a forced fumble, and 6 pass breakups. Great player. The Vikings would love to get him back.

    • Cashman suffered a hamstring injury Week 1 against the Bears, and was placed on IR. He missed the next four games. In 2024, Cashman had 112 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, and 8 pass breakups. He is one of the most valuable players in the Vikings’ defense. The Vikings activated his 21-day practice window this week, and he could return to the field against the Eagles.

    • Because the Vikings have so many offensive linemen on their injury report, we may as well just give our O-line overview a little early (as opposed to waiting for it in our “five things to watch.” When fully healthy, the Vikings’ offensive line would look like this:

    LT  LG  C  RG  RT 
    Christian Darrisaw  Donovan Jackson  Ryan Kelly  Will Fries  Brian O’Neill 

    Darrisaw and O’Neill form one of the best offensive tackle tandems in the NFL. Darrisaw missed the first two games of the season while still recovering from from ACL/MCL tears suffered during the 2024 season. He has played the last three games. 

    O’Neill suffered a sprained MCL against the Steelers Week 4 and did not play Week 5. The Vikings had a bye Week 6, so he had a week off to heal up.

    Jackson was the Vikings’ first-round pick in 2025. He played in the first three games of the season, but missed the last two after having surgery on his wrist. The Vikings didn’t place him on injured reserve, an indication that they thought he had a chance to return sooner than the four-game window required to be on IR.

    Kelly won’t play. He’s on IR with a concussion. Michael Jurgens filled in for Kelly, but he too got hurt (hamstring) against the Steelers Week 4 and Jake Brandel filled in. Jurgens may or may not play Sunday.

    Fries is the only Vikings starting offensive lineman to play in every game so far this season. He is good to go.

    In summary, Darrisaw and Fries will play. Kelly won’t. O’Neill, Jackson, and Jurgens are maybes. Got it? Cool.

    Thursday notes: 

    • Greenard popped up on the Vikings’ injury report with a hamstring injury. The Vikings’ beats don’t seem to have any further info on that at this time.

    Friday notes: 

    • The Vikings didn’t publish Friday’s practice activity, but they did publish their Sunday game statuses. 

    • McCarthy is questionable. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has said they don’t want to put McCarthy back into games until he is fully healthy, so I would probably expect Wentz to start.

    • Van Ginkel is out.

    • Along the offensive line, O’Neill and Jurgens are questionable. Jackson is good to go.

    Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

    • LB Blake Cashman: As noted above.

    • C Ryan Kelly: As noted above.

    • RB Aaron Jones: Jones injured his hamstring Week 2 against the Falcons. In his absence, Jordan Mason has filled in and played reasonably well. Mason has 69 carries for 363 yards (4.7 YPC) and 3 TDs.

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  • Eagles-Vikings preview: Five things to watch

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    In Week 7 of the NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles will face a team that has been quarterbacked the last few weeks by Carson Wentz, formerly the Eagles’ franchise quarterback, if only for a brief moment in time. Here are our five things to watch.

    1) The Eagles will have to prepare for two quarterbacks, one of whom they know very well

    The Vikings’ starter to begin the season was second-year pro J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season because of a torn meniscus. He started the first two games of the season for the Vikings. 

    The first was a 27-24 win over the Bears, during which McCarthy played like crap for three quarters, before coming alive in the fourth quarter. The Vikings went TD, TD, TD, with McCarthy completing 6 of 8 passes for 87 yards, 2 TDs, and a 15-yard TD run on those drives. In his second game against the Falcons Week 2, the Vikings got embarrassed in front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football.

    J.J. McCarthy  Comp-Att  Yards (YPA)  TD-INT  Rating 
    4th quarter vs. Bears  6-8  87 (10.9) 2-0  149.5 
    The rest of his season  18-33  214 (6.5) 0-3  36.7 

    McCarthy injured his ankle against the Falcons and hasn’t played since. Wentz has started three games while McCarthy was out. The Vikings won two of them. Wentz is basically the same guy we knew in Philly – no pocket awareness, misses layups, takes big hits when he runs, but every so often he’ll rip a throw down the field that only a handful of other quarterbacks in the league can make.

    “They are similar,” Vic Fangio said of McCarthy and Wentz. “They’re both athletic. They both do a good job running this offense. This is a good offense we’re going against. It’s a good scheme. It’s packaged well together. They do a good job of calling plays. It’s a tough offense.”

    Fangio has given high praise to every quarterback he has faced so far this season, but it was a little muted this week. Whether it’s McCarthy or Wentz, it will be the worst starting quarterback the Eagles will have faced so far this season.

    2) The Vikings’ receivers are among the best in the NFL

    Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase are the best wide receivers in the NFL, in whatever order you prefer. This is Jefferson’s sixth season, and he already has almost 8,000 receiving yards. 

     Justin Jefferson Rec  Yards  YPC  TD 
    2020  88  1400  15.9  7 
    2021  108  1616  15.0  10 
    2022  128  1809  14.1  8 
    2023 (10 games)  68  1074  15.8  5 
    2024  103  1533  14.9  10 
    2025  29  449  15.5  1 
    TOTAL  524  7881  15.0  41 

    His career 96.1 receiving yards per game is the best in NFL history (minimum 16 games played):

    1. Justin Jefferson: 96.1
    2. Puka Nacua: 90.9
    3. Ja’Marr Chase: 86.7
    4. Calvin Johnson: 86.1
    5. Antonio Brown: 84.2
    6. Julio Jones: 82.5
    7. Michael Thomas: 79.1
    8. Tyreek Hill: 78.4
    9. CeeDee Lamb: 78.1
    10. Malik Nabers: 77.6
    11. Torry Holt: 77.4
    12. Marvin Harrison: 76.7
    13. A.J. Brown: 76.0
    14. Jerry Rice: 75.6
    15. Lance Allworth: 75.5

    There’s an almost 12 yards per game difference between Jefferson and the fifth guy on that list. 

    He is an exceptional route runner who gets great separation, and even when he doesn’t he’s a contested catch wizard. He wins at all three levels of the defense, and is a cheat code for anyone throwing him the football.

    Oh, and hey, the Vikings also have a very good WR2 in Jordan Addison, who has 142 catches for 1,941 yards and 20 TDs in 34 career games (the equivalent of two full seasons). Jefferson and Addison are in the conversation for best WR duo in the NFL.

    Of course, the Eagles have a problem at cornerback. Star CB1 Quinyon Mitchell left with a hamstring injury against the Giants and did not return. He was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, but a full go on Thursday. The Eagles desperately need Mitchell to play on Sunday, and it looks like he will.

    At CB2, Adoree Jackson was benched in favor of Kelee Ringo, who was subsequently benched in favor Jackson against the Giants. Asked who would start at CB2 if Mitchell can play, Fangio said it would likely be Jackson. If Mitchell can’t go, it’ll be Ringo and Jackson, in which case the Vikings could have a field day through the air.

    3) Where might the Eagles go #Feastin’? 🍗

    When fully healthy, the Vikings’ offensive line would look like this:

    LT  LG  C  RG  RT 
    Christian Darrisaw  Donovan Jackson  Ryan Kelly  Will Fries  Brian O’Neill 

    There’s a lot to unpack with the Vikings’ offensive line. 

    Darrisaw and O’Neill form one of the best offensive tackle tandems in the NFL. Darrisaw missed the first two games of the season while still recovering from from ACL/MCL tears suffered during the 2024 season. He has played the last three games. 

    O’Neill suffered a sprained MCL against the Steelers Week 4 and did not play Week 5. The Vikings had a bye Week 6, so he had a week off to heal up.

    Jackson was the Vikings’ first-round pick in 2025. He played in the first three games of the season, but missed the last two after having surgery on his wrist. The Vikings didn’t place him on injured reserve, an indication that they thought he had a chance to return sooner than the four-game window required to be on IR.

    Kelly won’t play. He’s on IR with a concussion. Michael Jurgens filled in for Kelly, but he too got hurt (hamstring) against the Steelers Week 4 and Jake Brandel filled in. Jurgens may or may not play Sunday.

    Fries is the only Vikings starting offensive lineman to play in every game so far this season. He is good to go.

    In summary, Darrisaw and Fries will play. Kelly won’t. O’Neill, Jackson, and Jurgens are maybes.

    The Eagles’ pass rush has sucked so far this season, frankly. The edge rushers presently on the team have a grand total of one sack (by Patrick Johnson), and the team as a whole only has 9 sacks in 6 games. Only five teams have fewer sacks per game.

    The return of Jalen Carter on Sunday and the eventual return of Nolan Smith after the bye will help, but expect the Eagles to trade for another pass rusher by the trade deadline.

    One thing to note if Wentz starts is that he has a pocket presence quirk that leads to devastating plays. Once he either avoids an edge rusher, or an edge rusher runs by him, it’s as if he believes that player no longer exists, and won’t continue to keep trying to get after him. He did it throughout his career in Philly, and it has carried over into his many other NFL stops, including this year now in Minnesota. A sampling of his pocket presence this season: 

    Wentz has been sacked 12 times in three games. Normally, you don’t want your edge rushers getting too far up the field and simply getting escorted around the bend, taking themselves out of the play. Against Wentz, the Eagles’ edge rushers should not feel the need to try to flatten their path to the quarterback as much as possible. Taking wider paths to Wentz can be just as effective. If you get in behind him, Wentz will eventually drift back in the pocket into strip sack opportunities. 

    The plan should be to enclose him in the pocket, and whenever a lineman is within striking distance, tackle the football, not the quarterback, because over his career he has been one of the worst in the league at protecting it.

    #FeastinMeter: 6/10 turkey legs 🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗

    4) Jalen Hurts vs. Brian Flores

    Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is known as a hyper-aggressive blitzer, which is sometimes true, but a better description of his defenses is that they are highly varied and unpredictable. He does a great job of disguising man vs. zone, and confusing opposing quarterbacks.

    A common theme of Eagles games this season is that they have had success at times getting into a rhythm against certain defenses, but when the opposing defensive coordinator adjusts, the Eagles then don’t have answers. Flores is perhaps a difficult coordinator for what the Eagles have been so far this year, because he creates chaos by trying a lot of different things.

    5) The Eagles’ impotent rushing attack vs. the Vikings’ run defense

    The Vikings represent another team against whom the Eagles have a chance to get their run game going. Opposing offenses have had success against the Vikings’ run defense so far this season:

     Vikings run D Stat  NFL rank 
    Rushing yards per game  132.2  24 
    Rushing yards per attempt  4.5  22 
    Rushing first downs per game  8.6  26 
    % of rushes resulting in first downs  27.9%  23 

    This is a light defense. 

    Pos  Player  Weight 
    EDGE  Dallas Turner  242 
    iDL  Jonathan Allen  300 
    iDL  Javon Hargrave  305 
    iDL  Jalen Redmond  291 
    EDGE  Jonathan Greenard  263 
    LB  Blake Cashman  237 
    LB  Ivan Pace  231 
    CB  Isaiah Rodgers  170 
    CB  Byron Murphy  190 
    S  Theo Jackson  198 
    S  Josh Metellus  207 

    The interior linemen average under 300 pounds per man, and the heaviest of the three, Javon Hargrave, has always been a way better pass rusher than run defender. Additionally, one of the edges is 242 pounds, and both starting corners are small. You can run right at these guys.

    Unfortunately, as we detailed earlier this week, the Eagles have gone from bullies to bullied in the trenches this season, notably on the offensive line. In past seasons, they’d have run right through these guys’ faces. This year? Dunno.

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  • The Trade Deadline Approaches – Potential Targets For The Eagles – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Eagles are 4-2 coming off back to back unfortunate losses. With two opponents that could have been written off as “Easy Wins” at the start of the year are looking to be formidable opponents for a team that’s struggled in all 3 phases since the start of October.

    With the trade deadline coming on November 4th this year. The Eagles will be returning from their bye week with a few additions to the roster. Both from activating players on IR, and hopefully a trade (or two) prior to the Tuesday deadline.

    Returning From Injury 

    After the Week 3 match against the Rams, the Eagles placed three players on Injured Reserve. Nolan Smith, Darius Cooper and Jakorian Bennett. Two players considered to be defensive starters, and the preseason wonder who made the WR4 roster spot.

    The expectation was to see Smith and Bennett return after the Week 9 Bye Week. However, all 3 are able to be activated off of injured reserve as soon as Week 8 against the Giants. 

    Both defensive positions have struggled in recent weeks, perhaps the return of the some depth would help give the Eagles a breath of fresh air on the defense. And if it doesn’t, there’s plenty of teams about to start a fire sale just around the corner.

    Realistic Targets

    It’s unfortunate the Eagles might end up using more assets to find a solution to the CB2 issue. But if Bennett/Ringo/Jackson still aren’t able to successfully play across from Quinyon Mitchell. There’s a few targets in the AFC that might be worth the phone call. 

    Michael Carter II 

    The Jets are already 0-6. There’s no silver lining for their season. Carter is on the first year of a 3 year/$30.750M extension. While primarily playing Nickel for the Jets does open up the opportunity to shift Cooper DeJean to the outside corner opposite Quinyon, if the Eagles wish to solve the problem with a shuffle of personnel.

    Jermaine Johnson II

    While we’re shopping in MetLife, Johnson would be another good pickup for the Eagles to consider. 2 years removed from a 7.5 Sack season that came with 17 QB Hits. On the 4th year of his rookie deal, the Eagles would be given the option of extending a young player to keep along the defensive line, or continue taking advantage of acquiring Comp Picks for future use. 

    Perhaps the Jets own 3rd round pick from the Reddick trade would be sufficient to move the needle on either of these trades. As the pick currently sits at 65th overall in the 2026 draft.

    Bradley Chubb

    On the topic of imploding AFC East franchises. The Dolphins should be the next team on speed dial to make potential moves. Under contract until 2028, Chubb signed a 3 year $54.49M contract with a Dolphins team that just can’t string successful months together.   With their season likely already over, it might be team to reevaluate the roster and start stockpiling picks. 

    Acquiring Chubb also provides Fangio with a player similar to his systems, with multiple years in Denver and a one off year in Miami, the Eagles get added depth to the struggling pass rush.

    The Unrealistic Moves

    Everybody gets outrageously unrealistic trade predictions for their favorite team. So why can’t we? There’s multiple star players available that might disgruntled on struggling teams, and I know just the GM to take advantage of that.

    Trey Hendrickson 

    The Eagles were previously linked to Trey Hendrickson in the offseason. If they weren’t committed earlier in the year, fate has presented them another opportunity. 

    With 17.5 Sacks his previous 2 seasons, and 4 to start the 2025 campaign. There’s a possibility the Bengals are looking to make a move similar to the Micah Parsons trade. If teams like the 49ers and Colts are linked to one of the biggest names on the market. Then the Eagles should circle back. 

    Denzel Ward

    Another pipe dream of a potential trade. The Eagles might’ve been able to skip the Jakorian Bennett trade if they could keep the Browns on the phone. 

    With Gavin Newsome being traded to the Jaguars last week, the Eagles might’ve already missed their chance to move a Browns Cornerback. 

    If there’s a potential to acquire a 4x Pro Bowl corner with 2 more years on a $100M contract the Eagles will have successfully found a Big Play Slay successor and giving Quinyon a reliable partner on the far side of the field. 

    With the Vikings just a few days away. What are your main concerns for the Eagles deadline needs? And how many of their seven tradable picks are you will to move from the 2026 draft?

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  • A.J. Brown’s Going Nowhere but Eagles Fans Will Be Impatient – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: ClutchPoints

    It is shaping up to be a potentially interesting season once again for the National Football Conference East franchise, the Philadelphia Eagles, as we opened the 2025 NFL campaign with four straight wins and inexplicably fell to two straight defeats to boast a 4- 2 record as we begin slowly edging towards the month of November.

    Amongst all the stories and headlines that have been created by the season that the Iggles seem to be having right now, there is a very troublesome one when it comes to the reported and speculated future of 28-year-old wide receiver A. J. Brown.

    For the press and media, they have won the proverbial jackpot at an anonymous crypto casino because most of their sources so far have also been anonymous. But it seems that Arthur Juan appears to be an unhappy bunny at the moment. He has again sparked questions about what the future might hold as he has again recently taken to the world wide web to post yet another cryptic message, which has left many believing that his frustrations will inevitably lead to one of the most unexpected trades of the season.

    Credit: ClutchPoints

    In the matchups played so far, Brown has clearly not had the season that he, or others in the NFL, would have expected, as the six games so far have returned 274 receiving yards and a single touchdown. It is very fair to say that Brown is likely as frustrated as everyone else right now, but it naturally raises the question of his happiness with the franchise and whether his head is right, given that he feels his time may now be at an end in Philly.

    Given his wider social media form it was naturally inevitable that the words ‘In my distress I prayed to the LORD and the LORD answered me and set me free…’ would create concern and an almost endless stream of debate, and many (possibly wrongly) believe that the only interpretation that makes sense is that he is digging in for a move and simply showing perseverance in the uncertainty that has now been created.

    It is also very fair to say that others have read it as a direct response to the front office rumors and Howie Roseman in particular, given leaks that they would explore trading him, as discontentment and arguably resentment continue to grow

    Having joined the Eagles back in 2022 on a $100 million deal, with a further three year $96 million uplift extension agreed in 2024, it has been quite the fall from grace and Eagles fans will not appreciate the fact that we have another round of rumors simply owing to the fact that (whatever his issues are) he cannot seem to put his phone down.

    Not least, he was integral last season with 1079 yards and seven touchdowns as we took a 40-22 win over Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX – it was Brown’s first championship in the NFL, yet something has gone majorly wrong this year, and there is clear discontentment in the camp. Brown actually stated that he ‘didn’t recall’ a claimed meeting with Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley to discuss concerns, despite the quarterback’s own public words as he emphasized team unity.

    The mystery about his mindset will continue, and undoubtedly his fans amongst the fan base will continue to dwindle the longer this goes on – especially if it is not sorted by the November 4 trade deadline.

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  • Eagles trade deadline: An initial look at potential trade partners and players of interest

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    With the Philadelphia Eagles at 4-2 after six games — but struggling to find their identity and in need of filling a number of holes on their roster — let’s take an initial look at the teams around the NFL who make sense as trade partners prior to the November 4 trade deadline.

    Below are all the NFL teams that have a 2-4 record or worse, with a quick explanation of each of their likely trade deadline activity. Note: We’ll have more detailed analysis on some individual players who could be of particular interest soon. For now, below is a simple menu of about 20 players from teams with bad records who make sense, to varying degrees.

    New York Jets (0-6, -47 point differential)

    The Jets are the league’s lone winless team. They should be primed to sell.

    Friendly trade partner? Yes, the Eagles made a draft day trade with the Jets in April.

    Players who make sense: EDGE Jermaine Johnson, TE Jeremy Ruckert.

    Tennessee Titans (1-5, -78 point differential)

    The Titans have already thrown in the towel on the season, as evidenced by their firing of head coach Brian Callahan.

    Friendly trade partner? Sure, why not? They’re an AFC team and they voted to keep the Tush Push. 

    Players who make sense: iDL Jeffery Simmons, CB L’Jarius Sneed, CB Roger McCreary, EDGE Arden Key.

    Cleveland Browns (1-5, -64 point differential)

    The Browns had to know this would be a lost season before it even began, given that they entered training camp with guys like Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and a couple of rookies at quarterback. 

    Friendly trade partner? Yes. The Eagles have a friendly relationship with the Browns, who practiced jointly with the Eagles this summer, and who they traded Pickett to in March. Also GM Andrew Berry formerly worked for the Eagles, and his twin brother Adam still does.

    Players who make sense: CB Denzel Ward.

    Baltimore Ravens (1-5, -50 point differential)

    The Ravens have had a miserable season due to injuries to a bunch of their best players, including Lamar Jackson. However, with Jackson likely to return soon, I imagine the Ravens will believe they can still catch the Steelers in the AFC North or some of the wildcard teams in the AFC. They’re unlikely to sell until they lose a few more games, and even then, they’re probably only likely to trade players they don’t think will be back on the team in 2026.

    Friendly trade partner? Sure, but they’re probably not ready.

    Players who make sense: EDGE Kyle Van Noy, CB Marlon Humphrey.

    New Orleans Saints (1-5, -49 point differential)

    The Saints headed into 2025 in a clear rebuild year. They should be eager to sell off aging vets for draft picks.

    Friendly trade partner? Yes, GM Mickey Loomis makes a lot of deals with the Eagles, and former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is the Saints’ head coach.

    Players who make sense: DL Cameron Jordan, EDGE Carl Granderson, S Justin Reid.

    Miami Dolphins (1-5, -40 point differential)

    Mike McDaniel’s firing feels imminent, and a Dolphins fire sale could be on the horizon.

    Friendly trade partner? Sure, AFC team. Why not?

    Players who make sense: EDGE Jaelan Phillips, EDGE Bradley Chubb.

    Cincinnati Bengals (2-4, -80 point differential)

    The Bengals are are a disaster, and they were actually buyers last week, trading for Joe Flacco in an attempt to save their season. They seem to be reluctant to accept that their season is cooked.

    Friendly trade partner? No. The Bengals are a notoriously difficult team to deal with. They simply don’t make many trades, and are a rare team that hasn’t done a deal with Howie Roseman since Roseman reassumed his GM role in 2016.

    Players who make sense: EDGE Trey Hendrickson, CB Cam Taylor-Britt.

    Las Vegas Raiders (2-4, -46 point differential)

    The Raiders are already a couple of games behind the Chargers and Broncos and one behind the Chiefs. Geno Smith has been horrendous, as he has thrown for 7 TDs vs. 10 INTs. The Raiders were already in one of the toughest divisions in football, and their season is clearly going nowhere. 

    Friendly trade partner? Yes. The Eagles traded iDL Thomas Booker to Las Vegas for CB Jakorian Bennett during training camp.

    Players who make sense: TE Michael Mayer, DL Tyree Wilson.

    New York Giants (2-4, -23 point differential)

    The Giants should look to trade players on their roster if they can fetch good returns, but with Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen in full-on survival mode, they are more likely to try to win as many games as possible this season. Trading good players won’t help those efforts.

    Friendly trade partner? God no. Much like the Cowboys weren’t going to trade Micah Parsons to the Eagles under any circumstances, the Giants aren’t going to help the Eagles any more than they already have.

    Players who make sense: A guy like Kayvon Thibodeaux would make sense, but it’s not even worth scanning the Giants’ roster because they’re not going to send a good player to Philly.

    Arizona Cardinals (2-4, +3 point differential)

    Jonathan Gannon is on the hot seat, so he most assuredly will not want to trade players who can help the Cardinals win games this season, but that might not be up to him. GM Monti Ossenfort is on much more stable ground, and could deal if it’s worth his while.

    Friendly trade partner? There’s some hard feelings here, after the Cardinals engaged in improper contact with Gannon while the Eagles were preparing to play in the Super Bowl, causing the Cardinals to lose draft capital to the Eagles. The Eagles would no doubt deal with the Cardinals if they can acquire a player they like, but my guess is that the Cardinals would prefer to deal with other teams.

    Players who make sense: EDGE Baron Browning, DL Calais Campbell.

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