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Tag: eagles

  • Is the Eagles’ offensive line becoming a problem?

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    Maybe it should’ve been a bigger warning signal when the Eagles opened the season with a left guard just two weeks removed from his second knee surgery since the Super Bowl, a center coming off back surgery shortly after the Super Bowl, a new right guard and a general manager who traded draft picks around the roster cutdown date to shore up depth up front.

    The Eagles’ offensive line has been an elite group for the better part of the last decade and rightly earned much of the credit for Saquon Barkley’s 2,000-yard rushing season last year. But there’s no question that the big fellas up front, for a variety of reasons, just haven’t opened the same holes for Barkley through four weeks.

    That’s not to say Barkley and the offense are doomed. Pass protection has been fairly good and logic would dictate that LG Landon Dickerson and C Cam Jurgens will continue to improve physically as the weeks go by and the distance grows between their surgeries, and that RT Lane Johnson won’t be leaving every game with an injury like he’s done the past two weeks.

    The Eagles could very well be just one or two blocks away from clearing a path for Barkley’s first explosive run of the season. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo thinks they are.

    “I know a lot of the guys have talked about it, too. We’ve been so close on so many runs,” Patullo said Tuesday, “and I still think we’re still trying to feel our way out as far as who we are each game. The guys are so good on game day about communication with me. Saquon has been unbelievable, and I know they’re wanting it to happen so badly, but at the same time, you don’t want to force it.”

    But through the first four weeks, the line hasn’t met its typically high standard, and it’s shown every time Barkley has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage.

    Take a look at the difference in Barkley’s average yards before contact in 2025 compared to 2024, and where he ranks among NFL RBs (via pro-football-reference):

      YBC AVG YBC Total 
    2025  1.7 (38th)  129 (18th)
    2024  3.8 (1st)   1,328 (1st)

    There’s a school of thought that touching the ball close to 400 times in a season – as Barkley did last year – adds too much mileage to a running back and wears him down.

    But there’s far more film evidence that the offensive line, especially the interior, is the bigger culprit in Barkley’s inability to find running room than any attrition of speed or athleticism.

    Against the Buccaneers, 6 of Barkley’s 19 carries went for negative yardage – almost 33 percent. Six more went for 3 yards or less, so Barkley – who averaged 5.8 yards per carry last year – failed to gain 3 yards on 12 of 19 carries, or 63 percent.

    Unfortunately for the Eagles, there’s no one culprit. That would be an easier fix.

    And although the Bucs employed a heavy box (eight or more defenders) at a higher rate than Eagles opponents so far this season, the Eagles still faced light boxes on more than 53 percent of their snaps, per Next Gen Stats.

    Here’s an example of the Eagles trying to run into a heavy box. It didn’t go well.

    They probably should’ve changed the play presnap because the blocking design put the Eagles at a mathematical disadvantage, with just seven on the line against eight Bucs defenders on this split flow run. The RT/TE double team on Bucs EDGE Yaya Diaby (0) left four to block five, allowing LB SirVocea Dennis a free ride through the “A” gap.

    But there was also plenty of evidence of linemen not getting the job done, like this next one.

    RG Tyler Steen imploded this run when he whiffed altogether on massive DT Elijah Simmons (92), who got inside penetration so quickly that even FB Cam Latu (36) couldn’t rescue Barkley from getting pummeled.

    It does appear that sometimes the Eagles are really close to springing Barkley for a long run. This next one could’ve been one, as almost everyone was blocked. Key word: almost.

    Dickerson’s pull to the right side didn’t work out, as Bucs LB Lavonte David (54) – he’s pretty good – outflanked Dickerson and lunged at Barkley’s feet, causing Barkley to lose his balance, or else Barkley might’ve been able to jet upfield behind an actually decent block by Grant Calcaterra (81) on S Tykee Smith.

    On the subject of losing balance …

    Yikes. A big cutback hole opened on the left side of this outside zone but Barkley lost his footing while jump-cutting. What could have been…

    Even the great Jordan Mailata can be imperfect at times, as his miss on this run caused Barkley to get dropped behind the line.

    With the Eagles executing double teams on two of three Bucs iDLs, Mailata appeared to be responsible for single-blocking massive DT Elijah Roberts but got toasted by Roberts’ swim move, giving Roberts a clear path to swallow up Barkley for another loss.

    Safe to say renowned offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has some work to do before Sunday’s game against the Broncos.   

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    Geoff Mosher

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  • Could less be more for Eagles RB Saquon Barkley to get back on track?

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    Saquon Barkley is struggling. He’s not finding running lanes, he’s not creating his own space, and he’s far from the electrifying playmaker who last year made the world stop suddenly with a reverse hurdle that would end up becoming the snapshot of his season, the signature highlight in a year full of awe-inspiring moves and explosive plays that produced a near 2,300 combined-yard season.

    Through four games, the NFL’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year is averaging almost half as many rushing yards per game as last season and, even more staggering, he’s averaging about three fewer yards per carry than last season. 

    Turns out, the culprit isn’t a dormant pass offense that’s failing to keep the boxes light and bodies off the line of scrimmage. You couldn’t have had a more impactful pass game than the Eagles had Sunday in the first half against the Buccaneers in Tampa. Jalen Hurts completed 15 of 16 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns, and Barkley still managed just 18 yards on seven carries.

    If you combine Hurts’ sizzling second half in Week 3 against the Rams with his scorching first half against the Bucs, there’s still an incongruence with the pass and run offenses.

    2H vs. Rams/1H vs. Bucs    2H vs. Rams/1H vs. Bucs 
    Jalen Hurts:  32-40 for 339 yards, 5 TD Saquon Barkley: 18-15, 2.8 ypc 

    Amazingly, when Hurts and the pass offense have been at their best, Barkley has actually been worse, averaging fewer than three yards per carry. It doesn’t make much sense.

    There could be any number of reasons for Barkley’s slow start – opponent game-planning, the right guard change from Mekhi Becton to Tyler Steen, injuries to Lane Johnson, the Week 1 loss of fullback Ben VanSumeren, tight end Grant Calcaterra’s suspect inline blocking. Any of these, or a combination of all, could all be factors.

    Also, all four of the Eagles’ opponents so far this season are teams they played last year, and only the Cowboys have a new defensive coordinator/defensive play caller. So it’s a safe bet that each of these opponents spent some time this offseason watching tape from last year’s games and trying to scheme up run defense differently.

    Also interesting is that another one of last year’s NFC workhorses, Packers RB Josh Jacobs, is also well off his pace from 2024. Jacobs’ 1,671 offense yards last year ranked fourth behind Barkley, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbbs. Jacobs also logged 337 touches, fourth-most in the NFC.

    But through four games in 2025, Jacobs only has 385 yards from scrimmage, 10th in the NFL, and is averaging just 3.3 YPC while ranking 12th in the NFL in rushing for the 2-1-1 Packers.

      ’24 YPG  ’25 YPG  ’24 YPC ’25 YPC
    Saquon Barkley  125.3  59.3 5.8  3.1
    Josh Jacobs   78.2 66.5 4.4  5.0

    Could the answer be less Barkley and more variety? Will Shipley was healthy and active after missing Weeks 2 and 3 but didn’t get a single carry against the Bucs. A.J. Dillon hasn’t been used very much and carried the ball only three times against Tampa Bay.

    Barkley and Jacobs are the only two RBs from 2024 who finished top-5 in total touches who remain top-five through the first four weeks of the season. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, Rams RB Kyren Williams, and Ravens RB Derrick Henry joined Barkley and Jacobs as the five RBs who had the most touches last season.

    But so far, none of those other three are top-five this season. Robinson has the seventh-most touches, Williams the 11th-most and Derrick Henry the 25th-most.  

    Here’s how their 2025 season averages compare:

    RB ’24 YPG  ’25 YPG ’24 Rush YPC  ’25 YPC
    Bijan Robinson   78.5 85.6  4.8  4.9
    Kyren Williams  81.2 75.8 4.1  4.5
    Derrick Henry    113.0  71.0 5.9 5.8

    Robinson and Williams are performing better than last season on a per-carry and per-touch average while Henry is right around the same even though his total rushing yards per game is down as the Ravens have played in some shootouts early this season.

    Robinson’s backup, Tyler Allgeier, has 43 carries. William’s backup, Blake Corum, has 23 carries. Barkley’s backups – Dillon and Shipley – have combined for just 12. It should be noted that Hurts has 41 carries but that hasn’t taken away from Barkley’s workload, as Barkley’s 77 runs are second-most in the NFL behind Jacobs (80).

    Could the answer be as simple as just giving a few more opportunities to Shipley and Dillon? 

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    Geoff Mosher

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  • Bryce Huff sack tracker

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    Back in the spring, the Philadelphia Eagles traded Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round pick that can become a fourth-round pick if Huff has eight sacks during the 2025 season.

    Note: Some of you have asked if the Eagles even own this pick anymore after all the trades they have made in the past two months. And, yes, I assure you that if the conditions are met, the Eagles will own the fourth-round pick.

    Anyway, here we’ll track Huff’s sacks on the season, in stick figure form:

    • Week 1, at Seahawks: 0 sacks

    • Week 2, at Saints: 1 sack!

    • Week 3, Cardinals: 1 sack!

    • Week 4, Jaguars: 0 sacks

    • Week 5, at Rams: 

    • Week 6, at Buccaneers: 

    • Week 7, Falcons: 

    • Week 8, at Texans: 

    • Week 9, at Giants: 

    • Week 10, Rams: 

    • Week 11, at Cardinals: 

    • Week 12, Panthers: 

    • Week 13, at Browns: 

    • Week 14: BYE

    • Week 15, Titans: 

    • Week 16, at Colts: 

    • Week 17, Bears: 

    • Week 18, Seahawks: 

    092125gobryce2sacks

    You’re welcome.

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  • Eagles at Buccaneers, Week 4: Live updates and open thread

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    The 3-0 Philadelphia Eagles will visit the 3-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a rematch of the Birds’ worst performance of their 2024 season, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EST at Raymond James Stadium.

    The Eagles added three players to injured reserve this week, including their top edge defender, Nolan Smith. The Buccaneers will be without star WR Mike Evans, as well as starting RT Luke Goedeke and starting RG Cody Mauch. You can find the Eagles-Buccaneers inactives here.

    The Eagles have lost four of five matchups with the Bucs during the Nick Sirianni era. Part of that is because Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has had game plans that have flustered Jalen Hurts. Part of it has also been that they’ve caught the Eagles at vulnerable times. 

    In 2024, for example, the Eagles were without WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, as well as RT Lane Johnson. During the 2023-2024 playoffs, the Bucs hosted an Eagles team whose season had already been swirling down the toilet for months. As noted in our five things to watch, the Eagles should have some matchup advantages against a Bucs team that has eked by three bad opponents so far this season.

    The Eagles are 3.5-point road favorites. For the gambling enthusiasts, you can find my Week 4 picks here.

    Feel free to discuss the game in the comments section below.

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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.

    Mansoor Delane (4), CB, LSU (6’0, 190): (4) LSU at (13) Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m.

    Delane is a transfer from Virginia Tech who had four INTs and seven PBUs in 2024. He is off to a fantastic start in 2025. A look at his some of his play against Clemson earlier this season, via @NoFlagsFilm: 

    In addition to being a sticky corner, Delane is a tough, physical tackler despite his smaller size, and he has even filled in at safety during his career at VT. His primary position is at outside corner, which is what the Eagles need, but he is also the type of versatile defender that Vic Fangio values. He’s just a good football player.

    Harold Perkins (7), LB/EDGE, LSU (6’1, 222): (4) LSU at (13) Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m.

    Perkins is a linebacker / edge defender tweener in the same mold as Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell. He had had a monster season as a freshman in 2022, when he had 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and an INT. In 2023, he had 75 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an INT. In 2024, he suffered an ACL tear and only played in four games.

    Perkins is a versatile defender who can drop into coverage and rush the passer from all sorts of alignments. Fun player. He’s wearing No. 7 in 2025, but he’s No. 4 below:

    The Eagles don’t really need another off-ball linebacker / edge defender hybrid, but they do seem to have developed “a type,” and Perkins fits that mold.

    Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7), S, Toledo (6’2, 202): Akron at Toledo, 3:30 p.m.

    McNeil-Warren is a productive safety who has the following numbers since 2023 in 25 games: 144 tackles, four INTs (one pick-six), 6 forced fumbles. He has good size, he can play the run, and he has some range patrolling the deep part of the field. A cutup, from Devin Jackson: 

    Reed Blankenship is scheduled to be a free agent in 2026.

    Also, the Eagles struck gold with another Toledo DB in Quinyon Mitchell.

    Max Klare (86), TE, Ohio State (6’5, 243): (1) Ohio State at Washington, 3:30 p.m.

    Klare is a good receiving tight end who had 51 catches for 685 yards and four TDs for Purdue last season before transferring to Ohio State. He needs work as a blocker, but he has great hands and he runs good routes. He reminds me in some ways of Zach Ertz, even down to the 86 jersey. A look:

    The Eagles don’t have any tight ends that are under contract in 2026, so their need there is pretty obvious. Day 2 guy, in my opinion.

    Dani Dennis-Sutton (33), EDGE, Penn State (6’5, 265): (6) Oregon at (3) Penn State, 7:30 p.m.

    Dennis-Sutton was a five-star recruit (28th nationally by 247 Sports, 7th by Rivals.com) who is an exceptional run defender, but not an uber-athletic pass rusher like former teammate Abdul Carter. 

    In 2024, he had 42 tackles (13 for loss), 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three batted passes. His 2025 season if off to a good start, with nine tackles (five for loss), two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two batted passes.

    He has upside as a power rusher at the next level. Highlights:

    Vic Fangio tends to like edge defenders who play the run well so that he can play lighter fronts. With Brandon Graham gone, the Eagles can use another early down run stopper on the edge, with some room to grow as a pass rusher.

    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

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    Jimmy Kempski

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  • A 3-0 Eagles Team Trying To Avoid Repeating 2023.  – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    There’s a concern that the 2025 Eagles might be approaching the same territory as the 2023 Eagles. 

    Uncertainty of CB2 play. Overcoming a lengthy list of departing free agents. And questionable offensive gameplans through three weeks do give some cause for concern.

    The Eagles have managed to start the year off 3-0 against a division opponent, a Super Bowl rematch and a most likely division winner and future playoff rematch. With a dip in their quality of opponent in the coming weeks. The Eagles will be primed to start the first half of their season with a strong lead on the NFC East before their week 9 Bye.

    Defensive Difference 

    In 2023, the Eagles defense ranked 26th with an average of 356.1 yards against per game. Ranking 31st against the pass with 252.7 passing yards against, but finished 10th against the run with only 103.4 yards against per game. Demoting Sean Desai mid season, promoting Matt Patricia (of all people), losing Slay for the end of the year and a spiralling streak they couldn’t get out of completed the recipe for disaster.

    So far through 3 weeks. The Eagles defense ranks 11th against the pass (185.7 yards/game) and 24th against the run (133.3 yards/game). Ranked as the 18th best overall defense. There’s work to be done but the Eagles aren’t in the worst position, yet. 

    Offensive Woes

    The Eagles will need to figure out how to get the run game more involved to keep opponents defenses on the field, and theirs off it.

    Averaging 179.3 rushing yards in 2024, the Eagles offense was able to kill the clock and chunk yardage as Saquon averaged 5.48 yards/carry. Through 3 weeks they average 122 rushing yards per game, while Saquon starts off with only 3.34 yards/carry.

    Will the Eagles be able to find their groove Sunday against the Buccaneers? Or will we have to wait till the following weekend to see the team firing on all cylinders?

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    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • Before FGs blocks, Eagles iDLs Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter were culprits in run defense

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    Eagles defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter made two of the biggest plays Sunday in the Eagles’ 33-26 comeback win over the Rams, which is somewhat ironic given that both were both culprits in the porous run defense that enabled the Rams to have a 19-point lead in the second half.

    The All-22 footage that we’ll look at shows that Davis and Carter were consistently moved by the Rams’ offensive line, which cleared the way for Kyren Williams and Blake Corum to combine for 147 rushing yards and average 5.25 yards per carry.

    Surely, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will want that corrected by Sunday’s game in Tampa against the Bucs, who have struggled to run the ball effectively.

    The Rams are a run-heavy team and didn’t use any trickery or guile to get their ground yards. Their bread and butter is running between the tackles, using double teams up front to execute simple inside zone schemes. Occasionally, they’ll pull a lineman or tight end – or both – in a Gap scheme run, but they basically stick to what they do best, and did against the Eagles. 

    Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are crafty runners who lack elite athleticism but have nifty jump-cuts and are known for getting downhill quickly and skinny through the run lanes. The Eagles prepared for the Rams’ run game all week. 

    Davis and Carter are frequently tasked with taking on double teams and either beating or stalemating them so that linebackers can flow downhill into the gaps to make tackles. Against the Rams, for the better part of three quarters, the two mammoth DTs were often moved. 

    The Rams logged 17 runs of five or more yards. Let’s take a look at some of them. 

    The first three are pretty basic – inside zone runs made possible by Davis and Carter getting swallowed up by double teams.

    On this run, Davis and Carter were both defeated by double teams before both guards moved off their combo blocks and climbed to cover the linebackers, leaving a clear path for Williams to get five yards.

    This run was another zone run that thrived on double teams up front, but Williams’ pathway was the right-side B gap (between the guard and tackle) made possible by Carter literally getting driven back about five yards, obstructing LB Jihaad Campbell’s path to Williams, who gained six.

    The Rams picked their poison between LB Zack Baun and NB DeJean Cooper, and decided they’d take their chances running to the nickelback side, away from Baun. On that run, a 5-yard gain, their o-line reset the line of scrimmage with double teams on Davis and Carter, who got swallowed up and driven backward and into second-level defenders. Rams WR Jordan Whittington, who motioned from left to right, blocked DeJean while the RT sealed the edge.

    Bad tackling was also problematic. Even when the Eagles did a better job at the point of attack, they didn’t wrap up well.

    Pressure up front made Williams jump-cut to his right, but Carter again got moved out of the gap that Williams cut into, and even worse, Reed Blankenship made a terrible lunging attempt while DeJean got pancaked by a wide receiver. Quinyon Mitchell also whiffed on a lunge as Williams got 11.

    Here the Rams deviated from their standard inside zone and went outside. In outside zone, o-linemen block horizontally and try to spring the running back on the edge. DeJean came down to set the edge correctly but totally whiffed on the body tackle. Also, Campbell couldn’t get off the RT’s block in enough time and had to chase down Williams from behind.

    Eventually, Fangio adjusted at times by putting an extra defender on the line of scrimmage (a “Bear” front). That way, if the Rams had six on the line (5 OL, 1 TE), they could only execute one double team unless they left a defender unblocked. 

    Campbell came down to play the edge here, kicking Jalyx Hunt inside over the RT’s inside shoulder and Carter directly over the center. But Carter still got driven back by a combo block by the center and left guard, then struggled to shed the guard’s block before Williams ran right past him to gain seven.

    Of course, McVay, a run game whiz, always has some tricks up his sleeve.

    This is an outside zone, but the play side is opposite the zone block side. All the Eagles’ big guys – Davis, Carter, and Campbell – were taken out altogether as Williams had a 3-on-2 blocking advantage once he took the handoff. He went untouched for about eight yards of the run. The Eagles’ backside edge on this play was Za’Darius Smith (52), who got stoned by TE89, allowing Williams to jump-cut for more yards.

    To avoid being stale, McVay tossed in an occasional Gap scheme run, including this one inside the Eagles’ red zone.

    On this run, the Rams pulled their right guard and tight end through the left-side A gap to set up a pathway for Corum. Every Rams blocker won his matchup, as the center and right tackle combo-blocked Carter, the pulling left guard sealed off Hunt at the edge, and the left guard took advantage of Davis “playing high” – losing his pad leverage – to drive him off the line. 

    The pulling tight end got just enough body on Campbell and the left tackle climbed to cover Zack Baun, giving Corum an alley. Williams wasn’t actually touched for the first eight yards of this 10-yard run. 

    On Sunday, the Eagles face a Bucs team that likes to run but has struggled to move the ball on the ground. Offensive line health issues have hurt Tampa Bay’s offense. But temperatures at Raymond James Stadium are expected to be close to 100 degrees, which can lead to cramping and fatigue that can result in loss of technique and fundamentals.

    Three Bucs RBs combined to average 4.7 yards per carry in Tampa’s 33-16 win over the Eagles last year at the Pirate Ship. The Eagles will have to brave the elements and tighten up on run defense to avoid another letdown.

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  • Rams vs Colts: Week 4 Showdown at SoFi Stadium

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    The Rams will defend home field against a booming Colts team that’s been making waves of their own

    The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
    Credit: Los Angeles Rams

    Like the Greek God Icarus, who flew too close to the Sun, the Rams dealt with their first real moment of adversity last week against the Philadelphia Eagles after dropping a sizable lead and ultimately dramatically losing the game. While it was a tough pill to swallow, it goes to show that no victory is ever given, regardless of how much of a hot streak a team is on or how big a lead is.

    As we turn to week 4, the Rams will host the Indianapolis Colts, a team that has been on an absolute hot streak since the start of the season, thanks to QB Daniel Jones playing the best football of his career. After several failed seasons with the New York Giants, many people wrote off Jones as the next journeyman quarterback who would only fill the quarterback role for teams in transition to drafting their next QB. 

    But to everyone’s surprise, Jones is leading a historic offense with the Colts, who’ve scored a franchise record 103 points in their first 3 games, the most since 1967. They are also one of four teams in the Super Bowl era to score at least 100 points with 0 turnovers to start a season. And up to a certain point during their previous game against the Tennessee Titans, they were tied for 5th all-time for continuous offensive drives without a punt. 

    But Jones is not a one-man army by any means. At his side is the extremely cunning RB Jonathan Taylor, who’s been performing as the top running back in the league so far into the season, averaging just over 5 yards a carry, has scored 3 touchdowns, and leads the league in total rushing yards with 338.

    Seasoned WR Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie TE Tyler Warren have also been very impactful in the passing game for Indy, with both players currently at 193 receiving yards each, and Pittman Jr. with 2 touchdowns thus far. 

    Safe to say, the Rams will need to bring their ‘A’ game. 

    For the Rams, they have a chance to take advantage of some of the injuries Indy is dealing with on the defensive side. CB Kenny Moore II is currently labeled as doubtful for Sunday’s game due to an achilles concern, which should ease the pressure off of Stafford’s shoulders when airing it out. 

    Scroll to continue reading

    The Rams scoring agains the Eagles
    The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
    Credit: Los Angeles Rams

    Another key piece for their defense is defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who is currently questionable to play due to a back injury. While we’d love to see Buckner (and Moore II) in action as true fans of the sport, this is something RB Kyren Williams can definitely target when penetrating their run-defense, especially at the goal line. 

    Unfortunately, the Rams also have some injuries of their own to deal with, including WR Davante Adams, who is coming off of a fantastic game last week. He is currently questionable to play due to a sore hamstring that prevented him from participating in practice on Wednesday.

    Injuries aside, Sunday’s game could be another popcorn-thriller here at SoFi Stadium. Puka Nacua is poised to have another dominant performance against an undermanned secondary unit, and expect TE Tyler Higbee to step up should Adams need to sit out. 

    Want to catch the action in person? You can purchase tickets to Sunday’s game here.

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    Vahe Baghdoyan

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  • Checking in on recent former Eagles: Turnovers aplenty from old friends in Week 3

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    The Eagles are 3-0. So no complaining, right?

    The team has an inconsistent pass rush, is missing a reliable second cornerback and is lacking in offensive line depth. Those are just a few among a variety of weaknesses and issues dogging the perfect Birds so far this season.

    Philly’s roster, as constructed, is clearly still one of the best in the sport. But could it have been even better? Here’s a look at the players Howie Roseman and the front office decided to trade away, or cut, or let sign elsewhere over the past few months. Will any of those decisions come back to haunt them?

    C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S, Free agent

    We’ll start with CJGJ, who was a key contributor to the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning defense but was not in the team’s plans for 2025. He was traded to the Texans, for whom he started three games — but he reportedly clashed with the head coach there. He was cut this week. From ESPN:

    Gardner-Johnson has struggled to pick up coach DeMeco Ryans’ defensive scheme this season, which has contributed to several big plays against the secondary through the first three weeks for the Texans, who are 0-3 to start the season.

    On Monday, Ryans was asked about the communication between his secondary’s players, admitting “it hasn’t been great.” [ESPN]

    Isaiah Rodgers, CB, Vikings

    Howie Roseman doesn’t always get it right. Rodgers scored not one, but two defensive touchdowns on Sunday for Minnesota as they thrashed the Bengals. He had an 87-yard pick six, and later a 66-yard fumble recovery returned for a score. Meanwhile, the Eagles are struggling to field a decent CB2, as Adoree’ Jackson has been less than stellar through three games. He would have been worth a few extra million bucks this season.

    Darius Slay, CB, Steelers

    Slay had a fumble recovery and three tackles in Week 3. At 34, he is still playing every snap at outside cornerback.

    Milton Williams, DT, Patriots

    Williams had two tackles for loss against the Steelers last weekend, bringing his season total to five. He’s been excellent defending at the middle of the line.

    Mekhi Becton, OG, Chargers

    Becton left Week 3 with a concussion. Prior to that he’d been solid but not light’s out playing guard for the Chargers, a team that was willing to pay more than Philly was to sign the Super Bowl champ from last year.

    Josh Sweat, DE, Cardinals

    After a monster Week 2, Sweat added another sack in Week 3 along with two QB hits and a tackle for loss. Former Eagles d-linemen continue to produce elsewhere.

    Bryce Huff, DE, 49ers

    Huff had a sack, two QB hits and a pass deflection in Week 3. He needs six more sacks for the Eagles to get improved draft compensation. 

    Oren Burks, LB, Bengals

    The former backup linebacker for the Eagles forced a fumble and had five tackles against the Vikings.

    Thomas Booker IV, iDL, Raiders

    Another former Eagles pass rusher – another forced fumble. Booker, who was sent to Las Vegas for Jakorian Bennett, had three tackles and a forced fumble against Washington. 

    Kenny Pickett, QB, Raiders

    After the Eagles traded Pickett for a fifth-round pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (who they cut), the QB-rich Browns traded Pickett to the Raiders to recoup that fifth-rounder. He’s Geno Smith’s backup there.

    Kenny Gainwell, RB, Steelers

    Gainwell scored his first touchdown of the year in Pittsburgh, and had four carries for 16 yards and a score in Week 3. He also hauled in a 10-yard reception, bringing his total to seven catches this season.

    Darian Kinnard, OL, Packers

    Kinnard played just seven total snaps in the Packers’ upset loss to the Browns.

    Harrison Bryant, TE, Texans

    The shortly-tenured Philly tight end played 21 snaps in Houston last week but didn’t register a stat.

    Jack Stoll, TE, Saints

    The former Eagles’ blocking tight end caught two of three targets Sunday and scored a touchdown, his first of his entire NFL career. 

    Avonte Maddox, CB, Lions

    Maddox made the Detroit roster out of camp and is a depth corner. He did not play on the regular defense in Detroit’s Monday Night win, appearing just six times during special teams.

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  • Game ball, three stars, and snap count analysis: Week 3, Eagles vs. Rams

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    In their Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles played 67 snaps on offense and 66 snaps on defense. Let’s just get right to the snap counts, some notes, and some special recognition.

    Quarterback

    • 67 snaps: Jalen Hurts

    Notes: The first half of this game (plus the first series of the second half) was a tough watch if you’re an Eagles fan. The offense got absolutely nothing going at all, and Hurts took a couple of big hits. But once the Eagles got down by three scores, the coaching staff opened up the playbook a bit with some down the field throws, and the results were great. After finishing the first half with 17 passing yards, Hurts ultimately finished the game 21 of 32 for 226 yards, 3 TDs, and his typical 0 INTs.

    The Eagles also had success with some Hurts designed runs, which they hadn’t called at all in the first two games.

    Hurts has now won 17 straight games that he has started and finished.

    Running back

    • 63 snaps: Saquon Barkley

    • 5 snaps: A.J. Dillon

    Notes: For the third straight game this season, Barkley just didn’t have much room to run. He carried 18 times for just 46 yards (2.6 YPC) and no TDs. 

    Through 3 games  Rush  Yards  YPC  TD 
    Saquon Barkley, 2024  63  351  5.6  4 
    Saquon Barkley, 2025  58  194  3.3  2 

    He also had 4 catches for just 9 yards. He was completely bottled up after running all over the Rams in both games last year.

    Much of the focus surrounding the Eagles’ offense so far in 2025 has centered around getting the passing game going. But, you know, they need to get the run game going, too.

    Wide receiver

    • 64 snaps: DeVonta Smith

    • 62 snaps: A.J. Brown

    • 52 snaps: Jahan Dotson

    • 6 snaps: Darius Cooper

    • 2 snaps: John Metchie

    Notes: In our preview of this matchup, we had highlighted that with Ahkello Witherspoon out, the Rams employed a trio of extremely small/light cornerbacks that A.J. Brown should be able to bully. And, well, he did on a pair of “have to have it” third downs. The first was with the Eagles backed up in their own territory on a 3rd and 10. He broke three tackles here:

    Look at how fired up Barkley was after that catch and run.

    And then later on another 3rd and 10, he reminded old friend Emmanuel Forbes who’s boss:

    Smith also had an efficient game, catching 8 of 9 targets for 60 yards and the go-ahead TD.

    Dotson has been quiet after a big game Week 1.

    Tight end

    • 61 snaps: Dallas Goedert

    • 13 snaps: Grant Calcaterra

    • 5 snaps: Cameron Latu

    • 2 snaps: Kyler Granson

    Notes: Goedert only got 2 targets after returning from a knee injury, but one of them was a 33-yard TD strike down the seam.

    The Eagles didn’t use many two-TE sets in this game, like they had (mostly) unsuccessfully the first two weeks of the season.

    Offensive line

    • 67 snaps each: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen

    • 42 snaps: Fred Johnson

    • 15 snaps: Matt Pryor

    • 10 snaps: Lane Johnson

    Notes: Lane Johnson injured his neck, but he was optimistic that he’d be good to go next week in Tampa. We’ll see.

    We covered this in our 10 awards, but it was clear throughout training camp and the preseason games that Matt Pryor isn’t good, especially at offensive tackle. THAT’S WHY YOU TRADED FOR FRED JOHNSON, GUYS! A day later, it’s still confusing why the team chose to play Pryor over Fred Johnson after Lane Johnson got hurt. Here’s how those Pryor snaps went, by the way: 

    Once Pryor was benched in favor of Fred Johnson, the line stabilized, Hurts had time to throw, and the Eagles moved the ball.

    Edge defenders

    • 46 snaps: Nolan Smith

    • 43 snaps: Jalyx Hunt

    • 24 snaps: Za’Darius Smith

    • 19 snaps: Josh Uche

    Notes: The Eagles had three healthy scratches on the edge in Azeez Ojulari, Ogbo Okoronkwo, and Patrick Johnson. I’ve been asked by a few readers why they’re keeping Ojulari on the roster. My guess is that they’re hoping they can trade him (and his guaranteed money) once some teams around the league become depleted on the edge, for literally anything. (Not so sure anyone will bite, if so.)

    The guys who played combined for 6 tackles and no sacks.

    Interior defensive line

    • 60 snaps: Jalen Carter

    • 45 snaps: Jordan Davis

    • 33 snaps: Moro Ojomo

    • 10 snaps: Byron Young

    Notes: Obviously, this was “The Jordan Davis Game,” after he made huge plays throughout in some pretty big moments. Everyone will remember his blocked field goal / scoop-and-score, but he also chased Matthew Stafford down for a sack on a key third down, and he had a huge run stop on 4th and 1.

    Carter also blocked a field goal… and he had another taunting penalty.

    Linebacker

    • 66 snaps: Zack Baun

    • 63 snaps: Jihaad Campbell

    Notes: Baun had a big game that will fly under the radar a bit because of Davis’ heroics, but he had 7 tackles, an INT that led to a short field TD, and a pair of pass breakups.

    Cornerback and safety

    • 66 snaps each: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Reed Blankenship

    • 49 snaps: Andrew Mukuba

    • 38 snaps: Adoree’ Jackson

    • 19 snaps: Sydney Brown

    • 12 snaps: Jakorian Bennett

    Notes: Davante Adams got behind the Eagles defense for a long TD, and Puca Nacua caught 11 passes, mostly on short stuff, but the Eagles defense also held Stafford to under 200 yards passing, which felt like a small win.

    After Jackson got hurt, the Rams attacked Bennett. He gave up some receptions, but also broke up a deep pass late in the game with the Rams trying to drive for the win.

    Three stars 🤩

    ⭐⭐⭐: NT Jordan Davis: Duh.

    🌟🌟: WR A.J. Brown: Brown reminded everyone on Sunday that he’s still good.

    ✨: OT Fred Johnson: This was on its way to being “The Fred Johnson Game” before it became “The Jordan Davis Game.”

    Game ball 🏈

    1. Week 1, vs. Cowboys: Jalen Hurts
    2. Week 2, at Chiefs: Andrew Mukuba
    3. Week 3, vs. Rams: Jordan Davis

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  • Week 3 non-Eagles rooting guide

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    The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. That matchup aside, here we’ll lay out a rooting guide for non-Eagles games on the NFL schedule for those of you on the fence while watching the other action around the league. And yes, I’m aware that most of the below is obvious. Ideal winners bolded.

    NFC East

    • Raiders at Commanders: The Commanders will be without Jayden Daniels against the Raiders, and Marcus Mariota will get the start. On the one hand, Mariota appeared in three games for the Commanders last season, and had great numbers. He was 34 of 44 for 364 yards, four TDs, and no INTs. On the other hand, when he played for the Eagles in 2023, Mariota was one of the worst QB2s I’ve ever watched in training camp practices in my time covering the team. So I guess we’ll see which version shows up on Sunday. But obviously, a Commanders loss here is best for the Eagles.

    Eagles fans will have to hope that the weirdo quarterback gurus who love Geno Smith for some strange reason are right about him for one week.

    • Cowboys at Bears: The Cowboys’ offense has looked better than anticipated through the first two games of the season. Again, a loss to the Bears is obviously a better outcome for the Eagles.

    • Chiefs at Giants: It’s incredible to me that Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen kept their jobs this offseason, and ideally from the Eagles’ perspective, they will remain employed further. At some point they’re going to have to win some games in order to keep their jobs in 2026 and beyond. This team is not a threat at all in the NFC East to the Eagles, in my opinion, so an upset win at home over the Chiefs is more ideal.

    The biggest threats in the NFC

    • Packers at Browns: After acquiring Micah Parsons and looking impressive the first two weeks of the season, the Packers are now the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl at most sportsbooks.

    • Jets at Buccaneers: The Eagles own the Jets’ third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but a Bucs loss here is more important in the NFC seeding race than third-round draft positioning.

    • Lions at Ravens: The Lions bounced back in a big way Week 2 after a bad Week 1 loss. They’re still a threat, and a road win over the Ravens would do wonders for their confidence.

    Ideal NFC divisional winners

    If I were to pick the most ideal / semi-realistic division winners in the NFC North, NFC South, and NFC West, I’d go with:

    • NFC North: Vikings. J.J. McCarthy is more or less a rookie after missing his entire actual rookie season with an injury. Quarterbacks starting their first ever playoff games don’t typically fare well. And if comes to pass that he’s not better than backup Carson Wentz, well then they just don’t have a chance anyway.

    • NFC South: Falcons. Again, Michael Penix would be a first-time playoff starter. Also, this team is much less threatening than the Buccaneers.

    • NFC West: Seahawks or Cardinals. The NFC West is kind of wide open, but the Rams are the best team, in my opinion, and the 49ers have a higher ceiling than the Seahawks or Cardinals.

    As such, the following bolded teams are ideal winners this week:

    1. Falcons at Panthers
    2. Saints at Seahawks
    3. Cardinals at 49ers
    4. Bengals at Vikings

    For future reference

    The following bolded teams play the Eagles this season, so they’re just worth keeping an eye on:

    1. Broncos at Chargers

    Irrelevant to the Eagles

    1. Colts at Titans
    2. Steelers at Patri*ts
    3. Texans at Jaguars

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  • Essential Info as Philadelphia Sports Heads Into Fall – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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

    There is still time before this becomes the most significant story involving the Philadelphia Eagles, but if the NFL has taught us anything, it is this.

    Time goes, and nothing endures forever.

    Consider Jalen Carter. His rookie contract is about to reach its third year. Although Philadelphia may exercise the fifth-year option that is built into his contract, it won’t be long before it’s time to back up the Brinks truck. Milton Williams usually occupied the third or fourth spot on the depth chart as a defensive tackle during his four seasons in Philadelphia. 

    Raising awareness of the Every Kid Sports Pass and promoting youth sports participation in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas are the goals of the cooperation. The NFL’s Eagles are the second team to formally declare their support for Every Kid Sports.

    With its major league teams—the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Phillies (MLB), 76ers (NBA), and Flyers (NHL)—and other professional teams in rugby, lacrosse, soccer, and ultimate disc, Philadelphia has a fervent sports culture.

    The city has a strong history of winning championships in all of its main sports, a passionate and informed fan base, and renowned tailgating customs.

    Sports-Related Injuries

    Sports-related injuries are rather prevalent. Indeed, we are confident that the Philadelphia Eagles and their supporters have a large number of personal injury attorneys on hand in case they are needed. For instance, statistics from local law companies indicate that a sizable portion of the state’s population has the phone numbers of several lawyers or law firms on their phones.

    Remember to consult a Wunderdog Sports Picks LLC attorney if you find yourself in difficulty! Finding the top personal injury attorney in Philadelphia may be a challenging task, but it is not impossible with a little investigation. To give you the greatest chance in court, we at Philadelphia Injury Lawyers consider every little detail.

    The Eagles Cannot Afford to Lose a Quick Advantage

    We sincerely apologize if these kinds of talks cause you needless worry. Encourage yourself. When it comes to these kinds of organizational decisions, the Eagles excel. You can be confident that Howie Roseman will solve this problem. Indeed, that raises another theory. Philadelphia is well-positioned for success in the near future, as many of its young players are on rookie contracts and deals that are relatively inexpensive by NFL standards. They have the least expensive defense in the NFL.

    Partnership

    In an effort to expand access to young sports, the Philadelphia Eagles are happy to announce their partnership with Every Kid Sports (EKS), a nationwide nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status. A $10,000 initial community contribution and a pledge to cover the sports registration fees for 500 young people in the Greater Philadelphia Area are part of the activation relationship. Through grants from Every Kid Sports’ flagship program, Every Kid Sports Pass, the funds will assist in paying registration fees for families with limited incomes.

    The partnership’s goals are to promote kids’ sports participation in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas and raise awareness of the Every Kid Sports Pass. The NFL’s second professional football team to formally collaborate with Every Kid Sports is the Eagles.

    The Football Culture of Philadelphia

    Fans in Philadelphia are renowned for being fervent, intense, and incredibly devoted. Whether it’s playing fantasy football, betting on their team, or tailgating before the game, many people in the city love the extra activities that come with football.

    These events further heightened the city’s passion for football, and when legislation permitting greater sports betting in Pennsylvania was eventually passed, supporters had even more options, at least in terms of betting. Philadelphia’s first sportsbooks opened their doors in 2018. Apart from the ease of use, the absence of physical bookmakers in the city may also contribute to the popularity of online casinos among Philadelphia gamblers.

    2026: Philadelphia’s Biggest Year for Sports

    PHOTO: Mick Kirchman/Unsplash

    2026, when the USA celebrates its 250th anniversary, is expected to be a historic year for Philadelphia sports. The city will host six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Lincoln Financial Field after being selected as one of the host cities. Five group stage matches and one round of 16 match—which will take place on July 4—are on the schedule. At the FIFA Fan Festival, which takes place at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, fans from all around the world may watch every World Cup match.

    Symbolism in Culture

    The sports clubs in Philadelphia have become potent representations of the city’s tenacity and unwavering spirit. Famous sporting events, like the Flyers‘ historic wins or the Philadelphia 76ers‘ championship victories, are ingrained in the city’s culture and serve as enduring symbols of pride and tenacity. The teams’ colors and logos have influenced many aspects of Philadelphia’s aesthetic environment and have come to represent the city’s character.

    In addition, Philadelphia’s sports teams’ stories of success and hardship echo the city’s own path, showing its capacity to overcome obstacles and come out stronger. These stories strike a deep chord with Philadelphians, strengthening a sense of pride and resilience that goes well beyond sports.

    Professional Teams & Collegiate Sports

    The Philadelphia Wings are a National Lacrosse League team that plays at the Wells Fargo Center. On its campus in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Villanova sports also hosts games at Finneran Pavilion and Wells Fargo Center. Philadelphia is also home to Temple University, whose free football predictions at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia is also home to the University of Pennsylvania, whose sports teams play in The Palestra.

    For many years, the Philadelphia Big 5 schools—Saint Joseph’s, Penn, La Salle, Temple, and Villanova—have been vying for the city’s unofficial sports championship.

    Honoring Philadelphia Sports’ Tenacity and Glory

    These kinds of moments define Philadelphia sports. times when players step up to the plate and give performances that will live on in the memories of future generations.

    From Graham’s revolutionary strip-sack to Hamel’s supremacy, these performances have influenced the city’s fervent sports culture.

    Conclusion

    Philadelphia football has been a journey filled with victories, disappointments, and unrelenting commitment.

    Generations of supporters grew up yearning for success to return to the city, and decades went by. Philadelphians’ enduring devotion to their team has never faltered, even in hard times.

    With two Super Bowl victories in the past ten years, fans have never had it so good, and the festivities have hardly subsided since.

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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.

    Spencer Fano (55), OT, Utah (6’6, 308): (17) Texas Tech at (16) Utah, 12:00 p.m.

    Fano is an athletic, technically sound offensive tackle who is a beast in the run game and who can mirror and match in pass pro. Here he is tossing dudes around all day against UCLA (video via @NoFlagsFilm): 

    He also has experience playing on both sides of the line, with double digit starts both at LT and RT. The one downside is that he is light, so there will be concerns about his ability to anchor against big boy power rushers at the next level.

    Fano has top half of the first round potential, so to have a shot at him the Eagles’ season would either have to go sideways or they’d have to trade up, which they certainly have the ammo to do. 

    Lane Johnson is 35 years old, but still playing at an elite level. Fano could be the swing tackle until Johnson is ready to retire, but who knows when that will be since he’s still so good. But, this is a player the Eagles will like, in my opinion, so we’re just putting him on the radar.

    Lee Hunter (2), iDL, Texas Tech (6’4, 330): (17) Texas Tech at (16) Utah: 12:00 p.m.

    Hunter was a four-star recruit who originally enrolled at Auburn, but transferred to UCF, where he was a highly productive run stopper. Here’s where he ranked among defensive linemen, in 2023 and 2024 combined, per PFF: 

    • 107 Tackles (2nd) 
    • 58 Run Stops (1st)
    • 28 TFL’s/No Gain (1st)

    His space-eating ability is obvious, but he also has some quickness for a 330-pound DT:

    Day 3 rotational guy.

    Avieon Terrell (8), CB, Clemson (5’11, 180): Syracuse at Clemson, 12:00 p.m.

    Terrell is the little brother of Atlanta Falcons All-Pro CB A.J. Terrell. He had a productive 2024 season, with 58 tackles, 2 INTs, 12 PBUs, and 3 forced fumbles.

    Terrell is athletic, twitchy, and opportunistic. You can see in the following video that he does a great job of raking at the football and trying to create turnovers:

    He’s a savvy zone defender, he can effortlessly run with receivers in man, and he’s a willing tackler. The concern is that he is quite undersized, which stands out in the above video.

    The Eagles still need a CB2.

    Rueben Bain (44), DL, Miami (6’3, 275): Florida at (4) Miami, 7:30 p.m.

    Bain reminds me a lot of Brandon Graham, but with higher upside. He has power and agility, he plays super hard, he’s a force against the run, and he can rush the passer either from the edge or the interior. 

    Assuming his character off the field checks out, Bain is a first round lock, and the type of versatile inside-outside defensive lineman the Eagles don’t currently have from a long-term perspective.

    Elijah Sarratt (13), WR, Indiana (6’2, 213): (9) Illinois at (19) Indiana, 7:30 p.m.

    Sarratt originally enrolled at Saint Francis (PA), where he played in 2022. He transferred to James Madison in 2023, where he had 82 catches for 1191 yards (14.5 YPC) and 8 TDs. In 2024, he transferred again to Indiana, where he had 53 catches for 957 yards (18.1 YPC) and 8 TDs.

    He is not a burner, so his big play ability could be a little limited at the pro level, but he is a physical possession receiver who runs good routes, fights for yards after the catch, has some contested catch ability, and takes pride in blocking.

    I like him in the dirty work role the Eagles had in mind for Johnny Wilson.

    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

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  • Brandon Graham Team Up with Sports Artist Jordan Spector to Launch the First-Ever “Strip Sack Pack” Collectible Card Series – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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

    Crooked Tea, in partnership with Crooked Tea equity partner and Philadelphia Eagles legend Brandon Graham, is proud to announce the launch of the “Strip Sack Pack”, a first-of-its-kind promotional release of collectible trading cards found exclusively inside cases of Crooked Tea.

    The series, created in collaboration with renowned sports card artist Jordan Spector, marks a new era where sports, culture, and collectibles collide.

    The Strip Sack Pack Checklist includes an exciting lineup of limited-edition collectible trading cards, autographs, foils, and ultra-rare inserts.

    PHOTO: Crooked Tea

    Along the way, fans will have the chance to discover 1 of 1’s, Kelly Green Variants, tri-color flavor hero cards, and rare unlisted “Immortal Trading Card Inserts” hidden throughout the packs. Visit www.crookedtea.com for the official Strip Sack Pack Checklist.

    Adding even more excitement, there are an extremely limited number of autograph inscriptions, featuring one-of-a-kind hand-signed phrases by Brandon Graham, including fan-favorite gems like: “Strip Sack King”, “GOAT Killer”, “Sackadelphia”, and more.

    “Everybody knows my favorite play, the strip sack in the Super Bowl.  Now, we turned that into something special,” said Brandon Graham, equity partner at Crooked Tea.

    “I’m super hyped that we teamed up with Jordan to celebrate that moment with fans in a way that will live on forever.”

    Limited Availability

    • Starting September 19, a limited release of the Strip Sack Pack with cards will be available on GoPuff, and on September 29, fans can find the cards at retailers across the Greater Philadelphia area while supplies last.

    “Crooked Tea was built on the idea of doing things differently and creating culture, not just beverages.” Said Crooked Tea Founder, Ben Weiss.

    “The Strip Sack Pack is exactly that: a first-of-its-kind collectible that brings together Brandon Graham’s legacy, Jordan Spector’s artistry, and Philadelphia’s passion. We’re not just putting tea in a can; we’re putting culture, creativity, and a little bit of Philly attitude into every case.”

    For the full list of participating retailers for fans to learn where they can purchase the limited run of The Strip Sack Pack at https://www.crookedtea.com/store-locator/.

    “The Strip Sack Pack brings together art, sports, and community,” added Jordan Spector, whose acclaimed artwork has been featured nationwide.

    “This release delivers an experience unlike anything before. From the Strip Sack Pack box to more than 20 unique card variations and rare autographs, every detail is packed with quality and value.”

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  • Will Shipley Out with Fractured Rib; Tank Bigsby Added for Depth – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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

    The Philadelphia Eagles’ running back group underwent a dramatic change following Week 1 of the season.

    Rookie running back Will Shipley suffered a fractured rib and is expected to miss playing time, which leaves a significant gap in the backfield.

    To quickly address this issue, Philadelphia executed a trade for Tank Bigsby, who now enters the rotation behind Saquon Barkley and A.J. Dillon. Barkley, who had already praised Shipley as one of the “smartest” players in the running back room, made it clear how meaningful this setback is for the team.

    This article details the impact of Shipley’s injury, the timeline for his return, Bigsby’s potential usage, and how this affects the overall rotation and dynamics in the Eagles’ offense.

    Will Shipley’s Fractured Rib

    Will Shipley’s fractured rib is a serious blow for Philadelphia, both in terms of health and offensive depth. Rib injuries are notoriously painful and can limit a player’s breathing, mobility, and ability to withstand hits. The expected recovery timeline indicates he will miss at least multiple weeks, which forces the coaching staff to reconfigure the backfield immediately. For a team that values versatility and depth at running back, losing Shipley early in the season removes an explosive option who had impressed teammates and coaches with his preparation and vision.

    Saquon Barkley’s Reaction to Shipley’s Setback

    Star running back Saquon Barkley emphasized just how big the loss of Will Shipley is by calling him one of the “smartest” players in the RB room. Such a statement highlights Shipley’s mental sharpness and football IQ, qualities that often separate rookies who adjust quickly from those who take longer to adapt.

    Barkley’s recognition reflects Shipley’s preparation in learning the offense, understanding protections, and applying instincts on the field. This endorsement underscores that the Eagles are losing more than just a body in the rotation—they are temporarily without one of their most promising young contributors.

    Philadelphia’s Quick Response with Tank Bigsby

    PHOTO: Pixabay

    The Eagles wasted no time once Shipley’s injury was confirmed. Their front office moved decisively to acquire Tank Bigsby via trade, ensuring that the backfield would not be left exposed. Bigsby arrives with the chance to carve out a key role, particularly in special teams contributions and situational rushing opportunities. His arrival not only stabilizes the depth chart but also adds fresh energy to the group at a critical time.

    Tank Bigsby’s Fit in the Eagles’ Offense

    Tank Bigsby’s running style makes him a natural fit for Philadelphia’s offensive system. Known for his physicality, vision, and ability to push through contact, Bigsby complements Saquon Barkley’s dynamic explosiveness and A.J. Dillon’s downhill power. The Eagles rely on a mix of outside zone and gap schemes, and Bigsby can handle both with efficiency. His versatility also positions him as a valuable option in case of further injuries, as well as someone capable of handling 10–12 touches when needed.

    A.J. Dillon’s Interim Role

    With Shipley sidelined, A.J. Dillon steps into a more significant role alongside Barkley. Dillon’s bruising style suits short-yardage and red-zone situations, giving the Eagles reliability when drives stall near the goal line. His role as the interim second option means he will shoulder a heavier load until Bigsby acclimates to the playbook.

    The combination of Dillon’s power and Barkley’s explosiveness provides balance while easing Bigsby into his responsibilities.

    Backfield Rotation After Bigsby’s Arrival

    The introduction of Bigsby reshapes the rotation entirely. Barkley remains the undisputed RB1, but Dillon now splits meaningful carries while Bigsby rotates in with targeted opportunities. Coaches may give Bigsby reps on special teams to maximize his immediate impact before gradually increasing his offensive snaps. Given how crucial depth can be in the early weeks, bettors and fantasy players alike often revisit their NFL picks when new contributors like Bigsby enter the picture—especially if volume and snap share projections shift.

    Special Teams Boost from Bigsby

    One often-overlooked detail of the trade is Bigsby’s potential role on special teams. His physical running style makes him a candidate for kick return duties or as a coverage player on punt units.

    By excelling in these areas, Bigsby can immediately repay the Eagles for acquiring him while strengthening the overall roster’s versatility. His ability to contribute beyond running back duties makes the trade a smart insurance policy for Philadelphia.

    Long-Term Impact on Philadelphia’s Depth

    The NFL season is grueling, and injuries to running backs are common. By acquiring Bigsby now, Philadelphia ensures that its depth chart is prepared not just for Shipley’s temporary absence but also for the possibility of future setbacks. This foresight minimizes risk and strengthens the team’s resilience over a 17-game schedule, where having three capable backs is often the difference between stability and offensive drop-offs.

    Team Dynamics After the Adjustment

    The addition of a new running back inevitably changes the locker room dynamic. Fortunately, Barkley and Dillon bring leadership and professionalism, which helps integrate Bigsby quickly. The team’s ability to adapt to sudden changes reflects the culture built in Philadelphia—a culture that emphasizes resilience, accountability, and readiness.

    How Bigsby bonds with teammates both on and off the field will be critical for ensuring chemistry during this adjustment period.

    Recovery Outlook for Will Shipley

    A fractured rib often sidelines players for several weeks, depending on severity and healing speed. For Shipley, returning too early risks reinjury or worsening the damage. Medical staff will prioritize complete healing before clearing him to absorb contact again.

    While missing early-season reps hurts development, Shipley’s intelligence and preparation mean he should reintegrate quickly once healthy. His eventual return will give Philadelphia another valuable piece to fuel their playoff ambitions.

    Final Thoughts on Philadelphia’s Depth Move

    Philadelphia’s proactive decision to acquire Tank Bigsby demonstrates an understanding of the importance of depth in the modern NFL. The Eagles avoided panic by securing a capable back who can contribute immediately while awaiting Shipley’s recovery. Barkley continues to lead the group, Dillon fills the interim gap, and Bigsby provides flexibility across offense and special teams.

    This calculated adjustment ensures Philadelphia remains competitive despite the early setback, showing once again why roster depth and smart mid-season moves define successful teams.

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  • Week 3 NFL straight up, against the spread, and survivor pool picks

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    For the gambling degenerates, here are my Week 3 NFL picks. The team logos indicate who I think will win the game, not cover the spread. At the end of the picks, I’ll note a few teams that I like based on the spread.

    Dolphins at Bills (-12): My “first NFL head coach to be fired this season” power rankings:

    The Dolphins got drubbed by the Colts Week 1, and then lost to a rebuilding Pats team at home Week 2. Now they have to go to Buffalo to face a Bills team that has been one of the most impressive teams to begin the 2025 season. Miami should be looking to trade off vets like Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb by October.

    Rams at Eagles (-3.5): In Week 1, the Eagles’ defense kinda got roasted by a talented wide receiver duo in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and it would’ve been worse if they hadn’t dropped a bunch of passes. They got a bit of a reprieve Week 2 against the Chiefs, who were missing their top two receivers. In Week 3, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will be another big test. I do like that matchup for the Rams.

    However, I like a bunch of matchups in the Eagles’ favor more, beginning with the Eagles’ rushing attack against a Rams front that got straight-up bullied in the run game in the two matchups between these teams last season. I also like A.J. Brown’s chances of breaking out against maybe the smallest set of corners in the NFL, even if we haven’t yet seen much from the Eagles’ passing attack.

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    Colts (-4) at Titans: I mean…

    Jones leads the NFL in YPA (9.3), he’s sixth both in QBR and QB rating, and the Colts are 2-0.

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    Jets at Buccaneers (-7): Each week in our preview of the Eagles’ next matchup, we try to take a look at their opponent’s offensive line. I’m going to get a little bit of a head start on the Bucs’ offensive line here, since it is a major issue for them at the moment. If everyone were healthy, Tampa’s offensive line would look like this:

    LT  LG  C  RG  RT 
    Tristin Wirfs  Ben Bredeson  Graham Barton  Cody Mauch  Luke Goedeke 

    Wirfs started the season on the PUP list after having surgery on his right knee. Rather than have swing tackle Charlie Heck fill in directly for Wirfs, they moved Barton from C to LT, and Bredeson from LG to C. At LG, they inserted Michael Jordan, a guy they had originally signed to their practice squad after 53-man cutdowns.

    During their Week 2 win over the Texans, Goedeke injured his foot, and Heck filled in at RT. Goedeke is expected to miss “multiple weeks.”

    It was reported on Wednesday that Mauch’s season is over with a knee injury. It is unknown who would fill in for Mauch at RG.

    LT  LG  C  RG  RT 
    Graham Barton  Mike Jordan  Ben Bredeson  ?  Charlie Heck 

    In other words, there are likely to be zero spots along the Bucs’ offensive line that will be manned by the player they intended when forming their roster.

    I’m still picking them to win because the Jets stink, but I will take the Jets plus the 7 points, even with Tyrod Taylor replacing Justin Fields at quarterback.

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    Falcons (-5.5) at Panthers: The Falcons held the Bucs to 260 yards Week 1, and the Vikings to 198 yards Week 2. They have my attention.

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    Raiders at Commanders (-3): The wannabe QB gurus were awfully quiet after Geno Smith’s three-INT Monday Night Football performance against the Chargers.Marcus Mariota could start for the Commanders in this game in place of Jayden Daniels, and while I don’t love this Commanders roster, I certainly like it better than the Raiders’.

    051020PackersLogo2020051020PackersLogo2020

    Packers (-7.5) at Browns: The Packers have probably been the most impressive team in the NFC to begin the season. I don’t like Joe Flacco’s chances of ducking the Green Bay pass rush.

    Bengalslogo2020Bengalslogo2020

    Bengals at Vikings (-3): This will be a battle of backup quarterbacks. The Bengals will start Jake Browning, while the Vikings will start old friend Carson Wentz. I don’t like either backup, but at least Browning is in his fifth season in Cincy and knows the offense, while Wentz is starting a game for the sixth different team in six seasons, and he hasn’t even been a Viking for a month.

    121219Patriotslogo2121219Patriotslogo2

    Steelers (-2) at Patriots: These are two bad teams. The Pats are at least maybe on the way up with Drake Maye at quarterback, while the Steelers are trying to hang onto mediocrity with Aaron Rodgers for some reason. Give me the team with some hope for the future.

    092420Texanslogo2020092420Texanslogo2020

    Texans at Jaguars (-2): It just occurred to me that the AFC South has the highest drafted quarterbacks on average in the NFL. Trevor Lawrence and Cam Ward both went 1st overall, C.J. Stroud went 2nd, and Daniel Jones 6th. 

    I don’t have any actual analysis of this game, because really, who cares?

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    Broncos at Chargers (-3): The Chargers defense has been what people thought the Broncos defense would be this season.

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    Saints at Seahawks (-7.5): The Seahawks aren’t legitimate Super Bowl contenders, but they’ll win 8 or 9 games. This will be one of them.

    051020CowboysLogo2020051020CowboysLogo2020

    Cowboys at Bears (-1.5): In their last five quarters the Bears have allowed 73 points.

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    Cardinals at 49ers (-2.5): Brock Purdy may or may not play in this game, so picking this game on Thursday feels kind of pointless. I think I’m just rooting for Mac Jones to play again, and play well, so that I can watch 49ers fans fight over whether or not they should have given Purdy a $265 million contract.

    Barring a tie, one of these very average teams will be 3-0 after this matchup.

    090920ChiefsLogo2020090920ChiefsLogo2020

    Chiefs (-6.5) at Giants: Wait, the Giants got a Week 3 Sunday Night Football game? And last week we got Falcons-Vikings? Who at NBC isn’t fighting hard enough for better games?

    Anyway, are we sure the Chiefs are still good? I kinda feel like they might not be, and will miss the playoffs? But for one week they’ll look better. The Giants have a way of making opponents feel good about themselves.

    Ravenslogo2020Ravenslogo2020

    Lions at Ravens (-5): This is the game of the week. The Ravens have put up 40+ points in both of their games so far. They scored 30 or more points in 11 games last year. The Lions 50-burgered the Bears last week, but looked terrible Week 1 against the Packers. I guess I just trust the Ravens’ ability to consistently score a lot of points, especially when the stakes aren’t really that high yet. 

    Survivor pick ☠️

    The Bills are the chalk pick this week, and, well, I’m going chalk, just like I did Week 1 and Week 2. 🤷‍♂️

    1. Week 1: Eagles
    2. Week 2: Ravens
    3. Week 3: Bills

    Call me a coward if you will, but I’m still alive.

    • Picks against the spread: Jets (+7), Commanders (-3), Bengals (+3), Cowboys (+1.5)

    • 2025 season, straight up: 23-9 (0.719)
    • 2025 season, ATS: 5-9 (0.357) 🤢
    • 2024 season, straight up: 205-80 (0.719)
    • 2024 season, ATS: 62-44-3 (0.583)
    • 2023 season, straight up: 178-109 (0.620)

    • 2023 season, ATS: 50-48-6 (0.510) 
    • 2022 season, straight up: 176-107-2 (0.621)
    • 2022 season, ATS: 50-50 (0.500) 
    • 2021 season, straight up: 179-105-1 (0.630)
    • 2021 season, ATS: 46-40-1 (0.534)
    • 2020 season, straight up: 169-81-1 (0.675)

    • 2020 season, ATS: 45-37-3 (0.547)

    • 2019 season, straight up: 160-107-1 (0.601)

    • 2019 season, ATS: 42-35-3 (0.544)

    • 2018 season, straight up: 173-94-2 (0.647)

    • 2018 season, ATS: 41-36-2 (0.532)

    • 2017 season, straight up: 181-86 (0.678)

    • 2017 season, ATS: 36-32-2 (0.529)

    • 2016 season, straight up: 171-94-2 (0.644)

    • 2016 season, ATS:  41-34 (0.547)

    • 2015 season, straight up: 163-93 (0.637)

    • 2015 season, ATS: 46-30-2 (0.605)

    • Last 11 seasons, ATS: 457-389-22 (0.539)

    MORE: Five things to watch in Eagles-Chiefs

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  • Eagles-Rams Week 3 injury report, with analysis

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    The Philadelphia Eagles have no surprises on their injury report heading into their Week 3 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams suffered an injury at cornerback Week 2, and they could also be without their starting LG.

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

    051020EaglesLogo2020
    Player  Injury  Wed  Thurs Fri  Status 
    RB Will Shipley  Oblique  DNP 
    TE Dallas Goedert  Knee  Limited       
    QB Tanner McKee Thumb Limited 
    iDL Jalen Carter  Shoulder  Limited       

    Wednesday notes:

    • Goedert didn’t practice at all heading into the Eagles’ matchup against the Chiefs Week 2. His limited participation on Wednesday is an encouraging sign for his availability Week 3 against the Rams.

    • Shipley, McKee, and Carter have all been on the injury report with their various injuries, though Carter wasn’t on it Week 2. Carter played through some pain in the Eagles’ win over the Chiefs, but never had to exit the game because of his injury.

    Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

    • LB Nakobe Dean (PUP, knee): Dean tore his patellar tendon in the Eagles’ Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers last season. As our Evan Macy detailed back in January, patellar tendon tears are more serious than ACL or Achilles tears. Dean began training camp on the PUP list and remained there to begin the regular season. He will miss the first four games, at a minimum. Rookie Jihaad Campbell is starting opposite Zack Baun, and has played well to begin the season.

    • 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.

    • 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.

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    Player  Injury  Wed  Thurs  Fri  Status 

    Wednesday notes:

    • We’ll update when the Rams’ injury report is made available, but starting LG Steve Avila is expected to be on it. He sprained his ankle Week 1 against the Texans. If he can’t play, Justin Dedich will likely start at LG, as he did Week 2, when he struggled against Jeffery Simmons.

    Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

    • CB Ahkello Witherspoon: Witherspoon is a starting corner. He broke his clavicle Week 2 against the Titans and landed on IR. The Rams’ top three corners Week 1 were Witherspoon, Emmanuel Forbes (!), and Cobie Durant. Darious Williams did not play in the regular defense Week 1, but played Week 2 after Witherspoon went down. With Witherspoon out, the Rams’ may have the smallest set of corners in the NFL:

    • Emmanuel Forbes (6’0, 180)
    • Cobie Durant (5’11, 182)
    • Darious Williams (5’9, 192)

    If A.J. Brown can’t get going against these guys, an already alarming situation will become more worrisome.

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  • Eagles Shock Chiefs Again, but Are They Ready to Win Super Bowl LX? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: Larry Bridges Jr./Unsplash

    The Philadelphia Eagles walked into Arrowhead on Sunday and came out with a 20-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs

    A Super Bowl rematch, a road test, and a statement.

    It wasn’t elegant; the Chiefs outgained them 294 yards to 216, but an Andrew Mukuba interception and a crucial onside-kick recovery sealed the deal.

    Philadelphia’s defense, once again, set the tone.

    So here we are, asking: Is it too soon to consider them repeat Super Bowl winners?

    What the Super Bowl LX Odds Say 

    Despite being defending champions, sites from the best online sportsbook reviews list the Eagles as only the fourth favorite to win Super Bowl LX. Odds boards this week show the Buffalo Bills leading the pack, followed by the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, and Philadelphia at +750. That line translates to about an 11-13% chance of repeating.

    Respectable, yes, but far from consensus dominance.

    Why Is the Betting Market Hesitant?

    PHOTO: Larry Bridges Jr./Unsplash

    The passing game hasn’t found a rhythm. Jalen Hurts threw for just over 100 yards against Kansas City, a number that won’t scare playoff defenses. Injuries and attrition also weigh on futures prices, as veteran rosters rarely get healthier with time. 

    The competition is fierce: Baltimore looks balanced, Buffalo is still a juggernaut, and Jordan Love’s Packers are quickly climbing into NFC powerhouse territory.

    Why the Eagles Remain in the Conversation 

    Their defense still travels. Holding Mahomes and the Chiefs to 17 points is evidence enough. Their run game, led by Saquon Barkley and Hurts, remains one of the league’s most physical units. And culture matters: a champion locker room carries a belief outsiders cannot quantify… They know what it takes to win.

     The Rivals in Their Path: Who Are the Teams Philadelphia Has to Go Through? 

    • Buffalo Bills: A perennial powerhouse, Buffalo leans on Josh Allen’s arm and legs. Their offense stretches the field, their defense forces turnovers, and sportsbooks consistently list them as the safest bet to win.
    • Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson may finally have his supporting cast right. A balanced offense, stingy defense, and strong coaching staff mean Baltimore has the profile of a champion. If the Eagles want another Lombardi, Baltimore is likely in the way.
    • Green Bay Packers: The NFC rival to circle. Jordan Love has fully stepped into the franchise role, and his chemistry with a talented receiving corps makes the Packers dangerous. Add a rejuvenated defense and home-field advantage in the frozen north, and the Packers are as real as it gets.

    Each of these contenders explains why sportsbooks still hesitate to elevate the Eagles. It’s not doubt… It’s recognition of the league’s depth at the top.

    Current Super Bowl LX Betting Odds  

    Gambling.com’s latest future NFL odds currently position the Eagles as the fourth-favorite to win Super Bowl LX: 

    • Ravens @ +500 
    • Bills @ +600 
    • Packers @ +700
    • Eagles @ +750

    The Road Ahead 

    Philadelphia’s schedule isn’t a stroll. Divisional games against Dallas remain must-wins. A December clash with Buffalo could serve as a preview of Super Bowl stakes. And lurking late in the season are the 49ers, who still boast one of the most punishing defenses in the NFL. For a defending champion, there are no shortcuts.

    Hurts’ Next Step…

    Jalen Hurts has matured into a proven winner, but the next leap involves consistency against top defenses. His passing numbers against Kansas City were modest, and skeptics will seize on that. What offsets it is his poise, mobility, and leadership.

    If Hurts becomes a more efficient passer while maintaining his dual-threat danger, the Eagles’ offense becomes far more challenging to scheme against.

    A Historical Reality Check

    Repeating in the NFL is brutally rare. Only eight franchises have done it. The last? New England in 2003-04. Every other champ since has fallen short. Odds-makers account for this history, partly explaining why Philadelphia’s odds trail teams with fewer question marks. The Eagles don’t just fight opponents; they fight history.

    Is the Time to Bet the Eagles Right Now? 

    Timing is everything. Futures markets shift weekly. A shaky October could inflate Philadelphia’s price, creating better buy-in value. Some bettors diversify, placing smaller wagers on multiple contenders to hedge risk. Regardless, scanning online sportsbook reviews is essential… A spread from +700 to +800 may not sound large, but it can be decisive for future payouts.

    Take the Eagles now if you’re convinced their defense and run-first identity are sustainable. Wait, if you believe Baltimore or Buffalo will outpace them. Both choices have logic, depending on risk appetite.

    So is it too soon? Not exactly. Philadelphia has the roster, the culture, and the recent proof that they can beat anyone. But repeating means overcoming both rivals and history. Their win against Kansas City keeps them firmly in the mix.

    Whether they rise above Buffalo, Baltimore, and Green Bay by season’s end will decide if “too soon” turns into “right on time.”

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  • Eagles-Chiefs: Staff picks, betting odds, and more for the Super Bowl rematch

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    The day is still fresh in every Eagles fan’s mind, with the highlights having played on repeat over and over again. 

    February 9, 2025: Super Bowl LIX. The Philadelphia Eagles, with an all-time rushing attack and a suffocating defense, took on the dynasty Kansas City Chiefs, with a seemingly untouchable Patrick Mahomes looking for the NFL’s first-ever three-peat. 

    History was at stake. The Birds had other plans. 

    Mahomes and the Chiefs suddenly couldn’t move without the Eagles ever blitzing, Cooper DeJean went taking off the other way with a Mahomes roll-out pass for his first NFL interception (and touchdown), and Jalen Hurts, the quarterback always in doubt, piled on – then threw “The Dagger” deep into the end zone for DeVonta Smith.

    The league’s once-thought unbeatable monster was stunned, Philadelphia was out celebrating in the city streets by the third quarter, and the backups were in with minutes still left on the clock. 

    The Eagles were champions again, for the second time ever in seven years, and by way of one of the most cathartic thrashings the football world has ever seen. 

    Now it’s time for the rematch, only two weeks into the new 2025 NFL season. Will Hurts and the Birds still have Kansas City’s number?

    Here’s the PV staff’s picks for Eagles-Chiefs in Week 2…

    • GAME INFO •

    2025 Regular Season Week 2

    Eagles (1-0) at Chiefs (0-1)

    Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)

    BROADCAST INFO

    TV: FOX (Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi)

    RADIO: 94.1 WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Devan Kaney)

    BETTING LINES

    Week 2 betting odds

    Sportsbook  Spread  Money Line  Total O/U 
     DraftKings PHI -1.5  PHI -125
    KC +105    		 46.5 
    FanDuel  PHI -1.5  PHI -116
    KC -102    		 46.5 
    BetRivers  PHI -1.5  PHI -117
    KC -107    		 46.5 
    BetMGM  PHI -1  PHI -115
    KC -105    		 47 
    ESPN BET  PHI -1.5  PHI -130
    KC Even    		 46.5 

    *Odds as of Thursday

    Jimmy Kempski (1-0)

    Eagles 28, Chiefs 25

    In their Week 1 game against the Chargers, the Chiefs’ offense looked sluggish in a way that I haven’t seen since Patrick Mahomes has been their starting quarterback. Well, the Super Bowls against the Eagles and Bucs excluded, I guess. Every first down seemed like a struggle, and often necessitated some kind of unsustainable Houdini play by Mahomes. And for good reason. Mahomes aside, they don’t have good players.

    • The starting receivers are currently Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton. You can find the NFL’s starting receivers by team here. How many wide receiver trios would you take over the Chiefs’? Like.. 29? 30? All of them?

    • The top two running backs are Kareem Hunt and Isaiah Pacheco. They combined to average 3.7 yards per carry in 2024. They got a combined 10 carries Week 1.

    • The offensive line has shaky starters at RT (Jawaan Taylor) and LG (Kingsley Suamataia); and a rookie coming off a major knee injury at LT (Josh Simmons).

    • Travis Kelce is still a good tight end, but no longer the elite player he once was.

    This is a below-average offense, in my opinion, even with Mahomes running the show.

    On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs’ defense lost a couple of good starters in free agency in DT Travelle Wharton and S Justin Reid. They were replaced by lesser players in DT Jerry Tillery and second-year S Jaden Hicks.

    It was funny to me to see the Chiefs open as favorites in this game (although the line has since shifted to the Eagles). Why would this team be favored? Because the Chiefs have Mahomes and Reid? Didn’t we already learn that lesson seven months ago? The Eagles are simply a much better team, and they’re going to win comfortably on Sunday. The Chiefs get a late garbage-time TD and two-point conversion to make the score look closer than it is, and the Eagles recover an onsides kick to seal the win. 28-25.

    MORE: Five things to watch in Eagles-Chiefs

    Evan Macy (1-0)

    Eagles 28, Chiefs 20

    I was originally leaning Chiefs here. Just because I don’t think they’re bad enough to fall to 0-2 — something they haven’t done since 2014. But I honestly don’t see how they can win on Sunday. Not because the Eagles are some kind of unbeatable juggernaut, but because the Chiefs are already so banged up and flawed. 

    The Eagles have a cornerback weakness, but the Chiefs have no good wide receivers. The Eagles didn’t generate much pass rush in Week 1 against Dallas, the Chiefs have some holes on the offensive line. The Eagles gave up some big runs to Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams in Week 1, the Chiefs have even worse running backs. 

    I think Philly should roll to a convincing win here.

    Geoff Mosher (1-0)

    Chiefs 26, Eagles 24

    The Chiefs aren’t at full strength at wide receiver and still have questions about the left side of their OL. The Eagles have had some losses impacting their rushing offense – and potentially Dallas Goedert for this game – while  Saquon Barkley didn’t have his typical overwhelming numbers against the Cowboys, and CB2 still is still problematic. It’ll be loud at Arrowhead, and the Chiefs are staring down their first 0-2 start of the Patrick Mahomes era. The strange thing is – low-scoring, ugly, grind-it-out type of games seem to favor both teams. The Eagles have the superior roster, but the Chiefs are very tough at home. I know the Eagles won there in 2023 with a lesser roster, but my gut tells me Kansas City pulls this one out on its final drive..

    MORE: Eagles-Chiefs Week 2 injury report, with analysis

    Nick Tricome (1-0)

    Eagles 27, Chiefs 17

    This won’t be as thorough or cathartic of an Eagles win as Super Bowl LIX was, but I do think they still take this one pretty decisively.

    Having Jalen Carter not suspended and available is a huge boost for rolling out that four-man pass rush again, and with Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell patrolling the middle of the field at linebacker, I think they’re going to do a lot to keep Patrick Mahomes and a thin-looking Chiefs receiving corps stuck in the mud. 

    Offensively for the Eagles, I see A.J. Brown definitely getting involved a lot more and the KC defense being able to do little about it. I’m also curious to see how afraid of Saquon Barkley the Chiefs play it this time. In the Super Bowl, they prioritized stopping him at all costs, and they did, but at the expense of getting torched everywhere else across the field.

    They learned the hard way, and at the worst time, that the Eagles’ offense isn’t all Barkley, and I do wonder how well they took that lesson – not that it necessarily means they learned how to overcome it.

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  • Philadelphia Game Day Reinvented by Sports Betting Partnerships – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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

    A Sunday in South Philly feels different from how it did ten years ago.

    The concourses hum, screens glow with more than scores, and the rhythm of a game stops and starts around live updates and quick decisions.

    At Lincoln Financial Field, roughly 67,000 people stream past branded lounges and data walls, getting a little closer to the teams they already know by heart. Partnerships between Philadelphia teams and betting operators have nudged the experience from watching to something closer to participating.

    In 2023, more than 11 legal sportsbooks were active in Pennsylvania, which opened the door to new forms of fan engagement. Attendance hasn’t cratered despite cushy couches and huge TVs at home, which says something.

    Betting tie-ins are visible from the gates to the phones in your pocket, shaping how Philly does game day in ways that might have seemed unlikely a few years ago.

    Partnerships Reshaping the Playbook

    Every major team in the city has leaned into collaboration, and not just with logos on signs. The upgrades are physical and digital at once: lounges, VIP areas, and in-seat experiences that feel engineered for the moment. Fans encounter promotions and digital content directly tied to sports betting, both in-venue and through official team apps. Under the hood, the tech is equal parts broadcast and backend, with live odds, real-time stats, and QR codes built for instant offers.

    In 2024, the Eagles added exclusive clubs with on-field views and branded hospitality, which is a fancy way of saying access that used to be rare is a little less rare. The 76ers, Flyers, Phillies, and Union have moved in similar directions, taking advantage of Pennsylvania’s relatively open landscape to strike deals that go beyond signage. It is less about ads and more about threading partnerships into the fabric of a night at the game.

    Inside the Venue, Tech, Timing, and Tension

    PHOTO: Pixabay

    Teams and operators treat the arena as a kind of digital sandbox now. In branded spaces, screens tied to official league data serve up changing odds and player lines alongside highlight loops. Fans can scan a QR code for a timed offer or find it waiting inside the team app. It hardly feels like an add-on anymore; it is part of the shared pulse. Philadelphia’s model leans on data that moves as quickly as the game, which may be why it sticks. In 2023, surveys suggested thousands of attendees used live features during play, and the building reacted to each swing or possession with a little extra spark. Between innings or whistles, those micro-moments matter. The approach keeps evolving as tech improves and expectations shift toward experiences that start on the phone and spill into the seat.

    Beyond the Walls, Brands Follow the Fan

    The influence doesn’t stop at the turnstiles. Broadcasts bring the same offers and overlays into living rooms, while team events like draft parties and watch-alongs layer in live stats, contests, and small digital rewards. The most visible changes show up on social feeds and inside mobile hubs that feel more like media networks than team apps.

    By 2025, most Philadelphia clubs had made betting-adjacent content a central part of their digital programming.

    Teams report higher participation, with some promotions shared and clicked at rates up to 30 percent above previous seasons. Exposure grows, sure, but the bigger story may be the sense of connection for fans in the building and at home. For front offices, the upside is new sponsorship revenue and a chance to keep pace in a crowded entertainment race.

    What the Market Says, and What Might Be Next

    Pennsylvania is a busy marketplace, with more than a dozen licensed platforms competing for attention. That competition gives teams leverage and room to experiment. Regulatory summaries from 2024 indicate that over 40 percent of in-stadium promotions tie back to team partnerships, which tracks with what fans actually see across sports. Whether you back baseball, football, hockey, basketball, or soccer, the cross-team consistency is hard to miss.

    Other markets are watching, sometimes adopting pieces of the model, sometimes waiting to see if the returns hold. Expect more personalized data, tighter integrations, and live features that feel almost bespoke to a section or even a seat. It looks like Philadelphia has set a bar others are still trying to reach, though, to be fair, that bar keeps moving as the tech and the audience do.

    One more thing that should not get lost in the buzz. Set limits and treat the experience with care. Legal betting can add a jolt of excitement, but there are real risks if boundaries slide. Teams and leagues promote responsible gambling through age checks, help resources, and budgeting tools that actually work if you use them.

    Know your limits, pause when you need to, and if it stops being fun or feels out of control, get support right away.

    The game will still be there.

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