It appeared through three quarters that it was another ugly Eagles performance, with the Chargers marching into the end zone courtesy of an Omari Hampton four-yard touchdown reception from Justin Herbert and subsequent five Jalen Hurts turnovers.
In between all of those events, the Eagles and Chargers on Monday night football was like a game mixed together in that fruit juicer that DeVonta Smith is so fond of.
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The Eagles squandered big-play opportunities and quality offensive possessions featuring AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert, but did come within 13–9 through three quarters.As the fourth quarter began , the Eagles ran a hurry-up and a fake Tush Push to take the lead 16–13. Following another Hurts interception, the Eagles’ defense responded once again, but the Chargers ultimately tied the game at 16–16. With less than three minutes left in the game up 16–13 — Jalen Hurt lofted a perfect pass to AJ Brown at the back of the end zone that was dropped.
Los Angeles then tied the game at the end of the 4th quarter. Philadelphia also squandered a near-complete defensive performance featuring seven sacks on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and three takeaways of their own. Then, in overtime , the Chargers took the ball first and kicked a go-ahead field goal.
The Eagles responded by connecting on big plays on the next drive, featuring connections from Hurts to Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and AJ Brown. On 1st and 10 inside the Chargers 20 — Hurts faked a handoff and was intercepted at the one-yard line by Los Angeles Safety Tony Jefferson.
Barkley has been struggling all year, and the offensive line at this point is banged up and clearly isn’t as strong or as elite as it was. Hurts hasn’t been able to make up the difference with his arm, even with Smith, Brown, Goedert, and Jahan Dotson as his passing options, and with everyone underwhelming showing, offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo only becomes a greater subject of Philadelphia’s scorn.
Friday’s dismal effort reached a new boiling for that, but head coach Nick Sirinni said postgame that while they’re going to be evaluating everything in the days ahead, a change of offensive playcaller isn’t coming.
“I have confidence in the entire group,” Sirianni said. “I know it will keep coming back to Kevin, but if I thought it was one thing, then you make those changes. Obviously, it’s a lot of different things.
“We all have a part of it. Kevin has a part of it, I have a part of it, all the coaches have a part of it, all the players have a part of it. You win and you lose as a team. It’s never one thing.”
But if that’s the case, it might be too many and too late to fully fix them.
The playoff race is taking clearer and clearer shape. The Eagles are still 8-4 after Friday, and leading the NFC, but Dallas is suddenly closer to them than they were after the Birds lost two straight and the Cowboys three straight. The Bears also improved to 9-3 and leapfrogged the Eagles for the current No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff standings, while claiming the statement win they’ve been looking for in a breakout year.
The Eagles? They’re still trying to figure out their offense at a point in the season when teams should know who they are, and after just barely scraping by for weeks with luck that might’ve just run out for them.
“I got confidence in this team,” Hurts insisted postgame. “I got confidence in us when we’re collaborative. I got a lot of confidence when we have an identity, so I think that’s the first thing we gotta establish.”
But in the face of the same problems they’ve been saying they’ll get fixed all season, it might be too late for that now.
If You Didn’t think that Philly High School and College Talent Is Making An Impact Across America — Look No Farther Than the Chicago Bears.
The Eagles have made an incredible reputation on personnel moves — but on Friday at Lincoln Financial Field — some of those decisions combined with former tri-state area talent contributed to a Bears win. A lot of familiar names helped to contribute to the Bears win over the Eagles on Black Friday at Lincoln Financial Field. And several have even had a locker at the Novacare Complex during Nick Sirianni’s tenure as Head Coach of the Eagles.
After winning the NFC in 2022 — the Eagles had a forgettable 2023–2024 campaign where the season unraveled. Adding Safety Kevin Byard opposite fellow Middle Tennessee State alumni Reed Blankenship did not work out in Philly. Now — Kevin Byard III is part of a Bears defense that is creating turnovers almost week after week.
And how about a college and high school connection?
St. Joe’s Prep graduate D’Andre Swift did not return to the Eagles after 1,000 yards in 2023. His teammate and fellow St. Joe’s Prep Graduate — Olamide Zaccheaus also did not return after the 2023 campaign. The Eagles instead won the Super Bowl last year with Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson as the receivers behind Devonta Smith and AJ Brown.
While the Eagles were winning a Super Bowl back in 2018 — two hours north in Ramsey, New Jersey at Don Bosco Preparatory High School — Kyle Monangai was making his presence known in the running game. At Rutgers — he would rush for over 3,200 yards before being drafted this spring by the Bears in the seventh round of last year’s Draft.
And finally the return of an old friend. On the Eagles last possession on 3rd and 4 — CJ Gardner-Johnson popped Jalen Hurts after a short run. When the Eagles obtained CJ Gardner-Johnson in both 2022 and 2024 — they went to the Super Bowl the following season in both seasons. When the Eagles decided to turn to youth in the secondary after a Super Bowl win — Gardner-Johnson was out first to Houston and then to Baltimore and finally to Chicago.
The Eagles weren’t just beaten by former talent. They were beaten by Philly Talent.
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The Philadelphia Eagles find themselves in a precarious position as late November 2025 brings a short week and a long injury list.
Following a frustrating collapse against Dallas, the team must quickly regroup for a high-stakes Black Friday matchup against the Chicago Bears. The roster is dealing with significant attrition, particularly in the defensive backfield, which could force defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to get creative.
Injuries are often the great equalizer in late-season football, and this week is no exception. When looking at the NFL odds, the availability of key starters shifts the conversation from simple talent comparisons to questions of depth and scheme. Understanding who suits up provides a clearer picture of the challenge ahead without needing to focus on the lines themselves. The reality is that Philadelphia must navigate these absences to secure a vital win.
The coaching staff faces a difficult task in shuffling the lineup. With playoff positioning on the line, the “next man up” mentality will be tested.
Below is a detailed look at the health of the roster and what fans can expect on Friday.
Major Blow to the Secondary
The most significant news involves rookie safety Andrew Mukuba. Mukuba is officially out for Week 13 after suffering an ankle fracture against the Cowboys. The promising defender is expected to miss roughly a month, with a potential return targeted for Week 16. His absence creates a void in the secondary that has been a bright spot for much of the season.
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Compounding the issue is the status of safety Reed Blankenship. He is listed as questionable with a thigh injury. However, current reports suggest optimism regarding his availability, and he is expected to play against Chicago. If he can go, it stabilizes a unit that cannot afford to lose two starters simultaneously.
Cornerback depth remains another area of concern. Adoree’ Jackson is questionable as he undergoes concussion evaluation. If Jackson cannot clear the league protocol in time for the short turnaround, the defense will need to rely heavily on its reserve corners to slow down the Bears’ passing attack.
Offensive Line and Skill Positions
The injury bug has not spared the offense. Offensive tackle Lane Johnson is questionable due to a foot injury. Johnson is the anchor of the offensive line, and his status is paramount for protecting the quarterback and establishing the run game. Any limitations he faces would force quick adjustments to the protection schemes.
In the receiving room, Xavier Gipson is questionable with a shoulder issue. While not a primary target, his speed offers a tactical advantage that the offense misses when he is sidelined. His potential absence would limit the gadget plays and deep threats available in the playbook.
Reserve Updates and Outlook
Several players remain unavailable as they work through long-term recovery. Myles Hinton stays on injured reserve with a back injury, while Willie Lampkin is out with a knee problem. Both are expected to return later in the year, providing hope for reinforcements down the stretch, but they offer no immediate relief for this week.
Key Injury Statuses for Week 13:
Andrew Mukuba (Safety): Out with an ankle fracture; return likely Week 16
Reed Blankenship (Safety): Questionable (thigh); expected to play
Lane Johnson (OT): Questionable (foot)
Adoree’ Jackson (CB): Questionable (concussion protocol)
Xavier Gipson (WR): Questionable (shoulder)
The Eagles are bruised but not broken. The short week offers little time for recovery, meaning the training staff will be working overtime up until kickoff.
For the fans, the focus remains on how the coaching staff adjusts to these setbacks.
The Kansas City Chiefs saved their season. The Philadelphia Eagles gave critics more fuel. The Los Angeles Rams made a dominant statement.
There were more questions than answers Sunday in the NFL.
Patrick Mahomes did just enough to rally the Chiefs to a 23-20 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Kansas City’s dominant defense gave him the opportunity.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit forced the Colts to go three-and-out on their final four possessions. The Chiefs shut down the NFL’s leading rusher, holding Jonathan Taylor to 58 yards on 16 carries. Colts coach Shane Steichen inexplicably gave Taylor the ball only once on the last three drives of regulation.
Mahomes threw for 352 yards but didn’t have any touchdowns. He looked skittish at times under pressure, rushing his reads and hurrying his passes.
The Chiefs (6-5) couldn’t afford another loss as they fight to make the playoffs after winning nine straight AFC West titles, reaching eight consecutive conference championship games and winning three Super Bowls.
They’ve got a long way to go and a tough game at Dallas (5-5-1) coming up on Thanksgiving Day. Mahomes and the offense need to get in sync for Kansas City to have a shot.
“We’re still not where we want to be at but this was big,” Mahomes said. “Getting that win against a really good football team and kind of proving it to (ourselves) that we can play this kind of football game where it’s not always pretty. I think now we just have to build off that momentum. It’s going to be a short week. We’re playing a good team in the Cowboys, and they can score some points and they have a lot of great players. It’s about rebounding fast, trying to be better, even better this next week going into a big environment, big game and trying to get that win.”
The Colts (8-3) have gone from 7-1 to a team that is going to have to battle to win the AFC South. They’ll face division rivals Jacksonville (7-4) and Houston (6-5) four times over the remaining six games. Their other two opponents are Seattle (8-3) and San Francisco (7-4).
Steichen trusted Daniel Jones to win the game in Kansas City, electing to put the ball in his hands down the stretch instead of giving it to Taylor to protect a lead. Jones couldn’t deliver. He was 3 for 9 for 17 yards on the final four possessions.
“I felt there was a lot of stuff that I wanted to get called that I felt good about in the pass game and we just weren’t efficient doing it and it starts with me,” Steichen said.
Eagles collapse
The reigning Super Bowl champions built a 21-0 lead in Dallas and looked like they were on their way to snapping Dak Prescott’s 18-game winning streak at home against NFC East opponents.
Jalen Hurts was connecting with A.J. Brown and it seemed Philadelphia would quiet some of the drama surrounding the two superstars.
But the offense regressed, giving Prescott and the Cowboys an opportunity to come back and win 24-21.
The Eagles (8-3) have a comfortable lead over Dallas (5-5-1) and are in position to become the first repeat champion in the division in two decades. But Philadelphia fell behind the Rams (9-2) in the race for the No. 1 seed.
A sluggish offense isn’t playing up to its standard. Saquon Barkley ran for only 22 yards on 10 carries, and the passing attack just hasn’t found its rhythm.
Rams dominate
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were no match for Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
Stafford continued his MVP-caliber campaign with another stellar performance against an overmatched defense and Los Angeles cruised to a 34-7 victory over Tampa Bay.
The 37-year-old Stafford has thrown 30 touchdown passes and only two interceptions this season.
“I got great teammates. I get to throw to a bunch of great players, stand behind a good o-line and watch these guys hunt on defense,” Stafford said.
That defense overwhelmed the Buccaneers, knocking Baker Mayfield out of the game.
Jared Verse and Kobie Turner each had two sacks and Los Angeles is the team to beat in the NFC.
First to 10
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are the first team to reach 10 wins this season after holding on for a 26-20 victory in Cincinnati.
The Patriots have a 2 1/2-game lead over Buffalo (7-4) in the AFC East with eight of their wins coming against teams that have a losing record.
With three of their last five games against teams that are currently 8-26 combined, New England is in position to win its first division title since Tom Brady left and has an inside track to earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
But the Patriots still have a lot to prove, especially against more experienced playoff teams.
Then the second half happened like chapters three and four in Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight.
In other words , downhill really, really fast.
Thirty years after a Dallas Cowboys Dynasty dominated the NFL, the Eagles were in position to take one step closer to establishing their own with a complete game of their own on Sunday. Three weeks after Jerry Jones made certain that Philadelphia could not obtain Micah Parsons during a trade to Green Bay , it didn’t seem to matter at all, at least not during the 1st two quarters.
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The Eagles’ 2025 season woes didn’t seem to follow them on the fight to Texas at all as the Eagles jumped out to a 21–0 advantage at AT&T Stadium as Philadelphia opened the scoring with a sixteen-yard connection from Jalen Hurts to A.J. Brown. A healthy dose of Hurts to Brown continued as Jalen Hurts ran for two additional scores — one after a long drive directly preceding a Turbin fumble. That would be the end of the Eagles’ scoring.
The rest of the game would see the Eagles turn the football over twice, amassing ninety-six yards in penalties as the Dallas defense continued to pick away at the Eagles’ defense , tying the game at 21, thanks to 354 yards passing from Dak Prescott, and finally leading to a 42-yard Brandon Aubrey Field Goal.
The only saving grace — the Eagles play again against Chicago in five days.
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Here’s a simple truth most casual bettors miss: rooting for the Eagles and betting on them are two very different games.
Passion won’t beat the spread. But precision might. Smart betting is more about cold metrics and knowing where to look.
That’s exactly where most fans fall short. They skim the headlines, follow the hype, and lock in bets based on emotion. Then wonder why the ticket didn’t cash. But seasoned bettors, especially those backing a data-rich team like the Philadelphia Eagles, know that value hides in the weeds.
Snap counts. Yards after contact. Pressure rates. All those invisible gears that turn on Sunday afternoon and make or break betting slips.
The Eagles, with their layered offense and aggressive D-line, are a stat lover’s dream. But if you’re not paying attention to the right numbers, you’re basically flipping coins.
But first, one major thing that quietly changed the game.
The Online Betting Boom and Its Impact on Fan Behavior
Online betting has ballooned into something far beyond the occasional office pool. It’s structured, data-driven, and legal in more places than ever before. For Philadelphia fans, this means easier access to platforms that offer not only traditional wagers but also live bets, player props, and advanced analytics.
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Quality matters here. Not all platforms are equal in terms of interface, real-time data, and prop variety. That’s why many sharp bettors choose streamlined, well-regulated services that deliver both stability and depth. Among those setting a standard, New York sportsbooks have played a huge role. Their tight regulation and competitive markets have pushed platform quality upward across state lines, including states like Utah. For those curious about how to bet on sports legally in Utah online, understanding where and how state regulations differ is key to finding compliant, trustworthy platforms.
That’s why choosing where you bet matters nearly as much as how. Without solid platforms, even great data becomes noise.
Efficiency and Situational Stats
Yards gained and touchdowns scored look good on highlight reels. But they’re surface-level. Real edge comes from context. Is that a 100-yard game against a top-three defense or a bottom-feeder? Was the quarterback under pressure? Was the drive extended by penalties?
You want to track these less-glamorous, more predictive stats:
Offensive and defensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average): It compares teams not by raw yardage but by how efficiently they perform against average defenses or offenses.
Success rate on early downs: Forget 3rd-and-long. Elite teams win games by staying ahead of the chains. If the Eagles are efficient on 1st and 2nd down, it’s a sign of a strong game plan.
Red zone efficiency (offense and defense): A 90-yard drive that ends in a field goal instead of a touchdown means everything to your wager. Look at how Philly converts red zone trips and how often they bend without breaking.
Understanding these metrics helps reframe games not as highlight packages but as systems of repeatable patterns.
Quarterback Pressure Metrics
Let’s talk about Jalen Hurts, not through the lens of MVP chatter, but through the numbers that truly matter. Pocket time. Pressure-to-sack ratio. Air yards per attempt. If he’s being hurried constantly and still averaging long throws, you’re looking at a volatile game script. If he’s kept clean and tossing accurate short-to-intermediate balls, expect a methodical, controlled tempo.
Eagles fans should watch:
Pressure rate allowed by the O-line
QB scramble percentage
Average time to throw
These are golden when analyzing total points or player prop bets. More time usually means deeper throws. Higher pressure often means quicker check-downs or risky throws. Match this against the opposing defense’s blitz tendencies and you can start to predict game flow before kickoff.
Yards After Contact and Gap Success
Not all rushing yards are equal. A running back bulldozing for extra yards after first contact is a very different story from one sprinting through open lanes created by elite blocking. The main players may be gone, but the Eagles’ ground game remains a foundation, if you’re tracking it correctly.
Look at:
Yards after contact per attempt (YAC/A)
Run success rate per gap (inside vs. outside runs)
Opposing defensive front strength
If Philly faces a team soft on outside runs and the Eagles are leaning into zone stretches, expect yardage totals to tilt up.
Special Teams and Field Position (Underrated but Not Optional)
Casual fans ignore it. Smart bettors watch it like a hawk. Field position dictates playcalling. It affects point totals, time of possession, and momentum. Teams starting at their 35 instead of their 20 across several drives will eventually cash that advantage in.
Pay attention to:
Average starting field position
Opponent punt return average
Kickoff touchback percentage
If the Eagles have a return advantage and a leg that pins opponents deep, expect the field tilt to help both the spread and total plays.
Injuries, Snap Counts, and Role Players
Some bettors wait for injury reports. But it’s not enough to know who’s active.
You need to know usage trends. A wide receiver might be “healthy” but only see 40% of snaps. A tight end might be blocking more than catching.
Snap count trackers, injury trendlines, and role clarity can flip your assumptions. Just because a player is dressed doesn’t mean he’s a real factor.
The season after a team wins the Super Bowl — it’s almost inevitable that they will get a tough NFL schedule. For (2025–2026) Philadelphia — they have thus far made it past every top opponent — toppling the Chiefs, Packers, Rams, Buccaneers, and now the Lions. And while each win hasn’t always been pretty — Philadelphia (8–2) have shown the resilience that any NFL squad would love to have in order to come out on top of tight contests as a top team not only in the NFC but also the NFL.
On a (forty-three) degree night at Lincoln Financial Field — the Eagles did that again against the Detroit Lions (6–4.) The Eagles once again highlighted the win with defense — holding the Lions to 0–5 on 4th down on a windy night in South Philly and matching the Rams for the best record in the NFC and in a position for being one step closer to winning the NFC East against the Cowboys next Sunday in Kelly Green in AT&T Stadium.
The Eagles scored thanks to a Jalen Hurts one-yard Tush Push in the second quarter and three Jake Elliott field goals. On defense — the Eagles pressured Goff all night including ten pass deflections and complimented by a Cooper DeJean interception in the first quarter.
For the second week in a row — Nick Sirianni traded a conservative route to secure a win for an aggressive play-call when another Tush Push failed at the Eagles own twenty-nine yard line with three minutes left in the game.
Nonetheless — the Eagles are the top team in the NFC once again.
After the Eagles barely made it out with a victory in Green Bay Monday Night. It was time to start preparing for another PrimeTime spotlight against the Eagles 3rd NFC North opponent of the year.
The Detroit Lions
Sundays match against Detroit will be the 2nd time the Sirianni/Hurts led Eagles will play the Campbell/Goff Lions. Previously, the Eagles won both matchups that took place at Ford Field. Winning 44-6 in 2021, and 38-35 in 2023.
And while this matchup won’t have nearly as much excitement as the NFC Championship Game that could have been last year. The winner and loser of this game could see a huge impact on playoff seeding within the next 5-6 Weeks.
The Cluttered NFC Race
Luckily for the Eagles. The NFC East is the only division that isn’t filled with multiple contenders, or teams just outside the wildcard bubble. Like the 49ers(6-4), Panthers(5-5) & Vikings(4-5). However, with two games left against NFC North opponents. The Eagles will be able to pull ahead in the division, and from the rest of the NFC.
Already having victories against the Rams(7-2), Buccaneers(6-3) and Packers(5-3-1) currently gives the Eagles the head to head tiebreaker against the current 5th, 4th and 7th seed in the NFC playoff race. While the odds of the Eagles dropping into a wildcard spot are low with a 4 game lead on the NFC East race. It has happened before. Being able to chain together wins during the toughest stretches of the schedule will help the Eagles lock up the division race as fast as possible, while still being in the thick of it for the Bye Week, or as much home field advantage as possible in the playoffs.
Schedule Down The Stretch
Following the Lions this weekend, the Eagles will see a total of three more teams in the current playoff picture, including:
6-3 Bears (Week 13)
7-3 Chargers (Week 15)
6-3 Bills (Week 17)
There will also be a gutsy game against the 3-5-1 Cowboys, who for some reason decided to be buyers at the deadline. Acquiring Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson.
With some more breathing room between playoff opponents, the Eagles will also see the following teams who’s season is approaching an ugly finish:
2-7 Raiders (Week 15)
3-7 Commanders (Week 16 & 18)
Both teams will most likely be playing for a top 5-10 pick come December. The wins might not matter that late for the Eagles depending how the rest of this “gauntlet” unfolds.
With an impressive 7-2 run to start the season. How many wins will it take to clinch the NFC East?
Almost sixty-five years after Jim Taylor was tackled by Chuck Bednarik at the eight-yard line to give the Eagles their third World Championship 17–13 at Franklin Field — the Eagles squeaked out a 10–7 win in Green Bay on Monday night.
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For the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers — the contest was as close as it could be on Monday night. Miscues by both team led to the game only being separated by a 3–0 advantage. The Packers drove into Eagles territory on the first drive of the third quarter but a long pass play — Love to Cameron Wicks — was nullified by a penalty. On the insuing drive — Hurts found Saquon Barkley for a 41-yard screen pass. On the next play — Hurts found DeVonta Smith for a 36-yard score to take a 10–0 lead.
The Eagles then followed by holding off the Packers in the last eight minutes of the game. Josh Jacobs scored for Green Bay with only 5:49 left in the fourth quarter. At times — it appeared that Philadelphia had won the game. With 4:52 left in the game — Hurts found Devonta Smith on a 3rd and 12 to move the chains. But the two could not connect on a 3rd down and eight in the same drive. The Eagles stopped the Packers on 4th down with only 1:26 left on the clock and Jaelan Phillips recovered a Josh Jacobs fumble. With less than a minute left in the game — the Eagles went for it on fourth and eight with an incomplete pass down the sideline to AJ Brown.
Brandon McManus’ game-tying field goal floated wide as time expired to give the Eagles the win.
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Carson Wentz arrived in Philadelphia with big expectations, giving the Eagles fans hope.
Unfortunately, then came the injuries and setbacks that stole the momentum.
It’s a story that feels more human than headline-glamour, and Philly still has mixed feelings.
The Promising Rise
Drafted as the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz showed promise. But it was in 2017 that things really kicked into gear, and by the time he got hurt near season’s end, he’d thrown for 3,296 yards with 33 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions in just 13 games. His passer rating was 101.9 in that stretch. He also rushed for 299 yards that season.
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That stretch had everyone talking. He had the kind of spark that made fans believe he could be special. And when you look at what defines the greats, like steady leadership and the ability to make a team feel, it’s easy to see why some thought Wentz might join top NFL quarterbacks of all time. For a brief stretch, he looked like he was heading straight there.
…And Then The Fall
One play in Los Angeles changed everything. An awkward step, an ACL tear, and suddenly his season was done. Nick Foles took over. They won the Super Bowl, and Wentz had to watch the celebration from the sideline.
Injuries have followed him ever since. Back, knee, head. All at different times. He played only 11 games in 2018, and the numbers were fine, but the rhythm was gone, as was the explosiveness.
In 2019, he posted more than 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, but still, it simply wasn’t the same as he was pressing. By 2020, the confidence had cracked. The throws that once looked automatic were suddenly forced or late.
He bounced from Philadelphia to Indianapolis to Washington. Each stop brought the same story: flashes of talent, followed by inconsistency.
NFL executives started using a brutal word – “broken.”
They said he looked fine in practice, but when the games started, everything had to be perfect around him. If it wasn’t, his mechanics unraveled. He’d freeze up, double-clutch, miss the open read. He wasn’t the same athlete anymore, either, with the pocket becoming a cage.
The Verdict
By late 2023, the league had made up its mind, and analysts compared his situation to Sam Bradford, who was talented, got paid well, but was out of the league before 35.
And yet, people who’ve worked with him still like him. They describe him as earnest, coachable, and even kind. He tried to fix things, tried to make it work. But sometimes, football doesn’t give you another shot.
Why It Unraveled
The physical damage was part of it. But the mental toll might’ve been worse. Wentz never seemed to fully trust his body again. That led to hesitation. Hesitation led to mistakes. And mistakes, in the NFL, cost you your job.
The Eagles moved on. The Colts moved on. Washington did too.
More recently (2025), he signed with the Minnesota Vikings, seeing action after younger QBs were injured and revealing that he’s now more of a stopgap option than a long-term franchise leader.
Why Philly Fans Still Feel Something
If you’re a Philadelphia fan, you saw Wentz do something rare. He gave hope and made big throws. He helped the team earn an 11-2 record in games he started in that 2017 run, then got hurt, and the team won the Super Bowl with the backup. A lot of complicated feelings: gratitude, frustration… and sadness for what might have been.
The human side matters. Wentz wasn’t perfect; he made bad throws and had games where he struggled. But he also overcame injuries, came back, and tried to lead. Loved his team. The “could’ve-been” element resonates.
Ideally, What Could He Have Been?
Had Wentz stayed healthy, kept improving, and maybe adapted his game, he might have joined the ranks of the top-tier quarterbacks – those are QBs who remain elite 8-10 years, evolve when defenses evolve, maintain leadership.
The missing piece in Wentz’s story is the “sustained” part. One season isn’t enough. Injuries interrupted the rhythm. Changes in team staff, receivers, and the offensive line all added turbulence.
The Takeaway
So here’s what I came away with: Wentz achieved a level that gave hope. But he didn’t stay there. That doesn’t mean he failed. He still had a good career, made plays, and was a starting QB for many years. But he didn’t reach the “special” level that the very best QBs show.
And for Philly fans, it’s okay to feel both pride and disappointment. He gave you the thrill of imagining a franchise quarterback. You bought into that. Then reality hit. And life moved on.
In a world where so many QBs never even get close to what Wentz did in 2017, his story is one of both promise and caution. A reminder that in the NFL, being very good isn’t enough if you want to be legendary. Being durable, being consistent, being the guy on the late-night drives in January, that’s where the legends live. Wentz almost got there. He had that moment. But he didn’t live there.
And maybe that’s okay. Because sometimes the most human quarterback stories aren’t about records or Hall-of-Fame résumés. They’re about the rise, the fall, the “what if,” and how fans remember it.
If you took in the excitement of the HBCU Battle of the Legends at Lincoln Financial Field last Thursday night — then you probably brought back some fond memories of DeSean Jackson accelerating down the sideline at Lincoln Financial Field for a touchdown. It’s sometimes easy to forget that against the Dallas Cowboys back in 2020— Jackson was the recipient of an eighty-one yard touchdown pass from then-rookie Jalen Hurts.
When the Eagles take the field this Monday night after a two-week hiatus — Jalen Hurts will be looking for his 101st touchdown pass of his relatively young career. Right before the bye week — Hurts connected with Jahan Dotson for a 40-yard score to give him one hundred regular-season touchdown passes for his career coupled with over 16,000 yards.
Last season — the Eagles won the Super Bowl by making Saquon Barkley and the running game the focal point of an offense that was perfectly complimented by one of the best passing attack’s in all of the NFL. This year — in the wake of opponents who are circling the Eagles on their calendar — it will take more from both facets of the offense to win another.
While you are digesting the century mark for one of the NFL’s top passers — consider this. Jalen Hurts has connected with former Philadelphia World Champions Alshon Jeffrey, and Zach Ertz for scoring plays. He’s also connected with former Falcons All-Pro receiver Julio Jones. And he’s made a highlight reel of spectacular aerial completions to current teammates AJ Brown and Devonta Smith.
Jalen Hurts has the benefit of exceptional hindsight. The 27-year old has won two NFC Championships and one Super Bowl. He’s already undoubtedly the best Eagles post-season quarterback ever. But to win another Super Bowl this year — he knows that he’ll need just a few more of those picture-perfect aerial plays.
Until then — we’ll savior every touchdown toss until the next 100. But whose counting?
The Eagles offense looked like a totally different unit from the one that was on the field three weeks ago in the second half at Metlife Stadium in New York. Wearing their traditional Kelly Green uniforms at Lincoln Financial Field — the Eagles opened the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Philadelphia’s offense never looked back — eventually routing the New York Giants 38–20.
Saquon Barkley finished the afternoon with 150 yards on the ground and 174 total yards. Quarterback Jalen Hurts finished with 179 passing yards and four touchdowns. On National Tight Ends Day — Dallas Goedert hauled in two touchdowns.
Jaxson Dart struggled all day to find the same rhythm that he had against Vic Fangio’s defense in New York — limiting the Giants to only 246 yards of total offense. Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo exited in the second quarter with what appeared to be a horrific ankle injury.
Twenty-five years after Reggie White returned from retirement to join the Carolina Panthers in 2000 — thirty-seven year old Brandon Graham was back on the sideline for the Eagles after a brief stint out of football. Nakobe Dean was back from injury — and the Eagles limited the Giants to only 68 yards on the ground.
After Jaxon Dart tied the game at 7–7 in the first quarter — the Eagles responded when Jalen Hurts found Saquon Barkley for a nine-yard score. Dallas Goedert then caught a six-yard Hurts pass to put the Eagles ahead. In the 4th quarter the Eagles pulled away — with Jalen Hurts connecting with Goedert again and then Jahan Dotson for a 38–13 lead.
The Eagles head into the bye week with a 6–2 overall record.
The Minnesota Vikings were all-in on developing quarterback J.J. McCarthy this season, after his rookie year was lost to injury, with the belief they could insulate him from some of the natural struggles of inexperience by surrounding him with a stacked veteran team and a savvy coaching staff.
After a bumpy start put some holes in the plan, the blueprint all but disintegrated in a blowout to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. Not only have the players and schemes on offense and defense failed to deliver, but they’ve had all of two games during which to test McCarthy.
“I told our team, ‘This is where we’re going to find out what we’re all about,’” coach Kevin O’Connell said after the 37-10 defeat that was the second worst in his four seasons.
The Vikings were dealt a tough blow when McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the draft last year, needed meniscus surgery on his right knee before making it to the regular season. The high sprain of his right ankle he finished his second game with has been even more devastating, considering the way Sam Darnold mostly flourished in 2024 and Carson Wentz has mostly flopped in 2024.
After going 2-3 with Wentz, who played through a non-throwing shoulder injury that took plenty of hard hits during an increasingly painful night, McCarthy is line to return next week. With the Vikings (3-4) currently in 12th place in the NFC, and last by two losses in their daunting division, even remarkable progress by McCarthy over the last 10 games might not be enough to get them in the playoffs.
Wentz had the misfortune of playing most of the game without stalwart tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill because of knee injuries, not to mention center Ryan Kelly, who’s hardly been available. On the other side, the free agent spending spree on defensive tackles in their 30s, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, has not paid dividends. And the lack of production from recent drafts has left them without enough depth at cornerback, not to mention other positions.
“That’s all a team effort,” wide receiver Justin Jefferson said, “and we’re just not doing enough.”
What’s working
There’s not much for the Vikings to feel good about. Rookie Myles Price had a 27-yard average on five kickoff returns, continuing to show an aggressiveness and a burst that appears to be close to breaking him free for a score. Fittingly, he had a 46-yard runback to open the game and a 42-yard return in the third quarter, both of which were wiped out by holding penalties on rookie Tyler Batty.
What needs help
The defense against the run has been the most frequent and damaging issue this season. Just four days after Flores loaded up to keep 2024 rushing champ Saquon Barkley at bay and keep a spy on nimble Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Vikings were trampled by second-year bruiser Kimani Vidal. Justin Herbert scrambled seven times himself for a backbreaking 62 yards, as the Chargers became the second team to top the 200-yard mark on the Vikings this season. They held 10 different opponents to 86 rushing yards or fewer last season.
Stock up
Winning performances were in short supply, but edge rusher Jonathan Greenard — matched up against the fifth overall pick in the 2024 draft, Joe Alt — was in the backfield often. He had six tackles, three for loss, and one sack with two hits on Herbert. Defensive tackle Jalen Redmond also stood out, playing 86% of the snaps, by far the most of all the interior linemen.
Stock down
OLB Dallas Turner. The 2024 first-round draft pick has been forced into a critical role with Pro Bowl pick Andrew Van Ginkel missing five of the first seven games to injury, and the consistency and production haven’t been there for a player the Vikings traded up to get last year. Turner has not yet shown he can be a reliable run-stopper, and he has just 1½ sacks. Turner also took a 15-yard penalty for a helmet-first hit on Herbert in the first quarter that gave the Chargers a first-and-goal.
Injury report
After fielding their most complete lineup of the season last Sunday against Philadelphia, the Vikings took a concerning step back with their overall health, thanks in part to the grueling four-day turnaround for the trip to Los Angeles. Darrisaw left after two series, and O’Neill couldn’t make it at all. Kelly (concussion) must miss at least one more game, but there’s no telling when or if he’ll return. Fullback C.J. Ham (hand) was inactive on Thursday along with Van Ginkel (neck). The return of running back Aaron Jones from a four-game absence was one positive.
Now the Vikings have three extra days of recovery for a potential boost prior to their Nov. 2 game at Detroit, with McCarthy likely to lead the list of returners. New injuries that popped up against the Chargers were to Greenard (ankle) and tight end Josh Oliver (foot), whose departure in the first quarter was a hindrance to getting the running game going before the score got out of hand with another key blocker Ham already out.
Key number
0-6 — The Vikings have lost all six night road games they’ve played in four years under O’Connell, including three on Thursdays. O’Connell is 4-11 overall at night, including the loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the playoffs last season. The Vikings have dropped four straight in prime time by a combined score of 117-34. But this pattern predated O’Connell. Over the past 20 years, encompassing four coaching staffs, the Vikings are 9-28 on the road at night and 24-42 overall. They’re 1-9 all time on Thursdays on the road, last winning in 1978.
Up next
The Lions (5-2) will be more rested than the Vikings, coming off their bye week. Minnesota has lost to Detroit five times in a row, the longest skid since their first five matchups from 1961-63. The Vikings have also dropped four straight games in Detroit.
Back at home at Lincoln Financial Field (and the Vet before it), it’s a history of playoff victories and pivotal points in Eagles history.
The Eagles face the Giants again this week in South Philly, looking to get one back on their division rival after they flat-out got embarrassed by them two weeks ago up at MetLife Stadium.
Before they try to settle the score, here’s a look back at some favorite Eagles-Giants memories at the Linc, and some old highlight packages along with them…
The Tanner McKee Game
Jan. 5, 2025, Week 18 – W, 20-13
The Eagles were all set. At 13-3, they were locked in as the NFC’s No. 2 seed, with divisional round home-field advantage in the playoffs.
There was still a reason to play their starters, or one of them, in what was rendered a meaningless Week 18, as Saquon Barkley was pushing for the NFL’s single-season rushing record.
Head coach Nick Sirianni made the call to sit everyone in the end, though, which handed the keys to third-string QB Tanner McKee and the Eagles’ reserves, up against all of the New York Giants’ starters playing for whatever shred of pride they had left.
But McKee took it from them. He stayed cool and collected in the pocket, and tagged the Giants for 269 yards and two touchdowns on 27-of-41 passing.
He caught a floundering division rival completely off guard, but his Eagles teammates watching from the sideline? Hardly.
“Man, did you see Tanner McKee just throwing dimes all over the field?” starting center Cam Jurgens quipped afterward. “He’s fun to watch. We get to see him dice up our scout team. It’s just fun watching him go out there and make plays.”
The harder they fall
Jan. 21, 2023, NFC Divisional Round – W, 38-7
The 2022 Eagles broke out and tore through the regular season with a defense that had piled up sacks to a record degree, and with an offense that had threats all over the field and saw Jalen Hurts make his way into the MVP conversation.
They were a juggernaut entering the playoffs. The Giants, who rode Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones to a surprise playoff berth and then an upset over the Vikings in the Wild Card round, hoped to stand in their way, but their luck ran out in brutal fashion.
The Eagles had them crushed by halftime. The Giants couldn’t hope to cover anyone, playoff Kenny Gainwell became the new unsung hero of Philadelphia sports lore, and the Linc was breathing easy and celebrating a trip to the NFC Championship on the way to a 38-7 final – a familiar playoff score from the last Super Bowl run.
Eagles/Giants Week! The 2022 Divisional Round Beatdown:
The 2022 Eagles swept the Giants 3-0 and the cherry on top was the 38-7 beatdown in Round 2 of the playoffs getting out to a 28-0 1st half lead and the game was over by halftime.
Carson Wentz and the Eagles had rallied back from highlight-reel Odell Beckham Jr. catches and a resurgent Eli Manning performance to bring the game down to a field goal kick with one second left.
It was just that rookie kicker Jake Elliott would have to make the shot from 61 yards away.
But he nailed it. Elliott got the distance and put the ball just inside the right upright, and the Eagles mobbed their new kicker as they improved to 2-1, in what would become one of the key moments that propelled them to their first-ever Super Bowl.
Wild Card Westbrook
Jan. 7, 2007, NFC Wild Card – W, 23-20
The Eagles rallied into the playoffs with Jeff Garcia at quarterback, and in the Wild Card round, against the Giants, Brian Westbrook kept the run going for one more week into New Orleans.
Westbrook took off on an unreal 49-yard touchdown run and had 141 rushing yards in total, Garcia fired a 28-yard laser to Donte’ Stallworth for a score late in the first half, and down to the wire tied 20-20, Westbrook marched them in close to bring the game down to a David Akers field goal.
Akers made the kick, the Giants were going home, Philadelphia celebrated, and a season once thought to have gone down along with Donovan McNabb and his torn ACL instead lived another week.
Grand T.O.pening
Sept. 12, 2004, Week 1 – W, 31-17
The Delaware Valley had waited an entire summer for this: Terrell Owens’ Eagles debut.
The Eagles finally had their true No. 1 receiver for Donovan McNabb, and along with him, the hope that they had the final piece to break through and, at long last, get to the Super Bowl.
The start of it all couldn’t have been drawn up any better.
Week 1 at home against the Giants, McNabb and Owens carved New York up and connected on three touchdown passes, with the new star receiver flexing and then flapping his wings in celebration upon each score.
The Eagles pummeled the Giants, 31-17, and it was one of those games where you just knew right away, after repeated NFC Championship failures, that this year was going to be different.
The Eagles responded to two key criticisms of the 2025 iteration of their team on Sunday afternoon in Minnesota against the Vikings. The Eagles took to the air — with the syncronized synergy of Jalen Hurts to AJ Brown and Devonta Smith taking center stage. Before the afternoon was over — Hurts had once again delivered his deep ball with precise precision — resulting in Devonta Smith’s biggest game of his career with nine receptions for 183 yards and a score including a 79-yard touchdown catch. The play was the longest reception by an Eagles receiver in over a decade.
AJ Brown added four receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Hurts became the first Eagles quarterback in franchise history to complete 82% of his passes for at least 325 yards with no interceptions going 19 for 23. On the other side of the ball after a tough week including a Za’Darius Smith untimely retirement— the Eagles defensive line had Wentz running for most of the day creating two interceptions.
The scoring opened with a 37-yard touchdown to AJ Brown in the first quarter on 4th down. Then in the second quarter Eagles pressure helped to create a Jalyx Hunt 42-yard touchdown return to put Philadelphia ahead 14–3. At the 8:17 mark of the third quarter — Hurts found Smith for that 79-yard strike to bring the lead to 21–9. The Vikings pulled to 21–19 before Hurts found AJ Brown again for 26-yards and a score. After the Vikings pulled to 28–22 — on the final drive of the game for the Eagles — Hurts found Brown again for 45 yards to help to run out the clock.
Carson Wentz is now 0–2 as a starter vs the Eagles.
The Minnesota Vikings (3-2) and Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) battle at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon in Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season. There are a number of ways fans can watch and stream Sunday’s game.
The Vikings had a bye in Week 6, allowing players on the team’s extensive injury list time to recover. The Eagles fell to the New York Giants 34-17, allowing running back Cam Skattebo to rush for 98 yards and score three times.
Here’s how you can watch Sunday’s matchup between the Eagles and Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
How can you watch the Eagles vs. the Vikings on cable?
Fox will carry the game locally. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Where can you stream the Eagles vs. the Vikings?
Fans can stream Sunday’s Eagles-Vikings game on NFL+.
Eagles vs. Vikings history
The Eagles are 16-15 all-time against the Vikings, according to Pro Football Reference.
The last time these two teams met was in 2023, when Philadelphia defeated Minnesota 34-17 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles have won three of the last five matchups against the Vikings, Pro Football Reference said.
Rookie QB J.J. McCarthy has been out of action the past three games with a sprained ankle. The former Michigan Wolverine returned to practice in a limited capacity this week and there had been some discussion on whether he would be under center before Friday’s announcement.
“The ankle, it’s getting there,” McCarthy said in a news conference on Wednesday. “I wouldn’t say it’s 100% right now, but, you know, we’re striving every day to get there as fast as possible.”
Wentz, a former Eagle who is now in his 10th season, has won two games and lost one in his three starts with Minnesota. He is dealing with a non-throwing shoulder injury, according to the team, though he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
The team’s defense will have its hands full against three-time Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley. While he isn’t close to the rushing production he had last year, when he ran for 2,005 yards in the regular season, Minnesota ranks 24th in rush yards allowed per game so far this season. The Vikings may get a boost at the linebacker position as the team announced Saturday that Blake Cashman had been activated from injured reserve. Cashman suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
Eagles
Philadelphia is looking to get back on track after losing consecutive games for the first time since dropping three straight from Dec. 31, 2023, to Jan. 15, 2024. Head coach Nick Sirianni is 8-0 against NFC North teams since he was hired by the Eagles in 2021.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts will hope to improve upon his Week 6 performance, passing for a season-high 283 yards, a touchdown and an interception against the Giants. Tight end Dallas Goedert accounted for 110 of those yards.
Starting left guard Landon Dickerson, who missed Week 6 with an ankle injury, was a full participant in practice on Friday after being limited on Wednesday and Thursday. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday with a heel injury, and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was a full participant after suffering a hamstring injury during the first half of the Eagles-Giants game.
What is the Vikings’ schedule for the rest of the 2025 NFL season?
Here is the rest of Minnesota’s 2025 schedule:
Week 8: at Los Angeles Chargers, Oct. 23 at 7:15 p.m. (Thursday Night Football) Week 9: at Detroit Lions, Nov. 2 at noon Week 10: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Nov. 9 at noon Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears, Nov. 16 at noon Week 12: at Green Bay Packers, Nov. 23 at noon Week 13: at Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 30 at 3:05 p.m. Week 14: vs. Washington Commanders, Dec. 7 at noon Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys, Dec. 14 at 7:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football) Week 16: at New York Giants, Dec. 21 at noon Week 17: vs. Lions, Dec. 25 at 3:30 p.m. (Christmas Day) Week 18: vs. Packers, TBD
What is the Eagles’ schedule for the rest of the 2025 NFL season?
Here’s Philadelphia’s path the rest of the way through 2025:
Week 8: vs. Giants, Oct. 26 at noon Week 9: Bye week Week 10: at Packers, Nov. 10 at 7:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football) Week 11: vs. Lions, Nov. 16 at 7:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football) Week 12: at Cowboys, Nov. 23 at 3:25 p.m. Week 13: vs. Bears, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. (Black Friday) Week 14: at Chargers, Dec. 8 at 7:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football) Week 15: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Dec. 14 at noon Week 16: at Commanders, Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Week 17: at Buffalo Bills, Dec. 28 at 3:25 p.m. Week 18: vs. Commanders, TBD
Note: The above video first aired on Oct. 16, 2025.
You’ve got to give Carson Wentz credit for this. He just keeps on coming back. Last year — as a member of the Chiefs when asked what NFL quarterback that he would trade places with for one chance — one opportunity — of course he wanted to suit up instead of Nick Foles’ in Super Bowl LII’s 41–33 Philadelphia win over New England.
And who could blame him?
This Sunday — Carson Wentz has resurfaced against the Eagles once again as he leads the Minnesota Vikings against 4–2 Philadelphia. It’s just another episode of Wentz vs. the team that drafted him in the first round in 2016. After being traded in 2021 and passing an incoming Nick Sirianni like ships in the night when Nick left Indianapolis and Carson went to the Colts — Wentz has now played for five NFL teams. Last season — he ended the year trying his best to support Patrick Mahomes in the second half of the Eagles 40–22 domination of Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX.
Eight years ago — when Wentz ripped multiple ligaments in his knee against the Rams in Los Angeles — almost everyone thought that although the Eagles 11–2 season was over that Wentz was it’s future franchise quarterback. But coming back from injury too soon in 2019 coupled with other ailments, a regression, and a sense of invincibility amid a 4–11–1 season all contributed to finally sending Wentz packing.
To Wentz’s point — what if things had been different? Do we really think that he could have put on an aerial performance worthy of outscoring Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl LII? Or if Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni had refused to give up and re-tooled and fortified around him in 2021 — keeping Jalen Hurts on the sideline? Would the Eagles have advanced to play in Super Bowl LVII and win Super Bowl LIX? And would Jalen Hurts have been satisfied as a backup quarterback?
The answer to certainly all of these questions is no. Even at the level that Wentz was playing at in 2017 would have been a hard sell to believe that in his second year he could have mirrored Nick Foles’ veteran offensive output in the Super Bowl. Even with Nick Foles already gone it would have been difficult to fortify the future around Wentz — a quarterback who had already asked for a trade. And would Jalen Hurts have been the player asking for that trade a few years later if the Eagles had been unwavering in their support of Carson Wentz?
Carson Wentz is now 32 years old. It’s increasingly unlikely to be targeted as a franchise quarterback with another NFL team. Odds are that he’ll finish his career as a journeyman — filling in for JJ McCarthy until his return or a backup to players like Patrick Mahomes. The difference between the former first-round draft pick and the team that drafted him in April 2016 has one constant — it turned out to be a missed opportunity for both.
