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Tag: Los Angeles Chargers

  • Sherrone Moore jailed as police investigate situation that led to the fired Michigan coach’s arrest

    ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Sherrone Moore was being held in jail Thursday while police investigate the situation that led to his arrest hours after the once-promising coach was fired at Michigan for what the school said was an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

    Authorities have yet to release details on Moore’s arrest, other than to say he has been held since Wednesday night in the Washtenaw County Jail and remains under investigation.

    Pittsfield Township police had issued a statement that said officers were called to investigate an alleged assault and took a person into custody, without mentioning anyone by name. The statement, however, was released in response to media inquiries about Moore.

    The police department updated its statement in the morning to say the suspect is scheduled for arraignment on Friday.

    Moore, 39, was fired by Michigan, college football’s winningest program that has been mired in scandal, after the school verified evidence of his relationship with the staffer.

    Athletic director Warde Manuel said the behavior “constitutes a clear violation of university policy.”

    The announcement did not include details of the alleged relationship. Moore, who is married with three young daughters, did not return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

    His departure ends an up-and-down, two-year tenure that saw the Wolverines take a step back on the field after winning the national championship in January 2024 and getting punished by the NCAA for a sign-stealing scandal.

    Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore celebrates with kicker Dominic Zvada (96) after an extra-point kick during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    He led the 18th-ranked Wolverines to a 9-3 record this year after going 8-5 in his debut season.

    Moore signed a five-year contract with a base annual salary of $5.5 million last year. According to the terms of his deal, the university will not have to buy out the remaining years of his contract because he was fired for cause.

    His firing leaves Michigan suddenly looking for a third coach in four years, shortly after a busy cycle that included Lane Kiffin leaving playoff-bound Mississippi for LSU.

    Moore, the team’s former offensive coordinator, was promoted to lead the Wolverines after they won the national title. He succeeded Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers.

    Michigan is set to play No. 14 Texas on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Biff Poggi, who filled in for Moore when he was suspended earlier this season in relation to the Harbaugh-era sign-stealing scandal, will serve as interim coach. Moore was suspended for two games as part of self-imposed sanctions for NCAA violations related to the scandal.

    The NCAA added a third game to the suspension, which would have kept Moore off the sideline for next year’s opener against Western Michigan.

    Moore previously deleted an entire 52-message text thread with former staffer Connor Stalions, who was at the center of the team’s sign-stealing operation. The texts were later recovered and shared with the NCAA.

    Just a few years ago, Moore was Harbaugh’s top assistant and regarded as a rising star.

    Moore, who is from Derby, Kansas, didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. He played for Butler County Community College in Kansas and as an offensive lineman for coach Bob Stoops at Oklahoma during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

    His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Louisville before moving on to Central Michigan, where he caught Harbaugh’s attention. Harbaugh hired him in 2018 as tight ends coach.

    Moore was promoted to offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator in 2021, when the Wolverines bounced back from a 2-4, pandemic-shortened season and began a three-year run of excellence that culminated in the school’s first national title in 26 years.

    He worked his way up within the Wolverines’ staff and filled in as interim coach for four games during the 2023 championship season while Harbaugh served two suspensions for potential NCAA rules violations.

    Moore also served a one-game suspension during that year related to a recruiting infractions NCAA case.

    Earlier in the 2023 season, Michigan State fired coach Mel Tucker for cause after he engaged in what he described as consensual phone sex with an activist and rape survivor. In 2012, Arkansas fired coach Bobby Petrino due to a sordid scandal that involved a motorcycle crash, an affair with a woman who worked for him and being untruthful to his bosses.

    ___

    Associated Press Writer Ed White contributed.

    ___

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  • RECAP – Week 14: Another One Slips Away for Eagles in LA against the Chargers, 22-19 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Eagles•News

    Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

    A night that marked five years since former Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson named Jalen Hurts the starting quarterback for the Eagles, and was headlined by a sea of green from traveling Eagles fans taking over SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and by Billy Crystal ramping up the crowd pre-game.

    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.

    Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

    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.

    The last time that an Eagles quarterback committed five turnovers in a game?

    It was Bobby Hoying in 1997.

    Tags: AJ Brown Chargers Dallas Goedert DeVonta Smith Eagles Jalen Hurts Jim Harbaugh Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers Nick Sirianni Philadelphia Eagles

    Categorized: Eagles News

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Eagles Vs Lions – In The Thick Of The Playoff Race – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Eagles

    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?

    Tags: Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Dan Campbell Detroit Lions Eagles Green Bay Packers Jalen Hurts Jared Goff Las Vegas Raiders Logan Wilson Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Minnesota Vikings NFC NFC East NFC North NFL Nick Sirianni Philadelphia Eagles Quinnen Williams San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Washington Commanders

    Categorized: Eagles

    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • Rose Bowl files lawsuit against UCLA for allegedly trying to move games out of historic stadium

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    The city of Pasadena, California, and the Rose Bowl Operating Company have reportedly sued UCLA for allegedly trying to move its college football games from one of the sport’s most iconic stadiums to the much newer SoFi Stadium.

    The Los Angeles Times reported that the suit claims the university is “profoundly” betraying its trust by attempting to relocate its home games from the site the Bruins have called home for 43 years to the home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.

    The Times reported UCLA’s outside counsel, David L. Schrader, sent a letter to Pasadena attorney Nima Mohebbi in March, saying the school’s efforts to conduct “preliminary discussions” about relocating games did not constitute a “material breach” of its contract.

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    A game between the California Golden Bears and the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl Oct. 29, 2011, in Pasadena, Calif. (Harry How/Getty Images)

    “This lawsuit arises in an era when money too often eclipses meaning and the pursuit of profit threatens to erase the very traditions that breathe life into institutions,” the suit claims. “Some commitments are too fundamental to be traded away.”

    “The City expects UCLA will honor the terms of the [lease] agreement, and the City Council will do everything in its power to protect and defend the City’s contractual rights,” the city of Pasadena said in a statement to ESPN on Thursday. 

    “The City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Stadium, steadfast partners to UCLA for more than four decades, are extremely disappointed with UCLA’s attempt to terminate the lease.

    Rose Bowl Stadium

    UCLA has played at the Rose Bowl since 1982. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

    ESPN STAR SLAMS LOUISIANA GOV OVER SUPPORT FOR ERECTING CHARLIE KIRK STATUE ON LSU CAMPUS

    “The Rose Bowl has acted with transparency and integrity, not only fulfilling but exceeding its obligations under the lease agreement, investing significant time, effort, and financial resources into the partnership with UCLA, including ongoing major renovation work,” the statement continued. “The potential economic and reputational damage of UCLA’s attempt to break its lease is significant to the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena residents, and the local and regional economy.”

    UCLA’s current lease runs through 2044, but the stadium is 26 miles from campus, while SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020, is about 12 miles away.

    The Bruins (3-5, 3-2 Big Ten) have struggled with attendance in recent years. UCLA’s average attendance for its four home games is roughly 35,000. The stadium has a capacity of more than 89,000. SoFi Stadium’s capacity is about 20,000 fewer.

    A view of the Rose Bowl

    In an aerial view, the Rose Bowl is seen as preparations are made for the Rose Bowl Dec. 27, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (David McNew/Getty Images)

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    The school left the Pac-12 for the Big Ten last year along with USC, Washington and Oregon.

    Rose Bowl Stadium is best known for hosting the Rose Bowl since 1922, in all but two years because of World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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  • Minnesota Vikings see their season strategy skid sideways after loss to Los Angeles Chargers

    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.

    CBS Minnesota

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  • Minnesota Vikings making bad habit of situational struggles

    The Minnesota Vikings under coach Kevin O’Connell have focused — and prided themselves — on situational success from third downs to special teams to the red zone.

    That winning in the margins, as they’ve labeled their philosophy, is occurring far too infrequently this season. They scored only one touchdown in six trips inside the 20-yard during Sunday’s 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

    “We understand what’s going on. We have the players out there who can make the plays and do what we need to do to go down and score,” wide receiver Justin Jefferson said. “We just need to finish those drives, especially in games like this.”

    For the third straight game, the Vikings had two giveaways without a takeaway. They won one of those games, in London on Oct. 5 with a late comeback to beat the Cleveland Browns.

    “I told our team that is rare and not a formula to win games consistently,” O’Connell said Sunday, reflecting on his postgame speech in London. “That showed up again today and was very unfortunate.”

    In a transitional season at quarterback, with J.J. McCarthy’s takeover soon to resume after his latest setback, the situational mastery was already going to be critical.

    Throw in some bad luck on the injury front, and these struggles have been too much to overcome. The Vikings (3-3) will try to fix these issues quickly with a Thursday night road game looming against the Los Angeles Chargers.

    “We put ourselves in some of the situations of the football game that, although they competed, we’ve got to clean up,” O’Connell said.

    What’s working

    After giving up far too much on the ground in four of their first five games, the Vikings defense held reigning AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award winner Saquon Barkley to 44 yards on 18 rushes.

    Defensive coordinator Brian Flores seized on the return of linebacker Blake Cashman and frequently put safety Josh Metellus and linebacker Eric Wilson next to him in the box, effectively benching Ivan Pace Jr.

    While the focus on stopping the run might well have created vulnerabilities to the deep passes that crippled them against the Eagles, progress was vital with three of the next four opponents ranking in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing.

    What needs help

    The offense’s struggle inside the 20-yard line was the most concerning of the situational categories, regressing toward a three-year trend. The Vikings ranked 28th in the NFL (47%) in 2023 and 19th (58%) in 2024 in red-zone touchdown rate. They’re 22nd now (52%) after going 10 for 15 over the first five games to rank tied for eighth entering Week 7.

    Wentz and center Blake Brandel were the two most obvious players who got in the way on Sunday, but Jefferson blamed himself for a drop in the end zone that Cooper DeJean knocked out. Plain old bad luck factored in, too, with the disputed overturn of T.J. Hockenson’s diving touchdown catch by the replay officials and a hard-to-figure holding call on Brandel that erased a touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor.

    Stock up

    Jordan Addison had a career-best nine catches for 128 yards on 12 targets, matching his career high. Addison, who served a three-game suspension from the NFL to start the season and a disciplinary first-quarter benching by the team in London in Week 5, passed 2,000 yards receiving in his 35th career game to tie for the fifth-fastest player in Vikings history to do so.

    Brandel drew rave reviews after his first career start at center on Oct. 5 against a stout Browns defensive line, but his struggles against the Eagles were pronounced, in and out of the red zone.

    Stock down

    Brandel, the third option at the critical position after Ryan Kelly was sidelined by a concussion and Michael Jurgens struggled and then missed a game with a hamstring injury, was beaten badly with a swim move by Jalen Carter to allow the pressure that preceded the pick six thrown by Wentz in the second quarter.

    Injury update

    The health forecast looks a lot brighter than it did a few weeks ago, after three starters returned on Sunday: Cashman, left guard Donovan Jackson and right tackle Brian O’Neill. McCarthy is close, though in a truncated week without a full practice his status remains uncertain. O’Connell said after the game no decision had been made. Running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) is eligible to return this week from his four-game absence.

    Three role players have minor injuries that could affect their availability in a short week: fullback C.J. Ham (hand), running back Zavier Scott (wrist) and defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (hip). Ham and Scott were hurt during the game.

    Key number

    387 — The Vikings posted their season high in total yards on offense against the Eagles. They topped that six times last year.

    Up next

    While the short-week trip to the West Coast is always a tough draw, the Chargers have lost three of their last four games. The Vikings will then have the benefit of a mini-bye before playing at the Detroit Lions on Nov. 2.

    CBS Minnesota

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  • Chargers review: Justin Herbert couldn’t have done it by himself Sunday

    If nothing else, quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers proved to be resilient in Sunday’s victory over the Miami Dolphins, the second time in six games this season they have rallied in the closing minutes or seconds to overtake an opponent that seemed to have them defeated.

    Here’s what we learned, what we heard and what comes next after the Chargers’ 29-27 come-from-behind victory ended a two-game losing streak, gave them a 4-2 record to start the season and also enabled them to keep pace with the Denver Broncos atop the AFC West:

    WHO ARE THOSE GUYS?

    The Chargers found a way to win a game with a lineup that was unfathomable when they convened for training camp back in July. The injury-depleted Chargers were a shadow of themselves when they ran onto the Hard Rock Stadium field to face the Dolphins and, ultimately, win.

    That says more about the Chargers than the fact that they had to eke out a victory over a Dolphins team that has won only once in six games. It says they have depth. It says they are tough. It says they have a quarterback who can work his magic without the A-team on the O-line.

    Herbert completed 29 of 38 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns and was sacked only once while playing behind an offensive line that was without tackles Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins III because of injuries and top backup guard/tackle Jamaree Salyer, who also was hurt.

    Running back Kimani Vidal, filling in while Omarion Hampton is on injured reserve, rushed for a career-high 124 yards on 18 carries for an average of 6.9 yards per attempt behind a makeshift line of Austin Deculus, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton and Bobby Hart.

    Nyheim Hines, who is filling in as the Chargers’ kick returner while Derius Davis is sidelined by a knee injury, set up the winning drive by returning a kickoff 40 yards to his own 41-yard line. The Chargers elevated Hines from their practice squad Saturday to play in Sunday’s game.

    “Great for morale,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said of rallying to beat Miami. “Great for the belief. Believe. Guys were talking about it on the sideline. Every time things got tough, you saw our guys (acting) as the tough get going and believing in each other, believing in themselves.”

    No one is going to confuse the Dolphins with the Buffalo Bills or the Indianapolis Colts or the Pittsburgh Steelers, three one-loss teams leading their AFC divisions. But, as several Chargers pointed out after Sunday’s game, it’s not so easy to win games in the NFL in these days of parity.

    “Hey, I know how hard it is to win in this league,” Bozeman said. “I was on a 1-16 team once.”

    Actually, Bozeman and the 2023 Carolina Panthers were 2-15, but you get the idea.

    DICKER THE KICKER

    Cameron Dicker kicked a career-high five field goals, including the game-winning, 33-yarder with five seconds remaining Sunday. It was the fourth game-deciding kick of his career and his second this season, after a 43-yarder beat the Denver Broncos, 23-20, as time expired.

    Dicker’s fifth and final field goal was straight and true despite a high snap on the winning kick against the Dolphins, a mortal lock if ever there was one. You see, Dicker has never missed from inside the 40-yard line in his four-season career, including 50 of 51 games with the Chargers.

    Overall, he has made 105 of 111 field goals, including 2 of 2 during a one-game stint with the Philadelphia Eagles before initially signing with the Chargers’ practice squad on Nov. 3, 2022. He’s only missed once from inside the 50-yard line and five times from 50 or longer.

    No one in NFL history (since 1938) is more accurate than Dicker (94.6%).

    WHAT COMES NEXT

    The Chargers enter the heart of their 2025 schedule when they play host to the Colts on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Next, they host the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on “Thursday Night Football” before hitting the road again to face the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 2 in Nashville.

    Elliott Teaford

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  • Minnesota Vikings lean again on strong chemistry to fuel win over Browns despite hardships

    The Minnesota Vikings trailed Cleveland by three points with 3:05 left in London to salvage an arduous road trip, with this season of high expectations at an unexpectedly early crossroad.

    The circumstances were hardly ideal.

    After beginning the game with three starting offensive linemen out — left guard Donovan Jackson, center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Brian O’Neill — their best blocker of all was sidelined down the stretch when left tackle Christian Darrisaw bowed out for the afternoon as a precaution with soreness in his surgically repaired knee.

    Jackson’s replacement was an undrafted rookie, Joe Huber, because Blake Brandel had to play center for the first time in his career in relief of Kelly’s injured backup, Michael Jurgens. After Justin Skule switched from right tackle to left to fill in for Darrisaw, the Vikings sent 2024 sixth-round draft pick Walter Rouse into the deep end against a Browns defensive line that’s one of the best in the NFL.

    Versatile and reliable veteran running back Aaron Jones was out, too. Quarterback Carson Wentz, who joined the team about five weeks ago and suddenly found himself starting for the injured J.J. McCarthy, was fighting pain in his shoulder from a hard hit earlier in the game.

    Leaning on the excellence of superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson and a capable group of pass-catchers around him and letting coach Kevin O’Connell lead him with precisely the right play calls in the right moments, Wentz delivered by going 9 for 9 for 71 yards on the final drive with the go-ahead touchdown pass to Jordan Addison with 25 seconds remaining for a 21-17 victory over the Browns.

    “I feel like this team didn’t flinch at all,” Jefferson said. “We continued to fight, and we continued to move forward.”

    For all the questions about the Vikings (3-2) that are left to be answered after their much-needed bye week — from the development of McCarthy to the long-term prognosis for the long list of key players out with injuries — they showed again a hidden strength of being able to win close games in adverse conditions.

    “You don’t win a game like that unless you are a very, very connected football team,” O’Connell told the players in the locker room at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

    They fully realize that, too.

    “In my brief time here, it’s a very unique group of guys in this locker room, and I mean that in a really good way,” Wentz said. “Everybody is so close.”

    What’s working

    Though the quarterbacks have changed, not to mention the blockers in front of them, the Vikings’ offense under O’Connell’s direction consistently has been able to generate productive possessions in clutch situations. Over four seasons since he was hired, the Vikings are 28-10 in games decided by eight points or fewer, the fourth-best winning percentage in NFL history among coaches with a minimum of 25 such contests.

    The Vikings have scored touchdowns on all five of their drives after the third quarter that reached the red zone. They’re averaging 6.65 yards a play in the fourth quarter, the second-best mark in the league, according to Sportradar data.

    What needs help

    The defense has been dangerously vulnerable against the run in four of five games, with Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins the latest ball carrier to take advantage. Two injury-sidelined starters in the front seven, linebacker Blake Cashman and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, clearly have been missed.

    The Vikings are tied for 24th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game and 22nd in rushing yards allowed per play.

    Stock up

    Ryan Wright covered 286 yards on five punts, including a career-long 77-yard kick late in the third quarter that pinned the Browns on the 1-yard line after a holding penalty. That came with the Vikings trailing 17-14 after a three-and-out by the offense that followed Cleveland’s go-ahead touchdown. Wright ranks fourth in the NFL with a net average of 45.5 yards per punt. The fourth-year player is 10th in the league with a gross average of 49.1 yards per attempt.

    Stock down

    Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen has had a quiet start to his Vikings career, with only one tackle for loss and minimal quarterback pressure in five games despite playing 73% of the snaps, the most on the team among the three interior line positions.

    Injury report

    The Vikings expect Jackson (wrist), Jurgens (hamstring) and McCarthy (ankle) to resume practicing next week, and O’Connell sounded optimistic on Monday about their post-bye availability. Cashman (hamstring) also will have his return window opened after hitting the four-game minimum on injured reserve.

    Getting O’Neill (knee) or Van Ginkel (neck) back on the field for Week 7 appears far less certain. Kelly (concussion) is out indefinitely. Jones (hamstring) must miss at least one more game.

    Key number

    9 — The Vikings have at least two sacks in nine consecutive regular-season games, the longest such active streak in the league.

    Up next

    After the bye, the Vikings enter a daunting three-game stretch against three division leaders. They host the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) on Oct. 19, hit the road on short rest to face the Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) on Oct. 25 and then visit the NFC North rival Detroit Lions (4-1) on Nov. 2.

    Note: The above video first aired on Oct. 5, 2025.

    CBS Minnesota

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  • Chargers want Justin Herbert to make significant playing style change

    The offensive line is going to be a focal point for the Los Angeles Chargers for the next few weeks. The Chargers lost Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater for the entire season after he suffered a torn patellar tendon during training camp. In Week 4, offensive tackle Joe Alt suffered a high-ankle sprain that will keep him sidelined for several weeks.

    More News: Details Emerge on Steelers Star’s Surprise Injury

    Those injuries are concerning for a Chargers offensive line that has allowed star quarterback Justin Herbert to be sacked 12 times this season, the ninth-most sacks given up in the league through the first four weeks. Keeping Herbert upright and healthy is a priority if Los Angeles wants to stay atop the competitive AFC West.

    More News: Ravens Put on Blast For Derrick Henry Decision

    Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, offensive coordinator Greg Roman told the media on Thursday that Herbert is taking too many hits early in the season. He thinks the offensive line needs to play better, but also thinks Herbert needs to adjust his style so he doesn’t absorb so many blows.

    “Absolutely not. He’s getting hit too much, too many unnecessary hits,” Roman said of Herbert. “There’s gonna be some. But not that many. And he can help that, too. But it starts with everybody.”

    Loading twitter content…

    There’s only so much the Chargers can do to protect Herbert with a patchwork offensive line. 2022 sixth-round pick Austin Deculus, who has made one career start back in 2023, earned reps with the first team on Thursday with Alt not participating in practice. Offensive guard Mekhi Becton is still in the concussion protocol, though he did some individual drills.

    Herbert is going to have to choose his time to play hero ball until the offensive line can prove they’re able to give the Pro Bowl quarterback time to hold onto the ball and wait for a talented receiver corps to bust coverage. Roman will need to rely on a strong running scheme and dial up some quick passes to help protect Herbert.

    With their impressive 27-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, Los Angeles has shown they can be a threat to win the AFC. But they’ll only go as far as a healthy Herbert can take them.

    For more on the Chargers and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.

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  • Keeler: Can Broncos QB Bo Nix be fixed? Yep! But Sean Payton needs to do these 4 things first

    Can we really call Bo Nix’s feet “happy” when they make Broncos Country so miserable?

    If I’m Sean Payton, the first thing I’m doing with Nix is sitting the quarterback down in my office. The second thing is popping open my laptop. The third is showing Nix a clip of the last 45 seconds from the first half of Broncos-Chargers this past Sunday.

    The fourth is congratulating the kid for finding Courtland Sutton over the top for a sumptuous 52-yard score on fourth-and-2. The fifth is asking Nix to lean in closer to the laptop. To take a long, careful look at his tootsies on that perfect rainbow to Sutton.

    They’re set.

    Like a mighty oak. Right foot planted. Rock back. Smooth release. Easy money.

    Nix has 21 NFL starts under his belt. He still tippy-taps in the pocket like a skittish rookie.

    We love Bo because he can go “off-script,” which is football shorthand for improvising when stuff hits the fan. The ability to turn nothing into something.

    The problem: Nix’s feet are so fast, they’re sometimes two steps ahead of his brain.

    He’s a talented young man locked in an almost constant internal struggle. His upper half is running the play while his lower half is plotting an escape route.

    When the two are in tandem, you get Sutton walking, untouched, into the end zone. But those joys are rare these days. Bo’s mechanics won’t allow it.

    Sean Keeler

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  • Alexander: An impressive performance in many ways puts Chargers at 3-0

    INGLEWOOD – So, what was the most impressive aspect of the Chargers’ 23-20 victory over Denver Sunday? There were plenty of candidates.

    • They saved their best for the end, rallying from deficits of 17-10 and 20-13 and winning on Cameron Dicker’s 43-yard field goal as time expired.

    • Keenan Allen, back with the franchise with which he made his NFL reputation, provided the tying score by outdueling Denver’s Riley Moss in the end zone on a second-and-6 play with 2:31 left, setting up that game-winning scenario.

    • Justin Herbert – who fired that touchdown pass and said he never saw the outcome because he was on the ground – spent his afternoon either getting hit or throwing on the run and still threw for 300 yards despite being sacked five times.

    • The Chargers won despite sustaining more hits, with running back Najee Harris helped off the field late in the first half with what was later described by coach Jim Harbaugh as an Achilles injury. Also, right guard Mekhi Becton Sr. went off with a concussion, further scrambling an offensive line that lost Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater to a season-ending patellar tendon injury in training camp.

    Then again, there’s the 3-0 start, their first since 2002 in San Diego. Is it that, or the way this particular 3-0 has been achieved?

    Those ’02 Chargers, in Marty Schottenheimer’s first season as coach, started 4-0 and were 6-1 but ended up 8-8 and out of the playoffs. These Chargers have gone 3-0 against Kansas City, Las Vegas and Denver – which means, for the moment, they’re kings of the AFC West. That doesn’t mean a division championship or even a postseason berth is a lock, not with just three weeks gone in an 18-week grind.

    “You can’t go 4-0 unless you go 3-0,” Harbaugh said.

    But they have a leg up in the division, and that could be meaningful by season’s end. And the reverberations might be felt most in their own locker room, as a still-developing team processes the lessons it’s learning along the way.

    “You know, not all games are going to be easy,” Herbert said. “I think we stuck through it and understood the situation: ‘You know, we’re losing at the current moment. But this time down is an opportunity for us to get back out there.’ And the offense took the field, and we knew that we have one job – to go move the ball and go score. And that’s exactly what we did. Defense got the ball back, and they came up with some huge stops all day. And then special teams closed it out.”

    All three phases, right?

    Bottom line: As long as there are ticks left on the clock and a manageable deficit, it’s never too late. Consider: After Denver went ahead 20-13 with 12:21 left in the game on Wil Lutz’s chip-shot field goal, the Chargers’ defense held the Broncos to 19 yards on their last two possessions. Their offense punted on its first possession after the field goal, but drove 76 yards in seven plays to Allen’s touchdown and 43 yards in eight plays and 1:43 to Dicker’s final field goal.

    “Just kept running,” Allen said. “O-line stepped up big time. The young guys, OG (Oronde Gadsden, a tight end who had two of his five catches to start the last drive), Omarion (Hampton,  a rookie running back who had 70 rushing yards on the day and two key carries in that drive) coming through, Ladd (McConkey) coming through with the catch (a 12-yard gain on second-and-13) at the end.

    “Just keep playing. I think that’s what it came down to. Keep on fighting. Didn’t flinch, didn’t lay down. And, you know, we feel like we still had a chance to win.”

    That was Allen’s personal thought process, as well. Early on Sunday, he said, “I just felt like it just wasn’t happening. He was throwing it to me, (but) for whatever reason, we just wasn’t completing the pass. But I just kept telling myself to stay in the game. You know, don’t get frustrated. Just keep fighting. Keep going. And when it’s time, show up.”

    He did. Six of his seven receptions on the day came in the fourth quarter, three on the touchdown drive and another where he gained nine yards and got out of bounds to stop the clock with 53 seconds left en route to the winning field goal.

    The touchdown play was an indisputable highlight. Herbert was scrambling again, evading defensive end Zach Allen and slinging it right-handed from the 25-yard line while running to his left, just before linebacker Nik Bonitto drove him to the ground. Allen caught it while diving to his right, away from Moss.

    “I’d love to go see it on film,” McConkey said. “But from my angle, I mean, not many people can do that. Great catch, great throw, scrambling. It was an all-around great play.”

    And maybe it’s poetic justice for Allen to again be a hero in Charger blue. He broke in with San Diego in 2013, was one of Philip Rivers’ favorite targets for a long time and then Herbert’s, and after Sunday’s performance, his numbers as a Charger read 923 catches, 10,724 yards and 62 touchdowns in 11 full seasons plus the first three games of this one.

    Allen was traded to Chicago last season in a salary cap-related move. Bringing him back this year on a one-year contract could turn out to be an inspired decision.

    “He’s one of the best ever to do it,” Herbert said. “And we’re so lucky to have him on our team, as a leader, as a teammate and as a receiver. He finds a way to get open, and you know that’s what he’s done over his career. You know especially (Sunday), it’s tough coverage. They played really well. They have a really good defense. We had to pick our battles, and Keenan just kept making plays when we needed them.”

    Their hope? There’s more where that came from.

    jalexander@scng.com

    Jim Alexander

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  • Chiefs vs Eagles: Sirianni Expecting a Tough Test in Super Bowl Rematch – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: NFL/YouTube

    The Philadelphia Eagles will get an early test of their Super Bowl credentials when they go head-to-head with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.

    The Eagles defeated the Chiefs 40-22 to claim the NFL championship last season and will be eager to lay down a marker this time around.

    Despite heading into the 2025 season as the reigning champions, the Eagles have spent the summer playing down their chances of going back-to-back. 

    Their reluctance to talk themselves up has had a knock-on effect elsewhere, with several NFL pundits overlooking them when discussing this season’s title race.

    For example, in a recent interview with Betway Insider, former NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper predicted that the Minnesota Vikings would emerge victorious at the Super Bowl.

    ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) computer model has also jumped on the bandwagon, predicting that the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills will contest the big game in February.

    The FPI gives the Eagles a 9.5 percent chance of winning the Super Bowl, which seems surprisingly low given the manner of their success last term.

    The Eagles have the opportunity to demonstrate why they should not be underestimated when they go head-to-head with the Chiefs again this weekend.

    Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was made to look second-rate by the Eagles’ dominant defensive unit in the last Super Bowl, which allowed Jalen Hurts to strut his stuff during the game.

    Hurts threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score to earn Super Bowl MVP honours. He threw for 221 yards as the Eagles cruised to an impressive victory.

    While Sunday’s game will present a different challenge, given that it will be played in Kansas, the Eagles will fancy their chances of securing a positive result.

    They triumphed 21-17 on their last visit to the Arrowhead Stadium in 2023. The Bills were the only other team to defeat the Chiefs on their own patch during that season.

    Eagles’ head coach Nick Sirianni is expecting a tough battle and says both teams will try to learn from their recent matches when they face each other this weekend. 

    “We’ve played them every single year, so you’re constantly looking at those tapes and you have a plan of what you do when you play a team again, and you go through that process,” Sirianni said.

    “From that, you can expect things they did successfully to come again in different forms, and you can expect things they may not have done successfully that they change a little bit.”

    PHOTO: NFL/YouTube

    The Eagles’ chances of victory in Kansas would be significantly boosted if they can find a way to become more effective with their running game. 

    Running back Saquon Barkley was shackled by the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s plan holding him to a season-low 2.3 yards rushing on 25 carries.

    Barkley had similar troubles in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, recording just 3.3 yards per carry on 18 runs at Lincoln Financial Field.

    When considering that he ran for more than 100 yards in 11 games last year and had an NFL-record seven touchdown runs of 60-plus yards, it is easy to see why the Eagles need Barkley to fire.

    The Chiefs will be desperate to set the record straight against the Eagles, especially after failing to impress in their first game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

    A 27-21 defeat in Brazil has put the Chiefs on the back foot, and they cannot afford a similar outcome against the Eagles, setting up what promises to be a thrilling clash.

    Tags: Andy Reid Chargers Chiefs Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Eagles Jalen Hirts Jalen Hurts Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers NFL Nick Sirianni Patrick Mahomes Philadelphia Eagles PHLSN PHLSportsNation Saquon Barkley Super Bowl WegENT

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  • Chargers vs. Raiders: Vegas Showdown on Monday Night Football

    Long time division rivals clash in Vegas in Monday Night Football action

    Los Angeles Chargers
    Credit: Los Angeles Chargers

    In game 1, we saw the LA Chargers successfully fend off the Kansas City Chiefs in a divisional thriller full of big plays and bigger upsets. This week, the divisional feuds continue as the Chargers head to Vegas to face a newly revitalized Raiders team.

    It took a few years of navigating drafts and trades, but it appears that this year’s Las Vegas Raiders can pose a serious threat, unlike we’ve seen in recent years.

    After a 14-year run with the Seattle Seahawks that includes a Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl XLVIII), future Hall of Fame coach Pete Carroll has made his way to the often-troubled Raiders, bringing with him a work ethic and maturity level that have been sorely missing in the team’s past.

    Now in command, he oversees a promising team full of young studs, such as the eruptive tight end Brock Bowers, who is now considered the best player at the position, and the newly drafted running back Ashton Jeanty, who is viewed as one of the best RB prospects in years.

    Along with Carroll also comes former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who finished top 5 in total passing yards last season. And to round out this offense on the WR end of things, we have Jakobi Meyers, a player who has flown under the radar quietly while accumulating a career-best season last year for not only surpassing 1,000 yards for his first time, but also catching 129 targets with a mind-blowing 0 drops.

    Safe to say the Chargers cannot let their foot off the gas during their next meeting. But as we’ve seen in game 1, Herbert and the Chargers are also playing with a chip on their shoulder after numerous underwhelming years.

    If the offense continues to click like it did against the Chiefs, Herbert will have not one, not two but three highly skilled receivers at his disposal in McConkey, Allen, and Johnston. We should also see a breakout game from the Chargers’ own rookie RB Omarion Hampton, who saw a solid amount of carries in game 1, though left much to be desired in terms of yardage gained.

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    The key to victory is not resting entirely on the Chargers’ offense but more on the defense, specifically superstar safety Derwin James Jr., as he must apply as much pressure as he can to Geno Smith in hopes of preventing any type of production from Bowers and Meyers.

    Could we see two fun shootouts in a row for the Chargers? There’s a high possibility. We’ll see how things play out on Monday night in Vegas, where the high-rollers take all the risk.

    Vahe Baghdoyan

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  • Comparing Jalen Hurts to Other Elite QBs Entering the 2025 Season – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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

    Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts begins his sixth professional season carrying a mix of admiration and debate.

    He is a Super Bowl champion, a Super Bowl MVP, and the unquestioned leader of one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses. 

    Yet his place among the league’s elite quarterbacks remains a polarizing subject. Some insist his impact extends far beyond statistics, while others point to modest passing totals compared with his peers. 

    As the 2025 season approaches, the conversation is no longer about whether Hurts belongs in the upper tier; it is about how his distinctive style compares to the gaudier numbers and accolades of rivals like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Matthew Stafford. 

    Understanding Hurts requires viewing his production through a different lens, one shaped by team identity and situational dominance.

    Hurts’ Style and Statistical Footprint

    PHOTO: Casey Murphy/Unsplash

    Hurts has yet to record a 4,000-yard passing season, but that limitation is deceptive. His 2022 campaign produced 3,701 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and another 760 yards rushing with 13 scores. Those numbers positioned him as a dual-threat whose efficiency mattered more than sheer volume. 

    In 2023, he logged 3,858 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, complemented by 15 rushing scores. The kind of production reflects how Philadelphia leans on him near the goal line. 

    Entering 2025, Hurts has compiled two Pro Bowl selections, a second-team All-Pro, and a championship resume. His success is often measured less by box scores and more by game control, especially late in contests when the Eagles close leads with his legs. For bettors and analysts alike, monitoring Jalen Hurts prop bets provides insight into how sportsbooks weigh his hybrid role.

    Mahomes: The Benchmark of Modern Quarterbacking

    Any comparison of elite quarterbacks begins with Patrick Mahomes. Since assuming the starting role in 2018, Mahomes has posted seasons of 5,097 and 5,250 passing yards, alongside a staggering 50-touchdown campaign. 

    His career includes three Super Bowl victories, multiple MVPs, and six Pro Bowl appearances. The Chiefs’ seven-year run of success makes him the undisputed standard, one regularly featured across NFL prop insights. 

    When measured against Mahomes, Hurts appears conservative in yardage and passing output. Yet Hurts owns a head-to-head playoff win against Kansas City, an achievement few can claim. 

    The distinction highlights a central tension: Mahomes dazzles with sustained statistical dominance, while Hurts wins through adaptability and balance. Both approaches have achieved victories in the NFL, but one appeals to highlight reels, the other to clock management and situational mastery.

    Allen’s Power and Playoff Frustrations

    Josh Allen represents another contrasting model. His 2020 and 2021 seasons produced 4,544 and 4,407 passing yards, respectively, along with 36-plus touchdown campaigns. Add in nearly 800 rushing yards in 2021, and Allen epitomizes raw physical capability. 

    His first MVP in 2024 validated years of near misses, but Buffalo has yet to clear its playoff hurdles. Here, Hurts stands taller: Philadelphia captured a championship during his run, while Buffalo continues searching. 

    Allen’s highs outpace Hurts statistically, yet his turnovers, 23 in 2019, 27 in 2022, underscore risks tied to his aggressive style. Hurts, by comparison, turns the ball over less often despite heavy rushing usage. The comparison suggests Hurts may not match Allen’s ceiling in raw production, but he offers steadier efficiency in critical moments.

    Jackson’s Unique Dominance

    Lamar Jackson reshaped Baltimore’s offense when he became the starter, producing an electrifying 1,206 rushing yards in 2019 alongside 36 passing touchdowns. His two MVPs by 2024 signal recognition of this unique style, but postseason frustrations mirror Buffalo’s. 

    Jackson has four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro nods, yet no Super Bowl appearance. Hurts, by contrast, already owns the ring Jackson chases. 

    Statistically, Jackson’s rushing totals exceed Hurts with 1,005 yards in 2020 versus Hurts’ 784 in 2021. That said, Hurts’ blend of efficiency and postseason success provides a counterweight. Each has transformed expectations for quarterback mobility, but Hurts’ Super Bowl triumph grants him a credential that changes legacy conversations.

    Burrow’s Precision and Resilience

    Joe Burrow embodies pocket precision. His 2021 and 2022 seasons included 4,611 and 4,475 passing yards, while his 2024 campaign reached 4,918 yards with 43 touchdowns. Injuries, however, have disrupted his trajectory, limiting his ability to sustain momentum. 

    Burrow’s Bengals reached a Super Bowl but fell short, leaving his resume defined by potential rather than hardware. Hurts, in contrast, combines slightly lower statistical output with a healthier run of postseason availability. 

    Where Burrow commands admiration for accuracy and composure, Hurts earns credit for durability and adaptability in varied game scripts. The two often intersect in conversations about leadership: Burrow’s calm precision versus Hurts’ quiet command. Both inspire teammates, but only Hurts has parlayed that influence into a championship so far.

    Herbert and Stafford: Statistical Brilliance and Longevity

    Justin Herbert burst onto the scene with 4,336 passing yards as a rookie and later eclipsed 5,000 in 2021. Yet his Chargers remain playoff underachievers, undone by collapses such as blowing a 27-point lead. 

    His statistics, including multiple 30-touchdown campaigns, present an intriguing counter to Hurts’ balanced approach. But Herbert lacks postseason validation, leaving Hurts with a stronger legacy despite smaller yardage totals. 

    Matthew Stafford, meanwhile, represents longevity. He exceeded 5,000 passing yards in 2011 and captured a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021, but his career has been uneven, marked by injuries and losing records. Compared to Stafford, Hurts already matches the championship milestone but adds rushing dynamism that Stafford never possessed.

    Why Hurts’ Value Defies Conventional Metrics

    The debate over Hurts’ ranking often turns to numbers he may never achieve. Philadelphia’s offense prioritizes time of possession, rushing efficiency, and situational execution over gaudy passing stats. That approach ensures Hurts’ success will always appear muted beside Mahomes’ fireworks or Allen’s arm strength. 

    Yet context matters: Hurts has led his team to 14 wins in 2022 and captured the ultimate prize in 2024. He enters 2025 as the NFL’s 11th-highest-paid quarterback, a paradox given his accomplishments. 

    The value he brings lies not in eclipsing 5,000 yards but in embodying a system designed to win when it matters most.

    For Philadelphia, and perhaps for the league’s evolving understanding of quarterback play, Hurts may represent the future standard: efficiency, leadership, and adaptability over spectacle.

    Tags: Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Chargers Eagles Jalen Hurts Josh Allen Justin Herbert Kansas City Chiefs Lamar Jackson Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Matthew Stafford NFL Patrick Mahomes Philadelphia Eagles PHLSN PHLSportsNation rams Ravens WegENT

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  • Why Taylor Swift Skipped Travis Kelce’s First Game Of The NFL Season! – Perez Hilton

    Travis Kelce’s first game of the NFL season went down in front of thousands of fans in Brazil on Friday, but who wasn’t in the stands cheering him on? His new fiancée, Taylor Swift!

    Sources claimed this week the pop star would make the long journey to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Los Angeles Chargers. She possibly was even skipping the VMAs to support Travis! However, Tay actually didn’t show up! Wow! Although shocking and disappointing to many Swifties who hoped to catch a glimpse of her during the game, she had a good reason for missing it!

    According to Dailymail.com on Friday night, between the cost and security risk, it just wasn’t practical for the Evermore singer to travel all that way for only a couple of hours! An insider explained:

    “The travel and the cost and most importantly the security, which goes along with the aforementioned travel and cost are all the reasons Taylor didn’t go to the game to see Travis play. She would have wanted her security team there a few days ahead to make sure everything was OK. So, with all of that combined, it would have been a tremendous cost for only a few hours to be in the city.”

    Related: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce ‘Bring Out the Best In Each Other,’ Say Friends!

    It makes sense! She doesn’t even normally attend games outside of Arrowhead Stadium. Fans also know that Taylor has dealt with some really scary situations in the past, including a foiled terror plot, and she is now more than ever overly cautious! She wants to keep not only herself safe but others, so it sounds like she wasn’t going to risk it for one abroad game!

    Just because she wasn’t in the stands doesn’t mean she didn’t watch it, though! The source went on to say that “she is enjoying watching the game on her own time.” Oh boy, that means she saw that slap to the helmet Travis took — and the Chiefs’ loss! Yikes!

    And don’t worry, fans! Taylor will be at future games! The source continued:

    “This isn’t a tour stop or anything, or the Super Bowl. It is week one and she will be at enough games this season, especially in Kansas City where her security team is familiar with the stadium, she can be with her crew and then stay at Travis’s house before and afterward. It ended up being the smart thing to do, it was easier not to move mountains to watch one game.”

    The “smart thing,” yes! But the Chiefs really needed their good luck charm for that game! Oof!

    Reactions, Perezcious readers? Are you excited to see Taylor at games this season? Let us know in the comments!

    [Image via MEGA/WENN]

    Perez Hilton

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  • Why Teair Tart Wasn’t Ejected for Swinging on Chiefs TE Travis Kelce

    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is used to taking hits over the middle of the field from linebackers and safeties, but what he’s presumably not used to is getting straight-up slapped in the face by defensive linemen.

    That exact scenario played out, though, midway through the third quarter of Friday’s Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in San Paulo, Brazil, as Kelce was blocking Chargers defensive lineman Teair Tart on a third-and-1 that resulted in a Patrick Mahomes 11-yard gain.

    Kelce and Tart were locked up all the way to the whistle, and as the Chiefs Pro Bowler gave him a subtle shove as the play ended, Tart retaliated by forcefully slapping Kelce right across the facemask.

    More Football: Former Pro Bowl WR Shoots His Shot With Chiefs After Xavier Worthy Injury

    Tightend Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks onto the field before the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 9, 2025 in…


    Bruce Yeung/Getty Images

    More Football: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Drops Major Christian McCaffrey Update Before Seahawks Game

    Tart was hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty, but he was not ejected to she shock of many fans on social media.

    While there was some confusion as to why Tart was allowed to remain in the game, former official and current NBC Sports and Amazon Prime NFL rules expert Terry McAulay explained exactly why there was no ejection.

    More Football: Lamar Jackson, Ravens Suffer Key Loss Before Week 1 Matchup vs Bills

    “The decision comes from either executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent or the senior vice president of officiating, and they looked at it, and according to Walt Anderson, they said because it was an open-hand contact to the head, that was not disqualifying action,” McAulay said, via Awful Announcing.

    “[The amount of force and whether it’s open or closed-handed] can come into play, but on this one, they felt that it was just an open-hand blow to the head, not a closed fist, not a punch, and they did not disqualify int his case.”

    According to NFL rules, the league office has the power to tell game officials whether or not to disqualify a player if they decide a foul “for a football or non-football act called on the field is flagrant.”

    More Football: Vikings Legend Daunte Culpepper Sends Clear Message About JJ McCarthy

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  • Is Chargers Weapon Already in Danger of Being Traded After Just Signing?

    The Los Angeles Chargers have completely revamped their backfield this offseason, signing Najee Harris in free agency, selecting Omarion Hampton in the first round of the NFL Draft and then scooping up Raheim Sanders as an undrafted free agent.

    Last year, the Chargers employed J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards as their top two running backs, but they allowed Dobbins to walk via free agency and cut Edwards.

    More news: Report: Minnesota Vikings’ Trade Talks for Star WR Hit Snag

    Things are definitely a bit more interesting heading into 2025, and it’s also important to remember that Hassan Haskins — who played for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan — and Kimani Vidal are in the mix, as well.

    Harris suffered an eye injury as a result of a fireworks accident earlier this offseason and has been on the NFI list ever since. He could very well miss the first few weeks of the regular season (per The Athletic), which could actually spell bad news for his future in Los Angeles.

    Why? Because Hampton is clearly the future for the Chargers, and the team also loves Sanders, who may have been one of the spring/summer’s biggest steals.

    So, does a world exist in which Los Angeles could actually trade Harris during the middle of the season, just months after signing the former Pittsburgh Steelers bruiser to a one-year contract?

    EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 29: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers speaks during a news conference after a training session at The Bolt on July 29, 2024 in El Segundo, California….


    Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

    It’s not out of the realm of possibility, particularly if both Hampton and Sanders are impressive right out of the gate.

    Harris seems like a one-year thing for the Chargers. They will obviously be turning the reins over to Hampton sooner rather than later, and people tend to forget how much of a stud Sanders was at both Arkansas and South Carolina. They could form quite the duo for the Bolts.

    What stops Los Angeles from cashing in on Harris at the trade deadline if it feels comfortable rolling with the Hampton-Sanders tandem the rest of the way in 2025?

    Does that mean Harris is a sure-fire goner? Of course not. He posted four straight 1,000-yard campaigns to begin his NFL career, after all (although his efficiency has left much to be desired). But he isn’t Saquon Barkley. He is expendable, and the Chargers probably wouldn’t be shy about pulling the trigger on a potential trade under the right circumstances.

    More news: Steelers Could Swing Blockbuster Trade for Disgruntled Raiders WR

    Harris has already gotten off on the wrong foot by not being able to participate in training camp and preseason. Sure, he’s a veteran, but Harbaugh also wants to see what he has in the former Pro Bowler. Meanwhile, Hampton and Sanders both appear to be growing in Los Angeles’ coaching staff.

    It would not be shocking to see the Chargers pull off a surprise move involving Harris in the coming months.

    For more on the Vikings and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.

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  • Cardinals are a team with flaws, but QB Kyler Murray’s play isn’t one of them

    Cardinals are a team with flaws, but QB Kyler Murray’s play isn’t one of them

    TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Kyler Murray has been around the NFL long enough to have seen a few things.

    The 27-year-old was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019. He’s been a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

    He’s led the Arizona Cardinals to an 11-win season. He’s suffered playoff disappointment. He’s seen one head coach hired and another fired. He’s torn knee ligaments and missed nearly a year.

    With all that experience as background, he still believes the Cardinals are on the right track despite a 2-4 record this season, steadfastly supporting second-year coach Jonathan Gannon as the two embark on their first Monday night game together when they host the Los Angeles Chargers.

    Six years after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick after winning the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma, Murray is in his NFL prime.

    “We’re 2-4, but when we go out there on Sunday and we’re on the field, you’re at that point where you’ve seen pretty much all of it,” Murray said. “It’s a good feeling. Obviously, we have to deliver and execute.”

    Murray said on an ESPN podcast this week that he feels this is the best he’s played through six games and the stats largely back that claim. He came into the weekend ranked No. 8 in quarterback rating, just behind Lamar Jackson and C.J. Stroud and ahead of others such as two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield.

    The Cardinals are still struggling to produce wins consistently. But their quarterback — for the most part — has never been better.

    “He’s one of the premier players in the world,” Gannon said earlier this season. “He’s always in control and he understands what’s going on. That’s the cool thing for me. The mental part of the game.”

    In many ways, Murray is still the same player who debuted in 2019. He’s a good passer despite being undersized, and can use his shifty speed to make big plays on the ground, including a 50-yard touchdown run against the 49ers two weeks ago.

    The biggest difference is his attitude. The quarterback was accustomed to almost uninterrupted success during his high school and college days, piling up wins and awards at a dizzying pace.

    Then he was drafted by the Cardinals. Turning around one of the NFL’s perennial also-ran franchises hasn’t been as easy. Arizona has been to the playoffs just nine times since 1949 and won its most recent title in 1947.

    “Getting into the league and dealing with failure, I took it super hard,” Murray said. “I think it was kind of a detriment.

    “You don’t want to learn how to lose, but at the end of the day you kind of have to learn how to deal with those things and continue to play the game at a high level. I guess you could say that’s maturity and age.”

    Murray’s maturity has been on display in various ways. During the offseason, he organized a few team-building trips, including one to Oklahoma and another to Los Angeles. Murray posted a photo of the California trip over the summer, which featured 12 teammates, including running back James Conner, rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride.

    Murray has quickly bonded with Harrison, who was the No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State. The on-field chemistry is still a work in progress, but there have been plenty of good moments, including four touchdown catches. Harrison is expected to play on Monday despite suffering a concussion in last week’s game against the Packers.

    The Murray-Harrison combo has been a microcosm of the Cardinals this season: Occasionally fantastic, but too inconsistent to be a weekly winner.

    But Murray’s newfound maturity has allowed him to learn patience. It’s what keeps him going as the Cardinals try to get back to the playoffs for just the second time in nine seasons.

    “Honestly, the culture that we’re building, the mindset, the mentality of the team, the temperament of the team, nobody is going to waver,” Murray said. “Like I said, it’s a long season. Everybody’s confident.

    “We know what needs to be done, and we just have to go do it.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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  • Detroit Pistons Owner Tom Gores To Buy Portion Of Los Angeles Chargers

    Detroit Pistons Owner Tom Gores To Buy Portion Of Los Angeles Chargers

    In a fascinating shift within the sports world, Tom Gores, the owner of the Detroit Pistons, is on the verge of acquiring a 27% stake in the Los Angeles Chargers. This significant move, pending approval from NFL owners, not only marks a personal investment for Gores but also hints at the NFL’s evolving approach to private equity in team ownership, as noted by ESPN. The deal includes a 24% share from Dea Spanos Berberian and additional stakes from her siblings as part of a long-overdue family resolution.

    The Spanos Family Dynamics

    This deal follows a lengthy legal battle among the Spanos family members. Dea Spanos Berberian, involved in multiple lawsuits against her brother Dean Spanos, has agreed to drop her claims in conjunction with the sale. This critical decision not only marks the end of a turbulent chapter for the family but also unifies other stakeholders under Dean’s leadership. Despite this sale, the Spanos family will still maintain 69% ownership of the Chargers, ensuring they continue to have a strong influence on the team’s future.

    Financial Insights and Implications

    While Gores’ acquisition represents a substantial minority stake, it’s important to clarify that he will not have a role in the day-to-day operations or management of the Chargers—his stake carries no governance rights. This aligns with the NFL’s recent regulations that permit private equity investments, allowing Gores to step into the world of NFL ownership while keeping his private equity firm, Platinum Equity, separate from the transaction. Gores, with a net worth estimated at $11.8 billion, views this acquisition as a strategic move into a franchise currently valued at about $5.4 billion.

    Tom Gores Moving Forward in NFL Ownership

    Digging deeper into this purchase reveals broader implications for the NFL landscape. The franchise’s value is significantly tied to the lucrative broadcasting rights that the league commands, and Tom Gores’ entry signals a shift toward diversifying ownership structures in the league. The Chargers, despite facing about 14% debt largely from their move to Los Angeles, hold an appealing position as they rank 18th in NFL team valuations, making them an attractive investment despite their financial hurdles.

    Going Deeper

    For those looking for more information on this transaction and its implications, check out these resources:

    1. ABC News
    2. AP News
    3. Mid Michigan Now
    4. Sportico

    W.G. Brady

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  • Panthers, reeling from 37-point defeat, try to stop 1-0 Chargers :: WRALSportsFan.com

    Panthers, reeling from 37-point defeat, try to stop 1-0 Chargers :: WRALSportsFan.com

    By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

    Los Angeles Chargers
    Carolina Panthers
    CBS | Sunday, September 15th 1:00 PM EDT

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers are looking to build on the momentum of a solid Week 1 win, while embattled second-year quarterback Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers will try to pick themselves off the mat following a history-making defeat.

    The Chargers beat the Las Vegas Raiders 22-10 behind a strong performance from new running back J.K. Dobbins, who ran for 135 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

    But coach Jim Harbaugh said he believes this will be a telling week for his team as it heads East for a 1 p.m. game.

    “I’ve always thought that over the course of the season, this is the one week where you have a chance to make the most amount of progress because you’ve already done it,” Harbaugh said. “You know what you did good and things you can improve on. You go in and attack those and see how it works. And you know ‘hey, I like this, not this’ and do it again.”

    Harbaugh is 14-6 (13-3 college, 1-3 NFL) in second games of his coaching career. He was 2-0 only once at San Francisco.

    “To win and still have stuff to work on, that’s encouraging for everyone,” Harbaugh said. “There’s more meat on the bone.”

    The Panthers have a monumental bone to chew on.
    Carolina’s 37-point loss to the New Orleans Saints was its worst season-opening defeat in the franchise’s 30-year history.

    Young struggled with his accuracy, completing 13 of 30 passes with two interceptions. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft is now 2-15 as a starter with more career interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (11).
    Carolina’s defense didn’t do anything to help, allowing the Saints to score on their first nine possessions.

    “My responsibility as the head coach is to say, OK, let’s look at all the processes,” said Panthers rookie head coach Dave Canales. “It starts with me, it starts with the process and it starts with us combing through all of it to see.”

    Growing pains

    Herbert and the Chargers’ passing game are looking to make noticeable strides after struggling to find any consistency last week. Herbert was 2 of 6 for 38 yards on passes of 10 yards or more in the air.

    Besides not taking any snaps in a preseason game and missing two weeks of training camp with a foot injury, Herbert has a young and unproven receiving unit. Rookie Ladd McConkey led the way with five catches for 39 yards and a touchdown.

    “There’s a lot of room for improvement. That’s stuff that we’re addressing and we’re definitely going to be better. As an offense, we need to move the ball better in all phases,” said Herbert, who has thrown at least two touchdown passes in seven straight games against an NFC opponent.

    Mack’s momentum

    After having 1 1/2 sacks and a pass deflection to set up a game-clinching interception last week, Khalil Mack could be in line for another big game.

    Mack will be lined up mostly against Carolina left tackle Ickey Ekwonu, who struggled last week against New Orleans’ Chase Young. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Ekwonu gave up six pass pressures in the 20 snaps where he was lined up against Young. Meanwhile, Mack had four pressures last week against the Raiders.

    Going back to last season, Mack has a sack in three straight games.

    The Panthers have allowed 69 sacks over their past 18 games, including four against the Saints.

    Replacing Brown

    The Panthers have a gigantic task ahead in figuring out how to replace Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Brown, who set an NFL single-season record last year for tackles by a lineman with 103.

    Brown tore the meniscus in his knee in Week 1 and will miss the remainder of the season.

    The Panthers are expected to fill Brown’s role on a by-committee basis. DeShawn Williams, who started 10 games last season for Carolina and was recently cut by the Buffalo Bills, was signed earlier this week to the practice squad and could be active on Sunday.

    Canales didn’t downplay Brown’s loss, saying. “He’s one of our best players. That’s big shoes to fill.”

    Getting Diontae Johnson involved

    Young said he will be doing everything he can to get wide receiver Diontae Johnson more involved in the passing game this week. Johnson, who is viewed as Carolina’s primary receiver, was targeted six times and had only two receptions for 19 yards in Week 1.

    Johnson was the target on Young’s first throw of the game against the Saints that was intercepted.

    Turning it over

    Canales harped all offseason about the defense needing to force turnovers, but the Panthers were a minus-2 in the takeaway-giveaway battle.

    “Let’s hone in on these focuses,” Canales said. “We’ve been crazy about the ball. We’re going to take it up another notch. We’re going to make sure that we emphasize it more in our meetings.”

    ___

    AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy contributed to this report.
    ___
    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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