The NFC East was flush with coaching changes this offseason. How many of them will have an impact?
Jimmy Kempski
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A look around at the noteworthy coaching changes for the Giants, Commanders, and Cowboys
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A Play That Helped to Define a Franchise – Philadelphia Sports Nation
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Sure — when your NFL Team is ninety-two years old, like a lifetime full of tons of happy memories and some that you’d probably rather forget — it’s often hard to believe that one moment defines you.
And of course — from a franchise that stopped Emmitt Smith on 4th and 1 in 1995, threw a 46-yard dagger into the Chiefs’ secondary in the second half of Super Bowl LIX to end the competitive phase of the contest, and pulled off not one but three Miracles in the Meadowlands — it’s hard to pick just one moment. But it certainly helps when ESPN’s SportsCenter 30 for 30 has produced a film about one of those moments.
Eight years ago this weekend , the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. That brought home the first-ever Lombardi Trophy for the franchise, even without quarterback Carson Wentz, Jason Peters, Darren Sproles, or Jordan Hicks, by defeating the New England Patriots, perhaps the best quarterback-coach combination in NFL history.
Right before halftime with the Eagles up 15–12 — Philadelphia running back Cory Clement took a swing pass 55 yards from Nick Foles. Three plays later, Philadelphia had a 4th-and-goal from the one-yard line.
One aspect that defined the Eagles’ 2017–2018 season was their boldness in keeping the offense on the field on fourth down. Right before halftime and nursing a three-point advantage, this was no exception for Doug Pederson. Calling timeout — Pederson wildly scanned his playsheet. When Foles ran over to the sideline, and their eyes met , he immediately asked for Philly, Philly . This play had been included in the Eagles’ Install Package two weeks earlier for the NFC Championship Game against Minnesota. Moments later , Cory Clement took the snap, flipped it to Trey Burton, who threw the ball to Nick Foles for a touchdown to put the Eagles up by ten.
The irony was that earlier in the game, the Patriots tried to run a similar halfback pass to Tom Brady, who dropped the ball.
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Philly Special was not the play that won the Super Bowl. The Eagles would need some 4th-quarter magic on both offense and defense to win 41–33, and even trailed 33–32 in the final period.
But what the Philly Special did was to symbolize the fearlessness of the 2017-2018 Philadelphia Eagles. Not only the confidence to go for it on fourth down, but to run a play that they had never called before.
That same boldness and fearlessness wasn’t just a perfect fit for the Eagles.
It was a perfect reflection of the city that they have called home since 1933.
One whose unyielding resolve had never waivered in its support — each season waiting for another championship celebration — the first since 1960.
One year ago, thousands of fans who enjoyed a 55–23 rout of the Washington Commanders at the Linc — passed a bronze statue capturing that decisive moment when Foles and Pederson decided on a play to stun the opposing team completely. It will forever live as the most remembered play from a storied franchise nearly as old as the NFL itself — a play known now to the ages with just two words:
Philly, Philly!
Categorized:Eagles Unique Columns
Michael Thomas Leibrandt
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Eagles’ Most Iconic Playoff Wins: Moments to Remember – Philadelphia Sports Nation
Eagles•Unique Columns•WegENT Blog
THIS BLOG CONTAINS LINKS FROM WHICH WE MAY EARN A COMMISSION. Credit: Bruce Emmerling-Pixabay Since the creation of the NFL team, the Philadelphia Eagles, one fact that their fans are quite familiar with is the emotion that surrounds their support.
Credit: Bruce Emmerling-Pixabay Especially with the playoffs, which are usually filled with heartbreak, loyalty, and belief. However, they have come out on top in some victories that will be etched in the minds of every Eagles fan and will be continually remembered.
In today’s world of sport, brands are also leveraging this emotional investment. We have seen how global brands — including the best crypto casinos — are sponsoring teams, broadcast partnerships, and fan engagement campaigns. This move adds another layer to how fans interact with the sport.
So, what are these moments that fans have set aside as “religious” dates for the Philadelphia Eagles? What playoff wins have validated that the city and fans breathe football?
This post will look at some endearing moments to remember and why it means to wear green.
4 Iconic Eagles’ Playoff Moments That Would Never Be Forgotten
Here are some of the top moments etched in the hearts of every Eagles fan:
1) 1960 NFL Championship: Ending Lombardi’s Reign
Before the Super Bowl became the thing, the Eagles stunned the football world by clinching their most historic win in a match against the Green Bay Packers in the 1960 NFL Championship game. Led by the legendary Buck Shaw, the team went up against the power-packed Packers, who were dominating the league at the time.
However, with a combination of a great strategy, a strong defense, and a lethal attack led by Ted Dean, they were able to seal a late victory by a score of 17-13. And that was the first NFL title that the team won.
2) 1980 NFC Championship: Knocking Off Dallas
In 1980, the Philadelphia Eagles decided it was time to decorate their trophy room, and what better way to do that than against their bitter rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. In the 1980 NFC Championship game that ended 20-7, the Eagles went on to ease to victory.
This win means so much more because it was against the Cowboys, who had dominated the NFC throughout the 1970s. And it was an added bonus because they were able to prevent the team from reaching another Super Bowl final.
3) 2003 Divisional Round: “4th and 26”
Every hardcore Eagles fan would always remember the historic “4th and 26th” game that set a precedent for the team. In the 2003 NFC Divisional round, the Eagles had to claw out a win against the Green Bay Packers in the brutal cold. A match that most already tipped in the opponents’ favor, the Eagles were visibly behind in the fourth quarter.
Then they faced fourth-and-26 from their 25-yard line before the magic happened when Donovan McNabb found Freddie Mitchell on a crossing route for 28 yards. This helped them win in overtime with a score line of 20-17.
As NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Ray Didinger put it:
“He will always be remembered for the 4th-and-26. A lot of better players came to Philadelphia and played for the Eagles, and won’t be remembered as vividly as Freddie Mitchell will be remembered for that one play.”
4) Super Bowl LII: The Ultimate Victory
The final topping on the cake came at Super Bowl LII, and cemented the result as the greatest win in Eagles’ history. As the underdogs in a match against the Patriots, who had names like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick on their roster, they even expected them to lose.
However, in a shock of the decade, Nick Foles decided to drop an A-class performance that saw him get three touchdowns and throw for 373 yards. He even went on to catch a touchdown on the famous Philly Special. And this helped the Eagles earn their first-ever Super Bowl title in over 50 years.
As Doug Pederson, Eagles’ coach said after the Super Bowl victory:
“We just needed the perfect time and look, and we found it.”
Why These Wins Still Matter
For the average football lover, these victories might not be that important, but for the Eagles, it’s a game for the record books.
These games shaped generations of fans who have built their identities around the team and have been there through the highs and lows.
Now every future playoff is measured against these games and serves as a booster for the average fan’s expectations.
Enhancing Your Philadelphia Sports Fan Experience
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RECAP: A Bizarre Blowout To Win the Division. – Philadelphia Sports Nation
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X. The last time that Josh Johnson has faced the Eagles was in the 2023 NFC Championship Game after a torn UCL injury suffered by 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy at Lincoln Financial Field. The struggles that he had in relief of Purdy in that game surfaced again when he was called into action after to face the Eagles once again on Saturday when Nolan Smith ran over Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota and forced him out of the game with a hand injury.
Saturday’s late afternoon matchup in Landover, Maryland between the Eagles and the Commanders had a little something for everyone. Punishing, late game runs by Saquon Barkley reminiscent of last season’s dominance on the ground. Jake Elliott missing three first half field goal attempts (one that he got a second chance on due to a Commanders off-sides penalty.) A massive brawl after a two-point conversion by the Eagles late in the 4th quarter that was in and of itself a strange call. And Big Dom DiSandro at mid-field making certain that the Eagles players left the game without the contest turning into a five-round UFC Fight, and an uncharacteristic opening-game fumble.
And corgi races at halftime? Why not.
On Saturday evening — the Eagles became the first team to win the NFC East in Back-to-back seasons since they themselves did it twenty-one years ago. Philadelphia has now won the NFC East for the second time in the last three seasons.
The 180th meeting between the Commanders and the Eagles started with a fumble on the opening kickoff. Down 3–0 in the first quarter — Hurts found Devonta Smith for a six-yard touchdown pass. In the third quarter — the Eagles took the lead on a fifteen-yard strike to Dallas Goedert. In the 4th quarter — the Eagles and Saquon Barkley took over. After a twelve-yard touchdown run — he ripped off a 48-yard run capped by a 22-yard Tank Bisby scamper. Barkley then converted a two-point conversion.
After the two-point play was successful and Barkley was slammed to the ground — Darius Cooper and Commanders Defensive Back Will Harris got into a shoving match which then escalated. Washington had two players ejected (Javon Kinlaw and Quan Martin) as well as Steen in the 29–18 Eagles win.
Saquon Barkley eclipsed 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year as an Eagle finishing the game with 132 yards on 21 carries.
The post RECAP: A Bizarre Blowout To Win the Division. appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt
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The Eagles Tiebreaker Spree – Philadelphia Sports Nation
After a gutsy defensive performance against one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. The Eagles have improved to 8-2 on the season despite their own offensive struggles.
And while they were winning an NFC best 8 games through 11 weeks, they’ve successfully collected tiebreakers against 4 of 6 current playoff teams.
The Tiebreakers
Starting 4-0 was the best result for the Eagles to start the season strong. Giving Dallas a Week 1 loss helped jumpstart the lead they have on the NFC East, which currently sits at 3.5 games with only 7 weeks left in the season. There’s an opportunity to have the division wrapped up before December even starts. But before the Eagles can worry about an early notch into their season, they have to get through another round of Dallas Week.
Following the Week 1 celebration of Super Bowl LIX and kicking off the NFL season 1-0. The Eagles pulled together wins against the Los Angeles Rams(8-2), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4). Both teams who currently lead their divisions, and sit at 2nd and 4th in the early NFC playoff seeding. Even the Packers still sit at 2nd in their division at 6-3-1. One of Philadelphia’s defensive showings, managing to hold Green Bay to 7 points.
With teams like the Seahawks(7-3), 49ers(7-4)and Panthers(6-5) breathing down their respective divisions throats, it won’t take much for the standings to completely flip. Much like they did for Detroit Sunday night.
Coming into SNF in Philadelphia, Detroit could’ve claimed 1st in their division, and 2nd in the NFC with a win over the Eagles. But after 5 attempts on 4th down that resulted in 0 conversions. The Lions fell to 6-4 after a 16-9 loss to the Eagles. Going from 3rd in the NFC, and leading the NFC North. To 3rd in the NFC North, and down to 8th in the NFC. Sitting right outside the playoff bubble.
One More To Go
The Eagles will play one more team in the NFC during Week 13 that they could claim an important playoff tiebreaker over. The 7-3, NFC North leading Chicago Bears. A win over the Bears would give the Eagles an advantage against the majority of NFC playoff teams while their schedule gets lighter down the stretch against the Commanders (3-8) and the Raiders (2-8).
But first, they’ll have to go through Dallas (again.)
Go Birds.
Categorized: Eagles
Tyler L’Heureux
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Eagles Vs Lions – In The Thick Of The Playoff Race – Philadelphia Sports Nation
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?
Categorized: Eagles
Tyler L’Heureux
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A Blown Chance To Get Back In The Saddle. – Philadelphia Sports Nation
You’d think the Eagles would’ve taken things personally after coming up short to the Denver Broncos at home. Losing 21-17 in Week 5. A short week that would see their second NFC East match of the season, against a 1-4 Giants squad that just struggled to keep a close game against the New Orleans Saints. The opportunity to go 5-1 was right in front of them.
And then disaster struck.
Injuries On Injuries On Injuries
Jalen Carter was held out of Thursdays game as a precaution. An unfortunate pre-game loss but it shouldn’t have been as detrimental to the team as it was. Hopefully the Week 7 injury report comes with good news for his availability against Minnesota.
Add on top of that a Quinyon Mitchell hamstring injury held him out for the remainder of the game (we’re still waiting on an update for Week 7).
With Landon Dickerson finally being given much needed time off to recover from a plethora of injuries. The Eagles aren’t looking as healthy as they did for last seasons run.
Another Week Of Sloppy Offense
The Eagles can’t seem to pick which quarter they struggle the most in. From 3 points in the 2nd half of week 1. 7 points in the first half against the Rams, and only 7 points in the 2nd half against the Buccaneers and Broncos. The Eagles were shutout against the Giants and were picked off the first time in the 4th quarter of Week 6.
If the Eagles plan on winning more games, they’ll need to get the offense in a more consistent rhythm that is able to score more than 17 points against some of the best (and worst) defenses.
A Weekend Of Successful Hate Watches.
While the Eagles dropped an important division game against a bottom feeder Giants team. That didn’t stop more teams in the NFC from also having very unfortunate ends to their Week 6 matches.
- The Cowboys fell to 2-3-1 as Rico Dowdle stacked up 239 total yards against his former team.
- The 49ers(4-2)lost their 2nd game to the Buccaneers(5-1), but both teams racked up more injuries, including Fred Warner & Emeka Egbuka.
- The unstoppable Lions were held to only 17 points to a Chiefs team that started the year 0-2.
- The Bears struggled to take down the Commanders, but a late 4th Quarter fumble gave the Bears the opportunity to come out on top.
After a very long week being disappointed in an Eagles loss. They still finish Week 6 atop the NFC East with a 1 game lead on the Commanders.
Perhaps things aren’t that bad after all?
The post A Blown Chance To Get Back In The Saddle. appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.
Tyler L’Heureux
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A Division Title That Won’t Be Claimed For 18 Weeks – Philadelphia Sports Nation
With the NFC East kicking the season off with two divisional matchups. There’s already two teams with a division win, and a division loss.
The 1-0 Eagles currently sit 2nd in the NFC East behind a 1-0 Commanders team about to kickoff for Week 2’s Thursday Night Game against a 1-0 Packers that mortgaged the next few years on Micah Parsons getting them over the hump and to the Super Bowl.
Regardless of tonight’s outcome. The Eagles will get a look at two teams they won’t play until the 2nd half of the season. Which could be deciding factors for the NFC East Title, and maybe. The NFC.
Will We Have A New Division Winner
There hasn’t been a repeat NFC East winner since 2004, when the Eagles owned the division from the 2001-2004 division. Able to win the division with records of 11-5, 12-4(twice) and 13-3.
Last season, the Eagles came out on top of the division with a 14-3 record. Beating out the Commanders who finished with a 12-5 record of their own.
The NFL projected that the Eagles will finish the season with 11.6 wins, and that the Commanders will regress back to 10.4 wins. Will 12 games be enough for either team to win the division this year? And where will that place them amongst the rest of the NFC contenders like the Packers, Rams & Lions?
A Question For Week 18.
As always, the NFL scheduled every Week 18 matchup to be a divisional game. Even though most teams have clinched a playoff spot or been eliminated from contention weeks prior, the NFL still wants these matchups to “matter.”
So a week 18 match between the Eagles and the Commanders could bring the division down to the wire. Especially ending the year with two games against Washington, and a snowy trip to Buffalo in between. Week 18 has the potential to be worth all the marbles… 16 1/2 weeks from now.
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Tyler L’Heureux
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The Biggest Team Rivalries in the NFL – Philadelphia Sports Nation
This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: creativeart/Freepik Football creates hatreds that last for decades.
Parents teach their kids which teams to love and which ones to despise.
A man who can’t stand the Cowboys will make sure his son feels the same way, even if that boy has never watched a single game.
These rivalries become family traditions and turn ordinary games into personal wars.
Bears and Packers: The Original Hate
Chicago and Green Bay have fought each other since 1921 in the longest-running feud in professional football. They’ve met 208 times with Green Bay ahead by just a few games, but the narrow margin doesn’t capture how much these fan bases truly loathe each other. Bears supporters would rather beat the Packers twice and finish 2-15 than win ten games without defeating their northern neighbors.
PHOTO: creativeart/Freepik George Which spent forty years coaching Chicago and built the franchise around one core belief: destroy Green Bay whenever possible. Vince Lombardi took over a tiny Wisconsin town and turned it into a football factory that dominated the 1960s. Both coaches knew that division victories mattered more than regular wins because they decided who owned the region for an entire year.
Aaron Rodgers tortured Bears fans for over a decade with performances that seemed almost personal. The quarterback would tear apart Chicago’s defense and then spend his postgame interviews talking about how much he enjoyed playing at Soldier Field. He started calling himself the Bears’ “owner” after particularly brutal games, a taunt that stung because it contained enough truth to hurt.
Smart bettors love this rivalry because both fan bases bet with pure emotion instead of logic. When offshore betting sites (online sportsbooks operating from countries with looser gambling regulations) post lines for Bears-Packers games, money floods in from supporters who care more about family pride than actual football analysis. Professional gamblers make fortunes by betting against the emotional public action from fans who can’t think straight about their most hated opponents.
Cowboys vs Eagles: Rich Against Poor
Dallas and Philadelphia represent two completely different versions of America. The Cowboys represent corporate success, expensive uniforms, and carefully managed public relations. Philadelphia takes pride in its working-class roots and doesn’t try to hide its rough edges. Their games become proxy wars between different economic classes and social philosophies.
Jimmy Johnson and Buddy Ryan turned their personal hatred into organizational warfare during the late 1980s. Both coaches openly accused each other of encouraging dirty play and trying to injure opposing players. The infamous “Bounty Bowls” of 1989 featured actual allegations of illegal payments for big hits, accusations that both sides denied but nobody really believed.
Philadelphia fans have built their reputation on behavior that would embarrass other cities. They booed Santa Claus, cheered when Michael Irvin got hurt, and pelted opposing players with batteries. Dallas supporters responded by mocking everything about Philadelphia, from its history to its food to the way people talk. The mutual contempt goes far beyond football into genuine dislike for what each city represents.
Giants vs Eagles: Neighborhood Enemies
New York and Philadelphia sit close enough that their fans work in the same office buildings and attend the same social events. This proximity makes their football rivalry particularly brutal because there’s no escape from opposing supporters after losses. Giants fans must face Eagles supporters at work every Monday morning, turning defeats into week-long torture sessions.
The 1978 “Miracle at the Meadowlands” created this rivalry’s most famous moment. New York led by five points with seconds left and just had to kneel down to win. Instead, they botched the snap, Herman Edwards picked up the loose ball, and ran twenty-six yards for a touchdown that crushed Giants fans. The play became legendary because New York had thrown away a sure victory.
DeSean Jackson topped that moment thirty-two years later when Philadelphia trailed by twenty-one points in the fourth quarter but somehow tied the game with minutes remaining. Jackson then returned a punt sixty-five yards for the winning score as time expired, completing one of the most impossible comebacks in NFL history while Giants fans who had started leaving early watched their season die from the parking lot.
Ravens vs Steelers: Legal Brutality
Baltimore and Pittsburgh treat football like war. Both teams build their rosters around tough defenses and powerful running attacks. When they meet, the hits are harder and the play gets more physical than most NFL games.
Ray Lewis and Troy Polamalu made this rivalry personal during their careers. Both players approached Ravens-Steelers games with unusual intensity. They hit harder, talked more trash, and seemed to save their best shots for these specific matchups.
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A Look Ahead to Top Betting Lines for Eagles This Season – Philadelphia Sports Nation
This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: Casey Murphy/Unsplash After a strong season last year, the Philadelphia Eagles remain among the top contenders in 2025.
As the new season is before us, sportsbooks are already showing the first odds that would let fans place their bets.
While you’re analyzing and placing bets, fans can also have more fun playing casino games with a sports theme. You can even find NFL-themed games among the best-paying pokies that are available at https://onlinepokiesmates.com/best-paying-pokies/, which are a popular way of spinning the reels if you’re a football fan.
Some of these games feature the Super Bowl theme because it’s the biggest sports event in the US.
If you’re considering betting on the Philadelphia Eagles, here are the odds that are currently available.
Keep in mind that the odds are subject to change, the same way past Super Bowl point spreads changed over time, especially when the competition progresses and teams’ performances become obvious.
First Games in September
PHOTO: Casey Murphy/Unsplash The first week of the league is placing the Eagles as favorites in both of their matches. The first one is against the Dallas Cowboys, and the second one is against the Kansas City Chiefs. The spread odds are -120 and -122, respectively. For the moneyline, the Eagles are stronger favorites with odds being -310 and -110 for the first and the second game.
Overs and unders are a bit different. The odds against the Dallas Cowboys for under 46.5 are -115, whereas the game with the Kansas City Chiefs offers -105 for over 46.5.
This is the first sign that the whole team is still perceived as being strong and ready to go far in the competition. This is somewhat normal due to the success of the team last time.
Super Bowl Odds
This year, the Eagles are considered the favorites. Here’s how the odds compare to the past Super Bowl scores and spreads.
Eagles currently share +750 odds to win the Super Bowl, placing them among the top 4 contenders alongside the Chiefs and 49ers. There are a couple of other teams with the same odds, but the majority of the others have lower odds of winning.
Playoffs Odds
When it comes to the playoffs, the odds are again saying that the Philadelphia Eagles will reach them. Odds of them making it to the playoffs are -350. On the contrary, the odds of them not reaching the playoffs are +265. That’s not so surprising, given how well the team played last season.
Win Totals Odds
Win Toals is the type of bet that you place on how many games the team will win over the regular season. Players can bet on to win 6, 8, or 10. If you want to bet on six, that’s impossible because there are no odds for this number of games. However, to win 8, the odds are -800, and to win 10, the odds are -250.
These odds imply that the team will most likely achieve more than 10 wins in the regular season.
Futures Specials
In the futures section, there’s just one unique bet that includes the Eagles, but it’s not exclusive to them. The bet means that the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs need to make it to the playoffs.
Eagles, Chiefs, and Ravens each have a chance to make it to the playoffs. As these teams are likely to achieve that, the odds are -110.
Division Winners
Placing a bet on the NFC East Winners and the NFC Championship winner this early relies on a lot of luck. Still, that is reflected in somewhat appealing odds. The Eagles are considered favorites to win the NFC East with odds of -130. They are also the favorites to win the NFC Championship, with the odds being +370.
PHOTO: Caleb Woods/Unsplash Awards
These are not the best for the whole team, but for the individuals on the team. The highlights include Saquon Barkley, who you can bet on as the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year with the odds of +600. He is the favorite with these odds that place him at the top.
Lane Johnson is considered among the best protectors in the league, which is reflected in the odds of +650, which are putting him as a favorite NFL protector of the year 2025/2026.
Even though not a favorite, Vic Fangio is the fourth candidate to be the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year, with the odds of +1000. So, plenty of nominations from the Eagles team.
Team Specials
This is where things get fun, as there are team specials odds that also show the strength of the Philadelphia Eagles. Here’s a list featuring the top specials:
- Eagles to score at least one touchdown in every regular season game, with the odds of -160.
- Eagles to beat the Dallas Cowboys at home and away in the regular season, with the odds of -125.
- Eagles to beat the Washington Commanders at home and away in the regular season, with the odds of +110.
- Saquon Barkley is expected to get 500+ regular-season receiving yards, with the odds of +160.
- Saquon Barkley & Jalen Hurts to combine 2500+ rushing yards in the regular season, with the odds of +250.
- Jalen Carter is expected to achieve 10+ sacks in the regular season, with the odds of +300.
First Odds Are Promising
According to the first and betting lines that have appeared, the Philadelphia Eagles are still considered a team that could repeat the success they had last year.
While being different from the past Super Bowl spreads, they still show who is considered to be the favorite.
Of course, we’ll see whether that’s true once the season starts in September.
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Divisional Game 1, Week 7 Eagles @ Giants – Philadelphia Sports Nation
7 Weeks into the season, and the Eagles sit at 3-2. Good enough for 2nd in the NFC East, and 9th in the NFC.
It might not be the perfect situation, but there’s still 11 weeks worth of football to watch. And with the Saints falling to 2-5 tonight, the Eagles will have an opportunity to make another NFC team 2-5 on Sunday.
The New York Giants
While Sunday will be the Eagles first divisional matchup on the season, the Giants have already stacked up losses against the Commanders (21-18) and Cowboys (20-15). Not that the Giants were expected to be fighting for a top seed in the NFC, but dropping their first 2 divisional games wouldn’t help.
Averaging only 16 points per game, the Giants offense has struggled with and without Rookie WR Malik Nabers. Managing to score a season high 29 without Nabers against Seattle, and struggling to put up more than 7 against the Bengals.
The good news is, the Giants defense gives up an average of 20.16 points per game.
Falling to 2-4 on the season was the least of the Giants woes with an inconsistent level of play that rivals the Eagles. Much like in Philly, the Giants injury report was stacking up too.
Injuries In The Trenches
Both of these teams have thrived off their lines. The Eagles, relying on the high-level of play of the offensive line, will be without Jordan Mailata. With concern if Milton Williams and Jalen Carter will be available for Sundays game.
And on the blue sideline, the Giants have an even worse problem. It was announced on Wednesday that Andrew Thomas would miss the rest of the season with a Lisfranc injury, and on the other side of the ball, with 26 combined Sacks, the Giants defensive line has carried the weight of their success. However with Kayvon Thibodeaux on IR for the next few weeks. The list goes on as both Dexter Lawrence AND Brian Burns have yet to practice at this point in the week.
How Could The Offense Fare?
With injuries on both lines for BOTH teams, running backs could make or break the game for either team. The Eagles know what they have, and what they can get out of Saquon Barkley. If Fred Johnson is able to continue to play successfully as the Eagles LT for the next few weeks, the offense might continue to run smoothly in an offense that has only had its two star receivers for 2 games of the season.
Averaging 21.2 points a game this season doesn’t paint as clear a picture of an offense that still hunts for the big play and refuses to take points when they matter. A wounded Giants team provides a perfect chance to get the offense back in full swing, and hopefully see a high scoring team like we did in Brazil.
There’s multiple reunions at MetLife this weekend. Mekhi Becton’s return to his former home stadium. And Saquon’s return to play his former team – and now divisional rival.
Photo Credit: Bill Streicher / USA Today
Tyler L’Heureux
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Eagles Woes Continue, 2-2 Heading Into The Bye – Philadelphia Sports Nation
After another pitiful performance in Tampa Bay, the Eagles sit tied for 2nd in the NFC East.
Hopefully the Eagles can avoid meeting the Buccaneers in the Wildcard round, again.
Moving on to the early bye week at 2-2 isn’t the end for the Eagles, but it isn’t instilling much hope.
Offensive Woes
Sure the Eagles have been without A.J. Brown for multiple weeks and spent a game and a half without Lane Johnson & DeVonta Smith. But they only average 21.5 points per game in 4 games this season, which drops to 17.3 not including the packers game.
This is also a team that has 8 turnovers on offense and 8(!) 3&Outs. What gives?
Where’s The Motion?
Last season, the Eagles ranked dead last in motion(10.9%) While the Chargers(25.9%) were ranked 8th(Kellen Moore’s last team) while having Easton Stick start multiple games at QB.
With the hire of Moore in the offseason, everyone was expecting a more competent offense. Now loaded with even more talent in the backfield and along the offensive line.
But through 4 weeks…
Motion report through 4 weeks!
First number is motion at the snap, second number is all motion.
Data via ESPN’s video tracking team. pic.twitter.com/rS8Y8g4DUm
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 1, 2024
The Eagles are in the middle of the pack. Which becomes concerning when you see NextGenStats posting the Eagles used 65.8% in their season debut.
Makes you question why there’s been such a decline in only a matter of weeks.
- Why are the Eagles afraid of short yardage plays down 3 of their best players?
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Down 2 of your Weapons. Why does Saquon only see the ball 10 times? No wonder the offense stalls.
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After admitting to being the one to call a USELESS fake QB sneak in New Orleans. How much of the Offense does Nick Sirianni have control of?
And most importantly.
- Why does this team feel so similar to last years?
The Missing Piece
Normally, when a team cleans house, they clean house. It was already questioned last year what Nick Sirianni did as Eagles head coach following last years disastrous end. Somehow, he was able to keep his job.
Brian Johnson was let go as the scape goat to the collapse of the offense compared to their Super Bowl season. But now in Washington, Jayden Daniels is thriving as the Commanders hold 1st place in the NFC East.
Dennard Wilson is now the Defensive Coordinator in Tennessee, and finding some success with a team that isn’t having a great season. After spending last season with the Ravens as a Defensive Backs Coach & Passing Game Coordinator, the same position he held in Philadelphia the 2 years prior.
There’s multiple coaches who have left the Eagles who are finding success. And yet the Eagles seem to be stagnant now 2 years after their Super Bowl appearance. Even after bringing in highly valued coordinators on both sides of the ball.
With many inconsistencies and similarities causing concern just 4 weeks into the season. A 2-2 record might not look bad, but how many head coaches can survive a 3-8 run to end and begin seasons with high expectations?
With the weakest strength of schedule in the league and 13 games still left to play. There aren’t many excuses for this Eagles team to not still be competitive and push for a top seed in the playoffs. But with the way they’ve been playing, there better be some good performances following the bye week. Otherwise the playoffs could soon be out of reach.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee / Imagn Images
Tyler L’Heureux
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Expert predictions roundup: Consensus is Eagles win NFC East title
The Eagles are NFC East favorites according to the experts in Las Vegas and around the world making odds for sportsbooks.
The books usually get it right, but the Eagles have a laundry list of unknowns heading into 2024, ranging from their new coordinators and schemes, some new big ticket veterans like Saquon Barkley and Bryce Huff, and rookies who’ll be expected to do a lot this season like Quinyon Mitchell.
What are “experts” across the NFL media landscape predicting for the Eagles? Will they win the division? Make it to the Super Bowl? Here’s a few snippets from predictions we found:
NFC East winners — ESPN
A simulation over at ESPN saw the Eagles win the NFC East but get totally upset in the first round of the postseason.
The Eagles went on a five-game winning streak to end the season. That included a crucial 22-10 win in Week 17 in which their pass rush devastated quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ passing attack to snatch the NFC East title away from Dallas via head-to-head tiebreaker.
But the momentum didn’t carry over into the postseason. Though they entered as the No. 2 seed, the Eagles saw their season end abruptly at the hands of Williams and the Bears, who pulled off a surprising upset. Dallas didn’t fare any better, as the Cowboys lost in a playoff blowout for the second straight season, falling 37-14 to the San Francisco 49ers. [ESPN]
Another note from an ESPN predictions article — the Eagles have a 79.4% chance of making it to the postseason, and are projected to have 10.5 wins.
NFC East winners — NFL.com
The NFL’s own website polled 28 of its writers and 24 of them picked the Eagles to win the NFC East, with the other four going with Dallas.
The NFC East hasn’t had a repeat champion since the Eagles won three straight following realignment in 2002. Our analysts see that trend continuing this season (sorry, Cowboys!), with Philadelphia receiving 24 first-place votes and earning a playoff spot on all 28 of our analysts’ ballots. Dallas is still predicted to be the conference’s fifth seed, receiving the most total points among all NFC wild-card contenders. A playoff berth would be nothing new for Dallas, which is one of just 10 teams with double-digit playoff appearances this millennium. However, of those 10 teams, all but the Cowboys have advanced to a conference title game; in fact, the other nine have all won at least one Lombardi Trophy since 2000. [NFL.com]
NFC East winners — SI.com
Connor Orr at Sports Illustrated predicted all 272 regular season NFL games and chalked the Eagles up for 10 wins — good for an NFC East crown with the Cowboys projected to win nine. A look at some of his reasoning:
The Eagles are better than the Dallas Cowboys by a decent margin, without the salary cap stressors. If they are able to manage ego, I don’t see how they’d miss the chance to reclaim the NFC East crown. Part of the reason I like the Eagles to stabilize is that they are lacking the kind of brutal stretch on the schedule that threw them out of emotional equilibrium a year ago. They finish the season with a handful of what we’ll term winnable games, and I think some of the pressure will be passed off to a Dallas team that has the look and feel of a powder keg. [Sports Illustrated]
NFC Wildcard — CBS
Over at CBS the prediction isn’t as bright, as John Breech expects the Cowboys to be the first repeat division winner in 20 years.
The Eagles (-140) are actually the favorites to win the NFC East this year, so taking the Cowboys is somewhat bold. The only problem with the Cowboys winning the division is that Jerry Jones would take all the credit for it (“I told you we we’re all-in”), even though he did his best to derail the team this offseason. [CBS]
In a separate post, Breech says the Eagles will be 9-8 and be the final Wildcard team in the conference.
12-game winners — The Athletic
Beat writer Brooks Kubena predicted the Eagles would win 12 games earlier this offseason, and in a recent predictions roundup he says he is sticking with that choice, one that would put the Eagles in the postseason as division-winners. According to Kubena it all comes down to an improved Jalen Hurts:
Hurts was noticeably more polished in training camp. He was decisive, effective and dangerous on deep throws. The Eagles’ wealth of offensive talent could produce, at the very least, a top-five offense if Hurts can command this system properly. Owner Jeffrey Lurie has demonstrated patience with his head coaches so long as there’s confidence in a competitive path forward. But it’s worth wondering whether a 10-win season would be considered a regression under Nick Sirianni. [The Athletic]
11-game winners — 33rd team
NFL analyst Dan Pizzuta took a gambling-minded approach to predicting the 2024 regular season, looking at whether he felt each of the 32 NFL teams could hit their over/under projection. He expects the Eagles to exceed the 10.5 wins Vegas handicaps for them.
Despite all that went wrong for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, Jalen Hurts was still a top-10 quarterback by EPA per play and ranked 11th in success rate. With an improvement in the offensive system, that unit could look more in rhythm than it did at times in 2023.
If that’s the case, along with an explosive running game, the Eagles could again consistently be one of the best offenses in the league. This offense was eighth in EPA per drive last season but did not always feel like it. [33rd team]
For what it’s worth, he has the Cowboys over 9.5 wins as well.
Contenders (mostly) — USA Today
Over at USA Today, they had their six NFL writers make predictions for how the season would go, and there were varying expectations for the Eagles.
NFC East winners (3)
NFC Wildcard (2)
Miss playoffs (1)One of the writers — Tyler Dragon — picked the Eagles both to win the NFC East and the NFC, falling to the Ravens in the Super Bowl. They had a consensus prediction of a 11-6 record for Philly.
A hot take — Fox Sports
Chris Brussard picked the Eagles to win the NFC East, by Nick Wright sees the Birds not only missing the playoffs, but finishing third in the division behind Dallas and Washington with Nick Sirianni sent packing — a link to his reasoning is here.
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Evan Macy
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Kansas City Chiefs to face Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII | CNN
CNN
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The Kansas City Chiefs are advancing to Super Bowl LVII following a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship game on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
After suffering a high ankle sprain last week in the Chiefs’ Divisional Round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Patrick Mahomes led the team to a victory in a back-and-forth game.
Kansas City got out to a 6-0 lead after two field goals and before halftime, Mahomes found his favorite target – tight end Travis Kelce for a touchdown to take a 13-3 lead. Kelce was listed as questionable to play coming into the game due to a back injury.
Right before halftime, the Bengals drove down the field and kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to 13-6.
On the Bengals’ first offensive possession of the second half, quarterback Joe Burrow found wide receiver Tee Higgins for a 27-yard touchdown to tie up the game at 13. However, a clearly hobbled Mahomes and the Chiefs responded with a laser touchdown throw to Marquez Valdes-Scantling to take the lead right back.
The Chiefs defensive unit shut down the high-powered Bengals offense until the first play of the fourth quarter.
On fourth down, Burrow heaved the ball down the field and found Ja’Marr Chase for a 35-yard strike to move Cincinnati deep into Kansas City territory. Two plays later, the Bengals scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Samaje Perine to tie the game yet again.
The Chiefs sacked Burrow on third down to give them the ball back with less than a minute left and the score tied at 20. Chiefs returner Skyy Moore returned the Bengals punt 29 yards to set the offense up with good field position. On third down, Mahomes scrambled and as he went out of bounds, Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai pushed him and was called for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty which put the Chiefs in field goal range.
Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker knocked down the 45-yard field goal to send the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl for the third time in four seasons.
Earlier in the day, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-7, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, to advance to championship game for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
The Eagles scored on their first possession and didn’t look back in the rout of the 49ers.
The 49ers were momentarily left without rookie starting quarterback Brock Purdy after he suffered a right elbow injury in the first quarter, on a hit by Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick that forced a fumble. Josh Johnson, who is the fourth string quarterback for San Francisco, filled in for Purdy until the third quarter before being ruled out of the game with a concussion.
Playing on the injured elbow, Purdy re-entered the game but the 49ers offense struggled to tally any points.
Meanwhile, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia run-game, ran all over the 49ers defense, notching 148 rushing yards and scoring all four touchdowns on the ground. With his rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, Hurts (15) passed Cameron Newton (14) for most rushing touchdown’s in a single season by a QB in NFL history, including playoffs, according to NFL Research.
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Reich out, Saturday in as Colts try to fix stagnant offense
INDIANAPOLIS — Frank Reich’s attempt to fix the Indianapolis Colts’ sputtering offense failed so now team owner Jim Irsay is turning to another trusted name — former All-Pro center Jeff Saturday.
The Colts made both announcements about one hour apart Monday.
They come less than 24 hours after one of the worst offensive performances in team history.
Colts officials have scheduled an evening news conference to address the decision.
Saturday’s only coaching experience came at a Georgia high school and he’s served most recently as a team consultant and ESPN commentator. He’s a member of Indy’s Ring of Honor, played a key role in helping reach an agreement to settle the 2011 NFL lockout and has been a fixture in the Indy community since his rookie season in 1999.
For the Colts (3-5-1), the past few weeks have been a whirlwind.
Reich announced he was benching 2016 league MVP and longtime veteran Matt Ryan in favor of second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger two weeks ago.
Last Tuesday, Reich fired offensive coordinator Marcus Brady even though Reich was calling the plays. General manager Chris Ballard also sent running back Nyheim Hines to Buffalo just before last week’s trade deadline.
Now Reich is out in the first midseason coaching change Irsay has made since taking over as owner 25 years ago.
“I think Frank’s an unbelievable football coach, I think he’s an unbelievable man,” said Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel, the last head coach still left from the 2018 hiring class. “We all know what we sign up for, and this is the other side of it that’s probably not so … it’s difficult. You never want to see anybody lose their job.”
Irsay uncharacteristically declined to take questions following a dismal performance Sunday in which the Colts produced just 121 total yards and 43 net passing yards, the lowest single-game totals by Indy since 1997 against Seattle.
The Colts also went 0 for 14 on third downs, just the second time on record their conversion rate was 0.0%. They allowed nine sacks, the highest single-game total since October 2017, and only the second most in a game since 1981.
But it wasn’t just one game.
Indy has zero points on its opening possession this season and is the league’s only team to enter the fourth quarter trailing in every game in 2022. The result is a league-low 14.7 points per game. And with three straight losses, the Colts postseason hopes are fading.
The hope is that Saturday can find a solution to Indy’s most glaring problem, an offensive line that has allowed a league-high 35 sacks in nine games. It had been one of the league’s top units from 2018 through last season but has been in flux most of this season.
On Sunday, the Colts pulled right guard Matt Pryor and left tackle Dennis Kelly and replaced them with Will Fries and rookie Bernhard Raimann in yet another attempt to improve the pass protection.
“Jeff has been a beloved, integral member of our NFL family for nearly a decade,” ESPN said in a statement following the second announcement Monday. “When he came to us about this incredible opportunity he had with the Colts, we were thrilled for him and his family. We wish him the best of luck as he makes his NFL head coaching debut.”
As the season went on and the woes mounted, though, the growing pressure was evident on Reich’s face in recent weeks and in his shorter and quieter answers.
Even in the locker room, where Reich was respected and well liked, players seemed uneasy with so many changes.
Still, the players continued to express trust in Reich and Ballard making the right calls.
Reich was hired in 2018 after serving as offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles — and after Josh McDaniels backed out of an agreement to coach Indy. Strangely, the Colts will face McDaniels in Las Vegas on Sunday.
“Frank’s a really good coach,” McDaniels said Monday. “He’s a great person and has done a lot of great things in our profession. I have a deep respect for him and what he does. It’s always tough to hear that.”
Reich took the Colts to the playoffs in two of his first four seasons and had them on the cusp of making it last season. But two inexplicable losses to close the season behind quarterback Carson Wentz, whom Reich lobbed to acquire in a trade, kept Indy out of the postseason.
Indy traded Wentz to Washington in March then acquired Ryan in a subsequent trade with Atlanta.
Reich also coached previously with the Arizona Cardinals and the then-San Diego Chargers after starting his coaching career working for the Colts and with Peyton Manning.
The longtime backup quarterback with the Buffalo Bills finished his first head coaching job with a 40-33-1 record. Reich is the second coach to be fired this season, joining Matt Rhule of Carolina.
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AP Sports Writer Mark Anderson in Henderson, Nevada, and AP Pro Football Writer Teresa M. Walker in Nashville, Tennessee, also contributed to this report.
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AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL
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Giants TE Daniel Bellinger taken to hospital with eye injury
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — New York Giants rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger was taken to a hospital with a bloody eye injury during a game Sunday at Jacksonville.
Bellinger took an inadvertent fist in the face, and maybe a finger to the eye, from Jaguars rookie linebacker Devin Lloyd in the second quarter Sunday. Team trainers wore gloves while they tried to stop the bleeding. and Bellinger’s eye appeared to be swollen shut as he was carted off the field.
A fourth-round pick from San Diego State, Bellinger entered the game with 15 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Bellinger’s injury was the latest for the 5-1 Giants, who were trying to match their best start since 2008 with a victory in Jacksonville.
The Giants lost two starting offensive linemen to knee injuries, including rookie first-rounder and right tackle Evan Neal, in the first half.
Left guard Ben Bredeson was ruled out with a right knee injury in the first quarter. Neal injured his left leg in the second when Jaguars defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris landed on the back of his leg.
Neal, the seventh overall pick in April’s draft out of Alabama, was in pain on the field after the play. He eventually limped off before being checked in the medical tent on the sideline. Neal eventually took a cart into the locker room.
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More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL
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Prescott’s return on track as Cowboys prepare for Lions
FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott will be “in the lead chair as far as reps” for practice in the latest sign that the star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys will return from injury Sunday against Detroit.
Coach Mike McCarthy left little doubt about the end of Prescott’s five-game absence because of a fractured thumb on his throwing hand. The quarterback said over the weekend he expected to play.
Prescott threw 40 passes during a scaled-back practice Wednesday coming off a late game at Philadelphia.
“I thought he looked very good,” McCarthy said. “We’ll look to expand that (Thursday) and put him in the lead chair as far as reps just to give him the opportunity to prepare to play.”
The Cowboys (4-2) lost to the undefeated Eagles 26-17 with first place in the NFC East on the line.
Now they face the Lions (1-4), one of two one-win teams in the NFC. Dallas gets another struggling opponent at home next week against Chicago.
Dallas won four consecutive games with Cooper Rush replacing Prescott after the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year fractured his right thumb in a season-opening loss to Tampa Bay.
The winning streak pushed Rush’s career record to 5-0, including a victory last season at Minnesota.
Although Rush no longer has a perfect record, the Cowboys are one of just four teams in the NFC with a winning record through six weeks. Three of those teams are in the NFC East.
McCarthy credited the players’ participation in the offseason program and a mostly healthy training camp in California with helping Dallas stay in contention without Prescott.
“I think it’s a credit to the whole team, especially what Cooper Rush was able to do,” McCarthy said. “I think it’s all those things, they add up and then it’s all part of keeping the train on the tracks.”
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More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL
