The Philadelphia Eagles’ 2025 season has gotten off to a perfect start: sending the rival Dallas Cowboys home with a loss in Week 1 and leaving Arrowhead Stadium with a gutsy win in Week 2. While the Birds are flawless on paper, leading the NFC East with a 2–0 record, their victories haven’t been all that convincing.
So far, the Eagles’ offense has been underwhelming. Following a marvelous first-half performance against the Cowboys, it’s been difficult to advance the ball down the field. They ranked 30th in second-half expected points added per play (EPA/play) in Week 1 and 22nd overall in Week 2.
Mind you, nearly an identical offense, minus an offensive coordinator swap, put up 40 points against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Despite having endless weapons, Philadelphia has lacked dynamism.
That’s almost exactly the same scenario as 2023—a brilliant offense, led by a new, internal coordinator, regresses after dominating the Chiefs’ defense in the Super Bowl. That season, the team started the most unconvincing 10–1 you’ll ever see. Then, they collapsed hard, losing six of their last seven.
Interestingly, the Eagles didn’t have the prettiest start in 2024, either. At 2–2 with some discouraging offensive outings, many fans were panicking. But they quickly started clicking, victorious in 16 of their last 17, including a championship title.
So, what are these Birds? A 2023 or 2024 repeat?
Verdict: Be Skeptical, But Give the Eagles Time
Ultimately, the Eagles deserve time to figure this out. First, let’s set the scene. The offense came out roaring against the Cowboys, ranking atop the league in first-half EPA/play during Week 1. Then, the lightning delay happened. Over an hour of real-life time later, the teams got back out on the field, and neither looked all that fantastic. The Birds get a pass.
Then, you have Week 2. Jalen Hurts only had 116 total yards on a combined 31 pass and rush attempts, with his biggest play being just 28 yards. He got the win, which he made sure to clarify to Chiefs superstar Chris Jones, but it wasn’t one that makes you say, “Wow, this team can beat anyone.”
PHOTO: Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesCredit: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
However, the Eagles were facing the defending AFC Championship winners on the road, regarded as one of the toughest places to play in sports. Getting a win at all, with revenge as a motivator for Kansas City, is nothing short of incredible. Besides, Patrick Mahomes only put up 17 points. Shouldn’t the 0–2 Chiefs be worrying a little bit more?
It’s always good to be skeptical. But the Eagles have had a challenging road thus far, and they’ve come out on top. Their new offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo, is still adapting, and so is the team around him. Kellen Moore, the team’s previous holder of the job, didn’t truly “figure it out” for a while—around Week 8 last season, to put an exact number on it.
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The Philadelphia Eagles walked into Arrowhead on Sunday and came out with a 20-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs
A Super Bowl rematch, a road test, and a statement.
It wasn’t elegant; the Chiefs outgained them 294 yards to 216, but an Andrew Mukuba interception and a crucial onside-kick recovery sealed the deal.
Philadelphia’s defense, once again, set the tone.
So here we are, asking: Is it too soon to consider them repeat Super Bowl winners?
What the Super Bowl LX Odds Say
Despite being defending champions, sites from the best online sportsbook reviews list the Eagles as only the fourth favorite to win Super Bowl LX. Odds boards this week show the Buffalo Bills leading the pack, followed by the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, and Philadelphia at +750. That line translates to about an 11-13% chance of repeating.
Respectable, yes, but far from consensus dominance.
Why Is the Betting Market Hesitant?
PHOTO: Larry Bridges Jr./Unsplash
The passing game hasn’t found a rhythm. Jalen Hurts threw for just over 100 yards against Kansas City, a number that won’t scare playoff defenses. Injuries and attrition also weigh on futures prices, as veteran rosters rarely get healthier with time.
The competition is fierce: Baltimore looks balanced, Buffalo is still a juggernaut, and Jordan Love’s Packers are quickly climbing into NFC powerhouse territory.
Why the Eagles Remain in the Conversation
Their defense still travels. Holding Mahomes and the Chiefs to 17 points is evidence enough. Their run game, led by Saquon Barkley and Hurts, remains one of the league’s most physical units. And culture matters: a champion locker room carries a belief outsiders cannot quantify… They know what it takes to win.
The Rivals in Their Path: Who Are the Teams Philadelphia Has to Go Through?
Buffalo Bills: A perennial powerhouse, Buffalo leans on Josh Allen’s arm and legs. Their offense stretches the field, their defense forces turnovers, and sportsbooks consistently list them as the safest bet to win.
Baltimore Ravens:Lamar Jackson may finally have his supporting cast right. A balanced offense, stingy defense, and strong coaching staff mean Baltimore has the profile of a champion. If the Eagles want another Lombardi, Baltimore is likely in the way.
Green Bay Packers: The NFC rival to circle. Jordan Love has fully stepped into the franchise role, and his chemistry with a talented receiving corps makes the Packers dangerous. Add a rejuvenated defense and home-field advantage in the frozen north, and the Packers are as real as it gets.
Each of these contenders explains why sportsbooks still hesitate to elevate the Eagles. It’s not doubt… It’s recognition of the league’s depth at the top.
Current Super Bowl LX Betting Odds
Gambling.com’s latest future NFL odds currently position the Eagles as the fourth-favorite to win Super Bowl LX:
Ravens @ +500
Bills @ +600
Packers @ +700
Eagles @ +750
The Road Ahead
Philadelphia’s schedule isn’t a stroll. Divisional games against Dallas remain must-wins. A December clash with Buffalo could serve as a preview of Super Bowl stakes. And lurking late in the season are the 49ers, who still boast one of the most punishing defenses in the NFL. For a defending champion, there are no shortcuts.
Hurts’ Next Step…
Jalen Hurts has matured into a proven winner, but the next leap involves consistency against top defenses. His passing numbers against Kansas City were modest, and skeptics will seize on that. What offsets it is his poise, mobility, and leadership.
If Hurts becomes a more efficient passer while maintaining his dual-threat danger, the Eagles’ offense becomes far more challenging to scheme against.
A Historical Reality Check
Repeating in the NFL is brutally rare. Only eight franchises have done it. The last? New England in 2003-04. Every other champ since has fallen short. Odds-makers account for this history, partly explaining why Philadelphia’s odds trail teams with fewer question marks. The Eagles don’t just fight opponents; they fight history.
Is the Time to Bet the Eagles Right Now?
Timing is everything. Futures markets shift weekly. A shaky October could inflate Philadelphia’s price, creating better buy-in value. Some bettors diversify, placing smaller wagers on multiple contenders to hedge risk. Regardless, scanning online sportsbook reviews is essential… A spread from +700 to +800 may not sound large, but it can be decisive for future payouts.
Take the Eagles now if you’re convinced their defense and run-first identity are sustainable. Wait, if you believe Baltimore or Buffalo will outpace them. Both choices have logic, depending on risk appetite.
So is it too soon? Not exactly. Philadelphia has the roster, the culture, and the recent proof that they can beat anyone. But repeating means overcoming both rivals and history. Their win against Kansas City keeps them firmly in the mix.
Whether they rise above Buffalo, Baltimore, and Green Bay by season’s end will decide if “too soon” turns into “right on time.”
Hailing from the Western side of Pennsylvania, folks like me are born and raised to hate the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s sort of a rite of passage. However, my love for the game of football trounces my hatred for Philly, so here we are.
After winning his first Super Bowl earlier this year, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has his team in the driver’s seat atop the NFC East. Sure we’re only a few weeks into the season, but 2-0 is a pretty good way to stop the ‘Super Bowl Hangover’ narrative in its tracks.
But how did the birds get here? I was fortunate enough to catch up with Sirianni before Super Bowl LIX, and I asked about his experience in big games.
The concourses hum, screens glow with more than scores, and the rhythm of a game stops and starts around live updates and quick decisions.
At Lincoln Financial Field, roughly 67,000 people stream past branded lounges and data walls, getting a little closer to the teams they already know by heart. Partnerships between Philadelphia teams and betting operators have nudged the experience from watching to something closer to participating.
In 2023, more than 11 legal sportsbooks were active in Pennsylvania, which opened the door to new forms of fan engagement. Attendance hasn’t cratered despite cushy couches and huge TVs at home, which says something.
Betting tie-ins are visible from the gates to the phones in your pocket, shaping how Philly does game day in ways that might have seemed unlikely a few years ago.
Partnerships Reshaping the Playbook
Every major team in the city has leaned into collaboration, and not just with logos on signs. The upgrades are physical and digital at once: lounges, VIP areas, and in-seat experiences that feel engineered for the moment. Fans encounter promotions and digital content directly tied to sports betting, both in-venue and through official team apps. Under the hood, the tech is equal parts broadcast and backend, with live odds, real-time stats, and QR codes built for instant offers.
In 2024, the Eagles added exclusive clubs with on-field views and branded hospitality, which is a fancy way of saying access that used to be rare is a little less rare. The 76ers, Flyers, Phillies, and Union have moved in similar directions, taking advantage of Pennsylvania’s relatively open landscape to strike deals that go beyond signage. It is less about ads and more about threading partnerships into the fabric of a night at the game.
Inside the Venue, Tech, Timing, and Tension
PHOTO: Pixabay
Teams and operators treat the arena as a kind of digital sandbox now. In branded spaces, screens tied to official league data serve up changing odds and player lines alongside highlight loops. Fans can scan a QR code for a timed offer or find it waiting inside the team app. It hardly feels like an add-on anymore; it is part of the shared pulse. Philadelphia’s model leans on data that moves as quickly as the game, which may be why it sticks. In 2023, surveys suggested thousands of attendees used live features during play, and the building reacted to each swing or possession with a little extra spark. Between innings or whistles, those micro-moments matter. The approach keeps evolving as tech improves and expectations shift toward experiences that start on the phone and spill into the seat.
Beyond the Walls, Brands Follow the Fan
The influence doesn’t stop at the turnstiles. Broadcasts bring the same offers and overlays into living rooms, while team events like draft parties and watch-alongs layer in live stats, contests, and small digital rewards. The most visible changes show up on social feeds and inside mobile hubs that feel more like media networks than team apps.
By 2025, most Philadelphia clubs had made betting-adjacent content a central part of their digital programming.
Teams report higher participation, with some promotions shared and clicked at rates up to 30 percent above previous seasons. Exposure grows, sure, but the bigger story may be the sense of connection for fans in the building and at home. For front offices, the upside is new sponsorship revenue and a chance to keep pace in a crowded entertainment race.
What the Market Says, and What Might Be Next
Pennsylvania is a busy marketplace, with more than a dozen licensed platforms competing for attention. That competition gives teams leverage and room to experiment. Regulatory summaries from 2024 indicate that over 40 percent of in-stadium promotions tie back to team partnerships, which tracks with what fans actually see across sports. Whether you back baseball, football, hockey, basketball, or soccer, the cross-team consistency is hard to miss.
Other markets are watching, sometimes adopting pieces of the model, sometimes waiting to see if the returns hold. Expect more personalized data, tighter integrations, and live features that feel almost bespoke to a section or even a seat. It looks like Philadelphia has set a bar others are still trying to reach, though, to be fair, that bar keeps moving as the tech and the audience do.
One more thing that should not get lost in the buzz. Set limits and treat the experience with care. Legal betting can add a jolt of excitement, but there are real risks if boundaries slide. Teams and leagues promote responsible gambling through age checks, help resources, and budgeting tools that actually work if you use them.
Know your limits, pause when you need to, and if it stops being fun or feels out of control, get support right away.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones were heard trading barbs toward the end of their game on Sunday evening.
Hurts was getting the offense set to kneel out the clock when Jones was heard talking smack.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) pauses on the field following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“You didn’t even have 100 yards,” Jones said over the Eagles’ offensive line, possibly directed at Saquon Barkley.
Hurts replied, “We won the f—ing game. Shut your a– up.”
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
Philadelphia escaped with a 20-17 victory over Kansas City in a rematch of Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles’ offense wasn’t as explosive as it was during the Super Bowl back in February but it did enough to get the win.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025.(Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Hurts ran for a touchdown at the goal line in the fourth quarter to go up 10 points. After the Chiefs scored on a pass from Patrick Mahomes to Tyquan Thornton the team couldn’t score again.
The star quarterback was 15-of-22 with 101 passing yards. Hurts had a rushing touchdown Barkley was held to fewer than 100 yards rushing – he had 88. But he scored a touchdown.
“The most important thing is finding a way to win. We showed up when we needed to the most. Being able to play turnover free football,” Hurts said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “There is a level of patience you have to have. Play within yourself.”
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, left, is stopped by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott (55) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Mahomes was 16-of-29 with 187 passing yards, a touchdown pass and an interception. He also had a rushing score and led the team in rushing yards with 66 on seven carries.
The second weekend of September football is now behind us — and Philly area high school and college football schedules are in full swing.
Today’s football games are equipped with more safety precautions than ever before , many with an ambulance on standby at the stadium.
Fifty years ago — as the dry hot days of August and the noise of daytime nature were interrupted by the sound of preparation for a new football season, just as it is today — people were not widely concerned. But the truth is that in the 1980s and 1990s , CTE was not widely talked about, although the disease was first identified in boxers as far back as 1928.
CTE is both a (degenerative and progressive) brain disease that mostly affects those with a prior history of injuries to the head (especially affected in athletes.)
PHOTO: Concussion (Movie)/Facebook
Now that a new football season is upon us for high school, college, and professional sports , CTE is once again front and center. Six weeks ago — a twenty-seven-year-old man entered the premises that also encompass the National Football League Offices in Manhattan, New York — and engaged in a violent attack that ended with him accidentally exiting the elevator on the wrong floor and then subsequently ended the lives of four people around (Rubin Management Company) at 345 Park Ave. He left a subsequent note that explained that due to a high school football injury, he believed that CTE was caused.
This past summer , one of the greatest defensive backs ever to don the Kelly Green in Philadelphia was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Allen had a (thirteen-year) career, including nine seasons with the Eagles. He and Waters were part of Buddy Ryan’s Eagles’ secondary that didn’t protect against hard hits — it promoted them. On the podium , Eric Allen spoke extremely fondly of his days wearing green in Philadelphia—two Legendary Eagles Defenders — one now in Canton — And One Who Is Not.
Nearly twenty years ago , fellow defensive star and teammate Andre Waters ended his own life. He was found to have CTE in his brain upon autopsy. Five years after that — the man whom Waters had confronted in the scene in Concussion — (Dave Duerson) would end his own life in the year 2011.
While the likelihood is that the confrontation scene in the movie never actually happened , the effect of CTE on today’s NFL players is quite real. The additional safety precautions from helmets to healthcare professionals on youth and high school football sidelines today aren’t just recommended.
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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.
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Look, the Philadelphia Eagles are already pretty damn good at football. But here’s the thing — they could get even better by stealing some tricks from poker pros.
These card sharks have mastered skills that translate perfectly to the gridiron.
And honestly? The Eagles would be crazy not to pay attention.
Reading People Like a Book
Ever watch a poker pro in action? They’re basically human lie detectors. Poker players spend hours studying every twitch, every betting pattern, every tiny tell their opponents give away. It’s almost scary how good they get at it.
The Eagles already watch game film — every team does. But they could take this way further. Instead of just looking at what plays teams run, they should be studying the subtle stuff. Does the quarterback always tap his helmet before a blitz? Do linemen shift their weight differently on run plays versus pass plays?
It’s like when Daniel Negreanu calls out exactly what cards his opponent is holding. That level of observation doesn’t happen by accident.
Ice-Cold Discipline
PHOTO: Casey Murphy/Unsplash
Here’s where poker gets really interesting for football. Every single hand, poker pros are doing math. They’re calculating odds, managing their bankroll, deciding whether that bluff is worth the risk. And they do it all without showing emotion.
The Eagles need that same ruthless discipline. Sure, football’s an emotional game — passion matters. But the best decisions come from clear heads, not hot tempers.
Think about those crucial fourth-down calls. How many times have we seen teams (not naming names, but we all know) make terrible decisions because they got caught up in the moment?
A poker player would crunch the numbers first. What are the odds? What’s the downside? Can we afford this risk right now?
Rolling with the Punches
Poker players have this saying: “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.” The game changes constantly — your pocket aces get cracked, someone goes all-in when you least expect it. The best players just… adapt.
Football’s the same way. Game plans are great until the other team does something you didn’t see coming. Remember when the Patriots started using that no-huddle offense against everyone? Teams that adapted quickly won games. Teams that didn’t get steamrolled.
The Eagles are actually pretty good at this already, but they could push it further. What if they practiced switching between completely different offensive schemes mid-drive? US poker pros don’t just have Plan B ready — they’ve got Plans C through Z mapped out too.
Bouncing Back from Bad Beats
Any poker player will tell you about bad beats — those brutal hands where you do everything right and still lose. Maybe your full house loses to a straight flush. Maybe someone hits a miracle card on the river.
The key? You can’t let it tilt you. You’ve got to shake it off and play the next hand like nothing happened.
Football’s full of these moments. Fumbles on the goal line. Pick-sixes on perfect throws. Missed field goals in the playoffs. The teams that win championships are the ones that don’t let those moments snowball.
The Eagles could learn from how poker pros build mental toughness. They use specific routines, breathing techniques, and even meditation. Whatever it takes to stay level-headed when everything’s falling apart.
Building Your Network
Here’s something most people don’t know about poker: the best players share information all the time. They’ll text each other about tough hands, discuss strategy, and even stake each other in big tournaments.
It sounds counterintuitive, but helping your competition actually makes everyone better. And when everyone’s better, the whole ecosystem grows.
The Eagles could tap into this mindset more. Yeah, they work with other teams in a transactional sense, but if they opened their minds to sharing insights, training methods, and mistakes, they could build a stronger knowledge base that would advance football for all.
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.
This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: FOCO
Bring the legendary sideline presence of Big Dom to your collection with the Philadelphia Eagles Big Dom Bobblehead from FOCO!
This officially licensed collectible captures Big Dom in an Eagles sweatsuit, ready to represent the Birds.
PHOTO: FOCO
Whether you’re an Eagles diehard or just love the iconic figure who’s become a Philly fan favorite, this unique bobblehead is a must-have for any true fan’s shelf. Add a little grit, green, and game day energy to your display — Big Dom style!
Where to Find More Philadelphia Eagles Gear?
The bobblehead above is just a sampling of the full selection of Eagles merchandise offered by FOCO.
FOCO is the prime location for officially licensed sports merchandise, and their love of the game is seen in all their products, from their apparel to their collectibles.
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.
The city’s blue-collar identity, deep traditions, and famously passionate fans make rivalries feel less like games on a schedule and more like battles for civic pride.
While every sports town has its grudges, Philadelphia’s run deeper, often defined by history, geography, and raw emotion.
From Cowboys week in the NFL to Flyers – Penguins hockey wars, these rivalries are woven into the DNA of Philly sports culture.
Eagles vs. Cowboys
If you ask a Philadelphia sports fan what week matters most on the NFL calendar, the answer is almost always “Dallas week”. The Eagles-Cowboys rivalry isn’t just about football; it’s cultural. Dallas, with its glitzy “America’s Team” image, has long stood as the antithesis of Philadelphia’s gritty, hard-working ethos.
The rivalry heated up in the 1970s, when both teams regularly fought for NFC supremacy. It reached new levels in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Buddy Ryan’s Eagles embraced a tough, bruising style perfectly tailored for taking on the star-studded Cowboys. Fans still talk about the infamous “Bounty Bowl” games of 1989, when tensions between the franchises turned downright nasty.
Even today, no matter the records, Eagles fans mark Cowboys week with extra energy. A win over Dallas feels sweeter than most, while a loss lingers longer than it should.
The rivalry between NFL teams can be quite heated and precious to not just the fans but also the ownerships, given the amount of money in the sport. It is one of the biggest sports in America, generating the most revenue; therefore, it isn’t just a case of winning or losing against your rival, there’s huge monetary value behind each win! Just like when it comes to NFL betting. Fans, like owners, put their money into backing their team, which gives the fixture that extra bit of excitement for them. The NFL is one of the most popular sports to bet on in America. When first starting out, to lower your risks of losing your own money and at the same time being able to perhaps maximise your winnings, which helps with additional funds, you should take a look at WSN and their sports betting bonuses. These help massively when placing your own bets and give you more to play around with.
Phillies vs. Mets
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On the diamond, the Phillies’ fiercest rivalry has often been with their neighbors to the north: the New York Mets. Though the two franchises have had different stretches of dominance, the overlap has fueled bitter seasons.
The rivalry really took off in the mid-2000s, when both clubs were loaded with talent and competing for NL East crowns. Who could forget Jimmy Rollins declaring the Phillies the “team to beat” in 2007 – only to watch Philadelphia storm past the Mets after New York collapsed in historic fashion down the stretch? That moment alone cemented a new level of hostility between fan bases.
Games at Citizens Bank Park still draw throngs of Mets fans making the trip down I-95, leading to loud, divided crowds and playoff-like atmospheres even in the regular season.
Flyers vs. Penguins
If Cowboys week defines football in Philly, Flyers–Penguins define hockey. This Pennsylvania rivalry isn’t just about geography – it’s about identity. The Flyers, known historically for their physical “Broad Street Bullies” brand of hockey, have clashed for decades with the Penguins, a team often built around flashy superstars like Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby.
The rivalry has produced some of the NHL’s most unforgettable moments. The 2012 playoff series between the teams was a wild, high-scoring affair full of fights, bad blood, and momentum swings. Fans on both sides still point to that series as peak Flyers-Penguins chaos.
For Philadelphia fans, beating Pittsburgh isn’t just about standings – it’s about reminding the state that grit and toughness still matter. The Penguins may have more recent Cups, but Flyers fans wear their hatred like a badge of honor.
76ers vs. Celtics
Basketball in Philadelphia has its own historic rivalry: Sixers vs. Celtics. Dating back to the Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell battles of the 1960s, this matchup has often determined Eastern Conference supremacy.
The intensity carried through the Julius Erving and Larry Bird years in the 1980s, with playoff battles that shaped NBA history. More recently, the Joel Embiid-led Sixers have faced the Celtics in several playoff series, often coming up short. Each postseason defeat only deepens the hunger for revenge.
For fans, there’s an extra sting when Boston is involved. The cities themselves compete culturally and historically, so when the Sixers finally topple the Celtics in a big series, it will feel like more than just a basketball win – it will feel like payback decades in the making.
Union vs. Red Bulls
Philadelphia’s MLS franchise, the Union, may not yet have the century-long history of the other teams, but its rivalry with the New York Red Bulls has grown fast. The two clubs’ proximity and regular playoff meetings have created a spirited competition.
Union fans, known as the Sons of Ben, bring the same Philly energy to Subaru Park, chanting loudly and making sure Red Bulls matches feel hostile for the visitors. It may not yet rival Eagles-Cowboys in intensity, but given time, it’s a rivalry that could blossom into one of Major League Soccer’s most passionate.
Why Rivalries Matter So Much in Philly
What makes these rivalries so special isn’t just the history or the stakes – it’s the fans. Philadelphia supporters carry victories like personal triumphs and defeats like personal insults. Rivalries become part of the city’s identity, passed down through generations.
A child who grows up hearing their parents curse the Cowboys, boo the Penguins, or yell at Mets fans in the stands is bound to inherit that same fire.
In Philadelphia, rivalries aren’t just about the teams; they’re about representing the city itself.
Every time the Eagles beat Dallas, or the Flyers take down Pittsburgh, fans feel like they’ve defended their home turf and proved the city’s toughness all over again.
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All around the world, people are creating communities around their favorite sports, an occurrence that is very evident in Philadelphia.
From the Eagles to the 76ers, the city has no shortage of teams that inspire loyalty among fans. With this, it’s not unusual to see fans coming together, whether online or offline.
But outside of simply supporting these teams, many community members find a source of companionship and camaraderie. In this article, we’ll touch on the various ways that sports communities build lasting connections and how you can use them to your own advantage.
Sports-Related Activities
There are so many ways to go about enjoying sports, and being part of a community of other fans means you do this with like-minded people. As such, many people turn to sports communities so that they can enjoy their favorite sports and their associated activities with others. For example, many sports fans love to place wagers on the outcome of various games. In fact, in the age of the internet, this is more popular than ever before. Turning to online platforms means more privacy and greater ease of placing wagers, which is why no verification betting options for players are very high in demand.
By joining communities, players can place wagers alongside their fellow community members, discuss odds, and celebrate wins. This also applies to things like watching games as a group, discussing their favorite players, and much more.
Exploring Group Identity
For many sports fans, the teams and games they support are not just a form of entertainment but a part of their identity. Some fans will support a single team throughout their entire life and may even pass this support to the next generation. As such, there is a great emotional high of connecting with people who are equally as passionate about certain teams. If news breaks regarding the teams, such as players being traded or new management coming on board, it can be discouraging to not have anyone to discuss with who shares your enthusiasm. And as we’ve seen both in real life and in the media, sports funds take these things very seriously.
This is why these communities will continue to thrive, because often, fans immediately gain access to people who share their own level of enthusiasm. Just like fans of musical acts or certain celebrities can find emotional support from clinging to their own communities, so do members of sports communities.
PHOTO: Unsplash
Non-Sports Support
When sports communities come together frequently, they almost inevitably develop a bond that goes beyond just sports. Some people bond within these groups over the sports themselves, but eventually become friends even outside of them. Some people will find a romantic connection, and some may even get work opportunities through these sorts of groups. Because the human experience is dynamic and a connection in one area of life can easily bleed into others, many see these sports communities as not just a connection to sports themselves but also a major social lifeline. And as long as this emotional connection is continuously provided for through these groups, they will continue to exist.
Recreational Activities
We’ve already touched on things like placing wagers and watching games, but there are other recreational activities that sports communities can collectively engage in. For example, some sports communities in a certain city may organize transport to watch live games with others. Some might pull together resources to get coveted tickets to certain games.
Some might even begin to play their own amateur sports as a way to keep fit and socialize. For anyone looking to enjoy a bubbling social life, this sort of opportunity will be very much welcome.
Support From The Teams
Sports teams rely on their supporters to stay afloat, and naturally, this means they support the various communities that exist around them. There have been instances of sports teams giving exclusive perks to prominent fan clubs, such as invitations to events, meet-and-greets, and so on. In the age of digital assets, there are even fan tokens that these community members may leverage to access tons of benefits. Sports communities and sports teams enjoy a symbiotic relationship where each needs the other to stay afloat, and thus, there is mutual support.
Rivalries
While we’ve talked a bit about the camaraderie and the positive connections that fans form within sports communities, it’s also worth looking at how rivalries can create lasting connections. We all know two sports teams that are bitter rivals, and this extends to their communities as well.
Perhaps the only thing that unites community members more than support for their favorite team is hatred of another one.
And as long as they continue to rival these teams, they will continue to seek community with other haters, and thus, these communities serve a purpose.
With the Eagles’ home opener against the Dallas Cowboys just days away, one local artist is flying high — preserving the team’s iconic status through a soaring symbol: the bald eagle.
Hayden Richard, a Chester-based painter, began a bold piece long before the Eagles lifted the Lombardi Trophy — envisioning a massive bald eagle bringing the championship home.
“This big bald eagle is coming home,” Richard said, spreading his arms like wings. “Before the Eagles won the Super Bowl, I started painting this.”
There are no players, no stadium, no fans in the frame — just strength, pride, and freedom embodied in the bird itself.
Richard layered the background with his fingers, then shifted to stippling — a meticulous technique using tiny dots of paint to build texture and depth.
“Think of all those leaves, one by one — whoosh,” he laughed, slipping into a line of song: “Don’t worry about a thing… every little thing gonna be alright.”
His “All States” series celebrates American landscapes — from towering redwoods to protective mama bears — a love letter to the country’s beauty.
After losing his job as a chef when Crozer Medical closed, Richard returned to his first love: art.
“I felt connected with the Creator… and art is like creation,” he said.
He’s also the author of The True Awakening of the Mind, a book that mirrors the spiritual artistry he’s carried since childhood. Richard started drawing at age 7 in his native Trinidad, sketching in the earth with coconut branches. Today, his pieces hang on official walls back home.
Closest to his heart is a body of work he calls the Colorless Collection.
“There’s no black and white,” Richard said. “We’re one human family.”
He describes the series as a way to unite people — beyond skin tones and team colors. “The one color we all share is red,” he said, “The blood that connects us.”
And when it comes to Philly, there’s another connection close to home: Bird Nation.
Richard is holding the bald eagle painting for what he calls “Eagles royalty.”
“I’m hoping the owner of the Eagles — and Mr. Hurts and the rest of the team — will contact me and buy the paintings,” he said, with a laugh that lingers in the studio.
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Philadelphia sports teams have traveled far from home to play games.
Fans in other countries got to see American pro sports for the first time.
These games left everyone with stories they would tell for years.
Eagles Beat Jacksonville at Wembley Stadium
The Philadelphia Eagles went to London for their first game outside America on October 28, 2018. Wembley Stadium fits 85,870 people inside to watch the Super Bowl champs take down Jacksonville 24-18. Carson Wentz put up 286 yards and three touchdowns, but he also gave the ball away twice. After the game, fans voted him the best player on the field.
Wentz said the experience changed his perspective. He had visited London in 2015 to watch his brother Travis play for Kansas City against Detroit. This time felt completely different. The national anthem gave him chills. He realized how rare it was for NFL players to compete outside the United States.
Eagles fans took over the stadium. Jacksonville fans got outnumbered at least five to one. People chanted “E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES” all game long. You would have thought they were playing in Philly instead of London.
The London game sparked discussions about expanding NFL markets around the world. Teams could reach new audiences and generate more revenue. American fans began asking if this meant they would have greater overseas availability of live broadcasts, merchandise, and betting markets through offshore sportsbooks that serve international audiences.
Philadelphia hasn’t returned to Europe since 2018. The team did make history again in 2024 by playing the first NFL game in South America. They faced Green Bay in Brazil before a sold-out crowd.
Sixers Lose to Barcelona in European Tour
The Philadelphia 76ers joined three other NBA teams for the 2006 Europe Live Tour. The league sent teams to Germany, Russia, France, Italy, and Spain between October 5-11. Philadelphia faced FC Barcelona and lost 104-99. The defeat stung because European teams rarely beat NBA squads.
PHOTO: BruceEmmerling/Pixabay
European clubs had only beaten NBA teams six times since 1978. Barcelona’s win was a huge shock in international basketball. Allen Iverson scored more points than anyone else in the tournament, but it didn’t matter. The Spanish team played just as hard and smart as Philadelphia did.
The tour wasn’t just about games. Players visited local schools and participated in clinics. They learned about different basketball cultures and met fans who followed the NBA from across the ocean. Many Sixers players said the experience opened their eyes to basketball’s global reach.
Philadelphia has stayed connected to international basketball. The team participates in NBA Global Games and maintains relationships with European organizations. These connections help the franchise scout talent and build its brand worldwide.
Flyers Players Go International for Hockey
Philadelphia Flyers players have played in big hockey tournaments for fifty years. The team has sent its best guys to the Canada Cup, World Cup of Hockey, and other top events since 1972.
Eric Lindros was the captain for Team Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. Two other Flyers made that team, too: Eric Desjardins and Rod Brind’Amour. Team USA had John LeClair and Joel Otto. Sweden picked Patrik Juhlin and Mikael Renberg. Philadelphia’s CoreStates Center got some games, including when Canada and the United States started their final series.
Canada picked three Flyers for the 1976 Canada Cup. Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, and Reggie Leach all got spots on the team. That tournament ended up changing international hockey forever. Clarke scored an important goal in the finals against Czechoslovakia. Barber tied up a game late before Canada won it in extra time.
Philadelphia had the Czechoslovakian national team come play at the Spectrum in 1976. The Flyers beat them 6-1 and took way more shots – 42 to 21. Orest Kindrachuk and Mel Bridgman both scored twice. The win showed people around the world what the “Broad Street Bullies” were all about.
Union Get Their First Big Win Outside America
The Philadelphia Union got into international competition because they won the 2020 Supporters’ Shield. That trophy got them a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League, where they played teams from North and Central America. They beat a team called Deportivo Saprissa from Costa Rica.
It was their first win against a foreign club. That game was also head coach Jim Curtin’s 100th win with the team. It showed everybody that Philadelphia could hang with the big soccer clubs from other countries.
The Union’s academy system regularly sends players to international youth tournaments. Kellan LeBlanc and Cavan Sullivan have joined U.S. national team programs. These young players represent both Philadelphia and American soccer on the global stage.
Philadelphia formed early partnerships with international clubs. Their affiliation with Deportivo Saprissa created opportunities for player exchanges and training partnerships. These relationships helped the Union learn from experienced international organizations and strengthen its presence in global soccer networks.
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.
Kevin McCormick is a contributing sports writer for Newsweek, primarily focusing on NFL coverage. He has years of experience, previously writing for places such as ClutchPoints, 97.3 ESPN, Sports Illustrated/On SI, and Sportskeeda.
🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
Heading into the 2025 season, the Philadelphia Eagles arguably had one of the NFL‘s top roster. Even though they’ve begun their regular season schedule, it appears Howie Roseman isn’t done making roster upgrades.
On Thursday night, the Eagles rung in the 2025 campaign with a showdown against their longtime rival in the Dallas Cowboys. Although things got off to a rocky start, they managed to settle in and take care of business.
Led by an impressive showing from quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Eagles took down the Cowboys by a final score of 24-20.
Ahead of their first big-time matchup of the year, it looks like Philadelphia will have some reinforcements.
Za’Darius Smith #99 of the Detroit Lions reacts during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Za’Darius Smith #99 of the Detroit Lions reacts during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images/Getty Images
Eagles agree to deal with defensive end Za’Darius Smith
On Friday evening, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the latest roster move from the defending champs. Roseman has upgraded an already loaded defense, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with Za’Darius Smith.
At the time this is being written, the value of his contract is unknown.
Sources: Former Lions DE Za’Darius Smith is signing a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Smith, 32, has bounced around the league since being drafted back in 2015. The three-time Pro-Bowler last suited up for the Detroit Lions, appearing in eight games following a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns.
Across 140 career appearances, Smith has totaled 69.0 sacks. He now adds another viable threat to a stacked Eagles’ defensive line.
Seeing that they have an extended period before taking the field again, Smith could make his Philadelphia debut next weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs.
*This is a developing story and will be updated.*
For more on the Philadelphia Eagles and for news on the entire NFL, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Against a Dallas Cowboys offense that was buzzing early, the Philadelphia Eagles had no problem responding. Quarterback Jalen Hurts commanded an efficient attack, despite some speculating that his top receiver, A.J. Brown, was far from 100% health during the game.
For all intents and purposes, Hurts played a mistake-free game. Even with a combined 37 passes and rushes, he was efficient and kept the ball out of harm’s way—something you couldn’t say about the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, who had a great night.
If Hurts continues to play this mistake-free football with clutch plays sprinkled in, the Eagles could compete for the NFC’s top seed.
Eagles Had Struggles; Hurts Was Efficient
Hurts was as efficient as possible on opening night. He completed 19 of his 23 pass attempts (82.6%) for 152 yards, took one sack, and rushed for 62 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts. With 0.25 expected points added per play (EPA/play) and a 58% success rate on his dropbacks, Hurts led a strong offensive attack.
PHOTO: —
Sure, his average depth of target (aDOT) was a low 4.4, but a high-end success rate and zero notable mistakes, other than that lone sack, make up for it. Hurts has certainly had more dynamic games in the past, but he took care of the football.
Even after the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons trade, they are still objectively a playoff contender in the NFC. With how good their offense is, getting about 10 wins is feasible. Philadelphia was far from perfect, having virtually zero impact from Brown and Jalen Carter, yet their win probability never dipped below 70% in the fourth quarter, per ESPN.
The Eagles are still ironing things out (they had, like, a million penalties), as are the Cowboys. But the victors’ performance against a still-formidable rival shows that if this is the version of Hurts we get full-season, the No. 1 seed is undoubtedly in play.
Of course, the importance of a bye week in the playoffs doesn’t need to be explained. It guarantees home-field advantage, an extra week of rest, and no “trap” matchups in the wildcard. Needing only one win to host the NFC Championship is a game-changer.
The Eagles weren’t at their best in Week 1, but Hurts was about as good as you could’ve hoped. If that’s the version we’re getting, it could be another fun season. Visiting the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, anything less could result in a 1–1 record.
Philadelphia — Jalen Hurts rushed for two touchdowns for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, who lost their hot-tempered star defender for spitting on Dak Prescott, then withstood a rare weather delay and needed a late stop to beat the Dallas Cowboys 24-20 early Friday in a wild start to the NFL season.
With one last chance at a comeback, Prescott threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-3 with 1:54 left to send what was left of a thinned out Eagles crowd into a frenzy.
The game ended at 12:18 a.m.
It was delayed 65 minutes because of lightning in the area. The Eagles led 24-20 with 4:44 left in the third quarter when the gamn was stopped – and that’s the way it ended.
Hurts wore out a defense without Micah Parsons on TD runs of 4 and 8 yards – no legal tush push needed. Saquon Barkley also ran for a 10-yard score, even if his final rushing total of 60 yards was minuscule compared to the last season, when he topped 2,000 yards.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambles against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter in their game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sept. 04, 2025.
Emilee Chinn / Getty Images
Hurts punctuated one score by chucking the ball into the stands and shrugging his shoulders much like his friend and mentor, Michael Jordan, who received a nice ovation when he was shown on the big screen.
“I think our discipline wasn’t in it early in the game,” Hurts said. “Great job by our defense being able to battle and respond. Guys stepped in and filled those roles. We came into this game talking about discipline and focus, and we’ll leave it saying the same things.”
Hurts, Barkley and the rest of the Eagles spent a pregame ceremony where the team raised their 2024 championship banner inside the locker room, per the wishes of coach Nick Sirianni.
“It’s a new team. It’s a new journey. We got tested tonight,” Hurts said. “We know how they are when Dak is back and they’ve got their crew all together. We’ve played better football, but it’s always good to say that and find a way to win.”
Jalen Carter headed right back inside only moments after the banner was raised.
Prescott and Carter exchanged words after the opening kickoff, and Carter spit on Prescott’s jersey before backing away. Prescott quickly motioned to a nearby official who threw the flag and sent Carter packing. Fans booed as Carter walked off slowly, the standout defensive tackle holding his helmet in his hands behind his back.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter walks off the field after getting ejected for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 04, 2025 in Philadelphia.
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images
Carter could be headed toward a hefty financial penalty, if not worse, in the first major test of the NFL’s increased emphasis this season on sportsmanship.
The ejection was the quickest in a game since 2005, when former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr. was ejected from the game for a pregame altercation prior to Philadelphia’s season opener, notes CBSSports.com’s Garrett Podell and Jeff Kerr.
Still one of the NFL’s nastiest division rivalries, the game was full of skirmishes and a near-costly unnecessary roughness penalty late in the third against the Eagles that put the Cowboys in position to take the lead.
Dallas running back Miles Sanders, though, fumbled the ball at the 10 and the Super Bowl champions recovered. Prescott made a touchdown-saving diving tackle on cornerback Quinyon Mitchell on the play.
It would be a while until the Eagles got the ball back, thanks to the delay.
The scores by Hurts and Barkley made the Eagles the first defending Super Bowl champions to score touchdown on the first three drives of the season since Green Bay in 2011. Jake Elliott put the finishing touches on the scoring with a 58-yard field goal.
Javonte Williams had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs – the first on the opening driving after Carter was ejected – and Brandon Aubrey kicked field goals of 41 and 53 yards.
Eagles offensive lineman Landon Dickerson left with a back injury.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer lost his head coaching debut. He was promoted him from offensive coordinator to be the 10th coach in the storied franchise’s history.
Dallas plays its home opener against the Giants.
Did someone say Super Bowl rematch? The Eagles head to Kansas City seven months after a 40-22 romp in New Orleans.
The first win of the 2025 NFL season goes to the Philadelphia Eagles, who held off the Dallas Cowboys, 24-20, to notch a victory to start the season.
Philadelphia was ecstatic to see Lincoln Financial Field filled with green lights as they celebrated the team’s Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs back in February.
After the banner was raised, it was time to get down to business, and quarterback Jalen Hurts did just that. The Super Bowl MVP scored two touchdowns on the ground to lead his Eagles to the promised land in Week 1.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 4, 2025.(Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
This game had virtually everything happen, but it started with a disgusting act as Eagles star defensive end Jalen Carter got ejected after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott just six seconds into the game.
Carter approached the Cowboys’ huddle after a flag was thrown on the opening kickoff, and Prescott approached him. They exchanged some words before Carter was clearly seen spitting on Prescott, and referees nearby caught it right away and threw him out.
So, the Eagles were without one of its best players before a snap was even made, but this NFC East battle was a back-and-forth offensive showcase. It started with the Cowboys going downfield via the run game, led by Javonte Williams, and Prescott finding his trusty top receiver, CeeDee Lamb, on a 32-yard strike to get into the red zone.
The first touchdown of the year was bullied into the end zone by Williams, who wouldn’t be done in this game.
Hurts and the Eagles, already down Carter, had to respond and they did so with ease on their first drive of 2025. The Eagles went 10 plays for 70 yards, where Hurts took it into the end zone himself on third-and-goal from four yards out to tie the game after the extra point.
But Dallas was quick to respond, going nine plays and a long 88 yards where Williams fought through the line of scrimmage for the one-yard score.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) walks off the field after being disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The Eagles, though, continued to use Hurts and star running back Saquon Barkley to solidify the run game, and Hurts ran one in the end zone from eight yards out for the score.
After a Brandon Aubrey 41-yard field goal on the next drive, the reigning Super Bowl champions were hungry for its first lead of 2025. Who other than Barkley, the league’s ninth-ever 2,000-yard rusher last season, making that happen by weaving through the Cowboys’ defense for a 10-yard score with 51 seconds left in the first half, making it 21-17.
The Cowboys would find their way down the field to allow Aubrey to nail a 53-yard field goal just as the half ended, and it was clear these two rivals were going to have to get a stop or two to secure the win.
That’s exactly what happened when Miles Sanders, the former Eagles running back, fumbled in the red zone as the Cowboys were driving and second-year cornerback Quinyon Mitchell scooped up the ball to flip the field.
But a lengthy weather delay came right after, stopping play for almost an hour due to lightning and heavy rain in the area.
Once play resumed, the scoring onslaught slowed drastically as both defenses started to get into the backfield. But the Eagles had the edge thanks to a third-quarter field goal by Jake Elliott that made it 24-20.
Dallas had a chance to go down the field after multiple stops on the Eagles’ offense, but crucial drops by Lamb, who is usually as sure-handed as they come in the NFL, halted drives for the Cowboys.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks on prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 4, 2025.(Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
The Eagles forced a turnover-on-downs after Lamb couldn’t haul a Prescott pass on a diving attempt, and Hurts ran for a first down on third-and-short to ice the game.
Looking at the stat sheet, Hurts went 19-of-23 for 152 yards passing, while rushing for 63 yards on 13 rushes. Barkley also added 60 yards on 18 carries with his touchdown.
Prescott could’ve had more in the passing game, going for 188 yards on 21-of-34 through the air. Lamb finished with 110 yards on seven catches with 13 targets.
