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Tag: Saquon Barkley

  • The Eagles needed Tank Bigsby, and he trucked straight through the Giants

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    Saquon Barkley pulled up limp along the sideline and exited the game with what was ruled a groin injury soon after, then Jalen Hurts went 16 yards backwards on a sack from an attempt to escape the pocket gone awry. 

    The Eagles were faced with a long 2nd-and-26 at their own 40 early into the fourth quarter, still leading the rival New York Giants by 11 at that point Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, but under a scenario where they’ve allowed too many of their games to be much closer than they probably ever really needed to be. 

    Then the Eagles ran the ball out of the gun with Tank Bigsby. He made a cut back to his right at the line, turned the corner into space, then trucked through the remaining Giants defenders who were suddenly flailing to stop him short of the marker. 

    They couldn’t. 

    Bigsby made it 29 yards for the first down and then some, flexing after the whistle to the roar of the Philly crowd, all celebrating that huge down and distance erased.

    A few plays later, Hurts found tight end Dallas Goedert on a clear path to the end zone for a touchdown that shifted the Eagles into cruise control. 

    They went on to win 38-20. Bigsby crashed through the Giants’ defense a few more times after that first big run to set up one more Philadelphia touchdown and to top out at 104 yards rushing for the day. He joined Barkley, who finally broke out to 150 yards rushing himself, to help put together what was clearly the Eagles’ best running effort of the season and to send the team breathing easy into a much-needed bye week at 6-2. 

    But moreover, when Barkley exited early in the fourth quarter with injury, Bigsby stepped up. 

    Barkley told reporters afterward that the injury wasn’t anything too concerning and that the Eagles could’ve put him back in if they needed him, but Bigsby prevented the risk. 

    He got them to the finish line in a big way, and seemed to be just waiting for that chance.

    “There’s a reason we traded for him,” head coach Nick Sirianni said of Bigsby postgame. “Really explosive runner. You see that, we see that all the time in practice, and as he’s caught up to our system and everything that we do, learning it, he’s gotten more opportunities, and it’s been fun to see him run with the football.”

    In Sunday’s win, Bigsby’s opportunity jumped to nine carries, which proved more than enough to break the 100-yard rushing mark at an average of 11.6 yards per carry against an ailing Giants defense.

    Originally, when the Eagles acquired him from the Jaguars back in early September for two 2026 late-round draft picks, the general thought was that he would be for kick return help since second-string running back and returner Will Shipley was down with injury. 

    The listed 5-foot-11, 215-pound back runs with considerable power, though, and after this week – and with the bye week ahead to plan – maybe Bigsby’s showing against the Giants was enough to work toward more of a two-headed rushing monster between Barkley and himself in the offensive backfield. 

    After all, as slow as Barkley’s start to the year has been up until Sunday, the Eagles still do need to be considerate of his carries after heavy usage last season if they hope to make it to the end again.

    Plus, even though Bigsby has only had 10 carries total between this week against the Giants and last week’s win over the Vikings in Minnesota, it’s still a pretty impressive sample size at an average of 11.5 yards per carry. 

    Not a lot, for sure…

    “But we know we can count on him,” Sirianni said. “He can run violently, he can make you miss, he’s explosive, he can hit a home run, so I’m excited about what he brings to the table.”

    “Just thankful for the opportunity,” Bigsby told reporters from the Eagles locker room postgame. “Because I’ve always been ready when my name gets called.”

    Tank-Bisby-Run-Eagles-Giants-Week-8-NFL-2025.jpgBill Streicher/Imagn Images

    Tank Bigsby makes a couple of Giants miss in the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ 38-20 win on Sunday.

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    Nick Tricome

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  • A Giant Step Forward for the Eagles. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Eagles offense looked like a totally different unit from the one that was on the field three weeks ago in the second half at Metlife Stadium in New York. Wearing their traditional Kelly Green uniforms at Lincoln Financial Field — the Eagles opened the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Philadelphia’s offense never looked back — eventually routing the New York Giants 38–20.

    Saquon Barkley finished the afternoon with 150 yards on the ground and 174 total yards. Quarterback Jalen Hurts finished with 179 passing yards and four touchdowns. On National Tight Ends Day — Dallas Goedert hauled in two touchdowns.

    Jaxson Dart struggled all day to find the same rhythm that he had against Vic Fangio’s defense in New York — limiting the Giants to only 246 yards of total offense. Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo exited in the second quarter with what appeared to be a horrific ankle injury.

    Twenty-five years after Reggie White returned from retirement to join the Carolina Panthers in 2000 — thirty-seven year old Brandon Graham was back on the sideline for the Eagles after a brief stint out of football. Nakobe Dean was back from injury — and the Eagles limited the Giants to only 68 yards on the ground.

    After Jaxon Dart tied the game at 7–7 in the first quarter — the Eagles responded when Jalen Hurts found Saquon Barkley for a nine-yard score. Dallas Goedert then caught a six-yard Hurts pass to put the Eagles ahead. In the 4th quarter the Eagles pulled away — with Jalen Hurts connecting with Goedert again and then Jahan Dotson for a 38–13 lead. 

    The Eagles head into the bye week with a 6–2 overall record. 

    The post A Giant Step Forward for the Eagles. appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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

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    The Minnesota Vikings were all-in on developing quarterback J.J. McCarthy this season, after his rookie year was lost to injury, with the belief they could insulate him from some of the natural struggles of inexperience by surrounding him with a stacked veteran team and a savvy coaching staff.

    After a bumpy start put some holes in the plan, the blueprint all but disintegrated in a blowout to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. Not only have the players and schemes on offense and defense failed to deliver, but they’ve had all of two games during which to test McCarthy.

    “I told our team, ‘This is where we’re going to find out what we’re all about,’” coach Kevin O’Connell said after the 37-10 defeat that was the second worst in his four seasons.

    The Vikings were dealt a tough blow when McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the draft last year, needed meniscus surgery on his right knee before making it to the regular season. The high sprain of his right ankle he finished his second game with has been even more devastating, considering the way Sam Darnold mostly flourished in 2024 and Carson Wentz has mostly flopped in 2024.

    After going 2-3 with Wentz, who played through a non-throwing shoulder injury that took plenty of hard hits during an increasingly painful night, McCarthy is line to return next week. With the Vikings (3-4) currently in 12th place in the NFC, and last by two losses in their daunting division, even remarkable progress by McCarthy over the last 10 games might not be enough to get them in the playoffs.

    Wentz had the misfortune of playing most of the game without stalwart tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill because of knee injuries, not to mention center Ryan Kelly, who’s hardly been available. On the other side, the free agent spending spree on defensive tackles in their 30s, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, has not paid dividends. And the lack of production from recent drafts has left them without enough depth at cornerback, not to mention other positions.

    “That’s all a team effort,” wide receiver Justin Jefferson said, “and we’re just not doing enough.”

    What’s working

    There’s not much for the Vikings to feel good about. Rookie Myles Price had a 27-yard average on five kickoff returns, continuing to show an aggressiveness and a burst that appears to be close to breaking him free for a score. Fittingly, he had a 46-yard runback to open the game and a 42-yard return in the third quarter, both of which were wiped out by holding penalties on rookie Tyler Batty.

    What needs help

    The defense against the run has been the most frequent and damaging issue this season. Just four days after Flores loaded up to keep 2024 rushing champ Saquon Barkley at bay and keep a spy on nimble Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Vikings were trampled by second-year bruiser Kimani Vidal. Justin Herbert scrambled seven times himself for a backbreaking 62 yards, as the Chargers became the second team to top the 200-yard mark on the Vikings this season. They held 10 different opponents to 86 rushing yards or fewer last season.

    Stock up

    Winning performances were in short supply, but edge rusher Jonathan Greenard — matched up against the fifth overall pick in the 2024 draft, Joe Alt — was in the backfield often. He had six tackles, three for loss, and one sack with two hits on Herbert. Defensive tackle Jalen Redmond also stood out, playing 86% of the snaps, by far the most of all the interior linemen.

    Stock down

    OLB Dallas Turner. The 2024 first-round draft pick has been forced into a critical role with Pro Bowl pick Andrew Van Ginkel missing five of the first seven games to injury, and the consistency and production haven’t been there for a player the Vikings traded up to get last year. Turner has not yet shown he can be a reliable run-stopper, and he has just 1½ sacks. Turner also took a 15-yard penalty for a helmet-first hit on Herbert in the first quarter that gave the Chargers a first-and-goal.

    Injury report

    After fielding their most complete lineup of the season last Sunday against Philadelphia, the Vikings took a concerning step back with their overall health, thanks in part to the grueling four-day turnaround for the trip to Los Angeles. Darrisaw left after two series, and O’Neill couldn’t make it at all. Kelly (concussion) must miss at least one more game, but there’s no telling when or if he’ll return. Fullback C.J. Ham (hand) was inactive on Thursday along with Van Ginkel (neck). The return of running back Aaron Jones from a four-game absence was one positive.

    Now the Vikings have three extra days of recovery for a potential boost prior to their Nov. 2 game at Detroit, with McCarthy likely to lead the list of returners. New injuries that popped up against the Chargers were to Greenard (ankle) and tight end Josh Oliver (foot), whose departure in the first quarter was a hindrance to getting the running game going before the score got out of hand with another key blocker Ham already out.

    Key number

    0-6 — The Vikings have lost all six night road games they’ve played in four years under O’Connell, including three on Thursdays. O’Connell is 4-11 overall at night, including the loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the playoffs last season. The Vikings have dropped four straight in prime time by a combined score of 117-34. But this pattern predated O’Connell. Over the past 20 years, encompassing four coaching staffs, the Vikings are 9-28 on the road at night and 24-42 overall. They’re 1-9 all time on Thursdays on the road, last winning in 1978.

    Up next

    The Lions (5-2) will be more rested than the Vikings, coming off their bye week. Minnesota has lost to Detroit five times in a row, the longest skid since their first five matchups from 1961-63. The Vikings have also dropped four straight games in Detroit.

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    CBS Minnesota

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  • Minnesota Vikings making bad habit of situational struggles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    What’s working

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

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

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

    What needs help

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

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

    Stock up

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

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

    Stock down

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

    Injury update

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

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

    Key number

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

    Up next

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

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    CBS Minnesota

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  • An Unfortunate Collapse. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    It’s been 371 days since the Philadelphia Eagles lost a football game. That is all in the past now. A last-second Hail Mary landed just out of the reach of Devonta Smith and AJ Brown in a 21–17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. It was Denver’s first win in Philadelphia in nearly 40 years.

    Twenty years after another Eagles’ team who had won the NFC and gone to the Super Bowl the year prior was another game with an unfortunate ending to Denver (49–21.) One of the few highlights of that game was a ninety-one yard touchdown catch and run by Eagles franchise wide receiver Terrell Owens. Within less than a year — Owens was no longer one of Andy Reid’s Eagles.

    On Sunday in South Philadelphia — after a week of controversy about the fluidity of the Eagles offense highlighted by a social media post by franchise receiver AJ Brown — the Eagles continued to stumble on offense. Even the combination of Brown and Devonta Smith combined for thirteen receptions for 157 yards was not enough.

    The Eagles got out to a 17–3 start early in the 4th quarter — highlighted by a 47-yard Saquon Barkley touchdown catch and a six-yard Hurts to Dallas Goedert touchdown in the first half. 

    But the Broncos and Penn Charter graduate Mike McGlinchey stormed back in the 4th quarter — scoring fifteen points unanswered. The Eagles missed an opportunity with 5:18 left in the fourth quarter when Devonta Smith reception was called back on fourth and five. Eagles punter Braden Mann subsequently got off a terrible kick. The Eagles had the Broncos stopped on a third and two when linebacker Zach Baun was flagged for a fifteen yard unnecessary roughness penalty. The Eagles committed nine penalties for fifty-five yards in the game.

    The Eagles overcame six sacks and did rally for one last drive coming down the field with one minute and six seconds left. Then a no-call on a pass interference call inside the ten yard line was proceeded by a last-gasp Hail Mary from the Broncos twenty-nine yard line with no time remaining that nearly was caught by Devonta Smith.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Week 5 stock watch: Pass game is back, doesn’t matter as Eagles lose to Broncos

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    The Eagles played a perfect football game back on Feb. 9th. It happened to also be Super Bowl LIX. 

    Since then, fans have expected perfect football and even though they were undefeated going into Sunday and the NFC betting favorites to get back to Super Bowl LX, they have been about as far from perfect as a perfect team can be.

    For whatever reason, the 4-1 Eagles — after blowing a two score fourth quarter lead to the Broncos — just can’t seem to play 60 minutes of winning football.

    Last year it took about a month to find a groove, too. Perhaps they’ll get there, but a 21-17 loss at home Sunday was far from perfect and gave the Eagles their first blemish of the year.

    Here’s a look at an aspect of the Eagles that is finally seeing its stock price rise, and one that’s a little less exciting from Week 5’s devastating loss at The Linc:

    Stock up: The skill guys 📈

    There had been a lot of chatter, despite the Eagles being undefeated, about the superstar skill players basically not getting the ball at all to start the season.

    A.J. Brown, who averages 76.4 yards per game over his career, entered Week 5 at 37.8. DeVonta Smith was down to 39.5 from 64.2. over his career. And Saquon Barkley, who had the most rushing yards in the history of the NFL over the 2024 regular and postseasons, was averaging 3.1 yards per carry through four games.

    Jalen Hurts was not shy to throw the deep ball, uncorking several attempts down the field to both keep the defense honest and give the wideouts opportunities to make big plays.

    Brown trailed Smith by one target to lead the Eagles with eight, including a key third down conversion and — not in the stat sheet — drawing a pass interference call against Patrick Surtain II at the goal line leading to Dallas Goedert’s fourth receiving score of the year.

    That drive score was set up by an incredible DeVonta Smith monster 52-yard basket catch down the sideline on third and 16.

    Smith gained 114 yards on eight catches. 

    Barkley also looked more spry and added his longest run of the season, 17 yards, but his highlight play came on a wheel route deep ball that Barkley tracked down on a 47-yard touchdown catch.

    When’s the last time you can remember all of the Eagles’ key players being included in the offense?

    Stock down: “Why’s the run gone?” 📉

    Reigning rushing champion Barkley averaged six yards per carry over his first five carries in the first half Sunday afternoon. He didn’t get his sixth until the Eagles had blown a 14 point lead inside seven minutes to play in the fourth quarter. That’s quite a long time between hand-offs.

    For whatever reason, the Eagles decided to make themselves one-dimensional, as even Hurts decided not to spin his legs, running just two times for three yards. 

    With Landon Dickerson out and a clearly less than 100% Lane Johnson blocking up front, a downtick makes sense. And with a handful of penalties that put the Eagles in passing situations — like a first-down false start on a toss to Barkley that set the Birds back to a first-and-15 and three passes and out — it did make sense that the Eagles were more pass happy. 

    But the ground game issues are nothing new this season. Even when the line was healthy it couldn’t block well for Barkley.

    The Eagles entered play this week with the fourth-worst yards per rush in the NFL (3.1) and the 15th-most yards per game (113.5). The Broncos ran 29 times for 130 yards (4.5 ypc), riding their tandem of RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins to a near comeback effort in the fourth quarter. As a result, they won the time of possession battle  34:17. Philly ran just 11 times for 45 yards.

    It’s hard to feel good about the offense even after a banner day through the air. It seems like no matter what they do well, it comes with some other part of the team playing badly — as if it’s a zero-sum game.

    It’s a long season but the weaknesses are varied and changing every single week. Will a short week and trip up I-95 to face the lackluster Giants put them back on track? 

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    Evan Macy

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  • LB Justin Strnad believes Broncos’ struggles to cover RBs are ‘miscommunication,’ not a lack of ability

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    Justin Strnad has seen the discourse.

    By this point, it’s no national secret that the Broncos’ current linebacker corps has produced less-than-stellar results in coverage. In two losses this season, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and the Chargers’ Omarion Hampton left Denver’s defense dizzy on wheel routes. And the public’s assumption on such plays, Strnad acknowledges, is that it’s automatically the fault of him or fellow starting ILB Alex Singleton. Sometimes it is.

    “But then there’s also times,” Strnad told The Denver Post in the locker room Thursday, “where it’s like, I don’t really know what they’re talking about a lot of the time.”

    Remember when Taylor flared out of the backfield and whizzed away for a 43-yard gain in the Colts’ win in Week 2? Remember when Hampton got free on a fourth-quarter screen and sped for 22 yards in the Chargers’ win in Week 3? Both plays, specifically, were “100% miscommunication,” as Strnad told The Post.

    Would free-agent add Dre Greenlaw — stuck on injured reserve until at least Week 7 — be great to have right now, heading into this matchup with the Eagles and reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley? Of course. But Denver’s dropped coverages on running backs are more a matter of overall defensive communication, Strnad believes, than a lack of ability in current ILB personnel.

    “You get people get wrapped in like, ‘Oh, he’s this in coverage, he’s that in coverage,’” Strnad told The Post. “Like you said, I think Dre was great — has been great in his career all-around, as a player. But I think all our ‘backers can cover, to be honest with you.

    “A lot of the stuff that you see on TV where a guy’s wide open, that might be more communication (than) it is to someone’s coverage ability.”

    Regardless of the reason, the fact remains: There were back-to-back losses where head coach Sean Payton pointed to coverage breakdowns against running backs. The result was a combined 109 receiving yards for Taylor and Hampton across two weeks. Denver can’t afford such mistakes against Barkley, who didn’t feature heavily as a pass-catcher in his first season in Philadelphia but has caught 14 balls through four weeks in 2025.

    The Broncos cleaned up their underneath coverages against a thoroughly inept Bengals offense in Week 4. Still, Bengals back Chase Brown had three catches for 31 yards. Sunday’s matchup against Philadelphia could be a major precedent-setter for the Broncos’ ability to shadow a mismatch back, one of a specific few phases that’s vital to Denver’s improvement.

    “I don’t even think it’s anything about ability of the DBs, linebackers,” outside linebacker Nik Bonitto told The Post in late September. “I feel like it’s more of just mental errors of them being open, more than us having to actually guard them.

    “So I feel like that’s just something we gotta look at the film room and see, and just being able to correct those type of things. Because obviously, more and more teams are going to start doing it if we don’t have an answer for it.”

    The answer, as Strnad broke down, is simple in concept and complicated in execution. Some defenses rely heavily on spot drop coverages, a type of zone where defenders backtrack to a specific area and read the quarterback’s eyes. Vance Joseph’s defense in Denver, though, contains heavy doses of match coverage — a blend of zone and man-to-man — where defenders match to specific skill players in their areas. It’s key for defenders to communicate motion by opposing offenses, Strnad explained, and to tag over mid-play on receivers.

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    Luca Evans

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  • Why Broncos’ Sean Payton said his ‘B.S. nose’ went up over Tush Push ban efforts

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    Sean Payton and the Broncos on Sunday in Philadelphia may well have to defend the “Tush Push” at some point in a critical short-yardage situation.

    It wouldn’t be the first time Payton, the Denver head coach, has defended the play this year.

    He told reporters Tuesday that he “stood up in favor” of the play this spring when the NFL considered banning it. A proposal put forth by Green Bay in May would have reverted the league’s rulebook to a previous version in which teammates pushing forward a ball carrier in any capacity would be illegal.

    Parker Gabriel’s 7 thoughts after Broncos’ rout of Bengals, including the adjustment that unlocked J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey

    The NFL’s ownership group voted 22 teams in favor of banning and 10 against, coming up two votes shy of the majority needed for a change.

    One of the chief reasons cited by the league for promoting the ban was player health and safety. That, to Payton, did not pass the smell test.

    “It’s pretty simple: The powers that be don’t want it for aesthetic reasons or competitive reasons or because it’s hard to officiate, etc.,” Payton said Tuesday. “But I’ve been involved in those meetings for a long time, and when all of a sudden health and safety was pulled into that — which might be the safest play in football — my (b.s.) nose kind of went up.

    “Look, it’s a quarterback sneak.”

    Renck: It took a month, but Broncos — and fans — finally saw the real Bo Nix

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    Parker Gabriel

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  • Holding On In the Heat – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Tampa, Florida — No shade? No Sweat. With all of their stars on the field — the Eagles may have finally slayed the dragon at Raymond James Stadium — beating the Bucs and former Eagle Haason Reddick. In 105-degree heat — the Eagles jumped out to a 24–3 lead in the first half thanks in part to a Sydney Brown return on a blocked a punt twenty-one yards for a touchdown. The Eagles also added two red-zone shovel-passes from Hurts to Dallas Goedart as well as a sweep from Saquon Barkley in the third quarter on a perfectly executed Tush-Push fake.

    For a team with one of the most difficult early-season schedules in NFL — has now started 4–0 for the 3rd time in Nick Sirianni’s tenure. The last NFL team which started 4–0 and not made the NFL playoffs was the 2016 Denver Broncos.

    A promising start nearly turned into another last-minute Buccaneers comeback in the fourth quarter as two seventy-plus yard pass plays to Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka helped to being the home team within 31–23. In the last five minutes of the game — the Eagles made three big plays to help to secure the win — turning Tampa Bay back on multiple drives. A scrambling Baker Mayfield forced a ball into the endzone that was intercepted by rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell with five minutes left. Then Moro Ojomo sacked Baker Mayfield in order to setup a third and 23 with less than two minutes remaining. Finally on 4th and 10 — Andrew Mukuba delivered a monstrous hit on Buccaneers Tight End Cade Otton to end the contest.

    In addition to allowing Tampa Bay back in the game in — the Eagles will also have to work on the eight penalties for eighty-three yards that included a taunting penalty from Cooper DeJean in the first quarter and a second Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalty by Jaylx Hunt during the game.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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

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

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

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

    Defensive Difference 

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

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

    Offensive Woes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Will Shipley’s Fractured Rib

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

    Saquon Barkley’s Reaction to Shipley’s Setback

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

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

    Philadelphia’s Quick Response with Tank Bigsby

    PHOTO: Pixabay

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

    Tank Bigsby’s Fit in the Eagles’ Offense

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

    A.J. Dillon’s Interim Role

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

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

    Backfield Rotation After Bigsby’s Arrival

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

    Special Teams Boost from Bigsby

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

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

    Long-Term Impact on Philadelphia’s Depth

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

    Team Dynamics After the Adjustment

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

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

    Recovery Outlook for Will Shipley

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

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

    Final Thoughts on Philadelphia’s Depth Move

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

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

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  • Eagles’ offense is barely getting by, will it improve?

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    The Eagles are 2-0, and relatively healthy. That’s what matters.

    But new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo hasn’t made anyone feel good about the Eagles’ offense — a unit that returns 10 of 11 starters from winning the Super Bowl, including offensive player of the year Saquon Barkley, Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith and an offensive line with 10 combined Pro Bowl nods.

    That unit so far has gained 4.3 yards per play through their first two games, tied for the 30th most of 32 NFL teams. 

    A few more alarming numbers from the Eagles’ (early) offense so far:

    Category Stat NFL rank
    Yards per play 4.3 30th
    Passing yards per gm 119 31st
    Passing first downs per gm 5 32nd
    Yards per rush 3.9 20th
    Points per gm 22 17th
    Penalty yards 158 1st

    There are a few bright spots. They are perfect on fourth down, perfect in the red zone, 5th in the NFL on third down (48.1%) and have yet to turn the ball over.

    Still, the above numbers are lackluster at best, and with the Rams next on the slate —  a pass rush that is always among the league’s best — there is a chance it doesn’t get better next week.

    “You’ve got to take what they give you while being the aggressor and playing with aggression,” Hurts said (via The Athletic) Sunday, after barely eclipsing 100 yards passing in the win in Kansas City. “And I think we were not as patient as we could have been earlier in the game. I’d have to really assess the film to be able to follow that up. But I think in the second half, we kind of let things come to us, and we played with great instinct.”

    Hurts has always been an instinctual player, as well as a winning player. And perhaps it’s possible that you don’t need to score 30 points per game or throw for even 250 per game to win in the NFL. But at some point, the offense is going to have to take advantage of having so many good players. Brown has six catches for 35 yards so far. Two seasons ago, he had 106 catches for 1,496 yards, with basically the exact same teammates.

    Last season, the Eagles rode Barkley’s historic 2,000-yard season, paired with Hurts’ instincts and the offensive line, to 4.9 yards per carry and one of the best running offenses in history. Something feels different.

    “I think the expectation is that you’re gonna pick up right where you left off,” head coach Nick Sirianni told the media Sunday afternoon. “There’s steps to this, right? There’s steps for all the teams that are playing right now, and there’s steps to get better. So as you’re getting better, our goal is to play our best football by the end of the year. As you’re getting better, find ways to win, get better, and then repeat.”

    A two-game sample size is nothing. It’s hardly cause for true alarm. It’s early. But the first two games under Sirianni have never been quite this bad on offense, despite his preference for no preseason reps for his starters and a constant turnover in his offensive coaching staff. 

    There is a noticeable difference in the offense’s early performance this season:

    Year PPG YPG
    2021 (1-1) 21.5 381.0
    2022 (2-0) 31.0 470.5
    2023 (2-0) 29.5 340.5
    2024 (1-1) 27.5 387.5
    2025 (2-0) 22.0 258.0

     

    No Sirianni-led team has ever had fewer yards, and the 2021 Eagles were far inferior (they scored just 11 points on the 49ers in Week 2 that season). 

    The defense is already showing it’s one of the league’s best. Is this just the new reality? Is this a ball-possession offense that is going to tush push and grind its way to wins?

    The next few weeks will be very informative. The Rams, Buccaneers and Broncos are the next three games on the slate and none of them have an easy defense to post big numbers against. The Eagles might keep winning, but they also could keep frustrating fans and fantasy football enthusiasts for a while longer. 

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

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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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  • Lightning and Thunder…Literally. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Thursday Night’s Eagles Home Opener Had A Little Something for Everyone.

    No, no. Former Eagles running backs Ricky (Watters) and Charlie (Garner) aren’t making a comeback. The Eagles opening contest on the quest for NFL historical greatness began in bizarre fashion. But at least — this game had something for everyone and we found out a little more about these 2025 Eagles. We also found out that aerial assaults of human sputum prior to one offensive play being run is counterproductive, Saquon Barkley may be a year older but is still virtually unstoppable, raising the championship banner never gets old, and extended lightening delays are great for re-filling your chili fries — even at midnight.

    And of course — those Cowboys are still the Cowboys.

    Did defensive tackle Jalen Carter — after a full game of being double-teamed and beaten about by the Cowboys offensive line finally succumbed to the emotion of a full game and sent a flying saliva deposit that landed on Dak Prescott causing an ejection that propelled his team to triumph? Nope — you aren’t living in a dreamland — that scenario played itself out without one offensive snap elapsing in the 2025 NFL Season as his teammate Brian VanSumeren writhed in pain on the Lincoln Financial Field turf. Hopefully — this season is not over for both.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    The Eagles opened the night on offense with a combination of the legs of Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and Will Shipley — the latter of whom is well on his way to becoming yet another reliable weapon in the Eagles arsenal. The game would end in much the same way relying on Hurts and Barkley to spearhead the Eagles offense. And Barkley — whether powering off left tackle or making incredible one-handed catches in the open field — is as good as ever.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    And as if another historic moment was needed — with 4:44 left in the third quarter — the first Eagles Game ever was suspended due to lightening. You read correctly — we’ve seen ice games, blinding blizzards, mud-filled Championship Games. We’ve seen games turn into a Bounty Bowl, our team combine during war-time with the Steelers. We’ve even seen snowballs assaulting Santa and Duracell battery packed ice balls attempt to adjust Jimmy Johnson’s hair against these very same Cowboys. But we’ve never seen a 65-minute intermission that ended a game after midnight. All of Philly was moving slowly on Friday morning.

    And then there is backup Cowboys running back Miles Sanders — whose outrage at a lack of touches in Super Bowl LVII propelled him in part to separate from a franchise that is now the finest football organization is in the universe — his once prominent role now occupied by his Nittany Lion teammate Saquon Barkley. His third quarter fumble — scooped up by Quinyon Mitchell — brought back memories. The Eagles defense is still a force to be reckoned with — even without Jalen Carter.

    But perhaps the Eagles pulling out the a close game to a division rival was the most lasting facet of Thursday night’s home opener. Miles Sanders and the Cowboys are 0–1 —the former once projected to be the franchise running back that Philadelphia could have drafted after not being in a positioned to select one Saquon Barkley. 

    Yes — Alanis Morissette — Isn’t that ironic?

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Eagles pick up victory over Cowboys in game overshadowed by spitting incident

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    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. 

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    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. 

    EAGLES STAR JALEN CARTER EJECTED FOR SPITTING ON COWBOYS’ DAK PRESCOTT BEFORE FIRST SNAP OF NFL SEASON

    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. 

    Jalen Carter walks off the field

    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. 

    BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMANCE BEFORE EAGLES-COWBOYS GAME SPARKS SOCIAL MEDIA FRENZY

    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. 

    Jalen Hurts yells on field

    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)

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    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. 

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

    Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

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  • Delivering the Dagger. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    How Fearless Calls Are the Formula for An Eagles Repeat for the Franchise.

    It started here during Doug Pederson’s tenure, quickly becoming the hallmark of the franchise’s first two Super Bowl victories. Aggressive offensive play calls, placing dust on special teams units and leaving the offense on the field on 4th and short, and trading conservative play-calling for an attacking downfield mentality. But it’s one thing to make those calls during the NFL regular season — quite another during the Super Bowl.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    With time running down in the second half — the Eagles already up (27–0 —) were one score away from putting the game away and securing the franchises’ second Super Bowl win. After Kansas City turned the ball over on downs courtesy of Avonte Maddox in one of his last plays as an Eagle knocking the ball away from DeAndre Hopkins — the entire globe thought that the Eagles would run the ball to keep the clock moving — almost.

    What followed was a play-action fake to Saquon Barkley and a 46-yard soaring strike to Devonta Smith. It not only sealed the game — but also broke the backs of the Chiefs. 

    For the Eagles — who open the season on Thursday night right here against the Dallas Cowboys and have one of the hardest schedules in the NFL — that brash approach to offense may just be one of the keys to success yet again in 2025. 

    The Eagles are the team that everyone is looking forward to on the schedule. Teams want play them — and want to be them. That means that they will go all out in order to stifle the Eagles potent offensive attack. Last season’s commitment by then offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to ride Saquon Barkley and the running game and develop passing off of that — will not be as easy in 2025.

    Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni has laid out the Eagles approach to 2025 already — no repeat championships — only a new championship for a brand new season with a fresh approach. It may be a good thought — though keeping the aggressive nature that not only has come to define the Eagles and their brash Head Coach — but has brought them hardware. 

    And incorporated into a fearless game-plan — can deliver even more this year — including the occasional dagger at just the right moment.

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  • Eagles odds and ends: Nick Sirianni says team ‘won’t be out’ for Super Bowl banner unveiling

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    The Eagles will be unveiling a championship banner on Thursday night, but the team itself won’t be out there for that. 

    It’s on to the new season for them, on to the Cowboys. 

    “Yeah, I didn’t know it was banner night,” head coach Nick Sirianni told the local media at the NovaCare Complex on Tuesday. “We won’t be out for that.”

    Up to you how much you want to buy into Sirianni’s awareness (or unawareness) of Thursday night’s pregame festivities at Lincoln Financial Field, but it does run consistent with the thought process that the players and the coaches have been trying to adhere to all summer. 

    For them, last year was last year. It’s a clean slate, everyone’s starting at zero again, and from Jalen Hurts to Jordan Mailata and all throughout the roster, “title defense” and “reigning champs” are terms they’ve gone out of their way to avoid using. 

    “I think from the outside, I think the city and everybody’s been talking about it, but this building has been locked in,” receiver A.J. Brown said of last season’s Super Bowl run. “We put that to bed long ago. We’re just ready to go. That’s over with.”

    It’s back to zero, but with a new reminder up in the rafters now of where the Eagles want to get back to, and how recently they’ve been there. 

    It can be hard to keep your eyes forward after such an incredible run, such a massive celebration, and such a short offseason. 

    The 2018 Eagles arguably fell into that trap coming off the 2017 underdog run. 

    The 2025 Eagles, though, are trying not to make the same mistake.

    But full disclosure, the 2018 team wasn’t on the field for the banner unveiling either seven years ago. They emerged from the tunnel right after. They just had a groggy first half against the Falcons, with boos from the home crowd snapping them back to reality. 

    Again, the 2025 Eagles want to avoid that.

    A few other odds and ends on the Birds ahead of a much-anticipated Week 1…

    All that glitters is gold

    When the Eagles do finally take the field on Thursday night, Saquon Barkley’s Midnight Green uniform will look a touch different from the rest. 

    The NFL shield on the collar of the star running back’s jersey will shine in gold rather than the usual silver as part of a new initiative from the league to better recognize its individual award winners, per ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg.

    The 2024 league MVP (Buffalo’s Josh Allen), Offensive Player of the Year (Barkley), Defensive Player of the Year (Denver’s Patrick Sutrain II), Offensive Rookie of the Year (Washington’s Jayden Daniels), and Defensive Rookie of the Year (the L.A. Rams’ Jared Verse) will each have the gold shields on their jerseys for the duration of the upcoming season, which should make for a unique visual that highlights star players, albeit from up close – and maybe sells a few more jerseys, too. 

    The NFL began putting special “PREM1ERE” patches on the jerseys of rookies playing in their first game a couple of years ago, and has also had active Walter Payton Man of the Year award winners wear patches forming the silhouette of the legendary running back on their chests prior to that. 

    The gold shields will be another means of spotlighting the faces of the league, and for the Eagles, the near-generational star that produced highlight after highlight on the way to a 2,000-yard season, and above all, a title. 

    A look away from the field

    Staying with Barkley, Amazon announced on Wednesday that it will premiere a feature-length documentary about the Eagles star running back on Oct. 9 through Prime Video, simply titled “Saquon.”

    Here’s the teaser trailer:

    Using footage that goes back through the past five years, and with Martin Scorsese credited as an executive producer, the documentary is set to give fans a closer look into Barkley’s rehab back from an ACL tear suffered in 2020, the growing rift that sent him on his way out of New York and eventually to Philadelphia, and then, the unbelievable season with the Eagles that quickly followed, all while getting a glimpse into who Barkley is away from football. 

    Prime Video is also home to “Kelce,” the documentary that focused on the Eagles’ beloved former center that was released in 2023 and became a must-watch for Eagles fans. 

    “Saquon” should easily fit into that category, too, and right alongside the Eagles’ divisional matchup against the Giants that night, which also happens to be on Prime.

    Brace yourself

    If you’re heading to the game Thursday night, you’re likely aware of the SEPTA situation already, but just in case: Give yourself a plan and plenty of time.

    SEPTA is currently a mess, with no express lines going to and from the Sports Complex in the cards right now as the state tries to figure out the transit budget. 

    It’s gotten to a point where on Tuesday, Lincoln Financial Field’s social media accounts issued a travel advisory stating that parking lots will open earlier and asking to keep tailgates contained so that as many parking spots as possible can be available. 

    The transit situation is fluid, but frustration getting to the game and leaving it on Thursday night seems inevitable right now. 

    It’s not a good look considering the MLB All-Star Game and the FIFA World Cup are both on their way here next summer.

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  • Saquon Barkley Partners with Wawa in a New Commercial to Celebrate Fans – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Saquon Barkley, the world championship-winning running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, has teamed up with Wawa, a fresh food and beverage retailer, to surprise fans with hoagies in a new ad spot, which dropped today and captures the feel of preparing for the next season and delighting fans.

    To celebrate the upcoming football season and the community, Wawa partnered with an Eagles icon to make everyone a winner.

    Philly fans were told that someone exciting would be dropping by their neighborhood and making a surprise visit with Wawa.

    Fans were amazed to see Barkley in their homes, where he personally handed out hoagies to delighted fans, showcasing his appreciation for Eagles’ fans heading into the new season.

    “Consistency is key in everything I do. Wawa and I have that in common,” said Saquon Barkley.

    “From training, to diet, to game time, people have to know they can rely on me. No matter what day I’ve had, I know I can always count on Wawa to have what I need, when I need it.”

    PHOTO: Wawa

    Celebrating his ties to Philly, hoagies, and Wawa, Barkley has launched an exclusive limited-time Wawa hoagie, “The Saquon,” which is a touchdown for the taste buds of both sandwich and Philadelphia Eagles aficionados.

    “The Saquon” is Barkley’s favorite Wawa hoagie order, featuring oven-roasted turkey, American cheese, lettuce, onions, and spicy mustard.

    This exciting new offering can be ordered as a hoagie or wrap at all Wawa locations, beginning on Sept. 2.

    “We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Saquon Barkley,” said Mary-Rose Hannum, Chief Food & Beverage Officer of Wawa.

    “It’s just one more way to brighten the days of our customers and celebrate the return of the Football Season with a collaboration that’s sure to make fans smile.” 

    This exciting partnership unfolds in the new video, where the football star’s infectious energy and love for his fans are sure to leave a lasting impression. 

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  • A Look Ahead to Top Betting Lines for Eagles This Season – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    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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  • Predicting the 2025 Eagles: Do they have what it takes to make a Super Bowl repeat?

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    On Thursday night, under the bright lights and roaring sound of Lincoln Financial Field, the Philadelphia Eagles will raise their second-ever Super Bowl banner. 

    Then they’ll immediately begin the chase after another.

    Do they have what it takes to repeat as champions? Will Saquon Barkley remain as the rushing champ, too? And will Jalen Hurts be in the NFL MVP picture?

    Here are the PV staff’s predictions for the Eagles’ 2025 title defense…

    Will the Eagles make it back to the playoffs?

    Nick Tricome (staff writer): Yes. Their roster is more than good enough to make it back.

    Geoff Mosher (deputy editor): Yes. Too much blue-chip talent not to be in the postseason.

    Evan Macy (managing editor): Yes. There aren’t seven teams in the NFC better then they are even on a bad day.

    Will they finally make for a repeat NFC East champion?

    Tricome: Yes. This one’s tricky, because it’s somehow been avoided since the prime Donovan McNabb-Andy Reid days, but I think the streak of no repeat division champions finally breaks here. The Eagles, even if their defense took a hit, are still a really good team. Everyone else in the NFC East? The Giants are better but they’re still the Giants, the Cowboys have been coasting off mediocrity for a good while now (and really just traded Micah Parsons), and the Commanders I think are in for a rude awakening – all that talk about how much cap space they’ll have coming off patchwork, short-term deals for old guys and they used it all on…more patchwork, short-term deals for old guys..sure…

    Mosher: You can look at this two ways. One, history says they won’t, and the sample size isn’t small. Nobody has repeated in the past 20 seasons. Two, the law of averages declares that eventually this streak has to end. The Eagles will have a chance to win the division entering Week 18 – but won’t. The streak stays alive. 

    Macy: I am not going to buck history. The football gods will not allow a repeat. They’ll go 11-6 and make a deep run as a Wild Card.

    Will an Eagle be in the conversation for MVP, OPOY, DPOY, or any other awards?

    Tricome: Jalen Hurts will be in the running for MVP with a more balanced offense this time around between the run and the pass. I really want to see Jalen Carter in the Defensive Player of the Year picture, but I think the reality is he just won’t have the numbers for it. He’ll be a game wrecker each and every week, don’t get me wrong. But he’ll be a game wrecker in the sense that two O-linemen have to hold him all the time, which is going to end up spreading the glory (i.e., sacks) elsewhere, much like it did last year.

    Mosher: I like what I heard from A.J. Brown about not being satisfied by a Super Bowl win. I think he has a monster season – more than 1,400 receiving yards and double-digit TD catches. He’ll be in the mix for Offensive Player of the Year but won’t win it. Agree with Nick that Jalen Carter will be among the top defensive players in the game but won’t have the stats to win an award. 

    Macy: It’s really really hard to win those awards. Saquon Barkley had basically the best season a running back has ever had and it wasn’t enough. Zack Baun was as good as a linebacker can be in modern football and it wasn’t enough. Quinyon Mitchell was better than Jared Verse but it didn’t matter. The usual suspects will win all the awards again, Lamar Jackson, Myles Garrett and so forth.

    Will Saquon Barkley repeat as rushing champ?

    Tricome: No, because I think the Eagles are going to stay hyper aware of his usage, on top of being comfortable enough to give the ball to Will Shipley a good bit to balance things out. I still expect Barkley to have a great season and to remain as the focal point for a dominant rushing attack, it just won’t be to the extent of a high-carry, 2,000-yard season again. If the Eagles want to get him through the whole season and then some, it can’t be.

    Mosher: Nope. I’d put my money on Ashton Jeanty. 

    Macy: I think he’s going to produce a solid 1,400 yards and be in the mix but I don’t think he’ll be close to 2,000 again.

    MORE: Barkley isn’t aiming for 2,000 yards again — he’s after another Super Bowl

    Which Eagle do you see breaking out?

    Tricome: Jahan Dotson. Earlier in camp, he talked about the benefit of getting a full offseason with the Eagles to better learn the playbook and develop a stronger chemistry with Jalen Hurts, and you could see that during practices. Hurts was going to him a lot more, and overall, Dotson’s awareness and route running just looked a lot sharper. He wants to be a bigger part of the offense this season, and if he can be, that’ll spread opposing defenses that much thinner after already needing to worry about A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and of course, Saquon Barkley.

    Mosher: Will Shipley brings more to the table than Kenneth Gainwell in terms of explosion, and I suspect he’ll be used more in the pass game and give Barkley some rest as a ball-carrier. I could also see a double-digit TD season from DeVonta Smith. On defense, it wouldn’t surprise me if Moro Ojomo has more sacks than Milton Williams did last season. 

    Macy: I really liked what I saw from Jihaad Campbell in training camp. He’s my pick on defense. On offense, Hurts, Brown and Smith and Barkley will be studs as they always are — so I am not sure if that is a true breakout.

    Which former Eagle from 2024 will be missed the most?

    Tricome: Darius Slay. The starting cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell is the obvious weak point in the Eagles’ defense right now. They seem prepared to live with Adoree’ Jackson out of the gate while finding other ways to compensate for his shortcomings on that side of the field, but if the scenario were ideal, maybe the Eagles could’ve found a way to keep Slay or even Isaiah Rodgers for one more.

    Mosher: Say what you want about C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but he was an Eagle in 2022 and 2024. Guess what those seasons have in common? Vic Fangio’s heavy reliance on zone means he needs playmakers on the back end to create turnovers. Do the Eagles currently have one like CJGJ was?  

    Macy: I’m worried about the pass rush. Brandon Graham, Milton Williams, Josh Sweat — that’s 16.5 sacks right there gone to free agency. I am not particularly confident in anyone besides Nolan Smith on the edge right now. 

    By Week 10, after the bye, the Eagles’ CB2 will be…

    Tricome: Barring any trades, I will say Jakorian Bennett on the presumption that he just needs time to settle in. Kelee Ringo went backwards in the camp battle for the starting job, and Bennett got to the team midway through, so he was instantly starting from behind, which left Jackson as the winner without ever convincingly taking the job. I don’t think the Eagles are going to fall into a Cooper DeJean situation like they did last year, but I’m going to give Bennett time and the benefit of the doubt that he can be the most serviceable option by early November.

    Mosher: Last year, Vic Fangio pulled the plug on Avonte Maddox after four games because Cooper DeJean was ready for the job – and boy was he ever. This year, the assumption is that Adoree’ Jackson is similarly place-holding a few weeks for Jakorian Bennett, which makes a lot of sense. Except that Bennett isn’t Cooper DeJean. Wouldn’t shock me if the guy everyone thinks won’t be the starting CB come Week 10 is actually the guy who is.   

    Macy: I know Cooper DeJean is not an answer to this question but he’s the second best cornerback on the roster, and I don’t really think there’s another serviceable guy right now. I think in general, the defense is going to drop off from last year. There is a lack of depth and experience. The team will still be successful but I believe it’ll be an offense that overcomes a defense with holes.

    MORE: Eagles have tons of blue chip talent, but depth will be concern in 2025

    Who poses the biggest threat in the conference?

    Tricome: I’m looking at “what” here and saying health. At full strength, I don’t think there’s any team in the NFC that the Eagles can’t keep up with, and that includes the Packers with Parsons now. But they have to be healthy, or as close as they can be to it.

    Mosher: Total homer answer by Tricome there. (Just kidding, Nick.) But I do think the Eagles have some formidable competition in the NFC, starting with the Lions and Packers, followed by the Rams, Commanders and Bucs. If I squint hard enough, I could see the 49ers having a bounce-back season.  

    Macy: Probably the Packers if they can stay healthy, with a shout out to the Rams… if they can stay healthy. Really, whichever of last year’s NFC playoff teams is able to have its core close to 100% healthy come January is going to be the biggest threat to the Eagles.

    Will the Eagles make it back to the Super Bowl?

    Tricome: Yes, and they’ll win a nail-biter against the Lions to do it.

    Mosher: No. I like their young core on defense but losing Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, CJGJ and Darius Slay is a lot. Wouldn’t shock me if they were back in the Super Bowl in 2027. 

    Macy: No. This team is built for the long haul, and I think they’ll have an easier schedule, a better roster and more experience next season.

    Will they repeat?

    Tricome: Yes, in a Kansas City rubber match.

    Mosher: Nope.

    Macy: They will not.

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