Tag: Philadelphia Eagles

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NFL (American Football)

Rams’ fumbles in the snow cost them a playoff upset against the Eagles in Philadelphia

Puka Nacua makes a catch in the 2nd half

Kyren Williams made a cut through the snow, but as he tried to push forward, the ball slipped loose on the slick field. The Eagles recovered and returned it, ending one of the Rams’ drives.

On the very next series, Matthew Stafford dropped back to pass but was strip-sacked, and the Eagles recovered another fumble. These turnovers led to two field goals by the Eagles in the fourth quarter, changing the momentum of the game. The Rams lost 28-22 in Philadelphia on Sunday, falling just short of hosting the NFC Championship game.

“We had two turnovers that don’t necessarily occur in different elements,” Rams coach Sean McVay said.

After a tough 1-4 start to the season, the Rams had fought back to become NFC West champions. They had a short week following their playoff win over Minnesota and managed to keep the game close until the final possession, despite the difficult snowy conditions. The Rams were still in a position to pull off an upset, even as wildfires had affected large parts of Southern California.

Stafford, despite dealing with sore ribs, kept the Rams in the game with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson, which made the score 28-22. The Rams had one last chance with two minutes left, and Stafford completed passes of 11 and 37 yards to move the ball into Eagles’ territory.

However, Stafford was sacked by Jalen Carter on third down, and his fourth-down pass attempt fell incomplete, ending the Rams’ hopes.

Cooper Kupp leaves the field after the game

“I felt like we had total control toward the latter part of that game,” McVay said. “The momentum was in our favor and we had an opportunity to be able to win that game and we just came up short.”

Cooper Kupp had a surprisingly small role in the game, catching just five passes for 61 yards. Tyler Higbee, who had been hospitalized just six days before for a chest injury after coughing up blood, returned to catch a 4-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 7 in the first quarter.

Williams, who had rushed for 106 yards, fumbled, which could have potentially cost the Rams a chance to win the game.

“It felt like as an offense, we had them on the ropes, and that they probably felt it, too,” Stafford said. “We were moving the rock really well the last two drives, and then just a couple of unforced errors here and there and got behind the sticks.”

Saquon Barkley was a major force for the Eagles, running for 205 yards and scoring rushing touchdowns of 62 and 78 yards. Barkley had a total of 459 yards and four touchdowns in the two games this season against the Rams, with all touchdowns coming from runs over 60 yards.

“Saquon got to the second level, similar to the first game, but there were some different layers that we did have in our defense,” McVay said. “He was able to pull away.”

Joshua Karty kicked two field goals for the Rams, and the defense managed to sack Jalen Hurts for a safety, cutting the Eag

Sean McVay speaks in the news conference

les’ lead to 16-15.

Unlike earlier in the season, the Rams were out of time to make a comeback.

“There were a lot of people at 1-4 that were talking about who was going to replace everybody on every position of our team and, ‘Should we sell the farm at the trade deadline? Should we tank?’ All of that,” Stafford said. “So just proud of our guys for not listening to all that and just going and playing and doing what we can do. And we did that.”

 

The playoff game ended with a few shirtless fans celebrating in the crowd of 65,000 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. These were the same fans Rams rookie linebacker Jared Verse had mentioned before the game that he “hates.”

Verse, who attended high school in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, about 100 miles from Philadelphia, was trolled by Barkley after the Eagles running back scored on a 62-yard run. Barkley slowed down near the end zone and looked back to taunt Verse, who had been goading the fans during warmups and relished their boos.

Once the game began, the Eagles showed Verse on the big screen, and the fans booed him again. Verse winked at the camera, cementing his place as a target for Philly sports fans.

Despite his playful trash-talking, Verse, who made the Pro Bowl and is a strong candidate for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award with 77 pressures and 4.5 sacks, earned respect from his teammates.

“It’s still cool. I love his game,” Carter said. “He’s a baller.”

In the end, while Verse had his fun, it was Barkley and the Eagles who dominated the field and are now just one win away from their second Super Bowl appearance in three seasons.

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NFL (American Football)

Rams and Eagles Collide in High-Stakes NFC Divisional Showdown at Lincoln Financial Field

Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles
Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)

This Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams will visit the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in the NFC Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. With a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line, this matchup is more than a football game—it’s a collision of narratives, emotions, and championship aspirations. Both teams bring unique strengths and compelling stories to this showdown, making it one of the most anticipated games of the season.

The Rams’ path to this stage has been remarkable and challenging. Their Wild Card victory against the Minnesota Vikings came after relocating the game due to devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Despite the adversity, the Rams dominated with a 27-9 win, fueled by a suffocating defense that recorded nine sacks and forced two turnovers. This battle-tested resilience gives the Rams confidence as they prepare to face the formidable Eagles, who boast a 14-3 record and have been dominant all season.

Eagles’ Strengths: Ground Game and Defense

Philadelphia has been defined by its powerful rushing attack and the league’s top-ranked defense. In their Wild Card victory against the Green Bay Packers, the Eagles set the tone early with a fumble recovery on the opening kickoff and a relentless defensive effort. They intercepted Jordan Love three times on their way to a 22-10 win. The Eagles’ strategy has been clear throughout the season—control the game with a dominant ground attack and stifling defense. Against the Rams, they will look to replicate this winning formula.

Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia
Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia (NFL)

One critical storyline is whether Cooper Kupp, the Rams’ former Super Bowl MVP, can return to form. Kupp has struggled recently, with only 82 receiving yards in his last four games. While Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams have stepped up offensively, the Rams will need a vintage performance from Kupp to challenge the Eagles’ strong secondary. On the other side, Saquon Barkley poses a significant threat to the Rams. Barkley shredded Los Angeles for 255 rushing yards in their Week 12 meeting, and stopping him will be a top priority for the Rams’ defense, which has improved since that earlier clash.

Building Tensions: Jared Verse’s Remarks

The lead-up to the game has been marked by controversy after Rams linebacker Jared Verse criticized Eagles fans, calling them “annoying” in a fiery statement. While Verse later expressed some regret over the backlash, his comments have ignited further tension between the teams. Philadelphia fans, known for their intense and vocal support, are sure to bring even more energy to Lincoln Financial Field. This added drama only heightens the stakes for Sunday’s game.

The winner of this heavyweight battle will advance to the NFC Championship to face either the Detroit Lions or Washington Commanders. For Philadelphia, it’s an opportunity to continue their march toward another Super Bowl appearance. For the Rams, this game represents a chance to extend their Cinderella story. With both teams fully capable of delivering memorable performances, this showdown promises to be a classic in every sense. Fans can expect a hard-fought, emotional contest that will leave one team celebrating and the other reeling.

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NFL (American Football)

NFL Wild-Card Round Draws 28.3 Million Viewers, 9.3% Decline from Last Year

Baltimore Ravens players celebrates in the 2nd half

The NFL’s wild-card round of playoffs saw a 9.3% drop in viewership compared to last year, a bigger decrease than what was seen during the regular season.

According to Nielsen and the league, the six games of the wild-card round averaged 28.3 million viewers across both television and digital platforms, down from 31.2 million in 2024.

The Saturday games held steady in terms of viewers, while the Sunday and Monday games experienced a decline in their audiences.

One key observation from the weekend is that viewers are getting used to one of the games being streamed. The Baltimore Ravens’ 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, averaged 22.07 million viewers.

This set a new record for the most-watched game on Prime Video, surpassing the 17.29 million viewers for the Detroit Lions-Green Bay Packers game on December 5.

However, there was a 3% drop compared to last year’s average of 23 million viewers on Peacock for the Miami-Kansas City game.

The most-watched game of the weekend was the Philadelphia Eagles’ 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Fox, which drew an average of 35.6 million viewers in the late afternoon on Sunday. Despite being the most-watched, this was still an 11% drop from last year’s Packers-Cowboys game that aired at the same time.

Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles

The Sunday night game, in which Washington defeated Tampa Bay 23-20 in a thrilling comeback, averaged 26.2 million viewers on NBC. It was the closest game of the wild-card round but saw a 19% decline from last year’s Rams-Lions game.

The Houston Texans’ 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday’s first game averaged 25.6 million viewers on CBS, which was just 1% lower than the Browns-Texans game from the previous year.

Buffalo’s 31-7 win over the Denver Broncos in the first Sunday game on CBS saw 31.1 million viewers, matching the viewership of last year’s Steelers-Bills game, which had been delayed to Monday due to weather.

The Monday night game, where the Los Angeles Rams defeated Minnesota 27-9, averaged 25.3 million viewers on ESPN and ABC, a 13% drop from last year’s Eagles-Buccaneers game.

During the regular season, the NFL averaged 17.5 million viewers, which ranked as the sixth-highest viewership since 1995, but still marked a 2% drop from 2023.

Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” saw an 11% increase in viewership, while “Monday Night Football” on ESPN and ABC dropped by 14%. The decline in Monday night games was partly due to three fewer simulcasts on ABC this year.

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NFL (American Football)

After a 255-yard performance in his debut, Eagles’ Saquon Barkley sets playoff matchup with Rams in Philadelphia

Saquon Barkley leaves the field after the game

Sean McVay, head coach of the Rams, carefully considered how to stop Saquon Barkley, one of only nine players in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards, and the potential consequences if they didn’t manage to do so.

“If they get a beat on what you’re doing,” McVay, the Super Bowl-winning coach, said, “they will pound you and they will embarrass you.”

McVay and the Rams know this well.

One of the best performances of Barkley’s season came in November, when he faced the Rams. Barkley ran for two touchdowns, one from 70 yards and another from 72 yards, in the second half. He finished the game with 255 yards rushing, setting a new Eagles franchise record. His performance was the ninth-highest rushing yardage in a single game in NFL history.

He also had 302 total yards from scrimmage, making him the 12th player in NFL history to top 300 yards, and the first to do so for the Eagles.

Now, Barkley is gearing up for another strong performance against the Rams when the Eagles meet them again in the divisional round on Sunday.

This game will mark the second consecutive week in the playoffs where the NFC East champion Eagles face a team they’ve already played in the regular season. After defeating Green Bay for the second time last week, the Eagles are set to host the Rams, just seven weeks after Barkley’s big performance in a 37-20 win at SoFi Stadium.

“They will see stuff on tape that they will want to do differently,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said.

The Rams’ defense, which ranks 22nd in the NFL against the run, would likely rather forget that game and not have to watch Barkley dominate them again.

Matthew Stafford looks to pass in the 2nd half

Barkley broke several Eagles franchise records in that game. His 255 rushing yards surpassed the previous record of 217 yards set by LeSean McCoy in 2013. He also exceeded Duce Staley’s record of 296 total yards from 2000. Barkley’s 255 rushing yards were also the most ever gained against the Rams, breaking the record of 253 yards set by DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys in 2011.

The Rams couldn’t stop Barkley in their first matchup, and there isn’t much to suggest that they will be able to do so in the rematch. Los Angeles allowed 353.1 yards per game this season, including 130 yards rushing.

“I think when you have humbling experiences with the right kinds of people, those are where the real growth (opportunities) exist,” McVay said. “I think we had a lot of guys that really, as a team, you can look inward and you can say, ‘Is this really what we want to be about? Where are the things that we can adjust and adapt from a coaching perspective?’”

The Rams’ defense responded well to that humbling defeat. They adjusted and became one of the team’s strongest units as the regular season came to an end and into the playoffs.

Just ask the Minnesota Vikings.

In their wild-card win over Minnesota, the Rams not only sacked quarterback Sam Darnold nine times, but they also held All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson without a catch in the second half of their 27-9 win.

That performance sent a clear message to the Eagles.

“Any time guys play together, build cohesiveness, build connection, they are going to play better and better and better,” offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said.

In his playoff debut with the Eagles, Barkley rushed for 119 yards. Having spent his entire career playing in East Coast winters, the Pro Bowl back is no stranger to cold temperatures. With the game expected to be played in the teens with some snow, Barkley is more than ready for the challenge.

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NFL (American Football)

Rams vs. Eagles preview: Can the Rams upset another top NFC team in Philadelphia?

Los Angeles Rams players celebrates in the game

This season, three teams stood out in the NFC: the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Minnesota Vikings. Combined, they finished with a 43-8 record in the regular season.

For the Los Angeles Rams, reaching the Super Bowl might require beating all three of them. They’ve already defeated one.

One of the biggest surprises of the wild-card round was the Rams’ dominant 27-9 win over the Vikings. Even though they had to move their home playoff game to Glendale, Arizona due to wildfires in Los Angeles, they still managed to defeat a 14-3 team. Now, in the divisional playoffs, the Rams must face another 14-3 team—the Philadelphia Eagles—this time on the road in Philadelphia.

The matchup
No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (11-7) at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (15-3)
Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia
3 p.m. ET

How to watch Rams at Eagles
The game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.

Betting odds
The Eagles are favored by 6 points at BetMGM. The total for the game is set at 44. In Week 12, the Eagles were 3-point favorites at home against the Rams and won 37-20, easily covering the spread.

X-factor
Will Cooper Kupp have a big game? He has been surprisingly quiet in recent weeks, with just five catches for 82 yards in the Rams’ last four games. Puka Nacua has stepped up as the Rams’ top receiver, and Kyren Williams has been effective on the ground, but to beat one of the NFL’s best defenses, the Rams might need a breakout performance from Kupp. However, that won’t be easy against the Eagles’ strong cornerbacks.

Philadelphia Eagles players celebrate after a touchdown

How the Rams can win
When the Rams first faced the Eagles, Saquon Barkley had one of the best rushing games in NFL history, running for 255 yards. That performance likely served as a wake-up call for the Rams’ defense. Since then, they’ve allowed an average of 104.1 rushing yards per game. However, they haven’t faced a running back of Barkley’s caliber since. The Eagles will try to control the game with Barkley and their offensive line, so the Rams must stop their ground game to have a chance at an upset.

How the Eagles can win
The Rams’ run defense will be crucial, as the Eagles haven’t been great at passing. They gained just 121 net passing yards against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round and have failed to throw for over 210 yards in 12 of their 18 games this season.

At some point, the Eagles will need to make some big passing plays if they want to go far in the playoffs. If the Eagles can pass effectively against the Rams—especially with Jalen Hurts, who almost won the MVP two seasons ago—they will be hard to beat.

Prediction
This game should be much closer than the regular-season matchup in Los Angeles. The Rams’ defense, which played great in their wild-card win over the Vikings, has improved since their first meeting with the Eagles and Saquon Barkley. The Rams will also have a solid plan for moving the ball against the Eagles’ top-tier defense. The Eagles are 13-1 since the end of September and are one of the best teams in the NFL, but the Rams won’t be an easy opponent. This game should be close.
Eagles 17, Rams 14

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NFL (American Football)

Philadelphia Eagles to Battle Green Bay Packers in Divisional Playoffs in Philadelphia

Philadelphia Eagles players celebrates after a touchdown

In a game where quarterback Jalen Hurts and the passing game had difficulties, the Philadelphia Eagles relied on their top-ranked defense to defeat the Green Bay Packers 22-10 in the wild-card round of the playoffs on Sunday.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love had not thrown an interception since November 17 against the Chicago Bears, a streak of over seven games. However, he was intercepted twice in the first half, including a key interception in the final minute by All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun.

The Eagles’ defense finished the regular season ranked first in yards allowed per play (4.7) and second in points allowed per game (17.8). Vic Fangio’s defense overwhelmed a Packers offense that was missing receiver Christian Watson (torn ACL) and lost more players during the game, including receiver Romeo Doubs.

Hurts struggled after missing the last two games of the regular season because of a concussion. Wide receiver A.J. Brown also had an off game, making only one catch for 10 yards, after missing two days of practice this week due to a knee injury.

The Eagles showed during the regular season that they can win even when one part of their team is not performing well, and they proved this again in the playoffs, where the competition is stronger.

However, the offense will need to improve to continue advancing in the playoffs.

Jalen Hurts completed 13 out of 21 passes for 131 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Eagles’ 22-10 win.

Philadelphia Eagles (15-3)
Key stat: Hurts went 90 minutes between completed passes before finding his rhythm late in the third quarter. He completed 6 out of 13 passes for 39 yards before going 3 out of 3 for 61 yards on a drive that started with 5:46 left in the third quarter. Tight end Dallas Goedert finished the drive with a 24-yard touchdown reception.

Green Bay Packers players in the practice

Important play: With the Packers trailing by nine points midway through the fourth quarter, they needed a scoring drive to keep their hopes alive. It looked like Love had completed a fourth-and-3 pass to receiver Malik Heath, but Heath landed out of bounds, causing a turnover on downs.

Most surprising performance: Former Packers linebacker Oren Burks made an impact early with a big hit on returner Keisean Nixon on the opening kickoff, knocking the ball loose and giving the Eagles a takeaway that led to seven points. Burks also filled in for Nakobe Dean, who left in the first half due to a knee injury, and had five tackles.

Green Bay Packers (11-7)
For most of Sunday’s 22-10 loss, the Packers’ defense did its job, but the offense and special teams struggled.

This situation felt familiar, as the Packers lost in the playoffs in a similar way to their defeat against the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round in 2021. In that game, the Packers were the No. 1 seed.

This time, they were the No. 7 seed, trying to upset the No. 2 seeded Eagles. The Packers had managed to pull off a similar 2-7 upset in last year’s playoffs when they won against the Dallas Cowboys. However, this season, the Packers entered the playoffs on a two-game losing streak.

Things were made worse when Love finished the game without his top three receivers. After Watson suffered a torn ACL in the regular-season finale, Doubs (evaluated for a concussion) and Jayden Reed (shoulder) were both hurt in the second half.

Love had completed 6 out of 6 passes to Reed and Doubs before they left, but he struggled to connect with other receivers. Love ended the game 20 out of 33 passes for 212 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Packers are now 0-6 against top NFC teams, losing twice to the Eagles, Lions, and Vikings this season.

Problematic trend: The Packers have repeatedly had issues with special teams in playoff games. The game started with Nixon fumbling the kickoff return, and later, kicker Brandon McManus, who had missed only one kick all season, missed a 38-yard attempt wide right in the second quarter when the Packers were down 10-0.

Green Bay Packers players celebrates after an interception

Last year’s playoff loss to the 49ers included a missed field goal attempt in the final minutes. In their 2021 playoff loss to the 49ers, the Packers had a blocked field goal and punt, the latter of which was returned for a touchdown.

Another troubling trend: The Packers are now 1-12 with Love as the starter when trailing by at least 10 points, including playoffs. Their only win in that situation came against the Saints in Week 3 of last season, when they came back from a 17-0 deficit to win 18-17. Since then, Love has lost 11 straight games in such situations.

Biggest issue in the game plan: The Packers were unprepared after former Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins suffered a shoulder injury and didn’t return. They first tried rookie sixth-round pick Travis Glover, who had played only 13 snaps all season.

Glover lasted just 20 snaps and was pulled after committing three penalties, including two holds and an ineligible downfield infraction. Kadeem Telfort replaced him at the two-minute warning of the first half, but he was also called for holding in the third quarter.

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NFL (American Football)

What’s happening with the Eagles’ passing game?

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts passes over the reach of New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan in the second half

Jalen Hurts went 26 and a half minutes without completing a pass during the Eagles’ wild-card win over the Packers. From 1:20 left in the first quarter to 4:41 left in the third quarter, Hurts was 0-for-7, with a sack for three yards.

The Eagles ran 19 plays without a pass completion, which is far from ideal. Despite this, Hurts bounced back and made key plays to help the Eagles secure a 22-10 victory.

Hurts completed three passes in a crucial third-quarter drive: a 28-yard pass and a 9-yard pass to DeVonta Smith, and a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert. Hurts finished 13-for-21 with 131 yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers. A.J. Brown caught only one pass for 10 yards.

Hurts now has 158 consecutive postseason passes without an interception, the 7th-longest streak in NFL history. Still, the Eagles know they will need a more productive passing game to win consistently. Hurts’ 13 completions are the fewest by an Eagles quarterback in a playoff game since Ron Jaworski’s performance in the 1980 NFC Championship Game.

“We kind of got stagnant, but I thought the second half we battled, we steadily improved,” said Lane Johnson. “It was a tough, grinding game. Nothing really pops out as far as significant, huge plays. But we battled. I felt like we in some ways under-performed. We’ve got to be more consistent.”

Hurts only completed two passes longer than 11 yards, both coming in the third quarter to Smith and Goedert. Hurts said his time off after a concussion against the Commanders on December 22 did not affect his performance, but he certainly seemed rusty.

“We struggled a little bit,” said Nick Sirianni. “I don’t think we had the game that we wanted to have on offense, but Jalen I think did a lot of good things. First of all, Jalen is a winner. He wins. I mean, no one can argue that.

The other thing is we know when we take care of the football, the things that happen when we take care of the football, and Jalen’s on this pace of the efficiency that he’s played with this year with his quarterback rating, with his yards per attempt, and all those different things, to be able to do that while also taking care of the football is huge.”

Philadelphia Eagles players celebrates after a touchdown in the 2nd half

The Eagles had a +4 turnover margin, which helped overcome many offensive struggles. In the postseason, the main goal is to win and move on, and that’s exactly what the Eagles did.

This marks the Eagles’ fourth time in the last eight years making it to the conference semifinals and their 11th time since 2000.

“It’s all about winning,” Hurts said. “That’s the only thing we’ve got to the point we are. So, it’s about finding ways to win.”

The Eagles are now 4-1 this season when passing for fewer than 125 yards, a rare feat. They are the first team to win four or more games with less than 125 passing yards since the 2009 Cleveland Browns.

“We left a lot of plays out there,” said Jordan Mailata. “I don’t want to call it rust. Just execution.”

In his first postseason game with the Eagles, Saquon Barkley ran for 119 yards, the fourth-most in franchise history, and the most since Brian Westbrook’s 141 yards in the 2006 wild-card game.

“We survived,” said Barkley. “We won a football game against a really good team. It’s playoff football. We did what we needed to do. Things we can improve on. No matter what, even if we came out here and won 40-3, there’s still so much stuff we can improve on.

We’ll find out who we’ve got next and get ready for them. In the end, stats don’t matter. We’ve got to be our biggest critic and that’s what we’re going to be and we’re going to see what we can improve on, but the only thing that really matters is that we win. Throw for 400 yards, rush for 400 yards and win 3-0? I don’t care. I just want to win. And I know that’s the mindset of the team.”

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NFL (American Football)

Nakobe Dean’s knee injury may keep him out until the 2025 season, following the Eagles’ in Philadelphia

Nakobe Dean reacts in the 1st half

Nakobe Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon during the Eagles’ wild-card win against the Packers on Sunday. This injury will require a long rehab, likely keeping him sidelined until the 2025 season, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport were the first to report this.

Dean got injured while tackling Packers tight end Tucker Kraft for a three-yard loss in the second quarter of the Eagles’ 22-10 win at Lincoln Financial Field. He was seen leaving the locker room on crutches, with a brace on his injured left knee.

Dean had an outstanding breakout season, forming a solid linebacker duo with first-team All-Pro Zack Baun. The pair was one of the best linebacker tandems in the Eagles’ recent history.

Lane Johnson commented, “It’s a tremendous loss. He’s a guy that came in and battled. Last year was really a learning year for him, and I felt like he took full advantage of it. He really became a key leader on the defense. Him and Zack are best friends off the field, and they fuel each other and compete with each other. But as a teammate, he’s one of the best teammates we have. It’s going to be hard to replace Nakobe.”

Dean, who was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of 2022, spent most of his rookie season as a backup and special teams player. He missed a large part of last season due to a foot injury that needed offseason surgery.

In the regular season, Dean posted three sacks, a game-clinching interception, 128 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four pass defenses, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. Before the injury on Sunday, he had two tackles for loss in just 23 snaps.

A knee injury could sideline Nakobe Dean into the 2025 season

Jalen Hurts expressed his sadness, saying, “You hate that. He’s a pivotal piece to our defense and he’ll be missed. I’m praying for a speedy recovery.”

Veteran Oren Burks stepped in for Dean after the injury and is expected to be the starter in the upcoming conference semifinal round. Burks, a former third-round pick of the Packers in 2018, has started 17 games in his career. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the other backup linebacker.

Burks commented, “Playing for him out there. He’s been our leader all year, just commanding accountability from the top down. Going to miss him.”

The injury hit everyone hard, but it was especially tough on Nolan Smith, Dean’s roommate at Georgia and one of his closest friends. Smith opened up about how difficult the situation was for him.

“It hurt my heart,” Smith said. “Then I was the first one there, and I tried to help him up and he said (shakes head). I just immediately closed my eyes and prayed. Because to a lot of people, man, it’s a game.

This is a game to them. ‘Oh, it’s just football, it’s just football.’ Man, this is our livelihood. I know me and him leave it out there on the field. We were just talking about it. It’s another time that we’re in the playoffs together.

“And it almost made me tear up before the game because we were roommates in college. I helped recruit him and tried to get him to come to Georgia with me. Two country boys and just trying to make a way. It just hurt my heart, man. I know I’m going on and on about this, but, man, he worked so hard and his determination.

He’s just one of those guys that I just felt like I can lean on and ask for anything, and he’d give me the clothes off his back or the food off his plate.”

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NFL (American Football)

Philadelphia Eagles Ready for Jalen Hurts’ Return Against Packers

Jalen Hurts carries the ball in the 1st half

Jalen Hurts has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will start for the Philadelphia Eagles in their NFC wild-card game against Green Bay on Sunday.

Hurts hasn’t played since suffering a concussion in a game against Washington on Dec. 22. Coach Nick Sirianni confirmed on Friday that Hurts, who returned to practice this week, is out of the protocol and “ready to roll” for the game against the Packers.

“He’s had a good week of practice. A really good week,” Sirianni said.

Hurts played part of the season with a broken finger on his non-throwing hand and finished with 2,903 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He threw just one interception after the Eagles’ Week 5 bye. Hurts also rushed for 14 touchdowns this season, thanks to the “tush push” play.

“We’re always careful with him,” Sirianni said. “He’s our quarterback so we always want to be careful with him. We always think about his health first and foremost because you never want him not to be on the field.

Jalen Hurts runs with the ball in the 1st half

You always want Jalen Hurts on the field. You always feel better when Jalen Hurts is on the field. It’s always part of our process and our plan to make sure that when he does carry the football on planned runs, that we try to protect him.”

Wide receiver A.J. Brown, who caught 67 passes for 1,079 yards, missed practice on Thursday due to a knee issue and for rest. Sirianni said he isn’t worried about Hurts’ performance after missing time or the connection with Brown and wide receiver DeVonta Smith.

“They’ve got a lot of reps together prior to the last couple of weeks,” Sirianni said. “A lot, a lot of reps together. So that’s not a concern of mine. I just feel like we’re in a good spot going into this game.”

In the season opener, Hurts threw for 278 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, leading the Eagles to a 34-29 win over the Packers.

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NFL (American Football)

In Philadelphia, Eagles rookie receiver Ainias Smith scored his first NFL touchdown against the Giants

Tanner McKee throws in the 1st half

Eagles No. 3 quarterback Tanner McKee is making the most of his limited chances.

With the Eagles resting most of their starters in the regular-season finale against the New York Giants and backup Kenny Pickett dealing with a rib injury, McKee got the start. He impressed on the opening drive, completing 3 of 3 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.

McKee put the Eagles ahead with 6:51 left in the first quarter. He moved to his left before throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Ainais Smith at the edge of the goal line.

Philadelphia Eagles players celebrate after a touchdown in the 2nd half

This performance came after a solid showing against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17, where he completed 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

A sixth-round pick in 2023 from Stanford, McKee has stood out in every opportunity he’s had, mostly during training camp and preseason games.

As his success continues into regular season play, his value is rising.

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NFL (American Football)

Eagles Beat Giants to Secure No. 2 NFC Seed, Resting Stars for Playoff Push

Eagles Beat Giants to Secure No. 2 NFC Seed, Resting Stars for Playoff Push
Eagles Beat Giants to Secure No. 2 NFC Seed, Resting Stars for Playoff Push

In the regular-season finale, the Philadelphia Eagles secured a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants, resting several key players in preparation for the playoffs. With a 14-3 record, the Eagles earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will face the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. Notable players like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith were sidelined, while backup Tanner McKee threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Eagles tune up for the postseason. Despite the lack of importance for the game, McKee showcased his potential as a reliable backup quarterback.

Saquon Barkley, who had a standout season, finished with 2,005 rushing yards, just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. Barkley was among the players sitting out for the Eagles in the finale, and while it was a smart decision to rest the starters, some disappointment lingered in Philadelphia about Barkley not having the chance to break the record, especially against the Giants, the team that let him go at the end of the previous season. The Eagles’ decision to prioritize the playoffs over individual achievements was confirmed as the right move after seeing injuries to players like Green Bay’s Christian Watson and Jordan Love.

Eagles Beat Giants to Secure No. 2 NFC Seed, Resting Stars for Playoff Push
Eagles Beat Giants to Secure No. 2 NFC Seed, Resting Stars for Playoff Push

Hurts, who has been in the NFL concussion protocol for the past two weeks, likely will return for the playoff game against Green Bay. With Hurts’ status uncertain and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett still nursing injuries, McKee’s performance during the final game proved crucial for the Eagles, showing he could step in if needed. The 24-year-old quarterback completed all three of his passes on the first drive and threw two touchdown passes, giving the Eagles confidence in his abilities should he be called upon in the postseason.

Meanwhile, the Giants ended the season with a disappointing 3-14 record, securing the No. 1 draft pick after a late win against Indianapolis and Cleveland’s loss to Baltimore. Coach Brian Daboll’s future with the team is uncertain, as his tenure has been marked by a lack of playoff appearances and an 18-32-1 record. The Giants’ struggles were further evident in their loss to the Eagles, despite wide receiver Malik Nabers setting a franchise record with 109 receptions and Drew Lock connecting with him for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

In a game with relatively subdued play-calling, the Eagles managed only 51 rushing yards without Barkley but got a boost from tight end Dallas Goedert, who returned from a knee injury with four catches for 55 yards. Special teams also had a role, with Jake Elliott making two field goals, though he missed a 39-yarder due to windy conditions. The Giants also had some success with kicker Graham Gano, who made two field goals, including a long 53-yarder in the fourth quarter. With the postseason ahead, the Eagles look to make a serious Super Bowl run, while the Giants must now focus on their coaching decisions and future roster changes.

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NFL (American Football)

Eagles Rest Starters Clinch 20-13 Victory Over Giants in Final Regular-Season Game in Philadelphia

Malik Nabers catches the ball in the 2nd half

Saquon Barkley swapped his No. 26 jersey for a T-shirt celebrating his 2,000 rushing yards this season, while Jalen Hurts stayed out due to a concussion.

The Philadelphia Eagles had a long list of players sitting out in their regular-season finale against the New York Giants, many of whom are Pro Bowl-caliber players. These included wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and offensive linemen Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson.

By finishing the regular season with a 14-3 record, the Eagles gave themselves a sort of bye week, allowing their starters to rest before hosting a wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers next week.

“We’ll settle our sights on them,” Coach Nick Sirianni said.

Tanner McKee stepped up, throwing for 269 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Eagles to a 20-13 win against the Giants in a game featuring mostly backups. The Eagles, NFC East champions with a 14-3 record, earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will face the Packers in a playoff rematch. The Eagles had defeated the Packers 34-29 in Brazil during the season opener, with Barkley scoring three touchdowns.

“Of course, we’ll use that,” Sirianni said.

Philadelphia opened as 3 1/2-point favorites for the upcoming playoff game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

With the main focus being a Super Bowl run, the Eagles decided to rest their core players. This decision meant that Barkley couldn’t pursue breaking the NFL single-season rushing record. Barkley finished with 2,005 rushing yards, just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s 1984 record of 2,105 yards.

Tanner McKee throws in the 1st half

Though the decision was wise, there was some disappointment in Philadelphia, with fans wishing Barkley had the chance to break the record, especially against the team that let him go last season.

“Would have broke the record in the first quarter,” former Eagles running back Brian Westbrook wrote on social media.

Meanwhile, 750 miles away in Green Bay, the Packers faced their own injury concerns. Wide receiver Christian Watson was carted off, and quarterback Jordan Love hurt his throwing elbow in a loss to Chicago. Coach Matt LaFleur said Love’s injury was precautionary, but it was uncertain if he would play against the Eagles.

Hurts may not have played regardless of his concussion, as he missed the past two games. Kenny Pickett started against Dallas last week but injured his ribs, which opened the door for McKee, the 2023 sixth-round draft pick, to start in front of a near-empty Lincoln Financial Field.

McKee, who had impressed with two touchdown passes in a mop-up role against Dallas, started strong against the Giants. On the Eagles’ opening drive, he completed all three passes for 48 yards, capped by a 15-yard touchdown to Ainias Smith for a 7-0 lead. Later, he threw a 7-yard touchdown to E.J. Jenkins for a 17-3 lead.

Though the game had little meaning for the Eagles, it was crucial for McKee. The 24-year-old quarterback threw for 190 yards in the first half, giving him a solid chance to prove himself as a possible backup for next season, replacing Pickett.

“I just feel like I showed I have confidence in myself to go out and operate the offense,” McKee said.

With Barkley out, the Eagles rushed for only 51 yards, and the play-calling was conservative. Tight end Dallas Goedert had four catches for 55 yards in his return from a knee injury. Goedert had missed the past four games, so his return was a key boost for the Eagles heading into the postseason.

Hurts is expected to return for the playoff game against Green Bay, but with the risk of one big hit sidelining him again and Pickett still nursing an injury, the Eagles are relieved to know they have a reliable backup in McKee.

“I’m going to do my preparation to play,” McKee said. “I’ll be ready whether I’m the (No.) 1, the 2, the 3, the 6, whatever it is.”

Giants’ Loss

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said he would “believe in the people, believe in our process,” but didn’t confirm whether he has been assured of returning for a fourth season.

Daboll has a record of 18-32-1 with the Giants and has missed the playoffs in the past two years.

“Three wins, not good enough. So, a lot of work to be done,” Daboll said.

Wan’Dale Robinson runs with the ball in the 2nd half

The Giants’ chance to secure the No. 1 draft pick took a hit when they won against Indianapolis last week, and their hopes were officially dashed when Cleveland lost to Baltimore on Saturday. Tennessee ended up with the top pick, followed by the Browns.

Both the Browns and Giants finished 3-14, but New York’s win over Cleveland in Week 3 gave them the tiebreaker.

Wide receiver Malik Nabers had five catches for 109 yards, setting a new franchise record for most receptions in a season. Steve Smith held the previous record with 107 receptions in 2009.

Quarterback Drew Lock, who completed 22 of 29 passes for 138 yards, threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Nabers in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 17-10.

Just for Kicks

Jake Elliott made field goals from 24 and 32 yards but missed a 39-yard attempt on a windy day.

Graham Gano kicked a 25-yard field goal for the Giants in the third quarter and added a 53-yarder in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 17-13.