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  • Eagles vs. Cowboys: Predictions, odds, injury report, and what everyone is talking about ahead of Sunday

    Eagles vs. Cowboys: Predictions, odds, injury report, and what everyone is talking about ahead of Sunday

    The Eagles are headed down to Dallas for their first matchup against the Cowboys since the season opener.

    The Birds are in control of the NFC East, but their road loss against the Giants stung, and they certainly don’t want a repeat against another division rival at JerryWorld.

    Here’s everything you need to know about this Sunday’s game …

    How to watch

    Eagles vs. Cowboys will air live on FOX at 4:25 p.m., and will bee “America’s Game of the Week,” the network’s national broadcast. That means Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will call the game from the booth, and Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will report from the two sidelines.

    If you’d rather listen to Merrill Reese and Mike Quick call the game, the radio broadcast can be found on 94.1 WIP, and if you want to watch the game with your fellow Birds fans, here are a few spots to check out.

    Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson walks onto the field before playing the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025.

    Injury report

    Right tackle Lane Johnson will miss Sunday’s game — and a few more — after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his foot (What is that? Glad you asked) in the team’s win over Detroit. He is expected to miss four to six weeks.

    However, center Cam Jurgens could return after leaving the Lions game with a concussion. Jurgens, who is listed as questionable, missed the prior two games with a knee injury. The only other Eagles players with injury designations for Sunday are backup offensive lineman Myles Hinton (back) and Willie Lampkin (knee/ankle). Jaelan Phillips was a full participant on Friday and is good to go.

    Here’s the Cowboys injury report:

    Eagles-Cowboys odds

    The Eagles are three-point favorites against the Cowboys at most major sportsbooks as of Friday afternoon, down from 4.5 to open the week. The projected point total at DraftKings is 47.5.

    Check out prop bets for Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, and more here.

    Eagles to wear kelly green

    For the second time this season — and the first time ever on the road — the Eagles will wear their kelly green uniforms on Sunday. The Birds previously wore their fan-favorite throwbacks in Week 8 against the New York Giants, a 38-20 win that was arguably the team’s best of the season. They’ll wear them again, for the final time this season, in Week 17 against the Washington Commanders.

    The Eagles are 5-0 in their lighter shade of green since bringing the jerseys back in 2023.

    NFL officials stand between Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (left) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (right) after a spitting incident as the Eagles play the Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025.

    Story lines to watch

    The Birds haven’t seen the Cowboys since Week 1, when Jalen Carter was ejected just seconds into the game due to Spit-Gate (speaking of which, did anyone see Ja’Marr Chase get suspended for doing the same thing just a few weeks ago?). The spit became a national talking point, with even Gov. Josh Shapiro weighing in, and Carter, who was fined and effectively suspended for a game, promised that “it won’t happen again.”

    Prior to a rain delay in the third quarter of the opener, the Cowboys offense was easily able to sustain drives, scoring 20 first-half points, as the Birds struggled to get pressure. With Carter (presumably) back in the game and the addition of Jaelan Phillips, Dak Prescott will be looking at a whole new Eagles defensive line, one that just forced Jared Goff to play the worst game of his career.

    From the latest on A.J. Brown to the recent drama surrounding Jalen Hurts, here are some other story lines to watch this weekend …

    • Following a report of internal frustrations with Hurts, the Eagles quarterback said he holds himself accountable. Others in the media had a lot more to say (more on that in a bit).
    • Meanwhile, Brown, the subject of his own recent controversy after voicing his own frustrations with the offense, said he believes the Eagles are “close“ to where they need to be on offense — and he laughed off talk about his declining skills
    • Eagles tackle Fred Johnson says it’s “time to show what I can do” as he again fills in for Lane Johnson.
    Nick Sirianni wins in spite of himself, some might say. Those critics are wrong.

    One number to know

    15-24: The Eagles’ record all-time without Lane Johnson. For comparison, the Birds are 120-62-1 in games Johnson has played in since he was drafted in 2013.

    The Eagles offensive line and the Cowboys defensive line battle in the fourth quarter. Eagles win 24-20 over the Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025.

    Our Eagles-Cowboys predictions

    Here are our writers’ predictions for Sunday …

    Jeff McLane: I see a potential trap in Dallas, but I think the Eagles’ defense will be able to keep Prescott from going off. Eagles 24, Cowboys 20.

    Jeff Neiburg: “It’s a great offense and a bad defense (Dallas) against a great defense and a bad offense (Eagles). The game will probably be decided by who wins the matchup between Dallas’ offense and the Eagles’ defense. Who has the upper hand? It’s hard to pick against the Eagles right now.” | Eagles 27, Cowboys 16

    Olivia Reiner: “While I’m not so sure this will be the get-well game on the ground the Eagles are looking for, they could have a chance to get going in the passing game, given the Cowboys are conceding 6.9 net yards per passing attempt (No. 29 in the league).” | Eagles 21, Cowboys 17

    Matt Breen: “Teams have picked apart the Dallas defense through the air this season but I’ll wait and see if the Eagles can do the same. It’s hard to see the Eagles, especially with a banged up offensive line, suddenly flipping a switch on offense. By now, it’s fair to have a read on who a team is. But the defense is elite and they’ll carry them again on Sunday. We’ll find out how far that unit can carry them the rest of the way.” | Eagles 24, Cowboys 10

    Eagles vs. Cowboys predictions: Our writers pick a winner for Week 12

    National media predictions

    Here’s a look at how those in the national media are leaning …

    Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni talks to quarterback Jalen Hurts against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, September 4, 2025 in Philadelphia.

    What we’re saying about the Eagles

    Here’s a look at what our columnists are saying about the Eagles, starting with David Murphy, who wonders what exactly people are even arguing about anymore with regard to Hurts.

    David Murphy: “The only thing that matters is that Hurts has been good enough that the Eagles no longer need to acquire one of those other guys. Coaches and players are more than justified if they are frustrated with some aspects of Hurts’ approach and performance. But they also surely know that they are more fortunate than most.” Read more.

    Mike Sielski: “This sliver of doubt when it comes to the Tush Push might seem a small matter. It isn’t. The play’s reliability was a tangible symbol of the strength of the Eagles offense: the manner with which they controlled the line of scrimmage.” Read more.

    Marcus Hayes: Don’t expect A.J. Brown to be happy any time soon. Brown called the Eagles’ offense a “bleep show” on a livestream last week … The offense isn’t likely to get any better with the news that right tackle Lane Johnson will miss several weeks with a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot.” Read more.

    What the Cowboys are saying about the Eagles

    Despite what social media may believe, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer is not approaching the Eagles’ offense like it’s a weak one. They have too many elite players for that, Schottenheimer said.

    “At the end of the day, I’m not looking at the film and saying, ‘These guys are struggling.’ I’m looking at this film and saying, ‘Man, these guys are dangerous.’”

    Here’s more of what the Cowboys are saying …

    New addition Quinnen Williams on the Tush Push: “It’s a cool play that they do on second-and-short, on third-and-short, and fourth-and-short. I’ve never been against it. … I’m excited to see the game plan. Excited to go against it. Excited to be able to try and stop it.”

    Schottenheimer on Jalen Carter coming back to the defensive line: “It’s a big difference. He’s a really good player. He’s packaged in there with some really good players. Jordan Davis is obviously a really good player as well. There’s Jaelan Phillips, it’s a hell of a defense. They’re the best in the league, I think. Again, it’s going to be really, really tough. But, we love that challenge and we think we’re pretty good too.”

    As Cowboys prepare for ‘dangerous’ Eagles, their newest star is excited to finally face ‘cool’ Tush Push
    Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during the National Anthem before the Eagles played the Detroit Lions on Sunday, November 16, 2025 in Philadelphia.

    What the national media is saying

    The discourse about the Eagles’ offense, and whether Hurts is part of the problem, is wearing on ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, a former Hurts critic who gave an impassioned defense of the quarterback on Get Up.

    “What’s going on with Hurts is so disingenuous and disrespectful to Jalen Hurts,” Orlovsky said. “And I’m not the biggest Jalen Hurts fan. All this dude does is literally everything that everybody begged every other quarterback to do — or knocks them for not doing. All he does is win. All he does is be obsessed with football and winning and doing what’s best for the team.”

    Here’s what else they’re saying …

    Jason Kelce on locker room discord: “I think that there are frustrations within a team that build up, continually, and I think Jalen gets a lot of the highlighting of that, again, because he’s the quarterback. … Lane [Johnson] and I didn’t talk for an entire offseason. Lane is like one of my best friends. Like, I love that guy. And this is part of being on a team. There are so many ups and downs. I’ve gotten into yelling matches with Jeff Stoutland, a guy that I consider like a second, almost like a father.

    DeSean Jackson on A.J. Brown: “You can tell when the interest ain’t there, it ain’t there. It’s something else going on. And I got a great relationship with [Brown]. I respect him. I can’t say it. But I know it’s something else going on. It’s not all about football, it’s not all about X’s and O’s. I’ve been there. I’ve had situationships with QBs that I didn’t necessarily like. I’m just going to be honest. And when it ain’t there, it sticks out like a sore thumb. That’s all I’m going to say.”

    Eagles drama is ‘disrespectful’ to Jalen Hurts; DeSean Jackson stirs the pot; and what else they’re saying

    What else we’re reading and watching this week

    🏝️ Quinyon Mitchell looked like an All-Pro vs. the Lions — and his Florida family and friends were there to see it.

    🎞️ Why is A.J. Brown struggling against zone coverage? Here’s what the film says about his inconsistency.

    👨‍⚕️ This 10-year-old beat cancer. Now he’s enlisting the Eagles to raise awareness.

    👟 This weekend starts the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. Here’s a look at some of the colorful kicks the players will be wearing, and the causes they’re supporting.

    🦃 It’s the holiday season, and Jordan Davis served Thanksgiving meals to Camden families this week.

  • After nearly a half-century in college athletics, A-10 commish Bernadette McGlade is retiring

    After nearly a half-century in college athletics, A-10 commish Bernadette McGlade is retiring

    Bernadette McGlade is retiring from her role as commissioner of the Atlantic 10 conference, which includes Big 5 programs St. Joseph’s and La Salle, at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

    McGlade, the longest-serving commissioner in conference history, oversaw the A-10’s growth into one of the premier mid-major basketball conferences, bolstered by the additions of George Mason, Virginia Commonwealth, Davidson, and Loyola-Chicago.

    After 45 years as a college sports administrator, McGlade said the changes in the college athletics landscape motivated her to retire, to pave the way for a new figure to lead the conference through the next stage of evolution.

    As a basketball-centric conference, A-10 institutions are adapting to the name, image, and likeness era, but McGlade said Thursday that the conference’s outlook and approach toward NIL is “tremendously positive.”

    “In basketball, I think we’re set up well because we’ve had the commitment from all of our institutions that they are going to step up at whatever level it takes for them to be able to remain nationally relevant,” McGlade said.

    St. Joe’s run ends with loss to top-seeded North Carolina in the NCAA field hockey tournament

    “That’s what it takes. You have to have the commitment institutionally, not only from a staffing standpoint, but the ability to have the infrastructure, the financial backing, the ability to schedule nationally, to recruit, and then to be able to provide your student athletes with the opportunities through NIL that every student athlete, quite frankly, is looking for today.”

    Scheduling Power Four opponents is becoming increasingly difficult for the conference, harming its ability to remain a multi-bid league in March Madness, another obstacle the new commissioner will need to tackle.

    On both the men’s and women’s side, McGlade says a new commissioner will need to contend with having its schools play others in Power 4 conferences.

    McGlade is confident that given the member schools’ willingness to play “any time, anywhere,” that the conference will still find success in the future, but expressed interest in maintaining incentives for schools to schedule challenging mid-major opponents.

    The NCAA has repeatedly considered expanding the tournament beyond its current 68 teams, but has not yet made the decision to do so. Just one men’s team from the A-10 made the tournament in 2025, the tournament champion VCU, who received an automatic bid.

    McGlade is hopeful in the years to come that the NCAA will reach a position of greater stability with the structure of NIL and player payments, which will put the schools on closer financial footing.

    The A-10 Presidents’ Council will begin the search for a new commissioner in January. When asked about the most important trait for the conference’s next leader, McGlade said it’s important for the new commissioner to have a clear idea of what the direction of the A-10 should be.

    “You have to be resilient,” McGlade said. “In this business, there are a lot of great things … Being able to see those opportunities and take advantage of them when you have the chance to advance your membership, and the goals and the values that you have set for the league is really important.”

    Follow the Inquirer’s complete coverage of college sports right here!

  • Through stories and tributes, the current Flyers are learning all about the late Bernie Parent’s legacy

    Through stories and tributes, the current Flyers are learning all about the late Bernie Parent’s legacy

    The Flyers will honor Bernie Parent, who died at age 80 in September, at 6 p.m. Friday with a public celebration of life at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Coach Rick Tocchet and the Flyers attended Parent’s funeral last month.

    Parent, whose No. 1 jersey was retired by the Flyers in 1979, was one of the Flyers’ all-time greats, backstopping the team to its only two Stanley Cup victories in 1974 and 1975 and winning back-to-back Vezina and Conn Smythe trophies in the process. But even with the Hall of Fame goalie’s legacy in Philadelphia, many of the younger members of the current team didn’t know much about Parent until his death, Tocchet said.

    “History is big with me, and the young players maybe don’t know a little bit about Bernie,” Tocchet said. “I think it’s important. He’s a foundational piece for the organization over the years. What’s good about the Flyers, he’s one of those guys, right? I think you pay respects to the team and the guys have learned a little bit too, some guys that didn’t know much about Bernie, that asked questions about him.”

    Bernie Parent was the best of the Flyers and the best of Philadelphia. RIP.

    The team is paying tribute to Parent through its postgame celebration item, a vintage goalie mask like the one Parent used to wear, which goes to the player of the game after wins. The Flyers are also donning No. 1 patches on their jerseys this season, and have painted Parent’s No. 1 on the ice behind the net they defend twice at each game at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    The Flyers are honoring the late Bernie Parent with a No. 1 jersey patch this season.

    “Bernie Parent did a lot for this organization, for this city, was involved off the ice as well, in the community,” captain Sean Couturier said after the season opener. “ … Definitely will be missed around here. We’d always see him around at games. Always had that quality of lighting everyone up, putting a smile on everyone’s face.”

    Many Flyers alumni will be returning for Friday’s ceremony, Tocchet said, including members of the 1974-75 team like Bobby Clarke, to honor their teammate. Tocchet said this is a great opportunity for the current team to see the impact that legacy Flyers have had on the organization and the fans, on and off the ice.

    Parent was a pillar in the community even after his retirement from hockey. He stayed in the Philly area and served as the Flyers’ goalie coach and in other roles within the organization.

    Her late husband coined the ‘Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent’ bumper sticker in 1974. It still resonates.

    “He lived out on the Shore,” Tocchet said. “Everybody knew him. I know a couple of my buddies live in Avalon. They’d see Bernie on his boat, walking around. He’s part of the fabric of that, of the Shore down there, too. He was accessible.”

    Parent also will be honored during Saturday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, including a special puck drop from his family and tributes from former teammates and friends.

    Breakaways

    Oliver Bonk continued to skate with the Flyers in a noncontact jersey. He is recovering from an upper-body injury that kept him out of training camp. … Sam Ersson and Dan Vladař wore custom goalie masks at practice designed by two local children battling cancer. Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Blues is the team’s annual Hockey Fights Cancer night, and both goalies will wear the masks again during warmups.

  • Flyers Charities and Michael’s Way to team up to renovate the home of a local teen with cancer

    Flyers Charities and Michael’s Way to team up to renovate the home of a local teen with cancer

    When Ethan Ruiz was diagnosed with leukemia in 2024, he decided to tackle it rationally, just like he tackled the monsters under his bed.

    “Why would a monster want to jump me specifically, right?” Ruiz joked. “That never really went away. Even as things got scarier and bigger, I was able to rationalize that I’m going to be able to get through things.”

    Ruiz is this year’s recipient of the Flyers’ Building Hope for Kids grant, which will renovate his family’s home in Northeast Philadelphia in an attempt to “create a more comfortable, accessible, and uplifting space as he continues treatment.” But the 19-year-old isn’t the type to ask for help, his mother said, which is part of why Blair Listino and Flyers Charities were drawn to the family for this year’s grant.

    “Building Hope for Kids is one of the most meaningful programs we’re part of each season,” said Listino, the chair of Flyers Charities and an alternate governor of the Flyers, in a news release. “It’s about more than transforming a home. It’s about surrounding families with care, comfort, and love during some of life’s hardest moments. The Ruiz family’s strength and positivity are inspiring, and we can’t wait to see their faces when they walk into their new home this March.”

    “Partnering with Flyers Charities is amazing. Everyone jumps in with such enthusiasm and dedication,” added Chris McElwee, founder of Michael’s Way and president of Fastrack Construction. “It’s a huge team effort from start to finish. We all share the same goal: to create a peaceful, supportive space for Ethan throughout his fight and during his recovery. This project is, without question, a labor of love.”

    Ruiz is still living in his childhood bedroom, so one major piece of the renovation will be taking the family’s basement and turning it into a new, much larger bedroom for him to stay in while he attends the Community College of Philadelphia.

    “I’ve lived in the exact same room that I’ve always lived in since I was a little baby, the smallest room in the house, and I’m going from there to the biggest room in the house,” Ruiz said. “As my interests and I have grown up, I feel like I’ve gotten too big for it. The main thing is just taking all my interests and being able to have a space for me to actually output that into something that I feel like is representative of me now, instead of me as a kid.”

    Having their home renovated will help Ruiz and his mother, Yomayra Carrer, focus fully on his treatment and care, instead of saving up for what repairs might be needed on their house at any given time.

    The Flyers announced this year’s recipient of the Building Hope for Kids initiative on Tuesday as part of a fashion show. The show featured children receiving treatment for cancer who are beneficiaries of Michael’s Way, modeling outfits they chose themselves from the Flyers’ store, and some of their own favorites.

    From left, Ethan Ruiz, Adonis Carlos Ruiz, and Yomayar Carrer pose for a photo after becoming the recipients of the Building Hope for Kids initiative during the Michael’s Way Fashion Show on Nov. 18.

    The group included three former Building Hope for Kids recipients, and the wives and girlfriends of Flyers players, coaches, and staff, many of whom take the lead in decorating the home for the initiative each year.

    “We have a great turnout,” Alex Sanheim said. “Everyone’s always willing to help. All the new ones, I feel like the first thing when you come in, we all discuss this project, and no one really understands the hype of it until you’re a part of it. Once you are, it’s truly magical, and everyone looks forward to it every year.”

    Flyers Charities increased its financial contribution to the initiative to $100,000 in 2025 because of the increased cost of building materials and the success of the previous home renovations.

    The Ruiz family is the 10th beneficiary of the Building Hope for Kids initiative, which returned last year for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The finished renovation will be unveiled in March.

    “This means the world to my family and me. I don’t think I fully believed this blessing was real until people showed up at my door,” Ruiz in the news release. “It’s incredibly reassuring to know I’ll have a home tailored to our needs. Everything I’ve needed has been provided, and having no loose ends or added worries has been such a relief.”

    Sloane, 5, and Laurence Couturier walk the runway during the Michael’s Way Fashion Show.
  • Sixers’ Paul George ‘felt good’ after making his season debut

    Sixers’ Paul George ‘felt good’ after making his season debut

    After 12 games on the shelf recovering from offseason knee surgery, Paul George finally made his season debut Monday night against the Clippers.

    Nick Nurse doesn’t expect George to play both legs of the Sixers’ upcoming back-to-back against the Raptors and the Bucks, but he said his star forward exited the game feeling healthy.

    “He was good,” Nurse said Tuesday. “Came out good. Felt good. Feels good. Today he was a full participant in practice.”

    Tyrese Maxey ghosted, then roasted James Harden in a battle of brothers

    George, who signed a four-year max contract ahead of last season, played 21 minutes and scored nine points against his former team. Nurse said before George’s season debut that the forward would be on a minutes restriction but did not get into specifics.

    Although George shot 2-for-9 from the field, including 1-for-4 from three-point range, the Sixers are already feeling his impact on both ends of the floor.

    “We all know [what] he can do as far as on-ball defending, but he’s also a great off-ball defender, being there for us, being able to help, being loud,” Trendon Watford said. “I think that’s what we’ve been missing. With Kelly [Oubre Jr.] going out, Kelly being the vocal guy on defense, and obviously the guy who takes the toughest matchups, Paul can fill that void for us.”

    Sixers forward Paul George had nine points, seven rebounds and three assists in his season debut on Monday.

    Dominick Barlow, who played his second game since returning from an elbow laceration, idolized George growing up. He said the spacing George brings on the floor helped open up the game for the entire team.

    “It’s going to make our lineups a lot more interesting, and it’s going to be fun,” Barlow said.

    Barlow’s return

    Speaking of injuries, Barlow said he’s at full strength and not restricted in any way after a procedure to repair the cut in his elbow. He is working with the medical team to prevent the cut from reopening but said he’s not overly concerned about it.

    Barlow believes his vision on the court already is improving.

    “Seeing driving angles, I had a couple of straight line drives that I was able to attack, so I’d probably say that was the biggest thing,” Barlow said. “I’m just trying to get some more pop back in my legs.”

    Sixers’ Paul George pleased to return to court after ‘long journey’ back from knee surgery: ‘There were so many emotions’

    The Sixers did not have updates on the health status of Oubre or Joel Embiid, Nurse said. Embiid was a full participant in practice Tuesday but has missed four consecutive games because of soreness in his right knee.

    “He’s OK, I would say,” Nurse said ahead of Monday’s game. “Just not quite pain-free. Still day to day. I think it’s getting better. I don’t think he’s far away from playing.”

    Oubre missed Monday’s game with a lateral collateral ligament injury in his left knee, which he suffered Friday in a loss to the Detroit Pistons. Nurse said the team is still waiting for an update on his status.

  • ‘Absolute garbage’ penalty call ‘robbed’ fans of epic finish, and what else they’re saying about Eagles-Lions

    ‘Absolute garbage’ penalty call ‘robbed’ fans of epic finish, and what else they’re saying about Eagles-Lions

    The Eagles picked up a big Sunday Night Football win over the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field.

    The defense shut down one of the NFL’s best offenses, but the game wasn’t without a few minor controversies. Here’s what the national media is saying about the Birds after their 16-9 win …

    An ‘absolute garbage’ penalty

    A defensive pass interference call on Rock Ya-Sin ultimately iced the game for the Eagles, but was it fair?

    On the broadcast, Cris Collinsworth immediately called it out as a “terrible” penalty, which should arguably have been on A.J. Brown, instead of Ya-Sin.

    New Tush Push drama, A.J. Brown talk, Cris Collinsworth’s ballet memories, and more from the Eagles-Lions broadcast

    The morning was not any kinder to referee Alex Kemp, who told a pool reporter that “the official observed the receiver’s arm getting grabbed and restricting him from going up to make the catch.”

    Many members of national media were not buying that justification.

    “That is absolute garbage right here,” Rex Ryan said on Get Up. “You’re making it worse by coming up with that B.S. Here’s the problem, NFL. The entire country saw this, and everybody knows, except the guy that throws the flag here. I don’t know what the hell he’s thinking … You can’t cover a guy any better than this.”

    The Eagles had problems with the Tush Push against the Lions. Nick Sirianni has to adjust his coaching accordingly. | Mike Sielski

    Ryan wasn’t alone.

    “As you see this type of game unfold, you know it’s going to come down to an epic finish,” Cam Newton said. “We were robbed of that, because, what happened to physicality and letting them play, ref? We didn’t see that. The ref made it about himself. Was it touchy-touchy? Yes, but was it that type of game? Absolutely.”

    ‘I don’t see [another] loss on their schedule’

    After the win, the Birds now sit at 8-2, firmly in control of the NFC East, with games against the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Commanders left to play.

    Nick Sirianni wins in spite of himself, some might say. Those critics are wrong.

    So do the Eagles, winners of four straight, have another loss in them with the schedule as it stands? Kay Adams doesn’t think so.

    “This was not my favorite game to watch, cinematically, but who the hell cares, because a win’s a win,” Adams said. “… I don’t see anyone beating them the rest of the year. I don’t see a loss on their schedule the rest of the way. I can’t remember seeing anyone make Jared Goff look this uncomfortable.”

    The Eagles ‘beat them down’

    For all the hand-wringing about the offense’s struggles, Vic Fangio’s defense continues to perform at an elite level week after week. On First Take, Stephen A. Smith said the defense was far more impressive than the offense was weak.

    “You’ve got the second-ranked offense in the NFL coming into the game, averaging 31 points a game,” Smith said. “You didn’t just beat them, you beat them down.”

    Eagles grades: Defensive line dominates; Jalen Hurts struggles in win over Lions

    The Birds forced what may have been the worst performance of Jared Goff’s career. Goff, who was leading the NFL in completion percentage coming into the game, completed just 14 of 37 passes, the worst completion percentage of his NFL career. The Lions went 3-for-13 on third down and were 0-for-5 on fourth down conversion attempts.

    Dan Orlovsky said the Eagles’ improved pass rush — thanks to the trade deadline acquisition of Jaelan Phillips from Miami — is reestablishing the defense as the class of the NFL.

    “I’m praising Howie Roseman,” Orlovsky said. “This Jaelan Phillips addition feels like it’s going to be the Von Miller addition to the Rams from several years ago. This defense is the best defense in football along with the Rams and Seattle Seahawks.”

    Vic Fangio and Howie Roseman have rebuilt the Eagles defense that won a Super Bowl | Marcus Hayes
  • Eagles vs. Giants: Everything you need to know about Sunday’s rematch at the Linc

    Eagles vs. Giants: Everything you need to know about Sunday’s rematch at the Linc

    Two weeks ago, the Eagles went into MetLife Stadium and suffered their worst loss of the season at the hands of rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo.

    On Sunday, the Eagles have their opportunity for revenge at the Linc, with an improved passing game that showed its full potential against Minnesota. But they’ll have to do it without receiver A.J. Brown, who is out with a hamstring injury.

    Here’s our viewer’s guide to get you ready for kickoff, with everything you need to know about the team’s Week 8 matchup …

    How to watch Eagles vs. Giants

    The Eagles vs. Giants game will air live on Fox at 1 p.m. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will call the game from the booth, with Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi on the sideline.

    If you’d rather listen to Merrill Reese and Mike Quick call the game, the radio broadcast can be found on 94.1 WIP, and if you’re not heading to the Linc, but want to watch the game with your fellow Birds fans, here are a few spots to check out.

    Final injury report

    Wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) is one of three starters who have been ruled out for Sunday.

    OUT

    • CB Jakorian Bennett (pectoral)
    • Brown (hamstring)
    • DE Brandon Graham (not injury related)
    • CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion)
    • C Cam Jurgens (knee)
    • OLB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring)

    QUESTIONABLE

    • WR Darius Cooper (shoulder)

    Eagles-Giants odds

    As of Friday afternoon, the Eagles are 7.5-point favorites on FanDuel and DraftKings. The projected point total for Sunday is 43.5 for both sportsbooks.

    Check out passing yard prop bets for Jalen Hurts and Jaxson Dart, and more here.

    Story lines to watch

    Brandon Graham goes through his first practice Wednesday after coming out of retirement to rejoin the Eagles.

    Brandon Graham is officially back with the Birds, after initially deciding to retire in the offseason following the Super Bowl LIX victory. Is he ready to play Sunday’s game?

    “We’re going to see, man,” Graham said. “I’m going to let coach do that. Honestly, I’m just here to continue to keep affirming everybody with what they are and their ability.”

    But whether the Eagles’ longtime veteran edge rusher gets on the field this week or not, he’s already improving the team’s energy from the sidelines.

    Here’s more from Graham’s return:

    One number to know

    206 — Graham’s franchise record number of games played in an Eagles uniform. With his return, he retakes the mantle of longest-tenured Philly athlete from Flyers captain Sean Couturier.

    Our Eagles-Giants predictions

    Here are our writers’ predictions for Sunday:

    Jeff McLane: It’s hard to win twice within the division, especially within a 17-day span. The Giants may be reeling from an epic choke against the Broncos. It’s not like they have much to fall back on. Dart and Skattebo have brought energy to a floundering franchise, but I like the odds that Fangio won’t have another hiccup against an inferior opponent. Eagles 26, Giants 19

    Jeff Neiburg: What we know is that the Giants have been a much different offense since they handed the reins to Dart and Skattebo. The Eagles struggle with scrambling quarterbacks, and few this season have had as much success as Dart has when he’s on the move. Contain those players, which is easier said than done, and you’ll likely win the game. Eagles 30, Giants 18

    Olivia Reiner: It seems unlikely that the Eagles will lose to the Giants twice. While their offensive issues are by no means fixed after one game, the Eagles showed some encouraging signs of evolution against the Vikings with their uptick in under-center runs and the play-action passes that were set up off them. Eagles 31, Giants 24

    Matt Breen: The Giants limited Barkley two weeks ago to 58 rushing yards, but it’s hard to see them doing it again. The Eagles finally figured out their passing attack last week. This week is a chance to get their running game right. A big game for Barkley would be the perfect way to enter the bye week. Eagles 31, Giants 21

    National media predictions

    What we’re saying about the Eagles

    Here’s a look at what our columnists are saying about the Eagles, starting with Marcus Hayes, who thinks the Eagles never managed to properly replace what Graham brought to the Birds, on or off the field …

    Hayes: “Graham was a playmaker who loved to play, loved the game, and loved Philly. That guy does not exist today in the Eagles locker room. That guy will exist [again] in the Eagles locker room, in his cubicle stuffed with shoes and bobbleheads and an outrageous number of colognes. For the next 12 weeks and beyond, he will fill the void he left.” Read more.

    Hayes: “Maybe the Giants weren’t so bad, and, clearly, the Eagles weren’t as deep as they needed to be. A lot has changed in two weeks. That should make all the difference come Sunday afternoon.” Read more.

    What the Giants are saying

    Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart led the Giants to a 34-17 victory over the Eagles in Week 6.

    The Giants haven’t won a game on the road in 2025, and Sunday will be rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart’s first time facing the same opponent more than once in his NFL career.

    The environment should be raucous.

    “It’s going to be intense, for sure,” said Dart, a first-round pick out of Ole Miss. “I can’t wait to go out there and compete and feel the hostility in the air and the rivalry between the two organizations. I kind of compare it to an SEC rivalry.”

    Here’s what else they’re saying …

    Darius Slayton on the environment: “I mean, if [Dart] didn’t have any haters, he’ll find out where they all live. He’s about to get introduced to all of them.”

    Daniel Bellinger on his advice for Dart: “You’ve got to stick close to your brothers in the locker room, just stay tight as one group, because that team and that fan base, they’re going to get a little gritty on the sidelines. I would tell him, ‘Listen, focus on you, focus on the team and stick together and not worry about the outside noise.’”

    Brian Daboll on playing the Eagles again so soon: “I just know that [Vic Fangio is] a challenging coordinator to game plan against. Again, Jaxson’s played a good amount of football in his career. These last four weeks, he’s got a routine down, and we do everything we can do to get him ready to play.”

    What the national media is saying

    Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown had four catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings in Week 7. He’s been ruled out for Sunday with a hamstring injury.

    Even a perfect passing day from Jalen Hurts wasn’t enough to silence the A.J. Brown trade speculation, this time from ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, after Brown posted on his Instagram with the caption ‘using me but not using me.’

    “I believe A.J. Brown prefers to be traded,” Orlovsky said. ”There’s been this consistent disconnect, whether it’s the lack of production, they don’t throw the ball enough, or they go on the road, he has [four catches for 121 yards], the game-sealer, and he’s still tweeting that out. I’m not trying to read too much into it, this is a Super Bowl-contending team, but for that to continuously happen, I do think there’s parts of A.J. Brown that would prefer to be traded.”

    Here’s what else the national media is saying …

    Mina Kimes on DeVonta Smith: “Because of all the attention on A.J. Brown, because of the drama, DeVonta’s kind of being overlooked as top-ten receiver in the NFL. I think he’s capable of that.”

    Orlovsky on the run game: “This team can’t win a Super Bowl the way they’re running the football. They can win games, they can beat good teams, but they can’t run the football. My question is, is what we saw offensively last week going to be who you’re going to be for the rest of the season?”

    Manti Te’o on the Giants recovering from their collapse: “When I see a team fall off like that, that’s just situational. Let’s be honest, I don’t think the Giants even anticipated they would be up that much. There’s a way to play the game, and there’s so much youth there that it may have slipped by them. I am buying that they will respond and build off it.”

    What we’re reading

    🚇 What’s the fastest way out of the Linc? Our reporters tried Uber, SEPTA, a car, and a bike to see who could get out of the sports complex the fastest after an Eagles game.

    🏈 Grieving Roman Catholic coach Rick Prete and his family find solace in their football community.

    📊 Here are the numbers that matter for the Eagles-Giants Week 8 rematch.

    🎬 Eagles Week 8 film preview: Key to a big day for Jalen Hurts, stopping Giants’ rookie duo, and more.

  • VJ Edgecombe expects warm welcome in Philly; Sixers learning to live with Joel Embiid’s minutes restriction

    VJ Edgecombe expects warm welcome in Philly; Sixers learning to live with Joel Embiid’s minutes restriction

    VJ Edgecombe hasn’t seen the fan reaction to his breakout performance against Boston. He’s barely even left his house.

    “Nobody’s really seen me,” Edgecombe said jokingly. “I’ve been in my house. I go to my car, and my windows are tinted, so you can’t see if that’s me.”

    But after an NBA debut that ranked among the all-time greats, Edgecombe is quickly winning over a fan base that came into the year with low expectations.

    The Sixers started their season off on the right foot. They’re hoping to keep that momentum.

    After his 34-point performance in the 117-116 win over Boston in the opener at TD Garden, Edgecombe will play his first regular season home game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday against the Hornets. He’s expecting a rowdy fan environment — but he was expecting that even before his breakout debut.

    “I know Philly fans are passionate, so I’m expecting every game to be like that. If I had a good game or not, I was expecting it to be like that,” Edgecombe said. “Credit to the fans for just showing love to the city, showing love to the sports teams. That’s the main thing. We all just try to have a connection with the fans. We’re regular people, so having a connection with the fans means a lot.”

    Sixers guards VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey combined to score 74 points in their team’s second opener.

    If the expectations for the No. 3 overall pick weren’t high enough, his first game — the third-highest scoring debut in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 43 points on Oct. 24, 1959, and Frank Selvy’s 35 on Nov. 30, 1954 — sent them through the stratosphere. But Edgecombe is keeping a cool head and taking it one game at a time.

    “Building blocks, just trying to take steps in the right direction, learn from film,” Edgecombe said. “I was watching film just now, learning, knowing team tendencies, know what they do. It’s just a steady progression. I’ve played one NBA game. That doesn’t determine who I am as a player.”

    Embiid’s minutes restrictions

    To defend the slim lead over the Celtics in the game’s final minutes, Nick Nurse turned to Dominick Barlow at center because Joel Embiid had already hit his 20-minute limit. Nurse expects that limit to be in place for the foreseeable future.

    “We knew going in what [Embiid’s minutes restriction] was,” Nurse said. “It was very similar to what it was in the preseason game. We had a plan of what we were going to do with it, and we pretty much stuck to that plan. Wasn’t a whole lot of variation.”

    The Celtics had a relatively small lineup, which matched up well with the Sixers’ guards and allowed Nurse to use the 6-foot-9 Barlow to close in that spot. Nurse also said he expects to use Jabari Walker a bit at the five with Embiid off the court.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid is still working his way back to form after undergoing knee surgery this offseason.

    Embiid scored just four points and grabbed six rebounds in his 20 minutes, 18 seconds of game action. The Sixers were minus-16 in his minutes. He’s still working his way back from the knee injury that kept him out for most of 2024-25, and Nurse said he’s working to find ways to fit into what the Sixers are doing well, which, on Wednesday, was letting Edgecombe and Maxey, who combined for 74 of the Sixers’ 117 points on Wednesday, handle the ball and play off one another.

    “I’m just trying to encourage the speedy guys to be speedy either way,” Nurse said. “I think there’s a chance to push, push, push, push, but we don’t have to rush, and if we pushed ahead and we have some opportunities, we should take them, and then we’ll settle in. I think that’s probably my ideal version, if we can get to that.”

  • What the national media is saying about the Eagles-Giants rematch

    What the national media is saying about the Eagles-Giants rematch

    The Eagles suffered their worst loss of the season at MetLife Stadium against the Giants just two weeks ago. One week later, the Giants suffered their worst loss of the season, a fourth-quarter collapse against Denver.

    New York is winless on the road in 2025, and headed into the NFL’s most hostile environment with a rookie quarterback. Can the Birds get their revenge?

    Here’s what the national media is saying about Sunday’s game …

    How good are the Eagles?

    The Giants’ star rookies gained a confidence boost after blowing out the Eagles two weeks ago. But a total collapse in Denver may have stalled that progress, NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky said on Get Up, so he still expects an Eagles win.

    Though the Eagles might win, Orlovsky isn’t bullish on the Birds’ chances in the long term, although he’s “intrigued” by what Jalen Hurts showed in the passing game against Minnesota.

    Eagles vs. Giants: These numbers explain the Week 8 matchup

    “This team can’t win a Super Bowl the way they’re running the football,” Orlovsky said. “They can win games, they can beat good teams, but they can’t run the football. My question is, is what we saw offensively last week going to be who you’re going to be for the rest of the season?”

    Can the Giants rebound?

    The Giants’ collapse against Denver is the type of loss that can cause a team to emotionally spiral. But Manti Te’o said on NFL Network that he doesn’t expect that to linger for New York on Sunday.

    “When I see a team fall off like that, that’s just situational,” Te’o said. “Let’s be honest, I don’t think the Giants even anticipated they would be up that much. There’s a way to play the game, and there’s so much youth there that it may have slipped by them. I am buying that they will respond and build off of it.”

    Does A.J. Brown want out?

    Even after Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and A.J. Brown dominated in the passing game in Sunday’s win, there’s still drama with Brown’s social media posts.

    Eagles Week 8 film preview: Key to a big day for Jalen Hurts, stopping Giants’ rookie duo, and more

    On Instagram following Sunday’s game, Brown posted a photo with the caption, “using me but not using me.” Brown caught two touchdowns on four catches for 121 yards, his best game of the season. So what exactly does he mean by that caption? On First Take, Orlovsky said he believes Brown is indicating he still wants to be traded.

    “I believe A.J. Brown prefers to be traded,” Orlovsky said. ”There’s been this consistent disconnect, whether it’s the lack of production, they don’t throw the ball enough, or they go on the road, he has [four catches for 121 yards], the game-sealer, and he’s still tweeting that out. I’m not trying to read too much into it, this is a Super Bowl-contending team, but for that to continuously happen, I do think there’s parts of A.J. Brown that would prefer to be traded.”

    Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown stiff arms Minnesota’s Isaiah Rodgers during Sunday’s game.

    Ryan Clark didn’t go that far, but said that Brown was opening himself up to those rumors with his actions.

    “He also has to understand the consequences of his actions,” Clark said. “When you tweet out ”using me but not using me,” read books on the sidelines, said certain things you’ve said in postgame interviews, people are going to try to connect the tea leaves and come to their own conclusions. It could honestly be, finally in this game they used me.”

    For all the attention on Brown, Smith also had his best game of the year against the Vikings, with a 79-yard touchdown as the highlight among his nine catches for 183 yards.

    Escape The Linc: We raced to find the fastest way out after an Eagles game

    “Because of all the attention on A.J. Brown, because of the drama, DeVonta’s kind of being overlooked as a top-10 receiver in the NFL,” Mina Kimes said. “I think he’s capable of that.”

  • Giants prepare Jaxson Dart for playing in Philly: ‘He’s about to get introduced to all [of his haters]’

    Giants prepare Jaxson Dart for playing in Philly: ‘He’s about to get introduced to all [of his haters]’

    Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has quickly become a fan favorite in New York, leading the Giants to a 34-17 win over the Eagles in Week 6 and flashing potential for the future.

    But he will get his first experience with the environment in Philadelphia on Sunday. Here’s what the Giants are saying about their second matchup in three weeks with the Birds:

    Eagles vs. Giants: These numbers explain the Week 8 matchup

    ‘It’s going to be intense’

    Dart and the Giants are 2-1 at home, including that win over the Eagles, but haven’t won a road game this season (0-4).

    Lincoln Financial Field is one of the toughest stadiums for a road team to play at in the NFL — especially for division rivals.

    “It’s going to be intense, for sure,” said Dart, a first-round pick out of Mississippi. “I can’t wait to go out there and compete and feel the hostility in the air and the rivalry between the two organizations. I kind of compare it to an SEC rivalry.”

    Former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is anticipating the environment at Lincoln Financial Field being similar to an SEC rivalry game.

    ‘Stick close to your brothers’

    Dart’s teammates are trying to prepare him for the environment at the Linc. Eagles fans certainly will be out to give Dart and fellow rookie Cam Skattebo a warm Philly welcome.

    “I mean, if he didn’t have any haters, he’ll find out where they all live,” Giants receiver Darius Slayton said Wednesday. “He’s about to get introduced to all of them.”

    Eagles Week 8 film preview: Key to a big day for Jalen Hurts, stopping Giants’ rookie duo, and more

    “You’ve got to stick close to your brothers in the locker room, just stay tight as one group, because that team and that fan base, they’re going to get a little gritty on the sidelines,” tight end Daniel Bellinger told the New York Post. “I would tell him, ‘Listen, focus on you, focus on the team, and stick together and not worry about the outside noise.’”

    Facing Dart again

    The Eagles and Giants played just two weeks ago. Before that Thursday night showdown, Dart had started just two games, so the Birds had minimal NFL tape on which to evaluate him.

    The Eagles and Vic Fangio now have firsthand experience. Dart said this is the first time in his career that he’s played the same team twice in such a small window of time. How will the Giants respond to that challenge?

    Jalen Carter, Landon Dickerson, Nakobe Dean among five reasons Eagles will win the rematch vs. Giants

    “[Fangio’s] done a great job in this league for a long time,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “I can’t answer what he would do or what he wouldn’t do. You watch your game, you see how they played you. [Jalen] Carter’s back. Does that make a difference relative to the scheme and what they want to do? I don’t know.

    “I just know that Vic’s a challenging coordinator to game plan against. Again, Jaxson’s played a good amount of football in his career. These last four weeks, he’s got a routine down, and we do everything we can do to get him ready to play.”