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  • Eagles vs. Bills: Everything you need to know about Sunday’s game

    Eagles vs. Bills: Everything you need to know about Sunday’s game

    The Eagles clinched the NFC East title last week, and now head into a heavyweight battle against reigning MVP Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills with an extra day of rest.

    Here’s everything you need to know about the Eagles-Bills matchup…

    How to watch

    The game will kick off on Fox at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday in Highmark Stadium. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will be on the call, marking the former New England Patriots star’s fifth time covering the Birds this year, with Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi as sideline reporters.

    If you prefer to listen to the game, Merrill Reese and Mike Quick will call the game on 94.1 WIP.

    Expected weather

    The National Weather Service is forecasting steady rain throughout the late afternoon and into the evening in Buffalo. Warm weather will prevent snow, but 10-20 mph winds may impact the throwing and kicking game for both teams.

    Jeff McLane’s keys to Eagles vs. Bills in Week 17: What you need to know and a prediction

    Final Week 17 injury report

    The Eagles have ruled out Lane Johnson (foot) and Nakobe Dean (hamstring) for Sunday’s game, with Jalen Carter finally being cleared to return to action after missing three games following procedures on both shoulders.

    Tackle Cameron Williams is once again listed as questionable after being a full participant in practice throughout the week. The Eagles have one more week to decide to end his season or sign him to the active roster.

    For the Bills, Allen is expected to play after suffering a foot injury at halftime last week against the Cleveland Browns. But Allen may be without two of his top targets, as tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid are both listed as questionable with knee injuries.

    The Buffalo defense will also be without defensive tackles DaQuan Jones and Jordan Phillips, as well as former All-Pro safety Jordan Poyer and kicker Matt Prater.

    The Eagles will be without starting linebacker Nakobe Dean on Sunday in Buffalo.

    Eagles vs. Bills odds

    As of Saturday morning, the Birds are 1.5-point underdogs at DraftKings and FanDuel, with each sportsbook setting the total at 44.5 points. For more betting props, check out our betting guide here.

    Eagles Playoff Picture

    The Eagles secured back-to-back NFC East titles for the first time since 2004 with their triumph over the Washington Commanders last week — guaranteeing a home playoff game come January. Now, the team will battle for seeding in the NFC.

    Eagles vs. Bills predictions: Our writers pick a winner for Week 17

    The Birds are mathematically eliminated from competing for the No. 1 seed, and could only rise to the No. 2 seed with two straight wins coupled with two losses from the Chicago Bears (11-4). This leaves the Eagles squarely in control of the No. 3 seed with a two-game lead over the Carolina Panthers (8-7).

    The San Francisco 49ers (11-4), the Los Angeles Rams (11-4), and the Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) are the Eagles’ likeliest first-round playoff opponents — with the 49ers and Rams still in the hunt for the No. 1 seed.

    Storylines to Watch

    Can the Eagles gain momentum heading into the playoffs?

    The Birds haven’t beaten a team that currently has a winning record since their 10-7 victory over the Packers on Monday Night Football all the way back on November 10th.

    On the flip side, the Bills have had a resurgence to end the year, winning four straight, including a barn burner versus the AFC’s No. 2-seedeed New England Patriots.

    Saquon Barkley has a great matchup against a porous Buffalo run defense.

    Facing two straight backup quarterbacks in the team’s recent wins over the Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) and the Commanders (4-12), the Birds have their work cut out for them against a Bills offense that is third in the league in total yards and scoring. Can Jalen Hurts and the offense keep up with Buffalo, or will the defense have to carry the day once again?

    More storylines to watch:

    One number to know

    37: How many points it took to defeat the Bills in overtime back in 2023.

    Adoree’ Jackson has had ups and downs as an Eagle. A positive approach has him playing his best when it matters most

    Our Eagles vs. Commanders predictions

    Here’s how our beat writers are predicting Sunday’s game:

    Olivia Reiner: “While the Bills boast one of the best pass defenses in the league, their run defense is suspect, conceding 5.4 yards per attempt (the second-worst rate in the NFL). Buffalo is a tough place to play. The Bills are a good team with a great quarterback, who may or may not be limited by a foot injury on Sunday. I’m not fully convinced that the Bills are a great team, especially given their strength of schedule this season. Eagles 28, Bills 27

    Jeff Neiburg: “The Eagles have struggled this year against quarterbacks who run, but they kept Marcus Mariota in check before he left the game in the second half. It’s a tough one to predict in what essentially is a coin-flip game. But I think the Eagles find a way to win. Eagles 27, Bills 23

    National Media Predictions

    Here’s a look at who the national media is picking for Sunday’s game …

    • ESPN: Only two of 11 panelists are picking the Birds straight up.
    • CBS Sports: Three of seven experts are leaning towards the Eagles.
    • USA Today: Four of six panelists like the Eagles.
    • Bleacher Report: Only two of seven analysts are choosing the Birds.
    • Sporting News: Bill Bender has the Eagles losing 27-20.

    What we’re saying about the Eagles

    Here’s a look at what our columnists are saying, starting with Mike Sileski’s eulogy of the Eagles’ world-famous Tush Push, followed by Marcus Hayes’ review of the team’s recent performance against the Commanders:

    Mike Sileski: “But the demise of the Tush Push is real, and it has to be a worry as the Eagles look ahead to the postseason. Hurts has made it clear that he had grown tired of running it anyway, and the league officials had raised their level of scrutiny of it, calling more penalties against the Eagles this season. It has gone from an automatic first down to an unreliable chore. They will have to find a new way to remain aggressive, and to succeed, in fourth-and-short situations.”

    Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who grew up just outside of Philly and used to coach with the Eagles, knows the challenge the Birds present on both sides of the ball.

    Marcus Hayes: “Glass half full: A good win — on the road, against a division opponent, with no offensive turnovers, but with a defensive turnover. Also, a win having lost linebacker Nakobe Dean, who left early with a hamstring injury. Also, a win with right tackle Lane Johnson and defensive tackle Jalen Carter likely to return for next Sunday’s game at Buffalo.

    Glass half empty: Another ugly win — against a poor team, a win despite a skittish $5 million kicker who has missed five of his last 11 kicks; a win in which Hurts continued an inconsistent season; a win in which the coaching staff seemed unprepared with a game plan that seemed uninspired.”

    What the Bills are saying about the Eagles

    Allen, who has faced off against the Eagles only twice in his career, knows not to underestimate the reigning champs.

    “Well, they got a lot of studs on that side,” Allen told reporters. “Their front, they get after the quarterback. They’ve got two of the best linebackers in the game. A shutdown corner. They rotate well. Got a safety from Wyoming that’s a stud. They got a lot of dogs on that side of the ball. We got to make sure we have a good week of game planning. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to who executes better on Sunday.”

    Here’s more from what they are saying…

    Eagles Week 17 film preview: What to look for against the Buffalo Bills

    Cornerback Tre’Davius White: “It’s going to take all 11 guys on deck this week,” White said. “We got to play the whole field. Be able to cover the whole field. These guys do a great job of exploding the ball each and every direction, through the air, on the run. So we’re going to have to be able to try to limit the big-time plays. This is an explosive offense. It’s going to be on us as a defense to communicate well and play well as a group.”

    Head coach Sean McDermott: “Very talented roster,” McDermott, who grew up just outside of Philly, told reporters. “They’ve done a great job building it in particular with the key positions. Numbers are numbers. And numbers can indicate certain things. But they can also not tell the full story. We know who Saquon [Barkley] is. I mean, he’s a Hall of Fame player. Their offensive line, very talented as well. … It’s a tough unit to stop. And the run game in particular is real. I know what the numbers say, and I’m not buying the numbers.”

    What we are reading (and watching)

    🏈 Jordan Mailata’s journey, the Eagles clinch the division, and more ‘Hard Knocks’ highlights

    🎁 A ‘New Heights’ gift guide for ‘dudes who can’t shop good:’ Where do scented candles and gift cards stand?

    🚨 Former Eagles player’s Super Bowl LIX ring fetches more than $120,000 at auction

    📷 Eagles vs. Commanders: NFL Week 16 photos

    Tune in this Sunday at 2:55 p.m. as The Inquirer’s Olivia Reiner and Jeff McLane break down the Eagles’ matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Gameday Central.
  • Jeff McLane’s keys to Eagles vs. Bills in Week 17: What you need to know and a prediction

    Jeff McLane’s keys to Eagles vs. Bills in Week 17: What you need to know and a prediction

    The Eagles travel to face the Buffalo Bills in a Week 17 matchup at Highmark Stadium on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. Here’s what you need to know about the game:

    When the Eagles have the ball: The Eagles have a chance to build off their recent success on the ground by facing another poor run defense. The Bills are second-to-last in the NFL in yards allowed (5.4) and expected points added per rush (0.08). They’ve allowed 63 runs of 10-plus yards, which is second worst to only the New York Giants. Buffalo coach Sean McDermott doesn’t exactly stack boxes at a high rate (20.7%), but he’ll stay in his base 4-3 front vs. heavy personnel. The bigger issue has been how his defenders have — or haven’t — handled run fits. There have been a lot of big holes for running backs to run through. Tackling also has been a problem. The Bills are last in the league in rushing yards allowed after contact (4.1).

    Eagles Week 17 film preview: What to look for against the Buffalo Bills

    Say what you will about the last two opponents, but the Eagles have improved in the run game. “Turned the corner” would be too strong a phrase, but some wrinkles have contributed to the Eagles averaging 174.7 rushing yards in the last three games. Buffalo is depleted in the interior. Defensive tackles Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, and Jordan Phillips will be out. I think Saquon Barkley could also do some damage if he gets to the second level. The Bills have corners who don’t tackle well in space, and they’ll also be without veteran safety Jordan Poyer. The Eagles didn’t dial up as many runs from under center last week vs. the Washington Commanders as they did the week before. I could see Nick Sirianni and Kevin Patullo using Buffalo’s weak defense as a chance to reestablish that facet of their offense.

    Joey Bosa (97) is expected back to help bolster the Buffalo pass rush this week.

    The Bills have gotten behind in games because of their inability to stop the run. They’ve allowed an average of 13.9 points in the first half, but have been better after the break (9.1). Why the disparity? It could be McDermott’s ability to make adjustments, or the Bills have benefited from their offense getting ahead, which has forced quarterbacks to throw. Buffalo has a good pass defense. It has allowed just 52.8% of passes to be completed. A lot of the Bills’ success can be traced to their defensive ends getting pressure. Greg Rousseau (14.3%) and Joey Bosa (13.8%) have above-average rates on their rushes. Right tackle Fred Johnson, who is starting again for the injured Lane Johnson (foot), will have a stiff test in Bosa. Rousseau will bounce back and forth between each side.

    Eagles vs. Bills predictions: Our writers pick a winner for Week 17

    McDermott doesn’t blitz — a 23rd-in-the-league 23.7% rate this season — as much as he once did. He’ll send any of his linebackers, but Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard are most effective in getting pressure. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith should have opportunities on the outside, though. Cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Christian Benford are beatable, especially in man coverage. McDermott’s zone-man split is about 70-30. His safeties do a good job of rotating late. Cole Bishop is solid, but Poyer’s replacement — whether it’s rookie Jordan Hancock or veteran Darnell Savage — could be exploited.

    When the Bills have the ball: Josh Allen makes the Bills offense go, but I’m going to focus first on running back James Cook. He’s been arguably the best running back in the league this season. He leads the NFL with 1,532 rushing yards and averages 5.3 yards a carry. He’s not especially big at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, but he’s fast and runs hard. Cook has great vision and can slip through creases. If he has a kryptonite this season, it’s ball security — he has lost three of six fumbles. Cook runs behind a reliable, if not spectacular, offensive line led by left tackle Dion Dawkins. The unit’s relative good health has contributed to its chemistry. The Bills also have good blocking tight ends, although Dalton Kincaid (knee) and Dawson Knox (knee) are questionable.

    Josh Allen (17) remains dangerous, but the Eagles can’t sleep on the electric James Cook (4) either.

    Allen, of course, is almost as dangerous on the ground. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady will dial up designed runs, but Allen scrambles as well as any quarterback. He often knows when running is applicable and can be hard to bring down. A foot injury limited him early in the week, but he’s cleared to go. The Eagles have to stay disciplined in their rushes. I’d imagine defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will devote a linebacker to spying Allen on obvious passing downs, especially against empty sets. The Bills have effectively used their version of the Tush Push with the 6-5, 237-pound quarterback converting 13 of 15 rushing attempts on third- or fourth-and-1.

    Allen holds the ball longer than most — a sixth-longest 2.93 seconds — because he can make big plays out of structure. He doesn’t get sacked at a high rate (8.12% of attempts), but he can take big losses or turn the ball over when playing the hero. Allen doesn’t have a group of receivers that gets much separation downfield. He has cut down on interceptions by not forcing throws into tight windows — 11.3% of the time, which is 31st among qualifying quarterbacks — vs. last season (16.8%). Brady has helped by utilizing the under-center run game to set up play-action passes. He’ll also employ misdirection and motion at the snap.

    The Bills don’t often keep their tight ends or backs in to help with the pass rush. They want to give Allen underneath options to offset what he lacks on the outside. Fangio blitzes at a low rate (19.4%), so Brady probably won’t alter the formula. Receiver Khalil Shakir leads the offense with 66 catches. Most of his yards (515 of his 684) come after contact off short passes. The Eagles will need to be stout in tackling after the catch. Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell could be neutralized simply by Allen staying away from him.

    Extra point: The weather could change, but it looks like rain will be a factor late Sunday afternoon. Both teams have kicker woes. Jake Elliott’s struggles over the past five games have been documented. The Eagles are sticking with their guy — for now. The Bills will be without 41-year-old Matt Prater (quad) for a second straight game. His replacement, Michael Badgley, missed an extra point and the landing zone on a kickoff last week. Buffalo tried out some kickers as a result, but Badgley will get another chance.

    The Eagles don’t have as much on the line as the Bills. I don’t think that should matter much. Sirianni’s squad wants to measure itself against one of the best. Two years ago, they outlasted Buffalo, despite an amazing performance by Allen. Elliott’s 59-yard field goal sent the game to overtime and Jalen Hurts walked it off. I just realized I didn’t mention the Eagles quarterback above. He has settled down since the Los Angeles Chargers debacle. I think he’ll hit some shots downfield as long as the offense takes advantage on the ground. The Eagles’ defense has been susceptible at times against the run, but it has tightened the hatches since the Chicago Bears game. Jalen Carter (shoulders) is back, although the front more than managed in his absence.

    I don’t feel great about my pick. My gut says the opposite. But it’s hard to pick against Allen in the penultimate game at the Bills’ longtime home, Highmark Stadium.

    Prediction: Bills, 31-27

  • Bills’ James Cook credits Saquon Barkley for raising payroll bar for running backs

    Bills’ James Cook credits Saquon Barkley for raising payroll bar for running backs

    ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo’s James Cook reflected on his offseason contract dispute with pride, a sense of unfinished business and a nod to Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley.

    Though the Bills’ fourth-year running back might already be outperforming the four-year, $46 million contract extension he signed in August following a week-long hold-in, the NFL’s rushing leader enters Week 17 feeling vindicated for banking on himself.

    “You got to do what you got to do. You need to take care of your family, and that’s what I did,” Cook said Friday, referring to his contract dispute that included him skipping all of the team’s spring voluntary practices.

    At the same time, Cook thinks he has more to prove.

    “The job’s not even finished,” he said. ”So just keep going.”

    With a career-best 1,532 yards rushing, Cook has a 43-yard lead over the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor in what stands as a two-way race for the rushing title.

    What’s fitting for Cook this weekend as the Bills (11-4) prepare to host the Eagles (10-5) on Sunday is him owing his on- and off-field achievements to Barkley. If not for the Philadelphia running back raising the payroll bar for all players at his position, Cook figured he might still be spinning his wheels while seeking a pay raise.

    “He set the standard. He set the mark,” Cook said of Barkley turning his league-leading 2,005 yards rushing last year into a two-year contract $41.2 million extension that made him the NFL’s first running back to average more than $20 million a season.

    “Last year, he set the rushing title,” Cook added. ”And I’m just trying to replicate it.”

    Two of the NFL’s premier running backs will square off in expected sloppy conditions, with the forecast calling for a wintery mix of snow and rain Sunday.

    In Buffalo, Cook has scored 12 touchdowns and topped 100 yards nine times while taking the load off quarterback Josh Allen and contributing to the Bills reaching the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season.

    In Philadelphia, Barkley has found his footing and the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles appear to have rediscovered their balanced offensive identity.

    Barkley has topped 100 yards twice in the past three games after doing so just once in the first 12. The Eagles have won two in a row and are coming off a 29-18 win over Washington during which they became the first team to clinch consecutive NFC East titles since they did so over a four-year span from 2001-04.

    Barkley said he “never lost faith” in the offense or coordinator Kevin Patullo, who was criticized for the Eagles’ sluggish start.

    “It’s always not going to be pretty. The stat line isn’t always going to be 100 rushing yards,” he said. “When we get our running game going, we’re going to be a hard team to beat.”

    Barkley noted he exchanged messages on Instagram with Cook this week.

    “He’s the leading rusher right now and I sent him a message, like, ‘Go finish,” he said. “He’s a guy who’s had a heck of a year. … Super excited to go against him. Wish him the best, but not too well against our team.”

    Barkley has an opportunity to thrive against a Bills defense that has allowed 150 or more yards rushing seven times this season, and will be missing three defensive tackles to injury.

    The Bills, however, can counter with Cook, whose 12 TDs rushing are tied for fourth in the NFL.

    Bills coach Sean McDermott praised Cook for emerging as a team leader and for how he didn’t get comfortable after signing a new contract.

    “The week to week intensity is different than last year,” McDermott said. “He had some big games last year, but the look in his eye each week, the intensity that he shows up with, it’s really been influential on our whole football team.”

  • Eagles rookie Jihaad Campbell will step back into a familiar role Sunday vs. the Buffalo Bills

    Eagles rookie Jihaad Campbell will step back into a familiar role Sunday vs. the Buffalo Bills

    As Jihaad Campbell’s playing time decreased, his focus on NFL life off the field remained vigilant.

    The rookie first-round pick took a back seat when Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean returned from injury and slid back into his starting role. Dean’s play cut into Campbell’s playing time. By Week 13, his defensive snap count dropped to zero. But off the field, the 21-year-old Campbell kept to a schedule and made “mature decisions,” he said.

    Eagles vs. Bills Week 17 predictions roundup: Will the Birds come out on top?

    He went to bed early, made sure to keep up a normal recovery routine, and watched a lot of film, knowing that at any moment his number could be called for an increased role.

    That proverbial tap on the helmet came last Saturday vs. Washington, when Dean went down with a hamstring injury that will keep him out of Sunday’s game in Buffalo and give Campbell his first start in two months. Campbell had six combined tackles in 36 defensive snaps, and two of those tackles were run stops.

    Campbell briefly moonlighted at outside linebacker when the Eagles were missing multiple players. He talked last month, after losing his starting inside job, about keeping the right mindset.

    “The biggest thing is just staying prepared, not getting down, and just understanding the game plan and what has to happen,” he said in November. “So when it is my time to go in the game, I know exactly what I have to do, when I have to do it, with full confidence.”

    Jihaad Campbell, Eagles linebacker? It doesn’t seem real for his Birds fan grandfather: ‘Can’t put words to it’

    The unwavering off-field focus, Campbell said, comes from his upbringing.

    “It’s just in me,” the Erial, N.J., native said Wednesday. “It’s been instilled in me ever since I’ve been a young kid. I have a great foundation and support system back home.

    “It’s just all about knowing my responsibility, knowing that I have to be accountable for my own actions and what I want to do for my career to come.”

    Jihaad Campbell (right) will start this week at linebacker for the injured Nakobe Dean.

    Campbell’s first NFL season and all that comes with it seems to be coming at warp speed for the 31st pick in April’s draft.

    “I look up now and it’s Week 15, Week 16 of my rookie year,” he said. “It’s moving fast; it’s moving pretty quickly. It’s all about just squeezing the lemon as much as I can in this first year.”

    The team awaiting Campbell in his first start since Oct. 26 will test how much juice he’s produced.

    Running back James Cook leads the NFL in rushing, and Josh Allen is one of the best quarterbacks at using his legs. Buffalo has a dynamic running game that allows Allen some opportunities to use his arm, too. Dean was especially impactful against the run and as a blitzer in recent weeks, and the Eagles likely will need the same out of Campbell on Sunday. He has one quarterback hit and zero sacks on the season.

    “It’s all about what we do,” Campbell said when asked about the challenge of Allen and the Bills.

    Eagles Week 17 film preview: What to look for against the Buffalo Bills

    While Dean is out, the Eagles will get Jalen Carter back after he missed the previous three games with shoulder injuries. Carter should provide a boost, even in a limited role. But the Eagles have played some of their best defense of the 2025 season in the weeks after Dean returned.

    It will be on Campbell to help make sure that level of play continues.

    Injury report

    Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson remained off the practice field Friday and will not play Sunday. Dean also was ruled out.

    Landon Dickerson (illness) returned to the practice field Friday and is good to go for Sunday. A.J. Brown also returned to practice after missing time because of a dental procedure. He will play Sunday.

    The Eagles also listed rookie offensive tackle Cameron Williams (shoulder/injured reserve) as questionable. His 21-day practice window is open until next week. The Eagles then will need to decide to end his season or sign him to the active roster.

    The Bills, meanwhile, are a little banged up. They ruled out defensive tackles Jordan Phillips (ankle) and DaQuan Jones (calf), as well as safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring). A defense susceptible to giving up yards on the ground will be down a few contributors.

    Kicker Matt Prater (quad) also is out, while tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are questionable with knee injuries.

    Allen was listed as limited with a knee injury on Wednesday and Thursday but was upgraded to a full participant Friday and doesn’t have a game designation entering the weekend. Neither does edge rusher Joey Bosa, who didn’t practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday with a hamstring injury.

  • The Buffalo Bills know ‘it’s going to take all 11 guys’ on the field to stop an Eagles team with ‘a lot of dogs’

    The Buffalo Bills know ‘it’s going to take all 11 guys’ on the field to stop an Eagles team with ‘a lot of dogs’

    On Sunday, the Eagles (10-5) will travel to Highmark Stadium to face the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills (11-4) in a Week 17 matchup. The last time the teams met in 2023 was an overtime thriller won by the Eagles, 37-34, at home.

    Now, the Eagles enter Sunday’s game as 1.5-point underdogs as the Bills try to extend their race for the AFC East title. Will the Bills beat the Eagles? Or will the Eagles continue riding high and extend their winning streak to three?

    As the teams prepare, here’s what the Bills are saying about the Eagles:

    Eagles vs. Bills Week 17 predictions roundup: Will the Birds come out on top?

    ‘They got a lot of dogs’

    As the Bills’ AFC East title hopes remain alive and the Eagles chase the No. 3 seed, the teams are set to clash in what could be a Super Bowl preview.

    Although Josh Allen is coming off a game vs. Cleveland in which he suffered a foot injury, the quarterback is prepared to play Sunday and understands the challenges presented by the Eagles defense.

    “Well, they got a lot of studs on that side,” Allen told reporters. “Their front, they get after the quarterback. They’ve got two of the best linebackers in the game. A shutdown corner. They rotate well. Got a safety from Wyoming that’s a stud. They got a lot of dogs on that side of the ball. We got to make sure we have a good week of game planning. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to who executes better on Sunday.”

    ‘They understand ball’

    But, the Eagles defense isn’t the only challenge that the Bills will be presented with. Star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for 137 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders.

    “They’re really good players,” Bills cornerback and former Villanova star Christian Benford told reporters. “[Veteran] receivers, so they understand ball. So that’s what’s presented. They’re good receivers, smart, and vet receivers.”

    Former Villanova star Christian Benford is having a standout season at corner for the Buffalo Bills.

    And although the run game hasn’t been as dominant as last year, when Saquon Barkley eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards, Bills coach Sean McDermott is aware of the threat the Birds’ running game could pose.

    “Very talented roster,” McDermott, who grew up just outside of Philly, told reporters. “They’ve done a great job building it in particular with the key positions. Numbers are numbers. And numbers can indicate certain things. But they can also not tell the full story. We know who Saquon is. I mean, he’s a Hall of Fame player. Their offensive line, very talented as well. … It’s a tough unit to stop. And the run game in particular is real. I know what the numbers say, and I’m not buying the numbers.”

    Eagles are slight underdogs for matchup at Bills; plus, player props for Saquon Barkley and more

    ‘It’s going to take all 11 guys’

    In an effort to have a different outcome from the last time they met, the Bills will do everything in their power to limit big plays from the Birds.

    “It’s going to take all 11 guys on deck this week,” Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White told reporters. “We got to play the whole field. Be able to cover the whole field. These guys do a great job of exploding the ball each and every direction, through the air, on the run. So we’re going to have to be able to try to limit the big-time plays. This is an explosive offense. It’s going to be on us as a defense to communicate well and play well as a group.”

    Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said of the Eagles: “They’ve done a great job building it in particular with the key positions.”
  • Eagles are slight underdogs for matchup at Bills; plus, player props for Saquon Barkley and more

    Eagles are slight underdogs for matchup at Bills; plus, player props for Saquon Barkley and more

    Coming off a win over the Washington Commanders, the Eagles (10-5) will travel to Highmark Stadium to face the Buffalo Bills (11-4) a week after clinching the NFC East. As both teams prepare for the Week 17 matchup, here’s an updated look at the game odds and some interesting player prop bets from two of the biggest sportsbooks …

    Eagles vs. Bills updated odds

    Two years ago, both teams met in a game that saw the Eagles overcome a 17-7 halftime deficit to seal a 37-34 overtime win over the Bills at Lincoln Financial Field. Entering the week, both the FanDuel and DraftKings sportsbooks had the Eagles listed as 2.5-point underdogs. Since then, the odds have slightly changed.

    FanDuel

    • Spread: Eagles +1.5 (-110); Bills -1.5 (-110)
    • Moneyline: Eagles (+102); Bills (-120)
    • Total: Over 44.5 (-105); Under 44.5 (-115)

    DraftKings

    • Spread: Eagles +1.5 (-115); Bills -1.5 (-105)
    • Moneyline: Eagles (+102); Bills (-122)
    • Total: Over 43.5 (-115); Under 43.5 (-105)

    Passing yards props

    Jalen Hurts was able to get it done through the air and on his feet in the Eagles’ 29-18 win over the Commanders, completing 22 of 30 throws for 185 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 40 yards on seven carries.

    Meanwhile, Josh Allen, who suffered a foot injury in last Sunday’s game against Cleveland, finished the game completing 12 of 19 throws for 130 yards. For Sunday’s game, Hurts’ over/under is set at around 187 passing yards, while Allen’s is set at around 195 yards.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

    Passing touchdowns

    Over the last two games, Hurts has thrown for five touchdowns, including three touchdown passes against the 2-13 Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, Allen has thrown for three touchdowns over the last two games, coming off a game that saw him throw for zero touchdowns against the Browns.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

    Rushing yards props

    Saquon Barkley finished Saturday’s game with 132 yards on 21 carries and one rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, James Cook rushed for 117 yards on 16 carries in the Bills’ 23-20 win over the Browns.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

    Receiving yards props

    During the Eagles last matchup, A.J. Brown recorded nine receptions for 95 yards. Meanwhile, DeVonta Smith recorded six receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown. As of now, the sportsbooks have Brown and Smith’s over/under set around 60 and 46 yards, respectively.

    For the Bills, Khalil Shakir has recorded fewer than 40 yards in his last three of four games.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

    Touchdown scorers

    In Week 16, Dallas Goedert, Smith, Barkley, and Tank Bigsby found the end zone for the Eagles. For the Bills, Cook found the end zone twice and Ty Johnson added one of his own.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

  • Eagles vs. Bills Week 17 predictions roundup: Will the Birds come out on top?

    Eagles vs. Bills Week 17 predictions roundup: Will the Birds come out on top?

    After two consecutive wins over strugglingteams, the Eagles are headed to Highmark Stadium to take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. Heading into the matchup, the Eagles are slight 1.5-point underdogs.

    Here’s how experts in the local and national media are predicting Sunday’s game …

    Inquirer predictions

    We start with our own beat writers. Here’s an excerpt from Olivia Reiner’s prediction …

    To see how our other beat writers are predicting this one, check out our full Eagles-Bills preview here.

    National media predictions

    Here’s a look at who the national media is picking for Sunday’s game …

    • ESPN: Only two of 10 panelists are picking the Birds straight up.
    • CBS Sports: Three of seven experts are leaning towards the Eagles.
    • USA Today: Four of six panelists like the Eagles.
    • Bleacher Report: Only two of seven analysts are choosing the Birds.
    • Sporting News: Bill Bender has the Eagles losing 27-20.

    Local media predictions

    Here’s what the media in Philadelphia think will happen on Sunday …

    • Delaware Online: They’re heavily leaning toward the Bills, with only four of 11 panelists choosing the Birds.
  • Adoree’ Jackson has had ups and downs as an Eagle. A positive approach has him playing his best when it matters most

    Adoree’ Jackson has had ups and downs as an Eagle. A positive approach has him playing his best when it matters most

    On any given weekday, 30-year-old Adoree’ Jackson still has the look of a college student. After practice, he’s often sporting a University of Southern California sweatshirt, the alma mater that he considered his dream program as a child. He totes a notebook filled with Vic Fangio’s defensive plays to complete his studious uniform.

    Jackson didn’t stop learning when his college career ended. It’s a process, even in Year 9 — especially in Year 9 — of his NFL career. After splitting the first eight years of his career with the Tennessee Titans and the New York Giants, Jackson arrived in Philadelphia last offseason on a one-year deal to help replace Darius Slay, competing with Kelee Ringo for the vacant starting cornerback role in the Eagles defense.

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    Everything was new — new system, new terminology, new coordinator. Jackson’s transition wasn’t seamless, as evidenced by his shaky showing in the home opener against Dallas Cowboys All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb. But his persistence and his smile never wavered.

    “To be able to go through the offseason, learning, keeping my head down, just trying to be consistent and get better and get better and understand that it would take time, didn’t know how long it would take,” Jackson, the Titans’ first-round pick in 2017, said. “But just being persistent and not giving up and not wavering in my faith.

    Eagles cornerback Adoree’ Jackson had his issues covering CeeDee Lamb in Week 1.

    “Sometimes I just think that the Lord maybe wanted to see that I want it as much as I said I did. As much as I prayed for. And if I was going to continue to put the work behind it, because when there’s a storm coming, it’s got to end.”

    The storm isn’t so relentless now. Jackson weathered it, rebounding from a groin injury in late September that gave Ringo an opportunity to start in his place. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound cornerback won his job back a few weeks later, then suffered a concussion that sidelined him for another game.

    Injuries weren’t his only threats. Howie Roseman attempted to add competition, acquiring Jakorian Bennett from the Las Vegas Raiders in training camp and Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens at the trade deadline. Still, Fangio turned to Jackson at the bye week and hasn’t looked back.

    “I’ve personally been rooting for him all year to play [well,]” Fangio said earlier this month. “He’s had his ups and downs, like a lot of us. Hopefully, he can stay on the track that he is, but I don’t think it’s any magical thing [that led to his improvement]. It’s just a process [of] getting comfortable and getting confident.”

    Jackson’s confidence is showing. His play in the second half of the season — while far from flawless — has stabilized, peaking with his interception and pair of pass breakups against the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this month. His positive attitude, though, never changed.

    “I’m so used to being uncomfortable with something just very unexpected happening,” Jackson said. “But just keeping my faith and what I was taught and how I was raised helped me prepare to keep me going forward.”

    Long before he became the senior member of the Eagles’ defensive backs room, Jackson considered himself an old soul.

    Jackson hails from Belleville, Ill., a suburb of St. Louis, where his dream of becoming a pro athlete was born. Jackson told his mother, Vianca, that he was bound for the NBA after watching Space Jam at age 4. The dream felt attainable as he practiced Michael Jordan’s game-winning dunk over his parents’ bed.

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    That aspiration evolved. Jackson played sports year-round as a child, from basketball to soccer to track to football. He moved to California to live with his older sister, Lekisch Williams-Keene, ahead of his sophomore year of high school, in pursuit of better athletic and educational opportunities. He found such opportunities at Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, about 15 miles south of Los Angeles.

    “I think it helped me grow up a lot faster,” Jackson said. “It made me, I guess, prepared to be independent and in college. And also that fear of going back home motivated me to want to be something more than maybe I’d seen or what people assumed was going [to happen] for me.

    “I think that was the biggest thing for me, just staying motivated. I didn’t want to let my family down.”

    Adoree’ Jackson reunited with his high school football coach, Scott Altenberg, at the Eagles’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 8.

    Scott Altenberg, Serra’s football coach, never sensed that kind of pressure on Jackson. Rather, he picked up on two other qualities about his newest player on the first day of practice with the junior varsity team.

    For one, Jackson wasn’t long for the JV squad. He wasn’t the biggest player, Altenberg said, but he was the “Road Runner-type guy,” capable of running around and covering receivers effortlessly.

    Jackson also had a “glow” to him, according to Altenberg. He seemed to have more fun on the football field than anybody else. He set the tone for his teammates, dancing between plays, then dialing in on his assignment at the snap of the ball. Even opposing teams took notice of Jackson’s blend of prowess and personality.

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    “He would wear the grill and do different things that would look like he was kind of one of those look-at-me guys,” Altenberg said. “But he did it in a way that the opponents, like, he was very respectful about it. It was the strangest thing. I’d never seen it before or since. He would kill them the whole game, and then they would take pictures with them afterward, the opponents.”

    His glow never dimmed, no matter the circumstance. In his senior season, Jackson hurt his ankle in the playoffs. He played on his bad ankle through the state final. After every play, Altenberg watched as Jackson would limp, reset himself, make a play, then do it again.

    In the state final, Jackson had a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 93-yard kickoff for a touchdown, despite his nagging ankle injury.

    “When things don’t go his way, he’s able to recompartmentalize it and then get back going,” Altenberg said. “He’s always been like that.”

    Adoree’ Jackson joined the Eagles this offseason after splitting time with the Titans and Giants over eight seasons.

    Jackson takes after his mother, he says. He acknowledged that they tend to keep their struggles to themselves. In the spring of 2015, Vianca was diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn’t share her diagnosis with her son until she was pronounced cancer-free in the winter that year.

    But Jackson said his father, Christopher, told him and that he knew about her illness throughout his sophomore year at USC. The uncertainty surrounding her health made him uneasy. At age 15, Jackson had lost one of his closest friends, Jeremiah Radford, to cancer.

    Even though Jackson wasn’t by Vianca’s side as she went through treatment, he admired her strength from afar. Her resilience and positivity still inspire Jackson.

    “We think we’re strong playing football and doing different things and our bodies getting beat up, but [strength is] to have eternal and spiritual warfare and figuring out how you’re going to get through it, and not really trying to tell and keep a secret, and to come out on top and to thrive after what all you’re going through,” Jackson said.

    Altenberg still will give Jackson the occasional call just to receive a dose of the positivity he cherished daily during Jackson’s high school years.

    Jackson exudes it, even when his on-field performance slips. Early this season, when opposing quarterbacks were picking on Jackson, Altenberg sent him a text to lend his support. The cornerback responded with a sense of determination familiar to his high school coach.

    “He just was like, ‘I got this,’” Altenberg said. “‘I’m working on it, Coach. I’ll get there.’ And he just had that positive attitude. I was like, ‘OK.’ It’s hard not to be successful when you look for the positive and you work for the positive.”

    Cooper DeJean saw that work firsthand. The second-year defensive back said Jackson can keep the atmosphere in the room light, just like Slay did last season, while learning alongside his younger teammates.

    Adoree’ Jackson’s teammates have remarked the corner’s ability to remain even-keeled amid the peaks and valleys of the season.

    “He’s been the same person every single day, whether he’s playing well or if he’s had some downs throughout the year,” DeJean said. “He’s been the same guy. Every single day, he comes in and he works, and you can see that starting to show out on the field, I think. You’ve seen the past few weeks, the way he’s playing out on the field. Playing at a really high level. And he just continued to get better each and every week.”

    Ringo, who had been vying for the starting outside cornerback role with Jackson early in the season, has a deep sense of appreciation for the veteran, too. Jackson is always willing to lend his perspective and experience to younger players in the room. While he’s competed with Jackson this season, he says he harbors no resentment toward him.

    “Relationships are beyond football,” Ringo said. “Nothing out there on the field would affect a good relationship. We all have that good, dynamic relationship within each other, and it’s nothing but love, regardless of what that is.”

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    That gratitude — for everything — is mutual. Even in the aftermath of the Week 1 game against Dallas, Jackson stood at his stall in the NovaCare Complex and insisted that he wasn’t discouraged. He said he was excited that every week provides another chance to improve and build confidence in practice and on game day.

    He had that mentality when he wasn’t the starter, too. When Ringo briefly took over in early October, Jackson said he had learned to be content with his role, no matter how big or small. He had cultivated that attitude over the course of his career. He was a starter for seven seasons until his final year with the Giants.

    Adoree’ Jackson (22) was a known figure to the Eagles via his work as a Giants starter.

    His sense of appreciation for every opportunity, Jackson said, also comes from his mother.

    “She used to always tell me, ’The Lord can give it to me and he can also take it away,’” Jackson said. “It’s easy to praise the Lord when everything is going great, but how easy is it when things are not going your way? Or you seem like you’re in a turmoil.

    “I think just my mom, she did a great job as a kid of instilling faith in me, belief, but also humility and being humble and understanding that we are all human beings and we have to be grateful for what we have because it can be something as small as blinking, breathing, seeing, touching, tasting that you might take for granted, and the next person doesn’t have it.”

    Bigger tests await in two weeks, when Jackson is slated to suit up for his first playoff game since the 2022 season and just his ninth total. Beyond that lies uncertainty — over the Eagles’ chances at a Super Bowl repeat and Jackson’s next contract.

    But his youthful energy, willingness to learn, and unyielding sense of gratitude seem unlikely to change, no matter what the future holds for Jackson.

    “He loves where he is right now, always,” Altenberg said. “And I think that we could all benefit from that.”

  • Eagles Week 17 film preview: What to look for against the Buffalo Bills

    Eagles Week 17 film preview: What to look for against the Buffalo Bills

    Sunday’s game between the Eagles and Buffalo Bills, premier teams in their conferences, could ultimately serve as a Super Bowl preview and a much-needed measuring stick before the teams prepare for the playoffs.

    The Eagles and Bills are coming off wins over teams without playoff aspirations, and both are on the upswing after midseason lulls. Playoff seeding will be on the line as the Eagles chase the No. 3 seed and the Bills chase the Patriots in the AFC East race.

    From Buffalo’s two-headed rushing attack of Josh Allen and James Cook to a shaky run defense, here is what the film says about Sunday’s Week 17 matchup (4:25 p.m., Fox29):

    How the Bills forged the NFL’s best rushing attack

    Cook has been lethal all season, particularly between the tackles. He leads the NFL in rushing with 1,532 yards, with more than half coming between the tackles (853 yards), according to Next Gen Stats.

    The Bills do their most damage in the run game from under center. Over 1,300 of Cook’s 1,532 rushing yards have come from under center, and the Eagles allow the fifth-most rushing yards (73 yards) per game from those alignments. The Birds, though, have a minus-0.11 expected points added against under-center runs, which ranks ninth in the NFL.

    Buffalo has a diverse run game, but Cook is particularly dominant on counter runs that pull fullback Reggie Gilliam and tight end Jackson Hawes across the formation. Cook scored a 64-yard touchdown against Carolina on a counter run and scored from 45 and 44 yards out against the Texans and Browns, respectively.

    In addition to counter runs, Cook also thrives finding cutback lanes on zone runs, making defenses pay if they overpursue the running back on the back side. His vision and acceleration in the hole allow him to weave through defenses. Cook has recorded 1,034 of his 1,532 yards after contact.

    Buffalo also likes to get Cook on the perimeter on toss plays, and its offensive line does a nice job of paving lanes for him to create explosive runs.

    If Cook has one weakness, it’s fumbling the ball. He has coughed it up six times but has just lost three. His three fumbles lost this season are tied for the most among qualified running backs, according to Next Gen Stats.

    Allen, meanwhile, leads quarterbacks in rushing yards (552) and rushing touchdowns (12). He is particularly dangerous when he can escape the pocket on throwing downs. Of Allen’s 16 runs that have gone for 10 or more yards, five have come from the quarterback scrambling for third-down conversions, according to Next Gen Stats, and he has converted seven third-downs by scrambling.

    The Bills quarterback has became the go-to short-yardage player on quarterback sneaks and designed runs. If it is third-and-short, more than a yard, the Bills will utilize Allen on zone read runs or motion into an empty formation and follow a pulling linemen on a downhill quarterback run.

    The same can be said about utilizing Allen’s legs in the red zone. Allen will carry the ball on similar designed quarterback runs, like a draw, counter, and power scheme runs. Even the threat of Allen running can draw extra defenders into the box inside the red zone, allowing space for Buffalo’s receivers to make plays.

    Poor run defense and tackling is Bills’ Achilles’ heel

    While Buffalo’s rushing offense is elite, the Bills defense is allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per game this season (144.3 yards) and gives up the most yards per rush after contact in the NFL (4.1 yards), according to Next Gen Stats. They have allowed 63 runs of 10 or more yards, and nearly 60% of their opponents’ rushing production has come outside of the tackles. The Bills have also allowed 5.4 yards per rush per play, second-most in the NFL.

    Early-down runs have been a killer for Buffalo, which is allowing the fourth-most rushing yards on first down — 34 of the 63 runs that have gone for 10 or more yards have come on that down, according to Next Gen Stats.

    In addition to the run-game struggles, Buffalo’s defense allows the most rushing yards from pistol formation runs (36.5 yards per game), according to Next Gen Stats, and a large chunk of those yards have come on outside zone and counter scheme runs.

    The Eagles deviated from pistol formation runs after their first meeting with the Giants earlier this season, and have used them sparingly since the bye week. The only pistol run during their Week 16 win over the Commanders resulted in a 12-yard gain by Tank Bigsby to close out the game, and the Birds used the formation five times against the Raiders, four of which came with the game already decided in the fourth quarter of their shutout win.

    Only five times this season have the Eagles posted a positive rushing EPA. Three of them came in the first three weeks, and the other two were Week 8 against the Giants and Week 16 against the Commanders, according to Next Gen Stats. But Saquon Barkley has rushed for 100 yards or more in two of his past three games, with one trend starting to materialize.

    Barkley has had four games with positive EPA on under-center runs: the Chiefs in Week 3, the Giants in Week 8, the Chargers in Week 14, and the Commanders last week. Yards after contact accounted for 117 of Barkley’s 132 yards, and the same trend carried over from the Raiders game: 75 of his 78 rushing yards were after contact vs. Las Vegas.

    The Eagles are finding a formula in the run game and need to keep riding it against a struggling Buffalo defense.

    X-factor: Shutting down Shakir and screen game

    The passing game for Buffalo has been inconsistent, but one constant has been wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who leads the team in receptions (66) and yards (684).

    As an extension of their run game and to take advantage of his elusiveness, the Bills get the ball into Shakir’s hands quickly on swing routes and screen passes. It forces defensive backs to come up and make tackles, while also challenging off coverage looks.

    Of Shakir’s 684 receiving yards, 506 have come after the catch, according to Next Gen Stats. The bread and butter play for Buffalo’s passing game is mesh, which usually has one or two players running shallow crossing routes.

    Shakir often is asked to run those routes in the offense, especially on third-and-medium distances. He’s also effective in making the first defender miss and forces missed tackles similar to a running back in space.

    Cooper DeJean and Adoree’ Jackson likely will be tested in those situations to get Shakir to the ground. If Shakir is forcing missed tackles and turning 5-yard gains into 10 yards or more, it could be a long day for the Eagles’ secondary.

  • The NFL’s stadium greed, the Flyers’ missing component, and other thoughts

    The NFL’s stadium greed, the Flyers’ missing component, and other thoughts

    First and final thoughts …

    Clark Hunt and his family, who own the Kansas City Chiefs and are worth a reported $25 billion, are going to build a new domed stadium for the team in Wyandotte County, Kan. Wait, that’s not quite right. The Hunts aren’t really the ones building it. The construction is projected to take $3 billion to complete, but $1.8 billion — 60% of the cost — will come from Kansas taxpayers.

    That’s OK, though, because once the stadium is finished, it’ll be a gleaming football palace where the Chiefs’ opponents will never have to face harsh Midwest winter conditions during December and January. The teams will play football the way it was meant to be played: inside an aseptic arena where the temperature is always 72.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

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    Best of all, the NFL is sure to hold at least one Super Bowl at the stadium. And by at least one, I mean one, because if there’s anywhere that the celebrities and fat cats and influencers who populate Super Bowl week can’t wait to go, it’s … the Missouri-Kansas border.

    What we’re seeing here, of course, is the privatization of profit and the socialization of cost, a dynamic as old as the modern multibillion-dollar industry of pro sports. What we’re also seeing — and it will accelerate — is the slow death of the un-rich sports crowd. Those with the financial means to go to a game in the Chiefs’ new stadium — or in a new Eagles stadium, if Jeffrey Lurie eventually gets his way — don’t want cold and snow to mar their fun. They don’t want the experience they’re having to be common or accessible.

    Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts kneels in the endzone before a game at the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept 14.

    Attending a major pro sports contest became a luxury buy long ago. Now it’s on its way to becoming a sterile exercise only a select few can afford, and those fans who care the most, who drive interest and revenue in these games boys and girls can play, end up paying anyway, even while they are kept on the other side of the window.

    Still seeking a star

    If the NHL season had ended on Christmas … well, that would be a really short NHL season. Also, the Flyers would have qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and Trevor Zegras would have been considered a brilliant offseason acquisition.

    But the season, of course, isn’t even half-finished yet, and, given the Flyers’ recent history, there’s still plenty of reason to wonder whether they’ll keep up a postseason-worthy pace. That natural skepticism accounts for some of the relative indifference to their relative success so far. People will believe the Flyers are a good team when they see the Flyers be a good team over a full 82 games.

    After falling out of favor in Anaheim, Trevor Zegras has rebounded in Philly, where he has 37 points at Christmas, besting his mark for the entire 2024-25 season.

    There’s another reason, though, why the Flyers haven’t penetrated the broader, more mainstream public conversation about Philly sports so far: They don’t have any stars.

    At his current pace, Zegras would finish with 34 goals and 83 points over 82 games, which would lead the team but place him 31st in the league in points per game. Offense has been up in the NHL for a while. This would be the fifth straight season that the average team has scored at least three goals each game, the first such stretch in the league since the early 1990s.

    Yet the Flyers haven’t been part of that surge in scoring. They have not had a player with 35 goals or more in a season since 2011-12, when Scott Hartnell had 37. They have not had a player with 40 goals or more in a season since 2008-09, when Jeff Carter had 46. And they have not had a player with 50 goals or more in a season since 1997-98, when John LeClair had 51.

    There’s no denying the Flyers’ good vibes. What’s behind this season’s positive shift?

    That recent history also explains part of the frustration and disgruntlement from the fan base over Matvei Michkov’s sluggish sophomore season. Michkov was supposed to be the franchise’s next superstar, and he still can be, but his regression has at least delayed his development into the kind of player who even a hockey neophyte knows and feels compelled to watch. The Flyers haven’t had such a star since Eric Lindros, and, at the moment, they still don’t.

    Casty got one thing right

    A tip of the cap to Mark Whicker, an all-time great Philadelphia sports columnist, for noting that Nick Castellanos delivered the quote of the year in Philly sports.

    After Phillies pitchers Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez were snubbed for the National League All-Star team in favor of the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, who had made just five starts, Castellanos said:

    “This is turning into the Savannah Bananas.”

    Nick Castellanos is likely out in Philly after a couple tough years in the field and at the mound.

    No offense to the Bananas, who make baseball less stuffy and lots more fun for loads of kids in America. But Castellanos’ point about the All-Star Game being more than just a meaningless exhibition — that it is, still, supposed to be an acknowledgment of and accolade for those players who have performed best through a season’s first half — was well taken. Whatever one might think of his performance on the field in 2025, he launched that answer into the upper deck.

    Good stuff, Gramps

    In his two games with the Indianapolis Colts this season, nearly five years after he had retired, Philip Rivers — 44 years old, father of 10, grandfather of one — has completed 41 of 62 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns.

    How hard can it be to play quarterback in the NFL if Pop-Pop can do it this well?