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  • The Day After: Are the Eagles really playing their best?

    The Day After: Are the Eagles really playing their best?

    Are the Eagles really playing their best football of the season? That was their head coach’s claim following the team’s solid performance against Washington last weekend. But despite the Eagles outscoring the opposition by a combined 60-18 margin in back-to-back wins, trends are emerging with both promising and cautionary implications. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Jeff Neiburg highlight these developments, and address whether they agree with Nick Sirianni’s current assessment of the defending Super Bowl champs.

    00:00 Nick Sirianni says the Eagles are playing their best football. Is he right?

    10:20 Shades of 2024 – Saquon Barkley and the run game are looking great

    18:40 Handing out three defensive stars

    27:17 Should the Eagles start looking for another kicker?

    unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

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

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

    Less than one year removed from winning Super Bowl LIX, former Eagles practice-squad offensive tackle Laekin Vakalahi put his Super Bowl ring up for auction. On Saturday, that ring sold for $124,440 on Heritage Auctions.

    The ring was designed by Jason Arasheben, the founder of Jason of Beverly Hills, and features 145 diamonds in the bezel of the ring, paying homage to the team’s 145 playoff points.

    The ring also features 18 green stones paying tribute to the team’s 18 victories last season. The top of the ring spells “world champions” in 40 diamonds to represent the 40 points they scored against the Chiefs, and there is a pair of moving wings that open with a push of a button to reveal Nick Sirianni’s motto, “You can’t be great without the greatness of others.”

    The auctioned ring features Vakalahi’s last name printed across the side with a custom ring box that features a turntable and LED lighting. The rings were first revealed during a team ceremony on July 18.

    The New Zealand native Vakalahi came to the Eagles in 2024 as a member of the NFL’s International Pathway Program (IPP), and spent the Super Bowl season as a member of the practice squad. He was released on Aug. 26, 2025 as a part of the team’s final roster cuts.

  • Phillies believe new reliever Brad Keller is ‘one of the best in the business’

    Phillies believe new reliever Brad Keller is ‘one of the best in the business’

    It’s not unusual for a pitcher’s velocity to increase a little after transitioning from starting to relieving. But when Brad Keller moved to the Chicago Cubs bullpen last season, his fastball jumped over 3 miles per hour.

    The increased zing — an average of 93.7 mph in 2024 became 97.1 mph last year — was followed by a career season. Keller posted a 2.07 ERA and 0.962 WHIP in 69⅔ innings with the Cubs, primarily pitching in a setup role. And he parlayed that into a two-year, $22 million contract with the Phillies last week.

    “There’s nothing like the adrenaline spike when the phone rings and your name’s called,” Keller said on Monday. “So I really grew into that.”

    Adolis García could be a steal, or just another Nick Castellanos. Here’s why the Phillies like the gamble.

    Behind closer Jhoan Duran, Keller is set to become one of the Phillies’ top right-handed relief options along with Orion Kerkering. The Phillies also added righty Jonathan Bowlan to the mix last week in a trade for Matt Strahm. Another righty in competition for a bullpen spot will be Zach Pop, whom the Phillies signed to a major league deal on Monday. Pop, 29, has a 4.88 ERA in 162⅓ career innings, and spent most of last season in triple A in the Mariners and Mets organizations.

    “We love Keller. We think he’s one of the best in the business, the way he stepped up last year as a reliever with the Cubs,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “So we really like the way the bullpen now shapes up.”

    It wasn’t just the move to the bullpen that led to Keller’s velocity increase last year. He also made some key mechanical adjustments, focusing on using his lower body more. And most important, Keller felt completely healthy.

    The right-hander had thoracic outlet decompression surgery during the 2023 offseason, a procedure that Phillies ace Zack Wheeler also underwent on Sept. 23. Before his diagnosis with thoracic outlet syndrome, Keller’s hand would swell up so much because of the lack of blood flow that he couldn’t grip a baseball.

    Keller returned to the mound in the spring of 2024 after signing with the Chicago White Sox. He said he didn’t quite feel like himself until the All-Star break.

    Like Zack Wheeler, new Phillies pitcher Brad Keller has undergone thoracic outlet decompression surgery.

    “Granted, I kind of rushed my rehab because I had surgery in the offseason,” he said. “And I was a free agent that year, and I really tried to be with the team and finish rehab with the team, and then kind of roll through there.”

    Keller was designated for assignment by the White Sox in May 2024 and spent the rest of that season in the Red Sox organization.

    “I just carried that second half into last year, where it’s like, ‘All right, that’s in the rearview. I feel good. I don’t have to worry about that stuff anymore,’” Keller said.

    When Keller signed with the Cubs last January, it was to be a starter. But after the deal came together late in the offseason, and the Cubs underwent an accelerated spring training before the Tokyo Series, he wasn’t fully built up. Chicago tried him out in the bullpen. And not only did Keller find success there, he also enjoyed the new role.

    Phillies free up some payroll by trading Matt Strahm to the Royals

    The Phillies believe the 97-mph version of Keller is here to stay.

    “All of our scouting work, our analytical work, our pitching people that have taken a look at him, between [pitching coach] Caleb [Cotham] and the rest of the group,” Dombrowski said, “people that we’ve talked to feel like, ‘OK, this is him now.’ I mean, he’s a legit back-end-type guy.”

    Keller still has a starter’s arsenal, using a five-pitch mix of four-seam, sinker, slider, changeup, and sweeper, which he introduced last season. He and Cotham have already discussed ways he could improve the newest offering.

    “He thinks very similar to how I think about things,” said Keller, 30. “And he brought up some ideas of things that we feel like would be fun things to try, like throwing sweepers to lefties, changeups to righties, things like that that’s kind of a little unorthodox.”

    This winter, other teams inquired about Keller’s willingness to return to a starting role. He said he was open to it, but he had more fun coming out of the bullpen.

    Most fun of all, though, was experiencing the playoffs for the first time in his career. Keller had a 1.59 ERA in five postseason appearances with the Cubs in 2025, recording two saves and one hold. One of his biggest priorities in free agency this winter was joining a contender.

    “Once you get a taste of that,” Keller said, “that’s what you crave every single year.”

  • ‘Enough is enough’: Rick Tocchet sounds off after latest questions about Matvei Michkov’s usage

    ‘Enough is enough’: Rick Tocchet sounds off after latest questions about Matvei Michkov’s usage

    In mid-October, Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said the quiet part out loud.

    “I know he’s the lightning rod for everybody around here,” he said of Matvei Michkov.

    A talented offensive player, the recently turned 21-year-old Russian, who arrived in North America two years earlier than expected, led the Flyers — and all NHL rookies — with 26 goals and finished second on the team with 63 points last season. He also won the league’s rookie of the month award twice, becoming the first Flyer in 30 years to do so.

    But this season, Michkov has struggled to find that spark with 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in 34 games. He has also taken several unnecessary penalties and seen his ice time decrease from 16 minutes, 41 seconds last season to 14:43 this year.

    Should the Flyers have gone harder after Quinn Hughes? And what now for a team lacking a No. 1 center and defenseman?

    Although Natural Stat Trick has the Flyers with 51.74% of the shot attempts when Michkov is on the ice — tops on the team — and an expected goal-share of 53.6%, which is No. 2 among players who have played at least five games, he has struggled defensively and shown a tendency to cherry-pick at times.

    As Tocchet said, he is a lightning rod, so, of course, he is often a topic of conversation.

    On Saturday, the television broadcast caught Michkov, Tocchet, and assistant coach Jaroslav “Yogi” Svejkovský having an animated conversation on the bench. The conversation appeared to happen right after Michkov drew a minor penalty when New York Rangers winger Will Cuylle cross-checked him from behind.

    “It happens all the time. It’s not Mich, it’s just a story, because it’s Mich. It wasn’t even an argument. It was about when he should switch, and not with [Denver] Barkey. And he’s getting it, when to switch and when not to on the power play,” Tocchet said, although it’s not clear if he meant to say power play as he did appear to stop himself, and the Flyers were heading to their first power play of the game.

    “But that was all. He was just getting frustrated on when to switch and when he shouldn’t switch. I know it’s a lot of media people like to let him do what he wants. But there’s a time to switch and when not to switch, and that’s really what it comes down to.”

    It is worth noting that Michkov and Barkey picked up assists on Travis Sanheim’s power-play goal directly following the Russian’s animated conversation with Tocchet.

    Michkov has five assists in December but does not have a goal this month. A follow-up question asked the bench boss about Michkov having the right attitude but getting frustrated when he’s not scoring.

    Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov, 21, has just 19 points in 34 games this season.

    “Guys who want to score goals get frustrated, but you can’t let it affect your overall game,” Tocchet said. “You’ve got to continue to go to the spots, you keep going to the middle, keep getting to that slot area when you already have two guys down low, like — don’t go behind the net — like things like that.

    “He’s just got to stay with it, because he’ll get those chances. He had some chances against the Rangers. … Now he’s got [to] play a little faster and separate himself. That’s what it comes down to. You can’t get frustrated, and just keep working.”

    Barkey and Michkov switched one time before the bench interaction. It came with 11:49 left in the first period, and it occurred after Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin froze the puck. So was it about switching shifts and the short shifts by Michkov that have been discussed recently?

    “We tell our players, when you’re tired, get off. So if he’s tired after 20 seconds, get off. I don’t know. I don’t know what you want me to say. Yeah, he’s getting enough shifts. He’s coming off short because sometimes he’s tired. I don’t know what the big deal of that is,” Tocchet snapped.

    Flyers Q&A: Brent Flahr dishes on prospects Porter Martone, Jett Luchanko, and more

    The fourth question about Michkov noted that Tocchet and the Russian winger were seen speaking before practice. Does the coach like that he’s willing to work on things, showing his sheer competitiveness?

    “We’re 17-10[-7], we have a good record. I’ve answered six Michkov questions. I mean, enough is enough,” Tocchet said.

    “We’ve got [Dan] Vladař having a great year. [Jamie] Drysdale is playing really good five-on-five for us. [Cam York’s] doing a really good job. We’ve got a lot of other players playing good and a team game.

    “I mean, this is the fifth question. I appreciate it, but you’re trying to make something that it’s not. He’s got to learn to play the game, and he’s trying. He’s a lot better defensively. He’s a lot better playing a team game, and that’s how you win hockey. It’s not about catering to one person. I hate to tell you guys. That’s it.”

    Breakaways

    Goalie Aleksei Kolosov was sent back to Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League on Monday morning. Vladař (upper-body injury) and Christian Dvorak (lower-body injury), who both missed Saturday’s game against the Rangers, were at the team’s morning skate. Tocchet expects Dvorak to play, but said Vladař is a game-time decision. … Barkey will make his Xfinity Mobile Arena debut on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks (7:30 p.m., NHLN, NBCSP). … Defenseman Noah Juulsen and forwards Garnet Hathaway and Nic Deslauriers are expected to be healthy scratches.

  • To play or not to play: Eagles face looming rest decisions; no competition coming for Jake Elliott

    To play or not to play: Eagles face looming rest decisions; no competition coming for Jake Elliott

    To play, or not to play, that is the question that will face Eagles coach Nick Sirianni over the final two weeks of the season.

    The No. 2 seed in the NFC is still up for grabs, and will be at the time the Eagles kick off Sunday afternoon in Orchard Park, N.Y., for a marquee matchup with the Buffalo Bills. But the seeding could be decided before the Week 18 finale vs. the Washington Commanders, and we know how the Eagles went about their business last season when they rested almost all of their starters in the season finale.

    As it pertains to offensive tackle Lane Johnson and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, though, Sirianni will have to weigh risk vs. reward for two of his best players in the trenches. According to a report from ESPN, both players are in line to be available for Sunday’s game vs. the Bills. Carter has missed the last three games after undergoing procedures to both of his shoulders. Johnson, meanwhile, has been out since the first quarter of Week 11 with a Lisfranc sprain in his left foot.

    “Every guy is a little different,” Sirianni said Monday. “Every scenario is a little different.”

    Offensive tackle Lane Johnson watching his teammates warm up before the Eagles played the Washington Commanders on Saturday.

    Sirianni pointed to last season’s finale vs. the New York Giants. The Eagles rested their starters, but tight end Dallas Goedert had been out for more than a month and the Eagles decided to get him on the field for two series at the beginning of the game and threw six targets his way. “That was good for him,” Sirianni said.

    “You do think about your past situations and when you’ve been through those things before,” he said. “But you’re trying to do and make the best decision for each guy and everyone’s just a little bit different.”

    Handing out credit for the Eagles’ record playoff run, also what NFL refs got right and DK Metcalf did wrong in Week 16

    Carter and Johnson are certainly different, and the Eagles are likely to weigh getting Carter on the field as a higher priority than Johnson given Carter’s early-season struggles with conditioning.

    Still, the Eagles will enter Sunday with plenty to play for. There is a realistic path to the No. 2 seed, a spot that would ensure a second home game with a win in the wild-card round. The simplest math is for the Chicago Bears, the current No. 2 seed, to lose their final two games and the Eagles to win their final two. The Bears play at San Francisco in Week 17 before hosting the Lions, who could be in desperation mode, in Week 18.

    What’s the math look like?

    According to FTN Fantasy‘s playoff projections, the Eagles are at 10.3% to get the No. 2 seed based on thousands of simulations. They’re at 88.7% to stay in the No. 3 spot and have minuscule chances at the No. 1 seed (0.1%) and No. 4 seed (0.9%).

    Time will tell how the Eagles approach the last two weeks of the season.

    No competition coming for Jake Elliott

    Sirianni reiterated his confidence in Jake Elliott after the kicker missed two field goals and had another miss negated by a penalty during Saturday’s win.

    Elliott has missed five field goals over the Eagles’ last five games and also has a missed point-after attempt during that stretch. His 70.8% conversion rate (17-for-24) on field goals this season is the lowest of his nine-year NFL career.

    Eagles kicker Jake Elliott reacts after missing a 52-yard field goal attempt during the second quarter Saturday.

    Sirianni said the Eagles will not be bringing in outside competition. He pointed to Elliott’s struggles late in the season last year and how he rebounded in the Super Bowl as something to draw confidence from.

    “All I’ve ever seen him do was get up out of that and rise from that,” Sirianni said. “I have no doubt in my mind of the competitor he is and how mentally tough he is to be able to rise from this situation as well.”

    Report: No suspension for Tyler Steen

    According to a report from ESPN, there will be no suspensions following the kerfuffle near the end of the Eagles-Commanders game after the Eagles’ two-point conversion. The league will review the play for fines.

    The skirmish happened after the successful try that bumped the Eagles’ lead to 29-10, a decision Sirianni said was analytics-based and not an attempt to run up the score, though it appeared that Commanders coach Dan Quinn was not pleased with the choice.

    Eagles offensive tackle Fred Johnson and guard Tyler Steen get into a brawl on the field with the Commanders during the fourth quarter Saturday.

    In the middle of it all for the Eagles was right guard Tyler Steen, who was ejected for his role in the scuffle.

    Sirianni, as he normally does, declined to go into details about his conversations with Steen.

    “But we never want anything like that to take place,” he said. “We want to play fast and physical and we want to be able to do that all within the rules of the game. I understand the game gets chippy at times, but we always want to make sure we’re keeping our cool in those scenarios.”

  • Handing out credit for the Eagles’ record playoff run, also what NFL refs got right and DK Metcalf did wrong in Week 16

    Handing out credit for the Eagles’ record playoff run, also what NFL refs got right and DK Metcalf did wrong in Week 16

    Eagles GM Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie make the big decisions, and most of their decisions in the past five years turned out to be sound. But they didn’t take a single snap, run a meeting, or call a play during the Eagles’ five consecutive playoff runs, culminating Saturday in the first back-to-back NFC East championships since Andy Reid’s Eagles did it four times from 2001-04.

    Eagles use big second half to overwhelm Commanders, become first repeat NFC East champs since 2004

    Five straight postseason runs ties those Reid-era Eagles for most consecutive playoff appearances. It also is the longest active streak, technically, but Buffalo (six straight from 2019-24) and Tampa Bay (five straight) both have a chance to extend theirs. Kansas City’s 10-year run, which is second only to the Patriots’ 11-year run, just ended; the Eagles’ win in KC on Sept. 14 helped to exclude Reid and his Chiefs.

    In all cases, consistent excellence and dedication have pushed a wealth of talent to accomplish what is every NFL team’s goal at the start of every season. These are the front line people who were a part of it in Philly for all of the last five years:

    Nick Sirianni, whose coaching ability far outstripped anyone’s expectations. On Saturday, he tied George Seifert as the coach with the most regular-season and playoff wins in his first five seasons as a head coach in the Super Bowl era, but Sirianni’s 64 wins are much more impressive than Seifert’s. Seifert inherited a Super Bowl team with legends all over the 49ers roster. Sirianni inherited Jalen Reagor.

    Jalen Hurts, whose quarterbacking ability far outstripped anyone’s expectations. His 61 wins, including playoffs, rank third behind the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Bills’ Josh Allen.

    Lane Johnson, right tackle, who might be the best Eagle ever.

    DeVonta Smith, wide receiver, who already is the Eagles’ all-time leader in playoff receiving yards with 595.

    Landon Dickerson, left guard, part of the best left side in Eagles offensive line history.

    Jordan Mailata, left tackle, the other part of the best left side in Eagles offensive line history.

    Brandon Graham, defensive lineman, who was drafted in 2010, retired after 2024, unretired in mid-2025, changed positions from end to tackle two weeks ago, and has three sacks since.

    Jake Elliott, who has missed five of his last 11 kicks, but who set a Super Bowl record in February with 16 points when he made four field goals in New Orleans.

    Dallas Goedert, tight end, whose 52 postseason catches are a franchise record.

    Jeff Stoutland, the offensive line coach and the best assistant in the history of Philadelphia.

    Michael Clay, special teams coordinator, who entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2014 thanks to former Eagles coach Chip Kelly, who should be credited for a lot of changes in Eagles culture.

    Kevin Patullo, first-year offensive coordinator, former passing game coordinator, and Sirianni’s longtime majordomo. Currently, he is unpopular.

    Jemal Singleton, running backs coach and current assistant head coach who has overseen the best seasons of Saquon Barkley, D’Andre Swift, and Miles Sanders.

    Jason Michael, the tight ends coach who made Goedert a top-five tight end and helped sixth-rounder Grant Calcaterra last for four years in the NFL.

    Aaron Moorehead, the receivers coach tasked with keeping A.J. Brown in line.

    Jeremiah Washburn, who has coached edge rushers including Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Jaelan Phillips, and Josh Sweat. Also Bryce Huff and Joshua Uche.

    “Big” Dom DiSandro, security chief, Howie’s adviser, game-day and sideline sheriff, whose basic job it is to keep everybody safe and out of trouble.

    Honorable mention: Lurie and Roseman delegate liberally, and their scouts and support staff are remarkably loyal and proficient.

    DK Metcalf’s swing at fan costs Steelers

    Late in the second quarter of their game in Detroit, Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf approached a blue-wigged Lions fan in the stands and exchanged words. He then grabbed the fan’s shirt, pulled the fan down closer to him, then appeared to try and strike the fan as he released the fan’s shirt and walked away. Metcalf, through reported sources, claimed the fan, with whom he interacted during last year’s game, used a racial slur and also insulted Metcalf’s mother.

    Metcalf remained in the game — officials afterward said they didn’t see it happen. The league apparently did not believe Metcalf’s explanation of provocation or didn’t believe it warranted his action.

    He was suspended (as always, without pay, in this case $555,556) for the Steelers’ last two games, which could be devastating. The Steelers, 9-6 and atop the AFC North, face the Browns, then the 7-8 Ravens to finish the year. Metcalf plans to appeal the decision.

    Refs got it right

    Social media, Rams fans, and Lions fans nearly shared a group embolism after several unusual plays with intricate rules applications affected the outcomes of games with significant playoff implications — plays on which officials ultimately landed on the correct calls, with no room for argument.

    On Thursday night, the Seahawks were granted a two-point conversion that tied their game with the Rams, 30-30, on a bizarre sequence:

    Sam Darnold threw a backward pass to Zach Charbonnet, which deflected off Rams linebacker Jared Verse’s hand, then his helmet. The second deflection sent the ball forward, just over the goal line. As Charbonnet dejectedly retrieved the ball, a whistle blew.

    Officials gathered to discuss the play and they ruled that, even though the whistle blew, the ball remained live. Further, since there is a distinction between a backward pass and a fumble — the offense cannot advance a fumble on a two-point conversion — Charbonnet’s recovery was valid.

    Not only did the refs get this right, TV rules analyst Terry McAulay immediately explained why officials were discussing the play and he accurately predicted a reversal. Minutes later, the Football Zebras account took to Twitter/X and explained the intricacies of the determination.

    If you’re interested, early Friday morning McAulay used his own entertaining Twitter/X account to further explain and defend his comments and opinion, including a quote-tweet of one of his posts from 2023, which explains the rules and emphasizes the confusion regarding the whistle. This includes a reply to an esteemed, retired Inquirer writer who covered the Eagles.

    You might not agree with the rules enforced here, but they have existed for a long time, and they were appropriately applied. That said, I understand the outrage. I’ve been covering the NFL for 35 years and I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure what I was watching. I am sure, however, that, between the nuances of the backward pass and the whistle, I would have gotten at least part of it wrong.

    The refs, in the end, did not.

    Notably, this all happened with more than six minutes to play in regulation. Each team had three more possessions before overtime, so the conversion didn’t directly determine the winner. Each team scored a touchdown in overtime, and after the Seahawks scored the answering TD they were successful with a bold, if benign, two-point conversion. The win put them at 12-3, gave them the current top seed in the NFC, and the lead in the NFC West over the 11-4 Rams.

    On Sunday evening, another bizarre play did determine the winner of the Steelers-Lions game, with possibly even greater playoff consequences that included a third team.

    The Lions drove to the Steelers’ 1-yard line with 25 seconds to play, trailing by five points. They scored a touchdown on the next play, but it was nullified by offensive pass interference on Jameson Williams, called for an illegal pick on a Steelers defender. Good call.

    Two plays later, the final play of the game, Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown near the goal line. St. Brown was stopped but not declared down; instead, he lateraled to Goff, who vaulted into the end zone for a touchdown after time expired.

    Unfortunately, Goff had vaulted past two flags on the ground. Brown had clearly pushed his defender away to get open.

    A lengthy discussion determined that St. Brown had indeed committed offensive pass interference before the catch. The penalty nullified the touchdown. Since time had expired, the game was over.

    The fallout: The Steelers clinched a playoff spot for the 49ers and essentially ended the Lions’ season, since, due to tiebreaker rules, the 8-7 Lions now cannot catch the 10-4 49ers in the wild-card race. The Steelers, now 9-6, also greatly improved their own postseason hopes with a crazy 29-24 win in Detroit, where they were seven-point underdogs.

    Anyway, kudos, refs.

    Then, on Sunday Night Football, as if to spite their few supporters, officials failed to call a blatant pass interference penalty against the Ravens late in the Patriots’ comeback win at Baltimore, probably the worst missed call of the year. The Pats still scored on that drive and won the game, but come on, fellas.

    Extra points

    The Bears’ comeback win over the Packers on Saturday night virtually locked the Eagles into the No. 3 seed behind the Seahawks (12-3) and the Bears (11-4). … The Chiefs could be moving from Missouri to Kansas to secure a new stadium, with an announcement coming as soon as Monday afternoon. … The Patriots’ win not only locked in their first playoff berth since 2021, it gave them a 12-3 record, same as the Broncos, who lost in Jacksonville (11-4), though the Patriots lose the top-seed tiebreaker against the Broncos (common opponents). … The Jags have won six in a row.

  • Eagles open as underdogs against the Bills, but their Super Bowl odds improve

    Eagles open as underdogs against the Bills, but their Super Bowl odds improve

    Been there, won that.

    The Eagles clinched the NFC East and secured a spot in the playoffs Saturday with a 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders. With two games left in the regular season, the Eagles will face the Bills in Buffalo on Sunday.

    From the Birds’ chances this weekend to updates on year-end awards, here are some of the latest odds at two of the biggest sportsbooks …

    Eagles-Bills odds

    The last time these teams met was in Week 12 of the 2023 season in a game that saw the Birds pull out a 37-34 overtime win at Lincoln Financial Field.

    The 10-5 Birds are the third seed in the NFC behind the No. 1 Seattle Seahawks and the No. 2 Chicago Bears. However, they could claim the second seed if the Bears lose their last two games and the Birds win their last two. Meanwhile, Sunday is a must-win game for the 11-4 Bills to keep their AFC East title hopes alive.

    Heading into the Week 17 matchup, the Bills opened as 2.5-point favorites over the NFC East champions.

    FanDuel

    • Spread: Bills -2.5 (-110); Eagles +2.5 (-110)
    • Moneyline: Bills (-134); Eagles (+114)
    • Total: Over 45.5 (-104); Under 45.5 (-118)

    DraftKings

    • Spread: Bills -2.5 (-112); Eagles +2.5 (-108)
    • Moneyline: Bills (-142); Eagles (+120)
    • Total: Over 44.5 (-115); Under 44.5 (-105)
    Josh Allen and the Bills lost to the Eagles in overtime in their last meeting, in 2023.

    NFC odds update

    At both sportsbooks, the Eagles remain as the team with the third-best odds to win the NFC. They continue to trail the Los Angeles Rams and the Seahawks.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

    Super Bowl odds

    The defending champions have worked their way back into FanDuel’s top three favorites to win the Super Bowl, trailing the Rams and the Seahawks. However, they have fallen outside DraftKings’ top five favorites.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

    Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is the betting favorite to win the MVP award.

    MVP odds

    Closing in on the end of the regular season, the MVP race is between Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye. Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, and Justin Herbert trail both quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts is essentially out of the running.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

  • What they’re saying: The Eagles are NFC East champs but ‘still have a lot to prove’

    What they’re saying: The Eagles are NFC East champs but ‘still have a lot to prove’

    Christmas came early for Eagles fans on Saturday.

    After a slow start that saw them trail 10-7 at halftime, the Eagles managed to take over in the final 30 minutes — securing a 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders and punching their ticket to the playoffs, becoming the first repeat NFC East champions since 2004.

    Eagles use big second half to overwhelm Commanders, become first repeat NFC East champs since 2004

    Now, the 10-5 Eagles will prepare to travel to Highmark Stadium to play the 11-4 Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Most of the discourse surrounding the division champs has been centered on Nick Sirianni’s decision to go for two late in the game, whether the Birds are the best team in the NFC, or if they still have to prove themselves ahead of the postseason.

    Here’s what they’re saying about the Birds ahead of their game with the Bills …

    Nick Sirianni cited math in his decision to go for two late in the win over the Commanders.

    ‘I thought it was the wrong call’

    One of the biggest storylines centered on Sirianni’s decision to go for two late in the Commanders game to give the Eagles a 19-point lead. At the end of the two-point conversion, a fight broke out between Washington and Philadelphia players, resulting in three ejections.

    Former Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner reacted to the play call and the aftermath on 94WIP.

    “Let me say this,” Joyner said. “I thought it was the wrong call. But, [Sirianni’s] the head coach, he can do what he wants to do. But, isn’t it amazing? Isn’t it amazing that biggest whiners, the biggest criers, are the losers? Shut the [expletive] up and take the L. OK. Because y’all was like dancing around last year like y’all was really going to do something because you knocked our quarterback out, you know, with a cheap shot. That wasn’t bush league?

    “Then you bring your [expletive] here in the NFC championship game and you get run out of here. You run out of here like little church mice. You don’t say nothing. Now, all of a sudden you’re chiming in again. Shut the [expletive] up.”

    ‘The championship runs through Philly’

    On The Speakeasy podcast, former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy and former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho were asked the question: Are the Eagles the best team in the NFC?

    “When did we let it go,” McCoy said. “We were the defending champs last year. We were the NFC champs. See, y’all forget a lot, though. I don’t forget. Last year, we won the whole NFC East. Last year we won the whole NFC. Last year we won the whole league, the Super Bowl. Why y’all forgot? Because we had a couple bad games. Because our Super Bowl quarterback had a couple of bad moments. We’re still the Eagles and we still put on a show. And the championship runs through Philly.”

    To Acho, Saturday’s game showed the complete package of what the Eagles could be. Jalen Hurts completed 22 of 30 throws for 185 yards with A.J. Brown as his favorite target, and gained 40 rushing yards on seven carries. Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley finished with 132 yards on 21 carries to contribute to the team’s 207 total rushing yards.

    “I think the Eagles are who we thought they were supposed to be all season,” Acho said. “Saquon [Barkley] really got active today. And then on top of that, A.J. Brown, he finally got active today. … This was maybe one of two or three complete games the Eagles have played all season. … The Eagles checked every single box you could hope and expect that they check.”

    After a three-game skid, the Eagles have managed to bounce back with two consecutive wins over the 2-13 Las Vegas Raiders and the 4-11 Commanders, two teams that have struggled throughout the season.

    “These games are momentum,” McCoy said. “It’s not about the opponent. It’s about getting us back in that groove. Getting us back with that motivation. Because when we get to the playoffs, we’re going to be rolling baby. … Resumés matter, playoff experience matters. And the way the offense is kind of clicking, the defense is making plays, I’m ready to roll.”

    Philadelphia ‘still has a lot to prove’

    McCoy and Acho may have faith in the Eagles’ chances in the postseason, but former NFL quarterback Cam Newton may need some more convincing.

    “They ain’t close [to reaching their potential],” said Newton on ESPN’s First Take. “They played the league’s worst team and that’s what you’re supposed to do. … I don’t want to hear Saquon Barkley talk about the woes in Philadelphia. If you want to hear something, put the camera in front of A.J. Brown. Because A.J. Brown is going to tell us the truth, the gospel. He was telling us everything we knew and we needed to know in Philadelphia before it even happened. And he was being painted as the villain.

    “But if you’re playing against the league’s worst team — a homecoming game, as we obviously know that to be — why would we believe that Philadelphia’s issues are fixed all of a sudden? So, at the end of the day, I’m looking at a dynamic to say hey, I need to see way more people [saying] ‘We don’t believe you, we need more people.’ And in that type of dynamic, Philadelphia is a team that still has a lot to prove, not only to the world but to themselves as well.”

  • A former West Chester and Temple basketball coach placed hundreds of bets for more than $175,000

    A former West Chester and Temple basketball coach placed hundreds of bets for more than $175,000

    A former Temple guard who worked on coaching staffs at two Philadelphia universities placed hundreds of bets on professional and collegiate games while he was a volunteer coach, the NCAA revealed.

    Khalif Wyatt, who served as an assistant volunteer coach for the men’s basketball team at West Chester University from July 2022 to spring 2023, placed 498 bets on professional and collegiate games between July and November 2022, totaling $176,326, according to the report released Thursday.

    None involved West Chester teams.

    Wyatt, who worked as a director of player development at his alma mater Temple before moving to the Long Island Nets in the NBA’s G League in September, declined to comment.

    As part of the NCAA’s penalty, Wyatt was suspended from 15% of the regular season during the first season of his employment if hired by any other NCAA member. He would not be able to participate in coaching activities during that period.

    What does the violation mean for West Chester?

    The NCAA began its investigation in 2024, when it was investigating another men’s basketball team. During that inquiry, sportsbook operator FanDuel reported Wyatt’s gambling. West Chester did not provide sports betting education to Wyatt, a volunteer coach, until 2023, according to the report. The NCAA found the university also responsible for Wyatt’s gambling.

    The university was fined $2,500 and is on NCAA probation until December 2026.

    A spokesperson for West Chester said, “Though the infraction was committed by a former short-term volunteer,” the school complied with the NCAA’s sanctions. It has further strengthened its compliance education, the spokesperson said.

    Temple did not respond to a message seeking comment.

    Khalif Wyatt was a standout player at Temple.

    Who is Khalif Wyatt?

    Wyatt, 34, grew up in Norristown and attended Norristown Area High School. He was a standout guard at Temple, where he helped the Owls earn two Atlantic 10 titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in four consecutive seasons.

    He finished his career with 1,576 points, 295 assists, and 273 rebounds and was named Atlantic 10 and Big 5 Player of the Year. He remains the program’s all-time leader for most 30-point games (seven) and is one of three Temple players to score more than 30 points in two NCAA Tournament games.

    After his college career, Wyatt spent nearly a decade playing overseas in China (2013-14), Israel (2014-19), and the Philippines (2019-20).

    Where has he coached?

    Wyatt was named to Temple’s staff as its director of player development in July 2023, after previously having served as an assistant coach at West Chester.

    Wyatt spent two seasons with the Owls before leaving for a job with the Brooklyn Nets’ G League team as a video coordinator this offseason.

    Wyatt told The Inquirer in 2023 that he had hoped to be a Division I head coach or work in the NBA.

    What is the NCAA gambling policy?

    The NCAA bans student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff members from participating in all sports betting activities, regardless of sport or division — including professional sports.

    In late November — after six college men’s basketball players had their eligibility revoked over allegations of sports betting — the NCAA rescinded a rule change that would have allowed student athletes to bet on professional sports.

    Are there other local college betting incidents?

    Former Temple guard Hysier Miller, who overlapped one year with Wyatt on the Owls’ staff, is permanently ineligible to compete in the NCAA after having placed dozens of bets, including some against his team, during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

    The Neumann Goretti graduate placed 42 parlay bets totaling $473 on Temple games, and three of those were against his team.

    Former Temple special assistant coach Camren Wynter and former graduate assistant Jaylen Bond also violated NCAA rules by betting on professional and collegiate sports. Their bets did not involve Temple.

    According to the NCAA, both coaches received one-year, show-cause orders, a penalty in which any new hiring school would have to appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions to state why it shouldn’t face discipline for hiring the coach, and a suspension of 10% of regular-season contests during his first year of employment.

    In late November, Temple president John Fry and athletic director Arthur Johnson wrote in a statement that the NCAA found no evidence of point shaving or wrongdoing by the university.

  • It was a bad weekend for NFL officials, including one missed call that impacted the Eagles

    It was a bad weekend for NFL officials, including one missed call that impacted the Eagles

    It’s easy to criticize the refs, but this weekend NFL officials really gave fans and announcers a few things to complain about.

    One was a key late play during the New England Patriots’ win over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday night.

    With a little more than three minutes remaining, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey appeared to outright tackle Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on a deep pass. Despite an official watching just yards away, no flags were thrown, to the surprise of everyone on NBC’s Sunday Night Football broadcast.

    “It’s not really hard — that’s pass interference,” NBC rules analyst and former official Terry McAulay said.

    Earlier on Sunday, during the Carolina Panthers’ win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, officials missed what appeared to be a blatant fourth-down penalty.

    With a little under five minutes remaining and the game tied, Panthers defender Princely Umanmielen hit punter Riley Dixon after he kicked the ball, which should have resulted in a penalty and a first down. Instead, officials called holding on the Buccaneers and missed the running-into-the-kicker penalty altogether.

    “I think when you fixate watching the hold, maybe you miss that contact on the punter,” Fox rules analyst and former official Mike Pereria said during the broadcast. “It is contact to the body. I would have had running into the kicker.”

    That missed call proved pivotal, as the Panthers marched down the field and kicked what ultimately became the game-winning field goal. The Panthers’ win also prevented the Eagles from clinching the No. 3 seed or better in the NFC playoffs.

    Then there’s the controversial ending of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Detroit Lions game, in which Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown lateraled to quarterback Jared Goff for what would have been the game-winning touchdown.

    On the play, St. Brown was called for pass interference, negating the touchdown. But both head official Carl Cheffers and CBS announcers Jim Nantz and Tony Romo did a poor job explaining why the Lions didn’t get another play

    “By rule, that penalty is not enforced and there is no replay. The game is over,” Cheffers said.

    NFL rules stipulate if the offense commits a foul with no time remaining, “there shall be no extension of the period. If the foul occurs on the last play of the half, a score by the offense is not counted.”

    Goff appeared to cross the goal line with no time on the clock, but the play wasn’t reviewable. If Goff had run into the end zone with time remaining, the Lions could have been given another shot.

    After the game, Cheffers called it “a pretty complex play.”

    “We have the original player who had the ball lose possession of the ball. So, we had to decide if that was a fumble or a backward pass because of course we have restrictions on the recovery of a fumble inside of two minutes,” Cheffers told pool reporter Nolan Bianch. “We ruled that it was a backward pass, so the recovering player was able to advance it and that recovering player advanced it for a touchdown.”

    “We had to rule on that and then because of the offensive pass interference, it negates the touchdown. Because it is an offensive foul, we did not extend the half. Therefore, there is no score and there is no replay of the down,” Cheffers added. “That’s the way the rule is written.”

    It also wasn’t the only controversial call to end the game. With 22 seconds left, Goff hit St. Brown on a one-yard touchdown pass, which would have won the game. But officials called pass interference on Lions receiver Isaac TeSlaa, negating the go-ahead score.

    “The reporting official on that play told me that the offending player picked one of the defenders, creating an opportunity for the offensive player to make the catch,” Cheffers said.