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  • Eagles vs. Chargers: Predictions, odds, playoff standings, injuries, and what everyone is talking about

    Eagles vs. Chargers: Predictions, odds, playoff standings, injuries, and what everyone is talking about

    The Eagles will be back in prime time as they try to stop a two-game skid from turning into three against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Monday Night Football.

    Here’s everything you need to know about the team’s Week 14 matchup …

    How to watch Eagles vs. Chargers

    The Eagles kick off against the Chargers at 8:15 p.m. on ABC and ESPN, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call and Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge on the sidelines. For fans looking for a more monstrous viewing experience, ESPN will be producing an animated Funday Football alternative cast on ESPN2, DisneyXD and Disney+ set in the Monsters, Inc. universe.

    If you prefer Merrill Reese and Mike Quick on the call, the radio broadcast can be found on 94.1 WIP-FM. And if you want to watch the game with fellow Birds fans, here are a few spots to check out.

    Eagles will play Chargers in a stadium full of ‘Monsters.’ That’s not the only difference on ESPN’s alt broadcast.
    Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter underwent a procedure on his shoulders and will miss Monday night’s game against the Chargers.

    Final injury report

    The Eagles will be without one Pro Bowl lineman on each side of the ball on Monday night. Lane Johnson remains out with the Lisfranc injury he suffered in the team’s win over the Lions. Fred Johnson will fill in at right tackle for a third game. Jalen Carter will also miss Monday’s game, as the defensive tackle underwent a procedure on both of his shoulders and is currently considered week to week.

    Jalen Carter’s absence could put rookie Ty Robinson in the spotlight

    For the Chargers, quarterback Justin Herbert is questionable after undergoing surgery to repair a fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand earlier in the week. Here’s a look at the final injury report for both sides.

    Eagles

    Out

    • DT Jalen Carter, shoulders
    • T Lane Johnson, foot

    Questionable

    • S Marcus Epps, shoulder
    • T Myles Hinton, back

    Chargers

    Out

    • TE Tucker Fisk, ankle

    Questionable

    • RB Omarion Hampton, ankle
    • QB Justin Herbert, left hand
    • DT Otito Ogbonnia, elbow

    Eagles vs. Chargers odds

    As of Saturday afternoon, the Eagles were 2.5-point favorites at FanDuel and DraftKings. Both sportsbooks have set the projected point total at 41.5.

    Marcus Epps is ready to do ‘whatever the team needs’ as Eagles could have a new starting safety
    With their win over the Eagles on Black Friday, the Bears moved ahead of the Birds in the NFC standings.

    Playoff picture

    With five games remaining in the regular season, the 8-4 Eagles hold a two-game lead over the NFC East and hold the third seed in the NFC. At 2-11, the Giants are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and the 3-9 Commanders can be eliminated from the divisional race with a loss or an Eagles win this week. The Cowboys, at 6-6-1, stand the best chance of taking the division lead from the Eagles, though Dallas’ loss to the Lions on Thursday night gave the Birds a bit of extra cushion.

    NFC East standings

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    NFL playoff picture: Eagles in surprisingly good shape, several teams could be eliminated

    The Bears and the Rams, both at 9-3, sit ahead of the Eagles in the NFC’s playoff seeding. The Birds have a tiebreak advantage over the Rams thanks to their 33-26 win over Los Angeles in Week 3, but the Bears hold the head-to-head advantage over the Eagles after last week’s loss.

    NFC Standings

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    Police confirmed earlier this week that offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s Moorestown home was vandalized after the Eagles’ loss to the Bears on Black Friday.

    Storylines to watch

    The Eagles’ struggles on the offensive side of the ball continued in back-to-back losses to the Cowboys and Bears, and fans expressed their anger in various ways, with some going too far and egging offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s home.

    An alternate history of 2023, and why the Eagles are preaching the right message | Marcus Hayes

    But the Birds’ defense also struggled in the team’s 24-15 loss to Chicago at Lincoln Financial Field last Friday, giving up 281 rushing yards. After holding opponents to fewer than 400 yards of offense in each of its first 10 games, Vic Fangio’s defense allowed both the Cowboys and the Bears to eclipse 400 yards of total offense in back-to-back games. Can the defense recover from back-to-back poor performances and contain the Chargers without Carter?

    Injuries will also play a part in Monday night’s game for the Chargers. Jim Harbaugh’s team is preparing for Herbert to be their starting quarterback against the Eagles after he had surgery on his fractured left hand on Monday, though his status was listed as questionable on Saturday’s injury report. Herbert’s right throwing hand is healthy, but will a recovering left hand impact Herbert’s abilities on the field? Or will the Eagles see backup Trey Lance on Monday night?

    Here are a few more storylines to follow…

    If you haven’t been paying attention to the Eagles’ troubles, let’s get you up to speed | Mike Sielski

    One number to know

    75.9% – The rate of trips to the red zone that have resulted in touchdowns for the Eagles this season.

    While the Eagles’ offensive struggles have been well documented, the Birds are leading the league in efficiency when they get inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. They have converted 22 of their 29 red-zone trips into touchdowns this season.

    Numbers and trends that could impact Monday’s Eagles-Chargers game in Los Angeles
    The Eagles and chargers last met in Nov. 2021.

    Inquirer Eagles-Chargers predictions

    Our writers are split on their predictions for Monday night. Here’s a snippet of each of what they’re thinking — but you can click their names for a more in-depth breakdown …

    Jeff McLane: I’m sure fans hate whenever I pick the Eagles. I get the joke. But I like their chances against a limited quarterback, and definitely if Lance starts. I don’t think the offense will rise from the near-dead, but I anticipate noticeable changes off the mini-bye that will aid their chances. I also like Hurts indoors. | Prediction: Eagles 25, Chargers 19

    Jeff McLane’s keys to Eagles vs. Chargers in Week 14: What you need to know and a prediction

    Jeff Neiburg: Justin Herbert is wearing a cast on his left hand, and the Chargers have a passing attack that should play into the Eagles’ hands, as long as they’re able to stop the run and get Herbert into third-and-longs. That may seem like a big ask without Carter, and it is, but the Eagles have had a solid enough run defense for most of the season to think Vic Fangio and Co. will make sure the last performance was just a one-game blip. | Prediction: Eagles 23, Chargers 20

    Olivia Reiner: On one hand, I find it hard to believe that this Eagles team, with all of its talent, will lose three straight games for the first time since 2023. On the other, these matchups aren’t exactly favorable for the Eagles, even with an injured Herbert factored into the equation. | Prediction: Chargers 27, Eagles 24

    Matt Breen: Omarion Hampton is trending to play Monday night, giving the Chargers a two-headed rushing attack against the Eagles. Does that remind you of anything? … This seems like a tough spot. | Prediction: Chargers 27, Eagles 17

    Eagles vs. Chargers predictions: Our writers pick a winner for Week 14

    National media picks

    Here’s how the national media is leaning for Monday …

    • ESPN: Eagles
    • NFL.com: Eagles
    • CBS Sports: Eagles
    • Sports Illustrated: Eagles
    • USA Today: Eagles
    • Sporting News: Chargers
    • Bleacher Report: Eagles
    Jalen Hurts and the Eagles have lost four of their last eight games.

    What we’re saying about the Eagles

    Here’s what our columnists are saying about the Eagles this week, starting with Marcus Hayes, who argues that Jalen Carter’s injury will intensify the pressure on Jalen Hurts …

    Marcus Hayes: “The Eagles can win three of their remaining games, four if they win Monday night. That would give them 12 wins and a chance at the No. 1 seed in the NFC, since they’ve beaten the Rams and Lions, and since the Bears have a much more challenging schedule left to play. But no longer can the Eagles expect their defense to win games for them, as Hurts squeezes the football and stares, mystified, into opposing secondaries.” Read more.

    David Murphy: “The reality of the NFL is that good teams struggle. It is a counterpunchers league, led by a bunch of maniac coaches who won’t rest until they figure out what you are doing and how to beat it. Andy Reid did not suddenly become a worse offensive coach over the last three seasons. Patrick Mahomes is still the same Patrick Mahomes who threw for 5,250 yards in 2022. Nobody in Kansas City or elsewhere is seriously questioning whether one of them is the problem. The Eagles made it look easy last year. But last year was an anomaly. The competitive environment this season is much closer to the norm.” Read more.

    Mike Sielski: “That narrative — that [A.J.] Brown is only about Brown and his selfishness damages the Eagles — has never held up under much scrutiny. Should he stay off social media more? Of course he should. But they have a 53-18 record (regular-season and postseason), have won a Super Bowl, and reached another since acquiring him. At least 29 other teams in the NFL would sign up for that level of damage. Read more.

    Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert broke a bone in his non-throwing hand last week against the Raiders.

    What the Chargers are saying

    At 8-4, the Chargers are in the current playoff picture in the AFC as the top wild-card team and trail the 10-2 Broncos for the lead in the AFC West. According to NFL.com’s playoff probabilities, a win against the Eagles would give the Chargers a 76% chance of making the playoffs, while a loss drops their postseason odds to 50%.

    Herbert’s status under center is still in question, but the Chargers have prepared this week as if he will be the starting quarterback. Herbert had high praise for Vic Fangio’s defense as he prepared to face the Birds this week.

    “He’s had a ton of success in this league,” Herbert said. “Back at his time with the Broncos, we saw him twice a year and we had a lot of respect for him then … The guys that they have on that side of the ball are game-wreckers and you have to be aware of those guys, and at the same time they are really well-coached, and it makes for a dangerous combination for a defense.”

    The Chargers are ready for Vic Fangio’s defense — and aren’t worried about Justin Herbert’s hand injury

    Here’s what else the Chargers had to say…

    Offensive coordinator Greg Roman on Fangio’s coverage schemes: “I was born at night, but not last night. Vic’s going to have different ways to leverage coverage to where it’s not one-on-one at all times … But as far as the matchup, I like Ladd [McConkey] against anybody.”

    Wide receiver Quentin Johnston on Herbert’s injury: “I forgot he was dealing with something the way he’s playing. But that’s just the type of guy he is. Very, very tough guy. He was still at practice, throwing very accurate, so he honestly looked like he hasn’t lost his touch. So right now, just getting him through practice and getting him through the week and prepared for Sunday.”

    Defensive end Khalil Mack on the Eagles’ offensive line without Lane Johnson: “Nameless, faceless objects. You understand who they are and what they’ve been able to accomplish and the level of football they play at, so it’s going to be a hell of a challenge.”

    Guard Tyler Steen, center Cam Jurgens, and guard Landon Dickerson make up 60% of the Eagles starting offensive line.

    What the national media is saying

    Back-to-back losses from the Birds has placed them under the microscope of national network analysts and pundits, who are trying to diagnose what’s wrong with the reigning Super Bowl champs. On his New Heights podcast, former Eagles center Jason Kelce said the team will be in better shape once his former teammate Johnson returns from injury to his spot at right tackle.

    “Lane Johnson coming back will be huge,” Jason said. “Even though [backup Fred Johnson] has done well, especially in pass [protection]. I think the run game is close, I know it hasn’t manifested yet. It’s frustrating watching because you know it can be so much better. I think with the health that is starting to come, it will only improve.”

    Here’s what else the national media had to say about the Birds…

    Travis Kelce on how pre-snap motions might help the Eagles offense: “You watch the Chiefs play, you see me moving around all the time. I move from one side of the line to the other side of the line, and what that does for the defense is it changes passing strength, it changes rules on how they’re going to pass off routes, it changes how they have to fill gaps.”

    Dan Orlovsky on the Eagles’ first-down struggles: “If you struggle as an offense on first down, it makes second down much harder, and then therefore third down much harder. Until they play better as an offensive line and play better offensively on first down, that’s not going to get fixed.”

    Dan Orlovsky hasn’t been shy about the Eagles’ struggles. But he still believes they can be contenders.

    What else we’re reading and watching

  • Coping without Carter | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Coping without Carter | Sports Daily Newsletter

    After surrendering 281 yards on the ground last week in a boo-filled Black Friday loss to the Chicago Bears, the Eagles’ defensive line was always going to be under the microscope.

    That microscope lens will be zoomed in even further with Thursday’s news that star defensive tackle Jalen Carter will miss Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers (8:15 p.m., ESPN) after undergoing a procedure on both of his shoulders.

    The injury, which first popped up in training camp, is the latest setback in what has been a stop-start season for the third-year defensive tackle who many expected to ascend among the league’s best defensive players.

    How will the Eagles cope without Carter in the middle of their defense? A lot of that responsibility will fall upon Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Byron Young. It could also mean a role for rookie Ty Robinson, a fourth-round pick out of Nebraska.

    But Ojomo believes whoever is out there will be up to the challenge and that the Eagles will bounce back.

    “As a defense, we just have to have accountability,” he said. “Everybody look themselves in the mirror and realize, ‘OK, we have to be more accountable. I’m not going to mess up here, take this chance here,’ and get back to the defense we know we can play.”

    The Eagles better hope Ojomo’s right …

    — Gustav Elvin, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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    Countdown to the Cup

    The World Cup draw will take place on Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

    The 2026 World Cup in the United States is still seven months away but things will ramp up and get real on Friday with the World Cup draw when the United States and the 41 other already-qualified teams will learn their fates.

    Here’s a reminder of how things will work from the Kennedy Center in Washington (11:30 a.m., FOX). And on Saturday, we’ll find out which teams are bound for Philadelphia.

    Ahead of the draw, some other major topics surrounding the tournament, including video review and weather, were addressed on Thursday.

    What we’re …

    ⏱️ Waiting on: What’s taking Penn State so long to hire a coach?

    🔍 Investigating: Sports gambling has made its way to the WNBA. But that’s brought unexpected consequences for players.

    🦉 Excited about: Temple’s recruiting class. K.C. Keeler has the Owls trending in the right direction and might have a “hidden gem” in Roman Catholic wide receiver Ash Roberts.

    Remembering: Paul Staico, the owner of South Philly sports bar, who died suddenly this week at age 59.

    🤔 Wondering: Banner rollouts are a 70-year-old tradition at Big 5 basketball games. But can the tradition endure?

    Helping or Hurtsing?

    Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is running less. Should the Eagles dial up more such plays?

    With the Eagles offense in a season-long funk, many armchair offensive coordinators have called for more designed runs for Jalen Hurts to try and open up the passing game.

    But the designed run is approaching extinction in the Eagles playbook, as Hurts is averaging just over one designed run per game, down from 3.6 a year ago. So why is Hurts running less? And could things change over the final five games of the season? Olivia Reiner takes a look at the dilemma facing the Eagles and how much they utilize their quarterback’s legs.

    Enjoy the show

    The Flyers have been playing well but not everyone is happy about it.

    The Flyers are 15-8-3 and playing some of the best hockey this city has seen in five years.

    But not everyone is happy, particularly when it comes to new head coach Rick Tocchet, if you take a gander at Flyers Twitter. Why? Many fans aren’t enthused by Tocchet’s style of play or the way he’s deployed Matvei Michkov thus far. Gustav Elvin writes that Flyers fans’ hate is misguided and that they should just enjoy having a competitive team again — for however long it lasts.

    Speaking of Michkov, the Russian winger spoke on Thursday about his recent improvements and acknowledged his offseason training could have been better.

    Lastly, the Flyers will be hoping for good news on Cam York, who is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury after leaving Wednesday’s game early.

    Oubre ‘trying to stay above water’

    Sixers forward Kelly Oubre Jr., has missed nine games with a ligament sprain in his left knee.

    Kelly Oubre Jr. entered the final season of his two-year, $16.3 million deal with a lot on the line. An 11-year veteran who revamped his career in Philly, Oubre was staring down one of his last opportunities at a big payday. He started out the season like a player the Sixers would have a hard time keeping this summer, averaging 16.8 points and 5.1 rebounds and providing stability for a team that has struggled with injuries.

    But a ligament sprain in his left knee brought that to a halt, and Oubre has been out for nine straight games. Oubre, who is progressing well and will be re-evaluated soon, said it’s been tough on the sidelines.

    ”It [stinks],” Oubre said. “Listen, man, I’m trying to stay above water, keep my head about it. Trying to fight the depression and all that stuff that comes with not being able to do your job and fulfill your purpose. So it’s a different challenge, and I’m up for the challenge.”

    Our best sports 📸 of the week

    Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni reacts as he walks off the field after the loss to the Chicago Bears at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Eagles lose 24-15.

    Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors will pick our best shots from the last seven days and share them with you, our readers. This week, photos include some Eagles disappointment, more happy times for the Flyers, and a Joel Embiid sighting. Click here for the full slideshow.

    David Murphy’s take …

    Free agent Kyle Schwarber has hit 187 home runs in four seasons with the Phillies.

    Hopefully, we’re just waiting for the two sides to split the difference. Five years and $125 million would be a steep price to pay to lock up the designated hitter position through Schwarber’s age-37 season. But then, Schwarber will be bigger than a 37-year-old designated hitter when that time comes. He will be one of the defining players of an era, one of the franchise’s all-time greats, a fixture in the community, and a potential Hall of Famer. He may have passed [Ryan] Howard for second on the franchise home run list. He may be closing in on 500 for his career.

    Can the Phillies afford to sign Schwarber?

    The better question is whether they can afford not to.

    Read Murphy’s full column here.

    What you’re saying about Eagles-Chargers

    We asked: What change are you hoping to see in Monday’s Eagles-Chargers matchup? Among your responses:

    What I hope to see this Monday night is AJ Brown and Jalen Hurts on the sideline between series reading “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a [Dam].” Despite its title, the book does not encourage being apathetic and selfish, but rather stresses creating joy in the moment for yourself and your teammates, by embracing life’s struggles and finding meaning in adversity rather than mindless positivity. — Stephen T.

    Like to use Tank Bigsby to spell Saquon unless he is having a great night. More run plays in general including Jalen. More plays over the middle using tight ends or receivers. Not sure why the Eagles aren’t using them. – Bill M.

    For Monday night in Inglewood and for the rest of the season I want to see the offense, the defense, the quarterback, and the coaches perform like the Super Bowl Champions they are supposed to be.

    And please remember to use Goedert in the offense and ditch the Tush-Push.-Everett S.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jeff Neiburg, Jonathan Tannenwald, Olivia Reiner, Jackie Spiegel, Gustav Elvin, Keith Pompey, Christian Red, Devin Jackson, Joe Santoliquito, Matt Breen, David Murphy, Owen Hewitt, and Inquirer Staff Photographers.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    That closes out Sports Daily for the week. Have a good weekend, Philly. — Gus

  • With Jalen Carter out, the Eagles’ defense faces an ‘accountability’ test at a critical juncture

    With Jalen Carter out, the Eagles’ defense faces an ‘accountability’ test at a critical juncture

    Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter will miss Monday’s game in Los Angeles and be considered week to week after undergoing a procedure on both of his shoulders, a source confirmed to The Inquirer on Thursday.

    ESPN was first to report the news on Carter, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury since the beginning of training camp. It has bothered him at times during a season that has featured a slight decline in production.

    “He does have a shoulder issue,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Wednesday. “He has been playing with it.”

    Marcus Epps’ return, Jalen Carter’s injury could be factors for Vic Fangio’s defense vs. Chargers

    The Eagles were dominated by the Chicago Bears’ rushing attack Friday, and Carter was ineffective at times. He was removed from the field on some first- and second-down plays.

    “There was some runs out there I got drove back or I wasn’t making an effect on the play,” he said.

    “It’s my problems to deal with. I ain’t fitting to tell y’all what I’m going through.”

    Apparently the shoulder injury reached a breaking point.

    Jalen Carter has been dealing with a shoulder injury since training camp.

    In October, Carter described the injury as “a little serious, but I’m working through it, fighting through it.” That came after a game at Tampa Bay in which he was forced to the sidelines for some defensive snaps because of the injury.

    “Everybody has injuries, depending on if it’s small or if it’s big, but when the right time comes, if I need to stop and take a little break to work more on my shoulder, that time is going to come,” Carter said.

    Two months later, his words were proven true.

    “It’s always hard when you don’t feel 100% or not healthy,” defensive tackle Moro Ojomo said. “I think that it’s most important to get your body right. This is a sport that wears and tears on you, so that was kind of the whole idea.”

    It does not appear that Carter is heading toward a stint on injured reserve, which would force him to miss at least four games. The Eagles play the Chargers on the road Monday before returning home for a game vs. the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 14. The Eagles’ priority probably will be getting Carter as healthy as possible before the postseason begins, but they’re still trying to clinch a trip to the playoffs.

    “I think he should get right and get his body feeling as good as possible, and we’re going to be ready when he gets back,” Ojomo said.

    Carter had a breakout 2024 season and emerged as one of the better interior defensive linemen in the NFL. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro.

    Fangio was critical of the shape Carter was in earlier this season, but Carter had worked his way back to a large workload after playing more snaps last season than any other interior defensive lineman. Carter has missed two games this season. He was ejected before the first snap of the Eagles’ Week 1 game vs. Dallas after spitting at Dak Prescott, and he missed a Week 6 loss to the New York Giants with a heel injury.

    While his pressure rate has dropped (8.9% to 7.8%, according to Next Gen Stats) and he has at times not been as effective against the run, Carter’s presence is still a key factor for the Eagles. They are a much better defense with him on the field than with him off.

    With Carter out, expect to see rookie defensive tackle Ty Robinson, who has at times been a healthy scratch, in the rotation for depth. Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Byron Young likely will see an uptick in snaps. The Eagles could also use Brandon Graham on the interior, especially on obvious passing downs.

    Ojomo, who is playing nearly 65% of the snaps on defense, said he was expecting to see more time on the field with Carter out. Since Carter likes to line up on the left side of the ball, Ojomo said there are “little nuances” and different things to study to prepare for a bit of a change.

    The Eagles entered the 2025 season with limited depth on the interior after losing Milton Williams to free agency. They drafted Robinson to backfill, but he has played just 35 snaps. Gabe Hall made the initial 53-man roster after spending last season on the practice squad, but he has played 13 snaps and has spent most of the 2025 season back on the practice squad.

    The Eagles also in August traded Thomas Booker, who could have been a rotational piece, to the Raiders for cornerback Jakorian Bennett, who has been used sparingly and also missed time because of an injury.

    The depth will be tested greatly with Carter out. Davis and Ojomo have made improvements, but Young hasn’t been consistently effective when he’s on the field.

    The Bears racked up 281 rushing yards on the Eagles last Friday. That happened partially because of Carter’s weakened shoulder, but there were other factors. Ojomo said the mistakes were seen on film.

    “As a defense, we just have to have accountability,” he said. “Everybody look themselves in the mirror and realize, ‘OK, we have to be more accountable. I’m not going to mess up here, take this chance here,’ and get back to the defense we know we can play.”

    That won’t be as simple without Carter, and it comes at a critical juncture in the Eagles’ season.

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

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

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

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

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

    How to watch

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

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

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

    Injury report

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

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

    Here’s the Cowboys injury report:

    Eagles-Cowboys odds

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

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

    Eagles to wear kelly green

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

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

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

    Story lines to watch

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

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

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

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

    One number to know

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

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

    Our Eagles-Cowboys predictions

    Here are our writers’ predictions for Sunday …

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

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

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

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

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

    National media predictions

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

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

    What we’re saying about the Eagles

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

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

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

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

    What the Cowboys are saying about the Eagles

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

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

    Here’s more of what the Cowboys are saying …

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

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

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

    What the national media is saying

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

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

    Here’s what else they’re saying …

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

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

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

    What else we’re reading and watching this week

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

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

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

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

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

  • As Cowboys prepare for ‘dangerous’ Eagles, their newest star is excited to finally face ‘cool’ Tush Push

    As Cowboys prepare for ‘dangerous’ Eagles, their newest star is excited to finally face ‘cool’ Tush Push

    On Sunday, the Eagles will travel to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to face the Dallas Cowboys in a Week 12 rematch of the season opener, which the Birds won, 24-20, at home.

    The Eagles (8-2) enter Sunday’s game as 3.5-point favorites as they try to move a step closer to clinching the NFC East. Meanwhile, the Cowboys (4-5-1) are coming off a 33-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football.

    Will the Birds sweep their rival for the second consecutive season? Or will the drama surrounding the Eagles push their on-field performance toward the brink of dysfunction? As both teams prepare, here’s what the Cowboys are saying about the Eagles:

    ‘These guys are dangerous’

    The Eagles’ first-place record didn’t come without obstacles. They’ve struggled to find an identity on offense through 10 games, A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley haven’t been as productive as last season, and drama suddenly is surrounding Jalen Hurts in the locker room.

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

    However, that doesn’t give Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer any reason to doubt his opponents heading into their rematch.

    “Jalen is an incredible player,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “I think you can put their two receivers up there, with DeVonta [Smith] and A.J. [Brown], against anybody in the league. They’re very, very talented. So at any moment, they can strike. They’re explosive.

    “Then you mix in the runner — who is arguably the best, if not, one of the best in the league — in Saquon [Barkley]. You got tight ends, and then you got the offensive line. Everybody finds their flow at different times and this is a tough league. At the end of the day, I’m not looking at the film and saying, ‘These guys are struggling.’ I’m looking at this film and saying, ‘Man, these guys are dangerous.’”

    The Eagles ran the Tush Push against the Cowboys in Week 1 but didn’t have to face Quinnen Williams.

    ‘It all gels together’

    As the Cowboys prepare to play three games in 12 days, their first focus is on the Eagles. New Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is prepared to stop the Birds’ signature play, the Tush Push.

    “It’s a cool play that they do on second-and-short, on third-and-short, and fourth-and-short,” Williams, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the New York Jets, told reporters. “I’ve never been against it. … I’m excited to see the game plan. Excited to go against it. Excited to be able to try and stop it.”

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

    Williams, a former teammate of Hurts at Alabama, says the Super Bowl MVP is one of the reasons the team has had so much success with the play.

    “I think they got a great technique and a great game plan, like everybody around the boards, to be able to make that play efficient,” Williams said. “You got a quarterback — I played with him at ’Bama, probably one of the strongest quarterbacks in the NFL. So you got a great offensive line that can be efficient in that play. So I think it all gels together.”

    Schottenheimer didn’t give away all his plans on how to stop the play, but he did mention bringing in “reinforcements” for Sunday.

    “They still do a very good job at it,” the first-year head coach said. “But, we’ve got some reinforcements in there and guys that have seen it. It’s a game of leverage, it really is. And I do think that, you know, the league is trying to make sure that it’s a legal play in terms of everyone getting off on the snap. But, they’re still really good at it. We’ll still see it. But we definitely have some reinforcements in there to give you a chance to win the leverage game.”

    NFL officials stand between Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (left) and Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (right) after Carter spit at Prescott. Carter was ejected.

    ‘[Jalen Carter] is a big difference’

    The Eagles scraped out a narrow win in their first meeting, despite an early exit for Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who spit on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before the first snap. With Carter set to play on Sunday, Schottenheimer understands he’ll have a big impact in their second meeting.

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

    Eagles remain the favorite heading into Dallas, but Cowboys close the gap

    Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith agreed that Carter will make a difference once he steps onto the field at AT&T Stadium.

    “I think he’s a great player for them,” Smith told reporters. “I think the tape speaks for itself. Obviously, he’s a talented guy. A lot of the work that’s done for that team is on that D-line. So I think they’re a huge part of what they do there.”

    Cowboys running back Javonte Williams added: “Great player. Yeah, we didn’t play him the first game. But, I mean, no matter who is there, we just got to go out and play our game, execute, and do what we got to do.”

    Eagles cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean celebrate an interception during the season opener against the Cowboys.

    ‘He’s got a chance to be a star’

    Carter wasn’t the only defensive player the Cowboys praised ahead of Sunday’s game. Schottenheimer complimented Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean during his news conference on Wednesday.

    “[Mitchell is a] very good cover corner,” Schottenheimer said. “Physical, patient, he understands that there is a time clock the offense has to work with because they’re good at disrupting and affecting the quarterback.

    “But, I think the coverage skills, you’ve seen the growth. You’ve seen him improve and get better. I think he’s got a chance to be a star in this league and trending that way. And the versatility of Cooper DeJean is what they love about him. … The football instincts are off the charts. He’s got a knack for the ball. … They’ve done a great job with those two guys, for sure.”

    Quinyon Mitchell looked like an All-Pro vs. the Lions. His Florida family and friends were there to see it. | Marcus Hayes
  • Jalen Carter, Landon Dickerson, Nakobe Dean among five reasons Eagles will win the rematch vs. Giants

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

    Nobody saw it coming. Not even the Giants.

    “Quite honestly, nobody really expected us to put up a performance like this,” Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart said afterward.

    Maybe we should have.

    One of the more shocking upsets in recent Eagles history happened at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 9, when the 1-4 Giants got their second win over the 4-1 Eagles, who were defending Super Bowl champions and the winners of the last seven truly meaningful games against their closest NFC East rivals.

    Should it have been so shocking?

    After all, the Giants’ losses came at the Commanders, who had the services of since-injured quarterback Jayden Daniels; at the Cowboys, who have the No. 1 offense; at home against the Chiefs, a current dynasty; and at the Saints, where Dart, in his second start, committed three of the Giants’ five turnovers.

    Can the return of Brandon Graham fill the leadership void on the Eagles defense?

    Further, the Eagles played without two Pro Bowl players, defensive tackle Jalen Carter and guard Landon Dickerson, and they lost top cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the second quarter.

    So, maybe the Giants weren’t so bad, and, clearly, the Eagles weren’t as deep as they needed to be.

    A lot has changed in two weeks. That should make all the difference come Sunday afternoon.

    1. Dickerson is healthy

    Dickerson was the seventh-best guard in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus, when he was named to his third straight Pro Bowl and played in his second Super Bowl in three seasons. He has dealt with knee surgery that cost him most of training camp, a back injury that limited him in September, and an ankle injury that cost him the Giants game. He’s still ranked in the middle of the pack.

    Eagles guard Landon Dickerson celebrates with wide receiver Devonta Smith after Smith’s touchdown in Minnesota on Sunday.

    Dickerson was his healthiest this season last Sunday in Minneapolis, and the resulting grade showed it. Even with fifth-year backup Brett Toth playing at center for the first time next to him, Dickerson dominated.

    Toth was Dickerson’s replacement in the loss to the Giants. Things did not go well.

    2. Carter is healthy

    The Eagles built their defense around Carter, who has succeeded Fletcher Cox as the franchise’s core defensive player. Carter’s injured heel cost him the game against the Giants, but the 10 days between the Giants game and the trip to Minnesota not only gave the heel time to heal (heh heh), it also allowed his sprained right shoulder to strengthen.

    The shoulder cost him time in training camp and, intermittently, during the regular season. It also made him a horrific tackler: the worst, in fact, among all NFL defenders, according to PFF.

    Also, he’s finally in good enough shape to be effective for more than half an NFL game. Of course, there’s no viable reason he should not have been in better shape to start the season.

    You don’t run on your shoulder.

    Eagles’ Jalen Hurts again roasts Carson Wentz; A.J. Brown says ‘Just throw me the bleeping ball’

    3. Jalen Hurts found his rhythm

    In Minnesota, Hurts and his top three receivers, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, finally appeared to be in sync. Hurts threw for 326 yards and had a perfect 158.3 passer rating for the first time in his career.

    Much had been made about the ineffectiveness of the passing game through the first six games, but, as we warned when the season began, injuries to Brown and Smith kept the passing attack from practicing as a complete unit the entire preseason, which is why the preseason (and preseason games) exist. Hurts is always gun-shy. He’s much more gun-shy when he’s not comfortable. Last Sunday, for the first time, he looked comfortable.

    Also, the team changed offensive coordinators for the third consecutive season.

    Also, the offensive line has played just one of seven games from start to finish with its starters intact, and that’s why the Eagles won at Kansas City.

    New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart scrambles during an Oct. 9 matchup with the Eagles.

    4. Familiarity

    There’s a little more tape on Dart, whose elusiveness and fearlessness are a formidable combination. Combine that with unpredictability, and you get a kid who will make a lot of plays but will also make a lot of mistakes.

    A lot of the tape on Dart shows Eagles defenders getting roasted.

    Don’t expect much more of that sort of tape from Sunday’s game.

    5. Return of the Macks

    Nobody commanded more respect in the Eagles locker room last season than 15-year veteran defensive end Brandon Graham. His return from retirement Tuesday will resound whether or not he takes a snap on Sunday.

    A close second: third-year linebacker Nakobe Dean. Before he injured his pectoral muscle in the playoffs last season, he ranked 10th among all linebackers in overall defense, seventh as a pass rusher, according to PFF, and his impact as a tackler in his return Sunday was dynamic: He had six tackles, three solos, and a tackle for loss … on just 23% of the defensive snaps.

  • What we know (and don’t) about the Eagles entering Week 8 vs. the Giants

    What we know (and don’t) about the Eagles entering Week 8 vs. the Giants

    Are good vibes officially restored in Philadelphia?

    The Eagles snapped their two-game losing streak with a 28-22 win over the Carson Wentz-led Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, largely thanks to Jalen Hurts and his perfect passer rating.

    Plus, sources say that Chief Vibes Officer Brandon Graham is on his way back to the Eagles, too, to bolster an edge rusher corps that is navigating the surprise retirement of Za’Darius Smith last week.

    But to enter the bye week on a high note, the Eagles must face the New York Giants, their division rivals who handed them a blowout loss two weeks ago. The Giants will try to bounce back after a fourth-quarter collapse against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, leading to a 33-32 loss.

    Eagles still can’t run the ball, but Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and A.J. Brown made sure it didn’t matter

    Here’s what we know (and what we don’t) about the Eagles entering their Week 8 matchup against the Giants:

    Lights, camera, play-action

    The Eagles came out of the mini-bye week wanting to establish the running game. That didn’t work. Brian Flores’ defense limited Saquon Barkley to just 44 yards on 18 carries, good for a 2.4 yards per attempt (his second-lowest clip this season).

    Still, the Eagles utilized the threat of the running game successfully against the Vikings, which is a step in the right direction. The offense incorporated play-action passes from under center on Sunday more frequently than in the previous six weeks of the season.

    In Weeks 1-6, the Eagles had five under-center play-action drop backs, according to Next Gen Stats. One of them resulted in a scramble. Another went for 1 yard. The others resulted in incompletions or penalties.

    Sunday was different. Hurts had four play-action dropbacks from under center, which resulted in four completions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Why was it so effective? For one, the Eagles had established a tendency of running the ball when Hurts is lined up under center before the snap. Entering Sunday’s game, 42 of the Eagles’ 48 plays from under center were carries (87.5%).

    By establishing that tendency (and continuing to do so with 15 under-center runs on Sunday), the Vikings aligned a safety in the box in anticipation of the run, especially when the Eagles utilized Fred Johnson as an extra offensive lineman. The Eagles made them pay by occasionally breaking that tendency, especially on the 79-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith, which occurred when the offense was in that jumbo package.

    “We had an answer for it,” Barkley said of Smith’s touchdown play. “We called it at the right time. That’s the beauty of this game. They can do whatever they want, but we should always have answers. I think that’s the mentality we’ve got to continue to get back to.”

    Marcus Hayes: Eagles’ Jalen Hurts again roasts Carson Wentz; A.J. Brown says ‘Just throw me the bleeping ball’

    Could we see more play-action passes from under center? And could the Eagles’ success in doing so on Sunday thwart defenses from loading up the box when Hurts lines up under center? That would benefit Barkley, who is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry this season, far behind the league’s average of 4.3.

    Nick Sirianni noted Monday that the uptick in under-center plays was a byproduct of the self-scout from the mini-bye week. He emphasized the importance of meshing the running and play-action passing games seamlessly, as it challenges the defense to convert from run to pass on the fly.

    “We will see how things move forward as far as the ways we want to attack,” Sirianni said. “Every game calls for different things. This is what this game called for, and these are some of the things that came off our self-scout. We’ll continue to work and find ways to get better.”

    Feel the Burns

    Barkley hasn’t been getting a consistent boost in the running game from the Eagles’ offensive line this year. The group has been reeling from injuries. Cam Jurgens suffered the latest, exiting Sunday’s game after the second drive with a knee injury.

    With Jurgens’ status in question for the rematch against the Giants, the Eagles could turn to a backup at center, which could present all sorts of challenges against a formidable defensive front.

    Giants edge rusher Brian Burns had four sacks over the last two games, including dropping Jalen Hurts twice on Oct. 9.

    The Giants exploited the Eagles’ weaknesses on the offensive line in their last matchup. Brett Toth started at left guard in place of the injured Landon Dickerson (ankle). Brian Burns notched two sacks against the left side of the offensive line, once on a stunt and another from 3 yards off the line of scrimmage.

    Burns has four sacks in his last two games, after adding two more in their loss to the Broncos. The good news for the Eagles is that Dickerson started and finished Sunday’s game against the Vikings. His presence against the Giants would help stabilize the left side of the line and minimize Burns’ impact when he lines up on that side.

    But if Jurgens can’t play, the Eagles could turn to Toth at center. He would be tasked with keeping Dexter Lawrence, the three-time Pro Bowler, at bay.

    Jalyx Hunt’s pick-six and timely sacks help Eagles defense deliver in win over Vikings

    Lawrence hasn’t been as disruptive as a pass rusher as he was last season and hasn’t posted a sack this year. Still, Lawrence is an important part of the Giants’ defensive front, ranking fourth on the team with 15 “stops,” which Next Gen Stats defines as tackles that result in a successful play for the defense.

    Scramblin’ man

    The last time the Eagles faced the Giants, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart got his legs going. He scrambled five times for 42 yards and a touchdown, which helped him reach career highs of 58 rushing yards and 13 attempts.

    Vic Fangio’s defense has struggled at times to prevent quarterbacks from breaking loose. Unsurprisingly, Patrick Mahomes did the most damage against the Eagles this year (seven scrambles for 66 yards), but even Wentz, 32, had a couple of long third-down scrambles totaling 28 yards late Sunday as the Vikings attempted a comeback.

    Improved tackling would be a good place for the Eagles to start. Dart forced three missed tackles against the Eagles, according to Pro Football Focus. That was a new achievement for Dart, who didn’t force a missed tackle in any of his three other starts this season.

    New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart finished with 42 yards on five scrambles against the Eagles on Oct. 9.

    The rookie quarterback did not scramble against the Broncos, although he made passing plays on the move. According to Next Gen Stats, Dart completed four of six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown when running over 8 mph. Keeping Dart contained will take a group effort from the Eagles, in terms of the pass rush and coverage.

    Carter’s return

    Speaking of keeping Dart contained, Jalen Carter returned to action Sunday after missing the Week 6 game against the Giants with a heel injury.

    Wentz certainly felt his presence. In the second quarter, a simulated pressure left Carter one-on-one with Blake Brandel, the third-string center. Carter breezed past Brandel and launched himself toward Wentz, forcing the quarterback to make an ill-advised throw over the middle to Jalyx Hunt, who snagged the ball and returned it for a pick-six.

    Eagles open as heavy favorites vs. Giants despite recent blowout loss to New York; updated Super Bowl, MVP odds

    Even though Carter has been banged up this season, between heel and shoulder injuries, the Eagles could have used his talent and physicality against the Giants. In his absence, the group finished with a 26.5% pressure rate against New York two weeks ago, its lowest of the season, according to Next Gen Stats.

    Carter attempted to make up for lost time on Sunday. He led the team with six pressures against the Vikings, according to Next Gen Stats. His fourth-quarter stunt with Jordan Davis provided the initial pressure on Wentz that helped Joshua Uche register his first sack with the Eagles.

  • Eagles will have Jalen Carter, Landon Dickerson back from injury Sunday vs. Vikings

    Eagles will have Jalen Carter, Landon Dickerson back from injury Sunday vs. Vikings

    MINNEAPOLIS — The Eagles are getting two key players back after each missed the team’s Week 6 loss vs. the New York Giants.

    Jalen Carter and Landon Dickerson are both active for Sunday’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium vs. the Minnesota Vikings. They were listed as questionable on the final injury report after practice on Friday.

    Carter, who has been managing a shoulder injury, missed the game last week with a heel injury. That same injury had him as a limited participant in practice twice this week. Dickerson, meanwhile, has been dealing with an ankle injury that knocked him from the Eagles’ Week 5 loss vs. Denver. Dickerson was limited on Wednesday and Thursday but was upgraded to a full participant on Friday.

    As the Eagles cycle through cornerbacks, they head to Minnesota to face Isaiah Rodgers, one who got away

    Carter, Dickerson, and Grant Calcaterra, who is out with an oblique injury, were the only three Eagles carrying an injury designation into Sunday.

    Here are the inactive Eagles for Sunday’s game:

    Running back AJ Dillon is a healthy scratch for the first time this season. That means Tank Bigsby could see his first action with the offense. He has struggled in his role as a kick returner, and the Eagles have another option to return kicks now with wide receiver Xavier Gipson active for the first time.

    The Eagles also elevated tight end EJ Jenkins from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. He is dressing for the first time this season.

    The Eagles will face off against former quarterback Carson Wentz Sunday as J.J. McCarthy is officially inactive with an ankle injury for Minnesota.