Entering Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, the Eagles were riding high after consecutive wins over the Las Vegas Raiders and the Washington Commanders. There still were plenty of concerns, though, regarding how they would look against a good team led by former league MVP and four-time Pro Bowler Josh Allen.
The Eagles responded to those concerns with a 13-12 win over the Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Former Eagles center Jason Kelce praised the team for the win on the latest episode of New Heights.
“I mean, it’s a great win,” Kelce said. “For the Eagles to go into Buffalo and win this game, it just shows how good the Eagles are. Do you know how tough it is to beat the best team in the AFC — some people are saying — do you know how hard it is to beat that team when you don’t get a single pass completion in the second half? Do you know how hard that is? That’s how good the Eagles are. That’s how good we are, Philadelphia.”
Of course, the win didn’t come without drama. After the Eagles took a 13-0 lead in the first half, the offense went silent in the second half. Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley was held to 68 yards on 19 carries against one of the worst run defenses in the league.
“It was a very frustrating game to watch offensively, to say the least,” Kelce said. “The Eagles have been trending better in running the ball, right? They did well against the Raiders; they did well against the Commanders. This was a chance to do it against a team that is going to be in the playoffs.
“It was not a great performance, collectively, up front, to be honest with you. And that was — it’s frustrating, as a former offensive lineman, a guy in that room that knows how good all those players are. We’ve got to do better than this, boys.”
After scoring a touchdown with five seconds left, Bills had a chance to send the game into overtime with an extra point or effectively end it with a two-point conversion. They chose the latter, and Allen missed his open man in the end zone to seal an Eagles win.
The stifling Eagles defense got Jason Kelce’s attention.
Despite the offensive struggles, the Eagles defense remained a bright spot vs. the Bills. They had five sacks and limited NFL rushing leader James Cook to 74 yards on 20 carries.
“The defense played out of their mind,” Kelce said. “That’s the positive coming out of this thing.”
“[In 2023], we decided to go out against [the] New York [Giants in Week 18] because we wanted to get some momentum going offensively because we weren’t playing great,” Kelce said. “And we ended up getting A.J. Brown hurt to where he couldn’t play in the playoff game. Jalen [Hurts] got his finger banged up. Like, it was catastrophic. So I am fully on board with do not risk getting anybody … anybody that you’re not going to be happy about missing in that playoff game, sit them on the bench. Unless you have the chance to get the No. 1 seed, I don’t give a crap who you’re playing, take the rest when you can get it.”
Caitlin Clark expressed her admiration for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye on the “New Heights” podcast.
Playoff picture with Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark made her highly anticipated return to New Heights to discuss her new Nike advertisement, her signature shoe, and the NFL playoff picture. The two-time WNBA All-Star asked Kelce who he likes in the playoffs besides the Birds.
“I really liked the Rams until [Monday] night,” Kelce said. “The first half was kind of the first weakness that I kind of saw from them. To their credit, they did bounce back and almost ended up winning there at the end. But, the Rams feel like they have the least questions of everybody that’s in the playoffs.
“Like, everything kind of has an answer. They’re great on the offense. They’re great on the defensive line. They run the ball well. They stop the run. Their quarterback [Matthew Stafford] is a proven — already won a Super Bowl and been around for a long time. So it’s like that’s the kind of the team that I think probably is the safest one.”
When asked about the Eagles’ chances, Kelce responded: “I think they’ll do better than people expect.”
“I mean, I know that the offense struggled in the second half last week and it’s struggled at times this season, but their defense is so good,” Kelce said. “And whoever they get in this first round, they’re probably going to get a team — whether it’s the Rams, who have said they’re going to play their starters, or San Francisco will probably be it. There’s a chance they could be the No. 2 seed and play Green Bay. They’re going to get a team traveling from the West Coast all the way to the East Coast, and the Eagles are probably going to rest. So, I kind of feel good about Round 1. I feel like they’re so talented that they have a chance to beat anybody at this point.”
Clark revealed that she doesn’t have a horse in the race. However, she is a fan of a certain young quarterback in the running for league MVP.
“I mean, I’m not cheering for anybody,” Clark said. “Honestly, I’m a Drake Maye fan. I think he’s been incredible, and I think the Patriots are — I mean, what is it? The NFC, I mean they’re all so good. The 49ers are really good, but they’re the most injured team, but they just still find a way to win, which is pretty crazy. I mean, I’ll probably be pulling for the Patriots. But I think the Rams are really good, too. [The Seahawks’] Sam Darnold seems like a good guy. So I could root for him, too.”
If you’re still on the hunt for any last minute Christmas gifts, or you’re already preparing for next year, then Jason and Travis Kelce have got you covered.
On the latest episode of New Heights, the former Eagles center and Kansas City tight end put together the ultimate gift guide for “dudes who can’t shop good” — but of course, they had some help from Not Gonna Lie host, Kylie Kelce.
Here are some of the best gifts included in the New Heights gift guide:
Gift cards. Jason and Travis Kelce approved.
Gift cards
You typically can’t go wrong with a gift card. When it comes to last-minute shopping, these are some of the easiest gifts you can grab for friends and loved ones. Sure, it may not be the most thoughtful gift option in the world, but it’s definitely going to be one of the more useful ones.
“If it’s to a store you know that she shops, yes,” Kylie said. “I think some women may find this to be a little impersonal. But also, with online shopping then she’s guaranteed to get something she wants and it’ll come right to her door.”
But is a gift card enough on its own? According to Jason, it’s not.
“i just feel like if it’s somebody special, I wouldn’t roll into the holidays with just a gift card,” Jason said.
Candles are great. Assuming you or your special person isn’t allergic to them.
Scented candles
So, what pairs well with a gift card? To Kylie, a scented candle would have been perfect. Unfortunately, she happens to be married to someone who doesn’t enjoy the fresh smells of cinnamon, gingerbread, and peppermint taking over the house.
“I’m anti-candles,” Jason said. “I don’t like chemicals just burned and thrust into the air for me to be breathing in all day so I can get brain cancer.
“I don’t think it makes any sense. Why would I want some artificial [expletive] flower thing in the air that some person made in a lab from some combination of vegetable this and that. And this essence, I don’t want it in my face.”
When it comes to last-minute gifts, Kylie Kelce thinks a nice piece of jewelry is “a great idea.”
Jewelry
If you’re gift hunting for that special someone, then you may be looking for something bigger than gift cards and candles. Jewelry can be another option — whether it’s a nice set of earrings, a pearl necklace, a tennis bracelet, or a shiny ring.
“Jewelry is a great idea,” Kylie said. “Because I think there’s varying degrees of jewelry.”
Jason responded: “Is there a bad degree of jewelry? Like, would you get something and be like ‘Oh, this is not it and I’m mad?’”
“I don’t know if I would be mad,” Kylie said. “I just think that if it’s going to turn your skin green, probably don’t get it as a gift.”
That new refrigerator you’ve been eyeing up? Chances are your significant other has been eyeing it too, according to the Kelces.
Kitchen appliances
To Travis, some of the perfect gifts can even be kitchen appliances. The Chiefs tight end revealed that one of his fiancé Taylor Swift’s favorite gifts that she’s ever received from him was a bread slicer.
“I will say that one of Tay’s favorite gifts that I got her was the bread slicer,” Travis said. “She’s been throwing together so much [expletive] sourdough. Gosh, the best gut health there is.”
Health and fitness gifts might sound great but could be a silent trap you don’t want to fall for, according to Kylie.
Health & fitness related gifts
And when it comes to health and fitness-related gifts, this one can be a little tricky.
“You’re asking the wrong person because I would say yes,” Kylie said. “More [generally], I would say — unless she explicitly asks for it — absolutely not.”
“You also buy her a set of pants that are a size smaller,” Jason said, jokingly. “With a card that says ‘You can do it.’”
At the beginning of “Eras Tour” rehearsals, in a Before-Travis Kelce (BTK) timeline, the Berks County native is shown wearing a gray oversized Eagles sweatshirt as she walks into a practice space.
Paparazzi have spotted Swift repping the crew neck before, which is fitting since she’s discussed at length over the years her memories of her dad watching Eagles games and her love for the team.
This is a very important reminder to everyone that Taylor Swift is an Eagles fan. 🦅 pic.twitter.com/Sw4viIt8MV
In fact, on her first Philadelphia night of the “Eras Tour,” Swift sang “gold rush” as a surprise song and confirmed the lyric “my Eagles T-shirt hanging from the door,” was in fact about the team and not the band.
“I love the band the Eagles, but guys, like, come on, I’m from Philly,” Swift said that night in 2023 (and yes, a celebratory Birds chant did break out from the crowd).
It’s also worth noting that Swift’s Eagles sweatshirt appears to be unofficial — the team’s house style dictates that the eagle profile should always face left, with the plumage forming a subtle letter ‘E.’
Of course as the docuseries progresses, we see an After-Travis Kelce (ATK) style evolution, and a lot more red and gold — gross.
2. The audiobook
At a point in the series where Swift is trying to calm her nerves, she lies on a couch and starts listening to an audiobook.
It turns out, that book excerpt was from none other than South Philly author Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods.
Moore and her book, which is a multigenerational mystery drama set in the Adirondacks, are having a good year. The God of the Woods was on multiple book club shortlists, including Barack Obama’s, and was just announced for a Netflix adaptation last week. Moore will serve as a co-showrunner, writer, and executive producer.
Swift wasn’t alone in her book selection. The God of the Woods was the most checked-out print book of the year across all of Philadelphia’s library branches. (We don’t know about audiobook stats because those are managed by a third party.)
3. Scenes from Philly shows at the Linc
In the portion of the series that discusses the sheer pandemonium that the “Eras Tour” caused, with epic tailgates (known as Taylorgates), economic boosts, and overall good vibes, it seems only right that footage from outside the Philly shows were used as the ultimate visual aid.
The docuseries even relies on a Philly voice to summarize things best:
“I’ve never seen this before in my life,” Jon McCann, a local content creator who goes by The Philly Captain, says in a perfectly thick regional accent. “It’s like Woodstock but without the drugs.”
4. The directors and post-production
The End of an Era was directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, the local duo behind films including Rock School, Batman & Bill, and notably, Kelce — the documentary about Swift’s soon-to-be brother-in-law and former Eagle, Jason Kelce. The directors are both based in Philadelphia.
All six episode credits also list Philadelphia as a post-production location.
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Philadelphia Mummers Parade, that colorful, boisterous procession that has come to define New Year’s Day in the city.
The festivities kick off at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, as more than 10,000 performers take to the streets for a daylong celebration USA Today readers recently hailed as the nation’s best holiday parade.
From parking to road closures to how to go about watching, here’s everything you need to know ahead of time.
Kasey McCullough kisses her son Finn, 5, after his appearance with Bill McIntyre’s Shooting Stars during their performance in the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Convention Center Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, part of the Philadelphia Mummers New Year’s Day parade. Their theme is “Legends of the Secret Scrolls.” Finn’s dad, Jim McCullough also performed, his 40th year with the Mummers. They are from Washington Twp.Washington Township, N.J.
Mummers Parade route
The mile-and-a-half route begins at City Hall, before heading south down Broad Street to Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia.
How to watch the 2026 Mummers Parade
Watch the Mummers Parade in person
The parade is free to attend. Those hoping for a more intimate experience, however, have a few options:
Reserved bleacher seats located near the judging stand just west of City Hall are available for $25 at visitphilly.com.
Additionally, tickets to the Fancy Brigade Finale — held at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. inside the Convention Center — range from $28 to $43. Tickets are available at visitphilly.com or during business hours at the Independence Visitor Center.
Watch the Mummers Parade from home
The parade will be broadcast from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on:
Cable/Satellite: On Channel 2 (MeTV2) or Channel 69 (WFMZ). Available on Comcast, Fios, DirecTV, Dish Network, Service Electric, Astound, and Blue Ridge Cable.
Mobile: On the WFMZ+ Streaming app, available through your Apple or Android devices.
Members of the Saints wench brigade step to the judges’ stand during the 124th Mummers Parade on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
What is the Mummers Parade?
In short, it’s the longest continuously running folk parade in the country. Some 10,000 elaborately dressed performers take part in the celebration each year, part of dozens of groups spread across several divisions.
Fancies: Painted faces and elaboratecostumes.
Comics: Satirical comedy skits aimed at public figures, institutions, and current events.
Wench Brigades: Known for traditional Mummers costumes, including dresses, bloomers, and bonnets.
Fancy Brigades: Theatrical performances. (The Fancy Brigade Finale takes place on New Year’s Day with a pair of ticketed performances at the Convention Center at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
String Bands: Marching musicians playing an assortment of string and reed instruments.
Mummers Parade performers
Fancy Division
Golden Sunrise
Wench Brigade Division
Froggy Carr
Pirates
Americans
Cara Liom
MGK
O’Malley
Oregon
Saints
Riverfront
Bryson
Comic Division
Mother Club: Landi Comics NYA
Philadelphia Pranking Authority
Mayfair Mummers
Barrels Brigade
The Jacks
Mother Club: Rich Porco’s Murray Comic Club
Holy Rollers NYB
Vaudevillains NYB
Trama NYB
Wild Rovers NYB
Mollywoppers NYB
Merry Makers NYB
Misfits NYB
Fitzwater NYB
Funny Bonez NYB
Top Hat NYB
Fiasco NYB
Golden Slipper NYB
B. Love Strutters
Madhatters NYB
Tankie’s Angels NYB
The Leftovers NYB
Finnegan NYB
Mother Club: Goodtimers NYA
SouthSide Shooters NYA
Jokers Wild NYB
Hog Island NYA
Pinelands Mummers NYB
Happy Tappers NYB
Two Street Stompers NYB
Gormley NYB
Jesters NYB
Lobster Club NYB
South Philly Strutters NYB
Jolly Jolly Comics NYB
String Band Division
Duffy String Band
Durning String Band
Quaker City String Band
Fralinger String Band
Uptown String Band
Avalon String Band
South Philadelphia String Band
Aqua String Band
Greater Kensington String Band
Woodland String Band
Polish American String Band
Ferko String Band
Hegeman String Band
Jersey String Band
Members of Froggy Carr chant as they strut to Market Street during the 124th Philadelphia Mummers Parade on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
Mummers Parade-day hacks
Navigating the heavily attended event can require a bit of planning, with entire Reddit threads devoted to parade-day tips — including the best places to park and how to access elusive public restrooms throughout the day.
A few things to keep in mind: The parade is accessible through SEPTA Regional Rail, bus, subway, and trolley lines. And though parking is free because of the holiday, it’s expected to be scarce.
While the heart of the action takes place near City Hall and Dilworth Park, performance areas will also be located along the parade route — at Broad Street at Sansom, Pine, and Carpenter Streets.
Starting at 11 a.m., meanwhile, parade attendees can gather at the staging area for the string bands to watch the performers prepare. (The staging areas are located at Market Street between 17th and 21st Streets and JFK Boulevard between 17th and 20th Streets.)
Also good to remember? Dress warm, bring a lawn chair (they’re permitted), and pace yourself — it has the potential to be a very long day.
Ferko String Band tenor sax players Renee Duffy of Deptford (left) and Tom Garrity of Berlin take a break from the parade as they ride in the bands truck on South Broad Street during the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
Mummers Parade road closures and parking restrictions
Friday, Dec. 26, 2025
No parking from 6 p.m. on Dec. 26 through 6 p.m. on Jan. 2, on the east curb lane of 15th Street from JFK Boulevard to South Penn Square.
Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025
No parking from 6 p.m. on Dec. 27 through 7 a.m. on Jan. 2, on the west side of 15th Street from Arch Street to Ranstead Street. Street and sidewalk vendors will also not be permitted to park in this area.
Monday, Dec. 29, 2025
15th Street will be closed to southbound traffic at JFK Boulevard. Closure begins at 8 a.m. on Dec. 29 and runs through 7 a.m. Jan. 2.
Market Street eastbound will be closed to traffic at 16th Street from 8 a.m. on Dec. 29 through 7 a.m. on Jan. 2.
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025
No parking on the following streets from 4 a.m. on Dec. 30 through 6 p.m. on Jan. 1:
Market Street from 15th Street to 21st Street (both sides)
JFK Boulevard from Juniper Street to 20th Street (both sides)
15th Street will be closed to southbound traffic at JFK Boulevard. Closure begins at 7 a.m. on Dec. 30 and runs through 7 a.m. Jan. 2.
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025
Market Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 15th Street to 21st Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 31. Market Street will reopen at 3 p.m. and traffic will be permitted to travel eastbound on Market Street to 15th Street and continue southbound on 15th Street.
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning at 3 a.m. on Jan. 1 through the parade’s conclusion:
15th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
Market Street from 15th Street to 21st Street
These streets will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning at 6 a.m. on Jan. 1 through the conclusion of the parade:
Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to 20th Street
North Broad Street from Cherry Street to JFK Boulevard
16th Street from Chestnut Street to Race Street
17th Street from Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Ludlow Street
18th Street from Ludlow Street to Race Street
19th Street from Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Chestnut Street
1500 block of Ranstead Street
1300 block of Carpenter Street
1000 block of South 13th Street
Chestnut Street from 15th Street to 18th Street (north side)
Cherry Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
Arch Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
Washington Avenue from 12th Street to 18th Street
Broad Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from South Penn Square to Washington Avenue on Thursday, Jan. 1, beginning at 7 a.m. through the conclusion of the parade.
Vehicle traffic will not be permitted to cross Broad Street during the parade.
Additional Parking Restrictions
No parking from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1 (on both sides of street unless otherwise noted):
Broad Street from Cherry Street to Ellsworth Street
Juniper Street from JFK Boulevard to East Penn Square
South/East Penn Square from 15th Street to Juniper Street
Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to 20th Street
Logan Circle (north side)
16th Street from Chestnut Street to Race Street
17th Street from Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Ludlow Street
18th Street from Ludlow Street to Race Street
19th Street from Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Chestnut Street
1500 block of Ranstead Street
1300 block of Carpenter Street
1000 block of South 13th Street
Chestnut Street from 15th Street to 18th Street (north side)
Cherry Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
Arch Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
Washington Avenue from 12th Street to 18th Street
SEPTA detours
SEPTA hasn’t updated their schedule for the parade yet, but bus detours, alerts, and information can be found on SEPTA’s website.
Inspired by traditions brought to Philly by Swedish, Finnish, Irish, German, English, and African immigrants, the annual event has grown to feature thousands of costumed performers competing in a colorful, unique, and family-friendly daylong affair.
Despite past funding issues and occasional controversy, the Mummers Parade today stands as one of the city’s quintessential events, celebrated by locals and embraced by Philly royalty; former Eagle Jason Kelce memorably donned a traditional Mummers outfit for the team’s Super Bowl parade in 2018, and actor Kevin Bacon, along with brother Michael, has helped fundraise for the event.
After three consecutive losses, the Eagles got back on track on Sunday with a dominant 31-0 win at Lincoln Financial Field — their first shutout win since 2018. Of course, it was against the 2-12 Las Vegas Raiders.
During the halftime show on Fox, with the Eagles holding a 17-0 lead, former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski made a comment that basically summarized Las Vegas’ season: When you play the Raiders, it’s like putting Neosporin on your cut. They heal those wounds.
Former Eagles center Jason Kelce agreed with Gronkowski’s comments on the latest episode of New Heights.
“It is true,” Kelce said. “I mean, the level that the fans were at these last couple weeks — and understandable, you know, the Eagles had not been performing well — but then all of a sudden, you play the Raiders, who have won two games this year, I believe, it has a tendency to make you feel good again.
“It’s a great way to put it by Gronk. I think the Eagles are smart enough to know it was a great game but they still got to improve and get better. But so much of playing well in the postseason is feeling good going into it. And the Eagles got some games here that they can feel good about, hopefully.”
Now, after three weeks of struggling, the Eagles may finally be starting to establish an offensive identity just in time for the home stretch, and Kelce is loving it.
“The first series, I’m always watching like, ‘OK, what is this going to be? What’s the plan today? How many runs is this going to be? How much shotgun? How much under center? Like, what’s the flavor?’ And in the first series, I think there were like seven runs or was a quarterback designed run,” Kelce said. “It was clear that they were going to stick with that and try to establish a line of scrimmage, which is something I think they need to continue to do moving forward. And I just liked seeing it. … It’s everything you want to see against not just the Las Vegas Raiders, but what this Eagles team needs to be moving forward.”
Jalen Hurts’ final touchdown pass on Sunday was a strike to wideout A.J. Brown.
In the passing game, Jalen Hurts completed 12 of 15 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns. He also recorded 39 rushing yards on seven carries before he was replaced with Tanner McKee in the fourth quarter. This performance comes a week after the quarterback struggled against the Los Angeles Chargers and threw four interceptions in the overtime loss.
“It was a great bounce-back game for him,” Kelce said. “Obviously, the game before with the turnovers and everything was very uncharacteristic of Jalen Hurts. It’s not who he has been largely in the NFL. But this is what I mean: he’s got 15 attempts, and if he would have played the whole game, it would have been more than that. They did a great job at being a very balanced offense, and that’s what they need to be. … I came away from last week feeling like this offense is showing signs of going in the right direction.”
On the other side of the ball, Vic Fangio’s defense continued to shine, sacking Kenny Pickett four times and holding the Raiders offense to 75 total yards, their lowest total in more than a half century. With Sunday’s game behind them, the Eagles have three games left — two against the 4-10 Washington Commanders, who just shut down starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, and at the 10-4 Buffalo Bills. To clinch a spot in the playoffs, they need just one more win.
“They’re in the driver’s seat,” Kelce said. “They’re probably going to be the No. 3 seed. If they win out, there’s a chance they could be the No. 2 seed. What I would like to see these last three games is continue to pound the rock. Get that run game going. It is going to open up so much more for the offense. And if these guys can go into the playoffs feeling good, feeling confident, working with each other in executing these plays, I think it’s going to help out Jalen a lot more.
“And with the way this defense is playing, this team could be very dangerous in the postseason if they stay true to that formula. So that’s what I’m hoping to see.”
As the Eagles’ losing streak stretched to three games, Jason Kelce chronicled what he called a “comedy of turnovers” on the latest episode of New Heights.
But Kelce found little to laugh about when it came to the heartbreak of a 22-19 overtime loss to the Chargers on Monday night. He also pointed to what he believes hurt the Eagles most: the lack of an offensive identity — and maybe a bunny.
Here’s what you may have missed from the podcast …
The not-so-positive rabbit
Last week, the Eagles debuted a holiday locker room decoration: an inflatable “positivity rabbit.”
The Eagles have installed the “positivity rabbit” into the locker room
It showed up today and the offensive line stressed to me they are not sad they just wanted a good vibes bunny 👍 pic.twitter.com/zJi0M93SEr
After NBC Sports Philadelphia reporter Ashlyn Sullivan attributed the rabbit to the Birds’ offensive line, podcast co-host Travis Kelce asked the former Eagles center if it had mysteriously appeared in the locker room before.
Jason Kelce replied that this was a first for the Eagles — and he was not a fan.
“There was a lot of negativity in Philadelphia before the game for an 8-4 team that’s first in their division and certainly looking like they’re going to be in the playoffs,” Kelce said. “I think the team was trying to make a statement that we’re all in on this together.
“To be honest, I don’t really like the rabbit. It’s a little hokey. … It didn’t work. You have to ditch the rabbit.”
The Eagles were on the precipice of a comeback win in overtime against the Chargers. And not even an inflatable bunny could save them, as quarterback Jalen Hurts threw an interception in field-goal range that handed the Birds another preventable loss.
Jason Kelce shared the fans’ disappointment in the costly turnover.
“It was just a very frustrating game that ended in a very frustrating fashion,” he said. “We’re putting together a great drive, playing outstanding ball in overtime, driving the length of the field, and then the interception to lose.
“It was just a gut-wrenching way to end that one. We needed to get some momentum back, and unfortunately, a very sloppy game again left the Eagles in another week of frustration.”
Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo (left) chats with Jason Kelce before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Offense searches for answers
Much of the blame for the Eagles’ latest loss landed on Hurts, who committed an uncharacteristic five turnovers.
“It was a horrendous game of ball security,” Kelce said. “I know the last couple weeks have been rough for [Hurts]. This is one of the things he’s done well his whole career, taking care of the football. It’s unfortunately two out-of-character games from him and our team that have really cost us.”
Kelce also shifted the criticism away from Hurts alone, despite the quarterback’s five turnovers, including the second-quarter play in which he threw an interception, recovered a fumble, then lost a fumble himself. Rather than a lack of talent, Kelce suggested the Birds offense is missing the strong team identity that helped it succeed in past years.
“This offense has been so stagnant and struggled to get anything going the last couple weeks. … Offensively, [the Eagles] are looking for who they are,” Kelce said. “They’re looking for that identity. There’s so many good pieces … Throughout Jalen’s tenure, what lends itself to the best for this team is that we’ve got to attack the line of scrimmage with [Saquon Barkley], one of the best running backs in the game, and then take our shots down the field.”
If the Eagles are still searching for an identity with just four games left in the season, they’re running out of time to find it.
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.
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.
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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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.
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?
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.
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 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
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.”
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.”
For the second straight week, Jason Kelce went on his New Heights podcast to break down an Eagles loss — this time, to the Chicago Bears. Reacting to the offense’s struggles, Kelce is hopeful that right tackle Lane Johnson’s return and the Eagles’ continued use of motion will be the key to the team’s turnaround.
Along with his brother and co-host Travis, Jason discussed his pregame tailgate at Lincoln Financial Field, and was joined by George Clooney to end the episode.
Despite the lackluster product on the field, Kelce made his Black Friday tailgate one for the ages.
Dubbed the belly bucking championship, Kelce hosted his first-of-its-kind tournament in which Eagles fans were pitted against each other in shirtless sumolike wrestling.
“No Shirt Dom came out victorious,” Jason said. “We were kind of making up the rules as it went … I mean, go figure, a guy who is committed to not wearing a shirt wins the belly bucking competition.”
Retired Eagles center Jason Kelce greets fans at an impromptu appearance at a pregame tailgate before an Eagles game last year.
The winner wore a chain featuring a pendant depicting a crossed-out shirt, acting as a fitting celebration for the event. Kelce, not one to be undone, also went shirtless and entered the ring.
“I’m not going to lie,” Jason said. “I did kind of make the belly bucking competition just so there was something that, at one point, I knew I would eventually get in some belly action.”
“Me and No Shirt Dom … we decided to have a little friendly one,” Jason added. “That wasn’t really a bucking, that was an offensive linemen duck walking, getting the hips in there. … I don’t think Dom was ready for it.”
Bad news Bears
Travis opened up the show’s segment on the Birds by complimenting Chicago’s turnaround from their 5-12 record last year under new head coach Ben Johnson, who took his shirt off in the locker room to celebrate after the team’s Black Friday victory in Philly.
Watching the carnage unfold, Jason reminisced on how Nick Sirianni brought similar vibes to the Eagles locker room.
“Nick Sirianni has had that,” Jason said. “That’s what’s frustrating, I think right now the Eagles are trying to figure this thing out, they are trying to get this offense going, and playing the Bears … you can feel the energy and excitement that team has.”
Confident in the team’s desire to get better, Jason believes the improvement of the offense hinges on Johnson’s return — despite the offense struggling even with Johnson on the field earlier this season.
“Lane Johnson coming back will be huge,” Jason said. “Even though Fred 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.”
The six-time All-Pro center was happy to see the Eagles’ improvements in the passing game — specifically moving wide receivers around the field more often as the team currently ranks in the bottom five in pre-snap motion in the NFL. Admitting he doesn’t know much about route trees and coverages, Jason let Travis take over to breakdown how movement can benefit an offense, with the Chiefs tight end being plenty familiar with motion under Andy Reid.
“You watch the Chiefs play, you see me moving around all the time,” Travis said. “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.”
“All of a sudden, you’re snapping the ball while they’re still trying to figure out how they need to adjust,” Travis continued. “If you use that to your advantage, [expletive] is only going to make things way easier as a route runner and as an offense.”
Despite all the injuries, recent struggles, and added pressure applied through the recording of Hard Knocks, Jason is confident it will all come together by the end of the season.
“More than ever, the NFL is wide open,” Kelce said. “We’re 8-4, we got time to figure this out.”
George Clooney joined the Kelce brothers on the latest “New Heights” podcast.
George Clooney was there?
In an odd turn of events, famous actor Clooney joined the show — taking over the mic to choose sides between the two hosts.
“Jason, I dig you man,” Clooney said. “You’re NFC, you’re a Hall of Famer, I can show some love for you. Travis, you broke me man. I’m a Bengals fan dude, I grew up in Cincinnati.”
Taking 30 minutes to haze Travis, discuss his new movie Jay Kelly, and to talk ball — Clooney bonded with Jason before the end of the episode. Normal Batman shouting out fat Batman (Jason) wasn’t on my bingo card, but Clooney is a welcome addition to the team nonetheless.
Jason Kelce used the latest episode of his New Heights podcast to break down what went wrong for the Eagles on Sunday. After the Birds blew a 21-point lead to fall to the Cowboys, Kelce identified the core of the loss as a limited running game and crumbling second-half offense.
But alongside his brother, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, the former Eagles center also gave fans reason to be optimistic about the team’s potential in the latter part of the season. He also announced a free tailgate for fans before Friday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
Here’s what you missed …
‘New Heights’ to host Black Friday tailgate
Jason Kelce is hoping to stir the energy back up around the Birds before their game against the Bears with a Black Friday tailgate hosted by New Heights. The tailgate will begin at 11 a.m. in Lot K outside Lincoln Financial Field, with free admission for fans on a first-come, first-served basis.
And it sounds like it’s going to be a wild affair.
“I don’t know how many people we can admit or how many people will show up, but we do know we’re going to be drinking, eating, and having a gay old time,” Kelce said. “That’s right, we’ll have food, merch giveaways, photo booth, DJ, games — and of course a belly bucking competition! They’ve allowed us — I never thought legal would let this happen. Thank you to the legal team at Wondery.com and whoever is doing it on our behalf.
“We’ve already picked vetted contestants, so you can’t apply, but you can witness the festivities. If you want to see mostly fat guys rub bellies into each other to see who can win some type of prize that we have yet to determine, if you want to show up and see these bellies get bucked, show up in Lot K on Friday. … We’re going to have a [expletive] blast!“
What’s “belly bucking?” Good question …
Fixing the Eagles offense
When it came to breaking down the Eagles’ collapse on Sunday, Kelce largely blamed the offense’s inability to keep up with the Cowboys in the second half on a severely lacking running game.
Kelce pointed out how Lane Johnson’s absence has further hampered the Eagles’ ground attack. The veteran offensive tackle, who suffered a foot injury during the team’s Week 11 win over Detroit, is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
“I know it’s very fashionable to blame Kevin Patullo and the play-calling, but the passing game felt like it was pretty good in this one,” Kelce said. “The thing that is really hurting this offense right now is the run game. It has not been clicking for the majority of the year. It’s multifaceted. The offensive line has been banged up, there’s been guys in and out. … It’s been hard to build cohesion as a unit.”
Eagles offensive tackle Fred Johnson has been filling in for injured starter Lane Johnson.
Kelce also addressed the self-inflicted wound of the Eagles’ pair of turnovers in the fourth quarter, granting the Cowboys ample opportunity to make a comeback.
“Outside of the run game, the ultimate thing that killed this team was … the turnovers at the end of the game, which were extremely costly,” Kelce said.
However, the former center attempted to quell some concerns by assuring that the offensive line will improve as the team adjusts from the injury misfortune.
“I think that this offensive line, as they continue to get the reps together, they will block better as a unit, and that will make a huge difference in the ways these plays get executed,” Kelce said. “I feel confident about the Eagles moving forward.”
Since Lane Johnson was first drafted by the Eagles in 2013, the team is 15-25 without him. For comparison, the Birds are 120-62-1 when Johnson has played.
The right tackle’s absence hurt the Birds’ offense in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys, Jason Kelce said on Monday Night Countdown, but it wasn’t the only problem.
“He has meant so much to the Philadelphia Eagles,” Kelce said. “In pass [protection] they leave him one-on-one on an island at a higher rate than anyone in the league. He does it all extremely well, but it’s not just him this year, the whole offensive line has been banged up.”
The struggles for the Eagles O-Line has stuck out for Jason Kelce 👀
"This year is the first year they have really struggled to run the football. … It is crippling this offense." pic.twitter.com/DU88ZiOPmG
Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson have both been injured up this year, with Jurgens missing two games due to a knee injury and Dickerson missing one with an ankle injury. The left guard also tore his meniscus in preseason.
“They’ve been a top 10 rushing unit, as an offense, the Eagles have, every year since Jalen Hurts has been the starter. This year is the first year they have really struggled to run the football,” Kelce added. “A lot of it comes down to being banged up and not being the cohesive unit they have been, and healthy, in the past, but it is crippling this offense right now.”
The longtime Eagles center wasn’t alone. Super Bowl-winning defensive end Chris Long also pointed to the Eagles’ offensive line struggles as a major reason for the offense’s continued inconsistency.
“This team has been built around the offensive line since we won a championship,” Long said on his Green Light podcast. “That team was built around the offensive line. This team is built around the offensive line. We always talk about, who’s the main character. The main character has always been the offensive line.”
“Now the main character is not perfect, it puts strain on the passing game. You can talk about the coordinator — I don’t know how much of it is the quarterback or the coordinator just not knowing what the [expletive] to do. If anything short of a Super Bowl, you’re going to hear a lot of stuff come out about the behind the scenes, because it’s just not functional right now.”
Chris speaks on the Eagles offensive struggles and why the main character has always been the offensive line pic.twitter.com/nIFp25siZL
Long questioned what the team will look like in a “post-[Jeff] Stoutland” world because the driving force of the team has always been the running game and the high-powered offensive line — and Stoutland has been the coach of that unit for more than a decade.
Because of the inconsistencies from half to half, Long is also worried about a potential playoff matchup. The team is talented enough to pull out wins, but it has been very up-and-down.
“They’re almost better off being down 14 points because it forces them to open the offense up, rather than being up 14 points, a la the [Los Angeles] Rams game,” Long said, referring to the Week 3 win when the Eagles rallied from a 26-7 deficit.
