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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

  • Eagles vs. Chargers: Rounding up local and national media picks for ‘Monday Night Football’

    Eagles vs. Chargers: Rounding up local and national media picks for ‘Monday Night Football’

    The Eagles suffered another defeat last week with their 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears. Philadelphia was the top seed in the NFC just a month ago, but after two straight losses, the team is tasked with an uphill battle for the NFC’s number one seed in January.

    Now, the Eagles (8-4) will turn their focus to a Monday Night Football matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers — and they will do so without star defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

    Jalen Hurts and the Birds, who are 2.5-point favorites, have a chance to get back on track against a Chargers (8-4) team dealing with a hand injury to quarterback Justin Herbert, although he is expected to play. Here’s who the experts are picking in Monday’s game …

    Inquirer predictions

    First, let’s begin with what our writers are thinking about the game. Here’s a look at Jeff Neiburg’s prediction …

    To read more of Neiburg’s prediction and see what our other writers think the outcome will be, click here.

    Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has come under fire this season as his unit has struggled to find an identity.

    National media predictions

    Here’s a glimpse at how the national media is swaying before Monday’s matchup …

    • ESPN: Just like last week, ESPN is heavily toward the Eagles. Nine of the 11 panelists have the Birds winning.
    • CBS Sports: CBS follows suit, as six out of eight CBS analysts pick Philly to win.
    • Pro Football Talk: NBC is split on this matchup. Mike Florio picks the Eagles while Chris Simms predicts a Chargers’ win.
    • USA Today: USA Today is nearly split, four of the six panelists have the Eagles winning Monday night.
    • The Athletic: The Athletic is the same, with four of six staff members picking the Eagles.
    • Bleacher Report: After picking against Philly last week, six of the seven Bleacher Report analysts have the Birds winning and covering the 2.5-point spread.
    • Sporting News: Vinnie Iyer predicts a 21-17 win for the Eagles.
    Dan Orlovsky hasn’t been shy about the Eagles’ struggles. But he still believes they can be contenders.

    Local media predictions

    Here’s what some others in the local media think of the game on Monday …

    • Delaware Online: Ten of the 12 panelists pick the Eagles
    • PhillyVoice: There is a split between the four panelists with each team receiving two votes.
  • Dan Orlovsky hasn’t been shy about the Eagles’ struggles. But he still believes they can be contenders.

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

    After losing back-to-back games to the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears, the 8-4 Eagles have been under scrutiny from national media, including ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, who thrashed the Eagles’ offense in advance of their Monday Night Football matchup with the 8-4 Los Angeles Chargers.

    “They don’t do one thing well offensively,” Orlovsky said on Thursday morning’s edition of Get Up. “If I had to use the words and give you adjectives to describe this offense over the course of the season: predictable, boring, stale, self-inflicting, uncreative, and unexplosive.”

    Orlovsky has been studying the Eagles more closely this week, as he will be on the call of ESPN’s Monsters, Inc.-themed alternate broadcast, the network’s third animated Funday Football (ESPN2/Disney+). A few hours after ripping the Eagles on air, Orlovsky spoke with The Inquirer and raised many of the same concerns he did on Get Up about the Eagles’ offense, which has been struggling in Kevin Patullo’s first season as coordinator.

    “They’re not what they were last year on offense,” Orlovsky said. “Last year, they were historically great when it came to running the football. That’s not reality. Their tailback was historically great. He just hasn’t had the same impact.”

    Numbers and trends that could impact Monday’s Eagles-Chargers game in Los Angeles

    The Eagles’ rushing attack, spearheaded by Saquon Barkley, ranks 22nd in rushing yards through the first 12 games of the season. Last year, the team ranked second in rushing yards and Barkley became the ninth NFL running back to record 2,000 yards in a season.

    Dan Orlovsky, once a Jalen Hurts critic, says the Eagles offensive line has been one of the biggest reason’s behind the team’s offensive struggles.

    Orlovsky says the key difference between last year’s offense and this year’s is the play of the offensive line.

    “If you aren’t good up front, it’s really hard to consistently be good,” Orlovsky said. “Their offensive line has to play better.”

    The Eagles have been without Lane Johnson for their last two games, as the two-time All-Pro tackle is recovering from a Lisfranc injury in his foot suffered in the team’s Week 11 win over Detroit.

    Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter out Monday vs. Chargers after shoulder procedure

    But the Eagles’ struggles on the ground predate Johnson’s absence. The Eagles have rushed for more than 100 yards in five games this season and recorded more than 150 yards just twice. In 2024, the Eagles eclipsed 150-plus yards on the ground in 11 regular season games.

    The inability to pick up yards on the ground on first down leads to longer yardage on second and third downs. The Eagles are converting 34.5% of their third-down plays, which is the fifth-worst conversion rate in the league.

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

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

    With five games left in the regular season, the Eagles hold a 1½ game lead over the 6-5-1 Cowboys in the NFC East. If the Eagles can hang onto their divisional lead and earn a playoff spot, Orlovsky says the team needs to be able to “control the game” to be considered as a contender to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

    “[If] they can dictate to a defense what they want to do, then there’s no question,” Orlovsky said. “The group isn’t all that different than what it was last year.”

    Jason Kelce’s belly bucking competition, concerns with Eagles offense, and more from latest ‘New Heights’

    The struggles on offense, including down years from Barkley and Jalen Hurts, loom large over the final five games of the regular season. The talent remains largely the same, but 12 games into the season, Orlovsky doesn’t see the current version of the Eagles as a team with an identity.

    “There’s a lot more question marks about their offense and why they’re struggling in comparison to what it was last year,” Orlovsky said. “But, they still are a talented group, and I think that they’re trying to figure out who they are.”

  • Jason Kelce’s belly bucking competition, concerns with Eagles offense, and more from latest ‘New Heights’

    Jason Kelce’s belly bucking competition, concerns with Eagles offense, and more from latest ‘New Heights’

    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.

    Here’s what you may have missed …

    Jalen Hurts takes the blame, Nick Sirianni is ‘thankful for adversities,’ and more from the ‘Hard Knocks’ premiere

    At least one Eagle showed up

    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.

    Former Eagles attend third annual ‘Team Dinner’ to support Connor Barwin and Chris Long’s foundations

    “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.

  • How do Joel Embiid’s new Skechers shoes compare to other Philly athletes’ signature kicks?

    How do Joel Embiid’s new Skechers shoes compare to other Philly athletes’ signature kicks?

    Joel Embiid’s new signature shoe with Skechers, the SKX JE 1, was released exclusively at Lapstone & Hammer on Saturday. The Sixers center, who signed with the brand last year after his five-year partnership with Under Armour ended, debuted his shoes during the team’s 142-134 double-overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

    Embiid wore the low-top sneaker, which has his initials on the tongue of the shoe, in black, blue, and pink. The shoe is expected to release two other colorways: neon green and black, and a red, white, black, and gold color scheme that appears to match the Sixers’ all-black jerseys from their 2001 NBA Finals team, which the team has brought back for the 25th anniversary of that season.

    Embiid previously had just one signature shoe with Under Armour, the Embiid One, which released in September 2020. Having a second signature shoe with a different company is rare, and he joins players like Aaron Gordon, Kyrie Irving, and Andrew Wiggins as active players who have had signature shoes with more than one brand.

    Although the shoes’ global release has not yet been announced, Embiid is on a small list of Philly athletes who have had their own signature shoes. The most notable is Allen Iverson with 18 Reebok signature shoes. Although the list is brief, how does Embiid’s newest shoe stack up against his predecessors?

    How Jalen Hurts’ growing relationship with Jordan is helping the Eagles QB express himself
    Allen Iverson was wearing the Reebok “Answer IVs” during Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals.

    Iverson’s ‘Questions’ and ‘Answers’

    There have been many Iverson shoes with Reebok, but the popularity of his Reebok Question 1 signature shoe, which debuted in 1996 after he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Sixers, and his Reebok Answer IV shoe, which came out in 2000, is palpable.

    The latter has even been replicated as football cleats. Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith wore custom-made Iverson IV cleats for last year’s NFC championship game against the Commanders and the Super Bowl. The shoe was an homage to Iverson’s tunnel outfit for the NBA Finals, which featured a custom-made Eagles jersey with his last name on it and a green and white colorway for the Answer IVs.

    The original Reebok Question sneakers are best known for their red cap, matching the style of the Air Jordan 11s that Iverson wore in college at Georgetown. The Question had a white base, with the red toe and blue bottoms to match the Sixers’ jerseys back then in 1996-97. Versions of them continue to be sold today, and Reebok has even unveiled a golf shoe in the same style.

    We also need to show some love to the Answer 1 high-top shoes, which had hidden laces and featured the pump on the side of the shoe with Iverson’s logo on it.

    Can Allen Iverson help make Reebok cool again?
    Sixers forward Elton Brand, now the team’s general manager, donned several versions of his Converse signature shoes during his time playing in Philly, including these in 2010.

    Converse EB

    Right as Elton Brand’s playing days started in Philly in 2008, so were his signature shoe releases. He debuted the Converse EB1 signature shoes during his first season with the Sixers, with the EB logo on the strap across the sneakers shaped as the letter “D” as an homage to his mother Daisy and his Dunbar Heights neighborhood near Peekskill, N.Y.

    Brand went on to release the Converse EB2 and EB3 in 2009 and 2010, respectively. His shoes were best known for being sold exclusively at JCPenney for $65. He had two stints with Philly as a player (2008-12, 2016), then worked his way up through the Sixers’ organization from player development consultant to general manager.

    Jordan Brand throws a party as it opens first U.S. World of Flight store in Philly
    In 2014, Ubiq, Fila and Packer collaborated to bring former Sixer Jerry Stackhouse’s signature shoe back to life.

    FILA Stackhouse

    A year before Iverson came into the fold, Jerry Stackhouse, drafted third overall by the Sixers in 1995, debuted his shoe with FILA, called the “FILA Stackhouse,” which came on the heels of Grant Hill’s popular signature shoe in the mid-1990s.

    The shoe became a major success because of Stackhouse’s instant impact in Philly, averaging 19.2 points as a rookie during the 1995-96 season. He played in Philly for only two seasons, but the shoe, which released in white, blue, and red and a white-and-red colorway, has held up over time.

    In 2014, FILA and former Philly retailer Ubiq, which closed in 2020, collaborated with Packer Shoes to release the FILA Spaghetti, paying homage to Stackhouse’s 18-year career, which ended in Brooklyn with the Nets. The shoe featured the Sixers’ vibrant red and blue colors. He also released the FILA Stack II in 1996 and the FILA Stackhouse III during the 1998-99 season.

    Julius Erving wore leather Converse sneakers during his 11 seasons with the Sixers.

    Dr. J and the Converse Pro Leather

    Julius Erving, better known as Dr. J, released his signature Pro Leather high-top sneakers with Converse in 1976, his first season in Philly, in a simple white-and-red colorway. Erving wore the leather sneakers throughout his career with the Sixers, which spanned 11 years.

    He released a low-top version a year later, but the high-top classics are his most acclaimed signature shoe. Erving also released the Converse All-Star Dr. J 2000, which debuted in 1997, and Converse Dr. J Pro Leather 2K11, which came in 2011.

    Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now the face of Converse, but Erving and Chuck Taylor are a big part of the brand becoming a key player in the basketball space.

    Charles Barkley is one of several Philly athletes who got his signature shoe while playing for another team.

    Signature shoes elsewhere

    Charles Barkley, Darryl Dawkins, Dikembe Mutombo, and Paul George all played in Philly at some point in their careers, but each had signature shoes released either before or after their time with the Sixers.

    Barkley’s came when he was with the Phoenix Suns. The Nike Air Force Max CB sneakers were released in 1993, which became one of his iconic shoes, and he released six others over the next five years.

    Dawkins had his signature shoe with the Nets come in 1984, the Pony Uptown. Mutombo had two signature shoes with Adidas: the Mutombo I and II sneakers, which came out in 1993 and 1994, respectively, while he was with the Nuggets.

    George released all six of his signature shoes with Nike before arriving in Philly, from his debut Nike PG 1 sneakers being released in Indiana in 2017 to the Nike PG 6’s in 2022 with the Clippers.

    Kobe Bryant, who played his high school ball at Lower Merion, had 29 signature shoes with Nike, though his Nike Zoom Kobe VI sneakers are probably the most popular pair in his collection.

    Dawn Staley was one of the first WNBA players to get her own signature shoe.

    We can’t forget about North Philly native Dawn Staley, who had two signature shoes released in 1999 as part of the Nike Alpha Project. Staley debuted the Nike Air Zoom S5 during her first season in the WNBA in 1999 with the Charlotte Sting, and the Nike Air Zoom S5 II followed a year later.

    Temple alum Eddie Jones, who played for six NBA teams, had two Jordan Brand signature shoes released early in his career: the Jumpman Quick 6 in 1998 with the Lakers and Jumpman Swift 6 in 1999 with the Hornets.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid debuted his new signature Skechers sneakers over the weekend.

    Verdict on SKX JE 1

    Embiid’s first sneaker with Skechers look more modern and sleek than the Under Armour Embiid One shoes. Compared to other Philly athletes’ shoes, though, and due in part to Skechers’ lack of appeal as opposed to bigger basketball brands, it’s a tough one to rank ahead of Iverson, Dr. J, or Stackhouse’s signature shoes.

    The colorway he debuted on Sunday is eye-catching, and the shoe will ultimately be judged by its performance when others are wearing it on the court. This could be the start of a long signature shoe partnership between Skechers and Embiid, but his first shoe definitely has room for improvement.

  • Jalen Hurts takes the blame, Nick Sirianni is ‘thankful for adversities,’ and more from the ‘Hard Knocks’ premiere

    Jalen Hurts takes the blame, Nick Sirianni is ‘thankful for adversities,’ and more from the ‘Hard Knocks’ premiere

    Hard Knocks has come to Philadelphia … in more ways than one.

    The famed HBO documentary series premiered the first episode of its in-season special Tuesday, bringing NFL fans a behind-the-scenes look at each team in the NFC East.

    The episode is the first of eight, with subsequent releases planned each Tuesday night until Jan. 20.

    The premiere gave viewers a look into Nick Sirianni’s leadership, the Eagles’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and explanations for crucial missed plays against the Chicago Bears.

    Here’s what you may have missed from the first episode of Hard Knocks: In Season With the NFC East …

    The Eagles have lost two in a row — and four of their last eight games — as Nick Sirianni continues to look for answers.

    ‘Thankful for adversities’

    Before any flashy credits or highlights came across the screen, Hard Knocks provided coverage on the reigning champion Eagles, just not in the way Philly fans like.

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

    The show opens with a conversation between Sirianni and Brandon Graham inside the Eagles’ practice facility. Discussing the Eagles’ upset loss to the Cowboys, Sirianni celebrates having to overcome adversity while commenting that players need to focus more on improving instead of complaining.

    “Little setback,” Sirianni said. “No one wants to go through adversity until they go through it and be like, ‘Man, I needed that [expletive].’ Like last year, we had to go through that. Unfortunately, we had to go through ’23 to get to where we got last year.

    “Same [expletive] here. Sometimes we get like, ‘Man, I don’t like what I am going through right now.’ Then fix it.”

    Replied Graham: “It’s good, because it’s shaping up to see who you are, too.”

    Following a quick introduction to the docuseries by narrator Liev Schreiber, which included tongue-in-cheek remarks about the Tush Push while the Impressions’ “Keep on Pushing” played in the background, the episode’s focus transitioned back to the Birds’ 21-point blown lead at AT&T Stadium.

    Listening to the Cowboys’ sideline, lowlight after lowlight is shown of the Eagles’ poor second-half performance — rubbing salt in a still-fresh wound for Philly fans.

    The show checked in with the Cowboys, Giants, and Commanders — who all seemed to show more positivity than the Eagles throughout the episode, despite having a worse record, a head coach fired, and an injured starting quarterback, respectively — before cycling back to left tackle Jordan Mailata addressing media criticism on 94 WIP.

    What we know (and don’t) about the Eagles entering Week 14 vs. the Chargers

    The former seventh-round pick claimed that criticism toward Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, the offensive line, and Saquon Barkley has brought the team closer together — echoing Sirianni’s previous comments regarding adversity.

    “It’s bringing us closer,” Mailata said. “It’s bringing us closer, man. We know what we have, and we’ve just got to keep going to work. When crap hits the fan, what I know how to do best is just go back to work and put your head down, and you go out there, and you have another chance on Friday — just play your heart out.”

    Sirianni brought the point home in a continuation of his talk with Graham when he doubled down on his positive outlook on the Eagles’ struggles.

    “I’m always thankful for adversities because I see every adversity as a way to come together as a football team,” Sirianni told Graham. “It’s not that you’re enjoying it or it’s pleasant going through it, but I am sure thankful for the adversities I went through to be where I am today.”

    Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has received much of the blame from fans, but quarterback Jalen Hurts took responsibility for the team’s loss to the Bears.

    Hurts takes the blame

    Hard Knocks also brought fans directly into the Birds’ preparation leading up to the team’s 24-15 loss to Chicago on Black Friday. The episode showed a focused Sirianni projecting the Bears logo on the screen at a team meeting, and Hurts delivering his signature “keep the main thing the main thing” line.

    There were also small glimpses into Jeff Stoutland’s offensive line meetings, Scot Loeffler’s quarterback room, and Kevin Patullo’s presentation to the offense — providing insight into the team’s sense of urgency in fixing that side of the ball.

    “When we look back, we don’t want to say, ‘Oh woulda, coulda, shoulda,’” Patullo said. “[Expletive] that. We’ve got to fix it now.”

    Yes, Jalen Hurts is the ‘problem’ for the Eagles, not Kevin Patullo: So what? | Marcus Hayes

    When the show reaches the moment when the Eagles have their chance to fix it — last week’s matchup with the Bears — viewers get a glimpse into what actually went wrong for the Birds against Chicago.

    First on the docket was Hurts’ uncharacteristically errant pass to DeVonta Smith in the second quarter — one that turned a would-be touchdown into a field-goal attempt — which we now know was caused by a missed hand signal Hurts sent Smith before the snap.

    “When I pointed like this — that’s my fault, I thought you was going to settle down,” Hurts said to Smith after the play. “… [Expletive], that’s a play I’ve got to make.”

    “Y’all keep doing what y’all doing,” Hurts said while addressing his wide receiver group and offensive line. “Here we go, we’re going to finish the next one, that’s a play I make.”

    On the verge of scoring once again, another mistake prevented a score — a fumble during a Tush Push play in the third quarter, for which Hurts once again took the blame.

    “That’s me,” Hurts said after the play. “[Expletive] I did. Trying to secure the ball and he came straight in there and gutted it out. That’s on me, I’ve got to protect the [expletive] ball.

    Despite all the negative attention toward Patullo, including the recent vandalism of his home, it seems Hurts is the first to step up to take the blame for the Eagles’ poor performance.

    NFL Week 14 power rankings roundup: Faith in the Eagles is dwindling after another ugly loss
    Wide receiver A.J. Brown had his best game of the season against the Bears, but the Eagles still lost.

    Keep an eye on these two

    Hard Knocks, known for its drama and fireworks, surprisingly did not feature anything from A.J. Brown after his recent comments regarding the Eagles’ struggle on offense.

    But after Brown scored coming out of halftime against the Bears, the star wide receiver did share a brief interaction with Patullo — an interaction that may interest those who want to learn more about the pair’s relationship.

    “I told you,” Patullo said after Brown’s touchdown. “You told me, I told you.”

    As the series and the Eagles’ offensive woes continue, interactions between Brown and Patullo will continue to be scrutinized. And all Eagles fans can do is hope that Patullo and Brown keep telling each other whatever it takes to put more points on the board.

  • Former Eagles attend third annual ‘Team Dinner’ to support Connor Barwin and Chris Long’s foundations

    Former Eagles attend third annual ‘Team Dinner’ to support Connor Barwin and Chris Long’s foundations

    Nearly eight years after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa together, Connor Barwin and Chris Long are still reaching new heights together with their charity work. On Tuesday evening, the pair hosted their third annual “Team Dinner” at Steak 48 in Philadelphia with proceeds benefiting Barwin’s Make the World Better Foundation and the Chris Long Foundation.

    “I love this event,” Barwin said. “It’s one of my favorite events that we do every year. This is the third one. When I played, I loved the team dinner we did every Thursday or Friday night. We always had fun, we always had a good meal, and we eventually always talked about what we could do to play together to help the team win the next game on Sunday. And really, that’s what this is about.

    “It’s about bringing a lot of people together in Philly that want to have fun, want to have a good meal, and then we’ll get to raising some money and talking about how we collectively can come together as a team and help make Philly a little better place.”

    NFL Week 14 power rankings roundup: Faith in the Eagles is dwindling after another ugly loss

    Barwin, who spent four of his 10 seasons with the Eagles, founded the Make the World Better Foundation in 2013 during his first year in Philly. Its mission is to revitalize public spaces and provide safe outlets for recreation, sports, and arts-based activities.

    Long, who spent two of his 11 seasons in Philly, founded the Chris Long Foundation in 2015 with the mission to advance access to clean water and educational equity. After being named the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2018, Long knew he wanted to continue giving back postretirement.

    Former Eagles Chris Long, Connor Barwin, and Vinny Curry posing on the red carpet at the third annual “Team Dinner” at Steak 48.

    “There were so many guys that deserve that thing,” Long said. “You know, it’s not why you do the things off the field. And when you get an award like that, you kind of, it’s like a nudge. You say ‘All right, well, if you say you’re that person, you better keep working.’ So, I’ve tried to keep doing the work. I looked at it as more of a challenge than like an honor. It was an honor, but I got to keep being that person.”

    The “Team Dinner” is an annual event inspired by team dinners from their playing days. Many former Eagles players attended, including Seth Joyner, Harold Carmichael, Ron Jaworski, James Bradberry, Brent Celek, Todd Herremans, and Vinny Curry, along with Eagles security boss Dom DiSandro.

    “These are my brothers,” Curry said. “What they do for the city of Philadelphia is amazing. To bring the ‘Team Dinner’ back to Steak 48 into the city of Philadelphia goes to show you how much Philadelphia meant to them.”

    The Washington Post snubbed Philly on list of America’s best sports cities. Here are nine reasons they’re wrong.

    Ahead of the dinner, guests could buy raffle tickets to win a number of items — including a V.J. Edgecombe signed jersey, an A.J. Brown signed jersey and Eagles swag bag, and a Jalen Hurts autographed Super Bowl book and Super Bowl LIX blanket.

    “Donors don’t walk in the door and feel pressured,” Long said. “The only pressure is to have a good time and kind of recreate the atmosphere of a team dinner from when we played. I think people look forward to it.”

  • NFL Week 14 power rankings roundup: Faith in the Eagles is dwindling after another ugly loss

    NFL Week 14 power rankings roundup: Faith in the Eagles is dwindling after another ugly loss

    The Eagles gave up 281 rushing yards to the Bears on Friday, the ninth-highest total they’ve allowed in team history. The defense also allowed Chicago to make history of its own: DeAndre Swift and Kyle Monangai became the first pair of Bears running backs to each rush for 100 yards in a game since 1985.

    The Eagles’ ground offense didn’t enjoy nearly as much success. Saquon Barkley gained a modest 56 yards on 13 carries and extended his touchdown drought to four games. No other Eagles running back received carries.

    The Birds (8-4) have a chance to rebound on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, although their consecutive losses have resulted in a significant drop across power rankings. Here’s where the Eagles stand heading into Week 14 …

    The Ringer: Fifth

    Despite giving the Eagles the highest ranking of any list, Diante Lee, who dropped Philly one spot, believes that the team’s conservative philosophy has hindered its ability to win games and develop young players.

    “Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni seems to have convinced himself that he’s solved the game of football. He’s got a formula for his team: Avoid turnovers, keep the game simple on offense, and let the defense carry the team home in the second half,” Lee wrote.

    “But that formula has caused the entire franchise to stagnate. Outside of young star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, is there a single player who looks better now than he did a year ago? Outside of a drive or two per game, have we seen anything that looks cohesive from this offense? And most concerning, is there any reason to trust that this team will even have an extra gear come playoff time?”

    Eagles slim favorites over Chargers in Week 14, but Super Bowl odds slip again

    ESPN: Sixth

    The loss to the Bears dropped the Eagles four spots in ESPN’s rankings. Tim McManus’ primary concern was the effectiveness of their rushing attack.

    “The reigning Offensive Player of the Year has had a difficult time getting going in 2025. He is on pace for 1,048 rushing yards, just about half of his production from his record-breaking 2024 season (2,005),” McManus wrote. “He has faced more stacked boxes and is running behind an offensive line that hasn’t been as buttoned up as last season’s group. The ground game is vital to Philadelphia’s operation. The Eagles need to figure out how to unlock Barkley if they have designs on making another run.”

    Barkley is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry this season, a dramatic decline from the 5.8 yards the Penn State alum averaged last season.

    Jeff Stoutland’s offensive line has been hit with several injuries this season.

    CBS Sports: Seventh

    CBS Sports dropped the Eagles just two spots, but pointed out the decline of the team’s offensive and defensive lines.

    “They won a Super Bowl being dominant on both lines. This year, it isn’t close to being that good,” Pete Prisco wrote. “What happened to the defense against the Bears?”

    The Eagles finished behind the No. 4 Seattle Seahawks, No. 5 Green Bay Packers, and No. 6 Bears, who all won their Week 13 matchups.

    Nick Sirianni reiterates Eagles are ‘evaluating everything,’ but Kevin Patullo will still call plays

    Yahoo! Sports: Seventh

    The outlet criticized Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s utilization of their offensive skill position players and expressed doubt that the situation could improve.

    “It’s hard to remember a team getting less out of its offensive talent than the 2025 Eagles. They returned four Pro Bowlers, the Super Bowl MVP, and one of the NFL’s best receiver duos in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith from last year’s offense,” Frank Schwab wrote. “That group is 19th in points scored, 24th in yards gained and 22nd in success rate. Just about every player is performing well below their career standards. And three months into the season, it’s unlikely to fix itself and it’s getting harder to trust the Eagles going deep in the playoffs.”

    From ‘Fire Kevin Patullo’ website and matching street sign to dating troubles, Eagles fans have had enough

    The Athletic: Ninth

    In Thanksgiving fashion, Chad Graff and Josh Kendall shared the most positive takeaway from every team’s game this past week. But they struggled to find one for the Eagles, and the Birds tumbled six spots from No. 3.

    “The Bears defense is just OK, yet the Eagles managed only 317 yards of offense and 15 points at home on Black Friday,” Graff and Kendall wrote. “But we’re looking for positives today, and if this offense can get sorted out — which admittedly feels like a big ask 13 weeks into the season — Philadelphia should be fine.”

    Jalen Hurts and the Eagles have already lost four games this season, more than they lost all of last year.

    Sports Illustrated: 10th

    The biggest drop of the week took place at Sports Illustrated, where Conor Orr moved the Eagles from third to 10th, although it seems like at least some of the blame lies with Birds fans. There wasn’t any analysis about the team, just a mention of the “uniquely pathetic” vandals who egged Patullo’s house.

    Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s house was vandalized after Bears loss, police confirm

    NFL.com: 10th

    Eric Edholm mentioned a litany of issues concerning the Eagles’ play and suggested that the NFC East title was back in play.

    “Even the tush push doesn’t feel like a team strength now. There are multiple issues with this offense, but the bottom line is that Jalen Hurts must play better. The presumption is that the Eagles have the defense to make a deep playoff run, but the way they defended the run vs. Chicago suggested this unit isn’t nearly as impregnable as its reputation suggests,” Edholm wrote.

    “We haven’t seen a repeat divisional champ in the NFC East since the Eagles won their fourth straight crown in 2004, and this year’s Philly team is doing everything it can to extend the drama as long as possible.”

    As a result, the Eagles dropped four spots in NFL.com’s rankings and were leapfrogged by the Packers, Bears, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, and Buffalo Bills.

    Can the Eagles still get the No. 1 seed in the NFC? Yes, but it will be difficult.

    USA Today: 11th

    USA Today’s ranking represented the Eagles’ lowest placement across the board. The outlet dropped the Birds five spots and pointed out the negative correlation between A.J. Brown’s success and the team’s success.

    “WR A.J. Brown is averaging 7.3 catches and 91.3 receiving yards (with three TDs) in Philly’s four losses,” Nate Davis wrote. “In his seven other games, all wins, he’s averaging 47.7 yards and 3.9 receptions (with three TDs). So, tell us again how important it is that you get the ball, A.J.?”

    On Friday, the Mississippi native had his best game of the season, achieving season highs in receptions (10) and yards (132). Brown also caught both Eagles touchdowns in the loss.

    Yes, Jalen Hurts is the ‘problem’ for the Eagles, not Kevin Patullo: So what? | Marcus Hayes
  • From ‘Fire Kevin Patullo’ website and matching street sign to dating troubles, Eagles fans have had enough

    From ‘Fire Kevin Patullo’ website and matching street sign to dating troubles, Eagles fans have had enough

    One disgruntled Eagles fan with access to the traffic signs near Lincoln Financial Field chose to display just one message on Monday morning: “Fire Kevin Patullo.”

    The broadcast of Friday’s loss to the Bears, the Birds’ second in a row and fourth of the season, caught fans streaming toward the exits after the Bears’ touchdown late in the fourth quarter. But don’t take those early departures for lack of passion.

    A lot of that passion has been directed at the team’s first-year offensive coordinator, with some taking things too far, vandalizing Patullo’s South Jersey home over the weekend.

    One fan made a Fire Kevin Patullo website, recounting the Eagles offense’s many struggles so far in 2025.

    “We don’t need to pass for 250+ yards a game … but we could,” the site’s intro reads. “We don’t need to rush for 100+ yards a game … but we could. We shouldn’t go 0-8 passing in ANY half … but we did. We should run when we’re up 14 pts in the 2nd half … but we didn’t. We should NEVER run just 1 time in a half … but we did. We shouldn’t run the ball when it’s 3rd and long … but we do.”

    Can the Eagles still get the No. 1 seed in the NFC? Yes, but it will be difficult.

    Some fans even started a “Life Before Kevin Patullo” trend on TikTok.

    @wpmark23 Ts hurt man 💔🤦🏾‍♂️ #eagles #fyp #philly #kevinpatullo #sad ♬ Jacob and the Stone SLOWED – ssxmusic

    Another fan apparently told his new girlfriend that they needed to stop talking until the end of the season, since the Birds have been playing badly ever since they got together.

    “I like you a lot so don’t take that as a dismissal, just need to turn our luck around for the Birds and I think you’d understand that too,” he wrote to her on Snapchat.

    Like any good Eagles fan, she was fine with it since it was “for the Birds,” she replied. After posting it on Reddit, a few r/Eagles users offered to pay for their next date after the season if the Birds turned their luck around.

    Yes, Jalen Hurts is the ‘problem’ for the Eagles, not Kevin Patullo: So what? | Marcus Hayes

    Meanwhile, NFL Network analyst Rich Eisen took to YouTube to implore Eagles fans to stay calm, considering the Birds are still 8-4 and extremely likely to make the playoffs.

    “I understand, one year, 10-1, making the playoffs and then they got one-and-doned, and you’re afraid that’s going to happen again, because of what I said, of too many mistakes, but everything I just said is fixable,” Eisen said.

    With five games left in the regular season, the Eagles are running out of time to fix it.

    The Washington Post snubbed Philly on list of America’s best sports cities. Here are nine reasons they’re wrong.
  • Kevin Patullo could benefit from move from sidelines to box, according to Nick Foles

    Kevin Patullo could benefit from move from sidelines to box, according to Nick Foles

    It really was a Black Friday in Philadelphia after the Eagles suffered another disappointing loss, this one to the Chicago Bears, 24-15.

    A few days later, everyone from former Birds to your extended family has spent the holiday weekend talking about where the Eagles offense has gone wrong this year. Here’s what some of the national media are saying …

    Nick Sirianni calling plays?

    Should Nick Sirianni step in to call plays on offense for the rest of the season? Sirianni hasn’t called plays since the early days as the Birds’ head coach, before Shane Steichen ultimately took over the reins and didn’t look back.

    On NFL Countdown on Sunday, Rex Ryan said that Sirianni should consider it. Alex Smith appeared to agree.

    Jalen Hurts is at the root of the Eagles’ offensive problems, but that doesn’t excuse ‘Siritullo’

    “They don’t outcoach anybody on the offensive side of the ball,” Alex Smith said. “A.J. Brown took a lot of flak a few weeks ago, he was the lone bright spot. He doesn’t look that wrong now. There’s clearly something wrong there on offense.”

    “They were in a similar situation last year, when all of a sudden they stopped and said, who the hell are we?” Ryan said. “Get back to running the dang football, whatever it takes. You’ve got to get Jalen Hurts involved. You can scheme, too! Ben Johnson schemed the hell out of them, and you’ve got better players than Ben Johnson does.”

    Kevin Patullo has been with the Eagles since 2021 but is in his first season as the team’s offensive coordinator.

    Nick Foles weighs in

    Nick Foles sees everyone’s frustrations with the Eagles offense, but he’s not ready to pull the plug on offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo just for the sake of making a change.

    Foles doesn’t believe Sirianni wants to call plays himself, and the solution to the Birds’ offensive woes in the long term might be outside the building.

    So, in the short term, Foles pitched a few potential solutions, including moving Patullo up from the sideline into the booth.

    Nick Sirianni defended Kevin Patullo, but it might not matter if Jeffrey Lurie decides he must act to save the Eagles’ season

    “Being a pass game coordinator, [Patullo’s] role was to be in the box, to be in the booth, to oversee what is happening on the field from an up-above perspective, not being on the sidelines with the players and feeling the emotions from the sideline,” Foles said. “He was in a controlled environment to see coverages, to see plays, and to make recommendations for the passing game.”

    Foles is incorrect in saying that Patullo worked from the box as passing game coordinator. He actually worked from the sideline, but the point remains.

    Being on the sideline surrounded by the players provides a different perspective than being up in the box, which is also where Vic Fangio calls plays from. It’s a less distracting environment, and it can be easier to make adjustments as the drive develops instead of waiting to watch tape on delay.

    “Get out of the sideline, get away from the emotions, because that could be clouding your vision,” Foles said. “You have a different perspective from the sideline. You can’t see the coverages as they’re forming. You can’t see the defensive alignments very well.”

    Chris Long agreed with Foles that it’s hard to bring in a new coordinator or replace the coordinator at this point in the season.

    Brian Daboll was fired as Giants head coach on Nov. 10.

    The Eagles could explore bringing in an outside consultant to help improve Hurts and the offense’s performance, but Long is not sure who stands out as a potential candidate aside from fired Giants coach Brian Daboll.

    “You look at a lot of these Eagles coordinators that have had success, they’re not homegrown,” Long said. “The ones that are homegrown, they’re just not working out. You’ve got problems everywhere.”

    After Super Bowl LIX, Long said many, including himself due to his connection to the Birds, got a bit too “fanboy-ish” about the Eagles and about Hurts’ skill set, and their shortcomings are in full focus now.

    “We get so hyperbolic about everything in pro sports,” Long said. “If we’d all just said, the quarterback’s not a perfect quarterback, you have to build around him … It’s not just the roster, because the roster was in pretty good shape when we rolled it out this year. It’s got to be the scheme, too.”