Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes

Tag: topic-link-auto

  • Roman Catholic makes football history with first state crown: ‘We were on a mission’

    Roman Catholic makes football history with first state crown: ‘We were on a mission’

    MECHANICSBURG, PA — Eyan Stead Jr. blamed himself. The Roman Catholic 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior two-way star carried it with him for months. It bothered him to the point where he lost sleep over the pass that glanced off his hands in last year’s state championship that would have been a touchdown.

    Stead also knew something else. He would get another chance. Fortunately, on Friday night, he did, against the same team, in the same stadium, in the same game.

    This time, Stead made it right, and was a big part in making Roman Catholic football history, catching a game-high nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in leading the Cahillites to their first PIAA state football championship, beating District 3 champion Bishop McDevitt, 28-6, in the Class 5A championship at Cumberland Valley High School.

    Late in last year’s state championship, won by McDevitt, 34-31, in overtime, Stead was wide open down the middle of the field when Roman quarterback Semaj Beals unfurled a bomb. It looked like Stead would run right under it when it bounced off his hands.

    The drop plagued Stead for a while.

    Temple lands a hidden gem in Roman Catholic’s Ash Roberts: ‘Everyone is going to see soon’

    “Every day, every day after that game last year I thought about it,” admitted Stead, who’s bound for Temple. “I beat myself up over it. That stayed with me for two months after that game. I had to make it right. I started to stack days and prepare. I lost sleep over that play. I lost weight. I didn’t eat for two weeks. I didn’t start letting it go until late January. I put it on me. I let my team down, and it bothered me.

    “I believe in second chances. I believe in third chances, and when this chance came to play McDevitt again, in this game, I wasn’t going to let anyone down this time.”

    The state championship was the culmination of what Cahillites’ head coach Rick Prete had been building since he was named head coach in 2019. He built the program up from scratch, taking considerable time to take players to summer seven-on-seven camps, vanning them to various skills camps, and gradually building the talent of the program.

    “I have to process all of this,” Prete admitted. “It feels great being the first to do this. We’re going to celebrate on Saturday, and I may not feel one bump on the turnpike on the way home. I want to make sure I tip my cap to [McDevitt] coach [Jeff] Weachter and his team. I learned a lot from him.”

    Prete’s supreme find was Beals, who is heading to Akron and has thrown for over 12,000 yards as a four-year starter.

    Beals completed 18 of 26 for 231 yards and three touchdowns, getting Roman out to a big first-half lead before McDevitt scored.

    National signing day: Local high school football stars join Notre Dame, Missouri, Syracuse and more

    “I was on a mission, we were on a mission, and we were all motivated from what we went through losing last year,” Beals said. “I know Eyan went through. I know he blamed himself for the drop, but we were all to blame. And we all took it on ourselves this offseason to get back here and do something we felt we should have done last year — win the state championship. It feels great making history as the first Roman team to ever win a state title in football, but this is a brotherhood, and it’s something we all did together. No one was going to stop us this year.”

    Roman had the game won at halftime, holding a 21-0 lead. The Cahillites scored on three of their first five possessions, outgaining McDevitt, 197 to 120. The separation should have been more, with Roman only converting one of McDevitt’s three first-half turnovers into points.

    Beals scored on Roman’s first drive with a seven-yard run. Beals found Hanif Sheed on a short, seven-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter for a 14-0 advantage. The score was created by a fumble recovery by Roman’s Julian Enoch at the McDevitt 33.

    Roman squandered a second-quarter interception by junior linebacker Walter Hudson, who brought the ball back to the McDevitt 22. But a fumble, which was recovered, pushed the Cahillites back to the 24, followed by an illegal shift flag that put the Cahillites in a fourth-and-13 at the McDevitt 25.

    Defensively, Hudson came spearing through to stop a McDevitt fourth-and-one at the Roman 46, which the Cahillites turned into a 40-yard touchdown pass from Beals to Ash Roberts to take a 21-0 lead with 1 minute, 53 seconds left in the first half. Hudson led all defenders with 11 tackles, which included four tackles for losses.

    “We had to stop the run, and we knew our defensive backs would stop their pass game,” Hudson said. “On the fourth-down play, I knew what they would do by watching film. I ran through the A-gap and I stopped it. On the interception, I dropped back in my zone, and I knew the ball would come to me. I tried to score, but everything started giving up. We didn’t do last year, and were determined this year to finish the job.”

    It was Stead who tacked on the last score, when Beals hit him with a short 1-yard pass with 1:16 left in the third quarter.

    “Eyan beat himself up over last year, but we made sure he knew we would not have been in that position without him,” Prete said. “He made sure. Eyan, he will always be our guy, and I keep saying it, he’s the best player in the state. He showed it tonight. I’ve been pounding that table for two years now how good Eyan Stead is. There is not a better football player in Pennsylvania than Eyan Stead.”

  • Paul George winds back clock with vintage performance against Bucks: ‘I feel like myself again’

    Paul George winds back clock with vintage performance against Bucks: ‘I feel like myself again’

    MILWAUKEE — Paul George approached Tyrese Maxey during the fourth quarter of Friday’s tightening matchup at the Bucks, and told the 76ers’ star point guard, “Don’t worry about it. I’m going to finish this for us.”

    George more than made good on his promise. His output in that final frame — six points, four rebounds, and two assists — helped push the Sixers to a 116-101 victory at Fiserv Forum. And the well-rounded overall performance (20 points, five rebounds, five assists in 29 minutes, 58 seconds) flashed that, following knee surgery and an injury-riddled first season as a Sixer, George might still have shades of the player who became a perennial All-Star and signed a max contract in the summer of 2024.

    “I feel like myself again,” George said from his locker after Friday’s victory. “I believe I’m not done yet. So it was great to kind of [have] everything kind of come back to me and it feel like it was natural. Muscle memory and my rhythm, timing, cadence, flow.”

    Sixers takeaways: Paul George steps up, Tyrese Maxey gets defensive, and more in victory over Bucks

    It was a crucial lift for the Sixers (13-9) on a night when Maxey was limited to a season-low 12 points, two weeks after dropping a career-high 54 on these Bucks. The Sixers also were without former MVP center Joel Embiid, who played in Thursday’s chaotic home victory over the Golden State Warriors but sat out the second night of the back-to-back with left knee injury recovery.

    George, meanwhile, did not play against the Warriors because of his own recovery path. He entered Friday’s fourth quarter with an already-sharp 14 points and three assists.

    The 6-foot-8 wing then began to initiate the Sixers’ offense, a role that typically falls on Maxey. The shift allowed George to be on his “A game,” he said, because of his adept playmaking and smooth shot-making while patiently reacting to the defense.

    Paul George puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) at Fiserv Forum on Friday.

    After multiple correct passing reads yielded missed shots by teammates, George took his defender off the dribble and rose up for a midrange jumper at the 6:18 mark. On the Sixers’ next possession, he nailed another pull-up to put the Sixers up by 14 points. About a minute later, George called for the ball, drew the foul on Kevin Porter Jr., and sank the two free throws.

    While holding off the Bucks’ attempted rally from 26 points down, George also got back in transition to help force a Bobby Portis whiff at the rim with 3:53 to play. He then secured a rebound that set up teammate VJ Edgecombe’s three-pointer to give the Sixers a 108-94 lead with 2:34 remaining.

    “Coach trusted me in that moment,” George said. “And [that was] me being able to respond to the moment.”

    George’s best game of the season was the result of his behind-the-scenes rehab work. That occurred amid outside criticism — “You’re getting old, and you’re washed, and you can’t do it anymore,” George mimicked Friday — that the 35-year-old said he needed to “drown out.”

    VJ Edgecombe might not be a Sixer without Buddy Hield. And the first NBA matchup between Bahamian ‘brothers’ was a thriller

    He also acknowledged the mental challenge of expecting his athleticism and body movements that have been reliable for years and those physical gifts suddenly dissipating. During his disappointing first season as a Sixer, George struggled to burst past defenders while averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 41 games.

    “Outside looking in,” George said, “[fans] see us on the court and they’re like, ‘Yo, why aren’t you doing this?’ It’s just like, ‘My body can’t. I’m trying.’”

    George missed the Sixers’ first 12 games of 2025-26, before playing in seven of the team’s past 10 matchups.

    Following an efficient 14-point outing at the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 28, George said that he and the Sixers’ staff had discovered the ideal way to fire up his left quadriceps muscle to support his knee. He then asked to play more minutes (28:02) in Sunday’s double-overtime home loss to the Atlanta Hawks, saying he feels like “the bird leaving the nest, getting to fly and flap my wings a little bit more.” But two days later, George felt “a little fatigued” while playing 17:43 in Tuesday’s home blowout vs. the Washington Wizards, a sign that these early games essentially are serving as his training camp.

    Sixers coach Nick Nurse reiterated earlier this week that George makes an instant impact as a versatile and communicative defender. His offensive flurries — including scoring the game’s first 11 points in the Nov. 20 overtime win in Milwaukee — also offered some promise. Now, when George drives to his left — when that lead leg must be strong and stable — he said he feels a mental “light popping back on, that I can start to trust it again.”

    Paul George makes a three-point basket against the Washington Wizards at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Dec. 2.

    George also still leans on his vast experience and knowledge of opponents, such as whose jump shot releases take longer and how to attack defensive switches. He has used that expertise to provide vocal mentorship to younger teammates like second-year center Adem Bona, who in Tuesday’s game against Washington missed a pass from George after sealing his defender.

    “I’m throwing that over the top, where he can just catch it and finish at the basket,” George said then. “Might be a little different. He’s not used to it. But just letting him know, ‘I see you, and I’m looking for that.’”

    It was poetic that, to help ignite George’s excellent fourth quarter, he lofted that style of pass to a cutting Bona for a dunk. And once George’s performance on both ends had all but officially propelled the Sixers double-digit victory, George and Maxey linked for their elaborate handshake as the veteran checked out for the final time.

    George had made good on his promise to his point guard. And he looked like vintage PG.

    “That’s what he’s here for,” Maxey said.

  • Lincoln University receives $25 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

    Lincoln University receives $25 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

    MacKenzie Scott, one of the world’s richest women through her Amazon shares, has donated $25 million to Lincoln University, the college announced Friday.

    The money — part of the billionaire philanthropist’s series of multimillion-dollar, unrestricted donations to historically Black colleges and universities — will support scholarships and initiatives, according to a news release.

    Lincoln University officials said the no-strings-attached gift “exemplifies her confidence in the university’s mission, vision, and leadership.”

    Lincoln University receives $20 million gift from ex-wife of Amazon founder

    “Lincoln University was founded to break barriers and create pathways for African Americans to thrive,” president Brenda A. Allen said in a statement. “This investment honors that legacy and propels us forward, enabling us to build on 171 years of excellence and innovation.

    “It is a powerful affirmation of the enduring value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

    A spokesperson for the university and the board of trustees could not immediately be reached Saturday for additional comment.

    This is Scott’s second donation to the southern Chester County university, the first degree-granting HBCU in the nation. The ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos gave $20 million in 2020 — then the school’s largest gift from a single donor in its history. As of June 2023, the school’s endowment was $54 million.

    A number of other historically Black colleges also received money from Scott in recent weeks, including Maryland’s Bowie State and Morgan State Universities and University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Scott’s total donations to higher education institutions this year have topped $1 billion, Forbes reported.

    The windfall comes six weeks after gunfire erupted during Lincoln’s Oct. 25 homecoming celebration, killing a 25-year-old man from Wilmington and injuring six people. At least one person was arrested.

  • A new South Philly crime drama debuts on the big screen and Amazon Prime

    A new South Philly crime drama debuts on the big screen and Amazon Prime

    Frank Joseph Tartaglia and his older brother, Joseph Frank Tartaglia, long dreamed of leaving the family fruit stand for Hollywood stardom.

    Back in 2006, when they first opened a live music venue on Ninth Street, Connie’s Ric Rac, Frankie and Joe Tartaglia — and their best friend and business partner, Peter Pelullo — would sit for hours after closing, spitballing script ideas. The brothers wanted to tell a South Philly story that captured the neighborhood they knew and that could make their dreams real.

    Frank Tartaglia, 45, South Philly writer, director, artist and musician, died suddenly at home on Thanksgiving Day.

    Then they were gone.

    First, Joe, a filmmaker, a musician, and a father of three, died in 2013 at age 44 of brain cancer. Then, Frankie, a comedian, a writer, an actor, and a true South Philly original, died in his sleep of heart failure in 2022, just a month after his first feature film, Not for Nothing, headlined the Philadelphia Film Festival to positive reviews.

    Now, Frankie and Joe Tartaglia’s big-screen dreams are finally becoming a reality.

    On Thursday, Not for Nothing, a gritty crime drama set in the heart of South Philly and written by Frankie Tartaglia and Philly-born filmmaker Tim Dowlin, debuted at the Film Society Bourse in Old City. On Friday, the movie, acquired for worldwide distribution last year by the independent film studio Buffalo 8, premiered on Amazon Prime and other major streaming services. It will be available on other cable platforms later this month.

    “It’s emotional,” said Pelullo, executive producer on the film. “It’s very rewarding for everyone involved to see it reach this place and get across the finish line. But it’s bittersweet. Joe would have been really proud of Frankie, and Frankie would have been excited for what was next.”

    He added, “That’s the painful part. This wasn’t supposed to be the end. It was supposed to be the beginning.”

    Family photo of Joseph and Frank Tartaglia

    The film has been a journey.

    Starring actor Mark Webber and praised by critics as a gripping tale infused with heart and humor, Not for Nothing follows a group of neighborhood friends who set out to uncover the truth behind a young woman’s mysterious overdose. The search for justice soon unravels into a confrontation with the ghosts of South Philly’s past.

    It’s just the type of authentic South Philly tale Frankie and Joe Tartaglia long strove to share. One that found its first roots in an independent film Joe and Frankie filmed in South Philly in 1998, called Punctuality (a quirky neighborhood film they described as Clerks meets A Bronx Tale). And one that continued to take shape during those long-ago, late-night brainstorming sessions at the Ric Rac, a grungy, glorious haven for South Philly artists and musicians that closed permanently during the pandemic.

    Carrying on the dream after Joe Tartaglia’s death, Frankie Tartaglia had reconnected with Dowlin by 2017. The pair had first become friends at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. Dowlin, who had already made films with Webber, another high school friend, approached Frankie Tartaglia about making a modern-day South Philly mob flick.

    From the start, Dowlin recalled, Frankie wanted to tell something more.

    “He immediately was like, ‘I don’t think that’s real,’” Dowlin recalled. “He wanted to explore something more authentic to the world he grew up in on Ninth Street, and at the bar at Connie’s Ric Rac.”

    Their script became less about the neighborhood goodfellas and more about an exploration of South Philly corner bar culture — and the friendships formed there.

    Still in the process of selling the film at the time of Frankie Tartaglia’s death, Dowlin and Pelullo worked for three years to make sure that his vision reached audiences.

    This summer, Connie Tartaglia, 76, an artist who ceaselessly encouraged her sons — and was the namesake of their old club — died from an illness. She had hoped to live long enough to see the film released, Dowlin said.

    Before Thursday’s packed premiere, Dowlin told the crowd about the friend and collaborator he had lost — and that Philly had lost, too.

    “He was an unstoppable force of love and art,” he said of Frankie Tartaglia. “He embodied every artist everywhere. He was a champion for the unseen and unheard.”

    Frankie had planned on dedicating the film to the older brother he looked up to, Dowlin said.

    Now, he hoped the film would live in both of their memories.

    “I would like to dedicate this film to both of the Tartaglia brothers,” he said.

  • Eggs belong at breakfast, not on Patullo’s house | Weekly Report Card

    Eggs belong at breakfast, not on Patullo’s house | Weekly Report Card

    Eagles fans egging Kevin Patullo’s house: F

    Listen — Philly has a reputation. We know this. We wear it like a badge. We boo Santa, we heckle refs, we meltdown on WIP like it’s an Olympic sport. But there’s passion, there’s unhinged, and then there’s driving to Moorestown at 3 a.m. to egg the offensive coordinator’s house because the Eagles lost to the Bears.

    That’s not passion. That’s just loser behavior.

    Patullo said all the right things this week. That criticism is part of the job, that he’s been here five years, that he loves the city and the fans. But he also made it clear: When it involves your family, the line isn’t just crossed… it’s obliterated. And he’s right. Yell at the TV, tweet about it, call WIP at 6 a.m. pretending to be “Bryce from Bridesburg.” But families are off-limits.

    The good news? Neighbors rallied, the community reached out, and Patullo isn’t going anywhere — not from his home, and not from the sidelines (despite Nick Foles’ dream of him coaching from the booth like it’s Madden franchise mode).

    Philly can take a joke, a hit, and a heartbreak season. What we can’t take is letting a few clowns make us look like we egg coaches every time the offense ranks 24th in yards.

    Save the eggs for tailgates. Or better yet, breakfast.

    A cheesesteak from Dalessandro’s in Philadelphia, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Michelin recently recognized the restaurant with a Bib Gourmand. Cheesesteak restaurants Angelo’s and Del Rossi’s were also recognized by Michelin.

    Philly is America’s No. 1 foodcation destination: A (obviously)

    A new national survey says the top city Americans want to visit just for food is… Philadelphia. Not New York. Not Chicago. Not Texas’ brisket country. Philly.

    All because of one thing: the cheesesteak, which topped the national list with 27% of Americans saying it’s their dream domestic “foodcation.” Translation: People are now booking vacations around a sandwich we buy at 1 a.m. like it’s no big deal.

    Food & Wine says Americans spend about $910 on their typical food-focused trip and would nearly double that budget if the bite was bucket-list–worthy. So somewhere out there is a family justifying a $2,000 vacation to stand outside Angelo’s at 10 a.m. behind 70 locals who think they have “a system.”

    Meanwhile, New York tied us at 27% for pizza — but let’s be serious. A cheesesteak beating out an entire city’s worth of pizza is so Philly-coded it should count as a parade.

    A Waymo car drives down Market Street Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Philadelphia.

    Waymo’s self-driving taxis hit Philly: B-

    Waymo has officially begun testing its robo-taxis in Philly — which raises the obvious question: Have they seen our streets?

    The company says its cars are now driving autonomously (with a human babysitter for now), mapping our neighborhoods and “laying the groundwork” to eventually chauffeur actual Philadelphians around.

    Bold. Truly bold. Because sure, a driverless car can operate in Phoenix. But can it:

    • Identify a pothole before it becomes a crater?
    • Handle a double-parked Amazon van, a food truck, and a guy pushing a sofa on a hand truck… all in the same block?
    • Not get stolen? (It’s Philly. We have statistics.)

    City officials say they’re “monitoring the situation,” which is Philly-speak for: If this thing blocks a SEPTA bus, there will be consequences. Meanwhile, Waymo has been chatting with local groups — the Bicycle Coalition, Best Buddies — which is smart, because they’ll need all the friends they can get once these cars try to merge on I-95.

    Delco Donny turning Wawa parking lots into concert venues: A

    Only in the Greater Philadelphia region could a man with a guitar, a thick Delco accent, and a dream turn random Wawa parking lots into 100-person pop-up concerts — and somehow it feels… correct.

    “Delco Donny,” the alter ego of musician Jake Dillon, started as a joke for his girlfriend’s Delco mom, reported Philly Voice. Now he’s pulling six-figure TikTok views by belting out Oasis, the Killers, and “Creep” between parked Hyundais and people sprinting inside for Sizzlis. At his Boothwyn Wawa show, fans were literally acting like he was Noah Kahan, except with more vowels flattened and more hoodies with paint stains.

    The shtick is simple: He shows up, leans into the Delco accent America learned during Mare of Easttown, and sings like he’s headlining the Spectrum in 1996. And people eat it up. Wawa corporate even started sending him merch, which is basically the Delco version of getting knighted.

    There’s something kind of pure about it: a Northeast Philly native channeling a fictional Boothwyn legend who meditates in a cluttered van, reviews local pizza joints, and humbly accepts Marlboro Reds as offerings from the people. The man is doing character work in a gas-station parking lot, and somehow it feels like local folklore in the making.

    Opera Philadelphia hosted “Home for the Holidays” at the Wanamaker Building’s Grand Court on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.

    The Wanamaker Christmas comeback: A

    In the most Philadelphia plot twist imaginable, the Wanamaker Grand Court took what could’ve been a gut punch — Macy’s closing, holiday traditions dangling by a thread — and turned it into a full-blown victory lap complete with a wreath-wearing Wanamaker Eagle, opera singers, dinosaur dancers, and an organ flex so powerful it could rattle the Market-Frankford Line.

    “Home for the Holidays,” Opera Philadelphia’s one-night takeover, wasn’t just a concert, it was a statement. Philly looked at a soon-to-be shuttered space and said, Fine, then we’re going out in style. The whole night doubled as a nostalgia bomb: marching-toy projections for anyone who remembers buying Christmas presents in the old store, an audience gasping at the tree like it was 1978 again, and the ground-shaking Wanamaker Organ.

    But the real Philly heart came from the subtext: This was also a campaign to keep the space public, alive, and musical long after renovations. You don’t raise $1 million for a Pipe Up! series unless you’re gearing up for a fight.

    Philly is getting a cruise terminal again (!!): A-

    For the first time since 2011, cruise ships will actually leave from the Philadelphia region — not Baltimore, not Bayonne pretending to be New York. Right next to PHL, on the Delco side of the river.

    PhilaPort struck a deal with Norwegian Cruise Line, building a new terminal in Tinicum Township with 41 voyages already on the books over the next two years, reported 6ABC. Norwegian’s locked in through 2033, sending thousands to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Canada, and New England, all sailing straight out of the airport’s backyard.

    It’s a major comeback for a region that hasn’t had a real cruise hub in more than a decade, and the timing couldn’t be better with the 250th, the World Cup, and the All-Star Game all landing next year. Economic impact? Around $300 million annually. Jobs? More than 2,100.

    And yes, it’s a six-hour ride down the Delaware before you hit the Atlantic. Philly’s response: New York isn’t much faster, Baltimore is way slower. So grab a drink and enjoy the shoreline.

    Franklin Mall, previously known as Franklin Mills, is for sale again.

    Franklin Mills (sorry, “Franklin Mall”) is officially for sale: C

    Franklin Mills, the place where Northeast Philly teens found Hot Topic, freedom, and an alarming amount of Orange Julius, is officially on the market. Again. After years of falling occupancy, collapsing value, and visitor counts dropping from 20 million a year in the ’90s to 5.6 million today, it’s basically being lilsted as: “137 acres… willing to become literally anything.”

    Industrial redevelopment? Sure. Warehousing? Probably. Housing? Maybe, if City Council blesses it. A mall again? As one architect put it: “Unlikely.” (Philly translation: absolutely not.)

    This place is 1.8 million square feet (second only to King of Prussia), but while KOP is still the superstar of malls, Franklin Mills slowly slid into its “legacy act” phase. The valuation dropped from $370 million in 2007 to $76 million last year. Even the name had to be changed back because Simon Property Group kept the Mills trademark, which feels like getting your hoodie taken in a breakup.

    Real talk: The building is basically a demolition project waiting for a permit. But to its credit, 65% occupancy means it isn’t a ghost town yet — just a mall trying to remember who it used to be.

    It might become warehouses, apartments, or over a million square feet of “don’t worry, it’ll create jobs.” But one thing’s for sure: If Northeast Philly wakes up to find a sea of Amazon vans where Franklin Mills once stood, people will still call it Franklin Mills.

    And honestly? Same.

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

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

    The Eagles travel to the Los Angeles Chargers for a Week 14 matchup at SoFi Stadium on Monday at 8:15 p.m. Here’s what you need to know about the game:

    When the Eagles have the ball: It’s December and it’s unlikely the Eagles will suddenly have a high-powered offense at this late stage. At the least, they could look more like the outfit that did enough to win most of the first 11 weeks by not turning the ball over and being effective in the red zone. But there is conceivable room for improvement and I think one way to address that is having Jalen Hurts run more. Kevin Patullo suggested as much earlier this week, and the guess here is that the offensive coordinator and coach Nick Sirianni had a “come-to-Jesus” conversation with the quarterback about having more designed runs.

    Jalen Hurts running more might be the best thing for the Eagles. Is it also hazardous to his career?

    At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this could be the game to get Saquon Barkley and the run game back on track. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has used light boxes 48.2% of the time — which ranks third in the NFL — to induce good passing offenses into running more. But he may break that trend considering how effective defenses have been when concentrating their efforts on stopping Barkley. The Chargers use their base five-man front only 20% of the time, but when nose tackle Teair Tart is on the field, he eats up the “A” gaps. Patullo can keep L.A. in nickel on run downs simply by favoring three-receiver sets. This matchup screams for less of second tight end Grant Calcaterra as a run blocker, despite the Eagles’ perplexingly high use of “12” personnel.

    A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith could be contending with a defense that puts seven defensive backs on the field Monday.

    Minter’s philosophy mirrors that of Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. He’ll sacrifice some yards on the ground if it means aiding the secondary and limiting explosive plays through the air. The Chargers lean on two-high safety shells and zone coverage 82% of the time. Minter uses dime personnel — and sometimes will have as many as seven defensive backs on the field — more than most coordinators. He favors Cover 4 when he has two safeties — typically RJ Mickens and Elijah Molden — deep. Derwin James is the linchpin in the secondary and rotates between the slot, box, and post. The Eagles will see some single-high safety looks, but rarely vs. man coverage. Patullo needs to open the playbook with more crossing routes for receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Hurts can throw intermediate-length passes, he just needs to pick his spots.

    Fred Johnson’s ability to protect Jalen Hurts against the Chargers pass rush will be critical on Monday night.

    The Eagles’ pass protection has been relatively sound, but pressure has been an issue in recent weeks. Minter blitzes only 19% of the time — 31st in the league. He likes to simulate blitzes with exchange pressures. The Eagles have struggled to pick those up this season. Hurts needs to find his answers … not that they’ve always been there. Outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu leads the Chargers in pressures, but Khalil Mack is healthy and the most dangerous. Both edges line up predominantly over the right tackle, which will be Fred Johnson in this case. He’s starting for a third straight game with Lane Johnson (foot) still out. Patullo has increasingly helped his tackles with chip blocks. Hurts isn’t getting sacked as much, but he’s completed only 59% of his passes in the last four games vs. 70% before the bye.

    When the Chargers have the ball: Justin Herbert is expected to play despite surgery on the quarterback’s left non-throwing hand earlier in the week. If he can’t go, it’ll be backup Trey Lance, which would be a considerable drop-off. Assuming Herbert is active, he may not be able to go under center. The Chargers don’t have a heavy volume under-center offense, but they do it 29% of the time and throw play-action out of that formation 33% of the time. That’s one less variable coach and play-caller Jim Harbaugh will have at his disposal. And that could help an Eagles defensive line vs. a patchwork offensive line.

    Chargers QB Justin Herbert breaks bone in non-throwing hand vs. Raiders; status for Eagles game uncertain

    The Chargers offense is down both starting tackles. Rashawn Slater was lost for the season in training camp. Joe Alt followed him to injured reserve last month. In the three games since his injury, the offense ranks 28th in expected points added (EPA) per drop back. After some shuffling, Harbaugh has settled on Jamaree Salyer at left tackle and Trey Pipkins at right tackle. Both have previous starting experience, but are backups for good reason. With the Eagles down their best defensive lineman, Jalen Carter, the edge rushing group — led by Jaelan Phillips, Jalyx Hunt, and Nolan Smith — will need to exploit their advantage.

    Herbert has four solid receivers to sprinkle around his throws. Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, Oronde Gadsden, and Quentin Johnston each have more than 500 yards receiving. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is unlikely to follow one guy as a result. Adoree’ Jackson should expect a lot of attention, as should a safety corps that has underperformed. Sydney Brown may be back to the bench if Marcus Epps is ready after a stint on IR. If not, Herbert or Lance will likely find ways to attack him in coverage.

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

    Even without Carter, the Eagles’ interior D-line shouldn’t be overmatched. Center Bradley Bozeman can be a liability. Right guard Mekhi Becton has regressed playing on a weaker line than he did in Philly. He was benched in Week 11 but is expected to start. Harbaugh will want to establish the run, especially after the Eagles got chewed up on the ground by the Bears. Running back Omarion Hampton could be active after having his 21-day practice window opened last week. The first-round rookie averaged 4.8 yards a carry in five games before suffering an ankle fracture. A remarkable 4.1 of those yards came after contact. Hampton is tough to bring down, as is Kimani Vidal, who averages 3.4 yards after contact. The Chargers use a fair amount of two-back personnel. The Eagles, who missed eight run tackle attempts vs. the Bears, will need to be more sure-handed on Monday night.

    If Jim Harbaugh has quarterback Justin Herbert (10) on the field, the Chargers’ chances of moving to 9-4 increase exponentially.

    Extra point: I’m not 100% convinced Herbert is active. Neither are the Eagles. They prepared for both Chargers quarterbacks. Herbert is the one to worry about, obviously. He’s done a remarkable job considering the O-line woes. He can make almost any throw and can fit it into tight windows. Herbert also been excellent out of structure, which has happened a fair amount due to poor pass pro. But he’s forced some passes, which has resulted in interceptions. And now he has the issue with his off hand.

    I’ve been terrible at picking Eagles games, as usual. Come for the analysis above — I hope — and leave by the time you get to the prediction. 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, 25-19

  • Jalen Carter’s injury only increases the pressure on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

    Jalen Carter’s injury only increases the pressure on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

    Now that the truth is known, it falls to Jalen No. 1 to compensate for the absence of Jalen No. 2.

    Now that the drop-off in Jalen Carter’s play in 2025 compared with 2024 has been explained by his deteriorating shoulders, the responsibility for a late-season surge falls more squarely on the shoulders of embattled quarterback Jalen Hurts.

    He’s got to throw better passes. He’s got to run the offense more efficiently. He’s got to start using his legs as a weapon, because the main weapon on defense is gone.

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

    Carter as an NFL sophomore last season fueled the best defense in the league. That defense allowed an average of 19.3 points to the No. 5, No. 7, No. 15, and No. 17 offenses in four playoff games. Zack Baun, Milton Williams, and Josh Sweat made $231 million in new contracts after that Super Bowl run. They owe about 25% to Carter.

    Now, though, Carter is taking time off to heal his aching shoulders. According to Dr. David Chao, Carter likely received PRP injections — platelet-rich plasma — a procedure that is minimally invasive and intended to have the patient’s own plasma speed healing at the injection site.

    In the best-case scenario for the team, Carter will miss no more than two games. In the best-case scenario for Carter, he will miss the last five games before the playoffs begin. He needs to be pain-free, fit, and strong if the Eagles hope to defend their title.

    To his credit, Carter tried to play through the injury all season. He reported the injury in the offseason and missed time during training camp, but as the games got colder the dam finally broke.

    Carter was bad in the second half at Dallas two weeks ago, when the Cowboys came back and won. He was even worse last Friday, when the visiting Bears rushed for 281 yards. Still, Dallas and Chicago scored just 24 points apiece. Carter is that effective at half-strength.

    That’s about the level at which Jalen Hurts has been playing … for quite a while, to be honest.

    Jalen Hurts’ steely resolve will be tested during a stretch when the Eagles are at less than full strength.

    The Challenge

    As well as Carter played last season he wasn’t the Eagles’ best player, because Saquon Barkley had the best year any running back ever had. This season, however, defenses have sold out to stop Saquon, and it’s working.

    It’s working, in part, because Hurts and his coaches have decided to reduce his designed quarterback runs. Hurts is on pace for only 119 runs, about 47 fewer than his average over the past four seasons.

    Jalen Hurts running more might be the best thing for the Eagles. Is it also hazardous to his career?

    Exacerbating the matter: The poor health, inconsistent play, and key absences on the offensive line, usually an unstoppable force, have diminished that unit’s effectiveness.

    The biggest blow: Right tackle Lane Johnson, one of the best players in franchise history, hurt his foot against the Lions. He missed both the loss at Dallas and Friday’s loss, and he won’t be back for at least two more games, more likely four. Without Johnson, the Eagles wouldn’t have won Super Bowl LII or LIX. Hurts and Barkley wouldn’t be under contracts worth more than $300 million. He’s just that good.

    So, yes, as they enter the homestretch of the season, the 8-4 Eagles will play without their best defensive lineman and their best offensive lineman. With Carter and Johnson either limited or absent, they’ve lost their last two games.

    Still, things aren’t all that bad.

    The Road to the Top

    They hold the No. 3 overall seed in the NFC. They again hold a 2½-game lead in the NFC East over the Cowboys, who lost Thursday night in Detroit. They’ve given themselves a buffer, and they have a runway — as long as Hurts starts playing to his $51 million average annual value.

    First, the Chargers, in Los Angeles, on Monday Night. Right-handed Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will be playing with a surgically repaired left hand, so the balanced attack might be less balanced, and the offense should run exclusively out of shotgun or pistol sets, and adversity along the Chargers’ line has mirrored that of the Eagles’.

    However, the Chargers have the No. 2 passing defense and 11 interceptions, which is tied for eighth. The Eagles have the 24th-ranked offense and the 23rd-ranked passing offense, despite weapons like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. They’re getting open, and they’re running the plays called by first-year coordinator Kevin Patullo.

    Will receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, with the necessary assistance of their quarterback, have a big Monday night in L.A.?

    Hurts has been a problem all season. Hurts can turn that narrative around Monday night, and beyond.

    The two-win Raiders visit the next week, and the season ends with home-and-home games against the three-win Commanders, who have the second-worst defense in the league, sandwiching what likely will be a brutal trip to Buffalo.

    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.

    He’s averaging just 209.5 passing yards. That’s fewer than Geno Smith, Mac Jones, and Jacoby Brissett.

    That has to change.

  • Honesdale’s massive Himalayan Institute is no longer so secret after more than 50 years of yoga and meditation

    Honesdale’s massive Himalayan Institute is no longer so secret after more than 50 years of yoga and meditation

    The silence in the Himalayan Institute’s shrine redefines silence, quiet enough to hear your heartbeat, to pick up a whisper from across the room, and, perhaps most importantly, to feel every breath, in and out, while you meditate.

    The institute, founded in 1972, moved into the massive, former seminary on 400 hilly, forested acres in Honesdale, Wayne County, in 1977, a time when yoga was still a niche practice. For more than 50 years, the institute has been offering yoga training, spirituality, meditation, and holistic health practices, along with getaways and retreats.

    “It’s for anyone, for any creed, religion, sex, or gender,” said Greg Capitolo, a California native who became the institute’s president after attending retreats there. “There’s really no religious affiliation at all.”

    As yoga exploded in popularity and modern meditation apps abound, the Himalayan Institute has seen growing interest worldwide. It hasn’t hurt that downtown Honesdale has seen its own popularity grow over the last decade as Philadelphia and New York City residents look for properties and business opportunities outside of traditional urban escapes, like upstate New York.

    “I like to sat this is the best-kept secret in Wayne County,” Capitolo said. “I hope we become less of a secret to the people here. ”

    The Inquirer went to Honesdale during a frigid weekend last December and confirmed it: even in single-digit temps, the town’s gift shops, bakeries, buzz-worthy restaurants, art galleries, and book stores were alive with tourists and locals up and down Main Street.

    Afterward, several readers mention the Himalayan Institute as a “must-visit.”

    The Himalayan Institute, In Honesdale, Pa.

    On a Monday in late November, the main, dormlike building was abuzz with “residents” who were doing volunteer work in the kitchen for access to classes, yoga training, and other programs the institute offers. Capitolo said the institute can house up to 80 residents, who commit to staying for a year as part of the $800 per month “Residential Service Program.”

    Meals are vegetarian, and on this afternoon, lunch was beet subzi and kimchari. The Himalayan Institute follows Ayurvedic principles, which discuss balance and digestion, among other things.

    “The Ayurvedic system says you should eat your biggest meal around lunchtime, when the sun’s at its highest, point, because your digestion will be optimally ready to break down food,” Capitolo said.

    There’s also a gift shop and a trail network at the Institute, along with a popular Wellness Center that offers several types of massage, including hot stone. One of the Wellness Center’s most popular offerings is an Ayurvedic therapy known as Shirodhara Treatment, which includes “streaming warm oil onto the forehead to clear and calm the mind.”

    The Himalayan Institute, In Honesdale, Pa.

    The simplest structure and offering at the Himalayan Institute may be the Sri Vidya Shrine, a simple, domed building that sits behind the former seminary on the campus. The shrine is the twin of the Sri Vidya Shrine at the Himalayan Institute’s Khajuraho campus in central India, and its meditation hall is not so simple: that unique silence was part of the design.

    The shrine’s meditation hall is referred to as the mandapa, literally “the canopy for seekers to gather.”

    Capitolo sat silently in the hall for several minutes, hands folded, focusing on his breath. He, too, was a seeker, leaving a lucrative job in Silicon Valley to head east to Honesdale, before it was hip.

    “I was happy and seemingly had everything I needed,” he said outside the shrine. “But something was missing. This place satisfied what was missing.”

    The Himalayan Institute, In Honesdale, Pa.
  • The Chargers are ready for Vic Fangio’s defense — and aren’t worried about Justin Herbert’s hand injury

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

    On Monday night, the Eagles will face the Los Angeles Chargers with hopes of snapping a two-game losing streak.. The last time the Birds held a three-game losing streak was in early December of 2023, a campaign marked by early success and a late-season collapse.

    Fresh off a deflating loss to the NFC-leading Chicago Bears on Black Friday, the Eagles are only three-point favorites against John Harbaugh’s Bolts. The Chargers, who are also 8-4, may be without star quarterback Justin Herbert, who suffered a broken left hand in his team’s 31-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

    Will fans get deja vu of 2023, when the Eagles collapsed after a Super Bowl appearance the previous year? Or will the team finally get back on track? Here’s what the Chargers are saying about the birds.

    ‘We know how good their defense is’

    Herbert was unable to take snaps under center against the Raiders due to his off-hand injury, significantly impacting the team’s offensive game plan as Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman transitioned to more snaps in pistol and shotgun.

    With uncertainty in the air regarding both Herbert’s ability to execute the offense, the former Oregon quarterback believes Harbaugh’s familiarity with Vic Fangio will play a major role in the Chargers’ game planning.

    Bears running back Kyle Monangai runs for yards during the third quarter Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Philadelphia.

    Fangio coached under Harbaugh in previous stops with the San Francisco 49ers and Stanford, and also coached against the Chargers two times a year as head coach of the Broncos from 2019-2021.

    “He’s had a ton of success in this league,” Herbert said of Fangio. “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.”

    Meanwhile, Roman also expressed confidence in wide receiver Ladd McConkey’s ability to break Fangio ’s schemes.

    “I was born at night, but not last night,” Roman said. “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 against anybody.”

    ‘I forgot he was dealing with something’

    Herbert’s chances of playing all comes down to his next days in practice.

    “As long as [the doctors] felt like it’s repaired and fixed, I think it comes down to getting that swelling down and being able to play with it,” Herbert said. “You got to catch a snap, you got to be able to hold on to the ball… it’s just see how it goes this week and doing everything to be out there.”

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

    Herbert’s teammates seem more confident in his return, describing mixtures of shock and awe in response to how well he has played in practice despite the injury.

    “I forgot he was dealing with something the way he’s playing,” wide receiver Quentin Johnston said. “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.”

    ‘Some love to our offensive line’

    Herbert has been pressured more than any other quarterback in the NFL this season, and no matter if it’s him or Trey Lance under center, the offense will be focusing on containing the Eagles’ front seven in pass protection.

    “Their D-Line, a lot of people say it’s probably the strength of their defense,” Roman said. “And it’s hard to argue with that, but I think they are good at all three levels.”

    Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter will miss his team’s MNF meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers.

    The Chargers have seen both their starting tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, injured this season — resulting in a carousel throughout their offensive line. Following last week’s benching of left tackle Trevor Penning, Roman believes the offensive line is on the up, with the unit performing admirably against Maxx Crosby and the Raiders. The Eagles will be without Jalen Carter after he had a procedure for his to treat both of his shoulders. That could also work in the Chargers’ favor.

    “I want to throw out some love to our offensive line,” Roman said. “I really feel like they did an amazing job last week, not only handling Maxx Crosby, but really just handling the game plan and adjusting accordingly.”

    ‘Hell of a challenge’

    The Chargers are well aware of the Eagles’ offensive line difficulties this year, including the potential absence of All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson. Despite this, star defensive end Khalil Mack knows not to underestimate the Eagles’ pass protection.

    “Nameless, faceless objects,” Mack said. “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.”

    When asked what problems the tandem of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley pose to the Chargers defense on the ground, Mack was quick to express a similar respect despite the team’s recent struggles to run the ball.

    “All the problems,” Mack said regarding Hurts’ ability to run. “You can talk about his strength and his ability to withstand tackles in the pocket; it’s going to be a hell of a challenge, and I am looking forward to it.”

    “Saquon one of the best in the league,” Mack said. “At any moment, he could pop a big run, so you gotta be on your P’s and Q’s throughout the whole game, just understanding the intangibles they have, and the offensive line they have accumulated with him in the backfield and Jalen in the backfield. His ability to run the QB runs, just their scheme in general, it’s going to be a challenge for us.”