Defending Super Bowl champion Rams open season as underdogs
Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams will raise their Super Bowl banner Thursday night before kicking off the NFL season at home where they became the second straight team to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy in their own stadium.
Bieniemy doesn't ask to be 'poster boy' for Black coaches
Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become head coaches in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)Eric Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become NFL head coaches. “I did not ask be the poster boy of this particular situation that I have experienced,” Bieniemy said Tuesday. “I don’t understand everything, I am not an owner, I don’t sit in those meetings to interview head coaches,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. Bieniemy isn’t alone when it comes to minority coordinators in the Super Bowl who didn’t get a head coaching offer this offseason.
More interviews didn’t equal more minority hirings in NFL
(AP Photo)The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach and reward teams who develop them. The Houston Texans hired David Culley this week, making the 65-year-old longtime assistant the league’s third Black head coach hired. Culley and Saleh join Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Miami’s Brian Flores and Washington’s Ron Rivera as the league’s only minority head coaches. “We didn’t make as much progress on the head coaching side as we would have liked,” Rooney said. AdPerhaps an increase in minority executives will lead to more minority head coaches.
Chiefs' Bieniemy misses out on head coach job once again
– Tyreek Hill was thrilled to hear that his first wide receivers coach, David Culley, was going to be an NFL head coach. After interviewing for six openings, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy ultimately was passed over during the annual coaching carousel. That became official when the Houston Texans hired Culley, the long-time Andy Reid assistant who had been the assistant head coach in Baltimore. “I mean, I'm not a GM or anything but I will say, Coach Bieniemy has helped me a lot,” Hill said Thursday, after the Chiefs finished their first real practice for the Super Bowl. He wants to be a head coach.
AP sources: Eagles plan to hire Colts OC Nick Sirianni
FILE- In this Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, file photo, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's facility in Indianapolis. The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Nick Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision. The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision. Sirianni was the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts the past three seasons. The Colts finished top 10 in points and yards in two of Sirianni's three seasons as offensive coordinator.
Gutsy or insane? Depends on the outcome of tough calls
“My coaches were on board, they all did a great job with the spot, with the calls, everything — they were spot-on. It was a great job.”That play is part of a pick-6 of great jobs — and great flops — with gutsy calls. PHILLY SPECIALThe Eagles led New England by three points approaching halftime in the Super Bowl for the 2017 season. Philadelphia went on to win its first Super Bowl. The Packers then won their second Super Bowl.
AP sources: Eagles won't be penalized for QB decisions
(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles won’t be penalized after the NFL looked into the way the team handled its quarterback decisions in the final regular-season game against Washington, two people familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to reveal the conversations. The Eagles trailed by a field goal when Sudfeld, who hadn’t thrown a pass in a game since 2018, entered. Giants players and their fans were angry that Pederson benched Hurts, feeling the Eagles tanked. Eagles running back Miles Sanders, who was one of several starters inactive for the game, also was critical of Pederson’s decision to bench Hurts.
Eagles fire coach Doug Pederson 3 years after Super Bowl win
PHILADELPHIA – Doug Pederson lost his job less than three years after he led the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title. Lurie said he wouldn’t be surprised if another team hired Pederson before the end of the week. There is no better example of that than when we celebrated the first Super Bowl championship in Eagles history together with our city. Pederson led the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory over New England in just his second season with backup quarterback Nick Foles filling in after Wentz was injured. Pederson and Foles again led the Eagles to a playoff win the following year after Wentz went down late in the season.
Mr. Smith goes to Washington, takes another team to playoffs
Washington Football Team's Alex Smith plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith is the biggest reason Washington became the first team in the Super Bowl era to start 2-7 and make the playoffs. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)If the Alex Smith story becomes a movie, Alex Smith doesn't want to see it. “When Alex Smith plays quarterback, they’re a heck of a football team,” Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said. "They’re an extremely well-coached team, a ton of talent on that defensive front, but Alex Smith is really the key to everything.”How is that possible?
Washington beats the Eagles 20-14, captures NFC East title
Washington Football Team's Logan Thomas (82) catches a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles' T.J. Edwards (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes and Washington beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 Sunday night to capture the lowly NFC East. “This one’s special just because of how hard it was," said Washington coach Ron Rivera, who overcame a form of skin cancer during the season. Washington opened the season with a 27-17 victory over the Eagles. Eagles: They face difficult decisions in the offseason, including figuring out which quarterback they plan to build around for 2021.
Cowboys beat Eagles 37-17, stay alive with Washington loss
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) celebrate a touchdown catch by Lamb in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)ARLINGTON, Texas – Andy Dalton threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns, two to Michael Gallup, and the Dallas Cowboys stayed alive in the playoff race with a 37-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Dallas can overtake Washington (6-9) with a win at the New York Giants and a Washington loss to the Eagles on the final weekend of the regular season. The Giants (5-10) can get in by beating the Cowboys if Washington loses. UP NEXTPhiladelphia has Dallas' fate in its hands at home against Washington in the regular-season finale.
Doug Pederson makes it clear he wants to stay in Philly
“I don’t want out of Philly,” Pederson told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Despite a dismal 4-9-1 record and a quarterback controversy, the Eagles are still in the race for the NFC East title. It’s all about getting into the tournament.”Injuries have forced Pederson to shuffle his offensive line unit, using 13 different combinations in 14 games. Under Pederson, the Eagles are 11-2 in games they must win or be eliminated from the playoffs or contention. Whomever ends up taking the snaps in 2021, Pederson will be ready to coach them.
Hurts to start again for Eagles next Sunday at Arizona
Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)PHILADELPHIA – Jalen Hurts will start at quarterback again for the Philadelphia Eagles when they play at Arizona next Sunday. Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Hurts, who replaced Carson Wentz and led Philadelphia (4-8-1) to an upset over New Orleans the previous day, will go against the Cardinals. “I was thinking of a lot of things, quite honestly,” Pederson said of his decision to stick with Hurts. “I was thinking about Carson, but I was thinking about the rest of the team and how the rest of the team played in the game.
Eagles going with Jalen Hurts over Carson Wentz
PHILADELPHIA – Jalen Hurts will start for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, sending Carson Wentz to the bench. Eagles coach Doug Pederson made the announcement Tuesday on the team’s website. Wentz was 11-2 before a knee injury forced him to watch Nick Foles lead the Eagles through the playoffs and victory over New England. But Wentz has a career-low 72.8 passer rating this season and 19 turnovers, including 15 interceptions. I think it’s a great opportunity for him, a great opportunity for the team,” Pederson said.
Matchup of division leaders: Seahawks vs Giants. The Giants?
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)In this strangest of NFL seasons in this weirdest of years, here's a matchup of division leaders you wouldn't expect: Seattle hosting the New York Giants. “If you win your division, you win your division,” Carroll says, and he knows: Seattle went 7-9 in 2010 and won the NFC West, then beat New Orleans in a playoff game. Patrick Mahomes has thrown for at least 300 yards seven times this season and has 22 straight games with at least one TD passing. New England has won the past five meetings, including a 2018 divisional playoff game. Chargers WR Keenan Allen leads the NFL with 85 receptions and has a TD catch in five straight games.
Giants beat Eagles 27-17, tighten NFC East race
Daniel Jones threw for 244 yards and ran for a touchdown, Wayne Gallman Jr. had two TD runs and the Giants beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-17 on Sunday, making their case to win the dreadful NFC East. The Giants improved to 3-7 under first-year coach Judge with their second straight win, snapping an eight-game losing streak against Philly. Boston Scott had a 56-yard TD run early in the third quarter but the Eagles couldn’t get closer. Jones ran untouched 34 yards for a score to cap a well-executed 85-yard drive to start the game and the Giants led the entire game. But the Giants quickly answered with Gallman’s 1-yard TD run.
The Latest: Quarterbacks drafted No. 1 shine around NFL
The Latest on Week 10 in the NFL (all times EST):___8 p.m.From Kyler Murray magic to Alex Smith’s latest milestone, it was quite the day for quarterbacks selected first in the NFL draft. The Cardinals beat Buffalo 32-30 on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to DeAndre Hopkins with 2 seconds left, dropping the Bills record to 7-3. Brees was shaken up on a sack in the second quarter when Kentavius Street landed on him. 1 pick Joe Burrow, threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jakeem Grant with 58 seconds left in the first quarter. Cole had scored on a franchise-record 91-yard punt return in the second quarter.
Carson Wentz rallies Eagles to 22-21 win over Giants
Wentz threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Boston Scott with 40 seconds remaining and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame an 11-point deficit in the final seven minutes to beat the New York Giants 22-21 on Thursday night. Wentz led a depleted offense to 22 fourth-quarter points only to miss a 2-point conversion at the end in a 30-28 loss to Baltimore on Sunday. Wentz threw a perfect strike to Scott and the backup running back made an excellent catch to give Philadelphia the lead. We played a great fourth quarter and at the end we didn’t finish.”Questionable play-calling cost the Eagles early in the fourth quarter. Using a no-huddle often on the opening drive, Wentz led the Eagles 75 yards and ran in from the 1 for his fifth TD rushing to make it 7-0.
Despite 1 win each, Eagles, Giants have first place in sight
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens' Jihad Ward (53) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA – It’s Week 7, the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants each have one win and both teams are right in the mix for first place. The victory total will increase after the Eagles (1-4-1) and Giants (1-5) meet Thursday night, unless they tie. The Giants are coming off their first win under coach Joe Judge. But Elliott has hit all of his field goals under 50 yards this season and 89.9% in his career.
Ravens hold on for 30-28 win over depleted Eagles
Baltimore Ravens' Gus Edwards (35) scores a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles' Shaun Bradley (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA – The Baltimore Ravens got the stop they needed against a depleted Eagles offense that staged an impressive comeback. Fort and Matthew Judon tackled Carson Wentz on a 2-point conversion attempt with 1:55 remaining and the Ravens held on for a 30-28 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday. “It’s a win that we’re very, very happy to have,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. I'm proud of these guys.”Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP, was efficient, passing for 186 yards and ran for a 37-yard TD.
Goff tosses 3 TD passes to Higbee, Rams beat Eagles 37-19
Goff threw three touchdown passes to Tyler Higbee and the Los Angeles Rams beat the Philadelphia Eagles 37-19 on Sunday. After the Eagles (0-2) pulled within one score, Goff’s 28-yard TD pass to Higbee in the fourth iced it for Los Angeles (2-0). In their only other head-to-head meeting in Los Angeles in December 2017, Wentz tore two knee ligaments. McVay outcoached defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz early as Los Angeles scored TDs on its first three possessions. “We’re just trying to marry the run and the pass,” Higbee said.
NFL teams huddling up to devise plans for social change
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold warms up during a practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. Instead of taking the field, the entire team spent more than four hours talking about racial injustice and social issues. They continued their discussions Friday, an off day, to begin devising plans to effect change among each other and in the community. Tomlin, one of three Black NFL head coaches, is the third-longest tenured coach in the league. We have to continue playing because, quite frankly, this is the reason we have a platform, is because we play football and we are in the NFL, Darnold said.
NFL players concerned, 'sick and tired' of racial injustice
Guys are sick and tired of being sick and tired, McDougald said Wednesday during a video conference call. Within the confines of the team's facility, McDougald is a respected pro football player whose main concern is stopping the offense. Guys are sick and tired of being sick and tired, McDougald said Wednesday during a video conference call. Or, the countless other Black men and women who have been victims of police brutality or social injustice. And Im going to deal with it for the rest of my life, and my kids are going to deal with it."
Doug Pederson says he feels great, has no COVID-19 symptoms
PHILADELPHIA Eagles coach Doug Pederson says he feels great and has no symptoms after testing positive for the coronavirus. Im very fortunate.The 52-year-old Pederson enters his fifth season as Philadelphias head coach. I think one of the things Ive learned this offseason is, I can still run the team virtually, Pederson said. The list is for players who either test positive or have been exposed to someone who has. Pederson is the second NFL head coach known to test positive.
Eagles nab 8th straight win
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Philadelphia offense clicked in the second half, and the Eagles motored past the Dallas Cowboys for their eighth straight win. With their kicking game limited, the Eagles went for two after each of their second-half touchdowns. The Eagles (9-1) kept Dallas out of the end zone and held the Cowboys to 225 yards of offense. The Eagles' running game sparked a key drive midway through the third quarter. Philadelphia running back Jay Ajayi broke loose for a 71-yard run to the Dallas 15.