Muffed punt, Robinson TD lift Commanders over Bears 12-7
Christian Holmes recovered a muffed punt by Velus Jones deep in Chicago territory to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Brian Robinson midway through the fourth quarter, and the Washington Commanders stopped a four-game losing streak, hanging on to beat the Chicago Bears 12-7.
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.
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Let's Talk: NFL free agents and traded players speak up
FILE - Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, in this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo. Now that the muzzles have been removed for NFL team executives and the players they either re-signed or added in free agency, Thursday was a time for explanations and reflections. Green), players staying put (Leonard Williams, Derek Wolfe) and even a player coming out of retirement (Kyle Long). But it really doesnโt matter,โ he said of anonymous comments in Philadelphia during and after the season ended. He played 14 games with eight starts for Baltimore after signing a $3 million contract to join the team from Denver.
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AP source: Eagles send Carson Wentz to Colts for draft picks
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)PHILADELPHIA โ Carson Wentz helped steer the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchiseโs only Super Bowl title and later received the richest contract in team history. The Eagles agreed to trade Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person familiar with the deal. AdThe deal reunites Wentz with Colts coach Frank Reich, who served as Philadelphiaโs offensive coordinator his first two seasons in the league. The Colts offensive line, led by three-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and center Ryan Kelly, is one of the leagueโs top units.
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Chiefs' Chad Henne goes from backup QB to playoff stage
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Chad Henne came off the bench cold in the heat of a tense playoff game and delivered the game-sealing plays for Kansas City in his most consequential performance in a win since 2013. He got the nod again the following week in a playoff game against Green Bay with a limited number of plays on a wrist band. JEFF HOSTETLER: Hostetler had started just two games in almost seven full seasons for the Giants when Simms injured his foot in Week 14. FRANK REICH: Two years after losing to Hostetler, the Bills relied on a backup to make it to their third consecutive Super Bowl. He threw for 725 yards and six touchdowns in wins over Minnesota in the NFC title game and New England in the Super Bowl.
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AP sources: Eagles won't be penalized for QB decisions
(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA โ The Philadelphia Eagles wonโt 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 werenโt authorized to reveal the conversations. The Eagles trailed by a field goal when Sudfeld, who hadnโt 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 Pedersonโs decision to bench Hurts.
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AP Source: Doug Pederson out as Eagles head coach
PHILADELPHIA (AP) โ The Philadelphia Eagles have fired coach Doug Pederson, less than three years after he led them to the franchiseโs only Super Bowl title. He led the Eagles to two division titles and three playoff appearances before going 4-11-1 in 2020. โCoach Pederson and I had the opportunity to sit down and discuss what that collective vision would look like moving forward. Pederson was a starting quarterback in Philadelphia in 1999 and later served as an assistant coach under Andy Reid with the Eagles. Pederson and Foles again led the Eagles to a playoff win the following year after Wentz went down late in the season.
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Eagles fire coach Doug Pederson 3 years after Super Bowl win
PHILADELPHIA โ Doug Pederson lost his job less than three years after he led the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchiseโs only Super Bowl title. Lurie said he wouldnโt 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.
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Analysis: Wentz, Elliott provide little bang for buck
Wentz was paid more than $39 million in cash this season and had a cap hit of $18.6 million. The Eagles now have to decide what to do with Wentz, who has a cap hit of more than $34 million next season. RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT: The Cowboys gave Elliott a $90 million, six-year extension before reaching a deal with quarterback Dak Prescott. Elliott is coming off the least productive season of his career with 979 yards and six TDs while getting paid nearly $11 million for a team that finished 6-10. But Green had just 47 catches for 523 yards in 16 games, providing little value for his big salary.
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AP Source: Wentz needs time to think about future in Philly
(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA โ A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday Carson Wentz needs time away to think about his future with the Philadelphia Eagles and is hopeful it wonโt end in a divorce. Wentz also hasnโt discussed his future with team officials yet, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because itโs a private matter. Carson Wentz doesnโt want to be a backup quarterback,โ said Zach Ertz, one of Wentzโs closest friends on the team. The Eagles would absorb a significant cap hit of $33.8 million in dead money on the 2021 cap if they trade Wentz before March 19. Wentz started every game in 2019 and helped the Eagles win the NFC East with an excellent four-game stretch in December.
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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. Washington opened the season with a 27-17 victory over the Eagles. Dwayne Haskins started that game for Washington and Carson Wentz for Philadelphia. Eagles: They face difficult decisions in the offseason, including figuring out which quarterback they plan to build around for 2021.
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Cowboys beat Eagles 37-17, stay alive with Washington loss
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) catches a touchdown pass as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Michael Jacquet (38) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)ARLINGTON, Texas โ 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. Instead, Philadelphia and Jalen Hurts couldn't keep the offense rolling while giving up points on five consecutive Dallas possessions.
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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 โ 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.
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Doug Pederson makes it clear he wants to stay in Philly
โI donโt want out of Philly,โ 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. Itโs all about getting into the tournament.โInjuries 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.
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A winner: Chiefs vs Saints, with Brees back to face Mahomes
1 conference seed is tight, with the Packers one game ahead of the Saints, the Rams and Seahawks one game behind. Drew Brees will be active after missing four games with fractured ribs and a collapsed lung, making for an intriguing matchup with Patrick Mahomes. The Bills (11-3) scored twice in a 17-second span in the third quarter to ice their fourth straight victory that officially ended the New England Patriotsโ 11-year reign atop the division. The Ravens have run for at least 100 yards in 36 straight games, seven short of the NFL record set by Pittsburgh from 1974-77. Baltimore is averaging 173.8 yards on the ground and topped 200 yards in each of the past two games.
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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 โ 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. โI was thinking of a lot of things, quite honestly,โ Pederson said of his decision to stick with Hurts. โI 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.
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Jalen Hurts helps Eagles beat Saints 24-21
Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts scrambles 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 โ Jalen Hurts provided the Philadelphia Eagles a spark with his legs and his teammates came up with their best all-around effort of the season. They needed everyone to deliver to beat the New Orleans Saints. Sanders brook loose for an 82-yard TD run in the second quarter, giving the Eagles a 17-0 lead. He had a 74-yard TD run against Pittsburgh and a 74-yard run against Baltimore.
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Eagles going with Jalen Hurts over Carson Wentz
PHILADELPHIA โ 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 teamโs 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 itโs a great opportunity for him, a great opportunity for the team,โ Pederson said.
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Packers withstand late rally to outlast Eagles 30-16
The only other players with at least 400 touchdown passes are Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Dan Marino and Philip Rivers. He has 36 touchdown passes this year and is the first player to throw at least 35 in five separate seasons. Rodgers doesn't have the footballs from his 100th, 200th or 300th touchdown passes. His 400th touchdown pass was a 9-yarder to Adams that capped a 99-yard drive in the third period. Philadelphiaโs rally started with Hurts' 32-yard touchdown pass to Greg Ward on fourth-and-18.
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The Latest: Pats' Newton hits rushing TDs milestone for QBs
Hurtsโ only pass during that drive was a 34-yarder to Jalen Reagor, the Eaglesโ second completion to a non-tight end in the game. ___5:15 p.m.Green Bayโs Davante Adams has caught a touchdown pass in seven consecutive games. Until Ryanโs TD pass, the only points against New Orleans in the past three games were scored on seven field goals. Mayfield may top those numbers before halftime with Cleveland routing the Tennessee Titans 31-7 still in the second quarter. ___1:50 p.m.New Orleans quarterback Taysom Hill has thrown the first touchdown pass of his NFL career.
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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. โIf you win your division, you win your division,โ 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.
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McCown with Texans 19 seasons after hoping to join team
In 2002 the Houston Texans were an expansion team preparing for their first season and McCown had just wrapped up his college career at nearby Sam Houston State. (AP Photo/Michael Perez, File)HOUSTON โ In 2002, the Houston Texans were an expansion team preparing for their first season and Josh McCown had just wrapped up his college career at nearby Sam Houston State. Nineteen seasons and nine teams later, the quarterback finally got his wish when he signed with the Texans this month to be their third quarterback behind Deshaun Watson and AJ McCarron. I followed it closely because it was another team in Texas,โ McCown said. Since McCown has been in the NFL since the Texans became a team, itโs no surprise that at 41 heโs by far the oldest player on the team.
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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 couldnโt 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 Gallmanโs 1-yard TD run.
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From season-altering to bizarre, injuries hit NFL yet again
From the season-altering (Dak Prescott, Barkley) to the bizarre (Tyrod Taylor, Trent Brown), injuries are playing their traditionally significant role in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)ARLINGTON, Texas โ From the season-altering to the bizarre, injuries are playing their traditionally significant role in the NFL. Brown also recently went back on the COVID-19 list, a newcomer among potential ailments with the NFL playing during a pandemic. Few teams have had the volume of injuries that have hit defending NFC champion San Francisco. New Orleans' star receiver, Michael Thomas, has had a tumultuous season in part because of ankle and hamstring injuries.
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Cowboys hang on to hope, but reality of 2-6 casts dark cloud
The Dallas Cowboys want to believe they still have a shot at the playoffs at 2-6 in the woeful NFC East. Assuming a betting line is established once Dalton returns to practice, the Cowboys figure to be big underdogs at home against the Steelers on Sunday. The Cowboys tried a number of gadget plays, and a lot of screens to get the ball out DiNucci's hands quickly. In addition to Dalton, Dallas could get cornerback Chidobe Awuzie back from a groin injury. Among those teams, Minnesota and Cincinnati are improving and the Cowboys were noncompetitive in the first meeting with Washington.