Tag: Eagles

Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in action against the Minnesota Vikings during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

New-look Baker Mayfield, Bucs welcome Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Much has changed for Baker Mayfield since the last time he faced the Philadelphia Eagles.

The resurgent Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback takes on the Eagles for the first time in nearly three years on Monday night in a clash of 2-0 teams in Tampa, Fla.

Mayfield was in his third season with the Browns when he directed a 22-17 victory over Philadelphia in Cleveland on Nov. 22, 2020.

Cleveland finished 11-5 and made the playoffs that season, but it was mostly downhill for Mayfield after that until his somewhat surprising success this year as Tom Brady’s successor. He went 6-8 with the Browns in 2021 and 2-8 with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams last season.

Mayfield threw two touchdown passes in a season-opening win at Minnesota and completed 26 of 34 passes for 317 yards and a score in last Sunday’s 27-17 victory against Chicago. He has not thrown an interception, has been sacked only once and ranks fifth in the NFL in passer rating (104.4).

“He’s been through a lot in five years. He’s been through the ups and downs,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said of Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018. “He knows it’s not about him. It’s about the team. He’s being very smart with the football.”

Just a few weeks after Mayfield’s Browns beat the Eagles in 2020, the Jalen Hurts era began in Philadelphia as the then-rookie quarterback replaced Carson Wentz.

Even though Hurts won his first two starts this season and is 19-1 in his last 20 regular-season starts, his numbers are down this year under new offensive coordinator and play-caller Brian Johnson.

Entering Week 3, the Eagles ranked 27th in passing offense. A.J. Brown, who broke the franchise record with 1,496 receiving yards in 2022, has been held to 108 yards on 11 catches.

Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni addressed the concerns before facing a Tampa Bay defense that has collected eight sacks and five takeaways. The Bucs have recorded 19 quarterback hits and limited both the Bears and Vikings to 17 points.

“We’re not in a panic mode or anything like that,” Sirianni said. “Have the pass numbers been down? Yeah. Does the defense play into that? Of course it does. And fortunately for us, we’re able to win on the ground and we’re able to win in the air. You are able to balance off of what the defense does. I thought Brian and the offensive staff did a phenomenal job.”

Sirianni sees the sluggish start for the defending NFC champions as an opportunity.

“It’s way easier to correct when you are 2-0 and no one’s feelings are in it,” Sirianni said. “A lot of teams would like to be sitting 2-0. Like I said, when you are in this position, and guys don’t know that we aren’t playing to the best of our abilities, that’s when you can make a lot of growth.”

The Eagles’ injury report was lengthy on Thursday but only wide receiver Quez Watkins (hamstring), running back Boston Scott (concussion) and safety Terrell Edmunds (illness) didn’t participate in some capacity. That includes cornerback James Bradberry, who missed Week 2 with a concussion.

Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (calf) didn’t practice for the Bucs.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) reacts after a defensive stop against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles place CB Avonte Maddox (torn pec) on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles put cornerback Avonte Maddox on injured reserve Wednesday after tests confirmed a torn pectoral muscle.

Maddox, 27, will have to miss at least four games but reports indicated the injury will require surgery, potentially ending his season. Maddox was injured in last Thursday night’s win against the Minnesota Vikings.

He exited in the second quarter with what was initially called a shoulder injury after posting two tackles and forcing a fumble. He was replaced by Mario Goodrich.

Maddox is in his sixth season with the Eagles, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2018. He has recorded 246 tackles, eight forced fumbles and four interceptions in 62 games (37 starts).

The Eagles signed wide receiver/punt returner Britain Covey from the practice squad to take Maddox’s spot on the 53-man roster. In turn, they signed RB Bryant Koback to the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) reacts after a defensive stop against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles CB Avonte Maddox (pec) set for surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox will have surgery this week for a torn pectoral muscle and is potentially out for the season, NFL Network reported Monday.

Maddox, 27, was injured during Thursday night’s win against the Minnesota Vikings.

MRI results and additional medical opinions confirmed that surgery was the best course of action, per the report.

Maddox exited in the second quarter of the 34-28 win against the Vikings with what was initially called a shoulder injury after posting two tackles and forcing a fumble.

Maddox is in his sixth season with the Eagles, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2018. He has recorded 246 tackles, eight forced fumbles and four interceptions in 62 games (37 starts).

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) makes a catch during the warm-up period before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles fear torn pec for CB Avonte Maddox

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox is feared to have sustained a torn pectoral muscle in Thursday night’s win against the Minnesota Vikings, ESPN reported.

Maddox, 27, is seeking a second opinion but his season likely would be over if the injury is confirmed.

He exited in the second quarter of the 34-28 win against the Vikings with what was called a shoulder injury after posting two tackles and forcing a fumble.

Maddox is in his sixth season with the Eagles, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2018. He has recorded 246 tackles, eight forced fumbles and four interceptions in 62 games (37 starts).

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift (0) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Hurts runs for 2 TDs, throws another as Eagles defeat Vikings

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jalen Hurts rushed for two touchdowns and passed for one more, and the Philadelphia Eagles held on for a 34-28 win over the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.

Hurts completed 18 of 23 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Philadelphia (2-0). D’Andre Swift notched 28 carries for 175 yards and a touchdown, while DeVonta Smith had four catches for 131 yards and one score.

Kirk Cousins completed 31 of 44 passes for 364 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions for Minnesota (0-2). T.J. Hockenson had seven catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns, and Justin Jefferson finished with 11 receptions for a team-high 159 yards.

Both teams started slowly on offense.

The Eagles led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 24-yard field goal by Jake Elliott.

The Vikings grabbed a 7-3 lead with 10:39 left in the second quarter. Hockenson caught a pass, shook off a defender and sprinted in for a 5-yard touchdown.

Philadelphia responded with a 1-yard touchdown by Hurts to go ahead 10-7 with 2:44 remaining in the first half. Hurts’ first score capped a 16-play, 75-yard drive.

Elliott made a 61-yard field goal as time expired at the end of the half to make it 13-7.

On the first drive of the second half, Hurts punched in another 1-yard touchdown to increase the Eagles’ lead to 20-7. The Eagles’ defense set up the score as Josh Sweat sacked Cousins on Minnesota’s 18-yard line to pop the ball loose, and Fletcher Cox recovered the fumble and took it to the Vikings’ 7-yard line.

Hurts relied upon his arm to make it 27-7 for the Eagles. He heaved a pass to a wide-open Smith, who made the catch and sprinted to the end zone for a 63-yard score.

On their next possession, the Vikings cut the deficit to 27-14 with 9:09 remaining in the third quarter as Cousins connected with rookie wideout Jordan Addison for a 62-yard touchdown.

Minnesota pulled within 27-21 with 7:41 left in the game. Cousins looked to his left and hit K.J. Osborn for a 10-yard touchdown.

The Eagles then made it 34-21 on Swift’s 2-yard touchdown run with 4:13 to go.

The Vikings capped the scoring on Hockenson’s second touchdown catch, again from 5 yards out, with 1:10 remaining.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) prepares during the warm-up period before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell inactive vs. Vikings

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell and cornerback James Bradberry were listed as inactive for Thursday’s game against the visiting Minnesota Vikings.

Gainwell, who is nursing a rib injury, led Philadelphia in carries (14) and rushing yards (54) in its 25-20 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Bradberry, a second-team All-Pro last season, remains in concussion protocol.

The Eagles (1-0) also listed safety Reed Blankenship, offensive lineman Tyler Steen, defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and quarterback Tanner McKee as inactive for Thursday’s game.

The Vikings (0-1) listed center Garrett Bradbury, tight end Nick Muse, outside linebacker Andre Carter II, defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy and quarterback Jaren Hall as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles, Vikings both aiming to clean things up in Week 2

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The Philadelphia Eagles will try to stay unbeaten when they welcome the Minnesota Vikings to town for their home opener on Thursday night.

Philadelphia (1-0) is coming off a 25-20 win against the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon. It was far from a perfect performance for the Eagles, but they jumped out to a 16-0 lead and held on for a narrow victory.

Now they will try to fix their mistakes on short rest against the Vikings.

“Was it our cleanest opportunity? No,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “We’ve got a lot of things to clean up.”

So does Minnesota (0-1), which lost its season opener 20-17 at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Vikings committed three turnovers and had several costly penalties, including one on fourth down that extended a Buccaneers drive and led to a touchdown.

“We beat ourselves,” Minnesota running back Alexander Mattison said.

That was in front of a friendly home crowd. The Vikings now must find their footing in front of a passionate fan base in Philadelphia.

Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson offered simple advice for some of his teammates who will play in front of Eagles fans for the first time.

“Be ready,” Hockenson said. “It’s a hostile place to play. You walk out of the tunnels, and there’s things being thrown at you and a lot of stuff happening in that stadium.”

The top concern for the Vikings is the Eagles’ personnel.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is looking for a better performance after completing 22 of 33 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. He also rushed nine times for 37 yards but had a costly fumble in the fourth quarter.

Hurts said the season opener offered an opportunity to grow.

“We all have standards,” Hurts said. “I have standards that are very high. I think the reality is, I’ve never reported to the standards of other people or the expectations of other people, or their opinions. We’re centrally focused on the things that we can control.”

A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith tied for the team lead with seven catches apiece, with Smith grabbing the lone touchdown pass from Hurts. They will go up against a Vikings team that has similar faces from last year but plays a different style under first-year defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

“Everything is different,” Hurts said. “They’re coached by a really good coach, and they’ve always had great players.”

Meanwhile, Minnesota will match up against an Eagles defense that has added a top rookie in defensive tackle Jalen Carter. He bolsters a defensive front that includes Jordan Davis, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham and others.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Carter’s pass-rush get-off time was 0.68 seconds, which ranked first among defensive players with a minimum of 15 pass rushes in Week 1. He had a sack and six pressures — the most by a rookie defensive tackle since 2019.

Minnesota’s offensive line is already banged up as it prepares for Carter and Co.

Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (back) had yet to practice as of Tuesday. Meanwhile, tackle Christian Darrisaw (ankle) was listed as a limited participant.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will have to be wary of the Eagles’ pass rush as he looks for opportunities downfield. His top target is Justin Jefferson, who hauled in nine catches for 150 yards against Tampa Bay.

Philadelphia listed Cox, safety Reed Blankenship and running back Kenneth Gainwell as having rib injuries. Cornerback James Bradberry (concussion protocol) was also on the injury report.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) makes a pass against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles survive Patriots’ comeback attempt, win 25-20

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Jake Elliott made good on three second-half field goals to help the Philadelphia Eagles ward off a comeback en route to a 25-20 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.

Elliott’s final kick came from 51 yards out with 5:33 left in the game. It proved to be critical when Mac Jones found Kendrick Bourne for an 11-yard touchdown just under two minutes later to pull New England within five.

The Patriots (0-1) couldn’t convert the two-point conversion, but they ended up getting the ball back twice. On the second possession, New England drove to the Eagles 20, and Jones seemingly threw a first-down completion to Kayshon Boutte on fourth-and-11 with 25 seconds remaining.

But replay ruled Boutte didn’t get both feet in bounds, allowing Philadelphia (1-0) to hang on for the win.

Elliott also converted field-goal attempts from 56 and 48 yards following halftime to keep the Eagles in front.

Jalen Hurts completed 22 of 33 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown for Philadelphia. Kenneth Gainwell had 54 yards on 14 carries.

Jones threw for 316 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on 35-for-54 passing. Bourne had six catches for 64 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

After Elliott capped Philadelphia’s opening drive with a 32-yard field goal, Darius Slay came down with an interception on the Patriots’ seventh offensive play of the game. Jones threw wide of Bourne, who got a hand on the ball and deflected it up in the air. It fell right to Slay, who then took it 70 yards to the end zone for a 10-0 lead.

Ezekiel Elliott fumbled on New England’s ensuing possession, setting the Eagles up at the Patriots’ 26-yard line. Five plays later, Hurts found DeVonta Smith for a 5-yard touchdown, but Jake Elliott couldn’t convert the extra point.

New England flipped a switch in the second quarter, though.

Jones completed 14 of 17 passes for 128 yards in the period, connecting with Hunter Henry for a 9-yard touchdown with 4:34 left before finding Bourne for a 19-yard score just over four minutes later.

That surge allowed the Patriots to pull within 16-14 by the break.

–Field Level Media

Aug 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles look to ignite high-octane offense vs. Patriots

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles will try to spoil another special day for Tom Brady when they open the season against the New England Patriots on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.

The Patriots will honor the now-retired quarterback at Gillette Stadium during the game. Brady, who won six of his record seven Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, lost 41-33 to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018.

Of course, this Philadelphia team also knows what it’s like to come up short in the big game, heading into this season after a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

The Eagles have turned the page, said veteran defensive end Brandon Graham.

“Last year is last year and we’re trying to create something special this year,” Graham said. “Our focus is on what we’re doing now, and I know we are all excited about getting it going.”

Third-year head coach Nick Sirianni is 2-0 in season openers, with both wins on the road. The Eagles won their first eight games in 2022 en route to a 14-3 record, a division title and a conference championship.

Last year’s MVP runner-up, quarterback Jalen Hurts, leads what should once again be among the NFL’s most potent offenses.

A.J. Brown set a franchise record with 1,496 receiving yards last season and DeVonta Smith caught the most passes (95) ever in a season by a Philadelphia wide receiver. Philly native D’Andre Swift gained 2,000 yards from scrimmage in his last two seasons with the Detroit Lions and takes over in the backfield for Miles Sanders, who is now with the Carolina Panthers.

The Patriots also have a new running back, with two-time rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott joining last season’s 1,000-yard rusher Rhamondre Stevenson. During his time in the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys, Elliott rushed for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games against Philadelphia.

New England missed the playoffs last season for the second time in three years since Brady departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots slumped to 26th in total offense as quarterback Mac Jones experienced a regression from his Pro Bowl rookie season in 2021.

This game could come down to whether New England’s banged up offensive line can protect Jones. Philadelphia led the NFL with 70 sacks last season — 15 more than the runner-up Chiefs — and return Haason Reddick (16 sacks), Josh Sweat (11) and Graham (11). The Eagles also drafted the Georgia tandem of defensive tackle Jalen Carter and linebacker Nolan Smith in the first round.

“They’ve got great players up there. Obviously drafted very well at that position,” Jones told WEEI on Tuesday. “They take a lot of pride in that, and they have the best defensive line in the NFL. At the end of the day, we just have to go out there and compete and … understand that we’re going against a bunch of beasts.”

New England offensive linemen Trent Brown (illness), Mike Onwenu (ankle) and Cole Strange (knee) were all limited participants in Wednesday’s practice, as were wideout DeVante Parker (knee) and cornerback Jack Jones (hamstring).

The only player on the initial Philadelphia injury report is cornerback Josh Jobe, a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice due to an illness.

Brady isn’t the only ex-Pat making his return to New England. Matt Patricia, a member of Bill Belichick’s staff from 2004-17, is in his first season as a senior defensive assistant for the Eagles.

Belichick downplayed the return of Patricia, whose three Super Bowl wins in New England include two as the defensive coordinator.

“I have a ton of respect for Matt. Matt’s helped us win a lot of games (and) championships here,” Belichick told WEEI on Monday. “But Sunday’s game will be about the Eagles and the Patriots. You won’t see either one of us playing on the field, which is probably a good thing.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 13, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (85) warms up before the preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Broncos trade TE Albert Okwuegbunam to Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Instead of being released by the Denver Broncos, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam is reportedly headed to Philadelphia in a trade with the reigning NFC champions.

The Broncos had reportedly indicated Tuesday morning that they intended to waive the former fourth-round pick, but the Eagles swooped in and sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to Denver in exchange for Okwuegbunam and a 2025 seventh-round pick, according to ESPN.

Okwuegbunam, 25, tore his ACL in his rookie season, missing 12 games over the past two seasons.

When healthy, the 6-foot-5, 258-pounder notched 54 catches for 546 yards and four touchdowns in 26 career games.

–Field Level Media