Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
NFL instructs officials to watch for false starts on the tush push – Washington Post
“Anytime we have this situation we’re in short yardage, we know we want to make sure that we officiate these plays — the offensive team has to be perfect in every aspect,” Ramon George, the NFL’s vice president of officiating training and development, said in the video. “We want to officiate it tight. We want to be black and white and be as tight as we can be when we get into this situation where teams are in the bunch position and we have to officiate them being onsides, movement early. … Prior to the snap, looks like we have movement by the right guard. We also have movement coming across from the defensive side. This is a very hard play to officiate. I get it.”
NFL instructs refs to keep eagle eye on Tush Push, QB sneaks after controversial Week 2 – CBS Sports
When it comes to the Tush Push, Jalen Hurts isn’t the only one getting a nudge this week. In its weekly officiating video, the NFL reminded its officials that players need to be aligned legally before the snap on the so-called Tush Push, as well as any other quarterback sneak variant, sources tell CBS Sports. The “shove” comes a week after the Eagles used its patented — and controversial – play six times against the Chiefs, including on the game-sealing touchdown in the Week 2 victory that saw two Eagles offensive linemen move early before the snap. The video points out both offensive offside and false starts on the play, according to sources. Officials are being — and have been — instructed to ensure the offensive linemen are not lining up in the neutral zone, something that can happen frequently in a bunch play.
The tush push remains a target for a rule change – PFT
And don’t forget the thing that sparked the offseason assault on the tush push in the first place. If/when a defense repeatedly jumps offside at the goal line, surrendering eventually meaningless half-the-distance yardage until the officials declare a “palpably unfair act” and award a touchdown, the powers-that-be may decide to finish the job. That’s the next thing to watch for. As soon as Sunday, when the Rams return to Philly. If they repeatedly move prematurely on defense to the point where the referee has to warn them not to do it again — and they do — the league office undoubtedly will mobilize in the offseason. Hell, if it happens more than once between now and October, maybe they’ll do something about the play when the owners meet in October. Either way, it already feels like another effort to end the play is coming. And then, once the play is written out of the rulebook, the Eagles will still find a way to make third- or fourth-and-short automatic through a conventional (and for the Eagles unstoppable) quarterback sneak.
Jason Kelce, architect of the tush push, believes ‘the play is done’ – The Athletic
Jason Kelce once helped put the “tush push” on the map, but the former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center believes the play is now in its final days. “I think the play is done,” Kelce, a key architect of the play, said on a radio appearance on Sportsradio 94WIP in Philadelphia. “I think that the play was going to be done last year. I think that there’s a lot of people within the league, at multiple levels, that want the play to be gone, which is fine. I think we’ll still go back to running quarterback sneak, and I’m sure they’ll figure out ways to be successful. I’m not really that concerned with it, to be very candid.”
Eagles Opponent Film Room: Scouting the Los Angeles Rams’ offense – BGN
If Stafford doesn’t throw on time, he’s a sitting duck. He’s 37! It’s hardly a surprise. His willingness to stand tall and deliver is unbelievable to see, but it does mean he takes hits rather than creating out of structure, and the Titans exposed that with blitzes and simulated pressures. Their tackles, in particular, struggled, and although Week 2 looked cleaner, it’s still the weak spot of this Rams’ offense. This Eagles’ defense simply must make Stafford uncomfortable. Especially when he turns his back! This is the danger of an under-center pass game.
So, who then? I dunno. Corner? Another D-lineman? Really, any special player — a few positions excluded — who can make an impact and help the team win another Super Bowl should be considered in play. As we’ve seen in past seasons, impact players do become available, and the Eagles are clearly hungry to unveil another banner.
LA pushed the Eagles in the playoffs last year, but that was after going just 10-7 in the regular season. Are the Rams really as good as we think? Are they being hyped because they stayed close to the Eagles in the snow game last January? The Eagles turned into a juggernaut after their slow start last year. We all expect the Eagles to get back to a similar level this season. It certainly hasn’t happened yet. The Eagles don’t practice as much as some other teams in the summer. They don’t play starters in the preseason. It takes them a few games to work out the kinks and get into a good rhythm. Will that be this Sunday? Week 4? Week 5? There are no guarantees it will happen. The 2023 Eagles started 10-1, but only really looked good in a couple of games. They won 7 of 11 games by a TD or less. 3 of their 6 losses were by 17 or more points. They got blown out in the playoffs as well. That team would look really good for part of a game and then struggle or out right fall apart. It was maddening to watch. I don’t think this version of the Eagles will fall into such a situation. Jalen Hurts is smarter and more experienced. Saquon Barkley is a game-changing player. The defense has Vic Fangio and all kinds of talent. This team might not become dominant like last year, but I don’t see them falling apart. I think this team has a high ceiling, but the offense has to get going for them to reach it.
How Nakobe Dean is making his presence felt even from PUP – NBCSP
Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean hasn’t played a single snap this season and he won’t even be eligible to play until Week 5 at the very earliest. But he’s still a huge part of the Eagles’ defense. “It’s like I’m playing with him but not playing with him,” All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun said. “He’s super engaged. For someone to be out and not out there on the field, it’s impressive how engaged he is.” Dean, 24, was playing at an extremely high level last season before he tore his patellar tendon in the wild-card round game against the Packers in January. Dean began this season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which means he isn’t even eligible to return until the Broncos game — and there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready then either. But Dean is still making his presence felt.
Why Dan picked the Eagles: I’ll never put it past Sean McVay, even while hobbled, to whip up a winning game plan with an opportunity to earn a signature victory. The Rams will have revenge on their minds after last season’s playoff exit, no doubt. However, the Eagles are a tough out for any squad, even one at full strength. Unfortunately for the Rams, they are down a starting corner, stud DT Braden Fiske is dealing with an oblique injury and it’s not clear if starting guard Steve Avila will return after sitting out in Week 2. Beating the defending AFC champions and reigning NFC West title winners in back-to-back weeks is a large ask for anyone, but if there’s a team up to the challenge, it’s probably Philadelphia. Maybe this is the day Jalen Hurts and the passing game get untracked. Even with the injuries, I don’t expect it to be easy for the Eagles against a defense that has allowed one touchdown this season.
“Overall operation and how we function, how we flow, our synchronization, I take accountability for a lot of it,” Hurts said. “My job is to go out there and be the general and orchestrate everything and ultimately make plays. Given the opportunities we had, I’m very critical of myself to try to make the most of what’s given to us. There’s definitely some evolution that we can do. There’s definitely some things that we can grow in. … I’m going to continue to challenge those around me with asking questions and making sure we’re all on the same page. I think that’s the most important thing. Again, operation, synchronization, being on the same page, and going out there and playing our game. There’s a template, you know?” “I think expectations are fair, ultimately it’s about winning,” Hurts added. “But when we look at what we’re capable of, we know what we’re capable of.” The following day, synchronization was front of mind for Eagles receiver A.J. Brown as well. “Just being on the same page,” Brown said. “I don’t want to give you guys a story late in the week going into the game, but I can say, being on the same page and just playing fast and communicating.” When asked if the word “synchronization” has been a big one for the offense this week, Brown answered, “no comment.”
NFL Week 3 picks, predictions, schedule, odds, fantasy tips – ESPN
What we’re hearing on the Eagles: The Rams had a very difficult time against RB Saquon Barkley in their two matchups last season, as he racked up a whopping 460 yards on the ground against them in the regular season and in the playoffs. Even on the eight occasions they went with an eight-plus man box in the divisional matchup, Barkley had 92 yards and a touchdown, per NFL Next Gen Stats. “We do see opportunity when they load the box like that,” left tackle Jordan Mailata said. “It’s not a cockiness thing, it’s just based on the scheme that we have and also the guys up front, knowing that if we can get to these calls and execute them, huge gains.”
The Eagles run game isn’t the only thing the Rams are worried about heading into Sunday. Running back Kyren Williams is preparing for Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who forced a pair of fumbles against them last season, including one from Williams in the playoffs. “It starts with 98, Jalen Carter,” Williams told reporters. “It’s not a secret. Especially with me. He’s knocked the ball out three times against me. So, going into the game I know got to have that ball locked up. I know I have to have it in the right hand. For me, it’s another exciting challenge. It’s a — I wouldn’t even say it’s a redemption, it’s another chance to go show them who I am.” Last year, Williams had a career-high five fumbles in the regular season, tied for the third most among running backs. This year, Williams has rushed for 66 yards in each game and found the end zone in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. More importantly, he’s yet to fumble.
Jalen Hurts Mic’d Up in INTENSE Win vs. Kansas City Chiefs – PE.com
Quarterback Jalen Hurts was Mic’d Up for Sunday’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Relive the drama as Hurts and the Eagles outlast the Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch to hand Kansas City its first loss at home since the 2023 campaign. And yes, there is the scene with Chris Jones at the end of the ballgame.
5 Keys to Victory: Did Rams close the gap to the Eagles? – Turf Show Times
Avoid the big play in the run game: For the most part, the Rams did a good job containing the Eagles run game in the playoffs. Take away the two big runs from Saquon Barkley and he averaged just 2.5 yards per carry. Barkley had just a 34.6 percent success rate which was one of his five worst performances from a success rate standpoint in 2024. Essentially, on a down-to-down, the Rams did a nice job. However, it was the big, back-breaking explosive plays that did them in. This season, Barkley has an explosive run rate of just 2.5 percent and only 10.8 percent of his rushing yards have come from explosive plays. Last year, that number was 39.6 percent. Avoiding the big play in the run game is not exclusive to Barkley. Jalen Hurts also had a big touchdown run in that game and actually led the Eagles in rushing yards in their Week 1 win against the Dallas Cowboys. It’s going to be crucial for Jared Verse to remain disciplined in the run game and not crash down, leaving the edge exposed. The Rams defensive backs will also need to be willing to tackle on the backend. In two games against the Rams last year, the Eagles had four runs of 60 or more yards. The Rams made moves this offseason to avoid that and it’s something they’ll have to stop if they want to win on Sunday.
Arrowheadlines: Chris Jones denies complaining about ‘Tush Push’ – Arrowhead Pride
Chris Jones insists he wasn’t wasn’t talking about the controversial play.
Dan Quinn: Jayden Daniels Out vs Raiders; Marcus Mariota gets the start – Hogs Haven
The Washington Commanders held their last full practice of the week as they prepare to host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Jayden Daniels wasn’t seen during the media portion of practice, so we had to wait until Dan Quinn spoke to the media after practice for updates. The second-year QB suffered a knee sprain last Thursday during a loss to the Green Bay Packers and he hasn’t practiced since. Quinn said earlier in the week that he would need to see Daniels practice before making a decision for his availability this week. Jayden Daniels was limited in practice today, and won’t play on Sunday. Quinn said he’s made some progress, but they’re going with Marcus Mariota vs the Raiders.
Cowboys Point/Counterpoint: There’s good news and bad news after 2 weeks – Blogging The Boys
Tom: Well, that’s putting a happy face on things, for sure. The problem is that the issues were so egregious, and just kept happening. A related issue is the pass rush, but it was not really terrible. They got three sacks. Most of the credit for that seems to be pressure up the middle, which is nice for a change, and the addition of Jadeveon Clowney shows they are at least trying to address the lack of a certain former member of the team. The other major concern for me is the offensive line. Cooper Beebee’s injury means having to go to the depth very early in the season. These kinds of injuries are happening all over the league, as they do each year. But the offensive line is one of the most important factors for any success this year. This one bears a lot of nervous watching. And for heaven’s sake, could we cut down on the penalties at least a little bit?
Giants-Chiefs final injury report: Andrew Thomas could be a game-time decision – Big Blue View
New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas “had another good day” on Thursday, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Whether or not Thomas, who has not played since Week 6 of the 2024 season following surgery for a Lisfranc injury, makes his season debut Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs could be a game-time decision. Since the start of the 2023 season, the Giants are 3-17 in games Thomas has missed due to injuries and 6-10 when he has been in the lineup. At 0-2, the Giants could use every available body Sunday against the also 0-2 Chiefs, who have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons, winning twice.
NFL mock draft 2026: New No. 1 pick emerges alongside 6 QBs – SB Nation
1) New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah. If the New York Giants are indeed picking first, then Brian Daboll is likely out of a job along with Joe Schoen. So quarterback could be an option for a new GM/HC tandem, even with the presence of Jaxson Dart. But assuming Dart shows enough when we see him on the field later this season, protecting him will be a top priority for the Giants next season. Spencer Fano has played on both the left and the right side — and gave up just one sack in 2024 when moving to RT — and would give the Giants a tremendous tackle option.
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