Eagles Question of the Day:
Which Eagles player are you most interested to see in Week 18? Head over to The Feed and weigh in with your answer and explanation!
Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
12 Eagles to watch in regular season finale vs. Commanders – NBCSP
WR Darius Cooper: The UDFA from Tarleton State earned a roster spot in training camp and has gotten some playing time this season. He has just 6 catches for 59 yards but has played 158 snaps and has been a solid blocker. There’s definite potential with Cooper and it’ll be fun to watch him in a game where he’s able to get more run at receiver.
Cooper has played 158 offensive snaps so far during his rookie season, and 138 of those were after Week 7. His role has increased as the season has progressed, but he has been targeted just six times and has six catches for 59 yards. Life behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson means a lesser role than Cooper has been used to in his team’s offensive game planning. Cooper’s best play this season isn’t a catch, it is a block from Week 14. The Eagles lined up in the Tush Push formation and instead ran a toss to Saquon Barkley to the left side of the alignment. Cooper worked his way into the second level and got a body on Los Angeles Chargers safety R.J. Mickens. The broadcast camera picked up the sound of the hit. “That was a big one,” Cooper said. “I think that was the most I got excited on the field for sure.” Sunday offers an opportunity for Cooper to get excited about plays on which the ball is in his hands. It certainly will come his way more than it has in a game this season. He may match or exceed his season-long targets in Sunday’s game alone. The Eagles are resting regulars for their season finale vs. Washington, and Cooper likely will start on the other side of Dotson with Tanner McKee doing the quarterbacking.
Eagles undrafted rookie has an opportunity to prove himself – NJ.com
“He’s a guy that works really hard. I think that’s a product of the guys he’s around, and he works hard because he has that in him,” Sirianni said Friday. “He continues to get better because you’ve got no choice when you work that way, when you love football and you’re tough. All those things, Darius is.” “It’s been a year of growth. It’s been a year of development. And it’s been a year of playing my part,” Cooper added. “I’m just excited to be a part of this organization and to play alongside these great fellas.”
Spadaro: 6 storylines to follow in Commanders vs. Eagles – PE.com
A great evaluation for some backup WRs. It could be that both Darius Cooper and Jahan Dotson see substantial playing time and, with that, a lot of attention from McKee on Sunday. If so, it is a terrific chance for the Eagles to again see Dotson in a featured spot – just like Week 18 of last season when he caught seven passes for 94 yards. That game propelled Dotson into a strong playoff performance, during which he had three receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown, with two of those catches for 42 yards coming in the Super Bowl. And then there’s Darius Cooper, who signed with the Eagles after the 2025 NFL Draft and then performed well throughout the summer to earn a roster spot. Cooper has played this regular season, and he has done a nice job blocking and catching the football when thrown to him. Now he could have a full game to show what he can do.
Why the Eagles’ run game collapsed in 2025 and how to fix it – BGN
The decline of the Philadelphia Eagles’ run game in 2025 is, in my opinion, the single biggest issue with the Eagles’ offense right now, after watching this team all season. The Eagles’ rushing output has fallen from 3,048 yards last year to 1,908 this year. That decline is not simply about calling fewer runs. While total rush attempts are down from 621 to 459, efficiency has declined alongside volume. Yards per carry have slipped from 4.91 to 4.16, explosive runs of 10 or more yards are down by over 30%, and rushing first downs have fallen from 170 to 114. Those numbers are pretty crazy. Especially when you consider the roster is pretty similar, and I think Saquon Barkley looks as good as ever. Advanced metrics reinforce what the basic numbers suggest. Last season, the Eagles’ run game was a clear positive, finishing with +54.62 total expected points added on rushing plays and a strong +0.088 EPA per run. This year, that same unit is operating in the opposite direction, with a total EPA of -11.59 and a negative EPA per rush. Taken together, the data paints a picture of a run game that is no longer helping the offense. It is becoming a major issue instead of a minor weakness as the season progresses. This piece isn’t about assigning blame to one player or one decision. It’s not just Kevin Patullo or Jeff Stoutland. It’s not all on Cam Jurgens or Landon Dickerson, which is why the issues are best understood by breaking them into categories and outlining how each can realistically be fixed. Which is what I have tried to do! Buckle up…
The Washington Commanders held their third, and final practice of the week, and their last full practice of the season.. The team is preparing to travel to Philadelphia on Sunday to face the Eagles. Dan Quinn said QB Marcus Mariota was doubtful due to the quad injury and he’s now done for the season. Josh Johnson steps in for the second week and he’ll have Jeff Driskel and Sam Hartman to back him up. Jayden Daniels was already ruled out for the final three games of the season, but wasn’t placed on injured reserve so he could continue to practice with the team. Laremy Tunsil was also ruled out due to the oblique injury that kept him inactive for the last two games. Brandon Coleman has filled in at LT, but he was added to yesterday’s injury list with a knee injury, and he’s listed as questionable for the game. Washington has Trent Scott and George Fant available if Coleman can’t play, or has to leave the game. Andrew Wylie is also a tackle option, but he’s already filling in at right guard for Sam Cosmi.
NFL Week 18 picks, predictions, schedule, odds, fantasy tips – ESPN
What we’re hearing on the Commanders: With LT Laremy Tunsil unlikely to play because of an oblique injury, Washington would be without 11 players who were projected starters this season. But even in a lost season, the Commanders have a few things at stake: LB Bobby Wagner needs five tackles to become the third player to reach 2,000 for his career; DE Von Miller needs another sack to give him nine and another $500,000. The Commanders can’t finish lower than seventh in the draft, but a loss Sunday could improve their pick.
Similar to this year’s Eagles team, the 2015 Broncos were the beneficiary of a dominant defense. Denver ranked first in defensive success rate and second in defensive EPA/drive that regular season and tilted the scales for a 39-year-old Peyton Manning by holding each of the Broncos’ playoff opponents to 18 or fewer points. That’s a formula the Eagles have gotten quite familiar with this regular season, but Kansas City’s 2023 run may be the better example of the Eagles’ upside going into the postseason. The Chiefs benefitted from a solid defense as well (top-10 in both efficiency metrics) but elevated in the playoffs to spur a championship run. Their highest success rate game of the season came in the AFC championship against the Buffalo Bills, a 27-24 win in which Kansas City’s talent finally won out in a high-leverage moment. There’s certainly an argument that the Eagles can do something similar over the coming weeks. It should come as no surprise that their most efficient game came against the Commanders in last year’s NFC championship game and in general, the offense had a significant jump in both EPA/drive and points per game in the postseason a year ago. Can the Eagles flip the switch and become a “moments” offense once again? They certainly have the talent to do so, but the recent history shows just how tough a needle it is to thread.
The Best NFL Bets for Week 18 – The Ringer
The Eagles are expected to rest most of their key starters, including Jalen Hurts, on Sunday. I’m not going to go all WIP brain and make the outlandish case that the offense runs better with Tanner McKee, but the Eagles had no issues winning in Week 18 last year with McKee as the starter. The offense used more play-action, passed over the middle of the field more, and beat the Giants 20-13. The Eagles can still jump up to the no. 2 seed if they win and the Bears lose, but the most likely scenario is that Philadelphia is the 3-seed and hosts either the Rams or 49ers next weekend. If the Eagles decide to play defensive stars Quinyon Mitchell and Jalen Carter, this spread is certainly too low. Verdict: Lean Eagles –3.5 (–110)
Philadelphia Eagles legend and NFL champion dies aged 90 – Daily Mail
Philadelphia Eagles legend Billy Ray Barnes has passed away at the age of 90. Barnes, who retired from the sport in 1966, spent five years in Philadelphia during his NFL career and helped the franchise capture the 1960 Championship. His death was confirmed by his daughter Billi Barnes Akins, who revealed that the former halfback was surrounded by his family when he passed on Wednesday. In a statement given to the Eagles, Akins said: ‘He was 90 and had a fabulous life.
The Detroit Lions (8-8) and Chicago Bears (11-5) have declared their injury designations ahead of their Week 18 matchup to close out the 2025-26 regular season. While the Bears are getting healthier, the Lions were forced to shut down four of their starters for this game.
5 Cowboys who should not return in 2026 – Blogging The Boys
OT Terence Steele. That Dallas got six seasons and 91 starts (assuming he starts Sunday) out of an undrafted player is a success story, but it’s time to get real about our right tackle. Steele has never really reached the “riches” end of this “rags” story, at least in terms of what he’s brought to the Cowboys. He is indeed a very capable run blocker, at times among the better ones in the league. But we’re two decades removed from the time when that could excuse being a consistent liability in pass protection. Steele turns 29 in June and is on his third offensive line coach, so the pass pro woes aren’t going to get any better. If anything, as athleticism starts to decline, he’s only going to become more vulnerable. And if the Cowboys are going to give Tyler Guyton more time, as they should, they can’t afford to keep ignoring this evergreen error on the other side of the line. Financially, it’s an easy move. Steele is set to count over $18 million against the 2026 salary cap and has only $9 million left in dead money on the contract. They can outright cut him for an immediate $8.75 million in cap savings, usable as soon as the free agent market opens in March, or do a June-1st cut for $14 million in relief that can be used further down the calendar. Of course, you have to then use some resources to replace him. Worst-case scenario: Guyton and Nathan Thomas are your starting tackles next year. Much better case; have Thomas as your swing and find a better pass protector to start. Maybe you spend a high pick on a Day 1 starter, or you go get a different veteran. But for an offense that likes balance, you need a starting tackle with a more balanced skill set. At least Guyton offers you some flexibility, with the viable option of moving him to the right side.
NY Giants-Cowboys final injury report: Wan’Dale Robinson, Cor’Dale Flott OUT – Big Blue View
Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who has already surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his four-year career, will sit out Sunday’s New York Giants season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Robinson has a rib injury. Robinson, who can be a free agent, finishes the season with a career-high 1,014 yards. He caught 92 passes, one off the career-high of 93 he established in 2024. Robinson averaged carer bests in yards per catch (11.0) and yards receiving per game (63.4). The season is also over for cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, who will miss a second straight game with a knee injury. Flott, who can also be a free agent, established himself as a starting-caliber cornerback in 2025.
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Predictions as finalists are announced – SB Nation
The finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame were announced on Tuesday, with 15 modern-era players making the next round of cuts as they draw closer to being enshrined in Canton. A total of five players can be taken from this list, with the remainder being made up of the senior, coach, and contributor categories. The Hall of Fame bylaws state that between four, and eight players will make up a class each year.
Texas State wins 3rd-straight bowl, 41-10 over Rice in Armed Forces Bowl – Underdog Dynasty
When the Texas State Bobcats drew their first-ever bowl bid in December 2023, the shelves of the facilities in San Marcos were empty, in desperate need of new decor. Fast-forward 25 months later, and Texas State more than populated that once-empty trophy case. In year three of the GJ Kinne era, the Bobcats won a third bowl in three seasons — and each victory transpired in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex against American Conference competition. On Friday afternoon, Texas State handled Rice in the 2025 Armed Forces Bowl, boatracing the Owls in 41-10 fashion. After staring down a 3-6 record in mid-November, the Bobcats concluded the season with four-straight victories of 17+ points. [BLG Note: G.J. Kinne is the GOAT.]
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