Eagles Question of the Day:
Who or what is the X-factor to the Eagles beating the 49ers on Sunday? Head over to The Feed and weigh in with your answer and explanation!
Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
What drives the Eagles defense? Meatballs – ESPN
Interestingly, of all the players surveyed, the only ones who have tried Vic Fangio’s meatballs are those who actually won the award. It’s something they want to earn. “It’s like an unspoken thing,” said corner Adoree’ Jackson. “I don’t want to say you play for the meatballs, but you know if you do well it’s a good thing because it’s recognized by everybody — everybody claps it up, it’s one of those things because not just your coaches, but your brothers out there on the field get to see the hard work you put in. “I heard they were good but I don’t want to try them until I get ‘em. That’s one of those things I harp myself on: That’s for them. You might offer it to me, cool, but I didn’t get that mother—er.” This is the first year Fangio has done something like this, and while no one was overstating the significance of a fun gesture such as the “Meatball Award,” for some players it’s a sign that the coordinator is opening up more. He’ll show his sense of humor from time-to-time by imitating a player’s sack celebration or cracking a joke (normally with an outdated reference). He has long made a point to talk to his players about their finances because, as Graham put it, “He doesn’t want to see us out here broken and then we can’t even pay for our treatment after playing football for a long time. He wants to make sure we’re taking care of everything, our bodies, our finances, our minds.” But for the most part, it’s all business. His practices can be exhausting and his meetings long and intensive as he pores over every detail of opponent film that could unearth an edge. His communication style is to be short and pointed and that can carry a sting.
5 unanswered questions as the Eagles begin their playoff quest to win another Super Bowl – BGN
There’s a balance between playing reckless and playing cowardly. Can Nick Sirianni and the offense locate that equilibrium? Can they be appropriately aggressive in their play calling, personnel usage and overall philosophy? Can they dictate terms to the defense rather than being solely reactive? Will Sirianni actually try and score points at the end of the first half and call plays that throw the ball beyond the sticks on 3rd and long? There is a feeling out there that the Eagles have been snowing the rest of the league during the regular season, biding their time until the playoffs. I don’t believe it. They are what they are. That said, there are buttons they can push. The only question is whether they’re smart enough, and willing enough, to push them.
Will a successful postseason be enough to save Kevin Patullo’s job? – NBCSP
It was hard to watch this offense most of the season. In eight of their last 13 games, they scored fewer than 20 points. There’s no one thing they did consistently well. Despite one of the best running backs in the league, the ground attack was uneven. Despite two 1,000-yard receivers they averaged fewer than 200 passing yards per game. Despite a Super Bowl MVP quarterback they had the 8th-fewest passing first downs in the league. It wasn’t all Patullo. There were injuries, there were penalties, there were mistakes that weren’t on him. But his inability to get the offense into a rhythm and keep defenses off balance was glaring. But I still think he might be back. Jalen Hurts has lamented for years the revolving door he’s had with play callers since he was in high school. Patullo is his sixth play caller in the NFL, and if Hurts feels like he’s going back to square one every offseason, when he has to get used to a new scheme, a new system, a new voice in his headset, that carries a lot of weight in the NovaCare Complex.
Albert Breer’s 2025 NFL Playoffs Preview, and Why Each Team Can Win the Super Bowl – SI
X-factor: Saquon Barkley. Repeating last year’s feat would’ve been too much to ask, but few figured he’d rush for 865 fewer yards, or 1.7 yards less per carry. Most NFL folks would tell you that’s a result of what’s around him. “If he goes off again,” said one DC who faced him this year, “that’ll change everything.” Indeed. If the line coalesces again, perhaps with Lane Johnson back, and Barkley gets hot, it’d give Nick Sirianni’s staff a better shot to lean into Fangio’s unit and play the type of game that could get them to another Super Bowl.
The NFL tried to ban the tush push — in some ways, the Eagles are doing it for them – The Athletic
Something else to consider: The Eagles have been more effective than in previous seasons at passing the ball near the goal line. For whatever warts plagued the offense, they led the NFL with a 70.5 percent conversion rate in the red zone. Hurts has passed for a career-high 16 touchdowns in that area. Of those 16 touchdowns, three have come from 2 yards and in. Before this season, Hurts passed for four touchdowns from that distance in the previous four seasons combined. Tight end Dallas Goedert set a career high with 11 touchdowns this season, eight of which have come in the low red zone. He’s even scored off a wrinkle of the tush push. “(O)ur red zone philosophy has changed a little bit,” Goedert said. “We used to run a lot, run the ball, a lot of quarterback sneaks, things like that down there. We’ve tried to find ways to get me the ball, which is really cool.”
Buckle up, Philly | Brandon Graham pens letter to Eagles fans – PE.com
I’ve been in Philadelphia for 16 seasons, and I’ve seen the lows. The 4-12 season in 2012, heartbreak in the playoffs. Now, it’s the golden era of Eagles football. After living through it all, I couldn’t walk away when the organization was at its best. These opportunities don’t come around often. The end goal is obvious … a return trip to the Art Museum steps. That road starts Sunday, playing in front of the best fans in the world. Driving into the stadium, we see those massive tailgates. We feel the electricity of the Linc when it’s packed, no matter the weather. You give us energy like no other place in the NFL. Who knows what the future holds? All that matters is what you do with your opportunities, and this is one I couldn’t pass up. The biggest moments are what we live for. Well, the biggest moments are here, and there’s only one thing to do. Buckle up.
Final 2025 NFL offensive line rankings – PFF
7) Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles’ offensive line had a rollercoaster regular season, suffering multiple injuries in 2025. However, even when they were fully healthy, the unit did not resemble the Philadelphia offensive line of past years. That was especially true for left guard Landon Dickerson, who had a down year. The Alabama product was excellent in 2024 but finished the 2025 regular season with a 60.3 PFF pass-blocking grade, which ranked only 51st among 81 qualifying guards. [BLG Note: The 49ers rank 5th.]
Nikki Bella and Eagles’ Cooper DeJean Casually Dating – TMZ
Nikki Bella and Cooper DeJean have whipped up speculation that something is going on between them … and TMZ has learned there’s for sure a spark. A source with knowledge tells TMZ … the WWE star and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback have been spending some time together and even been on dates … but Nikki is still very single and enjoying life.
49ers sign former Cardinals linebacker ahead of playoff matchup against the Eagles – Niners Nation
The San Francisco 49ers are adding a linebacker after news that Tatum Bethune would miss the playoffs with a groin injury. The team is signing linebacker Kyzir White, per Jordan Schultz. White mutually agreed to part ways with the Tennessee Titans on December 2. He’s been a free agent since. A hamstring injury limited White to 20 snaps this season.
Cowboys need a new direction on defense, these 2 coordinators would do that – Blogging The Boys
Jim Schwartz: Next, we have Jim Schwartz. What makes Schwartz an ideal choice is that he has the experience to lead a capable defense. Schwartz has held the title of defensive coordinator in the NFL for 17 seasons. Hiring him would also be a major boon for the development of Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston, who the Cowboys are counting on to take a leap next season. Myles Garrett just broke the NFL sack record with Schwartz as his coordinator. He should be able to help Houston and Ezeiruaku. He also has a prior relationship with Jadeveon Clowney, who has expressed interest in returning to Dallas in 2026. Schwartz will implement a Wide 9 to allow his edge rushers to keep containment and work downstream, and you’ll see more twists and games along the defensive line to create confusion to opposing offensive lines. Schwartz is also known to be more varied with his defense depending on his opponent that week. This would contrast with Eberflus’ seemingly rigid approach to each week.
Washington Commanders and OC Kliff Kingsbury mutually agree to part ways – Hogs Haven
For several days now, there have been rumors in the media about Kliff Kingsbury being out in Washington even if he didn’t get hired to a head coaching job first. Those rumors appear to be true, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting that Kingsbury and the Commanders have mutually agreed to part ways. Head coach Dan Quinn had already taken over playcalling duties from DC Joe Whitt Jr. midseason, and is expected to look for a new DC. Now he will need two new coordinators in his third season with the Commanders. Kingsbury was brought in as the Commanders offensive coordinator in 2024 after reportedly backing out of an agreement to become OC for the Las Vegas Raiders due to the length of the contract. He found immediate success in ‘24 with NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels leading his offense, but injuries to Daniels and other starters in the 2025 season hurt the offensive production and the team’s record. Changes were expected; now one big one has been made, and more are on the way.
NFL mock draft 2026: Updated projection with only 2 QBs in first-round – SB Nation
As a new year begins, 14 NFL teams remain alive in the chase for Super Bowl LX. For the other 18 teams, the offseason has already begun. Coaches and general managers are losing their jobs, interviews are being lined up for their successors, and fans are scouring the internet for every little bit of hope. Hope that when this time of the year rolls around next season, their teams will be the ones still alive in the chase for Super Bowl LXI. Of course, the 2026 NFL Draft is a big driver of that hope. So let’s take a look at how the draft could unfold, now that the order for the first 18 picks has been set. For this exercise there are no trades, and at the end of the draft we look at what teams without a first-round pick might do when they are on the clock.
NY Giants head coaching search: John Harbaugh fired by Baltimore Ravens – Big Blue View
The Baltimore Ravens have fired long-time head coach John Harbaugh. The New York Giants have reportedly had conversations regarding Harbaugh with respect to their vacant head coaching position. It’s expected that the Harbaugh would be the top candidate, hurdling former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. While nothing has been announced yet, Harbaugh could be scheduled for am immediate in-person interview as an unemployed candidate. The Ravens have become the seventh team to have a head coaching vacancy after firing Harbaugh. The Giants have widely been regarded as having the top opening, but the Ravens are clear competition for the top candidates — save Harbaugh.
2026 NFL head coach openings: Ranking the best available jobs – NFL.com
2) New York Giants. Maximizing Dart and a handful of other young talented players on both sides of the ball will be the mandate for the next coach, but providing steady leadership and sustained success will be just as imperative. With the exception of Brian Daboll’s first season, which yielded a playoff berth and a first-round win, the Giants have been largely adrift since Tom Coughlin left 10 years ago, cycling through coaches at a clip that team president John Mara has long said is not the way to build a winner. Most of the Giants’ recent hires have been first-time head coaches, including the recently ousted Daboll, so it’s fair to wonder if they will turn toward experience this time, and whether coming from the offensive side of the ball is a must. Another draw for this job? The Giants’ draft position, which gives them the fifth overall pick in Round 1. It’s difficult to know how this will end up. General manager Joe Schoen is leading the coaching search, a signal he is likely to be retained, although there has been no such official announcement from the team yet. Mara is undergoing cancer treatment, and it is unclear to what extent he will be involved in the hunt.
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