Category: NFC East News

Rams star pass rusher left in awe by Saquon Barkley’s 255 rushing yards in Eagles win

Rams star pass rusher left in awe by Saquon Barkley’s 255 rushing yards in Eagles win

Jared Verse entered Sunday night’s game against the Eagles looking to steal the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award away from Quinyon Mitchell.  Verse finished with seven tackles on the night and no sacks, but he’s been more impressed by the 255 rushing yard performance by Philadelphia’s star running back Saquon Barkley.

Barkley’s explosion included touchdown runs of 70 and 72 yards, and his 255 yards are the ninth-most in an NFL game in league history. Barkley shattered LeSean McCoy’s record of 217 yards in a game (2013 Snow Bowl vs. Lions) with his 72-yard run that acted as a knockout punch in the win.

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Saquon Barkley runs the Rams out of SoFi Stadium, carrying the Eagles to their 7th straight win

A sea of Eagles fans took over SoFi Stadium, carrying Philadelphia to its 7th straight win on Sunday night as Saquon Barkley rushed for 255 yards on the night

The Eagles are 9-2 and have won seven straight games after Saquon Barkley exploded in the running game, and A.J. Brown was dominant in the passing game. Philadelphia put the league on notice with a 37-20 win at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

If not for a late Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp, Philadelphia would have exited Los Angeles with a 37-14 road win just seven days before a monster matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13.

Barkley rushed for 255 yards on the night and had 302 total yards of offense in a game that saw A.J. Brown log 109 yards receiving and a touchdown on seven targets.

WATCH: Slay walks Quinyon Mitchell through routes Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua will run

Darius Slay walks Quinyon Mitchell through Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacau’s route tree ahead of Eagles vs. Rams

Darius Slay is the gift that keeps on giving.

As the All-Pro veteran enters what could be his final stretch of games in Philadelphia, the cornerback has poured all his knowledge and skills into Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell.

As he did ahead of the Thursday night matchup against Washington, Slay walked Mitchell through some of the routes he’ll see on Sunday night against the Rams star duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

The Eagles started the season out 2-2. Still, the lights went on defensively when Cooper DeJean entered the starting lineup following a training camp and preseason that saw the rookie out of Iowa miss time with a soft tissue injury.

Mitchell has been lights out from Day 1, and both players have made Philadelphia’s veteran and captain, Darius Slay, very happy. Talking to John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia after practice on Friday, Slay jokingly referred to the young duo as “his children,” praising both players.

Mitchell is the only NFL cornerback with 375+ coverage snaps and 0 passing touchdowns allowed this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Mitchell, who has limited opponents to a 51.1% completion percentage and 71.4 passer rating, also ranks 2nd among NFL CBs with a 23.4% forced incompletion percentage, behind Denzel Ward (31.3%) (min. 30 targets). Overall, the rookie ranks 3rd among NFL CBs with 11 forced incompletions, trailing only Ward (15) and Paulson Adebo (12).

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WATCH: A.J. Brown breaks down why he’s picking Saquon Barkley over Derrick Henry

A.J. Brown calls Saquon Barkley the best player and running back in the world

A.J. Brown has spent six years in the NFL, and in between stints with the talented Miles Sanders and D’Andre Swift, the Eagles All-Pro wide receiver has gotten a close look at two future Hall of Famers, Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.

While talking to NBC’s Devin McCourty ahead of the huge Sunday night matchup against the Rams, Brown admits that he was picking former Titans teammate Derrick Henry as the best running back in the NFL until Saquon Barkley leaped backward over a Jaguars defender several weeks ago.

Brown has now changed his tune and calls Barkley the “best in the world.”

Baltimore’s No. 2-ranked ground attack (177.3 ypg) is fueled by Derrick Henry, who leads the league in rushing yards (1,185) and total touchdowns (15 – 13 rushing & 2 receiving).

Henry (first 11 in 2024), the late O.J. Simpson (first 14 in 1975), Jerry Rice (first 12 in 1987), and John Riggins (first 12 in 1983) are the only four players in league history to score at least one touchdown in their first eleven games with a new team.

Barkley leads the NFL in scrimmage yards per game (134.7) and rushing yards per game (113.7). In Week 11 vs. Washington, he reached 1,000+ rushing yards for the fourth time in his career, having previously done so in 2018 (1,307), 2019 (1,003) and 2022 (1,312). Barkley is the second player in franchise history to produce 1,000+ rushing yards through 10 games, joining LeSean McCoy in 2011.

Only four players in NFL history have rushed for 1,125+ yards (1,137) and 8+ TDs while averaging 5.8+ yards per carry through the first ten games of the season — Barkley (2024), Chris Johnson (2009), Walter.

Payton (1977) and Jim Brown (1958 and 1963). Barkley became the first to reach those marks in their first season with a new team.

As Brown said, he’ll have a front-row seat for both players in the Week 13 Ravens vs. Eagles matchup in Baltimore.

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DeVonta Smith injury update: Eagles star WR has been ruled out vs. Rams in Week 12

The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled DeVonta Smith out for the Week 12 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams with a hamstring injury

A.J. Brown missed three games with a hamstring injury and has looked explosive and fluid heading into Week 12.  DeVonta Smith could end up with that same prognosis if it helps the Eagles star get healthy for a playoff run.

Smith has been dealing with a hamstring injury for two weeks now, and he’ll miss his second game of the season after being ruled out on Friday.

Smith was a non-participant in all three of Philadelphia’s practices this week.

Smith has 41 catches for 516 yards (12.6 average) and four touchdowns, but he’s only accounted for six receptions and 43 yards on nine targets over his last two games.

The Eagles will face the Rams on Sunday night, and after placing Bryce Huff on Injured Reserve, Philadelphia could activate Britain Covey with an available roster spot.

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Eagles place Bryce Huff on Injured Reserve

Philadelphia Eagles place Bryce Huff on Injured Reserve

The Philadelphia Eagles will be without Bryce Huff for an extended period after he undergoes a procedure on his ailing wrist.

Huff was initially diagnosed with a hand injury that significantly limited his playing time in their win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Due to the issue, he only played a handful of snaps.

A major free agent acquisition who signed a three-year, $51 million contract last spring, Huff has appeared in all ten games, logging five tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 11 quarterback hurries, one quarterback hit, and 14 quarterback pressures in 154 pass rush snaps for the Eagles.

With Huff struggling off the edge, Philadelphia has relied on Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, and Nolan Smith to provide pressure off the edge.

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Giants waive franchise QB, former No. 6 overall pick Daniel Jones

The New York Giants have released former No. 6 overall pick and quarterback Daniel Jones ahead of the Week 12 game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There are daily and constant jokes about Daniel Jones, but we’re going to find out very quickly what he’s worth on the open market. After being benched and demoted to the fourth-string quarterback, Daniel Jones requested his release, and the Giants granted his wish.

Jones was drafted with the No. 6 pick from the Duke Blue Devils in the 2019 NFL Draft. After earning a contract extension in 2022, his struggles have continued in his sixth season with the Giants organization. Through 10 games this season, he has thrown just eight touchdowns to seven interceptions with a 79.4 passer rating and 46.8 quarterback rating.

While speaking to reporters Thursday, Jones thanked the organization and teammates and, while taking questions from the media, noted that his injury guarantee of $23 million was the prime factor in his demotion and scout team activity at safety.

“Well, I’ve got the injury guarantee,” Jones said. “So, that’s that. I understand it. They don’t want to take any risks. At that point, it’s just do as you’re told.”

Jones will finish his Giants career with a 64.1 completion percentage, 14,582 yards passing, 70 touchdowns, 47 interceptions, and an 84.3 passer rating.

Against Philadelphia, Jones has a passer rating of 88.6 with 1202 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions in 6 games against the Eagles in his career.

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DeVonta Smith injury update: Will Eagles star WR play vs. Rams in Week 12?

DeVonta Smith missed the Philadelphia Eagles Wednesday practice with a lingering hamstring injury

A.J. Brown missed three games with a hamstring injury and has looked explosive and fluid heading into Week 12.  DeVonta Smith could end up with that same prognosis if it helps the Eagles star get healthy for a playoff run.

Smith has been dealing with a hamstring injury for two weeks now, and although he hasn’t missed any game action, he has missed practice time.

Smith was a non-participant in Philadelphia’s Wednesday practice’s early, open media portion.

Smith has 41 catches for 516 yards (12.6 average) and four touchdowns, but he’s only accounted for six receptions and 43 yards on nine targets over his last two games.

The Eagles will face the Rams on Sunday night, giving Smith eight extra hours of rest before kickoff.

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Ron Jaworski compares Quinyon Mitchell to a Hall of Fame cornerback

Ron Jaworski compares Philadelphia Eagles star rookie Quinyon Mitchell to Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders

Quinyon Mitchell has been the talk of the NFL world for weeks now and gained the attention of former Eagles great Ron Jaworksi after the rookie cornerback held Terry McLaurin without a catch in Philadelphia’s Week 11 win.

Mitchell has played a major part in the Eagles’ having the NFL’s No. 2 ranked pass defense (173.2 YPG), and Jaworski compared the former Toledo star to a Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders.

Mitchell is the only NFL cornerback this season with 375+ coverage snaps and 0 passing touchdowns allowed this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Mitchell, who has limited opponents to a 51.1% completion percentage and 71.4 passer rating, also ranks 2nd among NFL CBs with a 23.4% forced incompletion percentage, behind Denzel Ward (31.3%) (min. 30 targets). Overall, the rookie ranks 3rd among NFL CBs with 11 forced incompletions, trailing only Ward (15) and Paulson Adebo (12).

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Should the Eagles have an interest in adding Joe Douglas to the front office?

Philadelphia should have an interest in bringing Joe Douglas back to the Eagles front office after he was fired by the New York Jets

The Eagles are always diligent about having a strong front office and player personnel group, and a former architect could be available. Joe Douglas was fired by the New York Jets on Tuesday after amassing a 30-64 record as the team’s general manager.

The move comes several weeks after the team fired head coach Robert Saleh following a 2–3 start. Saleh finished his tenure in New York with a 20–36 (.357) regular season record overall.

The Jets requested permission to interview Douglas and hired him over then-Chicago Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel Champ Kelly, New Orleans Saints Director of Pro Scouting Terry Fontenot, Minnesota Vikings Assistant General Manager George Paton, and Seattle Seahawks Director of Player Personnel Scott Fitterer.

Before joining the Jets in 2019, Douglas was a longtime scout with the Baltimore Ravens before becoming an executive with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles.

Douglas joined the Eagles franchise in 2016 and was responsible for running the Eagles draft board and scouting department, turning the latter into the best in the NFL.

Douglas quickly developed a reputation around the league as a critical cog in Howie Roseman’s front office while playing a role in constructing the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII-winning team and the deep roster for the 2019 season.

Douglas drafted Derek Barnett and Andre Dillard for the Philadelphia Eagles while he was the team’s general manager from 2017–2019.  Rasul Douglas, Dallas Goedert, Josh Sweat, and Jordan Mailata are just a few of the players that Douglas played a part in the Eagles drafting.

Douglas amassed a dismal 30-64 record since taking over as Jets GM and could return to Philadelphia or Baltimore in the offseason.

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