Category: NFL Awards

Key takeaways and analysis from the 2023 NFL All-Pro teams

We’re looking at takeaways and analysis from the Associated Press’s 2023 NFL All-Pro Team

The Associated Press announced the 2023 NFL All-Pro team, and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, linebacker Fred Warner, and Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill were unanimous choices for the roster, which was announced Friday.

The 49ers, who had the NFC’s best record, had three other first-team selections on offense: tight end George Kittle, left tackle Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was a first-team selection in 2019 when he won the NFL MVP, also got the selection this year after passing for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns, running for 821 yards, and scoring five times on the ground.

Here are the first-team selections for the All-Pro Team:

Offense

Quarterback — Lamar Jackson, Baltimore

Running back — Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco

Fullback — Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco

Tight end — George Kittle, San Francisco

Wide receivers — Tyreek Hill, Miami; CeeDee Lamb, Dallas; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit

Left tackle — Trent Williams, San Francisco

Left guard — Joe Thuney, Kansas City

Center — Jason Kelce, Philadelphia

Right guard — Zack Martin, Dallas

Right tackle — Penei Sewell, Detroit

Defense

Edge rushers — Myles Garrett, Cleveland; T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh

Interior linemen — Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Chris Jones, Kansas City

Linebackers — Fred Warner, San Francisco; Roquan Smith, Baltimore; Quincy Williams; New York Jets

Cornerbacks — DaRon Bland, Dallas; Sauce Gardner, New York Jets

Slot cornerback — Trent McDuffie, Kansas City

Safeties — Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore; Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay

Special Teams

Placekicker — Brandon Aubrey, Dallas

Punter — AJ Cole, Las Vegas

Kick returner — Keisean Nixon, Green Bay

Punt returner — Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans

Special teamer — Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh

Long snapper — Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville

With the selections now complete, here’s an analysis and takeaways from the choices.

2023 All-Pro Teams announced: 4 Eagles honored

The Philadelphia Eagles had four players named to the Associated Press All-Pro team for the 2023 NFL season

The Eagles regressed in the standings after going 14-3 last season but were still well-represented on the Associated Press’s 2023 NFL All-Pro team.

The results were compiled by a national panel of 50 media members.

Star center Jason Kelce was named first-team All-Pro for the sixth time in his 13-year career. Kelce tied Chuck Bednarik and Reggie White for most first-team All-Pro selections in the Eagles’ franchise history.

Wide receiver A.J. Brown, kicker Jake Elliott, and tackle Lane Johnson were named second-team All-Pros.

Johnson was named to an All-Pro team for the fourth time; this is his second selection to the second team. Brown was named to his second All-Pro team, having also been selected to the second team last season.

Elliott was named an All-Pro for the first time in his career.

D’Andre Swift among six Eagles named to NFC Pro Bowl

D’Andre Swift is among six Philadelphia Eagles named to the NFC Pro Bowl

The Eagles have lost four of their last five, but their 11 wins are still among the NFL’s best and they were properly represented on the NFC Pro Bowl roster.

D’Andre Swift earned his first 1,000-yard season in 2023, and his first Pro Bowl nod as well, becoming one of six Birds to earn a nomination.

wide receiver A.J. Brown (starter, 3rd selection), guard Landon Dickerson (reserve, 2nd selection), tackle Lane Johnson (starter, 5th selection), center Jason Kelce (starter, 7th selection), linebacker Haason Reddick (reserve, 2nd selection), and running back Swift (reserve, 1st selection).

Philadelphia had 9 Pro Bowl alternates: kicker Jake Elliott (1st alternate), quarterback Jalen Hurts (1st), cornerback Darius Slay (1st), return specialist Britain Covey (2nd), defensive end Josh Sweat (2nd), tackle Jordan Mailata (3rd), defensive tackle Jalen Carter (4th), tight end Dallas Goedert (4th), and guard Cam Jurgens (5th).

The 2024 Pro Bowl Games are scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 1 in Orlando.

National reaction to Jalen Carter returning a Dak Prescott fumble 42 yards for TD

National reaction to Jalen Carter returning a Dak Prescott fumble 42 yards for TD

The Eagles defense needed to force a turnover, and Jalen Carter needed a big-play to help cement his status as the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Both things happened when the No. 9 overall pick out of Georgia scooped up a Dak Prescott fumble off a Fletcher Cox strip sack, and returned the fumble 42 yards to pull Philadelphia within 11, as the Eagles now trail, 24-13.

Social media reacts to everything, and Carter’s first NFL score was no different.

All 32 NFL quarterbacks (including Jalen Hurts) ranked by Total QBR ahead of Week 14

We’re looking at where Philadelphia Eagles’ All-Pro Jalen Hurts ranks among all 32 NFL quarterbacks in QBR ahead of matchup vs Dallas Cowboys in Week 14

Week 14 of the 2023 NFL season is set to begin on Thursday night, and the Eagles are beginning preparation for a critical Sunday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Philadelphia is 10-2, Jalen Hurts is still in the MVP race, and one of the actual measuring sticks of his candidacy will be where he lands in Total QBR entering the playoffs.

When evaluating quarterback play, a trusted metric is ESPN’s Total QBR rating, which does more than take into account statistics.

According to ESPN, Adjusted Total Quarterback Rating (QBR) “values the quarterback on all play types on a 0-100 scale adjusted for the strength of opposing defenses.”

So where do Hurts and other NFL quarterbacks, including the Cowboys Dak Prescott, Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, 49ers’ Brock Purdy, Bills’ Josh Allen, and Chiefs Patrick Mahomes, rank entering Week 14 of the 2023 NFL season?

Here’s a look at the QBR ratings for all 32 NFL quarterbacks going into Week 14 of the 2023 season and ahead of Patriots vs. Steelers.

Jake Elliott named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for 3rd time this season

Philadelphia Eagles star kicker Jake Elliott named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for 3rd time this season

Jake Elliott has established himself as one of the best kickers in the NFL.

After the Eagles’ thrilling 37-34 win against the Bills in overtime, we predicted he’d undoubtedly land another weekly honor.

The veteran kicker nailed a 59-yard field goal with under 30 seconds in regulation to pull Philadelphia even with Buffalo, 31-31, earning his third NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor this season.

Elliott made all four of his extra points and the bomb of a 59-yard field goal that sent the game to overtime en route to the Eagles’ 10th win.

Elliott was also named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Weeks 1 and 4.

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Darius Slay breaks down why DaRon Bland deserves DPOY award

Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Darius Slay breaks down why Dallas Cowboys CB DaRon Blands deserves the Defensive Player of Year award

Darius Slay is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, and he’s also a man who recognizes quality football while not being afraid to show love to the opposition.

Dallas won their 13th straight game at home on Thanksgiving Day, blowing out Washington, 45-10, in front of a raucous home crowd. In the win, second-year cornerback DaRon Bland returned an interception 63 yards for the Cowboys’ final score in a 45-10, breaking the record for interception returns for a touchdown in one season.

Entering Thursday, Bland had been tied with Eric Allen (1993), Jim Kearney (1972), and Ken Houston (1971) for the record.

He’s now the sole owner, and Slay, the Eagles star and best cornerback, showed no hate in proclaiming Blandthis year’s Defensive Player of the Year.

During Philadelphia’s final practice of the week on Friday, Slay explained his reasoning for crowning the opposition and a hated rival.

To put what Bland is doing into perspective, Bland has more defensive touchdowns than any other NFL team this season.

The Indianapolis Colts are second with three.

Bland’s five touchdowns equal or more than notable offensive stars like Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, and Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.

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Fletcher Cox is the Eagles nominee for 2023 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

Philadelphia Eagles veteran defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was nominated for this prestigious award.

The NFL released its 32 nominees for the ninth annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award on Wednesday morning. Since its inception in 2014, each NFL team has nominated one of its players for the award that recognizes players around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field. The award honors the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Art Rooney Sr.

“Sportsmanship is the core of the game, the vanguard of public confidence, the keeper of game integrity,” said Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations. “These Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominees exemplify the spirit of fair play and the values of respect, integrity, commitment to team, and resiliency at the highest level of competition.”

Philadelphia Eagles veteran defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was nominated for this prestigious award. His extraordinary leadership and sportsmanship could be seen throughout this season as he helps out the younger guys on defense while still putting up great numbers on the field.

Current NFL player’s votes determine the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award winner. The winner will be announced during NFL Honors and receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.

Since 2014, no Philadelphia Eagles and one defensive tackle, Calais Campbell of the Baltimore Ravens, has won the award.

Where does Jalen Hurts rank in Total QBR entering Week 11?

Jalen Hurts is an MVP candidate, and one of the actual measuring sticks will be where he lands in Total QBR entering the playoffs.

Week 10 of the 2023 NFL season is in the books, and the Eagles are set to begin preparation for Monday night showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.

With the first half of the season completed, the postseason hierarchy is starting to take shape, along with the chase for specific individual awards. Jalen Hurts is an MVP candidate, and one of the actual measuring sticks will be where he lands in Total QBR entering the playoffs.

When evaluating quarterback play, a trusted metric is ESPN’s Total QBR rating, which does more than take into account statistics.

According to ESPN, Adjusted Total Quarterback Rating (QBR) “values the quarterback on all play types on a 0-100 scale adjusted for the strength of opposing defenses.”

So where do Hurts and other NFL quarterbacks, including the Cowboys Dak Prescott, Bills’ Josh Allen, and Chiefs Patrick Mahomes, rank following Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season?

Here’s how the qualifying NFL quarterbacks stack up:

5 updated reasons why Jalen Hurts will win the 2023 NFL MVP award

We’re looking at five updated reasons why Philadelphia #Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will win the NFL MVP award in 2023 via @Thacover2NFL

The bye week is upon us, and at the halfway point of this season, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is among the most popular bets to win the 2023 NFL MVP at multiple sportsbooks.

Hurts finished second in MVP voting last year after logging nearly 4,500 total yards (3,701 passing, 760 rushing) and 35 total touchdowns (22 passing, 13 rushing), leading Philadelphia to a Super Bowl appearance.

With Philadelphia off for Week 10 and set to embark on the most brutal stretch of games, we’re looking at five updated reasons Hurts will win the MVP award in 2023.