Tag: Darius Slay

Dominant defense, Jalen Hurts lifts Eagles to a 40-22 win over Chiefs in Super Bowl 59

Dominant defense, Jalen Hurts lifts Eagles to a 40-22 win over Chiefs in Super Bowl 59

In what can only be described as a beatdown, the Eagles exacted revenge on the Chiefs, winning Super Bowl LIX in dominant fashion, 40-22.

Vic Fangio’s No. 1 ranked defense held Kansas City to 275 yards of total offense and 3-11 on third downs, with Patrick Mahomes getting sacked six times on the night. Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts was 17 of 22 passing for 221 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a 119.7 passer rating.

Kansas City scored 16 fourth-quarter points, but it was too late as the Eagles jumped out to a 34-6 lead in the third quarter and bullied the Chiefs throughout the contest. In what can only be described as a team win, the Eagles won despite Saquon Barkley getting held to 57 yards on 25 carries.

Jalen Hurts led the Eagles with a Super Bowl record of 11 carries for 72 yards and one rushing touchdown.

With Barkley shut down, DeVonta Smith had four catches for 69 yards (17.3 avg) and one touchdown.  A.J. Brown had three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Super Bowl LIV: List of Detroit Lions connections on Chiefs and Eagles

Super Bowl LIV: List of Detroit Lions connections on Chiefs and Eagles

The Detroit Lions came up short in what felt like a “Super Bowl or bust” 2024-25 season.

However, there are a handful of former Lions and connections to the franchise competing for a Super Bowl ring on Sunday among the Chiefs and Eagles:

Eagles: Defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson

Lions defensive back (2023)

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles: Defensive back Darius Slay

Lions defensive back (2013-2019)

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles: Defensive end Charles Harris

Lions defensive end (2021-2023)

Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubiski (10) is brought down by Detroit Lions defensive linemen Charles Harris (53) and Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles: Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore

Lions backup quarterback (2012-2014)

Sep 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore (17) throws the ball on the run during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Lions beat the Bills 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles: Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers coach Jeremiah Washburn

Lions Offensive line coach (2013-2015), assistant offensive line coach (2009-2012)

Eagles: Offensive Assistant Kyle Valero

Lions Offensive assistant (2010-2013)

Chiefs: Tight end Anthony Firkser

Lions tight end (2023)

Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (left) and tight end Anthony Firkser (86) warm up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs: Defensive Line coach Joe Cullen

Lions defensive line coach (2006-2008)

Look: Bradley Cooper narrates Eagles hype video for Super Bowl LIX matchup vs. Chiefs

The Philadelphia Eagles released this hype video narrated by actor Bradley Cooper ahead of Sunday’s #SuperBowl matchup vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

The countdown has begun, and the Eagles and Chiefs are a little over 28 hours away from kickoff at Caesars Superdome on Sunday night.

Bradley Cooper is one of the biggest Eagles fans, so it makes sense that the famed actor would contribute to the Super Bowl LIX hype video after doing the same two years ago. 

Cooper narrates the video that focuses on winning “coming down to this moment,” which is the biggest game of Jalen Hurts’s career.

Philadelphia earned its second Super Bowl appearance in three seasons after posting a franchise-record-tying 14-3 record and a postseason run that featured three straight victories at home, including a 55-23 win against Washington in the NFC Championship Game (most points scored in a conference championship game in NFL history).

For only the second time, two Black quarterbacks will face off on the NFL’s biggest stage. Hurts and Mahomes were the first two in Super Bowl 57. Since 2022, Jalen Hurts has been 42-12 (including the playoffs) as a starting quarterback, just behind Patrick Mahomes (48-10).

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C.J. Gardner-Johnson was hilarious while mic’d up at Super Bowl LIX Opening Night

Philadelphia Eagles star safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was hilarious while mic’d up at Super Bowl LIX Opening Night

C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s departure is the mistake that Howie Roseman corrected. The boisterous defensive back will have the most pivotal role as we approach Super Bowl LIX, which is a little over 52 hours away.

Gardner-Johnson returned to Philadelphia after one year in Detroit. He re-energized the Eagles’ defense and stabilized Vic Fangio’s backend. The former Florida Gators defensive back is also a rapper and content creator in his off-time.

With Super Bowl opening night being the a ‘Movie’, it was only right that a mic’d up Gardner-Johnson got to direct the show.

Gardner-Johnson tied for the 3rd-most interceptions (career-high-tying 6) in the league, trailing only Kerby Joseph (9) and Xavier McKinney (8). According to PFF, he is 3rd among NFL safeties with nine forced incompletions, behind Brian Branch (12) and Ar’Darius Washington (10).

Darius Slay to retire after 2025 NFL season; Wants to play final game with Eagles

Veteran cornerback Darius Slay says he’s going to retire after the 2025 NFL season, but wants to play with the Philadelphia Eagles

The Darius Slay era in Philadelphia has been full of excitement, but it’ll be coming to an end soon, and the player who could be a future Hall of Fame cornerback has started to ponder retirement.

As Slay wraps up his 12th NFL season at age 34, he’s been focused on mentoring Quinyon Mitchell and the Eagles’ other young cornerbacks while looking toward the future. During his first preseason media session, Slay didn’t hide that the end was near and that he would “not be playing much longer.”  

During a recent interview with Ashlyn Sullivan of NBC Sports and 94 WIP, Slay hinted that 2025 would be his final season and likely be played elsewhere.   During a Super Bowl LIX media session, Slay confirmed that next season would be it, and he’d like to stay with the Eagles.

Slay has made six Pro Bowls in 12 NFL seasons. The Eagles cornerback and former Lions draft pick ranks seventh among active players with 28 career interceptions.

Slay has made the Pro Bowl in the last three seasons, logging nine interceptions, two touchdown returns, and 43 pass breakups in 60 games. Slay has avoided the normal decline cornerbacks face in their 30s, but he told Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia earlier this season, “I’m not going to just keep playing. I’m going to let these young guys eat. That’s what I’m here for, to make sure these guys get there. And when my time is up, it’s up.”

Slay is under contract in 2025 but has a $13,765,483 cap hit.  Still, over the past five years, only seven cornerbacks aged 33 or older have started ten or more games in a season. Dallas Cowboys’ Stephon Gilmore started every game last season at 33.

Slay and Howie Roseman previously compromised on a contract with the help of Dom DiSandro.  Would Slay again take a pay cut to play one final NFL season in Philadelphia?

Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell on who is best cornerback of all time: Darius Slay

Philadelphia Eagles rookie Quinyon Mitchell says Darius Slay is the best ever to play the cornerback position

Quinyon Mitchell and Darius Slay will have a lifelong relationship. As the Eagles rookie prepares to wrap up his rookie season, he’s paying the ultimate homage to his veteran teammate.

During his Tuesday Super Bowl media session, the Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate was asked to name the best player of all time at his position. Without blinking and with a straight face, Mitchell named Slay.

Darrelle Revis, Aeneas Williams, Mel Blount, Willie Brown, Charles Woodson, Darrell Green, Mike Haynes, Rod Woodson, and Deion Sanders are among the names that would have issues with Mitchell’s assessment.

Slay has made six Pro Bowls in 12 NFL seasons. The Eagles cornerback and former Lions draft pick ranks seventh among active players with 28 career interceptions.

Slay has made the Pro Bowl in the last three seasons, logging nine interceptions, two touchdown returns, and 43 pass breakups in 60 games. Slay has avoided the normal decline cornerbacks face in their 30s, but he told Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia earlier this season, “I’m not going to just keep playing. I’m going to let these young guys eat. That’s what I’m here for, to make sure these guys get there. And when my time is up, it’s up.”

Slay is under contract in 2025 but has a $13,765,483 cap hit.  Still, over the past five years, only seven cornerbacks aged 33 or older have started ten or more games in a season. Dallas Cowboys’ Stephon Gilmore started every game last season at 33.

Howie Roseman explains why Eagles haven’t extended Zack Baun, other key free agents

Eagles GM Howie Roseman could be looking to stack up on compensatory picks after he explained why the Eagles didn’t hand out contract extensions to key 2025 free agents like Zack Baun, Josh Sweat and others

The Eagles have 19 pending free agents, and with some big names looking to cash in, the Philadelphia defense could look quite different in 2024.

During his Super Bowl opening-night press conference, the Eagles GM provided insight into his thinking, explaining to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia why he didn’t extend contracts to several key free agents.

“Once you start doing that, it’s almost like, are you picking favorites?” Roseman said. “And the other guys start saying, ‘What about me?’ And they start playing for themselves as opposed to the team.

“Now, we’ve seen that probably costs you money in the long run as you’re doing it. But when you have an opportunity to compete for a championship, it’s worth that sacrifice I think.”

Philadelphia has several critical free agents who probably want to return to the Eagles but could land massive paydays on the open market. Zack Baun, Mekhi Becton, Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kenneth Gainwell could land lucrative deals when the new league year begins.

Roseman admitted that he watches Baun and Becton’s price tag grow daily but sacrificed potential long-term deals for a Super Bowl run without distractions.

“I’ll do anything for a championship,” Roseman said. “So if that’s the trade-off and maybe we lose a player, I won’t like that, but I’ll take it.”

The six free agents listed above will all have major suitors on the open market, but if those players depart, the Eagles can land upwards of four compensatory picks.

Sights and sounds from Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl LIX Opening Night

The Eagles and Chiefs are in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, with the host, Philadelphia, arriving on Sunday an hour before Kansas City. Philadelphia participated in a weightlifting session at the Saints facility before the festivities kicked off massively on Monday night with Super Bowl Opening Night fueled by Gatorade at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans as players and coaches make their first public appearance during Super Bowl week! With the Eagles taking the practice field on Wednesday, we’re looking at sights and sounds from opening night. ***

LOOK: Eagles arrive in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX

The Philadelphia Eagles arrive in New Orleans ahead of the Super Bowl LIX matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome

The Eagles have arrived for Super Bowl LIX, with Nick Sirianni’s team landing about two hours after departing Philadelphia following a pep rally at Lincoln Financial Field.

The team will now hunker down before the festivities kick off on Monday night. Gatorade will fuel Super Bowl Opening Night at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where players and coaches will make their first public appearance during Super Bowl week!

You can be there as players and coaches make their first public appearance during Super Bowl week.

Opening Night replaces the traditional “media day” that the NFL hosts for hundreds of media members.

With Super Bowl week officially underway, here are some top photos from Philadelphia arriving in New Orleans.

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Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Eagles dominated every facet of the game and won the turnover battle while dominating the Commanders to advance to Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia rushed for seven touchdowns, including three scores each for Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, blowing out their NFC East rival 55-23 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

As preparations begin for the trip to New Orleans, we’re reviewing the top photos from the historic victory.

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