Tag: Joe Thuney

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.

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).

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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Chiefs HC Andy Reid reveals early plans for the offensive line for Super Bowl LIX: ‘We’ll rotate’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reveals early plans for the offensive line for Super Bowl LIX: ‘We’ll rotate’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have improved in pass protection over the second half of the season and playoffs. Joe Thuney’s switch to left tackle from his All-Pro left guard position is an essential reason for the improvement.

The Chiefs signed veteran D.J. Humphries late in the season as insurance for the troubled left tackle role. Rookie Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris struggled while alternating starting roles. Humphries’ injury forced Thuney into the spot, and head coach Andy Reid said during his Thursday press conference that it appears to remain that way.

“Yeah, it’ll probably be the same,” said Reid. “Again, we’ll rotate them all in there, but I think it’ll probably end up being the same when it’s all said and done.”

Thuney was named to the 2024 First-Team All-Pro team for the second consecutive season and has three career Second-Team All-Pro selections. Morris has been inactive through the two playoff games, while Mike Caliendo has stepped up efficiently at left guard.

Texans vs. Chiefs: Kansas plans to start All-Pro at LT in AFC Divisional Round

Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney is making a position switch for Saturday’s contest against the Houston Texans.

Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter now know who will be protecting Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blindside on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, All-Pro guard Joe Thuney will get the call at left tackle over D.J. Humphries to start against the Houston Texans, marking his fourth game at the position.

Should there be troubles slowing down Anderson and Hunter, Kansas City could send the former Pro Bowl tackle out to his natural position, thus shifting Thuney back into his regular role. Mike Caliendo will once again start at left guard,

The left tackle role has been a revolving door for the AFC’s top seed in 2024.  They began the year cycling between Wanya Morris and 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia, but neither seemed poised to retain the title.

In November, the Chiefs signed Humphries to a one-year deal to start him immediately. While learning the offense under play-caller Matt Nagy,  Thuney to the outside.

Humphries, a former starter with the Arizona Cardinals, lasted only one game before getting injured. He missed three straight games before returning and had to sit out the next three before resuming his role in the regular-season finale against the Broncos while the rest of the starters rested.

During the week, Chiefs coach Andy Reid refused to say which direction he’ll turn. When asked Thursday who would start, the veteran coach declined to answer.

“I’m going to do the same thing. I’ve taken it this far,” Reid said. “I’m going to get with the coaches and just make sure what they want and where we’re at with that, but they’ve both been in there. They’ve both been in there and done a nice job. It’s a good — that’s a positive thing.”

When asked who Mahomes feels comfortable with, Reid said either option is a serviceable one in the eyes of the two-time MVP.

“Listen, [Mahomes] likes both guys,” Reid said. “He trusts those guys and that’s where he’s at, but I always keep that in mind for sure.”

Kickoff from Arrowhead Stadium is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN and ABC.

Andy Reid reveals Chiefs’ postseason strategy for left tackle position

See what #Chiefs HC Andy Reid said about Kansas City’s approach at the left tackle position heading into the playoffs. | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to reporters for a Zoom press conference on Friday. He provided insight into the ongoing debate on who will start at left tackle for the postseason.

“Listen, I thought D.J. (Humphries) did a pretty good job there,” said Reid. “(There are) a few plays that he’d probably like to have back, but he’s headed in the right direction, for sure. I haven’t made any decisions on that (or) which direction to go right this minute, so we’ll see. We’ll get there by the time we get to the end of next week there.”

Humphries returned to the Week 18 regular-season finale lineup after missing several weeks due to a hamstring injury. He could be in line for the starting role in next weekend’s Divisional Round as Reid further explained his options on the offensive line.

“Well, the best part is that they both (Joe Thuney and D.J. Humphries) are good players, and (Mike) Caliendo’s playing well, too, so I’m not too worried about that whole situation,” Reid explained. “We’ll just see how it plays out. (Offensive Line Coach) Andy (Heck) rotates them during the week anyway, so they’ll all get work, and we’ll just go from there. Obviously, you want the best combination, but I think in this case, you’ve got three guys there that are pretty good players.”

Joe Thuney was recently named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press and has been playing well since moving to left tackle. Reid will have a week to make the tough call before the postseason.

Chiefs Andy Heck discusses D.J. Humphries’ injury progress: ‘He’s been working hard’

Kansas City #Chiefs Andy Heck discusses D.J. Humphries’ injury progress: ‘He’s been working hard’ | @EdEastonJr

Injury recovery time before the Kansas City Chiefs’ postseason starts is crucial to their success. During his press conference on Thursday, Offensive line coach Andy Heck addressed the status of veteran left tackle D.J. Humphries’ potential return to the lineup as early as this Sunday.

“Well, he’s been working hard at it, and I know he’s been making some progress here,” said Heck. “So we’re continuing to monitor that, but I think he’s feeling as good as you could expect to feel.”

Humphries has been out with a hamstring injury since his Chiefs debut in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Heck would welcome a quick return from the former Pro Bowler, but he isn’t in a rush to play him against the Denver Broncos since he doesn’t need to shake off any rust.

“Well, first off, I’d say D.J. (Humphries), being a veteran guy, he’s played a lot of football,” and so, need to see him,” said Heck. “I don’t know if I’d go there, but we want to get all of our guys ready and healthy.”

Joe Thuney has stepped in admirably at left tackle in recent weeks but would ideally return to guard once Humphries is available to start.

Chiefs OL Joe Thuney could potentially start at left tackle through the postseason

Kansas City #Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Thuney could potentially start at left tackle through the postseason | @EdEastonJr

The injury to Kansas City Chiefs veteran left tackle D.J. Humphries briefly left a hole in the offensive line until All-Pro guard Joe Thuney was recently inserted. The temporary move has worked efficiently over the past few weeks, with Thuney holding up against some of the best pass rushers in the league.

During his weekly Monday Zoom press conference, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid described his plans for starting left tackle in the postseason that could potentially keep Thuney in the role regardless of Humphries’ status.

“Yeah, I’m gonna play it kind of by ear as we go here. I’ve been happy with (Mike) Caliendo and how he’s played. I’ve been happy with Joe and how he’s played,” said Reid. “I appreciate him jumping in and keeping the level of play up, and I’m curious to see, you know, where D.J.’s (Humphries) is and if he can do anything. I just want to see where we’re at, and I’ll evaluate that as we go down the stretch here.”

According to Reid, Humphries is progressing through the hamstring injury rehab, and his performance in practice could affect his game plan before the divisional round.