Tag: Joshua Williams

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 CB Joshua Williams reveals gameplan for stopping the ‘Tush Push’ vs. Bills

Kansas City #Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams reveals gameplan for stopping the ‘Tush Push’ vs. Buffalo #Bills | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs earned another trip to the Super Bowl with their AFC Championship win over the Buffalo Bills. The defense, led by Steve Spagnuolo, stopped one of Buffalo’s most efficient plays.

Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams recently appeared as a guest on the ‘Up and Adams Show‘ to discuss the multiple short-yardage stops in the AFC Championship victory.

“I don’t blame the Bills for doing that; they have a big, strong Quarterback (Josh Allen) back there, 6’6 and 250 pounds or whatever. You know, that’s usually an easy pickup right there for them. You know, a lot of the things we practiced during the week were short yardage, 3rd and 4th down.” said Williams. “During the week he’s (Steve Spagnuolo) telling us we have to get these stops, we have to get these stops. A lot of times you get into the game and it’s not exactly what you did at practice because there’s so much other factors. You being tired, them going right to the line, and quick hiking. I think our defense just did a good job getting up there. Everybody getting in their gaps, shooting their gaps, and you know, we picked up the stops because of that.”

The Chiefs’ defense stepped up tremendously in those moments and will have to take it to another level against the Philadelphia Eagles, who revolutionized the short-yardage play.

Chiefs CB Joshua Williams discusses DC Steve Spagnuolo’s creativity

Kansas City #Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams discusses defensive back Steve Spagnuolo’s creativity | @EdEastonJr

The bye week to start the postseason provides extra rest and preparation for top seeds in each conference before the Divisional Round. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams spent part of his bye week as a guest on ‘Up & Adams‘ with Kay Adams on Tuesday to share his thoughts on defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

“Every morning, Spags (Steve Spagnuolo) has new stuff. He’s a wonder,” said Williams. “He can come up with all these different types of pressures, all these different types of zone drops, and all of that is just stuff to kind of confuse the quarterback. A lot of times, guys get a defense, and they do the same thing year in and year out. And that’s good because, you know, you still get to perfect what you’re doing.”

“In this system, I think one of the benefits of us is that you have different guys doing different things all the time,” said Williams. “We have corners who Blitz. We have corners that drop to a half. We got corners playing man-to-man. We have corners playing off man off zone. So, there are so many different types of defenses we run. I feel like that’s one of the benefits that Coach Spags brings.”

Williams has become a starting cornerback following Jaylen Watson’s injury earlier in the season, often splitting time with teammate Nazeeh Johnson.

Chiefs DB Justin Reid praises secondary depth: ‘Guys have been able to come in and make plays’

Kansas City #Chiefs DB Justin Reid praises secondary depth: ‘Guys have been able to come in and make plays’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid has embraced his leadership role in a young secondary. During Thursday’s press conference, he shared his thoughts on their progression and overcoming all the injuries.

“The way it’s been all year has been the next guy up. We’ve had a constant rotation and have confidence in whoever is on the field. Chris Roland Wallace has been making plays.” said Reid. “Chamarri (Conner), if he is able to make it, he’ll be in there, and he’ll be making some plays for us. Josh Williams comes in and makes plays. Nazeeh Johnson comes in and makes plays. So, it doesn’t matter. Jaden Hicks, Bryan Cook, it doesn’t matter who’s on the field; when you’re on the field, you’re a starter.”

In the first quarter of their Week 15 victory against the Cleveland Browns, Bryan Cook intercepted a deep pass down the middle of the field from Jameis Winston, his second on the season. In the fourth quarter, Trent McDuffie recorded his first career interception, and with 1:26 left in the game, Jaden Hicks intercepted Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

“We have faith in all those guys to come in and perform,” said Reid. We have the record we have, because guys have been able to come in and make plays when we need them to.”

The injuries have sometimes hampered the Chiefs secondary, forcing the depth signing of veteran cornerback Steven Nelson last week.

Chiefs Dave Merritt comments on injuries in the secondary: ‘The next guy is ready’

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt comments on injuries in the secondary: ‘The next guy is ready’ | @EdEastonJr

The excessive injuries on the Kansas City Chiefs roster haven’t stopped them from winning this season, but it’s still a concern. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt spoke with reporters on Thursday about the challenges of dealing with injuries, especially in the secondary.

“I go back, and I think back to the AFC Championship game when LJ (L’Jarius Sneed) went down, and all of a sudden, Josh (Williams) had to go in the game and play after five snaps,” said Merritt. And so not that you want to see this happen, but you know, when you’ve had injuries, the amount of injuries that we’ve had guys in and out, you want to make sure that the next guy is ready.”

The Chiefs recently dealt with injuries to Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson and the season-ending loss of Jaylen Watson. Veteran cornerback Steven Nelson was signed to the practice squad this week as insurance for the postseason.

“We always try to teach our guys and make sure that everyone understands the role that they need to go in and be ready to play. And with that comes a lot of responsibility on the players to make sure they know what they’re doing when the defense is called. So, but it’s not easy.” said Merritt. “You wish everyone would stay healthy. I’m quite sure all the other 30-plus teams would want the same thing. But once you have an injury, you have to be able to overcome it, and hopefully, your next guy is ready to go because everyone’s a starter when you’re in the room.”

Merritt and the coaching staff’s continued confidence in their young secondary has been crucial in their development. The group is essential in their hopes of three-peating as Super Bowl champions.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid opened up about newly signed veteran cornerback: ‘A welcomed addition’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid opened up about newly signed veteran cornerback Steven Nelson: ‘A welcomed addition’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid held his weekly Zoom press conference with reporters on Monday. Shortly before his workout and eventual signing to the practice squad, he shared his opinion on free agent veteran cornerback Steven Nelson.

“He (Steven Nelson) – well, he was a good player when he was here. He came out of Oregon State with the ability to return and play corner and then developed into a starting corner in the league.” Reid said. “He had a nice career for the last how many years. It was the ability to add a little depth to that spot. We’ll just see how things work out (and) see kind of where he’s at today. He would be a welcomed addition if he’s – if it all works out.”

After spending last season with the Houston Texans, Nelson briefly retired during the offseason. He entered the league as a third-round pick of the Chiefs in the 2015 NFL draft, playing in Kansas City for four seasons before leaving for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019.

The Chiefs’ becoming thin in the secondary due to injury could’ve been a factor for Nelson’s addition. Cornerback Joshua Williams notably left early in Week 14’s victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.