Tag: NFC

Russell Wilson should treat 2025 Pro Bowl like Derek Carr did in 2023

Russell Wilson has a chance to turn the 2025 Pro Bowl Games into his own audition, much like Derek Carr did before landing with the Saints.

Scheduled to hit free agency this offseason, the 2025 Pro Bowl Games could be the last time Russell Wilson has the luxury of donning the iconic Black and Gold of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While nothing is confirmed regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 quarterback plan, ‘Mr. Unlimited’ likely sees the writing on the wall—and he should use that to his advantage in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.

Back in the 2023 Pro Bowl Games, former Raiders QB Derek Carr was in a similar position to Wilson and seized the opportunity to highlight that he still had far more left in the tank—dominating the Precision Passing challenge with an event-winning score of 31 points.

Following the performance, Carr infamously took a shot at the Raiders when former Steelers safety Ryan Clark asked if he had ever looked that hot in Las Vegas:

“Not that hot. That’s probably why I’m going somewhere else.”

Carr would ultimately get another starting opportunity with the New Orleans Saints in 2024, and Wilson would be wise to take this approach heading into the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.

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Seahawks spared from watching another rival in NFCCG, as Rams lose to Eagles

Seahawks spared from watching another rival in NFCCG, as Rams lose to Eagles

For the last three years, the Seattle Seahawks and the 12th Man have had to suffer through watching a divisional rival compete for conference supremacy in the NFC Championship. Starting in 2021, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams duked it out before the Rams eventually claimed a conference title, then eventually a Lombardi two weeks later. The 49ers would go on to play in the next two NFC Championship games, even winning last year.

Now, mercifully, this streak has ended with the Los Angeles Rams falling 28-22 in the Divisional Round against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams did make it a fight, and threatened to continue this streak late. Philly and LA were tied at 13-13 early in the third quarter, and it was only a 16-15 Eagles lead going into the fourth.

Philadelphia did manage to create some separation between them and the Rams midway through the fourth, building a 28-15 lead, but it was not enough to put a pesky Rams squad away. LA pulled within 28-22 and forced the Eagles to go three-and-out.

The Rams marched 65 yards in only 10 plays to get all the way to Philadelphia’s 13-yard line, threatening to steal a win away from the Eagles. Fortunately, defensive lineman Jalen Carter (a player the 12th Man desperately wanted Seattle to draft before the Seahawks took Devon Witherspoon) sacked Matthew Stafford, and on the next play Stafford’s pass on fourth down fell incomplete icing the Rams’ defeat.

Now, the 12th Man can breathe easy next weekend during the conference championships, as no hated rivals will be on the verge of representing the conference in the Super Bowl this year.

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Commanders’ latest playoff odds after win vs. Eagles, losses by Cardinals and Seahawks

What’s the Commanders’ playoff chances after Sunday’s win?

The Washington Commanders won their third consecutive game Sunday, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 36-33. The win improved Washington’s record to 10-5, tightening its grip on the No. 7 and final NFC playoff seed.

With two games remaining, the Commanders must win one more to ensure a playoff bid. Their 10-5 record is their best start since 1991 when the franchise won its last Super Bowl. Washington’s win over the Eagles also helped increase its lead over the next-closest teams (Falcons and Seahawks), which have an 8-7 record.

Seattle, which led the NFC West two weeks ago, is now on the outside looking in. The Rams have passed the Seahawks for the divisional lead, and Sunday’s loss put them two games behind the Commanders for the final Wild Card spot.

The Cardinals, who entered Week 16 with a 7-8 record, lost to the Panthers and were eliminated from playoff contention.

So, what are Washington’s chances of making the playoffs now?

According to NFL.com, a win in Week 16 would’ve increased the Commanders’ playoff odds to 91%. ESPN has Washington’s odds at 99% entering Week 17.

If Washington wins one of its final two games against Atlanta or Dallas, it’s in the playoffs. The Commanders still hope to overtake the Packers for the No. 6 seed. Green Bay finishes the season with games against the Vikings and Bears.

 

Bills’ Sean McDermott ‘feels good’ about Lions win despite points allowed

Bills’ Sean McDermott ‘feels good’ about Lions win despite points allowed

The Buffalo Bills tamed the Detroit Lions on Sunday on the road 48-42, ending their 11-game win streak.

The Rust Belt squads clashed at Ford Field, with their hopes set on a trip to New Orleans this postseason to compete for and win the Super Bowl.

Two teams from their respective conferences, both playoff-bound with several games left to play in the regular season, and boasting two of the NFL’s best offenses.

The Bills faced one of their greatest tests of the 2045 NFL season in one of the league’s top squads and highest-scoring offenses led by Detroit QB and Connecticut personal injury law firm pitchman Jared Goff.

And while the Lions showed why they are one of the top clubs in the league by fighting to stay in the game on the scoreboard, the Bills piled on the points and never slowed down while their defense held its own.

And that feat has their head coach feeling good about leaving Detroit with the victory.

“Well, I feel good about it, I do, I feel good,” Sean McDermott said to the media postgame.

He is now the fifth coach in NFL history to win 11 or more games in five consecutive seasons, joining Andy Reid and Bill Belichick, Tom Landry, Tony Dungy,

“You gotta celebrate wins in this league,” he added. “I mean, it’s just hard to win, it’s hard to win here. This team… they haven’t lost anything since the second week of the season. We were coming off the (disappointing) game the week before and getting back late, having the snow day, I mean, good Lord. Extremely grateful.”

The Bills’ offense led by QB Josh Allen continued to put up historical numbers, and their defensive unit was looking to bounce back after struggling to stop the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive attack in a loss the week prior.

They did just that, applying pressure to Lions QB Jared Goff and logging three sacks on the day, with last week’s experience serving as motivation.

“I would just say we came out with an attitude and it showed,” said CB Taron Johnson after the game. “We learned from last week and tried to carry that chip on our shoulder. We need to do that every single week, just making sure we do that when it comes to the next games. Yeah, I feel like we took it personal last week and we showed it today.”

The effort on both sides of the ball did not go unnoticed.

“I thought the entire offense and offensive staff did a lot of good things,” McDermott noted. “Coming out and being able to run the football was important for us, credit to our offensive line. It’s everyone, tight ends, wide receivers blocking, and the running backs. I thought Joe did a good job changing some things up and Bobby as well. So great job by the staffs.”

The Bills will next host the Patriots and Jets at home in Orchard Park back-to-back weekends before heading to New England for their final game of the regular season and second against the Pats.

The team is in pursuit of the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC and home-field advantage as well as a first-round bye.

Those achievements that have alluded them thus far in Allen and McDermott’s tenure may finally be within reach.

Saints’ playoff odds are down to less than 1% after Week 15 loss

According to ESPN’s playoff picture, the Saints have a less than 1% chance of making the playoffs, but they are still technically in the running:

The New Orleans Saints desperately needed a win in Week 15 to keep their playoff hopes not only alive, but feasible. However, the Saints fell to the Washington Commanders on the last play of the game, as they failed to convert a two-point conversion, which led to a 20-19 loss and a now 5-9 record.

This put the Saints in a deep hole that is essentially insurmountable, and while it is statistically possible for them to make the playoffs, it would take scenarios that are well out of their hands in a lot of cases.

According to the updated ESPN model showing the playoff odds for every team, the Saints are the lowest ranked among the still possible teams, with a less than 1% chance of making the playoffs, winning the division, or making the Super Bowl.

The Chicago Bears, New York Giants, and Carolina Panthers were all eliminated from contention this week, leaving the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles among the teams that the Saints are competing with.

The path to the playoffs for the Saints is generally a simple one when it comes down to it, but not particularly favorable. They would need to win out, and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lose out first and foremost. Additionally, they would need the Atlanta Falcons to lose at minimum two of their next three games, as the tiebreaker between the Saints and Falcons would go the way of the Falcons regardless of outcome from here on out.

If these three things occur, the Saints would make the playoffs at 8-9 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8-9, as the Saints would win the tiebreaker for divisional record (as they would have to beat Tampa Bay in this three game span regardless) after a tie in the head to head tiebreaker for the season.

So, while this is an extremely improbable scenario, the simplicity of it makes it seem more possible than something like needing four other teams to win or lose specific games like previous seasons. We will see if any of this is still possible after Week 16, as it could all fall apart by then pretty quickly.

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Despite 48 points vs. Lions, Bills’ Josh Allen wants to ‘find more’

Despite 48 points vs. Lions, Bills’ Josh Allen wants to ‘find more’

The Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions squared off Sunday in a meeting of two NFL heavyweights who are hoping to contend for the ultimate prize.

They would win this heavyweight bout with a final scorecard of 48-42.

Josh Allen and the Bills came out dominant, attacking on the ground with Allen adding two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter as he continued to solidify his case for the league MVP award.

Just like in their Week 14 matchup with the Rams, the Bills’ offense kept scoring, carving up the Lions’ defense as well.

Allen would go 23 for 34 with 362 yards two passing touchdowns to go with 68 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries rushing. He became the first player in NFL history with 35 or more passing and rushing TDs in four consecutive seasons.

He also threw what appears to be the fastest 50+ pass of the Next Gen Stats era.

“Still, offensively, I think, we need to find some more,” Allen said of the offensive performance after the game. “There’s too many plays we left out there. I know to nitpick a game like that in which we scored 48 sounds kind of dumb, but still feel like we left some out there.”

The Bills attacked the Lions’ poor short-field coverage on the ground and in the air, as Detroit ranked 30th in receiving yards allowed to slot receivers going into the game.

On a day in which the offense was spread out and distributed across the Bills’ offensive weapons’, slot WR Khalil Shakir had a receiving TD with 39 yards, RB James Cook added two rushing TDs and 133 total yards, rookie RB Ray Davis had 29 total yards and a receiving touchdown, and a former sixth-round pick (2019) by the Lions turned Bills RB, Ty Johnson, had a career day with 123 total yards including 114 receiving yards.

The Bills scored 30+ points for an eighth consecutive game to tie a league record, while also becoming only the fifth team to accomplish the streak and first since the 2013 Broncos.

They also scored 40+ points in consecutive games for only the third time in team history (1990 & 2021.)

Allen appears to be solidifying his MVP candidacy in the process.

“It’s the best I’ve seen him play and not surprised,” head coach Sean McDermott said. “When he sets a goal for himself, for a team, I mean, he’s hard to stop.”

Still, the QB sees ways he can be better.

“I think we’ve got guys who are bought in,” Allen added. “And the run game, it sets up the pass game and vice versa. I felt like I missed a couple of throws tonight and we’ll always try to find a way to get better.”

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Bills’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady explains late QB sneak vs. Rams

Bills’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady explains late QB sneak vs. Rams

The Buffalo Bills lost to the Los Angeles Rams 42-44 on Sunday in Inglewood, CA.

The Rams came out swinging, competing in all three phases early to take a sizable lead.

Their offense never took their foot off the pedal, and while the Bills offense kept pace in a scoring shootout their defense and special teams were not able to get meaningful stops.

Near the end of the contest, some questionable playcalling caused a domino effect sequence that has raised game and clock management questions similar to the team’s loss to the Houston Texans earlier this season.

And it started with a failed quarterback sneak attempt at the goal line.

Head coach Sean McDermott would call a timeout after a failed QB sneak and before their last touchdown, which then led to an onside kick the Bills didn’t recover. The Buffalo defense was able to force a punt but needed to attempt a block to have the best chance, but there was no punt rush on the play.

“The highest percentage play at that point was just doing a QB sneak,” OC Joe Brady said about the play call. “At the same time, the cost of not getting it essentially, potentially, and kind of did cost us the game. So I have to do a better job in that situation. At the end of the day, we can’t burn a timeout there.”

Josh Allen rushing is as good a play as any in the red zone. After all, he has more rushing touchdowns at age 28 than some Hall of Fame running backs had in their entire careers. Still, on this attempt, the unsuccessful play proved costly.

“If we’re going to call it, we have to make sure that we know 100% that we can get it. I felt confident in it and felt confident in doing it. But that doesn’t make it right,” he said.

The sequence garnered a strong response from long-time Bills divisional nemesis and UGG spokesman turned FOX Sports analyst, Tom Brady.

“To me, take three shots throwing it—don’t use a timeout. Then you can kick it deep, use your three timeouts to still get the football with good time. That changes the entire complexity of the last 1:02 of the game. I did not like that one bit. That could’ve just cost them the game right there.”

While these statements all ring true, the Bills defense also had some explaining to do after failing to stop much less slow down the Rams offense.

DC Bobby Babich spoke about the grouping of issues that compounded throughout the game after his unit gave up a season-high 44 points.

“When you look at it and you really watch the tape, it’s, and I used this word earlier today, it’s a conglomeration, and I’m including myself, of people not doing their jobs at a high level,” he said. “The recipe to lose a football game is what we did yesterday, and it starts with me, first and foremost, what I did yesterday, and we just got to learn from it. Move on and not let it happen again.”

They’ll face a Lions team next week that has the No. 1 ranked scoring offense in the NFL, and Babich knows they will need to be at their best in the matchup.

“I believe our guys are up to the challenge, and they’re ready to respond.”

Why Bills’ Josh Allen still thinks he needed to play ‘better’ vs. Rams

Why Bills’ Josh Allen still thinks he needed to play ‘better’ vs. Rams

The Buffalo Bills headed West in NFL Week 14 to kick off a two-game road trip, and the first stop was in sunny Los Angeles, CA to take on the Rams at SoFi Stadium.

Buffalo had been on a winning streak since dropping two losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans earlier this season. However, their third loss of the year came on Sunday in Inglewood, 42-44.

Allen, who is in the midst of an MVP-worthy campaign, had another big day with the Buffalo offense as he went 22/37 with 342 passing yards and 82 rushing yards to go with 6 total TDs while becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw and rush for three touchdowns in the air and three on the ground.

The Bills defense, however, gave up 44 points.

And while Allen dazzled in the second half to give Buffalo a shot, the defense simply could not get enough stops or limit the Rams offensive scoring enough to make the game winnable.

Even still, his focus after the game was on his responsibility as the offensive leader.

“Hate losing,” Allen said. “If you lose by two or lose by 100, it doesn’t matter, you are still losing. Offensively, we have to find ways to score before and after the half. We didn’t do our part.”

The two teams exchanged blows on offense for four quarters, with Allen and company fighting to keep Buffalo in the game and coming back to bring the score within two points in the final minutes before the Rams recovered a failed onsides kick to run the clock out.

“I have to make one more play than they do. It was a total team loss in three phases. We didn’t play up to our standards,” Allen noted.

“I don’t know how well we did on third down or completion percentage, I don’t know any of that. I just know it wasn’t good enough to win a football game. I just got to find more completions, got to be better for our guys.”

Nonetheless, the QB’s performance was nothing short of historical.

“Incredible,” said Bills head coach Sean McDermott to the media. “Incredible. We’ve got to do a better job around him. If you look at the game, it’s line of scrimmage and being able to run the ball with our running backs. It’s line of scrimmage on defense, it’s special teams giving up big plays.”

In a clash of the league’s top clubs, each with Super Bowl aspirations this season, the Bills will next face one of their biggest tests yet in the Detroit Lions.

“Sometimes this can be as hard as it is, a good reminder of what you need to do every week in this league and how we have to adjust as a football team,” McDermott added. “Next week is a challenging game as well – they’re all challenging – against a really good football team on the road so we have our work cut out for us this week.”

Eagles vs Panthers: How to watch, listen and stream the Week 14 matchup

After the Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers to maintain control of the first seed in the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) have a tougher path towards getting after that seed. Regardless, they’ll face the Carolina Panthers (3-9) at home before going back on the road.

After the Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers to maintain control of the first seed in the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) have a tougher path towards getting after that seed. Regardless, they’ll face the Carolina Panthers (3-9) at home before going back on the road.

Here’s how to watch, stream and listen to the game.

Game Information

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles

1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8

Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

How to Watch

Sunday’s game will be broadcast on FOX. Adam Amin and Mark Sanchez will be in the broadcast booth with Kristina Pink on the field.

Fans can also catch the game on NFL Network.

Streaming

The game will be available on NFL Game Pass, the NFL mobile app, and NFL+ as well as FuboTV.

Radio

Philadelphia: For Eagles fans or those in the market, you can listen to Merrill Reese and Mike Quick calling the game on SportsRadio 94WIP. The desktop version of PhiladelphiaEagles.com/LiveRadio will provide a live feed of the SportsRadio 94WIP broadcast feed that is available nationwide. Fans can also listen on the Eagles app in the Philadelphia market.

Carolina: For Panthers fans or those in the market, you can listen to Anish Shroff, Kurt Coleman, Jim Szoke and Sharon Thorsland call the game on 99.7 FM The Fox. The desktop version of 997TheFox.iHeart.com will provide a live broadcast feed available nationwide. Fans can also listen on the Panthers app in the Carolina market.

Social Media

Follow along on Twitter
Facebook, Thacover2NFL

Read all the best Eagles coverage at Delaware Online and Eagles Wire.

Sean McDermott discusses celebrating in snow after Bills’ win vs. 49ers

Sean McDermott discusses celebrating in snow after Bills’ win vs. 49ers

In a 35-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at home in Orchard Park, HC Sean McDermott’s record coming out of the bye week remained perfect and the Buffalo Bills looked the part of a playoff contender.

The team won its fifth straight AFC East crown as only the eighth team in NFL history to clinch a division title with five games still remaining in the regular season.

The club has scored 30 or more points in six straight games and won seven straight since total since early season back-to-back losses against Baltimore and Houston.

The Bills have punched their ticket to the postseason, and head coach Sean McDermott was feeling celebratory while being interviewed on the field after the victory by ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter.

When quarterback Josh Allen surprised him by trotting up and saying “coach of the year” into the microphone, McDermott replied, “I want to see an angel, a snow angel. C’mon. Let’s go.”

Allen happily obliged him, sharing a wholesome moment with his coach.

“He’s the one who got me to do it,” The QB said to the press postgame. “I was just trying to give him some flowers. He was live on TV and anytime coach asks you to do something you do it. I’m a good soldier. I’m not the biggest snow angel fan because you get cold down there. My toes are freezing right now. I’m just trying to get in the shower, but it was fun.”

McDermott made good on a halftime challenge made by backup tight end Zach Davidson.

“We were coming down the tunnel at halftime and Zach Davidson tapped me on the hip and said ‘Hey, if we win this game you got to do a snow angel.’ I said ‘Alright, you got it,'” The coach shared. “I guess I followed through on my promise.”

By clinching their division the Bills are now guaranteed a home game in the playoffs in Buffalo, though with McDermott and the team’s record coming off a bye week, another one might be in store, as could more home games in the postseason.

The players and coaching staff will next turn their focus to road matchups against the Rams and Lions, in pursuit of the No. 1 AFC playoff seed and first-round bye.

With the heartbreak, the Bills and their fans have experienced at home in the divisional round of the playoffs the last two seasons, McDermott knows all too well what a bye and a win to advance back to the AFC Championship would mean.

“I think this is this place that is starting to become a place around the NFL now that people come and they see this and they’re going, ‘I want to be a part of this.'”