Tag: Philadelphia Eagles

Shaquem Griffin earns bigger role after Monday night performance

The Seattle Seahawks are planning to find ways to get Shaquem Griffin involved as an edge rusher for the rest of the season.

The Seattle Seahawks are 8-2 through the first 10 weeks of the season, in part because they are able to flash different tricks up their sleeve each week to keep opponents guessing.

Monday night against the 49ers saw Seattle debut two new impact players, safety Quandre Diggs and receiver Josh Gordon, which made it difficult for San Francisco to gameplan without having seen either of them in a Seahawks uniform.

As if that wasn’t enough, Shaquem Griffin, who has been an active member of the special teams all year, made his 2019 debut on the defensive side of the ball against San Francisco — and he was playing a new position.

Griffin played 14 snaps on defense for the Seahawks, all coming on passing downs as an edge rusher. While he did not record any stats, coach Pete Carroll liked enough of what he saw to keep him in that role going forward.

“We’re going to find ways to utilize him,” Carroll said on Tuesday. “It’s really clear, more than it has been, that we might be able to build [him] a role that could be a factor. We have to work at that more so just to use his speed. He’s instinctively a good rusher. He’s just not very big. You have to do special things with him. We’ll put that together and see if we can make that a good complement to what we’re doing.”

Part of the reason Carroll believes Griffin should play more is certainly due to his performance in practice — but it might have more to do with the poor performance of veteran Ziggy Ansah, who has failed to live up to expectations in his first season in the blue and green.

Ansah also only played 14 snaps on Monday, and he was benched after committing a neutral zone infraction late in the game.

The veteran edge rusher has just one sack and three quarterback hits all season, and has struggled to adjust to Seattle’s defensive scheme.

Griffin is not a slam dunk to instantly contribute off the edge, but considering how great at it he was in college, he’s certainly earned at least a look out there. Plus, this allows Carroll to challenge Ansah to improve, knowing his role is no longer guaranteed if Griffin can find a modicum of success getting to the quarterback.

The Seahawks have a Week 11 bye but will be back in action on Sunday, November 24 against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

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Patriots-Eagles odds: New England road favorite over Philadelphia in Week 11

Analyzing the New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles Week 11 NFL match up, with NFL betting odds, lines, picks and best bets

The Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) play host to the New England Patriots (8-1) Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field. Here, we focus on the Patriots-Eagles odds and lines, while providing NFL betting tips and advise on this key Week 11 NFL matchup.

Patriots at Eagles: Week 11 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • The Patriots are coming off a bye. In their last game, the Baltimore Ravens handed them their first loss of the season with a convincing 37-20 beating. It was a good loss at a good time for the defending Super Bowl Champions.
  • The Eagles are also coming off a bye. They beat the Chicago Bears 22-14 in Week 9, which was their second consecutive win.
  • Since 2003, the Patriots have won four of the six matchups vs. the Eagles. New England has lost the last two, including a 41-33 loss during Super Bowl LII.
  • The Patriots are 6-3 against the spread (ATS) this season, but 3-2 on the road. They’re 3-6 against the Over/Under (O/U), and 1-4 on the road.
  • The Eagles are 4-5 ATS, while 2-2 at home. They are 5-4 vs. the O/U, with a 2-2 record at home.

Patriots at Eagles: Key injuries

Eagles LT Jason Peters (knee), WR Alshon Jeffery (ankle) and RB Jordan Howard (shoulder) are all dealing with injuries. Peters and Howard were limited Wednesday, Jeffery missed practice.

Patriots at Eagles: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Patriots 24, Eagles 20

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Moneyline (?)

The PATRIOTS (-186) are the play; and, while still chalky, the juice isn’t nearly as painful as usual. You can thank the Ravens for that. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has a .736 win percentage following a bye. Brady is 13-4 following a bye. While the Eagles (+155) might be enticing, it’s a hard pass here.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Patriots returns a profit of $5.38 with a New England victory.

Against the Spread (?)

The Patriots are favored by three-and-a-hook, which is a teasing line (-106). Don’t take the bait. In the Eagles’ four losses, they’ve either been blown out or played it very close. This spread is too dangerous to wager and the best bet here is no bet at all. AVOID.

Over/Under (?)

With 44.5 points slated as the total and both teams returning from a bye, this feels like it will be a game of chess and that number will be a razor-thin margin on my projections. The UNDER (-115) is the play, but just a small-unit wager.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Ryan’s NFL-pick record: 18-10

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NFL Week 11: 11 bold predictions

Look for the Saints to rebound and the Falcons to pick up their second straight NFC South victory.

Time to match up 11 bold predictions for Week 11 on the NFL schedule.

Rivers and Mahomes to provide air show

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers and Chiefs get together in Mexico City. Last year’s scheduled game for Mexico had to be moved to the LA Coliseum and the Chiefs and Rams put on a classic. Don’t expect 100-plus points this year in the thin air. However, do expect Philip Rivers and Patrick Mahomes to pass the night away. Look for 675 yards between them and at least five passing scores.

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Badgers in the NFL: Andrew Van Ginkel returns to practice

Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel has been designated to return to practice by the Miami Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins designated former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel to return to practice following a 10-week stint on the injured reserve.

Van Ginkel was placed on the injured reserve on September 6, and will be eligible to make his NFL debut on December 1 when the Dolphins take on the Eagles.

Van Ginkel was a fifth-round pick by the Dolphins in 2019 after two successful seasons at Wisconsin. The Iowa Western CC transfer was a third-team All-BIG 10 selection in his senior year with the Badgers, recording 59 combined tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Van Ginkel’s designation to return to practice is a good sign that he will be a factor for Miami down the stretch, as the team had multiple players eligible to return this season, but they made him one of just two chosen to return.

However, while he is expected to compete for a role as a core special teamer for the Dolphins, he is unlikely to carve out a role on the defense until 2020 at the earliest.

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Should the Eagles attend Colin Kaepernick’s private workout?

The Eagles should not attend Colin Kaepernick’s private workout

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In the famous term made popular by Ricky Watters, “For who? “For what”?

That could definitely be the motto when discussing whether the Eagles should attend Colin Kaepernick’s personal workout on Saturday. The Eagles are known for doing their due diligence whenever a talented player becomes available and with the news that all 32 NFL teams have been invited to Atlanta to watch the former 49ers star perform, the question has to be asked, will the Eagles send front office personnel and scouts?

Kaepernick, who led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2012, hasn’t played a game since becoming a free agent in the offseason of 2017.

If you’re interested in theatrics and good drama, then attending the workout would make sense, even with the Eagles preparing to face the defending Super Bowl champions just hours later in a huge home game.

Adding to the theatrics, Kaepernick is also the same guy that called Malcolm Jenkins a “sellout” and a “neo-colonialist.” Jenkins is an Eagles captain and carries a ton of weight in the locker room.

If you thought Carson Wentz had eyes behind his head and developed acne on his face from dealing with Nick Foles as his backup for those two seasons, just imagine the stress Wentz will deal with when he’s asked about Kaepernick?

Or how will he deal with questions about gadget plays involving the athletic Kaepernick, or critics and pundits calling for his job the first time he struggles. Both quarterbacks have flourished in the RPO focused offensive system, and Kaepernick’s athleticism could make for interesting conversation in regards to how he’d look commanding the Eagles offense.

The Eagles have had previous opportunities to sign Kaepernick and are unlikely to sign him this go around either. Also pertinent to the matter, the quarterback position isn’t currently a need and there’s no guarantee that Kaepernick would be an upgrade over Josh McCown as the backup.

Due diligence on free agents players is always a must, but in this case, the Philadelphia Eagles may choose to pass.

Eagles Injury Report: Jordan Howard, Jason Peters limited participants at practice

Jordan Howard, Jason Peters limited at Eagles practice on Wednesday

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The Philadelphia Eagles released their first injury report in advance of Sunday’s matchup with the New England Patriots. Jordan Howard and Jason Peters were listed as limited, while Alshon Jeffery and Nigel Bradham did not practice.

Alshon Jeffery was listed as “day-to-day” coming out of the bye week after he suffered an ankle injury during the fourth quarter of the team’s win over the Chicago Bears.

Jason Peters had arthroscopic knee surgery after leaving the Week 6 loss at the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Andre Dillard has started in his place over the past three games and performed well, but Peters is expected to regain his starting job upon being cleared.

Linebacker Nigel Bradham (ankle) is expected to be limited during workouts, but there is a chance he could play this week.

Cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc (foot), remains on injured reserve but has been eligible to return since Week 9.

Report: Tyler Lockett flying back to Seattle, expected to play vs. Eagles

Seattle Seahawks star receiver Tyler Lockett is expected to play in Week 12 after getting the go-ahead to fly back home from California.

Seahawks star wide receiver Tyler Lockett is flying back to Seattle today, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He spent the last few days at a Bay Area hospital for precautionary reasons after suffering a lower leg contusion in Monday night’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Lockett did not play at all in the overtime period on Monday and was sent to a hospital with swelling in his leg. The team opted to leave him in California as a safety measure, and he remained there on Tuesday as well.

Lockett is on his way back on Wednesday, via Seahawks owner Jody Allen’s private plane, and he is expected to play in Week 12 against the Eagles in Philadelphia, according to Schefter. The Seahawks have a Week 11 bye.

Lockett is in the midst of a Pro Bowl-caliber season, racking up a career-high 62 receptions for 793 yards and six touchdowns through the first 10 games.

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Eagles’ Injury Update: Cre’Von LeBlanc, Nigel Bradham nearing return

Doug Pederson provides an update on DeSean Jackson, Cre’Von LeBlanc and more

The Philadelphia Eagles are set to get back two more significant pieces to the defense as the Birds look to be finally rounding into form health-wise. Doug Pederson addressed the media on Wednesday and addressed the lingering injuries for several players.

Alshon Jeffery was listed as “day-to-day” coming out of the bye week after he suffered an ankle injury during the fourth quarter of the team’s win over the Chicago Bears.

Pederson then revealed that left tackle Jason Peters had arthroscopic knee surgery after leaving the Week 6 loss at the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Andre Dillard has started in his place over the past three games and performed well, but Peters is expected to regain his starting job upon being cleared.

“He should be out there today at practice,” Pederson said. “I fully expect him to — he’ll practice today, and obviously we’ll see where he’s at at the end of the week.”

Linebacker Nigel Bradham (ankle) is expected to be limited during workouts, Pederson said there is a chance he could play this week.

Cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc (foot), remains on injured reserve but has been eligible to return since Week 9.

Pederson stated that he’ll continue to rehab before returning to practice.

The open-market price has been set for RG Brandon Scherff, thanks to the Eagles

Scherff will be looking for a new contract from the Redskins this offseason after his expires, and it will likely be an expensive one.

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Earlier this season, Washington Redskins offensive lineman Brandon Scherff expressed his desire to be a member of the Redskins for the rest of his career, which is convenient, as his contract is set to expire this coming offseason.

As one of the premier right guards in the NFL, it has been expected that Bruce Allen and Co. would do what they could to retain Scherff, who the Redskins drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in 2015. However, it was unknown how much Scherff would be looking to get in a new contract.

Thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles, the market has now been set for a premier right guard in the NFL.

On Tuesday, the Eagles signed Brandon Brooks to a four-year, $56 million extension to keep him in Philadelphia. You can be assured that Scherff made sure to take note of that number. If he is able to test the open market in a few months, he will undoubtedly be looking for an extension that rivals that $14M annually, and chances are that he could ask for a bit more, as he is a couple of years younger than Brooks and Dallas’ Zach Martin, the other top paid guard in the NFL.

Everything was sunshine and roses earlier this year when Scherff showed his HTTR pride and expressed his love for the team, and nothing has changed on that front. What’s different now is that Washington has become aware of what it will take to keep that relationship strong, and it’s going to cost a pretty penny.

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