Tag: Reed Blankenship

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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Eagles’ duo at safety says they are the best in the NFL

Eagles’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship say they’re the best safety duo in the NFL

Last spring, Howie Roseman made three crucial moves to address the secondary, and the return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson may win this team a Super Bowl.

Philadelphia signed the veteran safety back after a season with Detroit, and Howie Roseman drafted Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

DeJean and Mitchell were finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year, while Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship formed a dynamic safety duo—the best in the NFL if you ask those two players.

“I’d say we’re the best safety duo in the league, the way we play together how we talk and communicate, and keep the defense on the same page,” Gardner-Johnson said via Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice.

“I agree,” Blankenship said. “We mesh well together. We’re friends on the field, friends off the field. If you don’t really like the person you’re working with, it’s not going to work at all.”

Gardner-Johnson finished with six interceptions in 2024, tied for third-most in the NFL. Blankenship had four interceptions and brought a physical presence to the position.

After hearing about the comments, star cornerback Darius Slay co-signed the comments.

“We’re the No. 1 defense, the No. 1 pass defense,” Darius Slay said. “They have the right to say they’re the best.”

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).

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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Highlights from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Washington Commanders have a young, ascending roster, and that youth showed in the first half. Costly penalties and crucial turnovers spurred the Eagles early on, giving them a 27-15 lead in the NFC Championship game.

Saquon Barkley’s two first-half touchdowns energized the Birds, and Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown on a four-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left in the first half. We’re looking at the first-half highlights with the second half set to begin.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles holds a 10-0 lead over the Packers

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two …

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two interceptions.

Philadelphia lost linebacker Nakobe Dean to a knee injury and will look to finish drives and capitalize on Packers turnovers.

With the second half underway, here are seven takeaways from the first half.

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