Super Bowl 2023: Poor turf was an issue for players: 'It's the worst field I ever played on'
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Super Bowl LVII wasn't played in bad weather. Yet, at times it looked like the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs were playing in a rainstorm. "I’m not going to lie, it’s the worst field I ever played on," Eagles defensive end Haason Reddick said. There were similar complaints from a College Football Playoff game played between TCU and Michigan last month at State Farm Stadium. The grass field is rolled in and out of the stadium, which has a retractable roof.
wftv.comJalen Hurts hasn't played well in the playoffs, college or pro. Will that change in the Super Bowl?
PHOENIX — Jalen Hurts has never really performed well in a playoff game. Considering his Philadelphia Eagles are in the Super Bowl Sunday against Kansas City, maybe that doesn't matter. Still, until he does it in a playoff game, he hasn’t done it in a playoff game. That's what makes him so special.”You don’t necessarily need a quarterback to play well to win a Super Bowl. And that’s the opportunity for Jalen Hurts, to silence one of the last questions about him as a player.
wftv.comDepth of roster gives Eagles edge in Super Bowl matchup
PHOENIX — (AP) — If the Super Bowl is decided in the trenches: Advantage Philadelphia Eagles with their two All-Pro offensive linemen and four double-digit sack artists. “We’ve been getting overlooked all year, but for what reason I don’t know,” edge rusher Haason Reddick said. Brown and DeVonta Smith on a few long balls against a Kansas City defense that allowed the third-highest passer rating on deep passes in the regular season. If the big-play pass doesn't do it, Philadelphia has the running game that has set a record with 39 touchdowns on the ground in the regular season and playoffs. Reddick led the way for Philadelphia with 16 sacks in the regular season and he has been even better in the playoffs with 3 1/2 sacks in wins over the Giants and 49ers.
wftv.comSuper Bowl LVII: The improbable rise of the Philadelphia Eagles pass rush
A fourth had to make a name for himself playing for a high school that consisted of portable trailers and little else. Now that foursome has come together to spearhead the league’s most menacing pass rush, one that has carried the Philadelphia Eagles all the way to Sunday night’s Super Bowl. Reddick, Hargrave, Sweat and Graham combined to produce 49 of those on their own, surpassing the season-long sack totals of 28 other NFL teams. Hargrave tortured opposing quarterbacks during a record-setting high school career, but that didn’t translate to scholarship offers. Jason Pughe sent Hargrave’s high school highlight video to a friend who coached at South Carolina State and urged him to take a look.
wftv.comSuper Bowl 2023: Eagles free-agent gem Haason Reddick could be big factor vs. Chiefs
Making some plays in Super Bowl LVII might fix that. Reddick could be one of the stars of the Super Bowl on Sunday. The Eagles' pass rush is a huge part of the team's success and a huge factor in the Super Bowl matchup against the Chiefs. The offenses will get most of the attention in Super Bowl LVII, and for good reason. Reddick has the ability to turn the Super Bowl into his stage too, and perhaps get some of the respect he thinks is overdue.
wftv.comEagles count on pass rush to harass Mahomes in Super Bowl
PHOENIX — (AP) — The defensive philosophy that has carried the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl is relatively simple. “It’s always a race to the quarterback,” defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. “Any time you play these great quarterbacks, you got to affect them because you can’t have them out here playing 7 on 7,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “They’re on like a historic sack rate and the way they’re able to get to the quarterback,” Mahomes said. “Being a part of a pass rush where everybody gets the chance to eat, that’s the best thing,” star defensive end Haason Reddick said.
wftv.comHurts, Eagles soar into Super Bowl, rout 49ers for NFC title
The Eagles, who won the Super Bowl five years ago with a different coach and quarterback, will try to do it again behind the formidable duo of Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni. Philadelphia will play either the Cincinnati Bengals or former Eagles coach Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs. They sang the fight song — one more emphatic “E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!” — in celebration of a franchise that advanced to its fourth Super Bowl. Even with Hurts almost a non-factor — he had 97 yards passing in the first half — the Eagles were firmly in control. Irrelevant” to playoff starter ended with a whimper as he failed to become the first rookie QB to lead a team to the Super Bowl.
wftv.comBrock Purdy, 49ers ousted by Eagles in NFC title game
Purdy was forced to return in the second half despite an elbow injury after Josh Johnson left with a concussion. By that time, the 49ers already trailed the Eagles 21-7 and couldn’t get anything going in the 31-7 loss Sunday. From Trey Lance to Jimmy Garoppolo to Purdy, the 49ers overcame quarterback injuries throughout the season, winning 12 straight games to reach their third conference title game in four years. Down to their fourth-string QB for almost two quarters, the 49ers (15-5) had no chance against the Eagles (16-3). A roughing-the-punter penalty on San Francisco’s Jordan Mason gave the Eagles a first down at the 49ers 35 in the third quarter.
wftv.com49ers QB Purdy suffers elbow injury in NFC championship game
PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was questionable to return to the NFC championship game on Sunday after he took a hard hit to his right elbow in the first quarter. Purdy was drilled in the arm by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick on a play that was ruled a fumble. The Eagles recovered and Purdy was examined on the sideline. Johnson, who signed with the 49ers in December, threw two passes this season. Purdy made an improbable rise this season, going from the last player picked in the NFL draft to opening the season as San Francisco's third-string QB.
wftv.comEagles' quick reinvention between Super Bowl contenders is remarkable. Just ask the All-Pro who was part of both
The Eagles won Super Bowl LII in February 2018, had to find a new franchise quarterback and coach after 2020, and are right back in the Super Bowl mix as a dominant team closing out the 2022 season. Through a series of shrewd moves, the Eagles have risen from the bottom back to the top in just a two-year span. “There’s one thing you have to credit Howie Roseman and the Eagles’ front office for,” Kelce said after the game. Kelce isn’t surprised by how quickly the Eagles were able to form a new superpower amid the intensely competitive NFL. This team is dominant and they’re more than capable of harnessing all the talent and new additions to this roster and winning another Super Bowl.
wftv.comHurts resumes throwing, Johnson returns for banged-up Eagles
The Eagles are getting healthy for the postseason — and filling the All-Pro team — just at the right time. There’s no need to rush any of the banged-up Birds back at full speed, because Philadelphia earned the No. A New Jersey native and Temple standout, Reddick had 16 sacks to lead an Eagles defensive that had 70 overall. Johnson’s return would be a major boost for an offensive line that has a greater need to protect Hurts. It gives me a lot more confidence going into next week.”The Eagles also were encouraged by Hurts resuming throwing.
wftv.comJustin Fields turns 2nd-and-27 sack into unreal run to set up touchdown
It was an electric play, the kind of which has made Fields that most dangerous running quarterback in football on a Bears team that leads the NFL in rushing. And he isn't just the game's most productive running quarterback. Per NFL's Next Gen Stats, Fields had a less-than 1% chance of gaining a first down on the play. On 2nd & 27, Justin Fields had less than a 1% chance of converting the first down when he took off to scramble on his 39-yard run. If Chicago hits on its stash of draft picks that hope could extend to contention in the NFC North.
wftv.comNFL free agency: Let the dealing begin, mostly unofficial
The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File) (Adrian Kraus)Let the dealing begin — if mostly unofficial. Set free and able to sign with another team even before Wednesday, were Browns receiver Jarvis Landry; Packers linebacker Za’Darius Smith and versatile offensive lineman Billy Turner; and Panthers cornerback A.J. Some desperately need to get under the $208.2 million cap, which is up by nearly $26 million after two pandemic-impacted seasons. ___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comAP sources: Panthers agree to terms with Corbett, Woods
The Carolina Panthers moved quickly to upgrade their roster after a 5-12 season. The Panthers have agreed to terms on a three-year $29.25 million contract with Los Angeles Rams guard Austin Corbett and a three-year, $15.75 million contract with Minnesota Vikings safety Xavier Woods, according to people familiar with the situation. The 6-foot-4, 306-pound Corbett should help a weak offensive line that surrendered the fifth-most sacks in the NFL last year.
news.yahoo.comThe Latest: Panthers lean on defense against Winston, Saints
Saints Panthers Football Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Haason Reddick celebrates after sacking New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) (Jacob Kupferman)The Latest on Week 2 in the NFL (all times EDT):___2:35 p.m. The Panthers lead the Saints 17-0 at halftime behind two Sam Darnold TD passes, but the big story has once again been their defense. ___1:10 p.m.Two-time Pro Bowler Eric Fisher made his Colts debut Sunday, starting at left tackle less than nine months after rupturing his left Achilles tendon. ___12:05 p.m.Browns starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is playing against Houston after being listed as questionable and not practicing all week. If Wills couldn’t play – or if he has to come up – Blake Hance will likely move into the left tackle spot.
wftv.comPatriots, Bucs among those making biggest waves so far
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)Bill Belichick never was one to spend wildly in free agency. Whether by trade, free agency or re-signings, the group brings a good mix of offense, defense and special teams. In addition to keeping Von Miller, Justin Simmons and Shelby Harris, Paton filled his biggest defensive pothole by signing free agent cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller. FUTURE CONSIDERATIONSThe Lions didn’t do much in free agency but nobody in Detroit should be bothered. The Lions are focused on rebuilding through the draft after sending QB Matthew Stafford to the Rams and then letting star wide receiver Kenny Golladay walk in free agency.
NFL races go down to the wire in AFC South and NFC East
“We win this game, find a way to win, win the division. He's assured of repeating as NFL rushing champ, the first since Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006-07. Henry has a career-high 1,777 yards rushing and ran for 212 yards in his most recent game against the Texans. Ezekiel Elliott, despite a mediocre performance in 2020, needs 63 yards rushing for 1,000 this season, his fourth such output in five seasons. Baltimore (10-5) at Cincinnati (4-10-1)During their four-game winning streak, the Ravens have averaged 37 points and 233.3 yards rushing per game.
Third-string QB Beathard throws 3 TDs, 49ers stun Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson (30) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with quarterback C.J. Beathard threw three touchdown passes, Jeff Wilson ran for 183 yards, and the San Francisco 49ers dealt a brutal blow to the Arizona Cardinals' playoff hopes by defeating them 20-12 on Saturday. If the Chicago Bears win their final two games, they will reach the playoffs because of a tiebreaker over the Cardinals. The 49ers (6-9) pulled ahead 14-6 in the third quarter on Beathard’s 9-yard touchdown pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Cardinals: LB Haason Reddick (hamstring) left the game in the first quarter, but returned early in the second quarter.
A winner: Chiefs vs Saints, with Brees back to face Mahomes
1 conference seed is tight, with the Packers one game ahead of the Saints, the Rams and Seahawks one game behind. Drew Brees will be active after missing four games with fractured ribs and a collapsed lung, making for an intriguing matchup with Patrick Mahomes. The Bills (11-3) scored twice in a 17-second span in the third quarter to ice their fourth straight victory that officially ended the New England Patriots’ 11-year reign atop the division. The Ravens have run for at least 100 yards in 36 straight games, seven short of the NFL record set by Pittsburgh from 1974-77. Baltimore is averaging 173.8 yards on the ground and topped 200 yards in each of the past two games.
Murray throws TD, Cards end 3-game skid, beat red-hot Giants
Coupled with Tampa Bay’s 26-14 win over Minnesota (6-7), the Cardinals are back in a wild-card berth. we have to go out there and execute,” said Murray, who ran 10 times for 47 yards. “I don’t think we have any kind of a hangover from going out to Seattle last week," Giants coach Joe Judge said. The D limited New York to 159 yards in making Jones' return from a one-game absence with a hamstring injury miserable. The first one was set up by a 24-yard punt return by Christian Kirk to the Giants 38.
Tua approaches injury anniversary grateful to be with Miami
As he walked off the field after taking a knee on the final play, Tagovailoa presented the ball to Flores. Flores said Tagovailoa appears to have regained all of his mobility, and might be even shiftier than he was at Alabama. “As a rookie, you don’t know what you don’t know,” Flores said. And while his NFL career is off to a good start, his perspective is different from before the hip injury. “I don’t know if I'll ever be my old self,” he said.