
ESPN: Cowboys-Bears tilt named one of NFL's 9 key schedule features
ESPN: Cowboys-Bears tilt named one of NFL's 9 key schedule features
The Dallas Cowboys have one of the league's most difficult schedules in 2025; at least based off of 2024 results. With a strength of schedule of .557, Dallas has the fifth-toughest slate. But it's not their Thanksgiving matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs that drew the attention of Benjamin Solak, nor the two matchups against Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
Rather, it was their Week 3 tilt against the Chicago Bears that was identified as one of nine key schedule features among Solak's 100 Things to Know countdown to the regular season.
Another good Bears game comes against the Cowboys in Week 3. Former Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus is the new Cowboys defensive coordinator, and expunged coaches often produce strong performances when revenge is on the table.
The Cowboys hired Eberflus, their former linebacker coach, after he was fired from the Bears midseason 2024. Their former linebacker coach went to Indianapolis for several years as their defensive coordinator before taking the lead chair in the Windy City.
Eberflus, 55, had a 14-32 career record with the Bears, who struggled at the QB position before drafting Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in 2024. Now Williams will have a chance to prove his comments about why he never wanted to be drafted by the Bears and Eberflus will look to take his inside intel and use it to his new team's advantage.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief
Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Could 2025 be the year Georgia Tech flips the national script? After two consecutive seven-win seasons and a wave of recruiting and portal momentum, ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) is taking notice. According to the latest projections, the Yellow Jackets have the fifth-best odds in the ACC to reach the College Football Playoff, a significant nod to Brent Key's steady rebuild in Atlanta. Advertisement Let that sink in. A program once written off as a rebuilding project is now in the same postseason conversation as Clemson and Miami. ESPN's FPI currently gives Georgia Tech a 9.8% chance to make the playoff, behind Clemson (47.3%), Miami (46.3%), SMU (21.1%), and Virginia Tech (12.5%). The Jackets rank No. 28 overall, ahead of several Power 5 stalwarts like Florida State, UNC, and NC State. So what's changed? Since taking over the helm in 2022, Brent Key has not only stabilized a program in flux but has created an identity rooted in physical play, discipline, and player development. Georgia Tech has pulled off multiple wins over ranked teams under Key's watch, signaling they're more than capable of punching above their weight. Advertisement The 2025 schedule is favorable, if navigated wisely. Tech faces only two top-25 teams by FPI standards, No. 11 Clemson and No. 2 Georgia. Crucially, only Clemson is a conference game. The rest of the ACC slate includes matchups with Duke, Wake Forest, and Syracuse, all ranked outside the FPI top 50. Tech avoids SMU, Miami, and Virginia Tech, which should make this task much easier. If Tech handles business against mid-tier opponents and snags an upset against Clemson or Georgia, a 10-win season isn't just possible, it could be probable. Georgia Tech's improved recruiting rankings and portal pickups reflect a clear upward trajectory in talent acquisition. With a stable offensive staff, returning quarterback Haynes King, and a much improved defense, there's reason to believe the Jackets are entering the 2025 season with their most balanced roster in years. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10). Brett Davis-Imagn Images In a shifting ACC landscape, Georgia Tech has something many programs lack: momentum. ESPN's analytics aren't making emotional predictions, they're crunching data and seeing what many around the conference are beginning to feel: Georgia Tech isn't just building, they're ready to strike. Advertisement Can the Yellow Jackets make the College Football Playoff? The odds might still be long, but if Tech fans are looking for hope grounded in data, this is it. FPI says there's a shot, and for a program that's battled its way back into the national conversation, that's a headline worth buzzing about. Georgia Tech football team 2025 playoff odds ESPN FPI ranking ACC schedule Brent Key Related: A New Era Begins as Georgia Tech Names New Baseball Head Coach Related: Georgia Tech Hits Home Run Hiring James Ramsey as Coach This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Eagles Analysis Breaks Down Saquon Barkley Retirement Tease
Eagles Analysis Breaks Down Saquon Barkley Retirement Tease originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Saquon Barkley's victory tour over the last few months has been something to behold for Philadelphia Eagle fans across the country. Advertisement Since winning Super Bowl LIX, and setting a new record for rushing yards in a single season including the playoffs, Barkley has gone on multiple talk shows, signed the richest contract in league history for his position, and has now teased a timeline for his retirement. Woof. Speaking on Chris Long's Green Light Podcast this week, Barkley talked about when he could eventually call it a career. "I'll probably [be] one of those guys that it would be out of nowhere," Barkley said. "I'll probably just wake up one day, whether it's next year or two years or four years and just be like, yeah, it's over. I don't think I will ever lose that passion. Advertisement "The competitive nature is always going to be there. I like, probably my favorite player of all time is Barry Sanders, so probably similar to that. Maybe one day, like it'll be out of nowhere, I'll probably be ballin', and just be like, yeah, call it quits." Barkley's comments shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. First, the fact he mentioned Sanders' name is extremely relevant. The Detroit Lions Hall-of-Famer retired at the age of 31. Barkley is current 28. The final three years of his current deal with Philadelphia will take him to 31. It makes a lot of sense. There's another part to this, though, that Barkley didn't mention. Sanders went out as a Pro Bowl and All-Pro player. He didn't have the amount of injuries that Barkley has gone through (Barkley has suffered a torn ACL and neck sprain). Advertisement Could Barkley, running behind Philadelphia's elite offensive line, choose to retire before more injuries begin to pile up? It is certainly plausible. Barkley won't be calling it a career this season, though. He's looking to help the Eagles repeat as Super Bowl champions. And so long as Philly's offensive line remains in tact, the team should be perfectly set for another title run with their star running back. Related: Eagles Legends to Coach Against Each Other at Lincoln Financial Field Related: Eagles' Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean Already Ranked Among NFL's Best CB Duos This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Philadelphia Eagles have a couple players who could contend for the MVP award.
The Philadelphia Eagles have a couple players who could contend for the MVP award. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Eagles were able to win the second Super Bowl in franchise history this past season, and it was due in no small part to the spectacular play from their stars. Advertisement But some think they could get even better in the 2025 season. In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon, he gives five "under-the-radar" candidates for the NFL Most Valuable Player Award this season. The reigning Super Bowl champions happen to have two players on his list, the first of which is star quarterback Jalen Hurts. "Jalen Hurts' fantastic supporting cast probably cost him MVP consideration in 2024, and that's a shame because the uniquely talented star was the NFL's fifth-highest-rated passer while producing a combined 32 touchdowns," Gagnon wrote. "The problem is only 18 of those came through the air, and the tush push doesn't win over too many voters. However, if Hurts can bolster that number in particular, he could have a chance." The Eagles may run the tush-push for a lot of Hurts' rushing touchdowns, but that does not take away the fact that he is an excellent player. If he can bring his passing touchdown number up, he could be a candidate for MVP this season. Advertisement The other play Gagnon thinks could be a sleeper is the Eagles' running back, Saquon Barkley. "The running back and Hurts could again cancel each other out to a degree, and both benefit from the tremendous talent around them," Gagnon wrote. "However, if the Eagles quarterback missed time and more were to fall on Barkley's shoulders—and if Hurts could deliver for a contender—an MVP run is not out of the realm of possibility." The last time a non-quarterback won the MVP award was back in 2012 when future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson won it in 2012. But if there is one person who can break that streak, it is Barkley, who can put the entire team on his shoulders at times. If he can do that this season, he could be a candidate. Our only beef here: These two aren't 'sleeper' candidates for MVP. Rather, they are candidates - period. Advertisement If both players play well this season, they could very well cancel each other out, but they would be very hard to ignore entirely when the MVP conversation comes up. Related: Eagles' Jalen Hurts Draws Wild Tom Brady Comparison in Workouts Related: Eagles Analysis Breaks Down Saquon Barkley Retirement Tease This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.