
Ekeler, Robinson reveal recipe of WAS success
Commanders RBs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson join FFHH to discuss the culture around Washington's success and how the team continues to raise the bar after reaching the NFC Championship Game.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Can the Commanders repeat their 2024 success in 2025?
The Washington Commanders' success in 2024 was a surprise to 95% of the NFL and those who watch football. They won 12 games for the first time in over 30 years and reached the NFC Championship during a year when everyone thought they would be rebuilding. But Adam Peters had ideas; he swapped draft picks for players and signed veteran free agents to support his rookie quarterback. The success this team had was unforeseen, which is part of the reason that many do not think they can do it again. Begging the question, can the Commanders repeat last season's success? One CBS Sports analyst doesn't think so. The Commanders won a surprising 12 games in the regular season, making the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 1991. There was a catch in last season's success, however, as they had the most wins when tied or trailing in the final 10 seconds of regulation since 2000 (six) and tied for the second-most wins by six-or-fewer points in a season all-time (including playoffs) with six. Washington won seven games on the final play last season. This isn't sustainable, right? The Commanders fought all the way to the end of games, but can't bank on late-game comebacks every week. A significantly tougher schedule (on paper) won't help matters, either. Don't be fooled: the Commanders are still a good team; they just won't benefit from last-second success every week to make a deep playoff run again. Advertisement So, because the schedule is more difficult, and many of last season's games were won on last-second plays, the author doesn't think they will be able to win games at the last minute. It's an interesting assumption given that the Commanders have added to the offensive line, added skill players, and improved their defense. It's as if some of these analysts forget that there are new additions to this team and that every team will look different from season to season due to player personnel changes. Some teams have more consistency than others, but for the most part, there are always new faces on a football team, and you never know which player simply needed a specific environment to thrive. Will Washington win 12 games again in 2025? Don't put it past them. But the goal is to make the postseason, so even if they don't win 12 games, as long as they have a path to the Super Bowl, it's still a successful season. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Can the Commanders repeat their 2024 success in 2025?

NBC Sports
10 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Lions' mindset is Super Bowl or bust
The Lions have won the NFC North each of the past two seasons. They went 12-5 in 2023 and reached the NFC Championship Game and followed that with a 15-2 regular season in 2024 before being upset in the divisional round. The Lions desperately want to get where they've never been. All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said the team's mindset is 'Super Bowl or nothing.' 'At this point, we want to win a Super Bowl; that's it,' St. Brown said, via Eric Woodyard of ESPN. 'Obviously, we've got to make the playoffs to win the Super Bowl, but that's understood by everyone, so, we want to win the Super Bowl. Plain and simple.' The Lions have one of the league's toughest schedules and play five prime-time games as well as games on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Lions coach Dan Campbell and St. Brown both said they are ready for the challenge. 'I'm excited for the way it's laid out. I love the home games. I love the road games. I love the night games -- not as much,' Campbell said. 'We've got some 1 o'clock [games] this year, which is good, but we'll be ready. I don't care how it lines up. We've got to be ready to go, and we will be.' The Lions will have to overcome the loss of both coordinators, several other assistant coaches and their center, Frank Ragnow, who announced his retirement this week.


Fox Sports
12 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Aaron Rodgers' most notable accomplishments, moments of NFL career
Aaron Rodgers isn't done playing just yet. The 41-year-old four-time NFL MVP is planning to join the Pittsburgh Steelers for his 21st season. He spent his last two seasons with the New York Jets following an 18-year run with the Green Bay Packers to start his career. Rodgers comes to Pittsburgh with a lengthy list of accomplishments and memorable moments. Here are some of the most notable: Long wait After developing into an NFL prospect after one year at Butte College and two at Cal, Rodgers was a possibility to go first overall in 2005. He had a longer-than-expected wait, however, before Green Bay selected him 24th overall. Patience pays off After sitting behind Brett Favre for three seasons, Rodgers got his opportunity to be the Packers' starter in 2008 after Favre — who retired briefly and then returned — was traded to the Jets. Rodgers quickly established himself as one of the NFL's top passers, throwing for 4,038 yards. It was the first of 10 seasons during which he would pass for at least 4,000 yards. Super season Rodgers led the Packers to the Super Bowl to cap the 2010 season and was selected the game's MVP after throwing for 304 yards and three touchdowns in Green Bay's 31–25 win over Pittsburgh. First MVP Rodgers won the first of his four AP NFL MVP awards in 2011 after passing for a career-high and franchise-best 4,643 yards with 45 touchdowns and just six interceptions while setting an NFL record with a 122.5 passer rating. Second MVP In 2014, Rodgers and the Packers bounced back from a sluggish 1-2 start to reach the NFC Championship Game, where Green Bay lost to Seattle. He capped the season by winning his second MVP award. "Miracle in Motown" One of Rodgers' most memorable passes came in Detroit in Week 13 of the 2015 season against the Lions, who led the Packers 23-20 and appeared to win until a defensive facemask penalty was called with no time left on the clock. It gave Green Bay one more chance, and Rodgers chucked a 61-yard toss that was caught by Richard Rodgers in the end zone for an unlikely victory. It was the first of Rodgers' four career completed Hail Mary throws, the most in NFL history. Third MVP Rodgers threw a career-high and Packers-record 48 touchdown passes and set a personal best with a 70.7 completion percentage on his way to his third AP NFL MVP award. The Packers made it to the NFC title game again, but lost to Tom Brady and eventual Super Bowl-champion Tampa Bay. Rodgers fell to 1-4 in conference championship games and became the first quarterback to lose four consecutive appearances. Vaccination controversy Rodgers missed a game in 2021 after testing positive for COVID-19 and later acknowledged he hadn't gotten the vaccine. He said he was "immunized" when asked about his vaccination status before the season. Although he took responsibility for being misleading about his status initially, Rodgers also criticized the way NFL protocols impacted unvaccinated players and frequently spoke out regarding his skepticism over the vaccine. Fourth MVP Rodgers capped a controversy-tinged 2021 season by winning his fourth AP NFL MVP award, becoming the fifth player to win consecutive MVPs and first since Peyton Manning (2008 and 2009). He and Manning are also the only players to win at least four MVP awards. Swan song in Green Bay Rodgers signed a three-year contract before the 2022 season with the Packers worth $150.8 million, with $101.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid player in North American sports history on an annual basis at that time. He broke his right thumb early in the season but continued playing, and the Packers finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs. Big deal, big disappointment Rodgers was traded to New York on April 26, 2023, immediately raising expectations for the Jets, whose only Super Bowl appearance was in the 1968 season. But just four snaps into his debut in the season opener against Buffalo, Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon. Broadway bust Rodgers started off slowly in his return from his torn Achilles tendon and then dealt with other knee, ankle and hamstring injuries as the Jets got off to a 2-3 start and fired coach Robert Saleh. Rodgers played better down the stretch, but New York finished 5-12 and missed the playoffs for the 14th straight year. After becoming the fifth player in NFL history to throw 500 regular-season touchdown passes in the season finale, Rodgers said he needed to take some time off to ponder his playing future. Jetting away On Feb. 13, 2025, the Jets said they had informed Rodgers that new coach Aaron Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey would be moving in another direction at quarterback. He was released a month later, officially ending Rodgers' tenure with the franchise. Showing up in Steel City Rodgers ended several months of speculation when he informed the Steelers on June 5 that he plans to sign with Pittsburgh, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Rodgers had not yet signed a contract. His first game of the season? At the Jets in Week 1 against former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Pittsburgh Steelers New York Jets recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more