Daron Payne ruled out for Commanders vs Eagles, Buffalo hit with injuries ahead of Chiefs vs Bills
The Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills are heading into pivotal playoff matchups with significant challenges ahead. Washington will be without defensive tackle Daron Payne for their NFC Championship game against the Eagles, while the Bills are missing key defensive players, including Taylor Rapp, as they prepare for a showdown with the Chiefs.
Washington's run defense has struggled this season, finishing No. 30 in the regular season and allowing 302 rushing yards in two playoff games. With Daron Payne, their most reliable defensive tackle, ruled out for the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Commanders face a daunting task.
Washington will rely on Jonathan Allen, Jer'Zhan Newton, Sheldon Day, Jalyn Holmes, and Carl Davis to contain MVP candidate Saquon Barkley. In two games this season, Barkley rushed for a combined 296 yards and four touchdowns — with Payne on the field.
Despite Payne's contract and his relatively low pass-rushing stats, he's been crucial in run defense. His absence will be felt deeply, as this will be just the second game he's missed since being drafted in 2018.
On the other side, the Buffalo Bills are facing their own injury concerns as they prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Safety Taylor Rapp, who played a key role in the Bills' defense, is sidelined with a hip injury.
Rapp's absence raises questions about how rookie Cole Bishop will fare in a high-stakes game against a team like the Chiefs.
To add to the concern, cornerback Christian Benford is listed as questionable after suffering a concussion in last week's game against the Ravens. Linebacker Baylon Spector, dealing with a calf injury, has been a full participant in practice but is also questionable for Sunday's game.
For Bills' quarterback Josh Allen, the timing couldn't be worse as he looks to secure a Super Bowl appearance. But with key defensive players out, the pressure is mounting. On the opposite side, Chiefs' QB Patrick Mahomes, who has a 3-0 playoff record against Allen, will be looking to lead his team to a historic three-peat, adding more intensity to this already high-pressure matchup.
Both games will be played later today. The NFC Championship Game Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles will kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The AFC Championship Game Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
By the end of Championship Sunday, the road to Super Bowl 59 will be set.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
NFL Madden 26 Cover: Saquon Barkley lands cover with 99 rating, the internet has its say
EA Sports has named Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley the cover athlete for Madden NFL 26, honouring a landmark season that included a Super Bowl title, 2,005 rushing yards and a viral moment that seemed lifted straight from the video game itself. Barkley, 28, is only the ninth player in NFL history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark in a single season. He also became the newest member of the elite 'Madden 99 Club,' the game's highest rating tier, and the latest player to front the iconic franchise. The cover reveal was accompanied by a now-iconic image: Barkley mid-air, performing a reverse hurdle over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones during a Week 9 clash. The move—executed while Barkley had his back turned to the defender—was widely circulated online and lauded as one of the season's most jaw-dropping plays. 'Saquon's reverse hurdle was one of the rare, defining moments in NFL history that would have once been described as 'something out of a video game,'' said Evan Dexter, vice president of franchise strategy and marketing for EA Sports Madden NFL. In a promotional video released with the announcement, Barkley reflected on the journey from gamer to cover athlete. 'This last season's been everything,' he said. 'Win the Super Bowl, create iconic moments. It starts with imagination — being a kid, having those moments, playing video games and saying, 'Why can't I do it in real life?'' The former New York Giants star credited his new team's culture for fuelling his breakout campaign. Barkley was a key contributor in the Eagles' title run and tallied 15 total touchdowns over the course of the season. EA Sports stated the upcoming edition of Madden NFL would offer its most realistic simulation yet. 'It's a display of the athleticism and creativity of one of football's most electrifying athletes,' Dexter said. The game is set to release on 14 August 2025, with pre-orders now open. 'Starring on the cover of Madden NFL 26 and being named to the Madden NFL 99 Club are both dreams come true,' Barkley said. 'I'm grateful to my teammates, coaches and Eagles fans for their support, and I can't wait to hit the field again to give Madden players more highlight-reel moments.' For Philadelphia fans, all that remains now is to hope the fabled 'Madden Curse' doesn't strike. NFL fans on X (formerly Twitter) have been reacting to the news, with many naming alternatives they believe should've become cover athlete instead. I wish he wasn't on it bc I believe in the curse but it was too perfect. 26 on 26 — 🦅 RUN IT BACK🦅 (LIX Champs💍💍) (@RollPhillyDawgz) June 2, 2025 How does he deserve it over Lamar — bossman (@thyonlybossman) June 2, 2025 Congrats to Saquon in advance to being the first Eagles player to break the Madden curse!!! — 🔥 CEO Branding Expert (@Ceo_Branding) June 2, 2025 Who's the poor soul he's hurdling — VGhostface Killa 🐝 (@VGKBetta) June 2, 2025 Shoulda been my guy CJ Stroud smh — Duv-ALL Sports Cards & Collectible's (@DuvALLsports) June 2, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Drake expands sports gambling with $750,000 bet on cricket through Stake
Drake has taken his high-stakes gambling habits to an unexpected arena—cricket. On Monday, the Canadian artist revealed via Instagram that he placed a $750,000 bet on the Indian Premier League team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to beat the Punjab Kings in today's final match. The post featured a screenshot of his betting slip, captioned with 'Ee sala cup namde,' a phrase meaning 'this year the cup is ours,' commonly used by RCB fans. He also tagged his long-standing partner, Stake. Photo: Instagram Drake has frequently shared his betting activity through Stake, with past wagers covering major events like the Super Bowl, UFC, and boxing. Drake also recently recalled his biggest gambling win, claiming a $40 million victory while playing roulette at Dave & Buster's in January 2024. 'The craziest night ever gambling, for sure,' he said. Drake's move into cricket has sparked global conversation and broadened the visibility of the sport among his audience. With the match yet to be played, all eyes are on whether his $750,000 gamble will pay off.
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay dies
Jim Irsay started his football career as a ball boy. He finished it as a team owner. Along the way, the NFL's music man created his own, unique brand. Irsay worked his way up through the organization, learning how to run a football team, restoring the Colts' once-proud tradition to glory and created what some have dubbed the greatest guitar collection on Earth - all while battling health issues and addictions to alcohol and painkillers. On Wednesday, Irsay's remarkable journey ended at age 65. Pete Ward, Irsay's longtime right-hand man, made the announcement in a statement, saying Irsay died peacefully in his sleep. "Jim's dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community and, most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed," Ward said. "Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson and his entire family as we grieve with them." Irsay had a profound impact on the franchise. With the help of Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian, Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy and Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, Irsay turned the Colts from a longtime laughingstock into a perennial title contender, even winning a Super Bowl title. He then used that success - and Manning's aura - to help convince city leaders to build a retractable roof dome stadium that opened in 2008 and eventually allowed Indy to host a Super Bowl. "I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay's passing," Manning said on social media. "He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL. His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten." More recently, though, Irsay battled health issues and became far less visible following a fall at his home Dec. 8, 2023.
