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USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Signature Eagles moments that were mysteriously left off of an NFL tribute
Six signature plays from the Eagles' past 25 years are absent from a ranking of iconic NFL moments. Just like that, Philadelphia Eagles fans are almost ready to put the bow on the new millennium's first 25 years. We've gone from fear that computers would stop working at the close of 1999 to the final six months of 2025. What have we learned, other than time flies? We can think of a few things. Many are more important than the following, but hey, what can we say? This one means a lot to us. Nothing compares to football. Nothing at all... Not the NBA, not the World Series. While baseball may be considered the national pastime, football is truly America's passion. Three iconic Eagles plays find their way onto a list of top NFL moments from the past quarter century. The Eagles have turned the page from this past season's Super Bowl run. The same is true of media members and fans who follow this team's every move, but the latter two contingents are often allowed the freedom to reminisce more often. Take CBS Sports' top 25 NFL moments of the 2000s' first 25 years. It's hard to trim two and a half decades down to 25 moments, but Cody Benjamin did a nice job. He also left off a few that should have made the cut. We'll discuss that more in detail in a moment. Topping Benjamin's list is David Tyree's helmet catch vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42. '4th and 26' didn't make the cut, but it earned an honorable mention. Three Eagles moments found their way onto the ranking: Saquon Barkley's backwards hurdle (25), DeSean Jackson's punt return vs. the New York Giants in 2010, a.k.a. the Miracle at the New Meadowlands (20), and the Philly Special (9). All are deserving entries, but let's be frank. Three noticeable inclusions are missing. Add these five Eagles highlights to CBS Sports' list Let's not waste a ton of time here. We'll acknowledge the three plays already mentioned, add 4th and 26, and include these last six. The Eagles trailed the Minnesota Vikings by a 7-0 score with 6:42 remaining in the first quarter. Patrick Robinson took care of that. His interception and TD return tied the score. Philly never looked back and won by a 38-7 margin. Everyone has their theory about when they knew the Eagles had Super Bowl 59 in the bag. For many, that thought came early. Cooper DeJean's pick-six off Patrick Mahomes' arm followed consecutive sacks on first and second down and put Philly up by a 17-0 margin. Whenever they have crossed paths, the Eagles have owned Sean McVay for most of his era as the L.A. Rams head coach. Saquon Barkley punished them during two games in his inaugural Eagles season. No one will forever forget his run through the snow. The Rams made a late rally, leading to tense moments, but if not for this beauty, Philadelphia wouldn't have outlasted Los Angeles in the snow. A ball-control offense by Ron Rivera's Washington Commanders helped eat up the clock and end the 2022 Eagles' undefeated streak at eight games. Two years later, it seemed Dan Quinn's squad hoped to employ a similar formula during the most recent NFC Championship Game. Washington chewed up the first 7:57 of game time but was only able to convert a field goal. Following the ensuing kickoff, a toss play was called to Saquon Barkley. There isn't an Eagles fan walking that doesn't remember how that turned out. Never have two Michigan Wolverines met on opposite sides and produced a more iconic moment. Once upon a time, the New England Patriots benefited from the tuck rule and saw a strip-sack overturned. Then came Super Bowl 52. Brandon Graham made one of the greatest defensive plays in Eagles history, knocking the ball from Tom Brady's grasp. A Jake Elliott field goal followed, placing Philly up by eight points. The score would hold, making this the greatest strip sack not only in Super Bowl history but in NFL history as well. Ah yes... Jason Kelce on the Rocky Steps. Name another victory parade speech that carried so many iconic moments. Hungry dogs run faster... No one likes us, and we don't carry... As kids, we memorized speeches in grade school. As adults, Kelce's offering is another that we may be able to recite verbatim.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Two Tennessee Titans' plays land in the Top 25 NFL moments since 2000
The Tennessee Titans are counting down the days until the start of training camp as they sit in the slow period of the NFL offseason. Over the next two weeks, they will finalize their roster and develop a plan to address some of the remaining unanswered questions. While the coaching staff and front office will be busy doing that, those outside of the organization and in the media will be scrounging for angles and storylines to cover. One of the trends that has emerged in recent weeks is counting down the top 25 of this century. So far, outlets have covered players, Super Bowls, and records, with more yet to come. The latest list, released Tuesday by Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports, ranked the top 25 moments or plays since 2000, and, of course, two of the greatest plays in Titans history made the list: The Music City Miracle and Yard Short 8. Music City Miracle (2000) The Bills are no strangers to big-game heartbreak, as we mentioned earlier. Their 1999 season was spoiled in January 2000, when the Tennessee Titans used a long lateral pass from Frank Wycheck to Kevin Dyson on the game's final kickoff to pull off a stunning 75-yard walk-off return touchdown. The only thing that mars the miracle in hindsight is the fact the Titans had another stunner coming (see below). That play will forever be remembered in Nashville and was brought back into the spotlight in January, when the Titans announced that Mike Keith, the voice of the Titans, was leaving the organization after 27 years with the franchise. Ironically, the announcement came at a time when fans reminisce about the play that led to possibly his most famous call. While some outside of the Titans' fan base still argue that the play should have been penalized as an illegal forward pass, the fact remains that it wasn't. The Motor City Miracle will forever live on as one of the greatest plays in NFL history 7. Yard Short (2000) It says something about this moment that it's remembered most for what could have been rather than what was. Super Bowl XXXIV was a historic triumph for the "Greatest Show on Turf" St. Louis Rams, who became an improbable legend of the game as MVP. But it was the Titans' near-miss that resonated as deeply as the Rams' last-second goal-line stand, which left Kevin Dyson stretching and stretching but never quite reaching glory. Of course, this may be the most devastating play in Titans history, and have the polar opposite effect than the Music City Miracle. Tennessee was one yard away from being Super Bowl champs, and today, that yard feels like a mile with the team in rebuild mode heading into the 2025 season.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers Urged to Sign Keenan or Amari as Aiyuk Insurance
49ers Urged to Sign Keenan or Amari as Aiyuk Insurance originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The NFL free agency period is all but over as many teams are content to enter training in a few weeks with the rosters they have. For the San Francisco 49ers, the mission this offseason was more about retaining key pieces than signing external players. Advertisement However, with top wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk being sidelined for at least the first month of the season, the Niners could be inclined to find a stopgap wideout among the few left in free agency. CBS Sports notes that Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen are clearly the most accomplished and valuable receivers still without a home for 2025. At this late stage of the offseason, they could be signed for cheaper than what they would usually go for. Writer Cody Benjamin names San Francisco as potential buyers for either player. "The 49ers used the first waves of free agency to purge rather than collect big names, but neither Allen nor Cooper would likely cost a ton at this point of the offseason," Benjamin wrote. "Yes, San Francisco's wide receiver corps is theoretically set for the long term with both Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall in tow, but the former is still recovering from a serious injury, and Pearsall only has 11 NFL games under his belt." Advertisement Insurance? That's part of the idea. Either Cooper or Allen could provide valuable leadership traits and experience that the 49ers will be missing with Aiyuk on the sidelines. Pearsall is entering just his second NFL season after a topsy-turvy rookie campaign. Jauan Jennings had a breakout year in 2024, but he's still just now becoming a reliable target. George Kittle will be one of the most-used receiving tight ends in football this season, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to relieve him of some of that load, given that he is also called to be a blocker. "After securing Brock Purdy for the long haul, it's not hard to envision Kyle Shanahan wanting to give his young quarterback added insurance out wide, especially in the form of a proven route-running possession target like Allen or Cooper," Benjamin added. Advertisement Purdy and his $53 million salary will already be facing a lot of pressure ahead of 2025 following the 49ers' disappointing season a year ago. An added receiving weapon with veteran experience could remedy any concerns of an ailing pass game. Related: 49ers' CB Search Should Include These 3 Free Agents Related: 49ers Trade Rumors Swirl Amid Brandon Aiyuk Statement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyst Calls Giants 'Best Fit' To Sign 'Spunky' Hero Odell Beckham Jr.
Analyst Calls Giants 'Best Fit' To Sign 'Spunky' Hero Odell Beckham Jr. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. During the dead period of an NFL offseason, rumors run rampant about aging free agents signing with specific teams that excite bored fans around the country. Advertisement The latest rumor centering around the New York Giants is no different. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin believes New York is one of the best fits for a reunion with three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. "Besides Beckham and a handful of current Giants teasing the possibility of a reunion tour, this actually makes some sense," Benjamin wrote. "OBJ is still a fan favorite among contingents of Giants faithful for the spunky playmaking that made him an NFL phenom at the start of his career. "And some added receiver depth couldn't hurt behind returning starters Nabers and Darius Slayton." In the prime of his career, Beckham was one of the best receivers in the league. He recorded 390 catches for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns in five seasons with Big Blue. Advertisement However, after a frustrating finish to the 2018 season, Beckham was traded to the Cleveland Browns. He was never the same following that trade. Ineffective play and a rash of injuries derailed what was once considered a Hall-of-Fame career for the former LSU product. At 32 years old, there's a belief around the league that OBJ may have played his last game. That is where a potential reunion with New York could come into play. Beckham is a free agent, hoping to get one last chance to show he can still play at a high level. Why not get a chance on the team for which he was once a superstar? Do you do it just because he's a "fan favorite'' who used to be "spunky''? Advertisement New York might need to answer that question, one way or another, as training camp approaches. Related: Giants Icon Lawrence Taylor Hit with Surprise Trash Talk By Michael Jordan Related: Jalin Hyatt Hoping For Resurgence After Major Offseason Change This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
High-Priced Buccaneers Cornerback Could be Trade Bait Ahead of 2025
High-Priced Buccaneers Cornerback Could be Trade Bait Ahead of 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Just a day after we wrote about Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean possibly being a cut candidate for the team, he's being named in a suggested trade. Advertisement The reason for him being a potential cut candidate isn't because of declining skills, but two other reasons. He's entering Year 3 of a four-year, $52 million deal and carries a massive $15 million cap hit next year. The Bucs also invested heavily on two corners in Round 2 and Round 3 of the draft this season. It's because all of those factors that he could be either a cut candidate or, even better, on the trade block. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin thinks the Las Vegas Raiders would be interested in acquiring Dean in a trade. 'Dean's six-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers includes a Super Bowl title and big-money extension, but the veteran has been frequently mentioned as a potential cut or trade candidate due to a $15 million 2025 cap hit, almost all of which the Bucs could clear from their books by dealing Dean elsewhere. Even if Dean is more serviceable than special at a lofty price,' Benjamin said. 'The Bucs are trying to defend their NFC South crown, and jettisoning such an experienced corner would put immediate pressure on rookie corners like Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish to have a playoff-caliber impact.' Advertisement Dean is also scheduled for a $15.7 million cap hit in 2026. That's a lot of money for a guy who might be relegated to a backup role at some point. It's a big decision for general manager Jason Licht, and could be dictated by the performance of some of this year's rookie class. Related: Analyst Names Buccaneers Third-Round Pick as Potential Cut Candidate Related: Buccaneers' Pass Catcher Predicted 'League-Winning WR' in Fantasy Football This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
