Latest news with #JudyBattista
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles ‘Vulnerable' in Rising NFC East Predicts NFL.com
The Philadelphia Eagles were the last team to repeat as NFC East champions when they wore the crown from 2001-2004. Since then, no team has won the division in back-to-back seasons. Based on offseason activity, has compiled a ranking of the teams most vulnerable to having their spot atop the division taken this season. Advertisement Ranked third-most in danger are the Philadelphia Eagles ... and not just because the pattern of NFC East finishes. "... Philadelphia could be in a dogfight to hold on to the crown again this season," wrote Judy Battista. While all three other teams improved in some capacity this offseason, many believe the Washington Commanders are the ones knocking on the door to break through for their first division championship since 2020. "The Commanders are a team on a very rapid rise, and whatever unsteadiness Jayden Daniels showed in his rookie season should be improved in 2025, especially because he will be behind an improved offensive line and have Deebo Samuel to target in addition to Terry McLaurin." Advertisement Washington's offense is geared up to be even more explosive than it was last season under Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels. Last season, the rookie QB powered his team to the fifth-highest points per game average in the NFL at 28.5. Daniels will now be more comfortable than ever and have a greater supporting cast to rely on if he falls into an unexpected sophomore slump. This could be scary for the Philly defense to prepare for. The Eagles were - and still are - one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, but it's hard to ignore some of the depth they lost this offseason, especially on defense. They saw five defensive backs and a collection of contributors on the defensive line depart in free agency. Advertisement However, Philadelphia will bring back the majority of their offensive firepower, lead by quarterback Jalen Hurts and Offensive Player of the Year running back Saquon Barkley. If they all stay healthy, Nick Sirianni's offense will be prepared to get into high-scoring affairs if that's what it takes to win. The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants also made noteworthy moves this offseason to strengthen their chances. However, their rosters currently feature more questions than answers in how it will all work on the field. The Commanders have shown they have what it takes. They enjoyed a taste of success last season, making an impressive run to meet the Eagles in the NFC championship game. They'll be out for even more in 2025. Advertisement The Eagles should be just as motivated to reclaim the East and make history as the first team to do so in two decades. Philly will get their first crack at the division when they take on Dallas in Week 1 on Thursday Sept. 4. Related: Eagles 'Most Underrated' Rank Tells Notable Story Related: Inside the Eagles Most Drastic Position Group Change
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How vulnerable are the Rams as defending NFC West champions?
How vulnerable are the Rams as defending NFC West champions? The Los Angeles Rams reclaimed the NFC West crown in 2024 after a two-year hiatus. While the team reloaded for 2025 by keeping a lot of their same players and upgrading at a few key positions, the rest of the division also made moves to try and knock the defending winners off the divisional pedestal. It's hard to gauge how vulnerable the Rams' title defense will be, but Judy Battista ranked which reigning division winners have the most to be worried about in 2025. She ranked the Rams in the middle of the eight at No. 4 most vulnerable, behind only the Lions, Ravens and Eagles. "Los Angeles won the NFC West by the slimmest of margins last season — it came down to the strength of victory tiebreaker over Seattle," Battista wrote. "And while I love the decisions to keep Matthew Stafford and sign Davante Adams, the biggest thing going for the Rams right now is we don't know what to expect from the rest of the division. "The Seahawks had a strong first season under coach Mike Macdonald, but they made the switch at quarterback from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold this offseason, and it's anybody's guess if Darnold can replicate the success he found with Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings' weapons in 2024. The 49ers appear to be in a reset period, enduring an exodus of key players like LB Dre Greenlaw in advance of handing QB Brock Purdy a huge contract extension. The Cardinals' defense should be improved with notable additions like free-agent signee Josh Sweat and first-round pick Walter Nolen, and if Marvin Harrison Jr. makes a big second-year leap, Arizona could push for a playoff spot. "Still, the Rams were far ahead of schedule in 2024 and surged in the second half of the season. That could give them more of a cushion in the division in 2025." Translation: The Rams get the benefit of the doubt for maintaining a lot of continuity, while the rest of the division is going through personal makeovers. This is still a competitive division, though. The Rams were walloped by the Cardinals in Week 2 and never faced a fully healthy 49ers team all year. The Seahawks games were also: An overtime win in Week 9 and a meaningless loss in Week 18 game where the Rams rested all their starters ahead of the playoffs. It's still anyone's division.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Network Insider comments on the Chiefs' offseason moves on the offensive line
NFL Network Insider comments on the Chiefs' offseason moves on the offensive line During an episode of NFL Network's The Insiders, Judy Battista detailed how the Kansas City Chiefs focused on improving the offensive line ahead of the 2025 NFL regular season. "While fixing that offensive line and getting that offensive line settled down was their number one issue going into the offseason. Obviously, it was laid bare by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. They've now committed quite a few resources to it," said Battista, "I mean, they just used their first round draft pick on a tackle. They spent money on it. They've thrown money at it in free agency. Now they need to get that offensive line on the field to the extent they can." The Chiefs traded All-Pro Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears and signed Jaylon Moore in free agency. Their first-round pick in the draft was Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons, who is rehabbing an injury. However, as Battista continues to explain, the front office is executing its plan. "As we know, the first round draft pick is rehabbing an injury, so we'll have to wait for training camp before he can go through a full workload, but they need to get that offensive line on the field and working together and settled last year." Battista "Part of the problem was there was so much shuffling going on, some of that was injury related, but they just couldn't get set. and it showed repeatedly week after week they need to get the offensive line set they need them to get their timing and their rhythm together, because that was their undoing last season. Everything else is in place for the Chiefs to make another big push this year if they can get this right." Kansas City has the league noticing its moves to fix a problem on the offensive line. It will be truly judged once Simmons is available and the line is stabilized.
NBC Sports
10-03-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
Biggest winners, losers so far in NFL free agency
senior national columnist Judy Battista joins the Dan Patrick Show to discuss which teams and players are the biggest winners and losers so far in the NFL free agency and offseason window.
NBC Sports
26-02-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Battista: Rams are 'a better team' with Stafford
NFL Network's Judy Battista joins the Dan Patrick Show to discuss why the Rams are still the best fit for Matthew Stafford, the Colts' "open" QB competition, how the Ravens could handle Justin Tucker and more.
