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Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Interesting Details of Eagles' Super Bowl Ring Explained
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. On Friday night, the Philadelphia Eagles got to celebrate their Super Bowl victory once again. The 2024 roster gathered in Philly for a party, and each player received their unique-styled rings, designed by Jason of Beverly Hills. As always, the ring has plenty of important details that tell the story of the Eagles' entire 2024 season. Diamonds are a Bird's best friend — Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 19, 2025 In the word "Champions," there are 40 points of diamonds to represent the Eagles' points scored in the Super Bowl matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. On the wings of the rings, there are 0.9 carats to represent the six sacks and three takeaways in the Super Bowl. As dominant as the two-way effort was, the Eagles' defense was absolutely critical as they shut down the MVP-caliber quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. In order to get to the Super Bowl, the Eagles had a dominant regular season, which helped them gain home-field advantage in the postseason for the first round, at least. The bracket ended up giving them a home game for each playoff matchup. Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles poses for photographs on the Green Carpet at The Battery on July 18, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles poses for photographs on the Green Carpet at The Battery on July 18, 2025 in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe Eagles finished the regular season with a 14-3 record. After a 2-2 start, they fired off 10 wins in a row, which proved to the NFL they were the real deal. On the Super Bowl LIX logo, there are 10 points of diamonds to represent that streak. In total, the Eagles finished the year with 18 wins. Therefore, there are 18 green stones on the ring. On the inside of the ring, there is a Brazilian flag, which is where the season started. Although it was an Eagles home game, the team played one of the few international games this year. The Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers in Brazil to kick off their big year. Right under the flag is a motto, inspired by the head coach, Nick Sirianni. "Tough, Detailed, Together," it says. Under the motto is a list of scores throughout the Eagles' playoff run, which included games against the Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, and the Chiefs. The No. 145 represents the Eagles' NFL record of most points scored in the postseason. Perhaps, the most popular part of the ring is the wings. With the hit of a button, they pop out. The five diamonds on the button are there to represent the five players who scored points in the Super Bowl (Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, Cooper DeJean, DeVonta Smith, and Jake Elliott). It's all in the details — Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 19, 2025 Lastly, the wings have a hidden message, which also comes from Sirianni: "You can't be great without the greatness of others." While Sirianni has dealt with a lot of criticism throughout his tenure with the Eagles, he has overcome all of that and shines as a motivator within the organization. Clearly, his messages have stuck with the team and will remain with them forever, as the Super Bowl ring sheds light on those mottos. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Week 8 WNBA power rankings
The post Week 8 WNBA power rankings appeared first on ClutchPoints. 1. Minnesota Lynx (20‑4) Still the class of the league b. They've been dominant at home (11‑0) and boast the top defensive rating in the WNBA. Despite a rare two-game skid last week, they rebounded quickly. Napheesa Collier is playing MVP-caliber ball, and even with growing injury caution around her, their depth (e.g. Natisha Hiedeman) mitigates unfolding concerns. The Lynx are expertly balanced, stingy defensively, and explosive enough offensively to stay atop the standings. 2. Phoenix Mercury (15‑7) Emerging as a top threat. Phoenix has consistently improved, riding a strong defense (top‑3 defensive rating and highest opponent turnover rate). While they stumbled with rare back-to-back losses, they rattled off wins over Dallas and Minnesota to reaffirm their status. With key pieces back—Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas—and a healthy bench, they're peaking at the right time. Expect them to challenge for #1 soon. 3. New York Liberty (14‑6) The defending champs have regained form. After overcoming significant injuries to Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu, they strung together impressive wins recently, including victories over Las Vegas and Atlanta. Natasha Cloud has been a stabilizing force, and the offense remains elite (107.7 ORTG). Their recent winning ways and deep rotation make them clear contenders, though consistency will be key through the post-All-Star stretch. 4. Seattle Storm (13‑9) Seattle is playing efficient, disciplined basketball on both ends. A recent midseason surge brought their record to 7‑3 over their last 10. They rank high in advanced stats—third‑best defensive rating, strong on offense. Their veteran core—Ogwumike, Diggins, Magbegor—plus savvy depth, have steadied the ship. If injuries stay at bay, Seattle should remain in the top tier. 5. Washington Mystics (11‑11) Hot on the heels of the top teams. The Mystics put together a surprising three‑game sweep last week, including gritty wins over Chicago, Las Vegas, and Seattle by tight margins. Now 8‑6 in clutch games, their resolve is showing. With key rookies like Sonia Citron contributing amidst season‑opening injuries, they're trending upward heading into the final stretch before the break. 6. Indiana Fever (12‑10) After a 1‑2 start post‑All-Star, Indiana has bounced back, lifting their record above .500. Returning Caitlin Clark fueled two 99–102-point nights—their high-water mark offensively. Their offense looks fluid again with Clark on the court. While defense remains a question mark, their recent blooms and promising playoff positioning earn them a top‑half rank. 7. Atlanta Dream (13‑9) Poised but uneven. Atlanta opened strongly but slumped, dropping five of seven. However, they remain buzzy—with Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard All-Stars—and Brittney Griner still a steadying presence. Injuries have been a drag, but when healthy, their combination of interior threat and shooting punch could propel them back toward the playoff bubble. 8. Las Vegas Aces (10‑11) Temporarily misfiring. The reigning champions are under .500 with a shaky road record (5‑8). Yet they continue to lean on MVP candidate A'ja Wilson, who posted 34 points and 16 rebounds in a recent win . Jewell Loyd's scoring flare is still being integrated post-offseason shift . If they can recover chemistry and consistency, Vegas remains a threat. For now, though, they hover mid-pack. 9. Golden State Valkyries (10‑11) A strong showing from a first-year franchise. Golden State achieved 10 wins, unprecedented for an expansion squad. However, they've lost three of four, all to top‑8 opponents. Their record belies growth: solid defense, accidental wins, but occasional fatigue. How they respond to adversity will define their season trajectory, but they're certainly more than cellar fodder. 10. Chicago Sky (7‑15) On the rise. Chicago clawed out of a 3‑10 hole, going 4‑3 lately, highlighted by Kamilla Cardoso's return and Angel Reese's All-Star season. Reese has been a powerhouse: 17.8 PPG, 17 RPG, 4.8 APG over her last six games. But Courtney Vandersloot's ACL injury hurt depth. Still, incremental improvement puts them back on the radar as a potential late-season surprise. 11. Los Angeles Sparks (8‑14) Rebounding tad. The Sparks have emerged from the bottom three, roaring 2-of-3 last week. Wins at Indiana and over Connecticut were powered by Kelsey Plum, Azurá Stevens, and Cameron Brink. They're within striking distance of Dallas and Chicago. If they keep feeding their chemistry and supporting roles upgrade, LA might contend for a play-in spot. 12. Dallas Wings (6‑16) In a deep skid. After a meteoric bounce from 1‑11 to 6‑12, they've dropped three straight (all double-digit losses). Injuries sideline Tyasha Harris and Maddy Siegrist. Despite Paige Bueckers earning Rookie of the Month and being named an All-Star, it's been a rollercoaster. They're young and promising, but gaps in roster and experience leave them in a rebuilding phase. 13. Connecticut Sun (3‑19) Bottom dwellers in crisis. Connecticut lost 12 of its past 13 games. They've already suffered a franchise-worst slump, and with just 3 wins, they sit dead last in the East. Offseason upheaval—and potential franchise sale—has destabilized them. They're in desperate need of a turnaround, but unless something dramatic happens, the rest of the season may serve as damage control.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant Under Pressure: Can He Still Dominate in the NBA Finals?
Is Kevin Durant still a Finals MVP-caliber player? Ben Golliver of The Washington Post breaks down the intense pressure on KD to lead his team deep into the NBA playoffs. With younger stars like Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shining, can Durant reclaim his spot among the elite?
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joel Embiid shared logical explanation for his unfair ‘playoff dropper' label
We shouldn't let recent concerns about his injury woes cloud our memory. Regardless of what happens next with Joel Embiid's career, he has unquestionably been one of the NBA's most prominent superstars in its current era. A common conversation among hoops fans about the Philadelphia 76ers center often revolves around his playoff performances. On the one hand, Embiid has enjoyed robust career playoff averages of nearly 25 points per game, roughly 11 rebounds, and nearly two blocks a game. That is terrific. That is, more or less, exactly what you would want from your franchise player in the biggest games of the year. On the other hand, his average playoff shooting splits of 50-28-82 and a true shooting percentage of just 58 percent might leave something to be desired for a player considered a perennial MVP-caliber talent when he's healthy. Factor in the occasional high-profile egg, like a 5-of-18 shooting performance with just 15 points in a Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics in 2023, and it's not hard to see why some might criticize the Philadelphia big man for hanging his team out to dry in the postseason. But as Embiid explained in a new profile from ESPN's Dotun Akintoye, those who lean into the "narrative" about him being a playoff dropper are missing context. They seem to think he's the only star player capable of a rough night now and then when an elite defense is specifically game-planning for them: "What if I [Embiid] did this and I was like, 'You know what? I'm just going to chill all season and coast and average 25 [points]? Or 20.' And in the playoffs, I go average 30. Would that make me look great? Probably. If I went from averaging 23 to 30 -- a playoff riser. Oh, my God. Joel Jordan. Whatever. "The Brooklyn series two years ago is a perfect example. Double me everywhere. Half court, as soon as I had the ball, that coach was like, 'Go get it.' And guess what? I was fine with it because we kicked the ball out, we made shots, and we won. But guess what it did? It lowered the stats. "So, if that's the narrative that's out there, I'm OK with that because I know what I'm going through and I know what's going on. And no one is in my body to understand what I'm going through." That's such a logical explanation. Naturally, given Embiid's scoring prowess, opposing playoff teams are going to focus more of their attention on him like they would with any other star of his caliber. The sorts of regular-season defenses Embiid faces are also a lot easier to thrive against than smarter teams with better defensive talent, the same way it would be with any other star. That means the right play often means taking the ball out of his hands and trusting his 76ers teammates to make shots. Of course, this dynamic hasn't really worked out for Philadelphia, since it has yet to play in an Eastern Conference Finals during his career, but that doesn't mean it isn't correct. For someone like Embiid to have more of a "playoff riser" narrative, he would actually probably have to perform worse in the regular season, which doesn't make sense given how much the 76ers rely on him. So, the next time anyone tries to blast Embiid for failing the 76ers in the second season, remember this context. Some of the criticism will still be fair if he performs poorly in one-off playoff games. He is not above accountability. But let's not pretend that he isn't the only workhorse star that this happens to.
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson makes NFL.com's 'All-Under-25 Team' for 2025
'All-under-25 Team' features Falcons RB Bijan Robinson There's a lot to like about the Atlanta Falcons as they prepare to report for training camp on July 23. While the team has some major question marks on defense, the Falcons offense is loaded. Michael Penix Jr. will take over at quarterback after a promising finish to the 2024 season, and there are plenty of pieces around him. Not only does Penix have a true No. 1 wide receiver in Drake London, but Atlanta's offensive line is one of the better units in the NFL. Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts and Ray-Ray McCloud each present a threat of their own, however, running back Bijan Robinson is the straw that stirs the drink. The versatile playmaker finished third in the NFL with 1,456 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Plus, Robinson is a proven threat catching the ball out of the backfield (119 catches for 918 receiving yards in two NFL seasons). The former No. 8 overall draft pick was one of two running backs to make "All-Under-25 Team" for the 2025 season, along Jahmyr Gibbs of the Lions: While many kept their focus on Kirk Cousins in Atlanta last season, Robinson turned in an excellent campaign. He cleared his rookie total in rushing yards by nearly 500, finishing with 1,456 and 14 rushing scores. He also chipped in 61 catches for 431 yards and one touchdown and, most importantly, proved his first-round selection was not a reach. Since Robinson entered the NFL in 2023, he has forced 161 missed tackles on runs, more than anyone but Derrick Henry. Last season, Robinson led all players with 200-plus carries in rushing success rate, nearly cracking 50 percent, per Next Gen Stats, despite being a second-year pro in an offense led by a limited QB whose strengths as a signal-caller weren't maximized by the scheme anyway. Robinson has undoubtedly met the expectations that followed him into the league. -- Nick Shook, In many ways, the 2024 season was the year of the running back. Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry both produced MVP-caliber seasons, but that award is generally reserved for the NFL's top quarterback (even though Josh Allen won the award over Lamar Jackson last year). Robinson's all-around skill set is what makes him so tough to stop. Trying to bring the third-year back down in the open field has proven difficult for even the surest of tacklers. Don't be surprised if Robinson tops 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2025. Check out our latest Falcons 53-man roster projection one week before training camp begins!
