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New York Times
28-01-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NFL conference championship coaching decisions: Chiefs nail right calls in the clutch
Conference championship Sunday saw the Washington Commanders get blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles, but Washington's game plan could have given it a better shot at a massive upset. In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills at the Kansas City Chiefs was an immensely entertaining back-and-forth game in which getting coaching calls right in clutch moments mattered most. The Chiefs, as they always do, called the right plays and made the plays at the end of the game. Advertisement Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has been making smart adjustments to his offense since they lost to the Eagles in Week 11, but his game plan Sunday was questionable. How he called plays was affected by his team falling behind early, but when that happened in Week 16 against the Eagles, Washington stayed the course. GO DEEPER 'The floor has risen': Commanders looking ahead as they work through season-ending pain One of the more notable results of the Commanders' loss to the Eagles in Week 11 was receiver Terry McLaurin's disappearance from the game. Eagles rookie corner Quinyon Mitchell shut down McLaurin, but Kingsbury didn't help his receiver by moving him around to hunt better matchups. From Weeks 13 to the divisional round, McLaurin increased the rate of snaps lined up to the right to 24 percent (a 10 percent increase from Weeks 1-12). However, McLaurin again lined up to the left of the formation over 80 percent Sunday. The Eagles don't have their corners travel so McLaurin matched up with Mitchell for nearly the entire game. The results? Quinyon Mitchell lined up against Terry McLaurin on 36 of his 48 routes (75%), aligning in press coverage on half of those matchups. Mitchell allowed just one reception for 7 yards on 4 targets against McLaurin, including a fourth quarter interception.#WASvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly — Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 26, 2025 One reception for 7 yards against Mitchell. McLaurin's biggest play of the day, a 36-yard catch, came on the right side. The Commanders fell behind and likely ramped up the no-huddle snaps, which buckets McLaurin to the left. You can't let your best receiver get taken out of the game like that when you can make an easy schematic adjustment. I also was surprised at how few designed quarterback runs were called for Jayden Daniels. The Eagles defense doesn't have many weaknesses, but if there is one, it's quarterback runs. The Eagles have one of the best rushing defenses in the league, but they rank 18th in defensive success rate against shotgun runs in which the quarterback carries the ball (not including scrambles) in the regular season. Kingsbury didn't call a designed run for Daniels until 6:17 in the third quarter, when the Commanders were down 34-15. It went for 7 yards. He called another designed run on that drive that went for a touchdown. Those were Daniels' only carries on designed rushes for the entire game. Jayden Daniels takes it himself for a rushing touchdown 📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Early in the game, they used run/pass options (RPOs) rather than run options. 0:45 remaining in the first quarter, first-and-10 Here, the Commanders had a mid-zone concept paired with a slant/flat pass concept to the backside. It appeared linebacker Zack Baun was the read man because he was left unblocked. Daniels should be reading him. If Baun flew toward the run, Daniels would keep the ball and throw. If Baun hesitated or slow-played, Daniels should hand the ball off. However, after the snap, it didn't appear as if Daniels was reading Baun. Maybe he was watching him in his peripherals. Baun slow-played it so Daniels handed the ball off. Baun ended up defending the pass and making a solo tackle on the running back. RPOs are great, but Daniels is such a threat with his legs, his running should have been a bigger part of the game plan. Kingsbury ramped up the quarterback runs in the last two playoff games so it was odd that he didn't use much of it early against the Eagles, who play a lot of light boxes. The Commanders were outmanned but the high-volume passing script from the start of the game didn't give them much of a chance. GO DEEPER The Eagles did it their way in an NFC title game romp The Bills typically don't play a lot of man coverage, but they did against the Chiefs in their regular-season matchup and they cranked it up even more in the AFC Championship Game. Against man coverage, Patrick Mahomes was 16 of 19 for 169 yards and a touchdown. His expected points added (EPA) per dropback against man coverage was 1.19. To put that in perspective, 0.2 EPA is very, very good. Part of why the Bills played man is to stop tight end Travis Kelce, who is still a weapon against zone, as we saw the week before against the Houston Texans, but can struggle against man. Advertisement The strategy worked. Kelce only had two catches for 19 yards, but the tradeoff was expensive. The Chiefs receivers weren't handily winning their matchups but were getting wide open with great play designs, especially in high-leverage moments. Kansas City's running backs had four catches for 35 yards. 1:35 remaining in the fourth quarter, third-and-9 To ice the game and ensure they didn't give the ball back to Josh Allen for a potential game-winning or tying drive, the Chiefs needed to convert on third-and-9. Head coach Andy Reid expected man coverage and he was right. The Bills had a double on Kelce with a free safety over the top, so essentially a triple-team. Every other defender was in one-on-one coverage. The defensive backs to the three-receiver side were all playing with inside leverage because they didn't have inside help. Linebacker Terrel Bernard had running back Samaje Perine in coverage. Perine was lined up to the right but he ran a flat route to the left toward the three-receiver side. Bernard had to work through a heap of traffic to cover Perine. He couldn't get there and Perine was wide open for the game-sealing first down. Samaje Perine picks up clutch the first down! 📺: #BUFvsKC on CBS📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ — NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2025 If you play zone against the Chiefs, Kelce will find holes in the zone, but if you play man, Reid has too many well-designed man-beaters in his playbook and you have to deal with Xavier Worthy's speed and Mahomes' running ability. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has his hands full. Before the Chiefs sealed the game on Perine's catch, Allen and the Bills were stopped on fourth down with yet another clutch, clever defensive call by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Allen is known for his superhuman athleticism, but he's also an ace before the snap, sniffing out pressures and getting the offense into the right protections. It's not easy to fool him. Everyone knows Spagnuolo is going to bring pressure when the game is on the line, but the question is how and where will the blitz come from. 2:02 remaining in the fourth quarter, fourth-and-5 The Bills started in empty (no backs in the backfield) and they were in a condensed formation with every receiver within close proximity to Allen. This meant that they had no extra pass blockers and defensive backs had a shorter distance to the quarterback on blitzes. Spagnuolo is known for bringing defensive back blitzes against these types of formations, so getting into a formation that invites it and not having any additional blockers is a tough position to be in. GO DEEPER Chiefs' all-out blitz with Super Bowl berth on the line is defensive play call of the year Even though there were more defenders to the right of the formation, the line slid to the left. According to Bills sideline reporter Sal Capaccio, Buffalo guard O'Cyrus Torrence said the Chiefs like to show blitz from the opposite side of where they actually blitz, which is likely why they thought pressure was coming from their left. But the Chiefs blitzed from the right, away from where the line slid to. The Bills called a version of mesh in which slot receiver Khalil Shakir runs an orbit motion. If Allen sees someone following Shakir, he'll know it's man coverage and throw to him. No one followed Shakir, so Allen looked to his pass concept inside. The Chiefs looked like they dropped into some sort of zone, but it's hard to tell because they busted a coverage. Tight end Dalton Kincaid was wide open in the middle of the field. Because the line slid to the left, there were two unblocked blitzers to the right immediately after the snap. Allen had to scramble against the grain of the direction the blitzers were running to force them to change directions to buy a little bit of time. Amazingly, Allen found Kincaid with immense pressure in his lap. He threw a catchable ball, but Kincaid dropped it. It would have been an amazing catch, but the pass fell incomplete. The Chiefs make the stop on fourth down! 📺: #BUFvsKC on CBS📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ — NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2025 Unfortunately for the Bills, they once again failed to make the plays when it mattered most against their biggest obstacle to Super Bowl glory. Last year, Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins got pushed into Allen's lap when he had an open receiver in the end zone for a potential game-winning touchdown. This year, they failed to get the protection right and the ball was dropped in the game's most pivotal moment.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saquon Barkley's success with Eagles is 'middle finger year' to Giants, Kyle Van Noy says
During the two weeks before Super Bowl LIX, a storyline sure to be frequently revisited is Saquon Barkley playing in the big game with the Philadelphia Eagles one season after the New York Giants decided not to re-sign him as a free agent. Letting Barkley go to an NFC East rival was already a bad look. The decision appeared even worse when the seven-year veteran rushed for a career-high 2,005 yards, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark. And now, Barkley has an opportunity to win a Super Bowl after rushing for 115 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 55-23 NFC championship game victory over the Washington Commanders. SAQUON ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Meanwhile, the Giants finished 3-14, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. led the team with 839 rushing yards. The team is currently considering whom to take with the No. 3 selection in April's NFL Draft. On Yahoo Sports' "McCoy & Van Noy" podcast, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy said the Giants have to live with watching a generational talent who was once on their roster find great success elsewhere. "I just want to give my kudos to Saquon. How he's handled this whole situation has been just first-class," Van Noy said. "Always love to the Giants, but he's like, you know what, I got a new family. I got the Eagles. I'm gonna put the Eagles on my back like I did the Giants ... and go all the way. "He's used this year as a middle finger year," he added. "I literally see that in his play, the enthusiasm he has each and every time he gets the ball." McCoy agreed, saying, "it would give me so much gratification" to stick it to his old team like that. Van Noy added that the entire situation hasn't gotten enough attention and needs to be "put more on blast." It likely will over the next two weeks as the football media look for storylines to pursue. Barkley and the Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. Philadelphia ranked second in the NFL in rushing this season, averaging 179.3 yards per game, while the Chiefs allowed 101.8 rushing yards per game, finishing eighth in the NFL.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles heading back to Super Bowl after scoring most points ever in a conference title game against Commanders
As the Philadelphia Eagles headed into their bye week, they were 2-2. They got blown out by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. At the end of September, there was more talk about head coach Nick Sirianni possibly being fired and what was wrong with the Eagles than any hope of a special season. Since the end of September, the Eagles have lost just once and are on their way to Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles' 15th win in their past 16 tries was a 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game, the record for most points ever scored in a conference title game. Jayden Daniels did his best, completing 29 of 48 passes for 255 yards and two total touchdowns, but fell just short of becoming the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl. Instead, the Commanders self-destructed with ill-timed penalties and also four turnovers that led to four Eagles touchdowns. Give Philadelphia credit for taking advantage. It was a complete Eagles performance that showed why they're heading to the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts had his best game of the postseason, rushing for three touchdowns and throwing for more than 200 yards for the first time this postseason, finishing 20-of-28 for 246 yards. Saquon Barkley was great again, with a big 60-yard touchdown on his first touch and 118 yards rushing with three scores total. Philadelphia's defense gave up some yards and points, but made enough big plays to help out the offense. It was the first time since the 1940 NFL championship game, won 73-0 by the Chicago Bears, in which Washington allowed six rushing touchdowns in a game. The Eagles have one Super Bowl championship, which came seven years ago over the New England Patriots. Two seasons ago they were tied in the final minutes against the Kansas City Chiefs before losing. The way the Eagles have played over the past four months, they have a good shot at making up for that loss to the Chiefs, and getting that second Lombardi Trophy. The Commanders couldn't afford huge mistakes with turnovers in Philadelphia. In the first half, they made two. After Barkley broke a 60-yard touchdown run on the Eagles' first offensive play, Commanders receiver Dyami Brown had the ball punched out by Eagles All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun. The Eagles recovered in Washington territory and had a short drive capped by Barkley's second touchdown run to take a 14-3 lead. The Commanders stuck in the game, getting a touchdown from Terry McLaurin to cut Philly's lead to 14-12. But the Eagles drove for a touchdown in the final two minutes of the half and then it really got bad. Washington's Jeremy McNichols fumbled away the kickoff return, an unnecessary roughness penalty on cornerback Mike Sainristil for hitting Barkley out of bounds kept Philadelphia's drive alive and with 39 seconds left in the half A.J. Brown scored. That put the Eagles ahead 27-12. Touchdown A.J. Brown!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 The Commanders hadn't played that poorly. They were keeping drives alive with key third- and fourth-down conversions. Other than Barkley's first run they did a good job containing him in the first half. A field goal in the final seconds of the half helped. But giving up touchdown drives of 48 and 24 yards off turnovers was a brutal turn of events. Without those two mistakes, they probably wouldn't have trailed 27-15 at halftime. The Commanders are still an offseason or two away from having a roster like the other three teams in the conference championship round. They still had a chance Sunday because of Daniels. But Daniels' teammates weren't up to the task. Another fumble, from Austin Ekeler late in the third quarter at about midfield, led to another short field for an Eagles touchdown drive. Hurts got in on a Tush Push and the Eagles led 41-23. That score came after multiple offsides penalties on Washington at the goal line that caused the referee to warn the Commanders that if it continued the officials could award the Eagles a touchdown. The Eagles are too good to give points to. The Commanders gave them three touchdowns off of fumbles. As much as Daniels tried to keep his team in the game, he couldn't overcome that big of a hole. The Eagles eventually turned it into a blowout in the fourth quarter. Barkley's third touchdown of the game, which put the Eagles ahead 48-23 allowed Eagles fans to start their celebration early. Will Shipley scored the final touchdown on a 2-yard run with a little over three minutes left. The Eagles started the season slowly, and it looked like a continuation of last season's collapse. But they always had the talent to get on a long winning streak and look like the best team in the NFL. If they can play one more game like they did Sunday, this season that started with so many questions could end up with a championship. Magic Johnson, who owns a 4% stake in the Commanders, chimed in on his team's loss I hate losing so I'm mad that my Commanders lost but congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles for advancing to the Super Bowl. My Commanders hurt our chances of winning the game today with 3 fumbles and too many penalties. I want to thank all the Commanders players, coaching… — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2025 Total offense: 350 yardsJayden Daniels: 29/48, 255 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes, 48 yards, 1 TDZach Ertz: 11 catches, 104 yardsTerry McLaurin: 3 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD Total offense: 459 yardsJalen Hurts: 20/28, 246 yards, 1 TD; 3 rushing TDsSaquon Barkley: 15 rushes, 118 yards, 3 TDA.J. Brown: 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD * 7 rushing TDs The Eagles are off to the Super Bowl after a 55-23 win over the Commanders in the NFC championship game. Philadelphia will play in its second Super Bowl in three seasons. Will they get a rematch with the Chiefs? Philadelphia's 55 points are tied for seventh for most points ever in an NFL playoff game, according to StatMuse. 55 POINTS! — Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) January 26, 2025 However, it's not the most the Eagles have scored in a playoff game. They scored 58 on the Lions in 1995. The NFL record is 73 points by the Bears over Washington in 1940. The last team to crack 50 in a conference championship was the Bills... in 1991! Eagles just broke the record for most points scored in a conference championship ever, per @ insane 7 rushing TDs for 55-23 edge over Commanders. — Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 26, 2025 The Eagles didn't even wait until the 2-minute warning before dumping Gatorade on Nick Sirianni. Gatorade bath for Coach Sirianni 💦 — FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 26, 2025 After that 57-yard run, Will Shipley also gets a touchdown. Rookie Will Shipley secures the 50-burger 🍔📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 The Eagles have rushed for seven touchdowns today/ 👍 — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 This time, it was Will Shipley, not Saquon Barkley. But the rookie runs for 57 yards on first-and-10 from the Eagles' 36-yard line. Will Shipley takes off for 57 yards!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Jayden Daniels' deep throw to Terry McLaurin is picked off in the end zone by Quinyon Mitchell. This game was probably already decided, but with 4:57 remaining, the interception essentially clinches the Eagles' win. Quinyon Mitchell picks off Jayden Daniels!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 #Eagles' Jalen Hurts' ten rushing postseason TDs are the most for a QB in NFL history. He passed Steve Young. — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 26, 2025 The Eagles' 48 points is the most they've scored this season Eagles take a 48-23 lead. Saquon Barkley has 3 is the most points the Eagles have scored all season. — Zach Berman (@ZBerm) January 26, 2025 Saquon Barkley now has rushed for 414 yards and seven touchdowns this season vs. the Commanders. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 26, 2025 After a pass interference penalty places the ball at the Washington 8-yard line, the Eagles get into the end zone on two plays. A 4-yard catch by Dallas Goedert is followed by a 4-yard score by Saquon Barkley, his third TD of the game. SAQUON'S THIRD TOUCHDOWN!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Slow flag on this pass interference penalty, but it was a blatant grab by Jeremy Chinn. OBVIOUS FLAG ON JEREMY CHINN — 𝐃𝐈𝐄-𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 🦅 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 (@Eaglesfans9) January 26, 2025 The officials threatened to award Philadelphia a touchdown and straight from the NFL rulebook, here's how that could have happened, via ESPN's Jeff Darlington: I'd never heard of a rule that allowed referees to award a team a score as was suggested by the official in the Commanders-Eagles game, but sure enough, here it is. Rule 12, Section 3, Article 4. — Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 26, 2025 Here is a compliation of all three of Washington's encroachment penalties, the referee saying a TD could be awarded to the Eagles and Jalen Hurts' score. Full sequence of how the latest Jalen Hurts rushing TD went down. — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Following three encroachment penalties on the Commanders, the Eagles' Brotherly Shove breaks through for a touchdown. Jalen Hurts has his third rushing TD of the game. After a series of events… Touchdown Eagles!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 After three consecutive encroachment penalties inside the 1-yard line, the Commanders are warned that officials can reward Philadelphia a touchdown if they deem it necessary. This is the craziest encroachment I've ever seen. 😂 😂 #NFL #EaglesvsCommanders — FirstNameJ0hn (@FirstNameJ0hn) January 26, 2025 Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu is trying to beat the Brotherly Shove by leaping over the line to get to Jalen Hurts. But he's been called for encroachment on two consecutive plays. Frankie Luvu going for it — NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 26, 2025 Magic Johnson, who owns a 4% stake in the Commanders, chimed in on his team's loss I hate losing so I'm mad that my Commanders lost but congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles for advancing to the Super Bowl. My Commanders hurt our chances of winning the game today with 3 fumbles and too many penalties. I want to thank all the Commanders players, coaching… — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2025 Total offense: 350 yardsJayden Daniels: 29/48, 255 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes, 48 yards, 1 TDZach Ertz: 11 catches, 104 yardsTerry McLaurin: 3 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD Total offense: 459 yardsJalen Hurts: 20/28, 246 yards, 1 TD; 3 rushing TDsSaquon Barkley: 15 rushes, 118 yards, 3 TDA.J. Brown: 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD * 7 rushing TDs The Eagles are off to the Super Bowl after a 55-23 win over the Commanders in the NFC championship game. Philadelphia will play in its second Super Bowl in three seasons. Will they get a rematch with the Chiefs? Philadelphia's 55 points are tied for seventh for most points ever in an NFL playoff game, according to StatMuse. 55 POINTS! — Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) January 26, 2025 However, it's not the most the Eagles have scored in a playoff game. They scored 58 on the Lions in 1995. The NFL record is 73 points by the Bears over Washington in 1940. The last team to crack 50 in a conference championship was the Bills... in 1991! Eagles just broke the record for most points scored in a conference championship ever, per @ insane 7 rushing TDs for 55-23 edge over Commanders. — Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 26, 2025 The Eagles didn't even wait until the 2-minute warning before dumping Gatorade on Nick Sirianni. Gatorade bath for Coach Sirianni 💦 — FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 26, 2025 After that 57-yard run, Will Shipley also gets a touchdown. Rookie Will Shipley secures the 50-burger 🍔📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 The Eagles have rushed for seven touchdowns today/ 👍 — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 This time, it was Will Shipley, not Saquon Barkley. But the rookie runs for 57 yards on first-and-10 from the Eagles' 36-yard line. Will Shipley takes off for 57 yards!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Jayden Daniels' deep throw to Terry McLaurin is picked off in the end zone by Quinyon Mitchell. This game was probably already decided, but with 4:57 remaining, the interception essentially clinches the Eagles' win. Quinyon Mitchell picks off Jayden Daniels!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 #Eagles' Jalen Hurts' ten rushing postseason TDs are the most for a QB in NFL history. He passed Steve Young. — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 26, 2025 The Eagles' 48 points is the most they've scored this season Eagles take a 48-23 lead. Saquon Barkley has 3 is the most points the Eagles have scored all season. — Zach Berman (@ZBerm) January 26, 2025 Saquon Barkley now has rushed for 414 yards and seven touchdowns this season vs. the Commanders. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 26, 2025 After a pass interference penalty places the ball at the Washington 8-yard line, the Eagles get into the end zone on two plays. A 4-yard catch by Dallas Goedert is followed by a 4-yard score by Saquon Barkley, his third TD of the game. SAQUON'S THIRD TOUCHDOWN!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Slow flag on this pass interference penalty, but it was a blatant grab by Jeremy Chinn. OBVIOUS FLAG ON JEREMY CHINN — 𝐃𝐈𝐄-𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 🦅 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 (@Eaglesfans9) January 26, 2025 The officials threatened to award Philadelphia a touchdown and straight from the NFL rulebook, here's how that could have happened, via ESPN's Jeff Darlington: I'd never heard of a rule that allowed referees to award a team a score as was suggested by the official in the Commanders-Eagles game, but sure enough, here it is. Rule 12, Section 3, Article 4. — Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 26, 2025 Here is a compliation of all three of Washington's encroachment penalties, the referee saying a TD could be awarded to the Eagles and Jalen Hurts' score. Full sequence of how the latest Jalen Hurts rushing TD went down. — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Following three encroachment penalties on the Commanders, the Eagles' Brotherly Shove breaks through for a touchdown. Jalen Hurts has his third rushing TD of the game. After a series of events… Touchdown Eagles!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 After three consecutive encroachment penalties inside the 1-yard line, the Commanders are warned that officials can reward Philadelphia a touchdown if they deem it necessary. This is the craziest encroachment I've ever seen. 😂 😂 #NFL #EaglesvsCommanders — FirstNameJ0hn (@FirstNameJ0hn) January 26, 2025 Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu is trying to beat the Brotherly Shove by leaping over the line to get to Jalen Hurts. But he's been called for encroachment on two consecutive plays. Frankie Luvu going for it — NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 26, 2025
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles heading back to Super Bowl after scoring most points ever in a conference title game against Commanders
As the Philadelphia Eagles headed into their bye week, they were 2-2. They got blown out by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. At the end of September, there was more talk about head coach Nick Sirianni possibly being fired and what was wrong with the Eagles than any hope of a special season. Since the end of September, the Eagles have lost just once and are on their way to Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles' 15th win in their past 16 tries was a 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game, the record for most points ever scored in a conference title game. Jayden Daniels did his best, completing 29 of 48 passes for 255 yards and two total touchdowns, but fell just short of becoming the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl. Instead, the Commanders self-destructed with ill-timed penalties and also four turnovers that led to four Eagles touchdowns. Give Philadelphia credit for taking advantage. It was a complete Eagles performance that showed why they're heading to the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts had his best game of the postseason, rushing for three touchdowns and throwing for more than 200 yards for the first time this postseason, finishing 20-of-28 for 246 yards. Saquon Barkley was great again, with a big 60-yard touchdown on his first touch and 118 yards rushing with three scores total. Philadelphia's defense gave up some yards and points, but made enough big plays to help out the offense. It was the first time since the 1940 NFL championship game, won 73-0 by the Chicago Bears, in which Washington allowed six rushing touchdowns in a game. The Eagles have one Super Bowl championship, which came seven years ago over the New England Patriots. Two seasons ago they were tied in the final minutes against the Kansas City Chiefs before losing. The way the Eagles have played over the past four months, they have a good shot at making up for that loss to the Chiefs, and getting that second Lombardi Trophy. The Commanders couldn't afford huge mistakes with turnovers in Philadelphia. In the first half, they made two. After Barkley broke a 60-yard touchdown run on the Eagles' first offensive play, Commanders receiver Dyami Brown had the ball punched out by Eagles All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun. The Eagles recovered in Washington territory and had a short drive capped by Barkley's second touchdown run to take a 14-3 lead. The Commanders stuck in the game, getting a touchdown from Terry McLaurin to cut Philly's lead to 14-12. But the Eagles drove for a touchdown in the final two minutes of the half and then it really got bad. Washington's Jeremy McNichols fumbled away the kickoff return, an unnecessary roughness penalty on cornerback Mike Sainristil for hitting Barkley out of bounds kept Philadelphia's drive alive and with 39 seconds left in the half A.J. Brown scored. That put the Eagles ahead 27-12. Touchdown A.J. Brown!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 The Commanders hadn't played that poorly. They were keeping drives alive with key third- and fourth-down conversions. Other than Barkley's first run they did a good job containing him in the first half. A field goal in the final seconds of the half helped. But giving up touchdown drives of 48 and 24 yards off turnovers was a brutal turn of events. Without those two mistakes, they probably wouldn't have trailed 27-15 at halftime. The Commanders are still an offseason or two away from having a roster like the other three teams in the conference championship round. They still had a chance Sunday because of Daniels. But Daniels' teammates weren't up to the task. Another fumble, from Austin Ekeler late in the third quarter at about midfield, led to another short field for an Eagles touchdown drive. Hurts got in on a Tush Push and the Eagles led 41-23. That score came after multiple offsides penalties on Washington at the goal line that caused the referee to warn the Commanders that if it continued the officials could award the Eagles a touchdown. The Eagles are too good to give points to. The Commanders gave them three touchdowns off of fumbles. As much as Daniels tried to keep his team in the game, he couldn't overcome that big of a hole. The Eagles eventually turned it into a blowout in the fourth quarter. Barkley's third touchdown of the game, which put the Eagles ahead 48-23 allowed Eagles fans to start their celebration early. Will Shipley scored the final touchdown on a 2-yard run with a little over three minutes left. The Eagles started the season slowly, and it looked like a continuation of last season's collapse. But they always had the talent to get on a long winning streak and look like the best team in the NFL. If they can play one more game like they did Sunday, this season that started with so many questions could end up with a championship. Magic Johnson, who owns a 4% stake in the Commanders, chimed in on his team's loss I hate losing so I'm mad that my Commanders lost but congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles for advancing to the Super Bowl. My Commanders hurt our chances of winning the game today with 3 fumbles and too many penalties. I want to thank all the Commanders players, coaching… — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2025 Total offense: 350 yardsJayden Daniels: 29/48, 255 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes, 48 yards, 1 TDZach Ertz: 11 catches, 104 yardsTerry McLaurin: 3 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD Total offense: 459 yardsJalen Hurts: 20/28, 246 yards, 1 TD; 3 rushing TDsSaquon Barkley: 15 rushes, 118 yards, 3 TDA.J. Brown: 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD * 7 rushing TDs The Eagles are off to the Super Bowl after a 55-23 win over the Commanders in the NFC championship game. Philadelphia will play in its second Super Bowl in three seasons. Will they get a rematch with the Chiefs? Philadelphia's 55 points are tied for seventh for most points ever in an NFL playoff game, according to StatMuse. 55 POINTS! — Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) January 26, 2025 However, it's not the most the Eagles have scored in a playoff game. They scored 58 on the Lions in 1995. The NFL record is 73 points by the Bears over Washington in 1940. The last team to crack 50 in a conference championship was the Bills... in 1991! Eagles just broke the record for most points scored in a conference championship ever, per @ insane 7 rushing TDs for 55-23 edge over Commanders. — Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 26, 2025 The Eagles didn't even wait until the 2-minute warning before dumping Gatorade on Nick Sirianni. Gatorade bath for Coach Sirianni 💦 — FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 26, 2025 After that 57-yard run, Will Shipley also gets a touchdown. Rookie Will Shipley secures the 50-burger 🍔📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 The Eagles have rushed for seven touchdowns today/ 👍 — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 This time, it was Will Shipley, not Saquon Barkley. But the rookie runs for 57 yards on first-and-10 from the Eagles' 36-yard line. Will Shipley takes off for 57 yards!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Jayden Daniels' deep throw to Terry McLaurin is picked off in the end zone by Quinyon Mitchell. This game was probably already decided, but with 4:57 remaining, the interception essentially clinches the Eagles' win. Quinyon Mitchell picks off Jayden Daniels!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 #Eagles' Jalen Hurts' ten rushing postseason TDs are the most for a QB in NFL history. He passed Steve Young. — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 26, 2025 The Eagles' 48 points is the most they've scored this season Eagles take a 48-23 lead. Saquon Barkley has 3 is the most points the Eagles have scored all season. — Zach Berman (@ZBerm) January 26, 2025 Saquon Barkley now has rushed for 414 yards and seven touchdowns this season vs. the Commanders. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 26, 2025 After a pass interference penalty places the ball at the Washington 8-yard line, the Eagles get into the end zone on two plays. A 4-yard catch by Dallas Goedert is followed by a 4-yard score by Saquon Barkley, his third TD of the game. SAQUON'S THIRD TOUCHDOWN!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Slow flag on this pass interference penalty, but it was a blatant grab by Jeremy Chinn. OBVIOUS FLAG ON JEREMY CHINN — 𝐃𝐈𝐄-𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 🦅 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 (@Eaglesfans9) January 26, 2025 The officials threatened to award Philadelphia a touchdown and straight from the NFL rulebook, here's how that could have happened, via ESPN's Jeff Darlington: I'd never heard of a rule that allowed referees to award a team a score as was suggested by the official in the Commanders-Eagles game, but sure enough, here it is. Rule 12, Section 3, Article 4. — Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 26, 2025 Here is a compliation of all three of Washington's encroachment penalties, the referee saying a TD could be awarded to the Eagles and Jalen Hurts' score. Full sequence of how the latest Jalen Hurts rushing TD went down. — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Following three encroachment penalties on the Commanders, the Eagles' Brotherly Shove breaks through for a touchdown. Jalen Hurts has his third rushing TD of the game. After a series of events… Touchdown Eagles!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 After three consecutive encroachment penalties inside the 1-yard line, the Commanders are warned that officials can reward Philadelphia a touchdown if they deem it necessary. This is the craziest encroachment I've ever seen. 😂 😂 #NFL #EaglesvsCommanders — FirstNameJ0hn (@FirstNameJ0hn) January 26, 2025 Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu is trying to beat the Brotherly Shove by leaping over the line to get to Jalen Hurts. But he's been called for encroachment on two consecutive plays. Frankie Luvu going for it — NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 26, 2025 Magic Johnson, who owns a 4% stake in the Commanders, chimed in on his team's loss I hate losing so I'm mad that my Commanders lost but congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles for advancing to the Super Bowl. My Commanders hurt our chances of winning the game today with 3 fumbles and too many penalties. I want to thank all the Commanders players, coaching… — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2025 Total offense: 350 yardsJayden Daniels: 29/48, 255 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes, 48 yards, 1 TDZach Ertz: 11 catches, 104 yardsTerry McLaurin: 3 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD Total offense: 459 yardsJalen Hurts: 20/28, 246 yards, 1 TD; 3 rushing TDsSaquon Barkley: 15 rushes, 118 yards, 3 TDA.J. Brown: 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD * 7 rushing TDs The Eagles are off to the Super Bowl after a 55-23 win over the Commanders in the NFC championship game. Philadelphia will play in its second Super Bowl in three seasons. Will they get a rematch with the Chiefs? Philadelphia's 55 points are tied for seventh for most points ever in an NFL playoff game, according to StatMuse. 55 POINTS! — Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) January 26, 2025 However, it's not the most the Eagles have scored in a playoff game. They scored 58 on the Lions in 1995. The NFL record is 73 points by the Bears over Washington in 1940. The last team to crack 50 in a conference championship was the Bills... in 1991! Eagles just broke the record for most points scored in a conference championship ever, per @ insane 7 rushing TDs for 55-23 edge over Commanders. — Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 26, 2025 The Eagles didn't even wait until the 2-minute warning before dumping Gatorade on Nick Sirianni. Gatorade bath for Coach Sirianni 💦 — FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 26, 2025 After that 57-yard run, Will Shipley also gets a touchdown. Rookie Will Shipley secures the 50-burger 🍔📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 The Eagles have rushed for seven touchdowns today/ 👍 — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 This time, it was Will Shipley, not Saquon Barkley. But the rookie runs for 57 yards on first-and-10 from the Eagles' 36-yard line. Will Shipley takes off for 57 yards!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Jayden Daniels' deep throw to Terry McLaurin is picked off in the end zone by Quinyon Mitchell. This game was probably already decided, but with 4:57 remaining, the interception essentially clinches the Eagles' win. Quinyon Mitchell picks off Jayden Daniels!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 #Eagles' Jalen Hurts' ten rushing postseason TDs are the most for a QB in NFL history. He passed Steve Young. — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 26, 2025 The Eagles' 48 points is the most they've scored this season Eagles take a 48-23 lead. Saquon Barkley has 3 is the most points the Eagles have scored all season. — Zach Berman (@ZBerm) January 26, 2025 Saquon Barkley now has rushed for 414 yards and seven touchdowns this season vs. the Commanders. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 26, 2025 After a pass interference penalty places the ball at the Washington 8-yard line, the Eagles get into the end zone on two plays. A 4-yard catch by Dallas Goedert is followed by a 4-yard score by Saquon Barkley, his third TD of the game. SAQUON'S THIRD TOUCHDOWN!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Slow flag on this pass interference penalty, but it was a blatant grab by Jeremy Chinn. OBVIOUS FLAG ON JEREMY CHINN — 𝐃𝐈𝐄-𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 🦅 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 (@Eaglesfans9) January 26, 2025 The officials threatened to award Philadelphia a touchdown and straight from the NFL rulebook, here's how that could have happened, via ESPN's Jeff Darlington: I'd never heard of a rule that allowed referees to award a team a score as was suggested by the official in the Commanders-Eagles game, but sure enough, here it is. Rule 12, Section 3, Article 4. — Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 26, 2025 Here is a compliation of all three of Washington's encroachment penalties, the referee saying a TD could be awarded to the Eagles and Jalen Hurts' score. Full sequence of how the latest Jalen Hurts rushing TD went down. — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Following three encroachment penalties on the Commanders, the Eagles' Brotherly Shove breaks through for a touchdown. Jalen Hurts has his third rushing TD of the game. After a series of events… Touchdown Eagles!📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 After three consecutive encroachment penalties inside the 1-yard line, the Commanders are warned that officials can reward Philadelphia a touchdown if they deem it necessary. This is the craziest encroachment I've ever seen. 😂 😂 #NFL #EaglesvsCommanders — FirstNameJ0hn (@FirstNameJ0hn) January 26, 2025 Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu is trying to beat the Brotherly Shove by leaping over the line to get to Jalen Hurts. But he's been called for encroachment on two consecutive plays. Frankie Luvu going for it — NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 26, 2025
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27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas City Chiefs beat Buffalo Bills to clinch Super Bowl return
The Kansas City Chiefs moved to within one game of becoming the first team to win three successive Super Bowls with a 32-29 win over the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs became the first side to return to the season's finale for a shot at a third straight title and will face the Philadelphia Eagles, who beat the Washington Commanders 55-23, in Super Bowl LIX. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 245 yards and a touchdown in a close AFC Championship game, adding two more rushing scores. The teams traded touchdowns, Buffalo tying it up when Josh Allen found Curtis Samuel from four yards with more than six minutes remaining. SEE YOU BACK IN THE BIG GAME, @EAGLES. — Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 27, 2025 Mahomes set up Harrison Butker's field goal with just over three-and-a-half minutes on the clock to put the Chiefs ahead. Allen came up short on the fourth down, his long throw narrowly missing Dalton Kincaid, and the Chiefs were able to see out the clock. Allen threw for 237 yards and two scores for Buffalo. James Cook ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns of his own. It was the fourth time since 2021 that the Chiefs ended the Bills' season in the post-season.. The Chiefs will head to New Orleans for a meeting with the Eagles, who they beat in the Super Bowl two years ago. SAQUON 60 YARDS IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE 📺: #WASvsPHI on FOX📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley both rushed for three touchdowns as the Eagles thrashed the Washington Commanders 55-23 in the NFC Championship. Quarterback Hurts also threw a touchdown pass to AJ Brown as the Eagles took full advantage of some costly turnovers and penalties to reach their second Super Bowl in three years. After a lengthy opening drive only yielded a field goal for the Commanders, Barkley took the Eagles' first play from scrimmage for a 60-yard touchdown run, breaking a number of weak tackle attempts on his way to the end zone. Washington receiver Dyami Brown's fumble led to Barkley's second touchdown of the game from much closer range, the running back scoring from four yards to cap off a 48-yard drive after Brown had coughed up the ball near the sideline. The Commanders responded in style as Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for a 36-yard touchdown, but Austin Ekeler was stopped short on the two-point conversion attempt. A frantic end to the first half saw the Eagles gifted two chances for points which were both gratefully accepted, the first coming after Marshon Lattimore was penalised for pass interference on DeVonta Smith in the end zone. That meant the ball was placed on the one-yard line and Hurts was easily pushed across the goal line in what has become known as the 'Brotherly Shove' – a reference to Philadelphia's nickname of the City of Brotherly Love. To make matters worse, Jeremy McNichols fumbled on the kick-off return and on the ensuing Eagles drive, cornerback Mike Sainristil was flagged for unnecessary roughness for hitting Barkley as he went out of bounds. That gave Philadelphia a free first down which eventually turned into a four-yard touchdown pass from Hurts to Brown. Hurts and Daniels exchanged rushing touchdowns in the third quarter before the Eagles pulled away in the fourth, Hurts getting shoved into the end zone from a matter of inches after the Commanders conceded numerous penalties attempting to anticipate the snap. Barkley scored in a more conventional manner from four yards out to match his quarterback's tally and give the Eagles the luxury of taking their two stars out of the firing line, with rookie Will Shipley also getting on the scoresheet from close range after a 59-yard run earlier in the drive.
