Latest news with #WildcardWeekend
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Puts the competition's credibility at risk': Two teams blocked from making NRL finals
NRL boss Peter V'Landys has told Yahoo Sport Australia that a proposal for a 'Wildcard Weekend' that would radically alter the top-eight finals system is "not on the agenda" and probably won't be in the near future. The mooted plan appears dead and buried as both the NRL and clubs continue to show little appetite for change. A plan to give teams finishing 9th and 10th a crack at making the top-eight by taking on teams 8th and 7th respectively in a Wildcard Weekend was put to club bosses a number of years ago. Under the re-jigged format, teams in the top six would be warehoused for a week after the end of the regular season as the Wildcard Weekend played out. The winner of the two wildcard games would then join the top six teams for week one of the finals. If the current NRL standings were to stay the same at the end of the 2025 regular season, a Wildcard Weekend would have the seventh-placed Sharks taking on the Sea Eagles (10th) and the eighth-placed Dolphins going up against the Roosters (ninth). RELATED: NRL fans left fuming after Latrell Mitchell act goes unpunished Hammer blow for Sharks after star suspended for rest of season Graham Annesley had floated idea for 'Wildcard Weekend' The idea behind giving two teams outside the eight the chance to make the finals was to reduce the number of "dead" games over the closing stages of the season. Stats showed, on average, there were 23 "dead" matches – where one or both teams could not make the finals – each season. This impacted attendances, TV ratings and merchandise sales, costing clubs vital revenue. The NRL's head of elite football operation, Graham Annesley, told clubs at the time a Wildcard Weekend could help recoup some of those losses. "You often hear clubs (outside the eight) say mathematically we can still make it, but mathematically means you have to win every game," he said previously. "If you've missed the eight for multiple years, trying to get members to re-sign for the following year can be difficult. So if this is a way of keeping that engagement and that involvement from everyone associated with the game it is at least worth considering." Peter V'landys rejects idea for 'Wildcard Weekend' The clubs did consider Annesley's proposal but ultimately rejected it. And it appears there is still little support for the concept after it was raised again over the weekend. ARL chairman V'Landys told Yahoo Sport Australia: "It's not on the current agenda and I don't think it will be (in the near future)." One club CEO added: "There was a general feeling the season was long enough without adding another week to it. "And it puts the competition's credibility at risk if you have a team that finished 9th or 10th going on to win the title, as unlikely as that might sound. An eight-team finals system in a competition with 17 sides is about right." Proponents of the Wildcard Weekend could look to revive the idea when new franchises in Perth and PNG are added to the NRL over the next few years. The Perth Bears will enter the competition in 2027, while PNG will come in the year after. How an NRL 'Wildcard Weekend' would work Teams finishing in top six get the weekend off 7th v 10th - (Cronulla v Manly on current standings) 8th v 9th - (Dolphins v Roosters) Losing teams eliminated, winning teams secure 7th and 8th spots in traditional finals format
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles Scheduled For Monday Night Football Rematch With NFC Rival
Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles may have anticipated an early announcement, maybe even two regarding their 2025 regular season schedule. That number has climbed to four after another announcement came forward Tuesday morning. The Eagles will visit the Green Bay Packers in Week 10 with the game airing on ESPN Monday Night Football. Philadelphia and Green Bay matched up twice last season, once in the regular season and the second time in the NFC Wildcard round. Advertisement The Eagles won both matchups, taking the first 34-29 in the NFL's first game in Brazil before beating the Packers again 22-10 during Wildcard Weekend. Of these four initial announcements, this marks the fourth different day that the Eagles are set to play on this season. They already have games slated on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Philadelphia got their first announcement Monday, learning that they would open the season Thursday, Sept. 4 , against the Dallas Cowboys. Another NFC East contest came through the wire as well with the Eagles set to face the Washington Commanders in Week 16. Then there is the Black Friday game set for Nov. 28 when they will host the Chicago Bears. Already, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the rest of the Philly crew have some high profile prime time matchups on the path to their title defense. Advertisement Wednesday could bring at least one more of those opportunities though fans may want at least one big game kept as a surprise. Nonetheless, these reveals are building some excitement at a bit of a down time on the schedule. Related: Commanders vs. Eagles NFC Showdown Announced For Week 16 Related: Commanders Disrespected After NFC East Kickoff Announcement
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is the Eagles' backup quarterback? Philadelphia QB depth chart
Who is the Eagles' backup quarterback? Philadelphia QB depth chart Show Caption Hide Caption Bo Nix or Jayden Daniels: Which rookie quarterback is more impressive? Sports Seriously's Mackenzie Salmon asks Tyler Dragon about the rookie quarterbacks that are heading into Wildcard Weekend. Sports Seriously The Eagles are entering the NFC championship game with a starting quarterback that's less-than 100% healthy. Who will they turn to if he goes down? Starter Jalen Hurts was banged up while taking a sack during the Eagles' divisional round win against the Rams last weekend. While he was taken to the ground, his left knee buckled awkwardly underneath the rest of his body weight. Hurts played out the remainder of that game, and he's in line to start again in the NFC title game. He told reporters earlier this week that he'll be wearing a knee brace on Sunday against the Commanders. Should Hurts aggravate his knee injury, the Eagles have two more quarterback options on their depth chart to turn to. Who is the Eagles backup quarterback? Kenny Pickett, a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, is Hurts' backup. Pickett started one game (Week 17 vs. Dallas) and entered in relief of an injured Hurts in Week 16 vs. the Commanders. Eagles QB depth chart Philadelphia has three quarterbacks on their roster entering Sunday's NFC championship game against the Commanders. Here's how it looks: Pickett entered the league as the Steelers' first-round pick in 2022. After Pittsburgh signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson in the offseason, it traded Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for a 2024 third-rounder and two 2025 seventh-round picks. McKee was the Eagles' sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He made his first appearance in an NFL game in Week 17 this year after Pickett re-aggravated a rib injury. McKee's first career start came one week later in Week 18 against the Giants, and he picked up his first career win in the matchup. Kenny Pickett stats Pickett has had to fill in for Hurts in a couple of games during the regular season while the starter was dealing with a concussion. He appeared in five games in 2024, with the bulk of action coming in Weeks 16 and 17. Here are Pickett's stats from those five regular season appearances:
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where to watch Eagles vs. Commanders in NFC championship game: TV, live stream
Where to watch Eagles vs. Commanders in NFC championship game: TV, live stream Show Caption Hide Caption Bo Nix or Jayden Daniels: Which rookie quarterback is more impressive? Sports Seriously's Mackenzie Salmon asks Tyler Dragon about the rookie quarterbacks that are heading into Wildcard Weekend. Sports Seriously Avert your eyes, Giants fans! Plug your ears, Cowboys faithful! With the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game, the NFC (B)East is guaranteed to see one of its teams compete for a Lombardi Trophy this year. The winner of Sunday afternoon's game will face off against the other conference championship winner – either the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs – in Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. The Eagles are playing in their second conference championship in three years. Philadelphia beat the 49ers in the NFC championship game two years ago before losing to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 57. Watch Eagles vs. Commanders with Fubo FREE trial Washington is playing in its first NFC title game since 1992, which it won before defeating the Bills in Super Bowl 26. Here's what to know about this year's NFC championship game, from how to watch to betting odds: NEED HELP MAKING PICKS? Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions Where to watch Eagles vs. Commanders game today Location: Philadelphia Philadelphia Venue: Lincoln Financial Field Lincoln Financial Field Date: Sunday, Jan. 26 Sunday, Jan. 26 Time: 3 p.m. ET 3 p.m. ET Game: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders The Eagles and Commanders will meet for a third time this season in the NFC championship game on Sunday. This time, a trip to Super Bowl 59 is on the line. What channel is Eagles vs. Commanders today? TV channel: Fox (Watch with Fubo FREE trial) Fox owns the broadcast rights to Eagles vs. Commanders, so fans can watch the game on their local Fox affiliate on Sunday afternoon. Eagles vs. Commanders live stream free Live stream: Fubo Fans who prefer to stream Eagles vs. Commanders can do so with a subscription to live TV and sports streaming provider Fubo. Don't miss another NFL playoff game with a Fubo subscription Eagles vs. Commanders predictions Eagles 30, Commanders 20 Washington was the road underdog in both of its playoff games so far and came away victorious in both. But the Commanders have not faced a defense as strong as Philadelphia's during this playoff run. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels picked apart the Buccaneers' pass defense to the tune of a 68.5% completion rate, 268 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers were even better against the banged-up Lions defense, and Washington was able to get its run game going as well against Detroit's injury-depleted defensive front. After turning the ball over on downs on their first possession last weekend, Daniels and the Commanders completed four consecutive scoring drives to build a 31-21 halftime lead that they never gave back. The NFC East runners-up face a much taller task against an outstanding (and healthier) Eagles defense in the NFC championship game. Philadelphia held its first two postseason opponents to a combined completion rate under 60% and picked off Packers quarterback Jordan Love three times in the wild-card round. Daniels played well against the Eagles in the two regular-season clashes between these divisional opponents, but the Commanders had trouble getting their run game going in those games. If those issues don't get resolved against the exceptional front seven Philadelphia has, Washington's offense will start to look one-dimensional, which would be a big problem against Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and his squad. Additionally, the Commanders will have to figure out a way to stop running back Saquon Barkley and the Eagles' rushing offense as a whole. Barkley has had more success against Washington than any other team in his career, and the Commanders already allowed big days to opposing tailbacks in their first two playoff games. Washington has stayed out of too much trouble by winning the turnover margin to help stay in games, but if Philadelphia gets an early lead, they'll pound the rock with Barkley and march to another Super Bowl appearance. Eagles vs. Commanders odds The Eagles are favorites to defeat the Commanders, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week. Spread : Eagles (-6) : Eagles (-6) Moneyline : Eagles (-300); Commanders (+240) : Eagles (-300); Commanders (+240) Over/under: 47.5 Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered for the conference championships. New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. FEELING LUCKY? Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week Eagles vs. Commanders stats, history As divisional rivals and two of the oldest teams in the NFL, Philadelphia and Washington have one of the longest-running rivalries in the sport. The Commanders and Eagles have met a total of 182 times, including one playoff matchup: a 20-6 Washington win in the wild-card round in 1991. Washington also holds the slight edge in all-time regular-season clashes with 89 wins, 86 losses and six ties. Earlier this season, the Eagles won the first meeting between the two teams at home, 26-18. The Commanders won the second meeting when they hosted the intradivisional game in Maryland, 36-33. Watch Eagles vs. Commanders with Fubo FREE trial Eagles vs. Commanders play-by-play You can follow the Eagles and Commanders play-by-play here. NFL'S WORST PLAYOFF MOMENTS: Mark Andrews' drop joins list of infamous lows NFL playoff picture Here's the full, finalized NFL playoff picture after the conclusion of the regular season: AFC NFC NFL playoffs schedule The NFL playoffs kicked off on Saturday, Jan. 11, and they'll conclude on Feb. 9 with Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. Wild card round Saturday, Jan. 11 Sunday, Jan. 12 Monday, Jan. 13 Divisional round Saturday, Jan. 18 Sunday, Jan. 19 Conference championship round All times Eastern Sunday, Jan. 26 Super Bowl 59
