Happy New Year 2025

Tag: championship

Eagles pummel Commanders, punch ticket to Super Bowl LIX with NFC Championship win

The Philadelphia Eagles are back in the Super Bowl after the dynamic duo of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley combined for six rushing touchdowns in the 55-23 beatdown of the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship.

Philadelphia will wait to see who will represent the AFC in Super Bowl LIX, as the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills get underway in the Midwest on Sunday night.

Hurts and the Eagles were in the “Big Game” in 2022, where they lost to the Chiefs in Arizona. But what the Eagles didn’t have then was Barkley, the NFL’s leading rusher in 2024, and he showed why he might be the missing piece to win the Vince Lombardi after an incredible performance at home.

SIGN UP FOR TUBI AND STREAM SUPER BOWL LIX FOR FREE

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)

On just the first offensive snap for the Eagles in this game, following an 18-play Commanders opening drive that ended with a field goal, Barkley ripped off a 60-yard touchdown run to immediately put the Eagles up 7-3 after the extra point.

The Commanders’ response wasn’t a good one, as receiver Dyami Brown fumbled after a Zack Baun punch while tackling his opponent. And unfortunately for Washington, fumbles became a bad trend throughout this game.

The last time these two teams played, the Commanders turned the ball over five times. However, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders ended up winning on a last-second drive in a 22-point fourth quarter.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

But the comeback didn’t happen this time with the turnovers, as Jeremy McNichols fumbled on a kick return near the end of the first half, and Austin Ekeler fumbled in the second half.

And all of those turnovers led to touchdowns.

Barkley scored from four yards out after the Brown fumble, and Hurts got his first tush push score of the game to make it 20-12 near halftime, he found A.J. Brown for his only passing touchdown of the content to take a solid 27-12 lead into the locker room.

The second half, though, is where things unraveled for Dan Quinn’s Commanders, as Hurts’ second touchdown on the ground was a nine-yard score in the third quarter to make it 35-14. And despite Daniels scoring on the ground himself to cut the lead a bit, Ekeler’s fumble saw another tush push touchdown for Hurts to make it three on the night.

With desperation on their sideline, Quinn had no choice but to force Daniels to go for it on every fourth down as the fourth quarter began, and Nolan Smith’s sack on fourth-and-11 ultimately led Barkley to his third touchdown with a four-yard run, which basically sealed the deal at 48-23.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown (11) and Washington Commanders’ Marshon Lattimore (23) exchange words after a play during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The last-ditch effort from Daniels in the fourth was a deep ball down the left sideline to Terry McLaurin, who scored a 36-yard touchdown earlier in the game, but it was intercepted in the end zone by rookie Quinyon Mitchell.

The cherry on top for Philadelphia was, with the backups in the game, Will Shipley scoring a touchdown from two yards out after ripping a 57-yard run earlier in the drive.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Celebrations ensued for the home team, and rightfully so after incredible performances from Hurts (20-for-28 for 246 yards), Barkley (15 rushes for 118 yards) and Brown (six catches for 96 yards).

For the Commanders, Zach Ertz, the former Eagles tight end, certainly did his part with 11 catches for 104 yards. Daniels finished 29-for-48 for 255 yards, while rushing for 48 yards on six carries.

Stream Super Bowl LIX for free on Tubi. (Tubi)

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 26, 2025
Taylor Swift arrives at Chiefs-Bills AFC Championship in black Louis Vuitton outfit

Taylor Swift arrived at Arrowhead Stadium dressed in a black jacket with gold Louis Vuitton lettering as she got set to cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills later on Sunday.

Swift also wore a black Louis Vuitton beanie, a black skirt and red tights as she was seen in the tunnel before she went up to her suite to watch the game with her crew.

SIGN UP FOR TUBI AND STREAM SUPER BOWL LIX FOR FREE

Taylor Swift arrives at Arrowhead Stadium before the AFC Championship on Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The pop star has been at a few Chiefs games this season between some breaks in between her “Eras Tour.” But now that the tour is over, Swift is back in her place at Arrowhead Stadium leading the Chiefs Kingdom in their support for Kelce and company.

Last week, Swift was seen sitting with Caitlin Clark as the Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans. The Indiana Fever star is a massive Chiefs fan. They were seen celebrating Kelce’s touchdown in the second half of the game.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Taylor Swift and her team arrive at Arrowhead Stadium before the AFC Championship on Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Kansas City is hoping to do the unthinkable: win three consecutive Super Bowl titles. No NFL team has accomplished the feat since the league merged with the American Football League.

Swift was right by the Chiefs’ side during last year’s playoff run, which included a divisional-round victory against the Bills.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Stream Super Bowl LIX for free on Tubi (Tubi)

Patrick Mahomes is 3-0 against Josh Allen and the Bills in the playoffs, but Buffalo had Kansas City’s number during their regular-season meeting in New York.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 26, 2025
Bills’ Mack Hollins drums up fashion statement with ‘Muppets’ gear at AFC Championship

Buffalo Bills eccentric wide receiver Mack Hollins did much more than just walk into a stadium barefoot again on Sunday ahead of the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hollins showed up at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium wearing a full “Animal” costume, a beloved Muppets character, and it included a big, red head.

Hollins also wore a red-and-yellow crop top shirt and beige cutoffs just like Animal.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)

It might be Chiefs colors, but Animal is known for being wild and unpredictable when playing for the fictional “Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem” band.

Perhaps that’s the type of mindset Hollins has entering enemy territory, wanting to be an animal to help his Bills reach the Super Bowl.

CHIEFS MAY HAVE ONE ADVANTAGE OVER THE BILLS AHEAD OF THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP, ANDY REID SAYS

Hollins has turned heads by showing up in freezing cold temperatures on game day without any shoes or socks.

He’s a big advocate of “grounding,” also known as earthing, where you walk with bare feet to connect to the planet’s natural electrical charge. It provides a therapeutic release for many.

Hollins also has a growing social presence, especially on TikTok, where he shares homecare tips, fun science projects for kids, and more.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. (Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images)

But Hollins’ primary focus is making this latest chapter of the Bills-Chiefs rivalry have a happy ending for his squad.

The Chiefs head into their home field advantage as the favorites to reach the Super Bowl for the third straight season, with hopes of becoming the first team in league history to win three straight Vince Lombardi trophies.

Meanwhile, Josh Allen and the Bills want to finally get their shot at the Super Bowl, which would be the first time Buffalo reaches the “Big Game” in 31 years.

Allen is one that sprays the ball around the field, and Khalil Shakir is usually the security blanket for him in the pass game. Hollins, though, provides a big-body presence, especially in the red zone.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins reacts to catching a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In these playoffs, Hollins has one catch on two targets in each game. During the regular season, he had five touchdowns on his 31 receptions for 378 yards.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 26, 2025
Jayden Daniels’ mom reveals why Commanders rookie remains single heading into NFC Championship

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will soon take the field for the biggest game of his football career.

Daniels threw a pair of touchdowns during last week’s win over the top-seeded Detroit Lions to help Washington secure an upset victory and advance to the NFC Championship for the first time in more than three decades.

Many players from both the Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles will likely have the full support of their significant other for Sunday’s big game. But, don’t expect a girlfriend to be rooting Daniels on from the stands – according to his mother.

The young signal caller and leading offensive rookie of the year candidate’s mom, Regina Jackson, recently suggested her son is not dating anyone.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Quarterback Jayden Daniels of the LSU Tigers and his mother pose with The Heisman Memorial Trophy on Dec. 9, 2023, in New York City. (Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)

Jackson shared some concerns she has for her son amid the Heisman Trophy winner’s stellar rookie campaign and his rising NFL stardom.

COMMANDERS VS. EAGLES: NFC EAST RIVALRY BY THE NUMBERS

“Girls, them girls.” she responded when asked about what she worried about as Daniels prepared to make the leap to the NFL in a clip posted by Amazon Prime Video from the streaming services docuseries “The Money Game.” The series explores how college athletes managed opportunities that arose due to the advent of name, image, and likeness (NIL).

“Some girl out here, she’s got a Jayden Daniels wall and her mama says, ‘Hey honey, you’re going to be the one to get ‘em.’ And I know that sounds crazy, but I guarantee there’s someone who’s trying to get their hooks into Jayden Daniels,” Jackson said about women who look to her son for financial gain.

“So thank god he got a mama like me because it ain’t happening,” she added.

Regina Jackson, mom of Jayden Daniels of the Arizona State Sun Devils, celebrates a 42-23 win over the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl on Oct. 2, 2021, in Pasadena, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Former Eagles running back and FOX Sports co-host LeSean McCoy commented in apparent agreement by saying, “Sound like my mom lol the MOMs KNO.”

Daniels did not appear to be shocked by Jackson’s remarks

“I bet she did say something like that,” the former LSU star said as he smiled and laughed. This was not the first time Daniels spoke about his mother’s efforts to make sure her son has a trustworthy group around him.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws a pass against the Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Jan. 18, 2025. (Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images)

“Nothing gets past my mama,” Daniels told Boardroom in December. “She reads people, she doesn’t want to put people around me that she doesn’t feel will benefit me.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Eagles will welcome the Washington Commanders to Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. On the AFC side, the Kansas City Chiefs host the Bills in the second conference championship game of the day. The winners from each of those contests will meet in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 26, 2025
Chiefs may have one advantage over the Bills ahead of the AFC Championship, Andy Reid says

Tom Brady discusses officiating and the Chiefs | The Herd

Patrick Mahomes said “a lot of other plays decided the outcome” regarding the Kansas City Chiefs’ controversial win over the Houston Texans. Colin Cowherd and Tom Brady discuss officiating and the Chiefs and whether there are any issues.

The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to playing in big games, especially against the Buffalo Bills.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked on Wednesday if the Chiefs had an advantage over the Bills in the AFC Championship game due to so many players having experience in these types of games.

“Listen, it normally doesn’t hurt, for sure. I don’t know how you weigh out the advantage of it, but I feel like we play these guys all the time. They know us, we know them but … to answer your question, I’m glad we have all those guys, and you’ll need all of them,” Reid said in his press conference.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines against the Houston Texans during the first half of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Denny Medley-Imagn Images)

The Bills were the only team to beat the Chiefs when they played their starters in a game this season in Week 11.

The Bills won 30-21, capped off by Josh Allen’s 26-yard touchdown run on fourth and two to seal the game.

That matchup was in Buffalo, while the AFC Championship game is in Kansas City.

The Bills are 4-3 against the Chiefs in their last seven games, however those three losses have all come in the playoffs.

Last season, the Chiefs eliminated the Bills in Buffalo in the AFC Divisional Round before beating the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship.

TOM BRADY SAYS QBS WHO SCRAMBLE ‘SHOULD LOSE THEIR PROTECTION’ AMID PATRICK MAHOMES CONTROVERSY

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football AFC divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The Chiefs beat the Bills 42-36 in overtime in the Divisional Round a couple of years ago in one of the most legendary playoff games in recent memory.

In the season prior to that epic Divisional round game, the Chiefs outlasted the Bills 38-24 in the AFC Championship.

This season, Kansas City went 15-2 and earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye and an easier path to the Super Bowl than Buffalo.

The Chiefs beat the Houston Texans 24-13 in the AFC Divisional round, while the Bills had to play two games.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates with wide receiver Curtis Samuel (1) after Samuel’s touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

The Bills beat the Denver Broncos 31-12 in the Wild Card round and then beat the Ravens 27-25 in the Divisional Round.

Round four between the two AFC powerhouses will come on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

Only then will Reid find out wherher his players’ big game experience will give them an advantage.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

January 23, 2025
Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka reflects on how Buckeyes rallied from Michigan loss to win national championship

Two days after Thanksgiving, Ohio State’s national championship hopes seemed all but over.

The Buckeyes, ranked second in the nation at the time, were three-touchdown favorites at home against bitter rival Michigan.

Despite the Wolverines being the reigning national champions, this year’s squad was not close to last season’s team. So, it should have been an easy win for OSU.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, left, with the national championship trophy after a game against Notre Dame at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Jan. 20, 2025. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

But they lost, calls for Ryan Day to be fired grew louder and there were serious doubts about what the Buckeyes would be able to do in the College Football Playoff.

They got over it quickly and dominated every team in their path en route to a national championship earlier this week.

Emeka Egbuka went 0-4 against the Wolverines in his career. He admitted in a recent interview with Fox News Digital he’d “have to think about” trading his new national title for a sweep of the Wolverines, considering those games are “almost as big as” the championship.

If the playoff remained at four teams, the loss would have ended the Buckeyes’ hopes of a title, and they would have been playing, in Egbuka’s words, “another meaningless bowl.” But, with the expansion to 12 teams, the Buckeyes had a chance at revenge and took it.

“It was definitely tough to be able to walk into the building the next day and look at my brothers in the face and look my coaches in the face knowing that we hadn’t achieved what we set out to achieve,” Egbuka said.

“But, you know, in that moment, we had a choice to make, because we knew we were going to be in the playoffs. We could have just rolled over and died, or we could have said, ‘We have the opportunity to be able to finish this the right way.’ So we all gathered together as brothers, and we were like, ‘We’re gonna do this thing.’”

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

The anger of the loss lingered after the game, when members of both teams brawled after Michigan players planted a UM flag at midfield. The pressure was on Day, but Egbuka admitted that the short memory came from players-only meetings, not necessarily from anything Day did.

“It wasn’t too much what coach Day said. To be honest, we did a lot of player meetings. Just the leadership on our team and our seniority really shined through,” said Egbuka.

“When you look at some of the greatest teams in college football history, they all have great leadership. They all have great seniors, and that’s really who you remember being on the team. We really took that to heart.

“We knew that the team was gonna run through us. Coach Day is a phenomenal coach, but he can only do so much. We’re the ones on the field. We have to go out and play. And we just needed to permeate our mindset throughout the rest of the team because that’s what great leaders do, and that’s what we tried to do in that moment.”

OHIO STATE NATIONAL CHAMPION JACK SAWYER LEANING ON FAITH AS HE GEARS UP FOR NFL: ‘KEEP TRUSTING HIS PLAN’

Egbuka was part of Celsius’ Essential Six. The energy drink partnered with Egbuka, Travis Hunter and four other college stars as part of a stacked roster before the season began. Egbuka said his record-setting season, during which he became OSU’s all-time reception leader, wouldn’t have been possible without his daily 200 milligrams of caffeine in the morning.

“Ever since our partnership, the product is great. It’s energizing and fueling me all the time. The fuel that I got from it and everything and just helping it start my days. I mean, this has probably been the most intense season of my life.

“When it comes to meetings and practice, I’m waking up every day early in the morning, and I don’t get home till, you know, 9, 10 p.m. That’s hard to do with low energy, so I think Celsius has really helped me with that.”

There isn’t much time for celebration, though. After a parade Sunday, Egbuka will be in NFL Draft mode and will have to start training for next month’s combine.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) celebrates after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

It’s practically a nonexistent offseason for him, but Egbuka is ready for it.

“I am. I’m ready for this next chapter in my life. It is important to take breaks and take rests. So, I have a couple days where I’ll spend with loved ones leading up to training for the NFL. But it’s the life I signed up for.

“So, can’t complain about it too much. I’m just grateful to be in this position.  A lot of people aren’t able to get here.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

January 23, 2025
ESPN broadcaster reveals why he was brought to tears on broadcast after Ohio State won national championship

ESPN broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit was visibly emotional after watching his alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes, win the College Football Playoff National Championship game, and the reason is now known.

Herbstreit made an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he not only discussed medical complications his son, Buckeyes walk-on tight end Zak Herbstreit, went through, but he also revealed that his wife, Ally, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It was almost like a perfect storm for me,” Herbstreit told McAfee and his crew about his emotions during the post-game show as Ohio State celebrated the victory. “My son had heart failure two years ago, and they were talking about a heart replacement for a while. He had to medically retire, and I think the gratitude I have for Ryan Day putting his arms around Zak and keeping him involved.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

ABC football analyst Kirk Herbstreit looks on before the college football game between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona State Sun Devils on Nov. 23, 2019 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“…Ally, my wife, faced some stuff. It’s been a tough year for me behind the scenes. My wife got diagnosed with breast cancer, you know (family dog) Ben dies. It was just a lot of emotion, and when you do what we do, you endure. You do your job.

“I think what happened, when they won, I was so happy for Ryan Day and those players, from what they faced and everything they went through. It was almost like a relief, and it just got the best of me.”

KIRK HERBSTREIT, OHIO STATE FOOTBALL ALUM, BREAKS DOWN DURING BROADCAST AFTER BUCKEYES WIN NATIONAL TITLE

The Herbstreits met during their time at Ohio State together, where Kirk was a four-year letterman as a quarterback and Ally was a cheerleader. They had four sons together after getting married, including Zak, who remained with the Buckeyes despite having to medically retire following his heart failure.

After calling the Buckeyes’ 34-23 victory alongside Chris Fowler, Herbstreit was on the postgame show when Scott Van Pelt decided to start with the Ohio State alum after seeing him teary-eyed.

Herbstreit did not mention what he said to McAfee, but he did discuss the resiliency of this Buckeyes group this season.

ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit is on the field prior to the College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Dec. 31, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“Oh, don’t start with me, man,” Herbstreit, who grew up about an hour away from Ohio State in Centerville, told Van Pelt during the postgame show. “I’m a little emotional. I’m just fired up for these guys.

“When I call these games, I’m incredibly objective. You know, I love all these Ohio State teams, but this team, because of what they went through to get to this point, you’re just happy.”

When the cameras cut back to the broadcast booth, Herbstreit was spotted grabbing a handkerchief off camera to wipe tears away as Fowler continued to speak.

Kirk Herbstreit looks on from the sideline prior to the “Thursday Night Football” game on Amazon Prime at FedEx Field on Oct. 5, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

As Herbstreit mentioned, it has been a trying year personally for him, but he has endured through the college and NFL seasons, as he also works alongside Al Michaels during Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 23, 2025