Happy New Year 2025

Tag: defensive

Eagles defensive star Josh Sweat believes he ‘should’ve’ been named Super Bowl LIX MVP

The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense shut out the Kansas City Chiefs for most of Sunday’s Super Bowl, giving the team a 34-0 lead before Patrick Mahomes responded late in the second half.

One of the team’s top defensive stars believes his performance was worthy of the MVP award.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Josh Sweat reacts after sacking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the first half of the Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Mahomes was sacked a career-high six times during Sunday’s beatdown, and veteran edge rusher Josh Sweat led the charge with 2½ sacks, a career best.

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The Chiefs’ offense was limited to 23 yards in the first half, and Mahomes was picked off twice, including rookie Cooper DeJean’s pick-six on his 22nd birthday.

The Eagles’ defense had a field day. And Sweat, whose performance went beyond the stat line, believed that was enough to earn the MVP honor.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) tries to avoid the reach of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Josh Sweat, left, during the first half of the Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

EAGLES’ JALEN HURTS NAMED SUPER BOWL LIX MVP: ‘GOD IS GOOD’

“I should’ve had it,” Sweat said of the Super Bowl MVP, via The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I could’ve had it. It’s all good, though.”

The last defensive player to be named Super Bowl MVP was Von Miller in the 2016 Super Bowl. Miller recorded six tackles, 2½ sacks and two forced fumbles during that game. Sweat registered six total tackles and 2½ sacks in Sunday’s game.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs past the Philadelphia Eagles’ Josh Sweat (19) during the second half of the Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Instead, quarterback Jalen Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP.

In his second Super Bowl appearance, Hurts completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 72 yards and a touchdown to lead the Eagles to a 40-22 win and the team’s second Lombardi Trophy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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February 13, 2025
Jayden Daniels, Jared Verse named Offensive, Defensive Rookies of the Year

Jayden Daniels and Jared Verse won the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards at the NFL Honors in New Orleans on Thursday night.

Daniels was the second overall pick out of LSU following a Heisman Trophy campaign, and he impressed from the second he came onto the field.

Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 69% of his passes, getting a Pro Bowl nod. He also ran for 891 yards and another six scores, while converting 55 first downs with his legs.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) waves to the crowd after an overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Commanders won 30-24. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

With Daniels under center, the Washington Commanders had the best turnaround of any team in the NFL, going from 4-13 to 12-5 and a playoff berth. Washington also earned their first postseason win in 19 years, and for good measure, they took down the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions after that. While the NFC Championship did not go as planned – a 55-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles – the future is bright in D.C.

Verse was the 19th overall pick out of Florida State. It was the first time the Los Angeles Rams selected in the first round since 2016 and, well, they struck gold.

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) recovers a fumble against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half in an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

In his first NFL season, he was named to the Pro Bowl – he even picked up a fumble and took it 57 yards to the house in the wild card round against the Minnesota Vikings.

Starting in all but one game, Verse recorded 66 tackles, 18 QB hits, 11 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also deflected two passes and picked up two fumbles.

Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

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He’s the first Ram to win the award since Aaron Donald in 2014, so perhaps that’s a good omen for the rest of his career. His teammate in Braden Fiske was also nominated, so the Rams defense seems to be in good shape moving forward.

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February 7, 2025
Saquon Barkley, Pat Surtain II named Offensive, Defensive Players of the Year

After carrying their teams to the playoffs, Saquon Barkley and Pat Surtain II were named the best players on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, respectively.

The running back signed a three-year deal with the Eagles in the offseason after their division rival in the New York Giants opted to let him go and it’s been a nightmare for Big Blue and a dream for the Birds.

Barkley became the ninth person to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, and had he not sat in Week 18, he probably would have the record.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

While this is strictly a regular season award, Barkley is 30 yards away from setting the record for most rushing yards in a season, including playoffs. In 19 games played this season, including the postseason, Barkley has rushed for 2,447 yards and 18 touchdowns, five of which have come in his last two games.

Out of his 19 games played, he’s rushed for 100-plus 12 times and has eclipsed the 200-yard mark twice.

This is the first time a running back has won the award in back-to-back seasons since 2005 and 2006, when Shaun Alexander and LaDanian Tomlinson won the hardware, respectively.

Surtain became the first defensive back to win the award since Stephon Gilmore in 2019 after locking top receivers all season long. Surtain picked off four passes, returning them for an NFL-high 132 yards. He made his third consecutive Pro Bowl and was named a First-team All-Pro for the second time in three seasons.

Dec 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) gestures after a play in the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High. (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

Quarterbacks combined for a 59.1 passer rating when throwing toward Surtain, the third-lowest mark in football behind Derek Stingley Jr. and Marlon Humphrey.

Surtain is the 12th cornerback to win the award.

Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

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Both players thanked God upon receiving their award – Barkley was not in attendance, as he’s gearing up for the big game on Sunday.

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February 7, 2025
Jets hire Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as new head coach: reports

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is returning to his roots for his first head coaching job in the NFL.

Glenn, one of the top coaching candidates this offseason, accepted the role of the New York Jets head coach on Wednesday, becoming the first former player to return as head coach in nearly 50 years, according to ESPN.

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn after the Minnesota Vikings game on Jan. 5, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit. (Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Multiple outlets reported the news a day after Glenn met with Jets brass on Tuesday.

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The New Orleans Saints, who parted ways with Dennis Allen in November, were reportedly also in competition to land Glenn.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Glenn got his start in the NFL as a cornerback when he was selected by the Jets with the No. 12 overall pick in the 1994 Draft. He spent eight seasons in New York before being acquired by the Houston Texans in the 2002 NFL expansion draft.

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn talks with linebacker Jack Campbell during the Minnesota Vikings game at Ford Field in Detroit on Jan. 5, 2025. (IMAGN)

COWBOYS EYE EX-JETS HEAD COACH ROBERT SALEH AFTER MOVING ON FROM MIKE MCCARTHY: REPORT

Glenn turned to coaching not long after his playing career ended in 2008. He most notably spent the last four seasons overseeing the Lions’ defense and interviewed with several teams before accepting the job in New York.

Glenn also beat out more than a dozen other coaches in the Jets’ extensive search, which included Brian Flores, Jeff Hafley, Ron Rivera and Rex Ryan, among others.

According to The Associated Press, Glenn was the only candidate to receive a second interview.

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn watches a replay during the 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional playoff game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (IMAGN)

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Glenn takes over with fans desperate for change. He replaces Robert Saleh, who was fired just five games into the season.

The Jets’ struggles looked like they were coming to an end when four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers was brought on in 2023. But a season-ending injury in his debut in New York derailed those plans.

The 2024 season wasn’t much of an improvement – not even the addition of Rodgers’ favorite target could change the outcome and the Jets extended their historic playoff drought.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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January 23, 2025