Happy New Year 2025

Tag: NFL

Patrick Mahomes may make ‘argument’ for NFL GOAT with 3rd straight Super Bowl title, legendary kicker says

Adam Vinatieri, who played Super Bowl hero with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots and also won a title with the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning, suggested in a recent interview that Patrick Mahomes is making an “argument” for greatest NFL player of all time.

Vinatieri was asked whether Mahomes is close to surpassing Brady, who won six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when it comes to the greatest of all time (GOAT) conversation.

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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates after defeating the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Jan. 26, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

The former kicker said there’s an “argument” to be made.

“There’s definitely an argument for that. I cringe to say that because I’ve been around some of the best players, best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL and I love Tom and Peyton. I’ve never played with Patrick, but I can only assume if you’re his teammate, you feel exactly the same way about him as I feel about those guys,” he told TMZ Sports.

“I’ve always said, Tom’s got seven Super Bowls, until someone does something that he hasn’t, he’s still the man. But we’re getting to something even Tom, even the great Tom Brady, and Bill Belichick, and that team has not done. If they can pull it off, I dare say you got an argument. You definitely have an argument. And people will say, ‘Oh, you know, Joe Montana, this or that,’ and I don’t think we could ever agree on who is the best ever, but Patrick is right there, and that whole team.”

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game, Jan. 26, 2025. (Denny Medley-Imagn Images)

Vinatieri credited Andy Reid and the organization with how it dealt with a bevy of challenges over the last few seasons to keep the Chiefs in the running for a Super Bowl.

This year alone, Kansas City was hit with injuries at the wide receiver position. Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown missed most of the year.

“Andy Reid, one of the greatest coaches. You can’t go seven years straight and three Super Bowls straight without making a damn good game plan week in and week out, dealing with injuries, dealing with free agency and then continue to be able to do it. It’s super impressive no matter who is looking through the hourglass at that,” Vinatieri said.

He added that the Chiefs going to the Super Bowl and potentially becoming the first team to win three consecutive titles is “absolutely crazy.”

“When you have a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes that can pull magic out of a hat over and over and over again, it blows me away,” he said. “In the beginning of the season, they’re winning games but barely. And I’m like, ‘Do they have what it takes again this year?’ Sure enough, it just keeps going and they beat really good teams all the time the way that they do it.

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“Can’t say enough good stuff and if they can ‘three-peat,’ the first team to ever do it, I will take my hat off and say, ‘My gosh!’ You wanna talk about dynasties, I’ve been a part of teams they called dynasties, and if they can pull this one off, you’ve got 100% of my respect for sure.”

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 28, 2025
NFL fans roast new Jaguars head coach Liam Coen after awkward moment in presser: ‘Fireable offense’

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Liam Coen appeared to say all the right things in his introductory press conference as the new Jacksonville Jaguars head coach.

However, fans are fixating on one awkward moment that had social media ripping into the 39-year-old offensive whiz on Monday night.

The Jaguars and its fan base are known for their “DUUUVAL!” chant during games, which is based around the Florida county Jacksonville resides in.

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New Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen claps after speaking and being introduced during a press conference on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Florida. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)

However, Coen’s first public attempt trying the rallying cry was not the most energetic, as he spoke into the lectern, and NFL fans are now thinking the worst.

“Fireable offense,” one X user wrote in the comments underneath the video.

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“0-17,” said another, referencing their prediction of a winless first season for Coen and the Jaguars.

Another added, “Yeah he will be gone in 3 years.”

Now, it is easy to jump the gun on a coach during their introductory press conferences. Fans have done so countless times, judging the coach before even watching their first game play out.

A prime example was Dan Campbell’s “we’re going to bite a kneecap off” line during his introductory presser with the Detroit Lions four years ago. Fans thought it was quite a weird way to talk about the grit he wanted his team to have, but Campbell quickly became one of the best head coaches in the league.

Then, there was Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon’s message to the team before the start of the 2023 season, which went viral after he started asking how players got to the facility.

New Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks after being introduced during a press conference on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Florida. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)

Fans particularly laughed at Gannon asking, “Who took the bus?” Granted, most of the players were on million-dollar contracts.

However, Gannon’s Cardinals improved vastly from 2023, where they went 4-13 with Kyler Murray sidelined for most of the year, as they finished 8-9 this season and just missed out on the playoffs. Players have been vocal about their love for “JG” and what he brings to the building.

Then there is the reverse effect – coaches who have great pressers that ultimately flop. The New York Giants fans loved what Joe Judge brought in his first words, showing a no-nonsense approach that would make players want to go to war for him. However, Judge did not pan out well, going 10-23 before being fired after the 2021 season to make way for Brian Daboll.

First impression could mean everything, and though Coen might have had an awkward moment, he said the right things after that.

He noted wanting “savages” on his roster, players that are not only fundamentally sound, but have an attack mentality.

“Just that physical mindset,” he explained. “When our opponents turn on the tape, what are they looking at? Are they seeing guys playing through the echo of the whistle? You might get a flag or two early on. Man, hey, let’s pull back a little. OK, here we go. But I want them playing on the edge.

“It’s a violent game. They have to be that way. I want them to play that way. So that’s where it starts. If we can get that out of these guys, I think we’ll be moving in the right direction.”

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It was a roller coaster to get Coen in this position. He initially told the Tampa Bay Buccaneers he would stay on as offensive coordinator before reconsidering the job after Jaguars GM Trent Baalke was fired from his role.

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However, Coen’s track record of getting offenses right seems to be exactly what the Jags need, with Trevor Lawrence and the offense struggling under Doug Pederson’s leadership in 2023.

If Coen can flip the Jaguars back to the AFC playoff threat they were in the past, fans will be eager to help him learn a better “DUUUVAL!” cry in the future.

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January 28, 2025
Super Bowl LIX: How to watch the Chiefs and Eagles battle for NFL glory

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The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will meet in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

NFL fans will get to witness some of the best the league has to offer in terms of talent on the field. Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts will go head-to-head for the second time as they met in the big game two years ago. The Chiefs won that matchup.

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The Eagles will have someone in their backfield they did not have before – running back Saquon Barkley. Out of all the NFL MVP finalists this season, he is the last man standing in the playoffs. He has broken off huge runs for the Eagles and has been a huge factor in why Philadelphia has gotten as far as they have this year.

The major storyline for some will be about the Chiefs as they look to do something unprecedented – win three consecutive Super Bowl titles. Kansas City is also the first team to even get an opportunity to compete for it.

Mahomes commented on the possibility of entering a different stratosphere compared to other quarterbacks after defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship.

“It always comes down to the wire. Luckily, we were on the winning side this time. But like I said, I’m just excited to get down to New Orleans,” Mahomes said. “Let’s go make history.”

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Super Bowl LIX will be seen on Fox, FOX Deportes and Tubi. (FOX Sports)

NFL fans eager to watch the game have a few ways of doing so.

Super Bowl LIX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET with Kevin Burkhardt doing play-by-play and Tom Brady as the color commentator in his first Super Bowl as a broadcaster. Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will be on the field as sideline reporters.

Pregame coverage will be broadcast live on Fox starting with “FOX NFL Kickoff” from Bourbon Street beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Curt Menefee will be host for the show along with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson, Rob Gronkowski and Jay Glazer.

Charissa Thompson, Charles Woodson, Julian Edelman, Michael Vick, Peter Schrager, Kristina Punk and Cooper Manning will also join coverage.

FOX Deportes will have the Spanish-language broadcast of the Super Bowl. Rodolfo Landeros will be the host/reporter for the game. Adrian Garcia-Marquez is doing play-by-play along with analysts Jessi-Losada and Jaime Motta.

Tubi will stream Super Bowl LIX on its platform live in 4K. Viewers will be able to watch the game when they sign up via email registration. There will be no Multichannel Video Programming Distributor authentication or credit card sign-up needed to be able to watch it.

Olivia Culpo will host a Red Carpet special on Tubi. (Tubi)

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A second stream on Tubi will also include the Tubi Red Carpet event, hosted by Olivia Culpo at 3:30 p.m. ET, and the FOX Deportes Spanish language feed.

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January 28, 2025
Jets’ new coach Aaron Glenn delivers fiery message to NFL: ‘We’re built for this s—‘

Aaron Glenn, the New York Jets’ newest head coach, brought electricity to his introductory press conference on Monday as he’s set to lead the franchise on the sideline for the next few years.

Glenn was hired after he spent time as a defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions. Despite a ton of injuries to the Lions’ defense this season, the team still managed to win the NFC North and earn the No. 1 seed in the playoffs before getting upset by the Washington Commanders.

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New York Jets new head coach Aaron Glenn speaks during a press conference at the NFL football team’s training facility on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

He is the Jets’ fourth head coach following the departure of Rex Ryan after the 2014 season. Ryan’s Jets were the last iteration of the team to earn a playoff spot. Todd Bowles, Adam Gase and Robert Saleh have since come and gone with only one season finishing over .500 — in 2015.

Glenn has a certain experience the previous field generals don’t have — he played for them.

Glenn starred as a Jets cornerback from 1994 to 2001. He was a Pro Bowler twice in that span. He also played for the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints before he retired after the 2008 season.

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, left, and vice chairman Christopher Johnson, right, pose for a photo with new head coach Aaron Glenn, second right, and general manager Darren Mougey during a press conference at the NFL football team’s training facility on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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“Put your seatbelts on and get ready for the ride. Listen, there are gonna be some challenges, but with challenges gets opportunity. Here’s what I do know. We’re the freakin’ New York Jets and we’re built for this s—,” Glenn said, via the New York Post.

“I wanted this job. I interviewed for a number of them, but I wanted this job,” he added. “… I didn’t want to leave the building without shaking Woody [Johnson’s] hand and making sure we had a contract. So I’m just telling you now, everything else was already out of it. It was all about the Jets and it’s been that way from the beginning.”

The fiery message now has to be backed up on the field.

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Glenn and the front office will have to determine whether to bring back Aaron Rodgers and if they’re going to put Garrett Wilson on the trade block. Davante Adams has also floated the idea of playing elsewhere after New York acquired him from the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 27, 2025
Chiefs stars eye NFL immortality in Super Bowl LIX: ‘Let’s go make history’

The Kansas City Chiefs are AFC champions once again and are one more win away from completing what was thought to be impossible – three straight Super Bowl titles.

Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes spoke about the opportunity to make history in his postgame interview with CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz.

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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce celebrate victory against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“It always comes down to the wire. Luckily, we were on the winning side this time. But like I said, I’m just excited to get down to New Orleans,” Mahomes said. “Let’s go make history.”

Nantz mentioned on the stage with Travis Kelce that the tight end was already thinking about three consecutive Super Bowl titles before Kansas City eked out a Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers last year.

“Never satisfied, baby! When you play in front of Arrowhead Stadium like this every single AFC Championship. You kidding me?” Kelce said.

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Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce celebrate their AFC Championship win, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Since the NFL merged with the American Football League and called the title game the Super Bowl, there have been eight repeat champions.

The Green Bay Packers (1966-67), Miami Dolphins (1972-73), Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-75 and 1978-79), San Francisco 49ers (1988-89), Dallas Cowboys (1992-93), Denver Broncos (1997-98), New England Patriots (2003-04) and the Chiefs (2022-23).

Only the Chiefs have gotten the opportunity to win a third straight title. Before the merger, the Packers won three straight NFL championships from 1929 to 1931. The Packers won the NFL championship in 1965 and then Super Bowls I and II.

What will it take to win a third straight title? Only defeat one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL in the Saquon Barkley-led Philadelphia Eagles. Also, try to dig deep and block a defensive front that includes Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams.

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

The Chiefs and Eagles will play in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9. The game can be seen on FOX and Tubi.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 27, 2025
NFL world mocks Giants after Saquon Barkley dominates in NFC Championship

Saquon Barkley put up more ridiculous numbers in the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC Championship victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, leading to jabs at the New York Giants.

Barkley finished with 118 rushing yards on 15 carries and scored two touchdowns. Both scores came in the first quarter – one was a 60-yard scamper that got Eagles fans buzzing early.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, #26, celebrates after scoring against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

As the Eagles celebrated getting to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years, NFL fans mocked the Giants for letting Barkley go in the offseason.

New York chose to re-sign Daniel Jones to a four-year contract before the 2023 season and gave Barkley a one-year deal. Before the 2024 start, the Giants let Barkley walk to free agency, much to the chagrin of Giants fans. He decided to sign with one of their archrivals.

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, #26, takes the field at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Tom Brady and the rest of the NFL world made sure to let the Giants know they made a huge mistake.

“Giant mistake letting him go,” Brady said during the FOX broadcast.

In Barkley’s first season with Philadelphia, he nearly ran for the most yards in a single season. He may have gotten the record, but he was held out of the Eagles’ last game of the season to rest for the playoffs. It turned out to be a crucial move as he has yet to let his foot off of the gas pedal in the postseason.

He has 442 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in three playoff games so far.

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The Eagles will play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 27, 2025
NFL fans unleash fury at refs over Bills’ questionable ball spot in AFC title game loss

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NFL officiating was a talking point in the midst of the biggest game of the year between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night in the AFC Championship.

The Bills were stuck with a 4th-and-1 with about 13 minutes to play in the game. Josh Allen ran a quarterback sneak to try to achieve first-down yardage. At first glance, the push from his teammates appeared to be unsuccessful in getting a new set of downs.

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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, #32, hits Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, #17, during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The game was stopped as officials reviewed the play. The CBS broadcast appeared to show the two sideline judges initially disagreeing with the spot of the ball. One official spotted the ball closer to the marker than the other.

The replay appeared to show Allen may have gotten the ball across the line as he inched backward into Chiefs defensive linemen. However, officials ruled that Allen did not get the ball to the marker, and Buffalo turned the ball over.

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, #17, warms up before the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

NFL fans watching the game were highly critical of the ball spot and expressed it as much during the game.

The Chiefs scored on the following drive. Buffalo did tie the game on the next possession. However, it was Harrison Butker’s field goal and a Chiefs defensive stop that put an end to the game.

Kansas City won, 32-29.

The Allen stop was not the only questionable call in the game. A huge Xavier Worthy play in the second quarter was ruled a catch despite the ball seemingly touching the ground.

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The Chiefs scored on the drive as well.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 27, 2025
Patrick Mahomes thanks God as Chiefs have chance at NFL history with 3rd straight Super Bowl

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are on the cusp of NFL history, as they cemented yet another trip to the Super Bowl with an AFC Championship win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.

As he drank in another successful campaign that got him back to the “Big Game,” Mahomes had to first tap into his faith during a post-game interview.

“First off, I want to give all glory to God,” he told CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson after the 32-29 thriller that went the Chiefs’ way at home. “Without Him, none of this is possible, and I truly mean that.”

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, #15, reacts against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Mahomes then showed all the love to his team as they gave just as much as he did to make this chance at history happen.

“I’m just so proud of my teammates and how they responded. That was a great football team. I’m just at a loss for words. I’m excited for New Orleans,” he said.

It seems, even three times in a row, the feeling of going to the Super Bowl never gets old for the NFL superstar.

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The Chiefs found themselves going back and forth with the Bills all game long. Mahomes’ second touchdown run of the game was after a crucial fourth-down stop by the defense, yet Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense responded with a fourth-and-goal touchdown of their own in the fourth quarter to tie it at 29 apiece.

Mahomes and the Chiefs were ultimately able to drive deep enough into Bills territory that Harrison Butker made it 32-29 with a field goal, but it was on the defense to get a stop against Allen, who previously beat them in the regular season.

That is exactly what happened on fourth-and-5, as Allen heaved one in the air after a well-timed Chiefs blitz and his tight end, Dalton Kincaid, could not haul it in. Mahomes, then, got first downs thanks to Isiah Pacheco and Samaje Perine, his veteran backs, both moving the chains on short passes to ice the victory.

Those efforts on both sides of the ball are why Mahomes pointed to how much of this was a team effort yet again to reach the Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, #15, celebrates his touchdown with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, #87, during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“I think I’ve always said it, it’s not about one guy, it’s not about a couple guys,” he said. “It’s about the whole entire team. When we needed the defense to get stops, they got stops. Offense, we made plays. That’s why we’re so special. It’s a team effort, and it’s a team football game.”

As he hoisted yet another AFC title trophy, Mahomes gave a shout-out to the fan base as well for being boisterous as always to help give them the home field advantage before it’s neutral ground at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9.

“I appreciate Chiefs Kingdom for being out here, being loud and proud. We love you, Chiefs Kingdom.”

It is a rematch of Super Bowl LVII, which started this Chiefs’ dynasty as they beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35, late in the fourth quarter. Mahomes won his second Super Bowl of his career in that game after previously beating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

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However, the Eagles have a difference maker this time, with Saquon Barkley scoring three touchdowns, along with quarterback Jalen Hurts, in the rout of the Washington Commanders to win the NFC Championship earlier on Sunday.

It is bound to be a thriller in New Orleans, and Mahomes will have the brightest football spotlight on him and the Chiefs yet again as they hope to etch their names in the NFL history books.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 27, 2025
Eagles’ Saquon Barkley sends NFL fans into frenzy with incredible TD run to start NFC title game

The Philadelphia Eagles answered the Washington Commanders’ long drive to start the NFC Championship with a rather short one.

It only took 18 seconds. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts pitched the ball back to running back Saquon Barkley and the superstar player did the rest.

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

Barkley found a hole, broke one tackle and spun around a Commanders defender to run for a 60-yard touchdown. Philadelphia went up 7-3 early in the first quarter.

Jayden Daniels led Washington on an 18-play, 54-yard drive to begin the game. The Commanders made two fourth-down conversions before Zane Gonzalez nailed a 34-yard field goal. On Washington’s next drive, the Eagles defense caused wide receiver Dyami Brown to fumble and Philadelphia recovered.

The Eagles and their fans were buzzing at Lincoln Financial Field. The NFL world was just as hyped on social media.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts pitched the ball back to running back Saquon Barkley and the superstar player did the rest. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Barkley wasn’t done. He scored again later in the first quarter as the Eagles went up 14-3.

Barkley appeared to be building upon his incredible performance in the Eagles’ divisional round win over the Los Angeles Rams. He had two long touchdown runs in the win to go along with his 205 rushing yards. Philadelphia won the game 28-22.

The former New York Giants running back has run for at least 100 yards in four straight games and nearing a fifth straight game. The streak dated back to Philadelphia’s three-point loss to Washington on Dec. 22.

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The winner of the NFC Championship will punch their ticket to Super Bowl LIX.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 26, 2025
ESPN’s Adam Schefter under fire for using Patrick Mahomes as reference for possible NFL change

ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter faced criticism on Saturday for his report about the league possibly considering using replay assist when it came to quarterback slides.

Schefter wrote on X, “For all those complaining that Patrick Mahomes gets too many calls, relief soon could be on the way.” The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was criticized for the late slide against the Houston Texans that led to an unnecessary roughness penalty after linebacker Henry To’oTo’o hit him right after he dropped to the ground.

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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes slides against Houston Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o during the AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Jan. 18, 2025. (Denny Medley-Imagn Images)

Amid the controversy over the slide, head referee Clay Martin defended the call. He said there was forcible contact to Mahomes’ “hairline” on the other unnecessary roughness call.

NFL fans were upset with Schefter for using Mahomes as a reference point. Still, Schefter used statistics to back up his point. He compared penalties between the Chiefs and their playoff opponents over the course of their eight-game winning streak.

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Adam Schefter of ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” on the sideline prior to the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Nov. 21, 2022. (Kirby Lee-USA Today Sports)

According to researcher Paul Hembo, Kansas City’s opponents have been flagged for roughing the passer six times compared to zero times for the Chiefs. When it came to unnecessary roughness, Kansas City’s opponents have seen four penalty flags and only one against the Chiefs.

Still, fans were outraged.

Actor Eric Stonestreet, a huge Chiefs fan, called out Schefter on NFL Network.

“He calls out Patrick Mahomes in his tweet like Patrick Mahomes is the only one on the beneficiary end of a roughing the passer call,” he said. “He’s got the biggest reach in all the NFL and here he’s out implying and furthering this conspiracy theory that the league is rigging the game.”

Mahomes was asked about the alleged favoritism during the week.

“I don’t feel that way,” he said. “… I just try to play football at the end of the day. The referees are doing their best to call the game as fair and proper as best they can.

“For me, it’s go out there, play hard, try to do whatever I can to win the football game, and then live with the results based on my effort and how I play the game, and that’s what we preach here in Kansas City.”

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The Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 26, 2025