PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles are getting set to take on the Rams in the NFL playoffs Sunday afternoon.
Vic Fangio, Philly’s defensive coordinator, grew up in Dunmore, in Lackawanna County, about 80 miles up the turnpike from the Lehigh Valley.
He also studied coaching at East Stroudsburg University before his nearly four decades as a coach in the NFL.
Vic Fangio’s story starts and continues in Pennsylvania. Fangio commuted to East Stroudsburg University to take coaching classes and pick the brain of coaching legend Denny Douds.
“He didn’t play here, but he would stop in the office, he would talk football, he was tough-minded,” Douds said.
Fangio has been a coach in the NFL for the better part of four decades, primarily leading a team’s defense, turning the Eagles D into a powerhouse in just one season.
“Hard work, don’t look at the clock, mental toughness, common traits of him too,” said Douds.
Although it’s been four decades, Douds says Fangio still visits East Stroudsburg.
“His sister, and her husband and kids, live here in town,” said Douds. “So from time to time, he sneaks into town and visits his sister too.”
Coach Douds isn’t giving us a prediction on this weekend’s game, but he is offering this observation.
“(Fangio) is a tough out. When you play the Eagles, they’ve got a great offense. But he put together a defense that was tops in the league,” Douds said. “The one they can’t afford is the mistakes.”
In a coaching career that began in the 80’s, Fangio is still looking to win his first Super Bowl, and win it in Pennsylvania.
“Every person in their profession, about 99 percent of them want to get to the top rung. And in the NFL, getting the ring is the top rung,” Douds said. “I’m betting on Vic. And they will get some turnovers.”
And get one step closer to a championship, East Stroudsburg style.
Recently, 69 News had the opportunity to sit down with a former coach who served as an early role model for the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator. During the interview, the coach shared valuable insights on the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving success in the competitive world of professional sports.
One of the key pieces of advice that the coach imparted was to never look at the clock when putting in the work. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the task at hand and giving it your all, regardless of the time or circumstances. This mindset of relentless dedication and commitment to excellence is what has propelled the Eagles’ defensive coordinator to the top of his field.
As fans eagerly await the upcoming season, it is clear that the lessons learned from this early role model will continue to shape the mindset and work ethic of the Eagles’ coaching staff. With a strong foundation of hard work and determination, there is no doubt that the team will be well-equipped to face any challenges that come their way.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Eagles’ preparations for the upcoming season, and remember: hard work knows no bounds, so don’t let the clock dictate your success.
Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. You may have heard some things about Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown reading on the sidelines and wondering what is going on. No worries! We’re here to help.
That’s right, this was a whole thing in the NFL playoffs that caught a lot of fans’ attention and turned out to be not a big deal. And it’s something we might see a lot more now that cameras could focus on the receiver as he’s sitting on the bench.
So what’s up with Brown reading during games? Let’s dive in:
Does A.J. Brown really read on the sidelines during games?
He sure does. In the Eagles’ 2025 NFL Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers, cameras caught him reading a book. Fans initially took it to be a statement to coaches about his usage in the game, but that wasn’t the case.
It turns out this is something he’s done before! A lot!
What book does A.J. Brown read on the sidelines?
It’s a book called Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life by Jim Murphy. He said brings the inspirational tome to every game and reads certain highlighted passages after every drive to “refocus” himself.
Eagles wide receiver, Jalen Reagor, has been showcasing his talent on the field this season. But what sets him apart from other players is his commitment to inner excellence.
Reagor believes that true success starts from within. He focuses on developing his mental toughness, visualization skills, and self-belief to perform at his best on game day. By cultivating a mindset of excellence, he is able to push himself to new heights and achieve his goals.
In a recent interview, Reagor shared how his dedication to inner excellence has helped him overcome challenges and setbacks. He credits his mental fortitude for his ability to bounce back from injuries and perform at a high level.
As fans, we can all learn from Reagor’s example. By prioritizing inner excellence and mental strength, we can unlock our full potential and achieve greatness in our own lives. Let’s take a page from his playbook and strive for excellence in everything we do.
Dunmore native Vic Fangio once again will lead the Philadelphia Eagles defense in an NFL playoff game Sunday as the Birds face the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs at Lincoln Financial Field.
It’s a familiar spot for Fangio, who has forged a remarkably successful coaching career that was born on the fields of Northeast Pennsylvania, a fact that is never far from his mind. When he was introduced as the Denver Broncos head coach in 2019, Fangio talked about his football upbringing and another of the area’s legendary coaches.
“I want to thank Jack Henzes, my high school coach, for his passion and excellence in football and in coaching. It is what motivated me … I caught his passion for the game and I decided from that point on that I wanted to be a football coach,” Fangio said at the time.
After leaving Dunmore following a two-year stint as the Bucks’ defensive coordinator in 1981, Fangio embarked on a coaching career that, between the collegiate and professional ranks, has lasted more than 40 years. The Eagles are his seventh stop as a defensive coordinator, and six of those franchises made the playoffs at least once with him running their defenses. Fangio has coached in one Super Bowl, reaching the big game as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens on Feb. 3, 2013, a game won by the Ravens, 34-31 at the Superdome in New Orleans.
With a win Sunday, the Eagles can take him back to a conference championship game for the first time as an on-field coach since he helped the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game during the 2013-14 season.
Here are some images from some of Fangio’s coaching stints across the NFL.
Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos watches the action against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio talks with an official at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 5, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Denver Broncos lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 9 to 22. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Head coach Vic Fangio walks the sideline late in the game as the Denver Broncos took on the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 15, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos argues with a referee during the second half of Denver’s 32-27 win over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio argues with head linesman Jim Howey (37) during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (left) and general manager Howie Roseman talk during training camp at the NovaCare Complex on Aug. 18, 2024, in Philadelphia. (David Maialetti/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)
May 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (right) instructs linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-181052
The Denver Broncos Pres. of Football Ops./GM John Elway and Head Coach Vic Fangio speak during a press conferences to introduce their new quarterback Joe Flacco March 15, 2019, in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio sign a helmet for 14 year old Jeremia Johnson of Seattle as he leaves the tunnel for the Denver Broncos to take on the Atlanta Falcons in the Hall of Fame game at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Aug. 1, 2019 in Canton, Ohio (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio takes questions from the media following NFL football practice, Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio works with his defense at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio greets Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich during pregame activities at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Left, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, speaks with Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70), before the start of the game against the Cincinnati Reds, at Wrigley Field, in Chicago, on Sunday, July 8, 2018. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio looks on against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Dec. 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio looks on during warmups before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
FILE – In this July 30, 2011, file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gestures during NFL football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif. The former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator has taken the same job with the Chicago Bears under new coach John Fox, a person with knowledge of the deal said, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos roams the sidelines during the fourth quarter of Philadelphia’s 30-13 win at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins in Chicago, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) ORG XMIT: ILMC10
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio at Bears rookie minicamp held at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
FILE – In this July 30, 2011, file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gestures during NFL football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif. The former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator has taken the same job with the Chicago Bears under new coach John Fox, a person with knowledge of the deal said, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio and Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy talk during pregame activities at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Senior players on the Dunmore High School football team that won the Big 11 championship were, first row, from left: assistant coach Paul Marranca, Mike Loretti, Robert Mesko, Bob Judge, Cory Meade and Joe Marrazzo. Second row: Vic Fangio, Joe Tabone, Rick Ciaglia, Tim Ruddy, Mike Sandone and Bill Butler. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Scranton times-tribune
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is helping the Eagles defense excel on the field and finding ways to connect with his players off of it. (Yong Kim/The Philadelphia Inquirer)
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Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos watches the action against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Dunmore’s Vic Fangio, defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles – Scranton Times-Tribune
Dunmore native Vic Fangio has made a name for himself as one of the top defensive minds in the NFL. Currently serving as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Fangio has been instrumental in shaping the team’s defense into one of the most formidable units in the league.
Fangio’s journey to the NFL has been a long and successful one. After starting his coaching career at the high school level, Fangio worked his way up through the ranks, eventually landing positions with several NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Chicago Bears.
Known for his strategic acumen and attention to detail, Fangio has earned a reputation as a master tactician on the defensive side of the ball. His ability to scheme and adjust on the fly has helped the Eagles defense shut down some of the best offenses in the league.
In addition to his coaching skills, Fangio is also respected for his leadership abilities and the rapport he builds with his players. His no-nonsense approach and commitment to excellence have endeared him to both his players and fellow coaches.
As a proud native of Dunmore, Fangio continues to inspire young athletes in his hometown and beyond. His success at the highest levels of professional football serves as a testament to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance required to achieve greatness in any field.
With Fangio at the helm, the Philadelphia Eagles defense looks poised to continue its dominance in the NFL. Fans can rest assured that Dunmore’s own Vic Fangio will continue to uphold his reputation as one of the best defensive coordinators in the league.
Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) walks off the field after a victory against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Eagles are in business mode as they begin their postseason hunt, and a trio of stars took a business-like approach to their pregame outfits.
DeVonta Smith is always clean and fashionable in his suits, but Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown also dressed to impress.
The Philadelphia Eagles trio of stars, Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz, and Fletcher Cox, arrived at Lambeau Field for their wild card game against the Green Bay Packers looking sharp and ready for business.
Wentz, sporting a sleek suit and tie, exuded confidence as he stepped off the team bus. Ertz, decked out in a crisp button-down shirt and slacks, flashed a determined grin as he made his way into the stadium. Cox, in a tailored suit and sunglasses, looked every bit the imposing presence he is on the field.
As they made their way to the locker room, the trio’s focus was clear – they were here to win. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, these three stars were ready to lead their team to victory.
Eagles fans can rest assured that their trio of stars are locked in and ready to do whatever it takes to come out on top in this crucial playoff matchup. Stay tuned for what is sure to be an intense and exciting game between these two powerhouse teams. Fly Eagles Fly! #Eagles #GoBirds #WildCardGame #BusinessAttire
Former Iowa football star Cooper DeJean was given a hard time about his home state’s climate during a recent Philadelphia Eagles practice.
DeJean, a former Hawkeye All-American and a second-round NFL Draft pick by the Eagles in 2024, was asked by teammate Darius Slay if it ever gets warm in Iowa.
“Does it get warm? Yeah it gets warm,” said DeJean, a native of Odebolt.
“I just can never see Iowa being warm,” said Slay, a 12-year NFL veteran who played collegiately at Mississippi State.
“Only in the summertime, really,” DeJean said.
“Only in the summertime? So y’all got no warm time except the summertime?” Slay asked.
“Pretty much” DeJean responded.
“Nah that’s not it for me,” Slay said. “You have to move.”
DeJean and the Eagles play host to the Los Angeles Rams in a playoff game on Sunday in Philadelphia, where a high of 42 degrees is forecast. Downright balmy!
“Cooper DeJean’s Eagles Teammate Curiously Asks: Does It Get Warm in Iowa?”
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2024 NFL All-Rookie team: Daniels, Nabers, Bowers, Verse – ESPN+ Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles: While he will not win Defensive Rookie of the Year, I would argue DeJean is simply the best defensive player on this list. The nickel defender in a Vic Fangio defense has historically been a seasoned veteran with tons of experience at different spots, such as Kareem Jackson or Jalen Ramsey. For DeJean to simply slide right into the role and create impact plays at the line of scrimmage, downfield in coverage and everywhere in between, is one of the most preposterous storylines of the season. DeJean is quick as a wink, a highly reliable tackler in space and an excellent communicator who immediately took control of the Eagles’ defensive checks after recovering from a preseason hamstring injury. There aren’t 10 slot defenders in the league I would take right now over DeJean.
Eagles-Rams playoff preview: 18 things to watch in Sunday’s Divisional Round game – BGN 1 – Saquon Barkley could be a hot knife through butter. Is this phrase practical at all? Do people really heat knives for this purpose? I don’t feel like I’ve witnessed that. Anyway, we all know Barkley absolutely dominated the Rams the last time these two teams played in Week 12. Barkley ran for 255 yards, setting a new single-game franchise record. He also caught four passes for 47 receiving yards to give him 302 total yards from scrimmage, which is also a single-game franchise record. One would think the Rams will be selling out to stop Barkley. They really need to make anybody but him beat them. That much is easier said than done, however, because the Rams’ run defense isn’t good.
Analyzing the matchups that could define the NFL’s 2024 divisional round – PFF The last time the Eagles and Rams battled, Barkley put on a show with 255 yards and an 84.6 PFF rushing grade. If the Rams want a better outcome this time around, they’ll need to home in on tackling Barkley as early as possible. Much of Barkley’s success in that Week 12 contest was because of his Herculean play after contact. The All-Pro runner averaged a ridiculous 6.0 yards after contact per carry — still the most by any player with 20-plus carries in a game this year. Altogether, the Rams were responsible for an average of 4.1 yards after contact surrendered per carry in that Sunday Night Football clash, their second-worst single-game mark of the season. But Chris Shula’s defense has improved immensely in preventing rushing yards after contact as the season has endured. Since Week 8, the Rams have yielded the third-fewest rushing yards after contact (2.6) despite playing against Kenneth Walker III and James Cook. However, Los Angeles still ranks 18th in rushing EPA per play and 13th in success rate in that span, meaning not all run-defense holes have been patched.
Analytics predicts winners for NFL playoff Divisional Round games – SB Nation Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles. Overall DVOA: Los Angeles 17th vs Philadelphia 5th. Offensive DVOA: Los Angeles 10th vs Philadelphia 13th. Defensive DVOA: Los Angeles 26th vs Philadelphia 1st. Edge: Eagles – Besides injuries, another variable that cannot be captured is championship experience. The Rams limped through the season but looked like contenders in the Wild Card round. If that LA team shows up this week, Philadelphia will have all they can handle. If the one that built the worst DVOA of any playoff team throughout the regular season is on the field, the Eagles should roll to victory.
Can Sean McVay escape his Vic Fangio demons? – Turf Show Times Fangio has once again taken over the NFL defensively. He transformed Zack Baun into an inside linebacker. Baun leads the NFL in stops which is a tackle that has a negative impact on an opponent’s EPA. His two-high, quarters coverage is back. The Eagles use two-deep safeties at the second-highest rate in the NFL. Fangio even brought back the 6-1 front earlier this season against the Saints. Despite not playing aggressive up front and rushing with four, the Eagles are giving up the fifth-fewest yards per pass attempt. Fangio forces quarterbacks to get the ball out quickly with short passes. He encourages teams to run the ball with lighter boxes, but this year he has a defensive front and linebackers capable of stopping the run. The way to beat Fangio is with a ‘death by 1,000 cuts’ approach. The Fangio defense is like a boa constrictor. Teams may move the ball easily at first, but as the game wears on, it starts to constrict and by the end, opposing offenses can barely breathe.
Mailbag: Who would benefit more from a snow game, the Eagles or Rams? – PhillyVoice Question from @fandru (via Bluesky): Your guess, which team will benefit from 3 or more inches of snow falling on the field? I’m thinking the better offensive line and running game benefits? […] Philosophically, I have always felt that poor weather can serve as something of an equalizer, and that the better team should be hopeful for normal conditions. The inferior team should welcome more variables that can affect the outcome of the game. So, if you’re of the opinion that the Eagles are the better team, then philosophically, advantage Rams. But in this case, it’s hard to see many tangible advantages for the Rams in snowy weather.
Focus – Iggles Blitz Good teams focus. They can put on blinders and ignore everything on the outside. Nick Sirianni has done a really good job this year of getting the Eagles to stay focused. They have only lost one game since September despite dealing with some oddball issues and situations. This team has been able to lock in. They’ll need to be able to do that on Sunday. The Rams played their best game of the year last week. They have been red hot for a while now. The only game they’ve lost since playing the Eagles was Week 18 when they rested their starters. Don’t be fooled by the Rams 10-7 record. Injuries killed them early on. Once they got healthy, they started winning. This should be a tough game. The Rams blowing out the Vikings was a favor to the Eagles. Seeing that kind of a performance certainly had to get the team’s attention and should help keep them focused. I don’t think they will overlook the Rams.
The Best NFL Bets for the Divisional Round: Shut Up and Dance – The Ringer As long as Philadelphia is playing with a lead, it will lean on the run game and the defense. Both of these defenses are young and started the season slow, but since Week 6, they have excelled at preventing big plays. The Rams rank 12th in explosive play rate allowed, and the Eagles rank second. That will make for long, methodical drives throughout the game. Even though the Eagles offense struggled last week, it had a 13-play, seven-and-a-half-minute field goal drive to shorten the game in the second half. The defense has been first in EPA per drive, by a wide margin, since the bye week. The Eagles lost Nakobe Dean to injury, which hurts them there, but I suspect that Stafford will consistently be under duress in the adverse weather conditions. I like the under in both the first half and the full game. Verdict: Bet first half under 22.5 (-115) and full game under 44.5 (-118).
NFL playoffs: Key matchups to watch in each NFC divisional round game – The Athletic Key matchup: Eagles interior rushers vs. Rams offensive line. Receiver Puka Nacua returned to the lineup in Week 8, but quarterback Matthew Stafford still has struggled against pressure despite having his top wideout. After Week 8, Stafford ranks 23rd in EPA per dropback when pressured. In Week 12, the Rams turned their attention and protection toward defensive tackle Jalen Carter, arguably the Eagles’ best defensive tackle. According to Telemetry Sports, Carter was double-teamed 29 times. Defensive tackle Milton Williams feasted against one-on-ones with three pressures and two sacks. On his first sack, he beat left guard Steve Avila on a bull rush. On his second, Carter spiked from the right to the left on a stunt and took two blockers with him, freeing up Williams. The Rams will likely have a similar protection plan because you can’t leave Carter one-on-one, meaning Avila will have to block Williams one-on-one again. How Avila fares against Williams will significantly impact Stafford. Though Stafford is still spry enough to elude pressure, interior pressure is especially hard on older quarterbacks.
Spadaro: Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. know ‘it’s next man up, and we’re the next men’ – PE.com There is no blinking. Feeling empathy, sure, for a fallen brother, but for Oren Burks and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., the defense must go on. And as they move forward to replace Nakobe Dean, injured in Sunday’s win over Green Bay and lost for the remainder of this postseason, both Burks – a seven-year veteran – and Trotter – a rookie – know they have jobs to perform. And that is the mindset they both have as the Eagles prepare for Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams (3 PM, NBC) at Lincoln Financial Field. “Even though we haven’t played a lot this season because Nakobe and Zack (Baun) have done such a great job, we’ve taken mental reps,” Burks said. “We’ve stayed sharp. It’s tough to see Nakobe go down; he was playing great football. But the mentality you have to have is that it’s next man up, and we’re the next men.” The two started in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Giants – Burks led the defense with 17 total tackles, including two tackles for loss, and Trotter recorded 11 total tackles – and that playtime helped knock a season’s worth of rust off of them.
Physical and nasty: How the Eagles found their identity – NBCSP Throughout the season, head coach Nick Sirianni has been taking the opportunity during team meetings to show video clips of plays that embody the Eagles’ physicality. All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun has a favorite. “The Cooper DeJean on Derrick Henry, for sure,” Baun said. “That’s the epitome of who we’re trying to be and what we’re trying to do.” Back in Week 13, the Eagles’ rookie nickel cornerback forcefully slammed the 250-pound running back into the turf in Baltimore. It didn’t matter that Henry out-weighed DeJean by 50 pounds, it didn’t matter that DeJean was a rookie, it didn’t matter that he’s a corner. DeJean still delivered a highlight-worthy hit. “When you talk about physicality, you think about defensive line and offensive line and running backs and linebackers,” Baun explained. “But when you got DBs doing stuff like that, it sends a message to the team. You see (Darius) Slay getting in there, you see Quinyon (Mitchell) up at the line of scrimmage, Reed (Blankenship is) coming and flying downhill. It’s awesome to see.”
NFL Pro: Top four fantasy mismatches of 2025 Divisional Round – NFL.com A.J. Brown might not have had the 2025 playoff debut he expected, but a bounce-back opportunity is ripe for the picking this weekend. Brown’s Eagles draw a familiar foe in a Rams team that is playing inspired football for its city. In a Week 12 battle in Los Angeles, Brown snagged six of seven targets for 109 yards and a TD. Four of those six receptions (for 86 yards) came against CB Darious Williams , who lined up against Brown on 78.3% of the WR’s routes, per Next Gen Stats. Brown excels against man coverage, generating the second-most receiving yards (505) and most yards per route (4.2) against it this season. However, the Rams have trended toward a zone-heavy scheme, deploying zone coverage on a season-long average of 73.6% snaps per game. The good news for Brown is he has already proven he can beat Los Angeles’ zone as he went a perfect 3-3 on targets against zone in Week 12. Brown will certainly have his work cut out for him if he hopes to replicate that performance.
Eagles fans raise money for victims of California wildfires – NBC10 While Eagles fans are receiving nationwide criticism currently due to the caught-on-cam actions of one man, a group of Birds fans are changing the negative perception by lending a helping hand to victims of the California wildfires. An anonymous Eagles fan created a GoFundMe page to raise money for the victims ahead of the divisional round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Cooper Kupp uses prayer to cope with reduced role – PFT Since generating 1,947 receiving yards in 2021, Rams receiver Cooper Kupp hasn’t gotten back to 1,000 in any season. He had only 710 receiving yards in 2024. He last had a 100-yard game in the middle of November. Over the last four, he has a total of 82 receiving yards — with one catch for 29 yards in each of the last two contests. On Thursday, the Super Bowl LVI MVP was asked to explain how he copes with having a reduced role, given that he was once the focal point of the offense. “You pray a lot,” Kupp said. “You do a lot of prayer and meditation. It’s football in some respects. Statistically speaking, I’ve gone through similar things like this before. Back in 2019, I think I finished the last half of that season probably averaging less than 50 yards a game or something like that.”
Commanders vs Lions Thursday Injury Report: One player ruled out as Washington gets healthy for the playoffs – Hogs Haven The Washington Commanders held their first full speed practice of the week inside the bubble today. Dan Quinn gave some positive injury updates before practice began, saying that LB Bobby Wagner and K Zane Gonzalez are good to go for Saturday’s road playoff game against the Detroit Lions. Wagner didn’t practice all week due to an ankle injury, but was doing individual drills today. Wagner is an important leader in the Commanders defense, and would have be hard to replace vs a very good Lions offense.
NFL insider: Kellen Moore considered ‘a top target’ for Dallas Cowboys coaching job – Blogging The Boys It seems notable that Rapoport felt the need to clarify that Moore was at worst on an equal level with Sanders as far as chances for the job. You can see that Moore should be even given “probably more” deference which is really saying something. Perhaps the most interesting/worrisome thing is how Rapoport noted that the Cowboys don’t even really need to interview Moore. The point is fair and understood in that Dallas obviously knows him, but this sounds like something you say when a decision is already made. He has commanded inferior offenses since leaving. Mike McCarthy commanded an amazing one in the first year that he was gone. Those are fair things to ask questions about for the front office. Maybe they are. Perhaps this is all just talk. But whatever the case this seems like a significant thing to say and note relative to the Cowboys job.
In a recent press conference, Eagles head coach praised rookie Cooper DeJean as the best defensive player on the team. DeJean, a highly touted rookie out of Iowa, has been making waves with his exceptional playmaking ability and football IQ. Coach emphasized that DeJean’s impact on the field has been nothing short of game-changing, and that his performance has exceeded all expectations for a rookie player. With the season in full swing, all eyes will be on DeJean as he continues to make a name for himself in the league. Stay tuned for more updates on this rising star as he continues to shine on the Eagles’ defense.
PHILADELPHIA –Eagles players keep a variety of items in and around their lockers, ranging from jerseys and reminders of their colleges to pictures drawn by their children. Outside cornerback Darius Slay’s locker was something not normally seen near a player’s stall inside the NovaCare Complex: A red gasoline tank. Slay’s vehicle hadn’t run out of gas, making the tank stand out even more. Instead, tt was a motivational tool for Slay, courtesy of defensive backs coach Christian Parker. A yellow Post-it note was attached to it with the message: “How much gas do you have left in the Big Play tank?” The note was signed with Parker’s initials.
“He always sends a little message to us in any kind of way,” Slay said.
The Eagles will need Slay to dip into the gas tank again Sunday afternoon when they take on the Los Angeles Rams in their divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Slay, hoping to extend the season by another game, is mindful of his career winding down. Back in July, when asked about how many more seasons he would play, he hinted at retirement.
“Not too many more,” Slay said at the time. “I can tell you that now. I’m always thankful for the years I’ve been playing here, but it will not be much longer.”
On Friday, when Slay was asked about how much gas was left in the tank, he joked that he was near the bottom, referencing his 12 years in the league. His comments reinforced the possibility that this season or the next could be his last as a player.
“I have a good bit to get me from town to town,” Slay said. “We’re doing good. When that gas runs out, you will know. I will let you know that the gas ran out quick, but there’s still good gas left. Whenever that gas runs out, we’re not refilling it.”
Slay could return for one more season, but he indicated it depends on how he feels and the circumstances.
“We’re going to see,” Slay said. “I’m debating.”
Slay has performed well in the postseason, recording an interception in last Sunday’s wild-card win against the Green Bay Packers. According to Pro Football Focus, Slay allowed just one catch for nine yards in that game, with Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed making the lone reception. Slay faces another tough matchup Sunday, potentially lining up against Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. In their Week 12 meeting, Slay allowed three catches on four targets for 29 yards.
Not only is Slay seen Nacua, he also knows Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford well, having spent seven seasons together with the Detroit Lions. Slay shared what he thought would be an important for the Eagles to do to walk away with a win and advance to the NFC championship game.
“We have to make sure we get to him as a defense and sack him a lot,” Slay said. “We have to get his timing off and disrupt their routes because if we’re not disrupting anything, it’s going to be a good day for him.”
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The Philadelphia Eagles coach is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to spark some big plays against the Los Angeles Rams this weekend. In a surprising move, a gas can was discovered outside a player’s locker with a note from the coach that read: “Hope this ignites something big on the field.”
While some may see this as a reckless and dangerous stunt, the coach is reportedly just trying to motivate his players to step up their game and make some game-changing plays. With the team facing a tough opponent in the Rams, every bit of inspiration and encouragement could make a difference.
Will this unusual tactic pay off and lead to a standout performance from the Eagles? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – this coach is willing to go to great lengths to see his team succeed. Stay tuned for the game this weekend to see if the gas can truly does ignite a big play on the field.
When it comes to the wives and girlfriends of some of the best athletes in the game, no one’s latest sidelines look is better than Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay’s wife Jennifer Slay’s.
Slay recently posted an Instagram flick showing off her outfit, definitely deserving of praise. From the beige ear muffs and matching trench coach with a fluffy high-notched collar that kept her cozy during the winter season to the thick graphic hoodie of her husband and grey denim jeans, there’s not a single thing about this ensemble that isn’t super fly. And to finish it off, she added pine green gloves and a clutch bag.
Undoubtedly, Slay ensured every inch of this ‘fit complemented each other, and now we’re adding her to our list of sidelines fashion inspo. “Next up! #FlyEaglesFly ,” she wrote in her caption, referring to the Philadelphia team moving ahead after their victory against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
In addition to the snaps above, Slay also shared a video of her strutting her stuff down the football field, proving that she would make a great runway model. Her husband being at the front and center of her outfit is a warm and moving sentiment, especially during a game where he was temporarily injured.
“You know the vibes! ,” she captioned the video below, also shouting out her cameraman, digital creator Var.
For the NFL star, Slay suffered an elbow injury on Jan. 12 during the Eagles’ face-off against the Packers, forcing him to sit out for the second quarter to get checked on by medical. Fortunately, the injury didn’t appear to be too detrimental as he was able to return to the field in the third quarter.
Despite Darius’s injury, the Eagles were able to walk off the field with their head held high following their 22-10 victory. Football victories aren’t the only wins the Slay family has celebrated recently, though.
Darius celebrated his birthday on New Year’s Day, ringing in the new year with his 34th year of life. Jennifer didn’t hesitate to honor her talented husband on Instagram to let the world know that he is still very much the love of her life.
Between the Eagles’ recent wins and celebrating a birthday, the Slay family is on a celebratory streak this month. Hopefully, the next game on Sunday, Jan. 19 against the Los Angeles Rams ends in yet another win for them to add under their belt.
Darius Slay’s Wife Jennifer Took Sidelines Fashion to Next Level With Eagles Ensemble
When it comes to game day fashion, Jennifer Slay, the wife of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, is always on point. Recently, she took her sidelines style to the next level with an eye-catching ensemble that had everyone talking.
Jennifer’s outfit featured a custom-made Eagles jersey dress, complete with her husband’s number and name on the back. She paired the dress with a stylish pair of green and white sneakers and accessorized with a matching Eagles hat and handbag.
Not only did Jennifer’s outfit showcase her support for her husband and his team, but it also showed off her impeccable fashion sense. Fans and fashionistas alike were quick to praise her bold and creative look, with many taking to social media to express their admiration.
With Jennifer leading the way, it’s clear that Eagles fans can expect to see some serious style on the sidelines this season. Who knows what she’ll come up with next? One thing’s for sure: Jennifer Slay is definitely a fashion trendsetter to watch.
The Philadelphia Eagles host the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs on Sunday afternoon with a place in the NFC Championship on the line.
Despite the frigid temperatures and snow, fans are showing out for the big game.
One person who brought their A-game to Lincoln Financial Field was Jennifer Slay, the wife of Eagles six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay.
Sometimes you just have to tough it out in the name of fashion.
The winner of Sunday afternoon’s showdown between the Eagles and Rams will advance to the NFC Championship where they will find themselves taking on the Washington Commanders just one game away from the Super Bowl.
The Philadelphia Eagles may have fallen short in their game against the Los Angeles Rams, but Darius Slay’s wife definitely stole the show with her custom kelly green ‘2’ pants. In a nod to her husband’s jersey number, she rocked these stylish pants as she braved the snowy conditions to support her man on the field. Talk about dedication and style! #FlyEaglesFly #SlayInStyle #EaglesNation
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Darius Slay, Eagles, wife, custom pants, kelly green, Rams, snow game, fashion, NFL, game day outfit
Tim McManus covers the Philadelphia Eagles for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2016 after covering the Eagles for Philadelphia Magazine’s Birds 24/7, a site he helped create, since 2010. You can follow him on Twitter @Tim_McManus.
PHILADELPHIA — It was during OTAs last spring when Eagles coach Nick Sirianni tapped left tackle Jordan Mailata on the shoulder as he passed him on the first floor of the practice facility and said, “Hey, come up and see me in my office when you have time.”
“F—, what did I do wrong?” Mailata thought. Did he slip up at practice? Had he said something he shouldn’t have to the media?
After getting himself a plate of food in the cafeteria (“If I was getting told off, I was getting told off eating,” Mailata joked), he walked upstairs to Sirianni’s office. But Sirianni wasn’t there. Mailata poked his head into a meeting room and there he found Sirianni in the middle of a conversation with a host of assistants. Mailata sheepishly said he’d come back later and tried to duck out, but Sirianni insisted on leaving the meeting to talk with the veteran offensive lineman.
“Have a seat,” Sirianni said. “You’re not in trouble or anything. I just wanted to see how you’re doing. How’s Dad doing?”
“Because he knew about Dad,” Mailata said.
Mailata’s father, Tupa’i, had suffered a heart attack on the plane ride back to Australia after making the trip to Arizona to see his son play in Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2023. There was a time, Mailata said, when the family wasn’t sure whether Tupa’i would survive.
Sirianni served as a confidant to Mailata during that period, having sit-downs with him and creating a safe space for Mailata “to talk and get my feelings out.”
“He was very supportive and said if I needed to miss time, I could miss time. That meant the world to me,” Mailata said. “I love that guy. I’ll do anything for Nick, to be honest.”
Sirianni can be a confounding public figure. He reams referees and taunts opposing players (including, most recently, Eagles franchise icon Zach Ertz) and mugs for the camera. He’ll bark at fans in the stands — even at home, as was the case in a narrow Week 6 win against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. He oversaw a historic collapse at the end of 2023, a season defined in part by his inability to get on the same page with franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts.
And yet his teams win at a historic clip. The Eagles have reached 14 regular-season wins twice in their 91-year history and both have come during Sirianni’s four years at the helm — one this season, helping to ease speculation about his job security.
With a record of 48-20, he has produced the third-best winning percentage (.706) by a head coach in the Super Bowl era behind John Madden and George Allen. The only other coaches to reach the postseason in each of their first four seasons are John Harbaugh, Bill Cowher, John Robinson, Chuck Knox and Paul Brown, with Cowher the only member of that group to reach a Super Bowl during that time.
A talent-rich roster has certainly helped the team’s record. But setting the culture largely falls to Sirianni, and connectivity has been a strength under his stewardship of the Eagles — outside of the ’23 downfall. Ensuring relationships are strong from player to coach and player to player became a heightened priority this season as Sirianni ceded control of the offense to coordinator Kellen Moore and took on more of an overarching CEO role. From handwritten letters that appear in a player’s locker to deep conversations on the most delicate of issues, just about everyone on the roster has a moment they can point to that illustrates Sirianni’s personal touch, which has helped foster player buy-in.
“It’s incredible to have a coach like him who cares about each individual on this team like that. Yeah, he’s a special coach,” veteran long-snapper Rick Lovato said. “Every team I’ve been on that’s been to the Super Bowl or been deep into the playoffs, we’ve been the tightest of groups. And that’s how I feel about this team this year.”
ONE OF THE handwritten letters Mailata received from Sirianni sits in his locker at the NovaCare Complex.
It came after Mailata was voted captain by his peers for the first time this season — a major point of pride for the former Aussie rugby player, who knew next to nothing about football when he was drafted in the seventh round in 2018 and has since developed into one of the best left tackles in the NFL.
“It just detailed how I’ve earned it and how no one can take that from me, the way I lead, the way I practice, the way I am in the locker room,” Mailata said. “It was pretty cool.”
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers received his before his first start with the Eagles against the Jacksonville Jaguars in early December. Rodgers was suspended for the entire 2023 season for violating the league’s policy on gambling. His opportunity to start for the first time since December 2022 came when Darius Slay Jr. was ruled out with an injury.
Rodgers said he packs the letter in his travel bag and reads it before every game.
“The notes aren’t just generated, something that you just find motivational,” he said. “It’s real personal, like you know he wrote it from the heart.”
Linebacker Nakobe Dean‘s letter was delivered by an assistant coach in late October before the Cincinnati Bengals game. Sirianni expressed how proud he was of Dean for coming back from multiple injuries to establish himself as an impact starter and encouraged him to continue to climb.
“I don’t know no NFL coaches doing that,” Dean said of the letters. “When it comes to being for your players and having the utmost confidence and respect for your players, I think Nick Sirianni is second to none.”
In a sad twist of fate, Dean tore the patellar tendon in his left knee during Sunday’s wild-card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers and will miss the remainder of the playoffs.
Some players have entrusted Sirianni with the most sensitive of issues.
Sirianni and Lovato were having a conversation about family and children one day early last season when Lovato revealed that he and his wife, Jordan, were struggling with fertility. Sirianni shared that someone he was close to was also going through it, and that led to weekly check-ins from Sirianni to make sure the Lovatos were doing OK.
“He was one of the first ones I told when we went through IVF and found out we were pregnant, and he was just so incredibly excited for us,” Rick Lovato said. “It’s so great to have a coach that cares that deeply about your family and not just you and football.”
The Lovatos announced the birth of their son, Freddie, in October.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams isn’t sure how Sirianni found out that his mom, Willanette, had breast cancer. But that led to their connection, as Sirianni shared the difficulties of watching his dad, Fran, battle cancer multiple times throughout his life, including when Nick was a child.
“We talked on the phone, I came up to his office. We talked about everything,” Williams said.
“He was telling me how it was hard for him with his dad. Always being around him, he was an energetic guy and seeing him have to go through that. It was kind of the same thing seeing my mom having to go through chemo and losing hair and being tired all the time. It was just getting encouragement [from Sirianni] and knowing how to deal with certain things.”
THE RELATIONSHIP THAT has gotten the most attention is the one between Sirianni and Hurts.
During the offseason, sources detailed a seasonlong strain between the coach and quarterback, stemming mostly from a disconnect in offensive visions.
Hurts often gave short, awkward answers to questions about his head coach beginning late last season, forgoing opportunities to deliver a positive message about Sirianni and instead deepening questions about what was happening behind the scenes.
His tone changed pretty dramatically after the team’s Week 5 bye. The two had myriad conversations over that time period, hammering out a direction for the offense and team that helped fuel the Eagles’ surge, turning a 2-2 start into a 14-3 finish.
“I’m happy and fortunate that we were able to come together in harmony and have the same goal in mind, trying to get this thing right,” Hurts said in October. “I got a ton of confidence in him, a ton of confidence in what he brings and everything he’s been able to accomplish.”
One of the sources familiar with Hurts’ thinking who signaled things were off between Hurts and Sirianni around this time last year told ESPN their relationship is in a better place.
“Once you learn a person, you learn how to deal with that person,” the source said.
PART OF SIRIANNI’S leadership style is confronting issues when they come up rather than sweeping them under the rug.
Players found this out not long after Sirianni was hired in 2021. His introductory news conference was a bit of a disaster. Speaking to the audience virtually from the NovaCare auditorium because of COVID restrictions, Sirianni seemed tight and struggled as he tried to hit on all of his bullet points. It resulted in an already skeptical fan base becoming even more anxiety-ridden about the man replacing the only coach to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl win, Doug Pederson.
“As soon as we got in a team meeting [after his news conference] he was like, ‘Guys, that was a f—ing terrible introduction. I’d like to do it over again but I can’t, but just so you’re aware of it,” right tackle Lane Johnson said. “I appreciate his honesty and you always know where you stand.”
Sirianni took a similar head-on approach after defensive end Brandon Graham added fuel to an already turbulent week in early December by suggesting Hurts and A.J. Brown are no longer friends. Sirianni addressed it during a team meeting that week, helping to clear the air so the team could then turn its attention to its upcoming opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He acknowledged that his CEO role allowed him more time and ability to handle issues like that one.
“Obviously when you’re wearing more hats, you have a little less time. You still go through all those processes that you go through with the offense and the defense and the special teams. But you are able to step out a little bit more,” he said. “I’ve been able to go to the defensive line room for a meeting as opposed to always being in with the quarterbacks or with the offense. So that applies here as well, yeah.”
Through time and connection, the players in the locker room have come to know Sirianni well, so their perspective when he taunts a fan or goes after a player or coach on the sideline can be different from the general public.
“Sometimes, he’ll just come through [the locker room] to get a haircut, and he’ll be like, ‘Want to get a quick game of pingpong?'” Mailata said. “A quick game turns into like three games because he lost the first one. He’s so competitive. So once you understand his true nature, for us it’s easy to defend him because that’s just who he is. It’s hard to understand that as a fan.
“Could he be more professional? One hundred percent. But we’ve always supported him in saying, ‘Just be you.’ We know you like to wear your heart on your sleeve. Continue to do that and we’ll continue to bat for you because you always bat for us.'”
That last point is a crucial one: Sirianni often takes the heat for his players’ missteps even when it makes him look foolish. His players know it. And that’s one reason they play for him and have his back when others are crushing him.
“I’ve had conversations with Nick about this, and his answer f—ing shocked me,” Mailata said. “He said, ‘That’s my job.’ I was like, ‘No it’s not. You’ve got a family too, brother. You’ve got to think about them.’ But he was like, ‘No, that’s my burden to bear. That’s my job: to take the heat off you guys so you can go out there and play free.'”
New Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni may have faced some skepticism when he was hired, but one thing is clear: he is a true players’ coach.
Despite his lack of head coaching experience, Sirianni has quickly won over his players with his energetic and positive approach. He has been praised for his communication skills, his willingness to listen to feedback from the players, and his focus on building strong relationships with the team.
Sirianni’s hands-on coaching style and attention to detail have also resonated with the players, many of whom have spoken highly of his coaching methods and his commitment to helping them improve and succeed on the field.
While some may still have doubts about Sirianni’s ability to lead the Eagles to success, there is no denying that he has the support and respect of his players. And in the end, that may be the most important quality of all for a head coach.
No matter what your initial thoughts may have been about Nick Sirianni, it’s clear that he is a players’ coach through and through. And that could be just what the Philadelphia Eagles need to turn their season around.
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Nick Sirianni, Eagles coach, player-friendly, leadership, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, football, coaching style, team culture, player relationships, coaching philosophy, respect, sportsmanship, teamwork.
