Pederson defends decision to bench Hurts in Eagles’ loss
The Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA— Eagles chose to give a third-string quarterback playing time in a game with playoffimplications for other teams.
Coach Doug Pederson benched JalenHurts for Nate Sudfeld in the fourth quarter of a 20-14 loss to Washington on Sunday night. The victory gaveWashington(7-9) the NFC East title. The New York Giants (6-10) would’ve won the division crown if Philadelphia (4-11-1) hadwon.
Thedecisiondidn’t goover well with Giants players posting their reaction on Twitter. Sudfeld hadn’t throwna pass since 2018andwas pickedon his second attempt. He also lost a fumble.
“Yes, I was coaching to win,” Pederson said. “Yes, thatwasmy decision solely. Nate has been here four years and I felt he deserved an opportunity to get some snaps.”
ThelossgavetheEaglesthe sixth pick in the NFL draft. A victorywould’ve dropped them to the ninth spot.
“Nobodywho stepped on thatfieldwantedtolose,” said running back Boston Scott, who had 65 yards rushing. “Nobody lacked energy.”
Hurts had a pair of 6-yard touchdown runs to help the Eagles overcome a 10-0 deficit but he misfired on his last pass, a 4-yard toss into the endzone thatwould’ve given them a lead late in the third quarter.
“As a competitor, I play to win,” Hurts said about getting pulled. “Just trustCoach with that.”
Jaguars fire Marrone
The Jacksonville Jaguars firedcoachDougMarroneon Monday, a little more than 12 hours after ending the season with a 15th consecutive loss.
It was a move many thought owner Shad Khan should have madeat the end of the 2019 season. But Khan gaveMarroneanotherchance to make Jacksonville a playoff contender for the second time in four years.
Marrone came up well short of the owner’s expectations, making Khan’s decision easy and expected.
Three-time national champion UrbanMeyer is considered a leading coaching candidate if he decides to leave Fox Sports and return to the sidelines. Meyerwon college footballtitlesatFlorida(2006, ‘08) and Ohio State (2014).
Despite Jacksonville’s recent struggles, both jobs are generally considered the most attractive ones open. The Jaguars have five of the first 65 picks in the 2021NFL draft, including the overall No. 1 selection, and nearly $100 million in salary cap space to help rebuild.
Jets, Gase part ways
Adam Gase came to New York with high hopes he would be the perfect fit to help quarterback Sam Darnold take the next step in his development and boost the Jets’ offense.
And lead the teamback to the postseason.
None of thatmaterialized. So, the search is on — again — for a frustrated franchise.
The Jets fired Gase on Sunday night, ending a disappointing tenure after just two loss-filled seasons.
Hired by the Jets in January 2019, Gase went 9-23 withNewYork, including an 0-13 start thatwas theworst in franchise history — overshadowing even the 1996 squad that went 0-8 on the way to a 1-15 finish, and is generally recognized as the team’s worst.
Themovewas announced by the teama few hours after New York lost 28-14 at New England on Sunday to end the season 2-14.
Chargers can Lynn
The Los Angeles Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn less than two seasons after he led the franchise to the AFC divisional round.
Los Angeles won its final fourgames to finish7-9, but it wasn’t enough to save Lynn’s job.
Hired by the Chargers in January 2017, Lynnwas the first Black headcoach in franchise history. Hewent 34-32 with Los Angeles, but just 12-20 over the last two seasons. Hehadoneyearremaining on his contract.
Los Angeles started 0-4 during Lynn’s first season in 2017, but finished 9-7 after winning six of the last seven games. That served as a springboard to 2018 as the Chargers went 12-4, which tied for the best record in the AFC. TheydefeatedBaltimore in the wild cardroundbefore losing to NewEngland in the divisional playoffs.
Trying to repeat that success has been elusive. They are 7-16 since the start of last season in games decided by eight points or fewer.