Report: Promotion for Patricia
Ex-Patriots coach will call Eagles’ D
Matt Patricia is replacing Sean Desai as the defensive play-caller for the Eagles ahead of Monday night’s game against the Seahawks in Seattle, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press.
Desai will continue his role as defensive coordinator but is moving to the booth, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the switch.
Patricia, a three-time Super Bowl champion as a defensive coach with the Patriots and a former head coach with the Lions, joined the Eagles as a senior defensive assistant this year after Desai replaced Jonathan Gannon as the defensive coordinator.
Patricia had multiple stints with the Patriots. Most recently he was the senior football adviser and offensive line coach, and last season was heavily involved in calling plays for the offense. From 2012 to 2017, he was New England’s defensive coordinator.
The Eagles (10-3) have lost two straight games and have allowed 109 points over the past three.
All it took was two straight losses and one game without finding the end zone for Jalen Hurts and his coaches to start feeling the heat of what’s going on in Philadelphia.
A win over Seattle will wrap up a playoff spot for the Eagles. But the way the past two weeks transpired have amplified concerns.
“There is no doubt adversity helps you grow as a team,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “So, we’re [annoyed] that we haven’t played or coached to our standard and we’re ready to go do something about it.”
Whether Hurts is under center against the Seahawks (6-7) is uncertain after he was downgraded to questionable Sunday because of illness. If Hurts is unable to go, Marcus Mariota would get the start.
Levis hurts leg in OT
Rookie quarterback Will Levis left the Titans’ 19-16 overtime loss to the Texans after his left leg was bent back awkwardly during the extra period on the seventh sack he took. Levis thought he avoided serious injury after being awkwardly dragged down to the turf.
The key will be how Levis feels Monday when the adrenaline wears off, especially with the Titans officially eliminated from playoff contention for a second straight season.
The Titans honored former tight end Frank Wycheck, who died at his home at age 52 earlier this month, by wearing his No. 89 on a sticker on their helmets.
Also in Nashville, the Texans spoiled Tennessee’s day wearing their Oilers’ throwbacks against the team that replaced them in Houston. Titans coach Mike Vrabel even wore a cowboy hat in honor of late Oilers coach Bum Phillips until just before kickoff.
Earl Campbell, the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back with the Oilers and the NFL MVP in 1979, attended. Billy “White Shoes” Johnson was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime.
Concussion KO’s Wilson
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is in concussion protocol after leaving a 30-0 loss at Miami late in the second quarter.
Trevor Siemian replaced Wilson on the Jets’ final series of the first half, and CBS originally reported that Wilson went into the locker room early to get hydrated. The Jets later announced Wilson had a head injury before ruling him out with a concussion in the third quarter.
Wilson was 4 of 11 for just 26 yards. It was unclear on what play Wilson was injured, but he was briefly looked at in the medical tent early in the game when his head hit the ground during a play. He stayed in, but spent most of his time on the field under immense pressure from Miami’s defense.
Wilson was sacked four times, one of which resulted in a fumble that led to the game’s first score. He took a hard hit from edge rusher Bradley Chubb on the strip sack.
Howell, not Brissett
Commanders coach Ron Rivera said Sam Howell will remain the starting quarterback, despite his being relieved in a 28-20 loss the
Rams by Jacoby Brissett, who directed two scoring drives in the final 9:05. Washington has dropped five straight and was officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Howell had his worst game of the season, finishing 11 of 26 for 102 yards with a touchdown and an interception. In the past two games, he is 23 of 49 for just 229 yards, and he has been sacked a league-leading 59 times in 14 games.
Brissett, who has started 48 games in an eight-year career, completed 8 of 10 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns in his second appearance of the season.
Chase day to day
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was day to day with a sprained shoulder joint suffered in Saturday’s overtime win over the Vikings, coach Zac Taylor said Sunday. That leaves Chase questionable for Saturday’s game at Pittsburgh as Cincinnati (8-6) fights to stay in the AFC playoff race. He has 1,156 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Cincinnati will be without defensive tackle D.J. Reader (quad) and cornerback D.J. Ivey (knee), who are out for the remainder of the season.