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What did we learn in the 2023 season’s penultimate week? FOX Sports’ staff of NFL writers joined forces to deliver insight and analysis from around the league.
In this weekly story, we’ll tell you what we noticed, what we heard and what to keep an eye on next.
1. Ugly Eagles loss was a terrible Philly finale for franchise’s ‘Core Four’
The run-up to last year’s Super Bowl felt like a storybook ending for the Philadelphia Eagles’ famed “Core Four”. What better way to go out for the four leaders and Philly icons than teaming up for what looked like one last championship run?
Then they surprised everyone when they all returned for one more shot at a Super Bowl trophy. But now it looks like their storybook is closed.
Barring a series of unlikely events, the Eagles’ crushing, 35-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday was probably the last home game for three of them — center Jason Kelce, linebacker Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. The loss took their destiny out of their own hands and put the Dallas Cowboys on the brink of winning the NFC East, which would send the Eagles on the road for their entire playoff run.
And if that happens, that’s a sad ending for the 36-year-old Kelce, the 35-year-old Graham and the 33-year-old Cox. All three returned for 2023 on what are basically one-year contracts. Lane Johnson, their 33-year-old right tackle, is the only member of the group expected back in 2024.
That could change, of course. None of them have expressly said they’re ready to retire. Kelce, in fact, remains one of the best centers in football and it’s possible the Eagles will try to entice him to play again.
But the Eagles are probably looking at a rebuild on defense, and older players might be a luxury they can’t afford. Cox is still Pro Football Focus’ 20th-ranked defensive tackle — one spot below former teammate Javon Hargrave — and has five sacks, which isn’t far off the seven he had last year. But he cost the Eagles $10 million this…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/10-things-we-learned-in-nfl-week-17-late-season-breakouts-ends-of-eras-and-more
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Publish date : 2024-01-01 19:20:43
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