The Linc

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …

Saints’ Dennis Allen defends team from Eagles’ ‘dirty’ claims – ESPN
New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen defended his players after the Philadelphia Eagles accused the team of dirty play in the Eagles’ 15-12 win on Sunday. “I’d say our guys play extremely hard and we’re going to compete until the down is over,” Allen said Monday. “I don’t think we play dirty. I don’t think we ever have played dirty. It’s not the way we coach it, not the way we teach it, but we do play hard. Look, nobody wants to see anybody get hurt, nobody’s trying to hurt anybody and unfortunately that’s part of the business that we’re in. No, we don’t play dirty. We don’t coach dirty, but we do play hard and we do play physical.” Saints defensive end Payton Turner and rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd were both accused of dirty play after Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith was placed into concussion protocol and did not return. Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who the Saints traded to the Eagles in 2022, said Boyd took a cheap shot on Smith. “Man, that’s the dirtiest s— I ever saw in football, bro,” Gardner-Johnson said after the game. “Y’all obviously saw forward progression was stopped. For them to take a cheap shot on one of our key players, it goes to show what type of team that is. They’re front-runners.”

Eagles vs. Saints: 13 winners, 4 losers, 3 IDKs – BGN
But, before we get started, just wanted to include a big picture thought: this is a really good win for this team. Yeah, it wasn’t pretty as it could’ve been, and sloppiness has become too common of a theme dating back to last season. But this wasn’t a spot where the Eagles needed to earn style points (although they kinda did, outgaining their opponent by 241 yards). It wasn’t like they were massive favorites. They were 2.5-point road underdogs coming off a short week after a demoralizing loss playing against arguably the hottest team in the NFL. And they entered the game without A.J. Brown and then suffered several key injuries throughout the afternoon. This was a significant challenge and they ultimately got the job done. Moving forward, it’s absolutely important for this team to show that they can play a better, cleaner brand of football. This win could serve as a performance to build on. It certainly beats the alternative of dropping to 1-2 with things feeling like they might be going off the rails.

NFC Hierarchy/Obituary: Week 4 edition – PhillyVoice
3) Eagles (2-1): To be determined if he can stay healthy, but Saquon Barkley is very clearly a lot better than Miles Sanders and D’Andre Swift, who both got carried to the Pro Bowl by the Eagles’ offensive line. Through the first three games, Barkley is on pace for 1989 rushing yards and 23 TDs. Sanders is averaging 3.3 yards per carry since signing with the Panthers; Swift is averaging 1.8 yards per carry since signing with the Bears.

More Like It – Iggles Blitz
Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat were disruptive. Jordan Davis had a sack and a TFL. Milton Williams had a pair of TFLs. Darius Slay had tight coverage on a throw into the end zone and broke up the pass. Reed Blankenship came up with the pick to seal the game. This didn’t feel like a fluke. No player did anything that can’t be repeated. At the same time, other teams will study this tape and try to find ways to spread the Eagles out and attack them. Fangio will need to have a counter to that. Fangio is learning what his players can do. They are learning how to thrive in the new scheme. There will be ups and downs, but the defense can still get better. Sunday was a sign of how good the unit can be.

Even after dominant performance, Jalen Carter still his biggest critic – NBCSP
Jalen Carter on Friday gave a blunt assessment of his play through the first two weeks of the season. “Me being real with myself … trash,” Carter said. But then came Sunday. Carter was dominant against the Saints in the Eagles’ 15-12 win. He anchored a defensive line that shut down the No. 1 offense in the NFL and he filled up the stat sheet in the process. While Carter didn’t have a sack, he did have 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit and 2 batted passes. He was a game-wrecker. He looked like the star the Eagles need him to be. So how would Carter assess his dominant performance against the Saints? “Trash,” he said.

Spadaro: Dallas Goedert makes history, Jalen Carter dominates, and Brandon Graham remains timeless – PE.com
On Sunday in New Orleans, Goedert was featured in the passing game. Oh boy, was he featured. Eleven targets, 10 receptions, 170 yards – all career highs. The 170 yards were the most by an Eagles tight end since Pete Retzlaff had 204 yards on November 14, 1965 against Washington. In the opening two games, Goedert had 7 receptions for 69 yards and played well in the blocking game. On Sunday, with wide receiver A.J. Brown ruled out before the game and wide receiver DeVonta Smith injured heading into the fourth quarter, Goedert dominated in the passing game. And it sure felt great. “We had plays that were called for me,” Goedert said. “A little bit more than the first couple games. But, like I said, anytime my number gets called, I’m going to do whatever I can to be able to make a play. It is always fun to be involved, but we have so many special players on this offense that when it’s my time, I’m going to do what I can, and when it’s A.J.’s, time, he’s going to do it, Smitty (Smith), you know, everybody. We got an incredible squad. So, you know, we just have to stay patient and wait for our times.”

NFL Week 4 Opening Odds: Buccaneers vs. Eagles – Bucs Nation
The Buccaneers just couldn’t do anything at home against a rookie-led offense commanded by quarterback Bo Nix. It was evident on Sunday of the team’s poor performance all around and head coach Todd Bowles validated that Monday. “It was as bad as I thought it was,” Bowles told the media when asked of his thoughts after watching Sunday’s tape. “We didn’t play well in any facet of the game – offense, defense, or special teams.” Tampa Bay has to prepare for a tough stretch in their schedule that begins this week with the Eagles. If the game against Denver was tough, it won’t be any easier against Philly.

Jaguars drop to 0-3 after Bills beatdown in prime time: ‘We’re not a very good football team’ – NFL.com
Following the devastating defeat, the Jags had few answers for why they played so poorly but knew one thing: They aren’t ready for prime time. “It’s real shocking. Very disappointed. You hate to say it, but the reality of it is this is who we are right now,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters. “We’re not a very good football team and we’ve got to get it fixed. We’ve got to come up with some answers and we’ve got to do it in a hurry.”

Another game, another serious injury to one of the 49ers’ most important players – Niners Nation
The San Francisco 49ers received the worst-case scenario for defensive tackle Javon Hargrave on Monday. Kyle Shanahan said Hargrave suffered a partially torn triceps and will miss the rest of the season. This comes after Shanahan said that Hargrave had his best game of the season against the Los Angeles Rams. Hargrave’s injury requires surgery, which will sideline him for a few months. Shanahan said there’s a chance Hargrave could return, but it would be late in the playoffs.

Report: Safety Marcus Epps out for season – Silver And Black Pride
The Las Vegas Raiders’ ugly home loss to the Carolina Panthers got even more painful as the team has reportedly lost another defensive starter for the season. NFL Media reported Monday afternoon that Las Vegas starting safety Marcus Epps tore the ACL in his knee in Sunday’s 36-22 loss to Carolina. He badly limped off the field and went to the locker room and did not return.

Chargers signing WR Jalen Reagor to practice squad – ChargersWire
According to multiple reports, the Chargers are signing wide receiver Jalen Reagor. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz said that Reagor will start on the practice squad with the likelihood that he will eventually get elevated to the active roster. Reagor’s professional career started with the Eagles, who selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Vote for Jayden Daniels as NFL Rookie of the Week for his domination of the Bengals on Monday Night Football – Hogs Haven
There seems little doubt that Jayden Daniels enjoyed his breakout game in front of a national audience on Monday Night as he led the Commanders on six consecutive scoring drives to score 38 points on the road against the favored Cincinnati Bengals. Daniels completed 21 of 23 pass attempts for 254 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. On the ground, Daniels led his team in rushing, with 12 runs for 39 yards and yet another touchdown. His individual performance led Daniels to a number of notable accomplishments.

Cowboys vs Ravens stock report: Sunday was an indictment against America’s Team – Blogging The Boys
Stock Down: Mike Zimmer. The only other candidates who the Cowboys reportedly considered for their defensive coordinator position outside of Mike Zimmer were Rex Ryan and Ron Rivera. This always felt sketchy to me. Zimmer looks like he is no match for the NFL’s modern game and how could he be? He’s been out of the league for a few years. We know his name and have memories of group’s dominating under his command so the nostalgia in us wanted this to be great like the reboot of any sitcom from our youth, but none of those shows ever work out. This one hasn’t either. What’s more is that a hallmark of sorts of Zimmer’s past is that groups are rough and tough and have fight and nastiness to their games. This Cowboys defense allowed 158 yards on Sunday as a result of broken tackles. You cannot tell me that this is a group who plays with discipline.

Giants-Cowboys odds: Giants will be underdogs at home vs. Dallas – Big Blue View
The New York Giants are currently 4.5-point underdogs at home vs. the Dallas Cowboys for Thursday’s prime time matchup at MetLife Stadium, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

The Dolphins need a new QB to save their season. Here are 6 options – SB Nation
Carson Wentz. How important is a backup QB in Kansas City, really? These teams have a history of trading with each other going back to the Tyreek Hill deal, and it shows that KC isn’t really worried about trading to a contender inside the conference. Wentz has steadily rebuilt himself into a solid backup QB who can step in when needed and make some plays. He’s an accurate passer who thrives making short yardage throws, and that’s exactly what the Dolphins need right now. It’s not a sexy move, or one that would garner much excitement — but Miami could do a whole lot worse.