Sports Then and Now

The Philadelphia Eagles head into the 2025 season as defending Super Bowl champions with the expectations that come from being at the top. Nick Sirianni returns for his fifth year as head coach, guiding a roster that is widely regarded as one of the most complete in the league. Last season’s 14-3 record and postseason run showed the balance of power on both sides of the ball, from a dominant defense to an offense capable of wearing opponents down.

In this blog post, we take a closer look at the team’s strengths, weaknesses, and early-season expectations.

Key Players to Watch

Much of Philadelphia’s success will depend on the play of a few cornerstone contributors who set the tone on both sides of the ball. Here are the key players to watch this year.

Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts remains the centerpiece of the Eagles’ offense. He earned a PFF grade of 81.6 in 2024, with his rushing ability standing out at a 91.1 grade, second among quarterbacks. His performance as a passer has been less consistent.

During the regular season, he ranked 23rd in passing grade and struggled under pressure with a league-worst 29.9 grade in those situations. However, Hurts showed resilience in the postseason, finishing with a 92.3 grade over the final two games and leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl title. His stable metrics from 2022 to 2024, such as an 85th percentile clean pocket grade, highlight his ability to execute when given time.

For fantasy football managers, Hurts continues to be one of the most reliable quarterbacks, averaging 22.6 points per start since becoming the starter. Analysts project him to surpass 3,200.5 passing yards this season, especially with defenses increasingly focused on stopping the run. Fans looking to follow his Week 1 performance and betting lines can check out FanDuel Sportsbook for the latest NFL odds.

Saquon Barkley

The addition of Saquon Barkley transformed the Eagles’ ground game into the most dominant in the league. Barkley rushed for more than 2,000 yards in the regular season and earned an 84.7 rushing grade. He led the NFL in yards after contact and in explosive runs of 10 or more yards.

He also became the team’s closer, carrying the ball more than anyone else in the fourth quarter and overtime while leading in yards and touchdowns during those situations. Barkley’s ability to extend drives and wear down defenses gives the Eagles a critical edge in tight games.

A.J. Brown

A.J. Brown remains the top receiving option and one of the league’s most dominant wideouts. He was one of only two Eagles receivers, alongside DeVonta Smith, to surpass 500 receiving yards in 2024. Brown’s presence is essential for creating balance in the offense and for giving Hurts a reliable target in high-pressure moments. His ability to win contested catches and stretch defenses vertically keeps opponents from loading up against the run.

Change was already evident for the Dallas Cowboys as they prepare to kickoff the 2025 season this week. A new head coach, new coordinators, and many new players acquired via trades, free agency, and the NFL draft creating significant roster turnover were already in place. Then came the biggest change just last week. No more Micah Parsons. In a massive deal finalized August 28, Dallas opted to trade Parsons, a four-time pro bowl defensive end, to the Green Bay Packers. In return, the Cowboys received two first-round draft picks from the Packers as well as veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Gone is a generational talent in Parsons who had been in contract negotiations with Dallas since March. In the end, Parsons, his agent David Mulugheta, and Cowboys’ owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones could not reach an agreement to keep Parsons and the trade was made. The trade leaves Dallas with a huge void on defense as Parsons is one of the premier pass rushers in the National Football League. Parsons recorded 12 or more sacks in each of his first four seasons with the Cowboys, the only player to do so besides defensive end Reggie White, a pro football hall of famer. White was also acquired by the Packers from Philadelphia in a massive trade back in 1993 when free agency came into the picture.

So what does Dallas do now? The simple answer is to put this move behind them and not let it be a distraction as the season is about to commence. The Cowboys play not only their season opener but the entire league opener this Thursday Sept. 4 in Philadelphia against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. Kickoff is set for 8:20 pm EST. Thus, a national television auience will be tuning in. The fact that this trade was done before the season-opener is likely better for the team as to avoid any distractions as to if Parsons will be with them or not.

Leading Dallas this season will be first-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer who was named to the helm as the 10th head coach in Cowboys’ history back on January 24. Shottenheimer replaces Mike McCarthy who was not retained after a five-year stint as head coach of the team. McCarthy went 50-38 during his time in Dallas and was only 1-3 in the playoffs. Schottenheimer has 26 years of NFL coaching experience and has been with the Cowboys since 2022, first as a consultant and for the last two years as the teams’ offensive coordinator.

The coaching staff also has new faces as former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is the new defensive coordinator. Eberflus is in his second stint with Dallas after serving as the team’s linebackers coach from 2011-17. Eberflus had additional duties as passing game coordinator from 2016-17. Also named to the staff was Klayton Adams as the team’s new offensive coordinator.

Ever noticed how some chores around the house feel never-ending, but a few are actually kind of fun? Trimming the lawn might not sound exciting, but there’s one tool that makes it way more satisfying than expected. It’s loud, it spins fast, and it clears up all those scruffy patches around fences and flower beds. Yeah, it’s the weed whacker—and it might just be the most fun part of yard work.

Let’s get into why this tool is so cool, how it works, and why even someone who doesn’t care much about gardening might still enjoy using it.

What a Weed Whacker Actually Does

A weed whacker, also called a string trimmer or weed eater, is used to cut grass and weeds in places a lawn mower can’t reach. Think about the narrow spots near garden edges, tree trunks, or the base of fences. A regular mower can’t get that close without bumping into stuff or leaving long strips of grass behind. That’s where the weed whacker comes in.

Instead of blades, this tool uses a thin piece of plastic string that spins super fast. When it moves, it slices through grass and weeds like a mini tornado. It doesn’t look sharp, but when it spins at high speed, it turns into a cutting machine. Some models even have attachments to edge along sidewalks or dig into thick brush.

Fashion is a form of self-expression and it’s not just about wearing clothes but wearing confidence and creativity at the same time. Whether you’re drawn into bold colours or sleek minimalism, making a fashion statement means choosing pieces that really do tell your story.

Recently, brands like the Savannah Bananas and Party Animals collection have gained popularity for embracing color, humour and personality throughout their fashion line. It’s these vibrant, playful looks that are reminders that standing out is something to celebrate and not shy away from. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can make your own fashion statement and stand out for all the right reasons.

Image source: Pexels

Image Source

Live betting today offers that immediate rush, but in 2025, it will offer much more. The technology behind it will be smarter, offering real-time data that helps you make more informed decisions, faster.   Instead of depending on basic odds or intuition, you’ll be equipped to place precise bets in the middle of the action.

So, what does this mean for you as a bettor? Let’s explore how the next evolution of live betting will change everything.

Real-Time Data Will Go Beyond the Basics

If you’ve been placing live bets, you’re likely familiar with real-time stats like scores, injuries, and odds. But in 2025, the depth of this data will reach new levels. Real-time insights will go beyond traditional statistics to track player performance in once-unimaginable ways.

For example, you’ll be able to see a running back’s fatigue levels in real time, analyze how exhaustion impacts their performance, and predict when they might slow down or speed up. Real-time momentum shifts will be tracked to show how the game’s pace changes, giving you a clearer picture of which team has the upper hand.

You’ll gain a deeper look into the mental side of the game — including indicators like stress levels — that can influence an athlete’s decisions and performance. Thanks to wearable tech tracking real-time data such as heart rate, movement, and recovery metrics, it’s becoming possible to anticipate a player’s next move with greater accuracy. This kind of insight is reshaping Sports betting, shifting it from a reactive activity to a more predictive, data-driven process that gives bettors a sharper edge in fast-paced live markets.

Personalized Mobile Betting Will Change the Game

Mobile betting will undergo a massive transformation by 2025, offering a smarter and more personalized experience than ever. With advancements in mobile platforms and real-time data integration, betting apps will start anticipating your preferences, delivering insights and alerts that cater to you.

For instance, you could receive personalized notifications based on your betting history, such as an alert when a key player is about to reach a significant milestone, like hitting their season-high for points or rebounds.

There’s nothing better than waking up knowing that your favorite team is playing that day. The game can define the entire day, from your morning reading through to your pre-game rituals to the after-game celebrations (or commiserations).

Alas, while these days are oh-so-fun and exciting, they’re still only one day. Depending on your preferred sport, you might have to wait a week or more before you get to watch your beloved team in action again.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your sport even when your team isn’t playing. In this post, we’ll run through some of the best methods for engaging with your sport all week around. 

Listen to Podcasts

Looking to engage with your favorite sport, but still have a few days to wait until your team is in action? Then podcasts might be just the solution you’ve been searching for. We’re living through the golden age of podcasts, and that means that there are plenty of excellent ones to choose from!