By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Doug Pederson faces his first Super Bowl appearance since his Green Bay Packers took home a title more than 20 years ago.

On the eve of Super Bowl LII, he called in an old friend with a unique perspective to offer.

Brett Favre, Super Bowl XXXI champion, spoke to Pederson’s Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday morning, less than 48 hours before kickoff in the franchise’s biggest game to date. The Hall of Famequarterback did so per request of Pederson, who was once Favre’s backup and is also owner of a SB XXXI ring. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Chargers missed Keenan Allen so much in 2016, they spent their first-round pick on a receiver.

Turns out, all they needed was some time.

A year after playing in just one game, Allen’s journey to redemption received its topper when he was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year on Saturday at the seventh-annual NFL Honors. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Aaron Donald didn’t lead the NFL in sacks, tackles, or forced fumbles (almost). It doesn’t matter.

Donald is the best defensive player in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle was officially crowned as such on Saturday when he was named 2017 NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press at the seventh-annual NFL Honors in Minneapolis. Donald earned 23 of 50 votes, beating out Jacksonville Jaguars DT Calais Campbell (17) and Arizona Cardinals LB Chandler Jones (5).

Donald plays a position that is one of the most difficult to rack up gaudy numbers, yet he impacts a game more than any other player. He routinely rushes right past opposing linemen, using incredible burst. Double teams struggle to contain him. He plays disciplined, powerful defense, engaging a defender and maintaining a neutral position with the ability to shoot either the A or B gaps, depending on where the ballcarrier heads in a technique called “two-gapping.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Hop on an airplane and travel to a different climate. Chances are, you’ll get a little sick in the process.

Neither the Eagles or Patriots drastically changed climates in leaving the Northeast for Minnesota, but one of the teams caught a bug on the way. Many Philadelphia players have dealt with flu-like symptoms this week, with receiver Nelson Agholor receiving intravenous fluids after feeling sick and weak, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Isaac Bruce has made his case.

He made it on the field. In the last few months, he’s made it with his mouth, too.

Hours from the announcement of the newest Pro Football Hall of Fame class, Bruce stated his case yet again, with an added air of defiance.

“I feel in my mind I’ve always been a Hall of Famer from Day One since 1994,” Bruce said. “I went out with the production, showed what I can do and I was satisfied. I’m sitting here honestly satisfied that I am who I am and that’s all by the grace of God, man.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Detroit Lions proved correct the popular thought of football being a pass-first game in 2017.

Detroit finished seventh in points scored (410) and 13th in the NFL in yards per game (337.8), despite finishing dead last in rushing with 76.3 yards per contest.

That’s simply remarkable.

Detroit missed the playoffs due to a 9-7 finish and a strong year from the NFC South, which produced both wild cards. For much of the season, though, the Lions were in the hunt. Their downfall was a lack of consistency from week to week.

That isn’t discouraging Lions receiver Marvin Jones. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Tyrod Taylor learned in 2017 to make sure he looks out for himself when he has the chance.

Benched in the middle of a playoff run, Taylor returned a half later after his replacement, rookie Nathan Peterman, crashed and burned in his starting debut. Taylor started all but one of the remaining games, going 3-2 in his final five starts as the Bills ended the NFL’s longest active playoff drought.

And yet, Taylor enters yet another offseason filled with contract questions. This time around, he’s not down for a restructuring. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Von Miller‘s Broncos once defeated Tom Brady in an important postseason contest.

On the doorstep of another Super Bowl berth, Brady’s Patriots were cut down by Miller, DeMarcus Ware and the rest of a swarming Broncos defense that ended up harassing its way to a Lombardi Trophy. Denver sacked Brady four times and hit him many more (17), wreaking so much havoc, Brady was essentially seeing ghosts by the second half, anticipating rushers who weren’t even there.

Miller probably has a pretty good idea of how to stop Brady. How should the Eagles attempt to do it, Von? Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Deshaun Watson temporarily lit the league on fire with his play in 2017 before a knee injury cut his season short.

That’s just a small bump in the road Watson envisions for himself — which includes surpassing the achievements of one Tom Brady.

“If Tom wins, it’s going to six, right? I want to be at seven,” Watson said during his Friday appearance on Good Morning Football. “Whatever it takes to be the best, the greatest, and not just for me, but for any athlete, especially quarterback … if you don’t want to chase Tom Brady and [be] above him, you’re selling yourself short. I always put my mentality with [being] the best, and Tom Brady is the best right now, so whatever I have to do to get to that level at age 40, that’s what I’m going to do.” Continue reading →