NFL

Eagles 24, Cowboys 20

This game was the tale of two halves. From the start, both offenses were clicking, so much so that each team scored a touchdown on its first two possessions. The offensive onslaught slowed but didn’t stop after that, as the contest went to halftime at 21-20. Halftime, however, wasn’t the only stoppage of the night, as this duel was dealt an hour-long delay due to lightning in the third quarter. By then, the scoring had decelerated, and neither team put points on the board after play resumed. What a night.

Perhaps no player’s evening was more widely differentiated by each half than Jalen Hurts. The signal-caller an unstoppable force in the first two quarters, as his processing was on point. In the second stanza, Hurts relied more on his legs, but they’re more than enough for the Eagles to edge lesser opponents.

Hurts finished 19-of-23 for 152 yards. He also rushed for two scores.

Hurts’ lack of aerial damage hurt DeVonta Smith, but it destroyed A.J. Brown’s production. A win is a win, but Hurts and Kevin Patullo need to find a way to get the star wideout more involved moving forward. A simple eight-yard pass with the game winding down isn’t enough.

Smith recorded three receptions for 16 yards and Brown made just the one catch.

The rest of Philadelphia’s offense, however, shined. Saquon Barkley made numerous positive plays, and the tackle duo of Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson was terrific. Mailata and Johnson make life so easy for their teammates.

Landon Dickerson left the game late with back tightness, so hopefully the Eagles get him back for Week 2. I’d bet on that happening.

I’d also bet on the Eagles’ defense improving as the season progresses. The franchise’s stop unit is awfully young after some offseason departures, but experience is the best teacher. Andrew Mukuba, Jalyx Hunt and Jihaad Campbell will all likely be better players come midseason. For now, Philadelphia can rely on Zack Baun, who was all over the field last night.

Baun recorded nine tackles, including one for a loss.

This loss was undoubtedly painful for the Cowboys, but they shouldn’t hang their heads. Dallas nearly went shot for shot with the Eagles for most of the night, and even tightened up defensively after the weather delay. The Cowboys will have season-long concerns about interior run defense and pressure off the edge, but they did enough to stymie Philadelphia as the game progressed.

Dak Prescott’s stat line of 21-of-34 for 188 yards is fairly pedestrian, but Dallas wouldn’t of stood a chance without its signal-caller. Prescott fired catchable balls downfield all evening, but unfortunately was betrayed by the hands of CeeDee Lamb in the second half.

Lamb is a great receiver — one of the game’s top seven or so — but he made two, arguably three, drops late in this game. It likely won’t happen again, but the fact that it occurred just once was shocking and detrimental for the Cowboys.

Despite it all, Lamb posted seven catches for 110 yards. Newcomer George Pickens was a factor, but finished with just three grabs for 30 yards. Pickens did draw a deep defensive pass interference call early in the game, though.

In wake of sending Micah Parsons to the Packers, the Cowboys will need someone — ideally an edge defender — to breakout this season. Perhaps that player can be Marshawn Kneeland. The 2024 second-rounder was mostly anonymous as a rookie, but he tallied a sack and three tackles in this defeat. Kneeland really flashed while watching this tilt.

Dallas shouldn’t sweat this loss. It would’ve been amazing for the organization to start 1-0 and spoil banner night for the Eagles, but it’s not the end of the world that it didn’t happen. The Cowboys host the Giants in Week 2, and if they play like they did yesterday, I feel good about their chances of winning that game.

Broncos sign EDGE Nik Bonitto to four-year, $106 million contract extension

Denver is having an active summer of retainment, previously inking Zach Allen and Courtland Sutton to sizeable extensions. Now, Bonitto, one of the best impending free agents, is signed through 2029.

Bonitto, while less established than Allen and Sutton, is receiving a bigger payday. There’s a reason for that, as the 25-year-old’s trajectory is pointing way upward. The Oklahoma product product recorded just 1.5 sacks as a rookie, but posted 13.5 in his third season. He’s also skilled in coverage.

Bonitto has years of great football ahead of him, and the Broncos — yet again — are responsibly taking care of their core pieces. Don’t be surprised if Bonitto earns All-Pro honors again this season.

Grade: A-

Seahawks sign OT Abraham Lucas to three-year, $46 million contract extension

The Seahawks, with Charles Cross and Lucas, have a tackle duo to feel good about, though Lucas is the far less talented of the two. A 2022 third-round selection, Lucas has been a decent right tackle with the upside for more. With this extension, Seattle is banking on the 26-year-old’s potential, because it’s a slight overpay otherwise.

Grade: C+

Jets G Alijah Vera-Tucker out for season with torn triceps

This is a bummer. Vera-Tucker, already one of the better guards in the league, was inching toward the top tier at the position. That ascent will have to wait, as the Jets now need to reshuffle their line.

Vera-Tucker was slated to start at right guard for New York, but that spot will likely now be occupied by Joe Tippmann. If Tippmann slides over to guard, expect Josh Myers to to take over at center. Tippman is a fine blocker and capable of playing anywhere on the offensive line, but Myers has struggled in recent years.

The Jets are expected to be a run-heavy offense, so losing a mauler like Vera-Tucker will sting. Defenses will load the box against New York, so running the ball will be difficult without the club’s top interior blocker.

NBA

Grizzlies sign SF Olivier-Maxence Prosper to two-way contract

The 24th overall pick in 2023, Prosper was billed as a blooming two-way wing. So far, the problem for the 23-year-old has been on the offensive end, where he’s a career 26% shooter from deep. That likely won’t improve much, hence his release from the Mavericks. The Grizzlies, though, are taking a risk-free chance on his potential, which I can’t fault.

Prosper averaged 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game last year.

Grade: A-

MLB

Phillies 2, Brewers 0

The Phillies put forth a dominant pitching effort in this victory, and it’s easy to see how the club could replicate it next month. Ranger Suarez is a dependable starter, and was followed by David Robertson, Matt Strahm and Jhoan Duran in this game. That foursome is a scary proposition for opponents.

The Brewers have fallen back to Earth, and Milwaukee will have to evaluate its roster as it gears up for the postseason. Blake Perkins was a fun story for a few weeks in July and early August, but he’s cratered since. After a 0-for-3 output yesterday, his slash line is down to .202/.275/.336. Perkins simply can’t start any games in October for Pat Murphy.

Pirates 5, Dodgers 3

As long as he avoids a few bad outings to close the season, Paul Skenes should have the NL Cy Young award on lock. The 23-year-old is the best pitcher in baseball, and he’s finally where he should be: above .500. It’s a joke that he wasn’t at that mark before yesterday, but that’s another discussion. On the bright side, Pittsburgh finished off a three-game sweep of the Dodgers.

The Dodgers are limping, but fortunately the rival Padres are stumbling. San Diego has lost eight of 10, so Los Angeles has somehow extended its NL West lead recently.

Rays 4, Guardians 2

While watching Cowboys-Eagles, from the corner of my eye I caught the monsoon that occurred as this game ended. I guess that’s Florida weather in September. Hurricane season awaits.

I, like most people, mostly discounted the Rays from the AL wild-card race in recent weeks, but Tampa Bay has stormed back. After winning seven straight, the Rays are just two games behind the Mariners for the final postseason spot. The wind will probably come out of the sails at some point, but Kevin Cash’s club should feel good as the season winds down.

Logan Allen’s latest starts have been mightily disappointing. The southpaw was doing fine up until August, but he’s been getting shelled of late. Yesterday’s outing was a slight improvement, as he only allowed three earned runs, but his ERA is still high at 4.46.

Royals 4, Angels 3

Bobby Witt Jr. isn’t having the bonkers year he had in 2024, but he’s still one of the game’s best players. His talent was on display last night, as he slammed a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning.

Witt has 21 home runs this season.

I don’t know why Chris Taylor is still drawing starts at the MLB level. The 35-year-old regressed significantly last season with the Dodgers, and his play has gotten worse this season. Taylor is finished as a big-league player, but the Angels don’t seem to realize it.

Taylor went 0-for-2 last night.

Yankees 8, Astros 4

To say Trent Grisham is having a magical season would be an understatement. Entering this season, the center fielder’s career high for home runs was 17, which he reached in 2022 with the Padres. Thus, a 20-homer campaign this year would’ve been a victory, for both the Yankees and Grisham. Forget that, as Grisham has roared past that total, hitting his 30th long ball in this win.

Grisham finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs, all of which came on his home run.

Cam Smith, after being raced to the majors this spring, got off to an encouraging start. However, the last month or so has been difficult for the rookie, as he’s looked lost at the plate on a regular basis. Houston will count on Smith if it makes the postseason, but he’s proven to be far from dependable at the moment.

Smith went 0-for-2 yesterday.