Run It Back ? Philadelphia Has Once…In February Could It Be Done Twice ?

 2024 NFL Standings through 10.5 weeks :

Chiefs (9-0) 1st in AFC

Eagles 2nd in NFC 

February 2005 the Eagles loss Super Bowl XXXIX to New England in Jacksonville by 3. 

February 2018 the Eagles ran it back in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis while defeating New England vs. Brady & Belicheck. 

February 2023 in Glendale, Arizona during Super Bowl LVII vs. Kansas City, Philadelphia loss by 3 to Mahomes and Reid. 

February 2025 the Super Bowl is in New Orleans. There is plenty football left to be played. The Chiefs are looking to become the only NFL in history to win 3 Super Bowls in a row. 

Could the teams really square off and run it back ? 

Barring major injury to both teams. For Philadelphia their is no Nick Foles to come  off the bench like in 2017 if Jalen was to go down.

The intrigue is Carson Wentz who played MVP level football in 2017 prior to ACL injury in Los Angeles is Mahomes backup.

Or is this like 1996-97 LL Cool J ‘Hey Lover’ Lyrics “ It’s a fantasy it won’t come true”. 

📸 from watching Super Bowls 52 & 57 respectively. 

5 Down 25 More To Go #NovaNation Due To Past Success = Tough Watch

 

The 2024-25 Villanova Mens Basketball season is 5 games in with 25 left to play in the regular season. After Friday’s game in Baltimore vs. Virginia a defeat to drop the Wildcats to 2-3. 

The Wildcats, unfortunately are becoming a tough watch. This is the 3rd season since Jay Wright retired following the 2022 Final Four in New Orleans. Only player remaining for that roster is Villanova best player graduate player Eric Dixon.

His game has come along way from then to now. 

Growing up here at Sports247365 we grew up rooting for the Big 5 / City 6 yet Villanova was right there at the top of the list. 

Those teams of Celestand, Haynes, followed by Kittles, J. Lawson, Kittles, eventually Tim Thomas. Turn of the century : Wayans, Lowry, Ray, Foye. Then you had 4 Final Four appearances from 2009 to 2022 including a pair of National Championships in 2016 & 2018. Those teams featured, Mikal, Donte, Josh and Jalen all future NBA pros. 

The last 2 years no NCAA tournament appearances. This could be trending to year 3 of that, under former Nova assistant current head coach Kyle Neptune. Whether it’s offense, defense, shooting, rebounding, play making it doesn’t appear their is one thing, this team can hang their hat on in the Big East. 

Here at Sports247365 we grew up a fan, yet over the years able to forge relationships with those in the program. 

Literally becoming a friend of the program. 

Definitely not easy writing this article of where Villanova basketball is, especially where they have come from. 

Week 4 Goff Was Mr. Perfect

 18 for 18, those were the Week 4 numbers for Lions QB Jared Goff. Goff also caught a touchdown pass similar to “Philly Philly”. That play became well known by Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

Goff was named NFC Offensive Player Of The Week. The Ford Field crowd watched The Lions defeat the previously unbeaten Seattle Seahawks. 

Growing up, the late Curt Henning was known as Mr. Perfect.

He won the WWF Intercontinental Championship multiple times. The Minneapolis, Minnesota native…character had plenty of bravado. 

Final Day Of September Philadelphia Loses Two Significant Athletes

 Monday September 30, 2024 locally in the Delaware Valley…what a day. With the region already simmering from Sunday, when the Eagles were manhandled by 17 down in Tampa Bay. 2001 Eastern Conference champion, Dikembe Mutombo passed away. In 2001 Mutombo won 1 of his 4 NBA defensive player of the year awards. He was 58 years old.

Later Monday evening, news came down 83 year old Pete Rose passed away. After winning multiple World Series with the Reds and the Big Red Machine, Rose became missing piece in Philadelphia. Mike Schmidt and the Phillies, with the help of Rose won the 1980 World Series. Philadelphia finally was able to win their first world title.

After beating on baseball, Rose was banned by Major League Baseball for life. With no access to the Baseball Hall Of Fame. 

The irony is now that he passed away, he may finally get in. 

3 Generations Of North Philadelphia Represented In USA Basketball

Diamond Street, Lehigh Ave, Cecil B. Moore Ave, Ridge Ave. are some of the streets in North Philadelphia. If you are from there like : Dawn Staley, Kyle Lowry and Kahleah Copper you probably know those streets pretty well.

Staley is the senior of the 3 North Philadelphia natives, followed by Lowry and Copper.

University of Virginia, Villanova University and Rutgers University are the college institutions eached played Division 1 basketball for respectively.

After Sunday Olympic gold medal final a one point win by the USA Women, Copper won a gold medal. 

Which carries on the North Philadelphia tradition.

Lowry won a gold medal for the USA Men in 2016 while in Brazil. 

Staley as a head coach in 2021 while in Tokyo guided the USA women to gold. Then in Atlanta, 1996 summer games and 2000 summer games in Sydney contributed as a player to a pair of gold medals. 

Locally the city couldn’t be more proud of those three individuals. 

Canada vs. France Game Should Be Quarterfinals Best Competitive Game

 Here at Sports247365 on the men side of the Olympic quarterfinals on Tuesday we spotted what should be the highlight of the day.

Canada vs. France quarterfinal number 3 of the day.

Paris will be the place, France and Wemby certainly should have the crowd in their favor.

Gobert is the other twin tower for the French team. 

Along with veteran Nic Batum.

This should be a medal game, yet the loser will be eliminated completely.

Canada led by OKC Thunder : SGA, his teammate Dourt is on the team. RJ Barrett, Dillion Brooks amongst others.

Both teams are potential competition threats to heavenly favorite of the USA team. Now they may only potentially have to deal with only one. 

These Finals Plenty Of Local DV Ties : Jefferson / Lively II / Jones Jr. / Morris Twin

Thursday the 2024 Finals tip off in Boston for Game 1. 5th seed Mavericks won the West. Overall 1st seed NBA best record Boston Celtics won the East.

Both teams are trying to win their first Larry O’Brien trophy since 2011 & 2008 respectively. Here in the Delaware Valley we have local guys in the Finals coaching or playing. 

Amile Jefferson of Friends Central prior to Duke and the NBA, we grew up with his father Malcom in West Philadelphia. We also played pickup basketball back then at Cato. When Amile was in 7th grade we coached him in a church league on Saturdays at West Philadelphia HS.

Now he is on Boston staff. Morris twin, Markieff already a 2020 world champion with the Lakers is a veteran off the bench in Dallas. Locally he and his brother while at Prep Charter prior to Kansas won a PIAA state title. One of the first Philadelphia HS that was allowed to do so back in 2007.

Jones Jr of Dallas we have followed since his catholic league days prior to UNLV, read up on him via City Of Basketball Love. Chester own, very athletic. Game has expanded despite being a slam dunk champion.

Lastly, Lively II just two years ago watched him lead Westtown to Friends League title vs. ANC at La Salle University. Which was prior to Duke & Mavericks, now in the NBA Finals 24 months later. 

 

Celtics Best Chance At Winning A Title…

 

Before the 2024 NBA Playoffs started, here at Sports247365, we believed the following had to happen for Celtics to host a Larry O’Brien trophy.

Boston under the core of Tatum and Brown has now made 3 consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances.

Including being up 2-1 vs. Golden State in the 2022 NBA Finals, eventually losing the series. 

Miami ousted Boston in last season Eastern Conference Finals.

We believe Boston best chance to win it all : a young team like Minnesota or OKC represents the West in June. 

Sunday in Denver, Game 7 Western Conference Semifinals for defending champions vs. rising star Anthony Edwards and Minnesota. Who last Game 7 was in 2004 vs. Sacramento in the WCSF ( a game they won in the Twin Cities ). 

The Cancer ( Astrology ) 1968 Heisman Winner Transitions From Cancer

 OJ Simpson was born July 9, 1947. On April 10, 2024 following a battle with cancer, Simpson passed away at age 76.

Nearly 30 years ago in June 1994, an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden between the Knicks & Rockets was interrupting by a news report. 

On the LA Freeway OJ Simpson and his Ford Bronco was in a high speed chase with LAPD.

Eventually he would be charged with the double murder of his ex wife & her male friend. Literally Simpson especially after this was a polarizing figure. His trial would last 9th months.

In October of 1995 he was acquitted of the double murder. Nonetheless eventually by both families taken to court and having to pay a wrongful death suit from a liability standpoint.

13 years later Simpson was serve 9 years for theft and kidnapping over items he used to own.

As an athlete at USC he won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and eventually become a number one draft pick. 

In Buffalo became first ever NFL player to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season ( 14 game season ). 

Retired arguably as one of the best running backs in NFL history. Eventually worked for NBC Sports, played in some movies and commercials such as Hertz.

Even in death more than likely like in life Simpson will have positives and negatives as well as pros and cons. 

South Carolina, NC State, Iowa, UConn Cleveland Bound WFinal 4

 

Friday the Women’s Final Four will tip off in Cleveland, the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Undefeated South Carolina will tip things off first vs. NC State. Iowa will be next on deck vs. UConn.

The Gamecocks are looking to finish season undefeated which would culminate in a championship.

Catlin Clark would like to end her college career with the only thing that is missing : national title.

NC State as a 3 seed just like injury riddled UConn has earned their way here respectively. 

Coach Geno and his top player Page has willed the team to this point.

UConn as well as NC State have both their men and women programs in their respective Final Fours. 

Wrestlemania VI + Wrestlemania XL <— Coming To Philadelphia

 Here at Sports247365, at age 8 thanks to our aunt…our late mother sister & my late our uncle : Wrestlemania VI was there first pay per view we saw !

It’s been 34 years since that Sunday afternoon from Toronto. Now the scene shifts to Philadelphia as Wrestlemania turns 40 !

The Philadelphia Eagles home, Lincoln Financial Field will host the weekend, 2 night extravaganza. 

Back then Ultimate Warrior ( late ) vs. Hulk Hogan was the main event at Sky Dome ( now Rogers Centre ).

The Rock is back, along with Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes..those are the individuals that will highlight this upcoming weekend in Philadelphia and on Peacock tv. 

Last Month Of Kelce x 2 : Travis 3rd SB + Jason Retires

 End Of The Road, it’s a song performed by Philadelphia homegrown artist Boyz II Men. 

Well this past week Super Bowl LII Champion, Jason Kelce called it a career, after 13 seasons all in Philadelphia.

In February Travis Kelce won his 3rd Super Bowl for the Chiefs vs. San Francisco in overtime.

The pair of Cincinnati Bears have combined for 4 Super Bowl wins in 6 opportunities. 1-1 for Jason & 3-1 for Travis. 

Travis along with his organization has an opportunity to do something next season no NFL team has ever done : win three Super Bowls in a row.

They came first team to win back to back Super Bowls since New England in 2003 & 2004. 

Jason not just on the field yet in the locker room will be missed in Philadelphia.

Nonetheless able retire at age 36 with solid health and plenty of options in his next chapter. 

29 Years & Counting…

 The team of the 1980’s the San Francisco 49ers : won their first four Super Bowl titles vs. Cincinnati, Miami, Cincinnati and Denver.

The Dallas Cowboys became the team of the 1990’s : winning their most recent three Super Bowl titles vs. Buffalo twice and Pittsburgh.

The 49ers won their 5th Super Bowl following the 1994-95 season in Miami vs. San Diego. 

At that point the 49ers franchise was 5-0 all time in the Super Bowl. Once a new millennium began this once proud San Francisco franchise are 0-3 since.

With defeats vs. Baltimore and Kansas City twice. Most recently in overtime less than a month ago in overtime out in Las Vegas.

Economically where does this franchise go from here ?

How many more Lombardi trophy opportunities will they get ?

Time will tell…

Nearly 4 Years To The Day : Kobe Gigi & Others Passed

 

Sunday January 20, 2020 news that not only shook the basketball world yet the entire world.

World came down on social media then eventually news media a helicopter crash happened in Southern California. 

Kobe on his way to his daughter and her teammates basketball game. On the helicopter was also the pilot along with some parents and Gigi teammates. 

Everyone on the helicopter didn’t survive and all gone too soon.

Definitely a tough hit and tough pill to swallow. 

Kobe wasn’t even 42 years old yet nor been retired a full 5 years. 

Here at Sports247365 turned on CNN after receiving a text from a friend. Yet my friend thought it was Kanye West possibly due to the area of the helicopter. 

Never shed a tear over an athlete passing, that day we did.

This weekend is 4 years from that tragic accident.

Nonetheless his accomplishments life on.

Continued thoughts and prayers to everyone else and their loved ones involved in that day as well. 

First NFC Championship Game We Witnessed HOF QB KO(ed)

Here at Sports247365 age 8, 3rd Grade attending EM Stanton in South Philadelphia at the time. 

We witnessed our first NFC Championship Game, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

The 49ers played the New York Giants. The two met at the same venue during the regular season in a 7-3 contest, San Francisco won. 

San Francisco was looking to become the first NFL team to win 4 Super Bowls. 

In the second half Leonard Marshall of the Giants on a clean blindside hit drove Joe Montana to the ground, causing a fumble. Montana would not return to the game. His wrist and back were just a few of the injuries suffered.

15-13 on 5 Matt Bahr field goals would give the Giants the victory and eventually became Super Bowl XXV champions. 

Last season in Philadelphia Hassan Reddick on a clean hit forced San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy to fumble and he suffered an arm injury, unable to throw the football. 

Philadelphia would win the game, advance to the Super Bowl and despite 10 point halftime lead, lose by 3 points to Kansas City.

Immediately afterward all off season - December 3rd matchup in which SF returned to Philadelphia with revenge on their mind…beat the Eagles handily.

For months by fans and SF players it was talk of : If we had our quarterback.

Social media wasn't around in 1990-91. Nonetheless I wonder if it was the same rhetoric.

Nonetheless the quest for six Established 1995, has 49ers as top seed in NFC with Packers coming in with Dallas & Philadelphia. Simply has to go 3-0 out in the Bay. 

Time is now. 

 

60 Football Minutes For 20 Year Division Streak In Tack + Sunday Coach Rivera 62nd Birthday

 10-1 to 11-5 by the Philadelphia Eagles, has put the Cowboys 60 football minutes away from capturing NFC East and number two seed in the conference during the playoffs.

If Dallas wins in Washington or Philadelphia losses at the Giants the streak 20 years in the making will continue. 2003-04 last time a team won back to back NFC East titles: Philadelphia. 

Many believe the Commanders move on from Coach Rivera at seasons end with new ownership.

Rivera used to be an Eagles position coach in the 90’s. Potentially what a send off the Commanders could give Rivera at Fed Ex Field on Sunday on his 62nd birthday.

Going into the pair of 4:25pm match ups : Dallas in the NFC is the 2nd seed, Philadelphia 5th seed and in position to hit the road for the postseason. 

Respect On His Name : Tomlin Never Finished Sub .500 + Saturday Playoff Spots At Stake

 Week 18, 2023 NFL regular season finale's began with a Saturday doubleheader. Baltimore has clinched AFC top seed, will host their rivals : Pittsburgh.

The Steelers will start Mason Rudolph at quarterback over Kenny Pickett. Coach Tomlin streak continues : as coach of the Steelers he has never finished a season under .500 regardless of the circumstances. 

With a win and some help, the Steelers could qualify for the postseason.

Indianapolis host Houston in game two on Saturday. Led by rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, the Texans could clinch a playoff birth with a win. 

If not mistaken the Colts need a win and some help to qualify for the postseason.