🏈 The other Eagles | Sports Daily Newsletter

Friday is upon us. You made it. Actually? We made it.

And today, we’re choosing to lead it off with one of the best sports stories in the region. It takes place on a football field at a tiny college, nestled in the heart of the Main Line.

For the past two seasons, Eastern University has produced one of the most dominant teams in Division III. This year, the Eagles are poised to capture its second consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference title in less than five years of existence.

It took finding the right talent, many of whom come from the Philly area. But most importantly, it took a former Division I defensive coordinator to decide that if he was going to drop down to a lower NCAA division, he wanted some assurances.

It’s a great read from Inquirer writer Devin Jackson to close out the week and serve as a change from the norm.

Today, we’re looking at more rain across the region, with highs not expected to break out of the 60s.

— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓Which local college or university is your favorite and why? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

If you’re trying to see what they’re saying about the Eagles-Giants clash heading into Sunday (1 p.m., Fox29), here are three things to know, or wish you didn’t, depending on how you look at it.

🦅 The Eagles are underdogs. Again. This time against the NFC East-leading New York Giants.

🦅 Nick Foles is saying it with his whole chest when it comes to the Eagles. He’s okay with what comes next.

🦅 Joe Milton is getting help from benched Eagles teammate and fellow QB Tanner McKee in preparation for Sunday.

👭 Reading: The sister duo at Villanova that’s making the Wildcats’ field hockey program better just by being together.

👀 Watching: Milton discussing what it’s going to feel like as the starter for Sunday’s Birds game against the Giants.

🏒 Sharing: The Flyers will be without Jett Luchanko for some time for what is being described only as a “lower body injury.”

😬 Wondering: What they’re saying internally about the crash-and-burn that LIV golf seemingly became.

💰 Thinking: About the oxymoron that is LeBron James in a cease-and-desist order issue with a gambling site for using his likeness, on the back of his deal with prediction market platform, Polymarket.

Keeping up with the speed round flow of today’s rundown, here’s a quick Sixers hit as well.

🏀 LeBron offers what similarities this team has that align with the ones he won NBA championships with.

🏀 Despite being a big part of this team making it to the playoffs and making moves within, Jaylen Brown is trying to shake of the feeling of still feeling like “the new guy.”

🏀 And are the Sixers for real or not? You decide.

“First-year offensive line coach Chris Kuper has, so far, been a disaster. He lost Lane Johnson to retirement after three games, but when Dickerson was lost after Game 1, he moved Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens to left guard, where Jurgens played poorly, then was traded. First-year, first-time offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who has been an NFL coach only since 2024, has been even worse.” — Columnist Marcus Hayes’ latest looks at the perceived lack of control by the Eagles coaching staff and the fallout that follows.

Nov. 6, 1934: In their second year of existence, the Eagles made a statement with a win over the Cincinnati Reds (the football team). The final score? 64-0.

The calendar flipped to November on Sunday, but that didn’t change fortunes for the Eagles, who have now lost six straight games. But with the Birds out of town, there was a different brand of football on display with the HBCU Classic — and former Eagles Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson — returning to Lincoln Financial Field. Meanwhile, the Sixers’ hot start continued with a few more wins, including their second against the defending champion Knicks. And, as always, our photographers were there to capture it all.

YONAB WRENJL

Despite being one of the premier players on his roster, this player still says he feels like “the new guy” on the team. Think you know? Take a guess and then click here to see if you’re correct.

We asked: What do you think about the Eagles switching up their QB situation?

Go for it, what do we have to lose? — Jill L.

The timing is really weird, but a lot of stuff Sirianni does is really weird. — Bill M.

Finally! About time the Eagles realized McKee just wasn’t cutting it. I still believe the Eagles can and will rise from the ashes to at least save face this year; more than that is simply a dream. The next to go is Manion. His playcalling is not cutting it either, and we all know Sirianni remains supportive of him. There are changes that still need to be made, and the return of healthy players would certainly help. As they say, one step at a time. HANG ON BIRDS! — Karen L.

The quarterback situation makes me think that the Eagles don’t know what they are doing these days. Tanner McKee was No. 2 all last year, then they brought in Andy Dalton to replace him. They carried four quarterbacks on the roster at the beginning of the season, supposedly because the backups were so good. Then Dalton is cut. McKee, when given the chance, doesn’t look good. What happened to the fourth quarterback on the roster who was going to be a big asset? Now we have a quarterback from Dallas’ practice squad. How good could he be? Practice squad players don’t usually become All-Pros or even competent starters. — Tom E.

Probably a surprise even to Joe Milton, but a great idea. The Eagles have nothing to lose as a team that has lost 6 consecutive games and sits in last place in the pathetic NFC East. With a 2-6 record and averaging 17 points per game, I think Joe will be welcomed by all Eagles fans. Like the Marines say, “Improvise and adapt.” — Everett S.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Devin Jackson, Gina Mizell, Chris Hine, Jackie Spiegel, Marcus Hayes, Ariel Simpson, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Finn Courtney, and the Inquirer’s staff photography.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

That’s your week. We’ll be back in your inbox on Monday to get your week going. Have a good one, Philly. — Kerith