Saquon’s got style | Sports Daily Newsletter

Before Saquon Barkley scored three touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers in his Eagles debut, he had already made a statement.

The running back had stepped out of the hotel in São Paulo, Brazil, wearing hot pink Chrome Hearts jeans, a vintage Led Zeppelin band tee, white Nike Air Force 1s, and a supersized Hermès Birkin bag — that could practically fit all 15 balls from the touchdowns he was on the cusp of scoring this season.

However, Barkley doesn’t take time to toil over his outfits. That’s what Joshua McPhearson, his stylist and former Penn State teammate, is for. When Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million free-agent contract with the Eagles in the offseason, the 27-year-old joined a team with a dominant offensive line that could help unleash his potential.

McPhearson, who has served as Barkley’s stylist since 2020, also knew that he had to meet the moment — and he didn’t disappoint as he curated high-end pregame looks for Barkley to fit his franchise record-shattering season.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓What are your predictions for Thursday’s Penn State-Notre Dame game in the Orange Bowl? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

In many ways, new Phillies outfielder Max Kepler was Brandon Marsh before Marsh, a solid defender and left-handed hitter with decent speed and power and far better results against right-handed pitching. But there was a notable difference: Kepler, from his age 23-to-25 seasons with the Twins, made 437 plate appearances vs. lefties; Marsh, from age 24 to 26 with the Angels and mostly the Phillies, got only 305.

The Twins, like many teams, tend to sit left-handed hitters early in their careers against lefties. But Kepler was an exception. He faced 31 lefty starters as a rookie in 2016, 24 in 2017, and 33 in 2018 despite the paltry production. Nothing about Marsh’s performance against lefties warrants additional playing time, but can the Phillies really say for sure that he’ll never hit them without seeing a larger body of work? Don’t they owe it to themselves to find out?

Jalen Hurts still remains in the concussion protocol, but it seems as if the starting quarterback is heading in the right direction as the Eagles prepare to host the Green Bay Packers in a wild-card round playoff game on Sunday. Late Tuesday afternoon, the Eagles waived reserve quarterback Ian Book, likely a sign that they are expecting to have Hurts back in the fold. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore also said that he talked to Hurts about the Packers game plan, but more clarity about the status of Hurts should come Wednesday, when the Eagles return to the practice field.

Forty-five player interviews. An array of perspectives. This was the assignment The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane embarked on over the final two weeks of the regular season, during which he spoke with nearly every member of the Eagles’ revolving 53-man roster for his annual year-in-review player survey. On the heels of a bounce back 14-3 regular season, Jeff polled players on five big picture topics: team MVP, most memorable moment, turning point, unheralded player, and areas of personal growth and development. As the Eagles get ready to start their postseason run, listen back on the defining storylines from 2024 through the eyes of the players who lived them. Listen here for the latest episode of unCovering the Birds.

Prior to Monday’s loss, the Sixers were expected to handle a Phoenix Suns team that had lost four straight and seven of its last eight games. But instead, the Sixers struggled to make shots and failed to get defensive stops. Now, they’ll turn their attention to the Wizards, a team with the NBA’s worst record (6-28). Then, the Sixers will take on the New Orleans Pelicans, who headed into Tuesday’s game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves with the Western Conference’s worst record. Still, the undermanned Sixers can’t take their opponents for granted.

The Flyers are at the halfway point of the 2024-25 season. The team’s 17-18-5 record entering Tuesday trailed their 20-14-6 record at this point a year ago. The biggest question mark, however, this season has been goaltending. The goalie trio of Sam Ersson, Aleksei Kolosov, and Ivan Fedotov has posted the lowest save percentage in the NHL. John Tortorella says it’s “something we’re trying to iron out.”

Fedotov saved 14 of 17 shots against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, but the Flyers dropped its second straight game against Toronto. Leafs forward Matthew Knies scored the go-ahead goal for the Maple Leafs in the third period.

Which Eagle holds the record for career rushing yardage in the playoffs?

Answer: A: Brian Westbrook with 591 yards. Tom L. was first with the correct answer.

We asked: Can the Eagles advance in the playoffs if Jalen Hurts cannot play? Among your responses:

The playoffs are a different animal then the regular season. Every facet of the game kicks up another notch or two. The best scenario for the Birds is Jalen Hurts plays. — Tom G.

Absolutely the Eagles can and should defeat the Packers regardless of who is under center. Eagles have an elite O line. Two of the best WR’s in the league. Arguably the #1 RB and a top ten TE. The QB just needs to manage the game with passes in the 1-15 yards range. Run mixed in with high percentage pass plays should be enough. Defense has to limit GB to under 20 points. Eagles 24, Packers 17 — Jack D.

There’s no doubt what Hurts brings to the team. I do remember a guy named Nick Foles who finished the journey Wentz started in 2018. That being said, I hope he’s progressing and getting healthy. We are better with him than without him. — Kathy T.

Yes. I have faith in both Pickett and McKee to get the job done. And another plus is, if McKee does have to play, it will be with the 1st stringers. Hurts should be out of concussion protocol, but he will be a little rusty if he doesn’t get many reps. Also, Green Bay is pretty banged up. It will be interesting to say the least. — Jack H.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Scott Lauber, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Keith Pompey, Lochlahn March, Johnny Zawislak, and Devin Jackson.

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.

Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful Wednesday, Philly. Stay warm! Kerith will be in your inbox tomorrow. — Bella