Jason Peters set for rowdy Eagles fans in return with Cowboys
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jason Peters is ready to return to Philly and play in front of some bleeping idiots.
His endearing words toward the fans, of course.
A nine-time Pro Bowl pick and two-time All-Pro, Peters built a Hall of Fame-worthy career at left tackle for the Eagles that included a spot on the NFL's Team of the Decade for the 2010s.
He missed out, though, on the biggest moment in franchise history when he suffered a torn ACL during the 2017 season and missed the Super Bowl. Peters still earned a Super Bowl ring but his performance never quite rebounded to an elite level. He spent last season with Chicago and signed this season with the Cowboys — you know, the Eagles' most-hated rival.
Peters comes back for a pretty big game: The Eagles are 5-0 and the only undefeated team in the NFL. The Cowboys (4-1) have won four straight. The Eagles can take a two-game lead on the defending division champions with a victory on Sunday night.
Philadelphia is 5-0 for the third time in franchise history. The Eagles started 7-0 in 2004 when they finished 13-3 in the regular season before falling in the Super Bowl to New England, and began 6-0 in 1981 but dropped their first playoff game.
The Linc will be rowdy -- and Peters will be ready.
"I just know the Philly fans are (expletive) idiots when it comes to camaraderie and the Cowboys — any team, really," Peters said. "They start throwing stuff at teams. Like, when we played the Vikings one year, they were throwing stuff. I mean, they nasty."
Peters made 148 starts, seven Pro Bowls and earned both All-Pro selections with the Eagles after they acquired him in a franchise-shifting trade with Buffalo in 2009.
Peters used to save his barbs for the Cowboys, a franchise he once called "arrogant." His tune, of course, changed when he needed a job and the 40-year-old, who signed with Buffalo after he went undrafted, has served as a mentor for the offensive line. He doesn't start anymore and has been banged-up lately.
Peters still has some love for Philadelphia, the organization, and yes, the fans, as he enters as the enemy.
"I laid a lot of bricks there," Peters said. "Philly, that's my city. Just to go back, it'll be great to beat 'em."
HOT HURTS
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is coming off his first outing that cooled the MVP hype. Hurts, though, has still won eight straight regular-season games, the longest active streak in the NFL. Hurts has passed for 1,359 yards and four TDs and has run for 266 yards and six TDs this season. He's turned the ball over twice while accumulating a 97.4 QB rating.
Hurts has also tried to stay out of the recent debate about roughing-the-passer penalties.
Defensive players around the NFL are frustrated about being flagged, questioning what constitutes a legal hit and wondering how far referees will go to protect quarterbacks.
"I think there's a balance with it," Hurts said. "Obviously, I want to be protected back there. But those are things that I really can't control."
