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Eagles' defense shines in Super Bowl rematch as Philly beats the Chiefs 20-17 at Arrowhead Stadium

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Eagles' defense shines in Super Bowl rematch as Philly beats the Chiefs 20-17 at Arrowhead Stadium
Sport

Sport

Eagles' defense shines in Super Bowl rematch as Philly beats the Chiefs 20-17 at Arrowhead Stadium

2025-09-15 08:36 Last Updated At:08:50

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The goal for the Philadelphia Eagles is to be playing their best at the end of the season.

Like they were in February, when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Ashton Gillotte (97) and defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) give chase during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Ashton Gillotte (97) and defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) give chase during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba (24) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, center, as Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32) watches during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba (24) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, center, as Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32) watches during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs for a first down as Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean (33) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs for a first down as Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean (33) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Philadelphia Eagles place kicker Jake Elliott (4) is congratulated by teammate Braden Mann (10) after making a 51-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Philadelphia Eagles place kicker Jake Elliott (4) is congratulated by teammate Braden Mann (10) after making a 51-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Nolan Smith (3), Jordan Davis (90) and Zack Baun (53) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Nolan Smith (3), Jordan Davis (90) and Zack Baun (53) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

They were far from perfect on Sunday, but they were good enough to beat the Chiefs in the rematch. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley had touchdown runs, and Andrew Mukuba came up with a big fourth-quarter interception of Patrick Mahomes, helping the Eagles to a 20-17 victory that was fueled by Philadelphia's stingy and opportunistic defense.

“Our job, especially early in the season, is find a way to win. Take pride in winning any way you possibly can. Work to get better throughout the week, and repeat,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “I think when you come off a season like we came off last year the expectation is that you're going to pick up where you left off. There are steps to this.”

The Eagles (2-0) never seem to stumble over them, either. They've won seven straight and improved to 17-1 in their last 18 games, and they have won three in a row against the Chiefs after falling to them in the Super Bowl three seasons ago.

Hurts threw for just 101 yards and Barkley was held to 88 rushing by the Chiefs. But the Eagles in turn held Kansas City to 294 yards, stopped the Chiefs once on fourth down and came away with the only turnover at a pivotal point in the game.

“Take pride in winning, one, and take pride in what is required of you, two,” Hurts said. “The team defensively played lights-out. Offensively we played well when we needed to. And we just need to continue to build.”

Mahomes had just 187 yards passing, once again struggling to find open playmakers without suspended wide receiver Rashee Rice and injured teammate Xavier Worthy. Mahomes did have 66 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but the two-time MVP didn't get much help from anyone else as the Chiefs fell to 0-2 for the first time since the 2014 season.

That was coach Andy Reid's second season in Kansas City and the most recent season it failed to make the playoffs.

“I’ll take full responsibility for that game,” Reid said.

Unlike the Super Bowl, when the Eagles raced to a 24-0 halftime lead and added on in the third quarter, the Chiefs came out with some semblance of life on Sunday after a lackluster season-opening loss to the Chargers in Brazil.

Barkley struck first with a 13-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, but Harrison Butker atoned for an earlier miss with a field goal for Kansas City. The Chiefs quickly got the ball back and Mahomes, with a sudden penchant for lowering his shoulder to deliver a blow, did that to a couple of defenders before scrambling 13 yards for a go-ahead touchdown.

Jake Elliott hit a 58-yard field goal before halftime to tie the game for Philadelphia. He added 51-yarder early in the third, after the Chiefs had eschewed their own tush-push play and gave the ball to Kareem Hunt on fourth-and-1 — and he was promptly stuffed.

It remained 13-10 until the fourth quarter. After Hunt had converted on fourth-and-1 at the Philadelphia 13 to keep a Kansas City drive alive, Mahomes had a pass bounce off Travis Kelce's hands at the goal line and into those of Mukuba for a pick.

“I threw it a tad too early,” Mahomes said. “If I could put it on his body, he can catch it, take the hit, and get into the end zone.”

Ten plays and 59 yards later, Hurts scored on a tush push on fourth-and-goal to extend the lead to 20-10.

By the time Mahomes finally connected with Tyquan Thornton on a 49-yard touchdown heave with 3 minutes to go, most of a crowd that began lining up at the parking lot entrances Saturday night was filing for the exits. The Chiefs were unable to get the ensuing onside kick, and Philadelphia ran out the clock on Kansas City's first home loss since Dec. 25, 2023.

It was the 11th time a Super Bowl rematch has taken place in the regular season. The champion has now won eight of them.

“That's a really good team. We have a ton of respect for them,” Hurts said. “You have to come in with a sense of focus. Stay patient with yourself. Stay patient with your team. And as a team, we showed up when we needed to the most.”

Philadelphia: DT Jordan Davis limped off in the second half but returned to the game.

Kansas City: DE Mike Danna (hip) and CB Kristian Fulton (ankle) left in the first quarter and did not return.

The Eagles return home and play the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday.

The Chiefs visit the New York Giants on Sunday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Ashton Gillotte (97) and defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) give chase during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Ashton Gillotte (97) and defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) give chase during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba (24) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, center, as Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32) watches during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba (24) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, center, as Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32) watches during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs for a first down as Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean (33) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs for a first down as Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean (33) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Philadelphia Eagles place kicker Jake Elliott (4) is congratulated by teammate Braden Mann (10) after making a 51-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Philadelphia Eagles place kicker Jake Elliott (4) is congratulated by teammate Braden Mann (10) after making a 51-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Nolan Smith (3), Jordan Davis (90) and Zack Baun (53) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Nolan Smith (3), Jordan Davis (90) and Zack Baun (53) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge Thursday cleared the way for a New York offshore wind project to resume construction, a victory for the developer who said a Trump administration order to pause it would likely kill the project in a matter of days.

District Judge Carl J. Nichols, an appointee of President Donald Trump, ruled construction on the Empire Wind project could go forward while he considers the merits of the government’s order to suspend the project. He faulted the government for not responding to key points in Empire Wind’s court filings, including the contention that the administration violated proper procedure.

Norwegian company Equinor owns Empire Wind. Spokesperson David Schoetz said they welcome the court's decision and will continue to work in collaboration with authorities. It’s the second developer to prevail in court against the administration this week.

The Trump administration froze five big offshore wind projects on the East Coast days before Christmas, citing national security concerns. Trump has targeted offshore wind from his first days back in the White House, most recently calling wind farms “losers” that lose money, destroy the landscape and kill birds.

Developers and states sued seeking to block the order. Large, ocean-based wind farms are the linchpin of plans to shift to renewable energy in East Coast states that have limited land for onshore wind turbines or solar arrays.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul applauded the court decision, telling reporters the projects had been “stopped under the bogus pretense of national security.”

“When I heard this I said one thing: I’m the governor of New York, if there is a national security threat off the coast of New York, you need to tell me what it is. I want a briefing right now. Well, lo and behold, they had no answer,” she said.

On Monday, a judge ruled that the Danish energy company Orsted could resume its project to serve Rhode Island and Connecticut. Senior Judge Royce Lamberth said the government did not sufficiently explain the need for a complete stop to construction. That wind farm, called Revolution Wind, is nearly complete. It’s expected to meet roughly 20% of the electricity needs in Rhode Island, the smallest state, and about 5% of Connecticut’s electricity needs.

Orsted is also suing over the pause of its Sunrise Wind project for New York, with a hearing still to be set. Dominion Energy Virginia, which is developing Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, plans to ask a judge Friday to block the administration’s order so it can resume construction, too.

Trump has also dismissed offshore wind developments as ugly, but the Empire project is about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) offshore and the Sunrise project is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) offshore.

The fifth paused project is Vineyard Wind, under construction in Massachusetts. Vineyard Wind LLC, a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, joined the rest of the developers in challenging the administration on Thursday. They filed a complaint in District Court in Boston.

In contrast to the halted action in the U.S., the global offshore wind market is growing, with China leading the world in new installations. Nearly all of the new electricity added to the grid in 2024 was renewable. The British government said Wednesday it secured a record 8.4 gigawatts of offshore wind in Europe’s largest offshore wind auction, enough clean electricity to power more than 12 million homes.

Robin Shaffer, president of Protect Our Coast New Jersey, said the Trump administration was right to stop construction on national security grounds. He urged officials to immediately appeal the adverse rulings and seek to halt all work pending appellate review. Opponents of offshore wind projects are particularly vocal and well-organized in New Jersey.

Empire Wind is 60% complete and designed to power more than 500,000 homes. Equinor said the project was in jeopardy due to the limited availability of specialized vessels, as well as heavy financial losses.

During a hearing Wednesday, Judge Nichols said the government’s main security concern seemed to be over operation of the wind turbines, not construction, although the government pushed back on that contention.

In presenting the government’s case, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, Jr. was skeptical of the perfect storm of horrible events that Empire Wind said would derail their entire project if construction didn’t resume. He disagreed with the contention that the government’s main concern was over operation.

“I don’t see how you can make this distinction,” Woodward said. He likened it to a nuclear project being built that presented a national security risk. The government would oppose it being built, and it turning on.

Molly Morris, Equinor’s senior vice president overseeing Empire Wind, said in an interview that the company wants to build this project and deliver a major, essential new source of power for New York.

McDermott reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press writer Anthony Izaguirre contributed to this report from Albany, New York.

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

FILE - Wind turbines operate at Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

FILE - Wind turbines operate at Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

FILE - Wind turbine bases, generators and blades sit along with support ships at The Portsmouth Marine terminal that is the staging area for Dominion Energy Virginia, which is developing Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Dec. 22, 2025, in Portsmouth, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

FILE - Wind turbine bases, generators and blades sit along with support ships at The Portsmouth Marine terminal that is the staging area for Dominion Energy Virginia, which is developing Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Dec. 22, 2025, in Portsmouth, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

FILE - A sign for the company Equinor is displayed on Oct. 28, 2020, in Fornebu, Norway. (Håkon Mosvold Larsen/NTB Scanpix via AP, File)

FILE - A sign for the company Equinor is displayed on Oct. 28, 2020, in Fornebu, Norway. (Håkon Mosvold Larsen/NTB Scanpix via AP, File)

Blades and turbine bases for offshore wind sit at a staging area at New London State Pier, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in New London, Conn. (AP Photo/Matt O'Brien)

Blades and turbine bases for offshore wind sit at a staging area at New London State Pier, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in New London, Conn. (AP Photo/Matt O'Brien)

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