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DeVonta Smith gets a renewed shot at redemption with the Philadelphia Eagles. He has two years ago on his mind, once the Kansas City Chiefs share the same field with him.
“Slim Reaper” torched the AFC champs with 100 receiving yards on seven catches at Glendale, Arizona back in 2023. He even snuck behind K.C. on one deep 45-yard snag that nearly became a touchdown. He even became the recipient of a controversial non-catch call. But Smith watched the Chiefs celebrate under confetti by edging his Eagles in Super Bowl 57. Smith left State Farm Stadium disappointed he and Philly couldn’t finish the job in that 38-35 defeat.
Since then, Smith rewrote the Eagles’ playoff record books. He struggled to surpass 1,000-yards during the regular season, but still caught a career-best eight touchdown catches.
The chance at retribution arrives on Feb. 9 for Smith and the NFC champs. This time down in New Orleans inside the Caesar’s Superdome. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will no doubt think about Smith. But will the fourth-year wideout deliver an even better Super Bow performance this time around? Here are some bold predictions involving the Eagles WR.
Smith has this rare streak going for him. He’s produced three consecutive four-catch games — all in the playoffs.
Granted there’s a reason behind his low number of receptions. Saquon Barkley has gone off on defenses during this latest NFC title run.
Barkley rises as one of the primary game plans for Spagnuolo. But that only means Smith will get an increase in touches if Barkley becomes the focal point. And with Barkley’s presence, his running and Smith’s downfield speed have emerged as the perfect union in Philly.
Smith could’ve had two 30+ yard receptions in the last meeting against the Chiefs. He makes up for it here in the Big Easy.
As talented Kansas City’s pass defense is, the Chiefs surrendered multiple receptions of 20 to 34 yards in the playoffs. And that was against a depleted Houston Texans WR room and a Buffalo Bills team operating without a Pro Bowl WR.
Best believe Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will attack Kansas City deep. Smith is the perfect downfield threat here. He’ll haul down not one, but two explosive plays to make up for the lost one from two years ago.
Moore is brand new to the Super Bowl stage. He’s the Shane Steichen of this staff this time around. But this stage is perfect for him to dip into his past bag of tricks. And Smith is perfect for him to unleash that on the back-to-back champs.
Moore in the past once got CeeDee Lamb to fake a screen pass, only to blow the top of the Buccaneers’ coverage and score on a 22-yard touchdown lob. He’s also from the college that perfected a hook-and-ladder lateral...
