Field Gulls
The Eagles soar to another Super Bowl at the expense of the Chiefs.
It’s hard to win one Super Bowl. It’s really hard to win two Super Bowls in a row. It might just be impossible to win three straight Super Bowls.
The Kansas City Chiefs found out the hard way, as the Philadelphia Eagles defense sacked Patrick Mahomes six times, forced three turnovers (including a Cooper DeJean pick-six), and made life hell for the NFL’s latest dynasty. It was 24-0 at the half and 34-0 by the third quarter. The 40-22 final score flattered the Chiefs, who were thoroughly outmatched on offense and eventually whittled away on defense outside of limiting Saquon Barkley. I don’t think Barkley cares that he didn’t have a big game.
Jalen Hurts was extremely efficient outside of a terrible interception, going 17/22 for 221 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, a Super Bowl record 72 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. He was named Super Bowl MVP even though you could’ve given it to damn near anyone on the Eagles defense.
It was not quite on the same level as the Seattle Seahawks’ 43-8 demolition of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 48, but it’s the next closest thing. The Eagles were not going to be denied against the Chiefs on this occasion, having come perilously close two seasons ago in Glendale.
There has still never been a threepeat Super Bowl champion and I’m not sure we’ll get a better shot than this considering we’d never seen a threepeat-seeking team get this far in the first place.
Congratulations are in order for the Eagles organization for being the dynasty dethroners, having famously stopped the New England Patriots from a repeat back in Super Bowl 53 when they pulled off a 41-33 upset with Nick Foles at quarterback. I don’t think Nick Sirianni job security discourse is resurfacing any time soon.
We should also congratulate former Seahawks defensive coordinator, assistant head coach, and defensive line coach Clint Hurtt, whom in his first season with the Eagles had the pleasure of coaching the most dominant defensive line in the league. Jalen Carter, Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, and Nolan Smith is one hell of a set of edge rushers and interior linemen to work with, and Philadelphia went from a terrible defense last season to No. 1 by FTN Fantasy’s DVOA and No. 2 in points allowed. It might not have worked out for Hurtt as a DC in Seattle but he landed in a favorable spot and helped maximize the potential of such a talented Eagles defense.
Prior to joining the Eagles, Hurtt had only won one playoff game while on an NFL staff (the 2019 Seahawks). Serving under legendary defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, a Philadelphia native who lived out his own dream with his hometown team, Hurtt went all the way to the promised land. Given the loss of his mother midway through last season and the subsequent loss of his job after...
