Crossing Broad
We went through Super Bowl 57 earlier, looking for some pieces of information we could use from 2023 and apply to the Eagles/Chiefs rematch this Sunday.
One of the takeaways is the Eagles’ roster improvement since then.
It sounds strange to say, since the previous team was stacked, and features a lot of the same players just two years later, but when you put the two Super Bowl squads side by side, it really feels like a much better group than the one that lost by three points to KC in Arizona. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Jalen Hurts is the same guy, albeit playing a bit of a different role. He’s more game manager and less gunslinger, but played well twice this season in games that took place directly after critics questioned his passing chops. That was against Pittsburgh and then Washington in the NFC Championship Game. As far as we’re concerned, he’s still the same guy we saw in 2022, it’s just a matter of what’s being asked of QB1.
advantage – wash
Pro Bowler Miles Sanders ran for more than 1,200 yards in 2022. Saquon Barkley ran for more than 2,000. They’re both backed up by Kenny Gainwell while Will Shipley replaced Boston Scott this year.
advantage – 2024
A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith at the top, so mostly a wash. Jahan Dotson has been mostly a non-factor this season, while Quez Watkins put up better regular season numbers in 2022 but had a Super Bowl drop. The guys behind WR3 barely see the ball at all.
advantage – wash
Dallas Goedert at the top with an improved Grant Calcaterra behind him. Jack Stoll was more important to the run game in 2022 while Calcaterra didn’t play much.
Based on the latter’s improvement this season, we’ll give a slight edge to 2024 because the 1-2 punch is more reliable. Calcaterra played really well while Goedert was injured.
advantage – 2024
It’s near-sacrilege to suggest that a unit without Jason Kelce is somehow better, or even the same, but the fact of the matter is that the Eagles really did not skip a beat without him. Three-fifths of the line is the same, with both tackle positions intact, and going from Isaac Seumalo to a converted Mekhi Becton feels like an even move.
advantage – wash
This is the one area where you can clearly give the nod to the 2022 team. Haason Reddick, Brandon Graham, and Josh Sweat combined for 38 sacks despite blitzing at a relative-low rate in Jonathan Gannon’s two-safety scheme.
Sweat and an almost-retired Graham remain, but their combined production was down even before B.G.’s injury. Nolan Smith has taken some excellent strides in year #2 but Bryce Huff looks like a rare Howie Roseman miss and Jalyx Hunt is only a rookie.
advantage – 2022
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