Eagles Soar to Sink Chiefs in Super Bowl 59
Viewers of Superbowl LIX would all agree that the final scoreline of Eagles 40 Chiefs 22, flattered the Kansas City Chiefs! Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes et al had a night to forget in New Orleans’ Superdome: not because of their own mistakes, but because of the near-perfect performance of the Eagles! Winning Head Coach Nick Siriani pledged thanks to God many times during post-game interviews, but his team’s organisation, aggression and unrelenting will to win were, undoubtedly, comprehensive contributing factors too! How did they do it? Quite simply, they took the game from the Chiefs! They strangled any Chiefs’ ambition in offense and executed a dynamic passing/running offense that wore down the Chiefs’ defense! It truly was a performance for the ages!
“Defense wins Championships”: A Night to Forget for Mahomes
As you seek to gain an insight into the events of Monday morning’s match, EVERY headline will, and you can be guaranteed that EVERY YouTube and podcast review, will overuse the word “dominate” in relation to the Eagles’ defensive performance. That simply does not do their performance justice! They were relentless in their pursuit of Mahomes! The onslaught of pressure upon Chiefs’ center, guards and tackles was unceasing and merciless at times! All without a recorded blitz! While all of the acclaim will inevitably go to Siriani and owner Jeffrey Lurie, Vic Fangio the veteran defensive coordinator illustrated his expertise: putting to bed his often overblown 0-8 record against Mahomes.
Six sacks and sixteen hits on Mahomes should pinpoint the devastation caused by the marauding defensive front four on the line of scrimmage! Josh Sweat helped himself to 2.5 sacks, while Milton Williams recorded two respective sacks. This superiority of performance may be summarised in three plays in the second quarter: Sweat sacked Mahomes; Sweat then recorded a second sack: then Rookie CB Cooper DeJean picked off Mahomes’ rushed pass and returned the interception for his own birthday present. Yes, Mahomes was hampered by O-Line issues: but the Eagles front four took the game from him. The Chiefs, with Free Agency opening in a month, would be wise to scout the impressive Ravens’ duo of Ronnie Stanley (Tackle) and Patrick Mekari (Guard): thus improving themselves and weakening a rival. The Eagles front four were instrumental in wearing down the Chiefs offensive line: thus giving the Eagles impressive offensive unit incredible field position to inflict considerable damage on the scoreboard.
Hurts’ Performance Awarded with MVP
Saquon Barkley was rightly the centre of attention and the headlines in the build up to Sunday night’s game, but it was Jalen Hurts’ redemption story/hunt for vengeance that received the media’s attention by the end of the game and into the post-game coverage. Much maligned and doubted throughout his college and professional career, Hurts was in fine form last night/this morning. He completed 17 passes from 22 and ended the game with a 119.7 passer rating. He also set the record for most yards rushed for a Quarterback in a Superbowl: with 72 yards. The tandem he created with Barkely kept the Chiefs defense at arms length. The two were methodical and composed, in comparison to Mahomes and the floundering Chiefs offense.
While Barkley did not execute an expected explosive play of thirty plus yards, he was ever present and imperious in his blocking duties. Barkley, alongside a near flawless performance from the Eagles’ O-Line, allowed Hurts to deliver a memorable and redemptive performance. Barkley carried for “just” fifty-seven yards (his second lowest all season,) but he received six passes and gained forty yards AFTER the reception: his second highest yards after reception this season: quite the duo!
Bring on 2025!
While Hurts will have undoubtedly laid some of his haunting spirits of the narrow 2023 loss to the Chiefs to rest, Mahomes will be seeing the ghosts of the indomitable Eagles front four in his nightmares until he can get back onto the grid iron in August 2025 … just 206 days away!
It has been an absolute pleasure to cover this brilliant season: a huge props to Jimmy for giving me the opportunity! I hope you enjoyed the content and weekly reviews!
Keep an eye out for Jimmy, Twist and Kev’s podcast review of Sunday’s game!