A Super Bowl LVII Rematch

Unless you were living under a rock last Sunday, you’re aware that the Eagles absolutely thumped the Washington Commanders 55-23 in the NFC Championship Game. After a horrible Wild Card Round exit last year (32-9 to the Buccaneers), and a pretty shaky start to the season, the Eagles have gone 13-1 since the bye week, earning a game against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Who’s to thank for such a turnaround? I would be remiss to not mention one Saquon Barkley, who rattled off 118 yards and three touchdowns against the Commanders this past Sunday. His impact on every game this season cannot be understated: The first offensive play the Eagles ran on Sunday was a 60-yard touchdown by Barkley. Every game, he seems to generate one absolutely game-changing explosive run, a “home-run” play as the announcers say. 

If any of you had the misfortune of watching the Eagles secondary at the end of last season, you’ll know that we also have a lot of thanks to give to the standout rookies, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Terry McLaurin, the Commander’s star receiver, was suspiciously silent yesterday. Can you blame him? It’s hard to catch the ball when you’re locked away in Quinyonamo Bay. On snaps with Mitchell on McLaurin, he was held to just one reception for seven yards. And don’t forget that interception in the endzone, where Mitchell straight-mossed McLaurin.

But now, it’s onto the Chiefs. The Eagles are now the last line of defense to prevent the three-peat from occurring. Undoubtedly, we have the talent to stop them. But we’ll need to be firing on all cylinders. Jalen Hurts can’t afford to have a quiet game. Zach Ertz was running all over us on Sunday, and we certainly can’t give Travis Kelce those same opportunities. And most importantly, we can’t abandon our run game. The Ravens did it, and then the Bills after them. The Chiefs, as good as they are, have some weaknesses in their run defense. 

Jalen Hurts can be great, but to win this game, we have to defer to our best player, Saquon Barkley. If we do that, I have an unhealthy confidence that we’ll come out with a Lombardi.