The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to the City of Brotherly Love after a dominating win over the defending champion, Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22. This is their second Lombardi in the last five years. Let’s look at what led them to victory.
Defense Wins Championships
The Eagles’ defense has played lights out all season long. This was their best performance by far, holding Kansas City scoreless for the nearly three full quarters. Patrick Mahomes has only been shut out twice at half in his whole playoff career. The score was 24-0 at half, the 24 point deficit was the second-largest at halftime in Super Bowl history. Philadelphia also held Kansas City to 23 total yards in the first half. That is the second-lowest total yards in a first half in Super Bowl history.
Cooper DeJean’s pick-six in the second quarter was the biggest play of the game. On his 22nd birthday, DeJean gets his first interception of his career on the biggest stage. DeJean also became the first player to score a touchdown on his birthday in Super Bowl history.
Linebacker Josh Sweat also played well. Sweat recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks on Sunday. I believe Sweat should have won Super Bowl MVP. Sweat’s dominance at the line of scrimmage also gave others opportunities to get pressure on Mahomes. The Eagles decked Mahomes six times in the victory, which is tied for fifth most in Super Bowl history by a team.
Hurts Steps Up
The Chiefs stuck to their game plan of limiting Saquon Barkley, holding him to 2.3 yards per carry, but they forgot about the Eagles’ signal-caller. Jalen Hurts had an all-time performance, topping his impressive Super Bowl 57 performance. Hurts went 17/22 (77.2%), – fourth highest completion percentage in Super Bowl history – 221 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown. Hurts now has the most postseason rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history with 10. Hurts led the Eagles’ offense with an efficient passing attack that kept the defense on their heels all game.
Hurts won Super Bowl MVP for the first time in his career. The Eagles have now won two Super Bowls in the last five years and ended the Chiefs’ historic bid for a three-peat all in the same breath. Is Philadelphia in contention to become the next dynasty? We will have to see how Howie Roseman will keep this team together heading into 2026. For now, Philadelphia is looking ahead to the championship parade that will take place on Valentine’s Day at 11 AM.
Thank you for Reading!
Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)
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