2022 vs. 2024 — Why Should We Believe Super Bowl LIX Will Be Different Than LVII?

The Eagles are tasked with beating the team some are saying “you aren’t allowed to beat” and the Birds certainly saw some of that the last time they made it to this stage. In two short years, the Chiefs have since captured another ring and kept the roster mostly the same, while the Eagles have plenty of new faces.

What’s so different about this team? Why should we believe that this crew can put a fork in the Chiefs dynasty?

Adversity

Unlike the 2022 group, this team faced plenty of adversity early on in the season. Many, admittedly including myself, called for the firing of Nick Sirianni as the team looked the same as it did last year.

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni appears to have some words towards the crowd as the clocked ticked down in the Philly victory. pic.twitter.com/XILkMvVamD

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 13, 2024

Almost everyone on the team was facing harsh criticism, and the team responded. Every single coach and player improved. Literally everyone.

Even then it didn’t get easier. A late-season injury to Jalen Hurts sidelined him until Wildcard Weekend and he didn’t look like himself again until this past week in the NFC Championship game.

A season-ending injury to a Nakobe Dean having a breakout season with Zack Baun alongside him. Quinyon Mitchell being limited in his abilities against the Rams in the Divisional Round. Injuries to both Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens in the NFC Championship game. Not to forget Dallas Goedert‘s midseason injury as well.

It’s no secret that adversity builds culture. I fully believe that if you want to win a championship, you have to have a championship-caliber culture, and this team has it in droves.

The Defense is MUCH better

Don’t get me wrong, the 2022 D was a sight to behold, that defensive line especially. 2 years later almost that entire defense is gone.

Then vs Now #Eagles #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/i8ebetv81C

— Sarcastic Lovest ♊️🇱🇷👩🏾‍🎓 (@lovestdiomande) January 28, 2025

Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, Baun, Oren Burks, Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blankenship weren’t starters in Super Bowl 57, and only Blankenship was even on the roster at the time.

Only 3 starters remain from Super Bowl 57. And as you’ve seen, this new crew is killing everything in their path.

Struggling Packers squad? Crushed by the defense.

Matthew Stafford and the Rams? Crushed by the defense.

Jayden Daniels, fresh off upsetting the #1 seed? Crushed by the defense.

The Eagles have the most depth at CB in the NFL with Darius Slay, DeJean, Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kelee Ringo.

They have the possible defensive player of the year Baun patrolling the middle of the field, with Burks, who played great against Washington filling in for Dean, alongside him.

At safety, Blankenship is one of the most underrated players in football and has done nothing but play well since being signed as a UDFA, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who’s had an up-and-down season but has looked great down the stretch.

Last but certainly not least, is the defensive line. It’s pick your poison across the board.

Do you want Carter, who’s been one of the best D-linemen in football this year to beat you?

What about Smith, who with a higher snap count has had a breakout season?

Or Milton Williams, one of the most underrated players in the league due for a massive payday this off-season.

Or Davis, who’s been a play-wrecking force in the middle of the line this season.

Or Josh Sweat having the best season of his career.

All of that, and we don’t have to worry about our defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, taking secret meetings making him underprepared.

Keep the “Sodfather” out of the Superdome, and Mahomes’ life is going to be chaos with this murderer’s row of defense.

The Eagles have the best player in football

Saquon Barkley is the MVP. I don’t care what happens at the NFL Honors on Thursday. Barkley is the MVP, and it’s not close.

Saquon adds a layer to this offense that simply isn’t fair. Just his presence on the field allows Kellen Moore to do so much more than he could normally.

It’s the fear factor. Defenses have to choose between letting Saquon beat you or letting Jalen Hurts beat you with his arm.

He’s single-handedly redefining how valuable the RB position is.

Steve Spagnuolo is a fantastic DC and will have something ready for this, but it’s just impossible to stop entirely.

All of this and Hurts is back to playing elite football. Say what you will about the passing attack, when the team calls upon Hurts, he delivers and he’s been doing exactly what they’ve needed of him. He’s been smart. He’s been safe with the ball, not trying to do too much, and, obviously, it’s working.

I anticipate Moore to let Hurts loose in the last game of the season, especially with his pedigree against Spagnuolo. In 3 starts against KC, Hurts has a passer rating of 96.3, 841 yards passing, 3 passing touchdowns, and just 1 interception. The 280.3 yards per game is the highest average against any team in his entire career.

Team of Destiny?

Beating the Chiefs won’t be easy, obviously.

However, I truly believe, that if any team in the league can do it, it is this one.

After all, no dynasty has ever beaten the Eagles in the Super Bowl twice.

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