PHOENIX ( Associated Press) – If the Super Bowl is decided in the trenches, the Philadelphia Eagles have a clear advantage: two All-Pro-caliber offensive linemen and four headhunters with at least 10 sacks.
If it all comes down to the team with the best passing and rushing options, the Eagles have a clear advantage: a pair of 1,000-yard receivers and an all-time rushing game.
If the main factor is the more talented perimeter, the Eagles have a clear advantage: two proven cornerbacks.
Philadelphia has fielded a team with no glaring holes, which could open the door to a repeat of the Super Bowl from five years ago, when the Eagles took advantage of a more diverse roster to get an MVP-winning quarterback to the title .
The Eagles will do with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs what they did with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots and give Philadelphia their second Lombardi.
Defensive star Hassan Reddick said, “We’ve been overlooked all year, and I don’t know why.” “Because we have stars at every position, guys who make plays. This team is talented in every way. I don’t think I’ve ever been so talented.”
This version of the Eagles could be even better than the 2017 version, which entered the title game with backup quarterback Nick Foles.
Though Foles surprisingly turned in an MVP performance in the 41-33 win with three touchdown passes, a touchdown reception and a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, few were surprised to see Jalen Hurts lead the pack on Sunday. Will be
While Hurts is not quite on par with two-time MVP Mahomes, he has shown in his third season that he is a real threat and his Eagles suffered just one loss with him this season.
Hurts was a second-team All-Pro and finished behind only Mahomes in MVP voting after setting a franchise record with 35 total touchdowns despite missing two games with a shoulder injury.
Hurts hasn’t been at his best since returning from an injury that sidelined him in Weeks 16 and 17. However, two weeks have passed since the NFC Finals, which should help him find his ability on the long pass, which should make a difference in his performance. sunday.
At the time of his injury, Hurts was tied for the lead with 11 touchdown passes in which the ball traveled at least 20 yards in the air, and was fourth in yards generated on such plays with 786. Since reappearing in Week 18, Hurts is 3 for 10 scoreless deep pass attempts.
A healthy Hurts should be able to find AJ Brown and Devonta Smith on some long passes against a Kansas City defense that allowed the third-highest deep-ball rating during the regular season.
