Philadelphia Eagles Claim Their Second Super Bowl Title
NEW ORLEANS — Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni have succeeded in leading the Philadelphia Eagles to become world champions.
The Eagles’ relentless defense kept Patrick Mahomes on edge throughout the game, while Hurts proved to be a crucial performer for the offense. This outcome marked the end of the Kansas City Chiefs’ aspirations for a consecutive Super Bowl win.
The Eagles dominated with a 40-22 victory, securing the franchise’s second Super Bowl title. On his 22nd birthday, Cooper DeJean made his mark with a pick-six, while Josh Sweat applied consistent pressure on Mahomes. Hurts showcased his skills, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another, ultimately earning the Super Bowl MVP award. The defense, under Vic Fangio, was so effective that the Eagles did not require a standout performance from Saquon Barkley, who still managed to break Terrell Davis’ record for most rushing yards in a single season, playoffs included, with 57 yards. Hurts recorded 221 yards passing.
Sirianni highlighted the importance of teamwork, stating, “This is the ultimate team game. You can’t be great without the greatness of others. Great performance by everybody — offense, defense, special teams. All we want to do is win.”
Hurts, who has faced skepticism since his days at Alabama, finally silenced many of his critics by lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy, having previously finished second to Mahomes in MVP voting two years ago.
Sirianni also quelled doubters as he secured a championship ring to complement his impressive winning percentage as a coach, which ranks fifth in NFL history. “Things come right on time. The last time around, it wasn’t our time. Sometimes, you have to accept that you have to wait your turn,” said Hurts, referencing a prior close match against the Chiefs.
The Eagles outperformed Kansas City in all areas of the game, energizing a boisterous crowd in the stadium who celebrated each Eagles score with chants of “Fly! Eagles! Fly!” Even the presence of Taylor Swift could not sway the outcome as the Chiefs suffered their first loss in ten games with her present, with superstar Travis Kelce only catching a pass late in the third quarter.
Chiefs fans couldn’t have predicted a performance as lackluster as that of their team. Kansas City, which had previously won three out of five Super Bowl appearances, was unable to showcase its typical prowess this time around. Mahomes entered the game with an unblemished 8-0 record against defensive strategies led by Fangio, who outsmarted Andy Reid, marking his first season with the local team. Reid’s record fell to 3-3 in Super Bowls, including a loss with the Eagles earlier in his career.
The Eagles’ defense recorded six sack attempts against Mahomes, marking the most he has faced in a game. The team accomplished this feat without Fangio calling for a single blitz, showcasing their dominance. “Defense wins championships,” emphasized Hurts. “We saw how they played today. They gave us opportunities, gave us short fields. And we’re able to do what we do.”
Barkley, recently honored as the 2024 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, struggled in the first half, finishing with only 31 rushing yards as the Eagles raced to a 24-0 lead. The Chiefs set their sights on becoming the third team in NFL history to win three consecutive championships, and the first to do so in the Super Bowl era. However, Hurts and the Eagles had different plans.
The scoring began when Barkley assisted Hurts in pushing the ball across the goal line for the first touchdown. Following a 48-yard field goal by Jake Elliott, the Eagles’ defense continued to shine, sacking Mahomes on consecutive plays. Hurts then threw a pick-six to DeJean, lifting Philadelphia to a sizable lead. Mahomes’ interception marked his first in 21 playoff games.
Despite a meager performance, the Chiefs did avoid their first shutout thanks to Mahomes connecting with Xavier Worthy for a TD. However, the 2-point conversion attempt failed, and subsequent touchdowns felt largely inconsequential. The game also saw significant discussion around officiating, particularly a controversial penalty call that frustrated fans and analysts alike.
The Green Bay Packers remain the only NFL team to win three consecutive championships, achieving that feat in both the late 1920s and mid-1960s. In the realm of major American sports, the last team to secure three consecutive titles was the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02, led by superstars Bryant and O’Neal.
