PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni are gearing up for a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch against Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, the former Eagles coach. This showdown is set for February 9 in New Orleans, two years after the Kansas City Chiefs triumphed over the Eagles in the last Super Bowl and followed up with another championship victory last season.
This year’s match could be particularly interesting due to the Eagles’ recent acquisition of 2,000-yard rusher Saquon Barkley. His presence has transformed Philadelphia’s running attack from an area of concern for rival teams to a source of anxiety. Opponents must now contend with Barkley’s capability to make game-changing plays from virtually anywhere on the field, exemplified by his remarkable 60-yard touchdown run on the Eagles’ initial possession in the NFC Championship against Washington, and a 78-yard scoring run that sealed a victory against the Los Angeles Rams in snow-heavy conditions.
Hurts now possesses a powerful weapon in the backfield, which could aid him in making significant strides against the Chiefs. Despite this, oddsmakers have listed Kansas City as slight favorites by 1.5 points for the upcoming Super Bowl, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
In Hurts’ previous Super Bowl appearance against the Chiefs, he delivered an exceptional performance, passing for 304 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 70 yards and three touchdowns, tying the game with a 2-point conversion attempt. Following the Eagles’ NFC title victory, Hurts humorously mentioned that Sirianni had “let [him] out of [his] straitjacket,” after throwing for 246 yards and a touchdown while rushing for three scores, a stark contrast to his earlier role as a game manager where he was often viewed as not expected to carry the team to victory.
Sirianni dismissed any doubts around Hurts’ capabilities, especially after his knee tweak during the divisional round and a concussion in late December. He emphasized that Hurts’ record speaks for itself, proving to be a clutch player capable of leading the Eagles to a potential second Super Bowl title. “It’s fascinating how doubt exists sometimes. It’s hard for me to grasp because it doesn’t always align with conventional expectations,” Sirianni remarked. “But the kid has delivered in crunch time. Winning is what matters, regardless of the numbers.”
As the Eagles prepare for the Super Bowl, they need to maintain the same level of team dominance they exhibited against the Commanders. A.J. Brown contributed significantly with 96 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Dallas Goedert recorded seven catches for 85 yards. Both players were instrumental in blocking for Barkley during his 60-yard touchdown run early in the game. Additionally, All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun topped the defensive chart with 12 tackles, as the Eagles’ defense generated four turnovers and accounted for 21 points from three fumble recoveries.
However, the key has been translating their potential into actual Super Bowl success. After falling short against the Chiefs last time, Sirianni highlighted utilizing that “pain” from past defeat as a motivational tool for the team. Furthermore, the collective disappointment from last season’s dramatic collapse — going from a promising 10-1 start to a disheartening 1-5 finish — has also fueled the Eagles’ determination this season. “The ending to last year stung deeply, but it contributes to our development and resilience,” he stated.
Barkley is on the cusp of breaking Terrell Davis’ long-standing rushing record, needing just 30 yards to surpass the mark of 2,476 total rushing yards achieved during the 1998 season when the Broncos claimed the Super Bowl. Hurts remarked about Barkley’s strong impact, especially during critical points of games. The potential exists for Barkley to create a significant celebration in New Orleans; not only could he claim the rushing record, but the Eagles could also clinch the Super Bowl win on his 28th birthday.
Despite these upbeat vibes, the Eagles still have lingering concerns, particularly about their kicker, Jake Elliott. Although he managed to hit all of his extra points, his missed 54-yard field goal in the second quarter highlighted ongoing issues with his long-distance kicking, a worry given the confidence that Kansas City’s Harrison Butker showed with a successful kick of that length in last year’s Super Bowl.
Injuries also loom over the team’s preparations, with offensive linemen Cam Jurgens (back) and Landon Dickerson (knee) having battled through injuries, while defensive end Brandon Graham, who has been sidelined since late November with a torn triceps, is hinting at a possible return for the Super Bowl. Running back Kenneth Gainwell was also assessed for a concussion.
As the Eagles prep for another Super Bowl showdown, they are part of an exclusive list of three NFL teams that have reached the big game four times since 2004, alongside New England and Kansas City. Sirianni is also among a select group, being the third head coach to make multiple Super Bowl appearances in his first four seasons, joining legends Joe Gibbs and Mike Tomlin.
In their last encounter in November 2023, the Eagles bested the Chiefs in a nail-biting 21-17 contest, thanks to a last-minute push by Hurts. The upcoming game is not just a rematch but a chapter filled with potential grace and redemption for the Eagles as they aim for Super Bowl glory.
