NEW ORLEANS — The Eagles delivered an impressive performance, highlighted by an interception returned for a touchdown by Cooper DeJean and a crucial pick made by Zack Baun in the very stadium where he once played professionally. They dominated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, and as Kendrick Lamar’s “Game Over” echoed through the Superdome at halftime, it was evident that the outcome of the Super Bowl was already set in stone.
The Eagles’ defense, under the guidance of seasoned strategist Vic Fangio, displayed an exceptional level of play during the game. Throughout the season, they had maintained a high standard, but during the Super Bowl, they truly shone. The defensive unit was relentless against Mahomes and the Chiefs, overpowering them with a decisive 40-22 victory, which marked the Eagles’ second Super Bowl title.
DeJean, along with Baun, Josh Sweat, and Milton Williams formed the backbone of a championship-winning defense that effectively neutralized the Chiefs and managed to sack Mahomes an impressive six times — a statistic that has not been matched against the two-time NFL MVP in previous games.
In Regret, Mahomes offered praise, stating, “Credit to the Eagles, man. They played better than us from start to finish.” The Chiefs faced a nightmarish first half, racking up a mere 23 yards and only one first down. Mahomes completed just 6 out of 14 passes for 33 yards without any touchdowns, while throwing two interceptions — one of which was a pick-six by DeJean, and the other by Baun, which directly resulted in another Eagles score.
“They figured out how to win with a four-man rush and cycling players through without needing to blitz,” remarked Baun. He praised the game plan and the cohesive communication that kept the team synchronized throughout the match. In the first two quarters, Mahomes was sacked three times and was unable to score, marking only the third time in his NFL career he faced such a situation. Meanwhile, the Eagles took a commanding 24-0 lead as Lamar settled in for his performance.
Chiefs center Creed Humphrey lamented, “They didn’t show any different looks. It just came down to them playing harder.” Even with Saquon Barkley only managing 31 rushing yards in the first half, the Eagles were unfazed, particularly after DeJean’s interception return netted 38 yards, pushing the score to 17-0. Remarkably, the Eagles didn’t blitz throughout the game.
“I believed we could have a successful pass rush game,” Fangio stated, reflecting on the performance of his defensive unit. Sweat, a fourth-round pick from 2018, had eight sacks during the regular season and showcased his skills with an additional 2.5 in the Super Bowl, earning him a potentially lucrative contract as he heads into free agency. Williams, another player approaching free agency, collected two sacks, while Baun also appears set for another foray into free agency after his $3.5 million deal.
Much of the success for the defense can be credited to Fangio, who had struggled with an 0-8 record against Mahomes in previous coaching roles but molded this talented group into a fierce unit. By incorporating eight new starters into a defense that had struggled earlier in the season, he set the stage for a historic performance against Mahomes.
“You go into the game with a plan, but he’s so good you know you’ll have to adjust,” Fangio reflected, mentioning that they modified coverage without having to resort to blitzing. He credited DeJean and fellow rookie Quinyon Mitchell for stepping up in the secondary. With Baun’s transformation from a special teams player to an All-Pro inside linebacker, Fangio’s influence has been clearly impactful.
“Vic just gives us a call, and we follow it without hesitation,” Sweat remarked, acknowledging Fangio’s skill in placing his players in advantageous positions. Baun’s low-profile signing was overlooked compared to more publicized deals, but his contributions were vital, and the Eagles thrived even after veteran defensive end Brandon Graham missed 11 weeks with an injury, returning to play in the Super Bowl. Graham indicated he was still contemplating his future regarding retirement.
Any member of the Eagles’ defensive lineup, including Sweat, DeJean, and Williams, could have been considered for Super Bowl MVP accolades, but as they gear up for a celebration of their Lombardi Trophy win in a parade down Broad Street this week, it’s clear that the entire defensive unit played a key role in this significant victory.
