Before this post season started I firmly stated that the Eagles would breeze through the post season 4-0.
I simply thought that they were the best team over the past 4 months in the NFL. No glaring weaknesses and so much player development on both sides of the ball.
What I have recognized, and what all great teams can do is they can beat you in so many different ways.
They can run it better than anyone. They can take the ball away better than anyone and not turn it over, evidence that they have 10 takeaways in the postseason and have yet to come close to turning it over.
They can stop the run and defend the pass as well as anyone. And when the game gets tight, they have guys who can close the game out like Jalen Carter did in the finale against the Rams
It’s been 21 long weeks thus far.
Since the all-important week five bye week this team has evolved from one that turned the ball over too often and had not set the defense the way they play now.
Jalen is a completely different QB since the Bye. Except for the week 16 loss to the Commanders, whereby he was concussed in the first quarter, he has gone 13-0, and has thrown 18 interceptions against 1 interception.
He has learned how costly it is to turn the ball over and while some fans want more passing yards and more passing attempts, he knows not to take too many chances with the ball.
I have not seen an offensive line this good in many years. No one has the size and athletic ability of this group since I don’t know when. They are very consistent and they can move bodies, big bodies, better than anyone.
They make very few mistakes and can dominate in many ways. In their first playoff game against the Packers, Jalen threw a TD pass to Jahan Dotson and held the ball for almost 7 seconds.
It felt like 15 seconds, but the point is the OL near kept a clock in their heads and Jalen stayed in the pocket long enough to find a Dotson who uncovered in the back of the end zone.
Against Washington in the NFC Championship game the remarkable Saquon became even more remarkable by going 60 yards for a TD on their first play from scrimmage. When that happened it removed any jitters that any player or coach might have had. They proceeded to do anything they wanted thereafter.
In the Super Bowl 2 years ago in Arizona I thought the Birds were a better team than the Chiefs. They went into the locker room at halftime up 10 points and they couldn’t put the Chiefs away in the second half.
The Chiefs are largely the same team they saw that day. Yes they have added some receivers that give the offense a little more pop but otherwise they look pretty similar. The Birds know that they will be very well prepared and just as they did against Buffalo in the AFC Championship game.
They will have some new formations and new plays that they have not shown anyone. They scored on 2 TD runs versus the Bills from a first time formation. They will have similar changes in New Orleans that the Birds must prepare for.
But the Eagles are completely rebuilt with a new coaching staff at many key positions and so much youthful talent sprinkled throughout the team. Vic Fangio coordinating this defense with the rookie additions of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean cannot be overstated.
The finding of Zack Baun is one of the best stories in this year's NFL. He is simply amazing and great at everything. The player development of Nolan Smith from unproductive backup to front line impactful starter is all you can hope for when you draft a player at the bottom of the first round.
Jalen Carter has morphed into a star that plays more snaps at his position than any defensive tackle in the game today. He requires a double team nearly every play or you risk the play of being blown up.
All of this team building has been remarkable. But I saved the best for last.
The addition of Saquon Barkley is why I believe the Birds will stop the Chiefs on their path to dynasty and their goal of three-peat.
We have never seen a running back that is more than capable of scoring from anywhere on the field at any time. His first 60-plus yard run came in week three in New Orleans.
He said to me that day on the field that he was close to breaking some runs in the first 2 weeks but he had not pressed the safety or linebacker enough before he made his cut and hit the gas pedal. He did that in the 4th quarter when the Birds were desperate for a TD to eke out a narrow victory.
The Birds will head to the Crescent City in a few days and they should pack a great defense, a bonafide super star in Saquon and an extra-large suitcase full of confidence.
It has been a magical season thus far…one that not many had predicted considering the collapse from a year ago.
But Howie Roseman is a living wizard and he fixed the roster with free agents and youthful draft picks and added coaches that did a masterful job of developing young players.
The Super Bowl is the Crown Jewel in all of sports and the Birds have what it takes to celebrate that jewel with their legendary fans on another parade down Broad Street. I have no doubts that they finish this postseason 4-0 and SB 59 Champs. *
Comments