Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery has a chance to solidify his status as a playoff phenom

Already a fan favorite and legend in the City of Brotherly Love after fulfilling his famous Super Bowl promise last season, Eagles wideout Alshon Jeffery has another golden opportunity to add to his legacy this weekend. On Sunday, the Eagles travel to the Windy City for a playoff clash against the Chicago Bears- the franchise that drafted the then 22-year old Jeffery in 2012. Now a Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion, Jeffery returns to the Second City with one goal in mind- dominate.

After amassing 4,549 receiving yards and 26 TDs in his first five seasons, Jeffery was unceremoniously allowed to walk in free agency without being offered an extension. One man’s trash, as they say, is another man’s treasure. Jeffery, unsurprisingly, was a hot commodity on the free agent market, fielding offers from several teams. The 6’3 wideout ultimately decided to sign a one-year pact with the Eagles, spurning multi-year offers from the Vikings and others, in what would turn out to be one of the most impactful offseason additions in the entire NFL.

Finally out of the shadow of 6x Pro Bowl WR Brandon Marshall and away from the Jay Cutler-Brian Hoyer-Matt Barkley QB carousel, Jeffery flourished in his first season in Philly. The former second-round pick snagged 59 passes for 783 yards. The veteran wideout also validated his reputation as a red zone nightmare by snagging the fourth-most receiving touchdowns in the league with nine last season. There was no denying he could flat out ball, the only remaining question was ‘could his impressive production translate to the playoffs?’

It most certainly could.

Here’s a look at Jeffery’s numbers in the three playoff victories en route to the Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory:

Jeffery absolutely FEASTED in the playoffs, catching everything thrown his way, including the first touchdown in what would be the highest-scoring Super Bowl to date:

A year later, however, and Jeffery STILL hasn’t earned the respect he deserves around the league. So, with his former team and their #3 defense waiting in the wings, Jeffery looks to do some damage and cement his status amongst the elite. If he and Foles can emulate the same chemistry they displayed last postseason against Chicago on Sunday, naysayers will have a tough time continuing to downplay his accomplishments. Hopefully, for the Eagles’ championship aspirations and the wideout’s legacy, Pederson is able to unleash Jeffery once again this postseason.