It’s officially Super Bowl week as the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs have both arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana ahead of their monumental rematch. Following Philadelphia’s 2-2 start to the regular season, it was difficult to envision the Eagles reaching this point in the postseason, yet here they are. Now the Eagles will attempt to get their revenge and stop the Chiefs from pulling off a historic threepeat as Super Bowl Champions.
In the latest edition of my Eagles mailbag, I’ll discuss Philadelphia’s x-factor in Super Bowl LIX, Kellen Moore’s potential replacement and much more regarding the team moving forward.
@Cory_Nidoh asked, “Who is the biggest X-Factor for the Eagles in this game?”
I might be taking the easy way out with this answer but it has to be Saquon Barkley, in my opinion. We’ve seen Barkley take over games at various points throughout this season, even when Philadelphia’s passing game has struggled. In the most recent matchups between the Eagles and Chiefs, Philadelphia’s rushing attack has still had it’s way with Kansas City’s defense. Now that they’ve added Barkley to the mix, it feels like he could be the true x-factor that can tip the scales in Philadelphia’s favor.
The Chiefs have struggled to slow down starting running backs in their two playoff games this season. Chiefs have allowed starting RBs to average 5.6 yards per carry this postseason, as both James Cook and Joe Mixon outperformed their regular season yards per carry against Kansas City in the postseason.
James Cook: 4.9 YPC during the regular season and 6.5 YPC against the Chiefs in the postseason.
Joe Mixon: 4.1 YPC during the regular season and 4.9 YPC against the Chiefs in the postseason.
Considering that Barkley already averaged 5.8 yards per carry in the regular season, it’s mind-blowing to think about what he could potentially average against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. It’s also worth noting that former Eagles running back D’Andre Swift averaged 6.3 yards per carry against the Chiefs in their regular season matchup last season. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will certainly have his hands full with trying to slow down Barkley.
@WhereEagl3sDar3 asked, “Do you think our defense is schematically better suited to challenge Mahomes and Reid than LVII?”
Absolutely and I’m not sure that it’s close at all. In 2022, Philadelphia’s defense was very reliant on generating sacks and turnovers. Yet this year’s unit was dominant before they started forcing turnovers at a historic rate. Now that their poor turnover luck has turned in their favor, Philadelphia’s defense has truly become the total package.
I was asked several months ago to rank Philadelphia’s defenses from 2017, 2022 and 2024. At the time, I ranked 2024 as the best unit of the three and I feel even more confident saying so right now. The additions of Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Zack Baun and Jalen Carter make this defense infinitely more talented and better prepared to stop Mahomes and Reid in Super Bowl LIX.
@VladdyMuse asked, “How does Kellen Moore and Jalen Hurts avoid and read the Chiefs’ confusing defense (how should they handle the plethora of blitzes)?”
The ultimate chess match in Super Bowl LIX will be Kellen Moore and Jalen Hurts’ plan against Spagnuolo’s unique pressure looks. Kansas City’s defense is able to generate pressure utilizing all sorts of personnel packages and pre-snap alignments. While Hurts has taken far too many sacks when blitzed this season, he has been efficient passing the ball compared to 2023.
In 2024, Hurts has completed 64.2% of his passes for 1,096 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception when blitzed, according to Pro Football Focus. Which is drastically better than his performance last season, when he threw nine touchdowns and eight interceptions when blitzed.
Hurts struggled against Kansas City’s defense in 2023, as he completed just 53.6% of his passes for 83 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception against the Chiefs in Week 11. Spagnuolo’s defense was able to generate three sacks on just 15 snaps utilizing the blitz.
Luckily for Hurts, Moore has helped Philadelphia’s starting quarterback take a step forward against the blitz this season. Look for the Eagles to utilize pre-snap motion to get Kansas City to tip their hand earlier than they’d like to on defense.
Moore showcased some unique looks with handoffs to Dallas Goedert and pitches to DeVonta Smith in the NFC Championship Game, and we could very well see those utilized once again. If the Eagles are able to stress the Chiefs both horizontally and vertically, that will help minimize the threat of Spagnuolo’s unique pressure looks.
@IamDSPN asked, “My brother expects a tackle eligible TD from Lane, I said Jordan but his point is a couple of unscouted looks should be in this game just as with the first SB win. What do you think?”
It’s do or die time in the Super Bowl and there’s no reason to hold onto any potential trick plays that either team could have up their sleeves. While I wouldn’t necessarily expect the Eagles to throw a pass to an offensive lineman, I would keep my eye out for two plays, in particular. I believe would could see some type of fake tush push pass variation in Super Bowl LIX, especially in a third-and-short situation.
I’d also watch for a bit more utilization of Philadelphia’s main three pass catchers as rushers. We saw Goedert and Smith both utilized in unique ways against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game. A.J. Brown had five carries for 70 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown during his time with the Tennessee Titans. Maybe we’ll see Brown get his first carry as a member of the Eagles on Sunday.
@mrcrockpot asked, “Drums or flats for the Super Bowl?”
This might be my hottest take of all-time but I truly believe that bone-in chicken wings are severely overrated. I prefer boneless wings and believe they are far superior, even if people want to call them “chicken nuggets.” You can call them whatever you’d like to call them but they remain the must better choice of the two.
In fact, all meat on the bone is a significant waste of time and money. Don’t even get me started with steak, that’s an entire rabbit hole that I’d rather not go down. When I’m eating, especially while trying to watch an important sporting event, the last thing I want to worry about is where I’m putting leftover bones and doing extra work for a fraction of the amount of food than what I would get with a boneless wing.
Therefore, my answer is neither. You can enjoy your drums and flats but I’ll be a man-child and enjoy my “chicken nuggets.”
@willinoize asked, “Including Bobby Slowik, what other possible Kellen Moore replacements names should we keep an eye on?”
All signs are pointing towards Moore remaining in New Orleans after Super Bowl LIX and becoming the next head coach of the Saints. Therefore, the Eagles will now have to fill a void at offensive coordinator for the third consecutive offseason. I created a list of 10 potential offensive coordinator candidates last week, including former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Yet several of the names on my initial list are reportedly expected to land jobs elsewhere. Therefore, I wanted to share a few additional candidates that didn’t make my initial list. Grant Udinski is a 29-year-old native of Doylestown, Pennsylvania that currently serves as the assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Udinski has already interviewed for several offensive coordinator openings this offseason and would make sense as a potential target for the Eagles.
Commanders quarterback coach Tavita Pritchard is another intriguing candidate to watch for. Pritchard is 37-years-old and spent over a decade coaching at Stanford before making the leap to the NFL with Washington in 2023. He is a former quarterback that helped Sam Howell, Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota exceed expectations with the Commanders. Given his time coaching at Stanford, Pritchard likely has a strong relationship with current Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee as well.
@Michael93826345 asked, “Is there a possibility that Mekhi Becton plays guard in Philly until Lane Johnson retires and have him be the next RT and then have either Trevor Keegan or Tyler Steen at RG?”
The curious case of Mekhi Becton will certainly be something interesting to monitor in free agency. If the Eagles view Becton as only a guard, then they might not be willing to meet the potential offers that he’ll receive in free agency. Yet if Philadelphia views Becton as their potential replacement plan behind Lane Johnson at right tackle, then that would drastically raise his value to the Eagles.
I personally believe Becton has found a long-term home at guard, where he still doesn’t look fully comfortable at just yet. But it clearly seems like his best position given his struggles throughout the start of his NFL career at offensive tackle. If Becton moves on in free agency, Tyler Steen has already shown the ability to step in and play well at either guard spot this season.
@shawnrob42 asked, “What do you consider the team’s needs by position heading into the 2025 draft?”
Many are fixated on the Eagles addressing edge defender early in the 2025 NFL Draft, yet I believe that position has fallen down Philadelphia’s list of needs quite a bit over the last two months, thanks to the play of both Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt.
While Eagles general manager Howie Roseman will surely address several of the team’s projected needs in free agency ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, here is how I would rank Philadelphia’s needs heading into the offseason:
- Offensive Tackle – Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson form the best offensive tackle duo in the NFL. While Johnson swears he is going to play next season, he is 36-years-old and isn’t getting any younger. Tyler Steen appears to be more of a guard in the NFL, which means the Eagles don’t have a long-term answer at right tackle behind Johnson.
- Defensive Tackle – Jalen Carter is an absolute star, there’s no denying that. Jordan Davis will be heading into the fourth year of his rookie contract and Moro Ojomo has yet to play a starting role. Therefore, defensive tackle could be a major need following the potential loss of Milton Williams in free agency.
- Tight End – Dallas Goedert has played at a high level since returning in Week 18, yet he’s constantly injured every season. While Grant Calcaterra showed some potential during Goedert’s absence, he isn’t the long-term answer at tight end in Philadelphia. Given how strong the 2025 NFL Draft is at tight end, the Eagles would be wise to add one within the first two nights of the event.
- Edge Defender – Nolan Smith appears to be a rising star and Jalyx Hunt has already shown more promise than many expected to see during his rookie season. Josh Sweat is set to hit the open market and Bryce Huff was a major letdown in his first season in Philadelphia. The Eagles could move on from Huff in 2025 and look to add another young edge defender into the fold.
- Cornerback – This might seem crazy after the team added Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the 2024 NFL Draft. Yet Darius Slay’s days in Philadelphia are seemingly numbered and Isaiah Rodgers is set to hit free agency. Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks haven’t exactly shown much in their first two seasons in the NFL either.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
