Saquon Barkley is only one of 3 biggest reasons why Super Bowl rematch vs Chiefs will go differently
On Sunday, Feb. 9 the Philadelphia Eagles get a chance to redeem themselves against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs after falling to KC in a close battle for the Lombardi Trophy back in 2022, 38-35. A lot has changed since then for teams. That said, Eagles fans can go ahead and scrape Super […]
On Sunday, Feb. 9 the Philadelphia Eagles get a chance to redeem themselves against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs after falling to KC in a close battle for the Lombardi Trophy back in 2022, 38-35.
A lot has changed since then for teams.
That said, Eagles fans can go ahead and scrape Super Bowl LVII from their minds because Super Bowl LIX is going to look a lot different.
And running back Saquon Barkley is just one of three reasons why.
1. Running Back Saquon Barkley
In case you forgot, the Eagles didn't have a nearly indestructible weapon like Saquon Barkley during their last Super Bowl run.
Barkley, a former New York Giants first-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, joined the Eagles last free agency and finished the 2024 regular season rushing for a franchise record of 2,005 yards.
Those numbers were good enough to make him an MVP and Offensive Player of the Year finalist.
Barkley's feet didn't let up in the post-season either as he rushed for 445 yards and five touchdowns through three playoff games.
2. Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio
Vic Fangio, aka the "defense whisperer."
Fangio was a consultant for the Eagles' defense during their last Super Bowl prep, but he's calling the shots this time.
In one lone season with Philly, he was able to turn Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, and Zack Baun's NFL careers around. He was also responsible for helping Jalen Carter and Nakobe Dean take huge strides.
Additionally, Fangio successfully made the Eagles' rookie cornerbacks, Cooper DeJeann and Quinyon Mitchell, look like superstars in Year 1.
But perhaps what is important to know about Fangio's defense is that over the last three playoff games, the Eagles have forced 10 takeaways — without turning the ball over themselves.
3. This Eagles Team is Tighter Than Ever
Anyone can go on and on about what makes the Eagles so great from a stat sheet point of view, but what is happening behind the scenes is important too.
After last year's Super Bowl win, Kansas City's Travis Kelce said that the bond Chiefs players share with one other is special and a big reason why they have been so successful.
The Eagles, after working hard on building relationships with teammates this past offseason and beyond, have finally become a very tight-knit group. Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni's relationship is also a lot healthier.
Now you have two closely bonded teams chasing a Super Bowl ring on Sunday.
Nick Sirianni addresses report of Eagles losing ‘homerun’ hire Kellen Moore to Saints HC job
Philadelphia Eagles are expected to lose offensive coordinator Kellen Moore following Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9. ESPN's Adam Schefter all but confirmed during the opening night of the Super Bowl that the New Orleans Saints are hiring Moore as their next head coach. On Tuesday, Eagles head coach Nick […]
