A Week Away

A week from now the Eagles will be playing in the Super Bowl. It feels weird to say that. They did make it to the big game just five years ago, but Eagles history isn’t filled with Super Bowls.

Even as the Eagles started 8-0 and played at a high level, there were times when you wondered when reality would set in. In a way, it did. And the reality is that the Eagles are a great team this year.

I was calm last week during the NFC title game. I knew the Eagles were the better team. There wasn’t a whole lot of emotion when they won. Maybe part of that is due to the odd game. The Niners QB situation told us early on that the Eagles would be winning. Still, part of me was just business-like. I expected the Eagles to win. Nick Sirianni might be getting to me. Was that the NFC CG or just Game 19?

We have a week of hype, press conferences and endless analysis to go through. Sirianni will do what he can to keep his guys locked in. The messaging they’ve gotten all year should serve them well as they navigate the nuttiness of Super Bowl week.

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Want some more of the win over the Niners? This is a cool video.

A day to remember@FirstrustBank | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/DpPtA4ss4q

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 2, 2023

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I was out having drinks with friends last night and the subject of the Super Bowl came up. A lot of people are expecting the Eagles to win. There was one guy who dissented and I explained all the reasons he was wrong. Totally unbiased reasons, of course.

I ran into a couple of Eagles fans. That was cool. It is wild to see how condifent everyone is. Not cocky. Not arrogant. Just confident that this team is going to finish the season the way they’ve played all year.

During the Andy Reid years, you hoped the team would do well in big games. This is different. There is an expectation. Very cool.

One of the big differences is Donovan McNabb and Jalen Hurts. McNabb was a terrific QB and had a borderline Hall of Fame career. He still doesn’t get enough credit for what he did. Still, McNabb wasn’t the leader that Hurts is. McNabb was more physically gifted, but Hurts has a presence and mentality that drives him and his team.

This is a good article on Hurts and just how dedicated he’s been, mainly focusing on his college days. I especially loved this line.

Hurts was different. He seemed to be a lot older than all the other college stars. Some Heisman hopefuls are like 21 going on 25. Hurts was 21 going-on-Saban.

The Eagles are lucky they found a talented player who also happens to be incredibly driven and focused. Those guys are rare.

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The top 57 players who will play in Super Bowl LVII https://t.co/bLSAMeRgSW

— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) February 5, 2023

Interesting exercise. I’m glad Mr. Bama did this. I had thought about it, but never got past the first few players. Trying to sort out the first 10 or so is challenging.

I’m sad to report that I don’t have any huge arguments with his list.

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One player who has really come on for the Eagles is Milton Williams.

Milton Williams has reallyyyy found his groove as a role player over the last 3 games pic.twitter.com/oT29cyBr62

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) February 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/AidanDoc_/status/1621178052142153728

What DTs got the highest percentage of plays with a positive grade vs the run this year from @PFF? (Minimum 100 snaps)

1. Aaron Donald
2. Derrick Brown
3. Christian Wilkins
4. Milton Williams #FlyEaglesFly
5. DJ Reader pic.twitter.com/xS6JjrQZzz

— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) January 16, 2023

One of the things that makes the Eagles pass rush so special is the depth. You have someone like Williams coming off the bench and offering instant impact. He’s able to get into the backfield and be disruptive.

Maybe he will end up starting next year. I was a bit disappointed with Williams start to the season, but he’s been different in the past few weeks. You can see his talent and potential. Would love to see him make a big play in the Super Bowl.

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Bo Wulf wrote a piece where he asked 22 Eagles players to name their favorite play from the season. Funny answer from Big Play Slay.

My best play? Man, honestly when I tackled Derrick Henry in the hole. I tackled him, I was like, “Damn, I just tackled Derrick Henry.” S— felt pretty good.

Tackling Henry would be pretty cool.

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