By Lucas Camacho
The late Alan Rickman said it best as Professor Snape in the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when he said: “Vengeance is sweet.”
Two years ago, the Eagles suffered a disheartening loss to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, something that clearly affected them the next year when they suffered an unexplainable collapse. Flashforward to Sunday night, the Eagles got their revenge as the Chiefs’ dreams of a three-peat fell apart in the first quarter (fun fact here: technically, the only team to three-peat in the NFL is the Green Bay Packers…they just did it at the dawn of the Super Bowl era). This was not a great night for Patrick Mahomes, but it wasn’t a great game for Saquon Barkley either. However, it was definitely a good game for the Eagles’ defense, who shut down the Chiefs for nearly the whole game. Mahomes completed 21 of 32 passes for 257 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. However, a lot of his status came in garbage time as Mahomes was held for nearly three quarters. The other star to watch going into this game was Saquon Barkley, but he was also held in check; rushing only for 57 yards on 25 carries (very uncharacteristic of him). It was a big night though for Jalen Hurts, who completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. However, Hurts also rushed it himself 11 times for 72 yards and a touchdown; capping off an impressive performance worthy of a Super Bowl MVP.
The Eagles dominated this game from start to finish as the Chiefs’ lucky streak finally ran on empty. At one point in the game, the Eagles had more first downs than the Chiefs had TOTAL YARDS! On a side note, happy birthday to Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean, who intercepted Patrick Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown (that is one amazing birthday present). Full credit to the offensive and defensive lines of the Eagles for helping their team complete the most dominating performance we’ve seen in the Super Bowl in a while. This is definitely an Eagles team that will dominate for years to come as they become the third team with multiple Super Bowl wins in the last 15 seasons (the Chiefs obviously being one and the other Patriots led by Tom Brady being the other). If they can stay healthy and keep this going, they have a more than good shot of running it back next year.
So, what do both teams do now that the offseason has officially begun for the NFL. Let’s start with the Chiefs. This is a little tricky, as I think there is a lack of chemistry at times as the Chiefs never seemed to click for an entire game at all this season. Granted, everyone has bad, but almost losing to a bottom feeder like the Carolina Panthers? (Good grief…) But if you’re looking for something they can do to improve the team with a signing or a draft pick, I would say their offensive line could use some work. We just saw the Eagles tear their lines to shreds, and if they don’t do something to improve it: this game will provide a blueprint for teams like the Bills and the Ravens to finally have THEIR revenge on the Chiefs. If they’re looking for someone in the draft that can fix that, several analysts have said good things about Josh Conerly Jr. from Oregon, who only allowed one sack in regular season play.
As for the Eagles, first things first: party (after all, the Dodgers had a big one, so why shouldn’t the Eagles). Then after everyone lets it sink in and gets it all out of their system…back to work. Zack Baun has had an amazing season at linebacker, and the Eagles would be foolish to let him walk. Another interesting aspect to look at is Tanner McKee. He has made a little noise in his limited opportunities with the Eagles since being drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. If they decide to make him the number two man behind Hurts, then the Eagles may trade Kenny Pickett…and possibly make a lot off of him as this is a VERY needy quarterback market this offseason and not nearly enough talent entering the draft to fulfill it.
FAVORITE SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS
Not only is the Super Bowl time to watch the last two teams standing duke it out for the ultimate prize, it’s also a time for highly expensive commercials. We had a couple that made us laugh, cry, and reflect. My favorite this year goes to Homes.com with award-winning actor Morgan Freeman (because…come on, you find a bigger star than a guy who played God). One that touched me was the Stand Up to Hate commercial featuring Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady. It was a passionate message and one we all need given the state of things. Snoop really drove the point home at the end of the commercial when he said that what he really hated was that they even had to make a commercial like this.
WHAT TO WATCH GOING FORWARD
So, now that the football season is done…what now? Well, the new (famed former wrestler and star of both Moana movies…you’re welcome!) starts up again at the end of March. The first game will be on March 28 as the St. Louis Battlehawks face off against the Houston Roughnecks. The opening weekend for the UFL ends on March 30 with the defending champion Birmington Stallions going on the road to take on the DC Defenders. Also, hockey and basketball are still going on with plenty of games left until we get to the big playoff push.
On the note of basketball, disheartening news for Lakers fans. Over the weekend, the news broke that one of their big trade deadline deals fell through as the Lakers rescinded the trade for center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets due to Williams failing the physical exam. While his back wasn’t a problem as it has been recently, the physical did show multiple other issues. Because the deadline passed, the deal was not allowed to be amended because of whatever issues the Lakers found in William’s exams. It also means that the Lakers will be keeping what they would have given to the Hornets for Williams: rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 draft pick swap, and a first rounder in the 2031 draft.
Still need more? Well, good news for certain sports fans. As the sun goes down on another NFL season…it rises on a brand-new season for MLB with those magical words: “Pitchers and Catchers report.” Another Spring Training is upon us as the Chicago Cubs’ pitchers and catchers reported to camp on the same day as the big Super Bowl clash. On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays’ pitchers and catchers also report to training camp, but they won’t be the only ones. The reigning World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers will also start their training camp on that day. However, don’t be surprised if the Dodgers ALL report early, as it has been in recent years, as the champs are eager to get to work to defend their crown. The season starts March 18-19 with the Tokyo Series between the Cubs and the defending champion Dodgers. Considering that the Dodgers have three of Japan’s biggest stars on their roster…it can be argued that this will be a home opener for the Dodgers (but without the ring ceremony).
LEAGUE MOURNS LATE BEARS OWNER
Several days before the big Super Bowl matchup, sad news was reported as longtime Chicago Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey passed away at the age of 102. She was the owner of the Bears since inheriting the team after the death of her father, George Halas, on October 31, 1983. She spent much of her time as the owner keeping out of the spotlight, but the Bears did win a Super Bowl under her watchful eye in 1986, defeating the New England Patriots by a score of 46-10 (to which Bears fans thanked the football gods for Richard Dent). NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement, “Virginia Halas McCaskey, the matriarch of the Chicago Bears and daughter of George Halas, the founder of the NFL, leaves a legacy of class, dignity, and humanity. Faith, family, and football – in that order – were her north stars and she lived by the simple adage to always ‘do the right thing.’ The Bears that her father started meant the world to her and he would be proud of the way she continued the family business with such dedication and passion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McCaskey and Halas families and Bears fans around the world.” McCaskey was honored before the Super Bowl, as were the families of the victims of the mayhem on New Year’s Day in New Orleans.
