The Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl win in February could hardly be called a shock. Going into the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, many experts believed that the Eagles had both the form and cohesion to get the job done, and, as we know, they did so in style.
And yet, the Eagles were a team that grew into the 2024 NFL season. They were respected in the new NFL season betting odds but weren’t considered among the hot favorites last September. They went under the radar for long periods of the season, with the form of Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Zack Braun getting better as the winter wore on.
Fans would love to see a repeat.
Fans would love to see something similar happen, appearing in – and perhaps winning – consecutive Super Bowls for the first time in the franchise’s history. And yet, there is also a sense of the unknown going into the new season. Many Super Bowl winners try to keep the band together for another tilt at glory, whereas the Eagles have lost several starters and supporting cast who beat the Chiefs last February. Darius Slay, Oren Burks, Josh Sweat, CJ Gardner-Johnson, and Mekhi Becton are among them.
The Eagles’ management has, of course, not been resting on its laurels, bringing in Azeez Ojulari, AJ Dillon, and Jakorian Bennet, among many others. Many of those arrivals look like good business. Dillon, for instance, will help get the best out of the man who many see as the NFL’s best player, Saquon Barkley. Bennet was a necessity, helping rebuild the cornerback group in the absence of Darius Slay and James Bradberry (who left after an injury-ridden campaign).
Changes may take time to bear fruit.
Nonetheless, it’s not ideal to lose that cohesion, especially in defense, that characterized the Eagles’ campaign last year. It’s worth noting that offensive coordinator Kellen Moore also left to take up the head coach position in New Orleans. Perhaps they will pick up from where they left off, but the roster changes mean there is always a chance that they don’t.
The moves have meant that sportsbooks are reluctant to place the Eagles as favorites for Super Bowl LX, with many putting the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills as the market leaders, albeit with the Eagles close behind. A group of five teams – the Ravens, Bills, Eagles, Chiefs, and Lions – have been placed in the elite category as Super Bowl favorites. Choosing among them is difficult, but it’s worth noting that the NFC route looks a little easier on the path to Levi’s Stadium next February.
The Eagles’ campaign begins on September 4 by welcoming the Dallas Cowboys to Lincoln Field. After that, it’s a Super Bowl rematch with a trip to Kansas City, followed by games against the Rams, Buccaneers, and Broncos. While it’s tough, the layout of the early-season schedule also feels like the perfect test. Aside from the rematch against the Chiefs, that trio of the Rams, Bucs, and Broncos – all outstanding teams with ambitions for the Playoffs – should represent a kind of bellwether for this semi-new era in Philadelphia.
The Eagles have the league’s 4th toughest strength of schedule, so it could be an unforgiving campaign if Nick Sirianni has teething issues with his new players. Yet, most of the superstars who delivered a Super Bowl to Philadelphia will be in midnight green for the new season, so fans should be confident that another exciting six months loom on the football calendar.