... they pumped life into the sport itself. Here's our column from the Superdome, where Josh Sweat, Cooper DeJean and the Eagles left the back-to-back champs bloodied and beaten.
Good story to top off a week of solid reporting, Tyler. Mr. Matlock (directly above) pointed out that the Kansas City footballers were skin-of-the-teeth victors a dozen times during the season, often against mid- to bottom-end teams. And yet, most of the NFL media, Tyler Dunne included, predicted Kansas City would win this game late, led down on the field on another gallant game-winning drive by the most recent G.O.A.T candidate, Paddy Mahomes. Why did every one, including the CEO of GoLongTD.com, discount the physicality of the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles? I’ll answer my own question: Because they are birds of the same feather.
Former Minnesota U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy once said the media was like a large flock of blackbirds. One lands on a power line, then a few seconds later, another one lands. Then another, and still another. Before you know it, the entire flock sits comfortably on that wire strung between two poles. After a spell, one bird takes off, then another, then two more, then three and four and suddenly they are all gone.
This game was 34 nil with three minutes left in the third quarter and it was 40-6 halfway through the fourth quarter. How could so many football experts be so utterly wrong? Flock if I know.
I wish I could come back swinging on this comment, Rog, but I can't. Because you are correct. And will absolutely never forget the lesson.
My head said "Eagles," but the heart said "Mahomes," simply assuming that KC would manage to keep this game close into the fourth quarter somehow.
Seated in that aux press box spot -- right in the bowl, amazing view -- it was obvious on DRIVE NO. 1 ! -- that the Eagles were going to harass Mahomes all game long and that nobody was going to get open on the back end. Philly probably knew they'd kick KC's collective asses all week. Element of revenge was real, too. Eagles DL didn't forget thos "0 Sacks" shirts Chiefs rocked on their Super Bowl parade two years ago.
Thank you so much for reading our coverage down there, too. A busy, fun week.
As usual T, great job. One factor many analysts missed is that Chiefs had 12 -- twelve!!! -- single score victories. That's not sustainable over the entire season. It's something that comes back to bite teams at inopportune times ... like the Super Bowl.
As my brother texted me about halfway into the second quarter, KC was toast because Philly was keeping Mahomes in front of their defense so he couldn't scramble and make something out of nothing.
Great recap. Well done, every adjective is deserving for both teams in this one, Philly treated Kansas City like a homecoming game.
On one play KC kept in seven to block four, and the Eagles still got to Mahomes quickly. Philly's D-Line is good, but this was one of the most inept offensive line performances have ever seen, especially in such a big game. They looked like five slappys just pulled off random teams' practice squads. The Eagles had more sacks in this than their final 5 regular season games combined. Again, they're really good, but...that was an embarrassing offensive line showing.
Obviously Mahomes didn't help, and started bailing out too soon and right into pressure, though if bailing out the 'wrong way' is a criticism it kind of indicts just how bad the O-Line was. The interception by DeJean was a bad throw.
Also would say Andy Reid can't be let off the hook either. The offensive game plan was terrible, way too pass happy. They called seven runs all night. Seven. They got 24 yards on them, so it's not like they were stoned, they just chose not to run and not to give the beleaguered OL some help. Was Kareem Hunt even in uniform? And the adjustments at halftime were minimal, they ran it once for a quick 7 yards and then stopped running again.
As always, the best in the biz, thanks Ty! As a NYG fan it’s way too painful for me to contemplate a possible eagle dynasty so I’m asking this Q: is it possible for Kelce to be ‘Bill Walton’ instead of Ewing? Walton winning that last ring with Boston, playing a limited but crucial role? If not he should retire now, if yes I’d love to see it.
Nice piece of journalism Tyler!
Thanks for your candid, informative, and entertaining coverage and commentary on the Super Bowl.
Thank you for finding GL, Scott!
Good story to top off a week of solid reporting, Tyler. Mr. Matlock (directly above) pointed out that the Kansas City footballers were skin-of-the-teeth victors a dozen times during the season, often against mid- to bottom-end teams. And yet, most of the NFL media, Tyler Dunne included, predicted Kansas City would win this game late, led down on the field on another gallant game-winning drive by the most recent G.O.A.T candidate, Paddy Mahomes. Why did every one, including the CEO of GoLongTD.com, discount the physicality of the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles? I’ll answer my own question: Because they are birds of the same feather.
Former Minnesota U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy once said the media was like a large flock of blackbirds. One lands on a power line, then a few seconds later, another one lands. Then another, and still another. Before you know it, the entire flock sits comfortably on that wire strung between two poles. After a spell, one bird takes off, then another, then two more, then three and four and suddenly they are all gone.
This game was 34 nil with three minutes left in the third quarter and it was 40-6 halfway through the fourth quarter. How could so many football experts be so utterly wrong? Flock if I know.
I wish I could come back swinging on this comment, Rog, but I can't. Because you are correct. And will absolutely never forget the lesson.
My head said "Eagles," but the heart said "Mahomes," simply assuming that KC would manage to keep this game close into the fourth quarter somehow.
Seated in that aux press box spot -- right in the bowl, amazing view -- it was obvious on DRIVE NO. 1 ! -- that the Eagles were going to harass Mahomes all game long and that nobody was going to get open on the back end. Philly probably knew they'd kick KC's collective asses all week. Element of revenge was real, too. Eagles DL didn't forget thos "0 Sacks" shirts Chiefs rocked on their Super Bowl parade two years ago.
Thank you so much for reading our coverage down there, too. A busy, fun week.
As usual T, great job. One factor many analysts missed is that Chiefs had 12 -- twelve!!! -- single score victories. That's not sustainable over the entire season. It's something that comes back to bite teams at inopportune times ... like the Super Bowl.
Nice write-up!
As my brother texted me about halfway into the second quarter, KC was toast because Philly was keeping Mahomes in front of their defense so he couldn't scramble and make something out of nothing.
It was fun to see him knocked off his pedestal.
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
And such an odd sight when it comes to Mahomes.
Thanks, Susan!
Great recap. Well done, every adjective is deserving for both teams in this one, Philly treated Kansas City like a homecoming game.
On one play KC kept in seven to block four, and the Eagles still got to Mahomes quickly. Philly's D-Line is good, but this was one of the most inept offensive line performances have ever seen, especially in such a big game. They looked like five slappys just pulled off random teams' practice squads. The Eagles had more sacks in this than their final 5 regular season games combined. Again, they're really good, but...that was an embarrassing offensive line showing.
Obviously Mahomes didn't help, and started bailing out too soon and right into pressure, though if bailing out the 'wrong way' is a criticism it kind of indicts just how bad the O-Line was. The interception by DeJean was a bad throw.
Also would say Andy Reid can't be let off the hook either. The offensive game plan was terrible, way too pass happy. They called seven runs all night. Seven. They got 24 yards on them, so it's not like they were stoned, they just chose not to run and not to give the beleaguered OL some help. Was Kareem Hunt even in uniform? And the adjustments at halftime were minimal, they ran it once for a quick 7 yards and then stopped running again.
Strong analysis all 'round, Adam.
Good point on Reid.
Belichick never got boat-raced in the Super Bowl. Humiliating stuff. Time to cool the GOAT talk when it comes to both HC and QB in KC.
One of the best pieces of sports writing, heck, writing, I’ve seen a a while. Thanks!!! Had me celebrating all over again.
Appreciate you reading and sharing the word with the Eagle folk — we won’t be forgetting about this team all reg season again at GL!
As always, the best in the biz, thanks Ty! As a NYG fan it’s way too painful for me to contemplate a possible eagle dynasty so I’m asking this Q: is it possible for Kelce to be ‘Bill Walton’ instead of Ewing? Walton winning that last ring with Boston, playing a limited but crucial role? If not he should retire now, if yes I’d love to see it.
Thanks, Rob! And haven't had the chance to wrap my head around what this all means for those New York Giants.
Yikes.
Eagles, loaded. Jayden Daniels ascending (and Commies have cap room). Cowboys are an easy punching bag but they still have Dak/CeeDee/Parsons.
Huge offseason for the Giants.
I think they'll make a run at Stafford, but still hard to imagine Rams letting him get away.