Super Bowl LIX is now in the books, and the Philadelphia Eagles emerged as the champions over the Kansas City Chiefs. They have secured their second Lombardi Trophy in just eight seasons.
They put up 40 points on the defending back-to-back Super Bowl champions. That's no small feat and the result of a total team effort.
From Jahan Dotson’s huge first-quarter reception to Cooper DeJean’s game-changing interception, one he returned for a touchdown, numerous Eagles players seized the moment on football's biggest stage.
Still, only one player can be named as MVP. In the end, Jalen Hurts claimed that honor and rightfully so. Just ask Brandon Graham if you need a co-signer.
His performance was part of a larger, dominant effort by the team. That being said, we've taken it upon ourselves to name co-MVPs. Several other Eagles players delivered some of the best performances of their careers. These three had a monster impact on the biggest game of their lives.
Vic Fangio, Defensive Coordinator
They've never given a coach MVP honors, but maybe they should have after Super Bowl 59.
Coaches aren’t eligible for MVP awards, but maybe they should be. Here's what we'll do. Vic Fangio deserves our MVC (Most Valuable Coach) award.
The narrative heading into Super Bowl LIX was the pressure Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would place on Jalen Hurts, and there were concerns about how the still-young Eagles quarterback would respond.
How did that work out?
Vic Fangio put the Chiefs offense into a BLENDER. Patrick Mahomes and his K.C. teammates were embarrassed.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense didn’t cross midfield until the second half, and they were kept scoreless until the final moments of the third quarter. By that point, the game was effectively over, and they wouldn't have enough time (or offensive possessions) to make a comeback.
Fangio’s defense dominated the Chiefs’ rushing attack, one of the most balanced in the league, limiting their running backs to just 24 rushing yards on the ground. Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, combined for just 16 yards on six carries. Mahomes finished the game as Kansas City’s leading rusher.
This dominance on the ground speaks volumes about Fangio’s gameplan, but the real story, however, is what we saw when Mahomes dropped back to pass.
The Eagles' defensive line relentlessly pressured the Chiefs, causing the pocket to collapse and forcing Mahomes to play from an uncomfortable position. When he did manage to escape, the Eagles’ secondary locked down the aerial attack, limiting his options and forcing him into errant throws.
Cooper DeJean, Cornerback
Cooper DeJean wll never forget the first interception of his career.
Cooper DeJean celebrated his 22nd birthday on Super Bowl Sunday, and what a gift it was—a game-changing interception taken off Patrick Mahomes' arm helped begin the avalanche. To top it off, Coop found his way to the end zone.
It wasn’t just the interception and touchdown that earned him a spot on this list. It’s the timing and significance of the play that truly stood out.
At this juncture of the second quarter, the Chiefs had possession of the ball with a chance to cut the Eagles' lead to just one score. Mahomes, known for his ability to engineer comebacks, rolled out to pass and fired the ball upfield, but instead of a first-down reception, Kansas City found disaster, and every Eagles fan walking would like to thank him for it.
This score pushed the lead to a three-possession advantage and stacked the odds against Kansas City's chances for a rally.
Josh Sweat, EDGE
If this is Josh Sweat's final appearance in Eagles green, he has certainly left us with some memories!
No player earned more money on Super Bowl Sunday than Josh Sweat. The Eagles pass rusher, who had a relatively quiet season, showed up in a big way in the biggest game of his life.
Six combined tackles... 2.5 sacks... 2 tackles for loss... 3 QB hits...
That’s a monster stat line for Sweaty, and he comes at a great time. He's one of the Eagles' impending free agents. He also recently hired Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha of Rosenhaus Sports to represent him.
Sweat showed up to play, and it looks as though his hard work will pay off (pun intended). The former fourth-round pick signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Philadelphia last March. Heading into free agency, he’s projected to receive a three-year, $56.5 million contract on the open market per Spotrac.
We aren't mad at him. He deserves it. If this was his last ride in Eagles, he has more than earned his wings. He'll forever be remembered as one of us!