Jalen Carter could set an NFL postseason record in Super Bowl LIX

The scary part? This is only Year 2.
ByRyan Heckman|
Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Carter
Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Carter | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

There is no question about who the Philadelphia Eagles' MVP has been this season. It's running back Saquon Barkley and it is not particularly close.

What Barkley has done this year is not just a career season for himself, but an all-time season in the history of this league.

However, this isn't about Barkley. It's about the guy who has been the MVP on the other side of the ball for the Eagles this postseason: defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

The Eagles were oh, so close to staring a Divisional Round exit in the eyes late in the game against the Los Angeles Rams just a week and a half ago. Matthew Stafford was in the midst of some late-game magic and Eagles fans began to erupt in a sheer panic as time was winding down.

There was no way a seemingly-safe lead was going to evaporate like that, right?

Not on Carter's watch. What the second-year pro did on back-to-back plays to end that game against the Rams was a microcosm of his season and playoff run. He's made plays like that day-in and day-out for this ball club. The only difference was, those plays happened to come on a giant stage.

One of the best parts? He isn't afraid to let his opponent's know just how great he's been.

He's been a big talking point for this team, lately, and for good reason. Now that the Eagles are headed to Super Bowl LIX, Carter's historic postseason has already gone down with some of the all-time greats.

Jalen Carter has an opportunity to break a record currently held by Aaron Donald

This postseason, Carter currently has a whopping 20 quarterback pressures in just three games. That would already put him in a generational conversation, but he has the chance to break a record held by Rams legend Aaron Donald.

Dating back to the year 2000, the record for most postseason pressures, by a defensive tackle, in a single playoff run sits at 23.

Player

Playoff Pressures (single postseason)

Aaron Donald

23

Chris Jones

20

Jalen Carter

20

Considering Carter is currently averaging nearly 7.0 pressures per game this postseason, this record seems highly breakable. Now, the Chiefs are a different monster and he'll likely see a lot of Trey Smith, who has given up zero sacks all of 2024.

But, Carter is also a different breed. Something has to give, as they say.

To be able to break a record held by someone as great as Donald is quite the opportunity for the former Bulldog. You better believe he knows about this going into the big game, and you better believe there's a good chance you see his name top that list by game's end.

Schedule