Losing the Super Bowl is the loneliest future. After two weeks of buildup, there isn’t any parade ready for dropping groups upon their arrival, their championship shirts are dispersed in distant areas all over the world and the sensation {that a} ring slipped away can endure all through the offseason. Even worse, my Deadspin colleagues, Criss Partee and Eric Blum and I’ve to throw salt within the wound by debating whether or not stated dropping crew, the Philadelphia Eagles, can bounce again to attain this apex once more. They did it earlier than in the same local weather with the Eagles and with their appreciable benefit at quarterback in an NFC devoid of upper-echelon passers, they need to be a lock to contend once more, however we study how their odds look in 2023 and past.
Eric Blum: Has anybody observed how a lot simpler the street is for the Philadelphia Eagles to get again to the Super Bowl than the Kansas City Chiefs?
Criss Partee: It gained’t be. We say that yearly a couple of crew and it not often occurs like that. The Bucs had been supposed to return… and the Rams… Bengals too… might go on and on. With so a lot turnover within the league it’s by no means as straightforward as we would like to suppose. We’re nonetheless caught up within the second proper now and people are saying all kinda wild stuff. So I doubt they’ll be again subsequent yr. Hell, the Chiefs had been supposed to have gained three or 4 extra after the primary they usually simply gained it once more. They’ve been again but it surely hasn’t been “easy”. So I’m not shopping for it being all that straightforward for Philly to simply soar proper again in and make it once more. So it gained’t be that straightforward for both, actually.
DJ Dunson: In protection of the Chiefs, they’ve been again to the Super Bowl twice since that 2019 season. It’s solely simpler for Philly within the sense that they’ve an all-universe QB. Outside of Aaron Rodgers who could also be gone quickly, the cabinet is barren within the NFC. Mahomes has Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Trevor Lawrence and Tyreek Hill’s new favourite Tua Tagovailoa (who had the perfect QBR when wholesome) I imply, who’s the second-best quarterback within the NFC?
G/O Media might get a fee
BUNDLE AND SAVE
Samsung Presidents Day Appliance Sale
Save on fridges, washers and dryers, and extra
The Samsung Presidents Day Sale occasion options worth cuts and promotions on fridges, washers and dryers, vacuums, and rather more. Unsure which items are price your time? We’ve received a terrific choice right here to select from so you possibly can decide up what finest speaks to you earlier than the sale ends on March 1.
Eric: Justin Herbert is in that group too. But for the NFC, it’s gross, but it surely’s Kirk Cousins. No one within the NFC South has a shot. As a lot as Daniel Jones improved this season, he’s nonetheless removed from a dependable selection. Justin Fields confirmed potential, however his crew has the No. 1 general decide for a cause. It’s a extreme drop, that’s for positive.
Criss: Probably a wholesome Stafford.
DJ: Maybe. But that also doesn’t say a lot concerning the convention. Jalen was slinging that ball all around the subject on the largest stage all around the subject and can get all his weapons again on offense. Elite quarterback play is the perfect predictor of repeat success.
Criss: Yeah, however I nonetheless simply don’t suppose it’s that straightforward as a result of a crew like Philly or Minnesota all the time comes outta nowhere yearly. Meaning a brand new crew we didn’t count on or one thing like that. I simply suppose there are too many variables. And the Eagles are gonna lose guys as a result of they’re gonna pay Hurts quickly. He had a extremely good crew this yr. That issues. So I’m not prepared to simply anoint them routinely realizing the turnover we see yearly. And you’re wanting simply at QB, I’m taking a look at groups general. That nonetheless issues as we noticed final evening. Hurts performed an outstanding sport and didn’t obtain the identical assist he had all yr.
Eric: The solely crew arrange nicely sufficient to compete with a mediocre QB is San Francisco. That protection is nice, a stable offensive line, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and extra? They might succeed with Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, a lot much less somebody who could possibly be mediocre.
Partee: He performed just a little higher than mediocre. Purdy wasn’t simply handing the ball off and falling again. He made performs when the 49ers referred to as on him and Kyle Shanahan trusted him to make passes he didn’t belief Jimmy G to make. He benefited from a terrific crew however most profitable QBs do. So, I can’t say Brock Purdy was solely mediocre.
DJ: Elite QB play is 75 p.c of the equation and Jalen proved he can rise to the event. Mahomes simply has the next ceiling. He additionally has extra comp within the AFC too. Most of Philly’s secondary is returning. Haason Reddick shall be again to bulldozing passers this fall and first-spherical large Jordan Davis barely performed this yr. Obviously nothing is a assure, however Hurts places them within the driver’s seat to get again they usually’re a mile forward of the sector. The NFC is weaker than it’s ever been. No Brady, probably no Rodgers. The 49ers’ QB place is up for grabs. The Rams have quite a lot of work to do. If anybody goes to sneak up on them, it’ll be these two, however COMPARED to the AFC, Hurts has a crimson carpet laid out for him.
Criss: The Eagles aren’t invincible. I by no means thought they had been that good actually. So I can’t say it’s gonna be that straightforward. They might show me flawed however I doubt it.
DJ: Invincible? Nice unintentional Vince Papale reference. Philadelphia has an enormous head begin on the convention due to their quarterback coupled with their high-throttle protection. The Eagles are a Bentley parked in a tough a part of city earlier than free company takes place, a minimum of. The Chiefs are Jay Z on the Roc Nation brunch. It is likely to be their present, however there are different heavy hitters round.
Eric: Philly is tough, however give me the Eagles or 49ers representing the NFC within the Super Bowl subsequent yr in opposition to the sector. It’s both the crew with far and away the perfect quarterback or the crew with the one roster that may match the Eagles exterior of who’s taking the snaps. The Vikings have an entire downside on protection no matter Brian Flores coming in, Dallas shall be Dallas and can regress on offense in ‘23, and who else even is a realistic longshot? The Eagles will no doubt look different next season, but they have enough great pieces that will make them at worst the second-best team in the NFC.
Criss: Remember when the NFC East was considered the least? Oh yeah, that was just last season. That’s all I’m saying. It flips so shortly due to the parity that you possibly can’t say it’s straightforward for anyone, actually.
DJ: You’re precisely proper. The NFC East has been a parody. But the Eagles flew away with that division. Their solely competitors could possibly be the Dallas Cowboys, however the Eagles’ depth chart is vastly superior. Hurts’ rookie contract runs by subsequent season, so the clock is working out on them retaining a majority of their expertise, so it might get a bit extra difficult after their 2023 run.
Criss: And that’s the place I’m going with it — that due to the contract scenario coupled with a lot turnover within the league general, it’s by no means as straightforward as we like to suppose will probably be for groups to return. It’s exhausting to repeat as convention or division champs yr after yr. I don’t suppose it’s ever straightforward. We get so forward of ourselves in crowning of us or giving them “flowers” that we lose monitor of the competitors and the way powerful it’s to be that good for a number of years. There’s a cause we don’t normally see dynasties on a regular basis and even a couple of in an period.
DJ: Dynasty speak is robust. I believe it’s secure to say they’ll win and lose just a few NFC Championships over the following few years. Philadelphia has a bevy of picks together with New Orleans’ tenth decide within the upcoming draft. I simply have belief in Howie Roseman surrounding Hurts with younger, low cost expertise like he’s finished for the previous 20 years. And within the instant future, Hurts is the differentiating issue for me in that convention.
Discussion about this post