The phrase “defending Tremendous Bowl champions” is about as well-liked in Philadelphia proper now as “Let’s go Mets,” “How ’bout dem Cowboys” or “Joel Embiid’s left knee.”
“We’re not defending s—,” left deal with Jordan Mailata defined reasonably eloquently when the Eagles opened coaching camp final month. “I don’t like listening to (that).”
We hear you, massive fella. Relatively than risking the ire of a 6-foot-8, 365-pound former rugby participant from Australia, let’s put aside the topic of a second straight Lombardi Trophy and concentrate on the extra quick — and maybe better — problem Philadelphia faces: defending its NFC East division title.
Someway, no workforce has managed to repeat as champs in that division in additional than 20 years — not since Andy Reid coached the Eagles to 4 in a row from 2001 to 2004. Do Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Jalen Carter and firm have what it takes to interrupt the division’s confounding curse?
Philadelphia, together with the defending champions (sorry, Mr. Mailata) of the NFL’s seven different divisions, faces many potholes alongside the highway to a repeat. That goes for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, lopsided losers of Tremendous Bowl LIX however winners of an unimaginable 9 consecutive AFC West titles with Reid on the sideline, too.
The Eagles and Chiefs are among the many betting favorites to battle once more in Tremendous Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8. To make that occur, each groups have some s— to care for first, to borrow a nasty phrase from a big human.
After we final noticed the Chiefs, the humbled heartland heroes have been stumbling punch-drunk out of the French Quarter after a 40-22 Large Straightforward beatdown. Philadelphia led 40-6 with three minutes left, with rookie Cooper DeJean’s pick-six placing as many factors on the board for the Eagles to that time as Patrick Mahomes and the AFC champs.
However there have been main adjustments to the Eagles’ top-ranked protection since February, and it’s probably their largest impediment to staying on prime.
Coordinator Vic Fangio’s protection misplaced edge rushers Brandon Graham (retired) and Josh Sweat (Arizona Cardinals), secondary standouts Darius Slay Jr. (Pittsburgh Steelers) and C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Houston Texans), and sneaky-good deal with Milton Williams (New England Patriots). Philadelphia drafted Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell within the first spherical and Texas security Andrew Mukuba within the second and signed linebackers Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche, in addition to cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.
How nicely these new items match — and the way shortly — will go a great distance in figuring out whether or not the Eagles can maintain off the ascending Washington Commanders, the determined Dallas Cowboys and, not less than technically talking, the New York Giants.
As for the Chiefs, who’ve performed in 5 of the final six Tremendous Bowls, essentially the most urgent concern this offseason was discovering their very own Mailata to guard Mahomes’ blind aspect. They grabbed Ohio State’s Josh Simmons within the first spherical and signed former 49ers backup Jaylon Moore after rotating 4 gamers on the place in 2024, resulting in a career-high 36 sacks and a career-low 245.5 passing yards per sport for Mahomes.
A tenth straight AFC West crown would make the Chiefs simply the second NFL workforce with a double-digit division streak, after New England’s 11-year run within the AFC East from 2009 to 2019.
The second-longest lively streak is within the AFC East, the place the Buffalo Payments have taken the Brady/Belichick torch and received 5 in a row. Talking of Tom Brady, Baker Mayfield has prolonged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ NFC South streak to 4 straight division titles. The Baltimore Ravens (AFC North), Houston Texans (AFC South) and Detroit Lions (NFC North) have every received two straight. Like Philly and Kansas Metropolis, all the above are favored to complete on prime of the standings once more in 2025.
That leaves the NFC West, the place the reigning champion Los Angeles Rams will attempt to make it two in a row and likewise spoil the San Francisco 49ers’ dream of a home-field Tremendous Bowl.
The season is almost right here. Eight division titles are up for grabs, and 7 defending champions — plus Mr. Mailata’s workforce — want to retain their thrones.
