By Rory Carroll
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – The Eagles have the opportunity to avenge their agonizing loss to the Chiefs two years ago and stop the NFL dynasty from collecting an unprecedented third straight Lombardi trophy at the Super Bowl on Sunday.
But doing so will require taking down the reigning champs who, despite winning several close games during the regular season and playoffs, have an aura of invincibility about them when it comes to the postseason.
“This is a great opponent,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts told reporters on Wednesday.
“Well-coached, great players, smart. It’ll be a great challenge for us.”
The dynamic Hurts has been efficient all season and especially sharp in the playoffs, where he has seven total touchdowns and zero interceptions.
He said the Eagles’ 38-35 loss to the Chiefs at the Super Bowl two years ago, where Philadelphia failed to protect a late lead, “lit a fire” in him that he has used as motivation.
The most notable difference between the Eagles team that left Arizona disappointed and the current edition is the presence of running back Saquon Barkley.
Behind one of the most powerful offensive lines in the game, Barkley has been all but unstoppable in his first year with the Eagles after spending six seasons with the New York Giants.
The human highlight reel scored touchdowns of 60 and 68 yards in the Eagles’ 55-23 pounding of the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game and memorably leaped backwards over a defender during an Eagles win in November.
He was brought into the MVP conversation after rushing for 2,005 yards during the regular season and so far this postseason he has 442 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Unlike many of his teammates, Barkley will be playing in his first Super Bowl but he said the game itself doesn’t change.
“I’ve been playing football since I was seven, eight years old,” he said.
“Obviously this is on a bigger stage and there are more eyes, but it’s still set, hut, and you’ve got to go run the ball.”
The Eagles defense meanwhile overcame a slow start to emerge as one of the best in the league and they have the unenviable job of slowing down Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and rookie receiver Xavier Worthy.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he was confident in his team and is now focused on making sure his players don’t get too caught up in all the hoopla that surrounds the big game.
“Our goal for right now is how do we eliminate distractions and continue to get better,” he said at practice on Wednesday.
“For a lot of guys, this isn’t their first time here, which I think is really important. I feel like our guys are locked in to what they need to do and are enjoying some time together.”
The Super Bowl happens to fall on Barkley’s 28th birthday and it’s no surprise what he wants for it.
“I know there couldn’t be a better gift than winning on Sunday.”
(Editing by Toby Davis)
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