Why will the Eagles win Super Bowl 57?

PHOENIX (AP) — If the Super Bowl is decided in the trenches, the Philadelphia Eagles have a clear advantage: two All-Pro-caliber offensive linemen and four headhunters with at least 10 sacks each.

If it all comes down to the team with the best passing and rushing options, the Eagles have a clear advantage: a pair of 1,000-yard receivers and an all-time running game.

If the key factor is a more talented perimeter, the Eagles have a clear advantage: Two proven cornerbacks.

Philadelphia has built a team with no glaring holes, which could open the door to a repeat of the Super Bowl of five years ago, when the Eagles took advantage of a more varied roster to overtake an MVP-winning quarterback for the title.

The Eagles will do to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs what they did to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots and give Philadelphia their second Lombardi.

“We’ve been underdogs all year, and I don’t know why,” defensive star Haason Reddick said. “Because we have stars in every position, people who make plays. This team is talented to the core. I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a talented team.”

This version of the Eagles might be even better than 2017, which entered the title game with assistant quarterback Nick Foles.

Although Foles put in a surprise MVP performance in that 41-33 win with three touchdown passes, one touchdown reception and a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, few would be surprised to see Jalen Hurts leading the pack on Sunday. .

Although Hurts isn’t quite on par with two-time MVP Mahomes, he showed in his third season that he’s a real threat and his Eagles have suffered just one loss with him in charge this season.

Hurts was a second-team All-Pro and finished behind only Mahomes in MVP voting after setting a franchise record with 35 total touchdowns despite missing two games with a shoulder injury.

Hurts hasn’t been at his best since returning from the injury that sidelined him in Weeks 16 and 17. However, the two weeks since the NFC Finals should help him regain his ability in long passes, which should make a difference on Sunday.

At the time of his injury, Hurts was tied for the lead with 11 touchdown passes in which the ball traveled at least 20 yards through the air, and fourth in yards generated on such plays with 786. Since reappearing in Week 18, Hurts is 3 for 10 scoreless through pass attempts.

A healthier Hurts should be able to find AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith on long passes against a Kansas City defense that allowed the third-best deep ball rating during the regular season.