Miles Sanders. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles let one slip away in Super Bowl LVII

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 2/13/23

Andy Reid’s 14-year tenure in Philadelphia included nine playoff runs that ended without a championship.

Reid has a long history of disappointing Eagles fans and he did it again in Super Bowl LVII But his old team sure gave him plenty of help.

Unfortunately for Eagles fans, Philadelphia rode their dominant pass rush and running game all the way to Super Bowl LVII only for neither to show up.

After leading the team in rushing with the first 1,000-yard season of his career, Miles Sanders only ran for 16 yards. Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott added only 29 more. Kansas City had the eighth-best run defense all year, and it showed Sunday night.

Philly’s defense led the league with 70 sacks in 2022 but they couldn’t get their hands on a hobbled Patrick Mahomes. They allowed him to dance around the pocket all night and even run for 44 yards.

Travis Kelce, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore all caught touchdowns and made big catches in crucial situations.

Teams leading by double digits at halftime are 26-1 in Super Bowl history. The lone loss was by the Falcons in Super Bowl LI (led by 18) pic.twitter.com/VD2MKCIwhy
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 13, 2023

The defense couldn’t stop the run when it mattered either. After going into halftime with a 10-point lead, the Eagles started the second half by allowing a 75-yard drive that ended with an Isiah Pacheco touchdown. The Chiefs made it look easy and the defense never recovered.

The Eagles’ special teams deserve some blame as well. A bad punt by Arryn Siposs late in the game allowed Toney to set a Super Bowl record with a 65-yard return to set up Moore’s touchdown. Siposs had been on injured reserve since December 11 but Brett Kern kicked so badly in the playoffs, the Eagles had no choice but to start him.

Of course, something must be said about the officiating. Eagles fans are right to criticize a questionable holding call on James Bradberry with the game tied late in the fourth quarter, but it by no means decided the game. The Chiefs were making their field goal regardless and had Philadelphia played better in the second half, things would have been different.

Still, it’s a shame Philly had to waste a 100-yard performance by DeVonta Smith, an amazing touchdown by A.J. Brown and three rushing scores by Jalen Hurts to set a Super Bowl record. On the bright side, Philadelphia won’t have to grease the poles after this one. The team let this one slip away.

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