Super Bowl LIX Power Rankings: The most important people in the Eagles win

Anyone who watched Super Bowl LIX will have seen a truly great team put the cherry on top of what has been an incredible season. The Philadelphia Eagles beat the brakes off the Kansas City Chiefs, who simply weren’t able to match the talent and ferocity the Eagles brought. It begs the question, though, who are the most important people behind the Eagles’ win?

These feels harsh to write, as we acknowledge Mahomes’ greatness, but on the night, he didn’t play well, and we’re sure he would be the first to admit to it. It wasn’t all his fault, of course, with his offensive line struggling all day, he will be thinking about those two interceptions for a long time, however.

We will have to go back and watch the game again and the film to get a true understanding of Carter’s impact. However, what we saw live was Carter’s mere presence wrecking the game. He didn’t show up on the stat sheet, but he was drawing double teams all night, and finally got a holding call in his favor. A great season for the next-great defensive tackle in football.

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There is maybe no better wide receiver duo in the NFL currently, and it showed on Sunday, with both Brown and Smith making huge plays when called upon. Brown only had three catches on the day for 43 yards and a score, per ESPN, but, like Jalen Carter, his presence changes how opponents play. Devonta Smith’s deep ball was the dagger that finally killed the Chiefs.

Signed as a rotational pass rusher and potential special teamer, Baun was converted to middle linebacker by Vic Fangio and almost immediately became one of the best in the league. Baun’s impact all year was huge, and he once again came up with an incredible interception in the Super Bowl. The Eagles will need to open the checkbook to sign him long term.

The Chiefs sold out to stop Saquon and the Eagles’ running game and were mostly successful, limiting the Offensive Player of the Year to just 57 yards on the ground. The issue for the Chiefs was, if you expend all your energy stopping Saquon, there’s going to be gaps elsewhere, which is how the game played out.

Nick Sirianni has been disrespected constantly in the media, with the Eagles head coach putting together one of the best resumes in the history of the NFL to start a career. There is little doubting he and his coaching staff’s ability now. Kellen Moore called a great game as OC, and Vic Fangio gets the Super Bowl he so richly deserves.

Milton Williams is just 25 years old and is set to hit free agency. He has probably priced himself out of staying in Philadelphia with his performances this season, especially in the Super Bowl, where the former LA Tech defensive tackle picked up two sacks and a forced fumble. He was given one-on-one matchups all game and made the most of it almost every time.

Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean both deserve shout-outs here for their incredible seasons, but on the night, it was Coop who came up with the big play. He read Mahomes perfectly, picked him off and ran it back for six points. In some ways, that was the game-defining moment.

Josh Sweat had a steady season, without ever playing at an elite level, until the Super Bowl. He was in the backfield on almost every play and finished the game with 2.5 sacks, just half a sack off the Super Bowl record. If Sweat had been awarded the MVP award, we’re not sure anyone would’ve complained.

Per TruMedia, Jalen Hurts’ Super Bowl LIX performance was the best ever on an EPA/dropback basis. His 2022 performance is 12th, which just goes to show how he rises to the occasion time and time again. He may never pass for 5,000 yards in a season, but who cares? He’s beaten every elite QB in the league, is it time to start putting him in those conversations?

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