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7 Comments (6 conversations)
Michael Ellerman
Hurts played a good game but he wasn’t the deciding factor. The MVP should have gone to someone from the defense. It was that simple.
Andrew Walmsley
Disagree, if Hurts didn’t capitalize on the defensive performance there wouldn’t have been that pressure on the Chiefs to further attempt to air it out.
People talk complimentary football seemingly only from the perspective of Defense to Offense and not vice versa. Those clutch scrambles constantly kept the Eagles in good positions, dominated the time of possession, and allowed the D to rest.
It is one thing if it was only Sweat dominating but all four D-lineman collapsed the pocket allowing those clean up sacks whilst the coverage made Mahomes hold onto the ball cause there was no one downfield again allowing the pressure to clean up with sacks. Who you going to give the MVP to when it was the whole defense doing their part?
Andy Arias
I think Hurts for MVP was the right call. He played a terrific game and outplayed the best QB in Mahomes. They took away the run game completely and he stepped up. Plus, everyone on defense stepped up, so no one stood out head and shoulders above the rest in my opinion. Sweat, Milton, Coop, lots of guys on defense contributed. Hurts was more than a fair choice.
Megan
Appreciate the insight to the process, ZB!
I agree with your choice. Jalen played tremendously – he was in control and command of the game. He’s also calling the protections at the line unlike last SB. The Birds scored more points against the Chiefs than anyone this season, right? Also, all we heard leading up to this game was how wonderful Spags is and he’s a master? Well, mission accomplished there.
Defense is wonderful, but if the offense didn’t put up any points it’s still not a victory. I don’t think it would have been right to choose just Sweat. The defense worked as a group – including the secondary. Look at Avonte stepping up!
As far as the late game drive, I view that as a testament to Nick letting the 2nd and 3rd stringers get some playing time in the Super Bowl. He could have kept the starters in, but he wanted to let them play and if the other team scored, so what? Give the backups some time – they will remember that forever. I don’t feel like that is being discussed enough.
Anyway, thanks again for everything you guys do!
Andriy
Really appreciate the thought that went into this. Can’t argue with the pick for all the reasons you laid out.
Anthony
MVP was Hurts all the way. He played lights out. Everyone on the defense ate of course but I still think it’s Hurts.
Steven Silver
I could have gone either way. I think if you could vote for “the Eagles’ defensive line” or give a co-MVP to Josh Sweat and Cooper DeJean, that’s how I would go, but to single out one player only I think Hurts is a fine choice. As a somewhat controversial player (he shouldn’t be, but he is), I also just like the fact that he has “Super Bowl MVP” on his record–national media pot-stirrers and blowhards can never take that away from him.