The defense was phenomenal. Which player was the most valuable, though? Six sacks, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery, and nearly three scoreless quarters. The defense fucking nailed it. But it wasn’t one player who was carrying the defense.
Meanwhile, Hurts put on a masterclass on dismantling the Chiefs defense. He threw 17/22 for 210 yards and 2 TDs (and one interception that was entirely his fault), not including the perfect dime to Brown that was blanked because the refs suck. Oh, and he ran for more yards than Barkley, with a Brotherly Shove TD as a cherry on top.
The defense definitely won this game. But no single player was more valuable than Hurts.
210 yards is a game manager’s yards. It wasn’t master class by ANY means. This was like the 2001 Ravens Superbowl QB performance - just managed the game. The stupid press didn’t name a defensive MVP because none had a big name like Ray Lewis. The only reason Hurts won was because there wasn’t a “name guy” on defense. But Hurts’ performance didn’t win them. It wasn’t a masterclass. It was competent.
He “only” had 210 yards in the air because the defense kept getting him short fields. But he also ran for 72 yards, the most by a QB in the SuperBowl, beating the record of 70 set by Jalen Hurts two year ago. Kenny Pickett finished the game because it was entirely out of reach by the end of the third quarter. Don’t tell me his stats contain more truth than what I saw with my own eyes.
I’m not arguing with you whether the defense won this game. The defense won this game. But there are several “name guys” on the defense that each contributed. Even the players who didn’t show up on the stats were locking down receivers and putting pressure on the pocket. It was a total team effort on both sides of the ball. Everyone played well.
And Jalen was the most valuable player on the field. He played against the best quarterback in the league on the best team with the best coach, and he beat them like an outdated metaphor from a time when physical abuse was socially acceptable. He made the dominant Kasas City Chiefs look like a JV squad.
And the Chiefs played well. They were pressuring the quarterback. They shut down the OPOTY Saquon Barkley. Their down field coverage was good against a dynamic receiving corps. 17/22. 119.7 QB passer rating. No, he wasn’t perfect. He made mistakes, he threw that interception, but he did what Mahomes couldn’t and avoided repeating them.
So which player was more valuable? Who had a bigger impact on the game than Jalen Hurts? Name somebody who was on the field and contributed more, on either team.
You said it! The game was “out of reach” because of the defense, not because of what Hurts did. His runs were helpful in keeping the ball, but he had short fields to work with entire game - due to Defense! It was defense who rescued Hurts from an early turnover, one where Chiefs usually capitalize on. There aren’t any “name guys” on this defense. They haven’t made a name themselves. Hurts had a few moments. 2 big throws. That’s it. The defense made way more plays. I know the league markets based on QB, and you’re buying it hook sinker and line. THIS was not one where he made the Eagles win. This is where he contributed to a defensive win.
Do you know how dominant that Eagles’ line was? They pressured Mahomes on 50% of dropbacks without ONE SINGLE BLITZ. Article quote: “Vic Fangio put on a clinic. He didn’t blitz one time on Sunday”. Do you know how UBER RARE that is? It is UNHEARD OF in this day and age. To play an entire playoff game dominating on defense without ONE single blitz. The greatest defenses of all time blitzed - like the Bears’ 46 D or the Ravens when they won in 2001. This was a superlative ALL-TIME performance by a D-line, and the whole NFL press missed giving them credit in the most obvious way. They will talk about this defensive line in the days to come. More so than Hurts’ performance.
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Zach Baun, CJGJ, Brandon Graham, and Slay are all nationally recognized named defensive players. Not all of them are famous for good reasons, but they are names what inspire fear in the hearts of Quarterbacks what hear them.
The defense was phenomenal. Which player was the most valuable, though? Six sacks, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery, and nearly three scoreless quarters. The defense fucking nailed it. But it wasn’t one player who was carrying the defense.
Meanwhile, Hurts put on a masterclass on dismantling the Chiefs defense. He threw 17/22 for 210 yards and 2 TDs (and one interception that was entirely his fault), not including the perfect dime to Brown that was blanked because the refs suck. Oh, and he ran for more yards than Barkley, with a Brotherly Shove TD as a cherry on top.
The defense definitely won this game. But no single player was more valuable than Hurts.
210 yards is a game manager’s yards. It wasn’t master class by ANY means. This was like the 2001 Ravens Superbowl QB performance - just managed the game. The stupid press didn’t name a defensive MVP because none had a big name like Ray Lewis. The only reason Hurts won was because there wasn’t a “name guy” on defense. But Hurts’ performance didn’t win them. It wasn’t a masterclass. It was competent.
He “only” had 210 yards in the air because the defense kept getting him short fields. But he also ran for 72 yards, the most by a QB in the SuperBowl, beating the record of 70 set by Jalen Hurts two year ago. Kenny Pickett finished the game because it was entirely out of reach by the end of the third quarter. Don’t tell me his stats contain more truth than what I saw with my own eyes.
I’m not arguing with you whether the defense won this game. The defense won this game. But there are several “name guys” on the defense that each contributed. Even the players who didn’t show up on the stats were locking down receivers and putting pressure on the pocket. It was a total team effort on both sides of the ball. Everyone played well.
And Jalen was the most valuable player on the field. He played against the best quarterback in the league on the best team with the best coach, and he beat them like an outdated metaphor from a time when physical abuse was socially acceptable. He made the dominant Kasas City Chiefs look like a JV squad.
And the Chiefs played well. They were pressuring the quarterback. They shut down the OPOTY Saquon Barkley. Their down field coverage was good against a dynamic receiving corps. 17/22. 119.7 QB passer rating. No, he wasn’t perfect. He made mistakes, he threw that interception, but he did what Mahomes couldn’t and avoided repeating them.
So which player was more valuable? Who had a bigger impact on the game than Jalen Hurts? Name somebody who was on the field and contributed more, on either team.
You said it! The game was “out of reach” because of the defense, not because of what Hurts did. His runs were helpful in keeping the ball, but he had short fields to work with entire game - due to Defense! It was defense who rescued Hurts from an early turnover, one where Chiefs usually capitalize on. There aren’t any “name guys” on this defense. They haven’t made a name themselves. Hurts had a few moments. 2 big throws. That’s it. The defense made way more plays. I know the league markets based on QB, and you’re buying it hook sinker and line. THIS was not one where he made the Eagles win. This is where he contributed to a defensive win.
Do you know how dominant that Eagles’ line was? They pressured Mahomes on 50% of dropbacks without ONE SINGLE BLITZ. Article quote: “Vic Fangio put on a clinic. He didn’t blitz one time on Sunday”. Do you know how UBER RARE that is? It is UNHEARD OF in this day and age. To play an entire playoff game dominating on defense without ONE single blitz. The greatest defenses of all time blitzed - like the Bears’ 46 D or the Ravens when they won in 2001. This was a superlative ALL-TIME performance by a D-line, and the whole NFL press missed giving them credit in the most obvious way. They will talk about this defensive line in the days to come. More so than Hurts’ performance.
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Zach Baun, CJGJ, Brandon Graham, and Slay are all nationally recognized named defensive players. Not all of them are famous for good reasons, but they are names what inspire fear in the hearts of Quarterbacks what hear them.