If you’re finally tuning into the Eagles just as the Super Bowl approaches, you may have a lot to catch up on. What do their chances of winning look like? Why is Saquon Barkley the one to watch? Who’s that guy with the big-ass hat that I keep seeing in my social feeds? Whether you’re new to the city or just not well-versed in football, if you want to understand the chatter at your Super Bowl party, then we have you covered with some of the key storylines from this season.
Where Do the Birds Stand?
The Eagles are in pretty good shape if they’ve made it all the way to the Super Bowl. They ended the regular season 14-3 and won the NFC Championship two weeks ago. That's a stark difference from the 2023 team that went 11-6 and didn’t make it far into the postseason after a pathetic 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The front office had to make some drastic changes after going from a team that almost won the Super Bowl to … that. Key changes included replacing the offensive coordinator with Kellen Moore and the defensive coordinator with Vic Fangio (whose addition was a homecoming of sorts, as he's from the Scranton area). Player changes that paid off included the additions of running back Barkley, linebackers Zack Baun and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts continued to dominate on the field. Despite outsiders trying to insinuate a rift, their synergy is unmatched.
NFL’s Biggest Loser: The New York Giants
Hindsight is 20/20 and the Giants organization certainly wishes they had the foresight to keep Barkley.
After failing to secure a deal with their former player, the Giants' front office was displeased to learn that Barkley found a new home with the Philadelphia Eagles, a division rival. Giants fans were quick to burn their Barkley merch, but Barkley had the last laugh as he’s been an unstoppable force rushing and doing an insane backwards hurdle in the process. Now he’s headed to the Super Bowl in his first year with the Eagles while the Giants ended their season 3-14. LOL.
"Exciting Whites"
Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean are the defense’s dynamic duo. Prior to DeJean signing with the team, Blankenship was the only white defensive back on the team. DeJean was even more of a rarity as there hadn’t been a white cornerback in the NFL since the New York Giants’ Jason Sehorn in 2003. Given their shared skin color and skills on the field, fans took to naming the pair “Exciting Whites” – a reference to a meme of white wines in a grocery aisle. They’ve embraced it, even showing up to the game in matching Exciting Whites t-shirts.
Baldianni Era
Nick Sirianni is the head coach for the Eagles, joining in 2021. He’s made his mark as the first head coach in franchise history to take the team to two Super Bowls, having first done so in the 2022 season. Despite this accomplishment, he’s still managed to frustrate fans along the way.
After a late-season collapse in the 2023 season and two losses in the four weeks of the 2024 season, some fans weren’t pleased with the coach. So following a Week 5 bye, Sirianni came back with a new mindset and a shaved head.
Since the new look, the Eagles found their footing on the field, and fans dubbed “Baldianni” as the good luck charm we needed. Baldianni led the Eagles on a 10-0 run until a December loss to the Washington Commanders. But that’s okay, we got them back in the end.
Let’s Hunt
The Eagles have adopted different catch phases over the years. “It’s a Philly Thing” was a staple in 2023, but the team has now adopted “Let’s Hunt” for the 2024 postseason. Channeling the energy of the actual bird of prey, the team is hungry for a victory and ready to hunt for it.
Step Aside Swoop, Gillie is Da New Eagles Hype Man
Eagles fans may be hyped for this big game but no one’s as hyped as Gillie da King (formerly Gillie da Kid). The Philadelphia-based rapper and podcaster has been rooting the team on with his videos, leading the team onto the field, and partying with the players in the locker room – often while wearing an increasingly oversized Eagles hat. In the process, he boosted Too Short’s “Blow the Whistle” as the official anthem of this Eagles season – and Eagles Nation is dancing.
BIG DOM
Does any other fanbase have as much love for the security detail as they do for the actual team? If the name “Big Dom” means nothing to you, it’s about to. Dominic “Big Dom” DiSandro is the chief security officer for the Philadelphia Eagles and a dominant presence on the sidelines during games. The South Philly native protects his players from both unruly fans and opposing players. He’s so beloved that even Eagles players wear merch of him.
Brotherly Shove
Call it the “Brotherly Shove” or the “Tush Push." Regardless, it begs the question: “What is the Tush Push and why does it piss everyone else in the NFL off?”
The play consists of pushing the quarterback – Hurts – through or over the other’s team’s defensive line. It’s a variant of the quarterback sneak, where the quarterback himself would propel himself forward; with the push, other players are giving that extra force. It’s been a near unstoppable move for the Eagles, to the point where other teams wanted the play banned altogether. But if they were just as good at it, they’d do it too without complaining. Go Birds.
