Here comes the blitz | Sports Daily Newsletter

The good news for the Eagles looking ahead to Super Bowl LIX is that Jalen Hurts is fresh off arguably his finest game of the season. Maybe the troubling news? Steve Spagnuolo is probably scheming up blitzes for the Kansas City Chiefs right now.

The rout of the Commanders showed how dangerous the Eagles can be when they get top-notch performances from both the running and the passing games. Going 20-for-28 for 246 yards and four total touchdowns, Hurts was as sharp and efficient as he has been all season.

Add a potent Hurts to Saquon Barkley and that overpowering running game and the Chiefs might be facing a tougher test in their Super Bowl rematch.

Of course, the Kansas City defense is no slouch with All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones in the middle of the action. With coordinator Spagnuolo calling the shots, the Chiefs blitzed at the fifth-highest rate in the league (35.6%) this season. Hurts has struggled against the blitz in the past, but he held up well when the Commanders brought it in the NFC championship game.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen clearly was bothered by the K.C. blitz on Sunday. How Hurts handles it will be a big key on Feb. 9.

— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓ What’s your favorite aspect of this year’s Eagles? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Carson Wentz remembers his sometimes great, sometimes turbulent seasons with the Eagles but says “that feels like five, six lifetimes ago at this point.” Wentz is not even in the Birds' rearview mirror anymore after stops with the Colts, Commanders, Rams, and now the Chiefs in the last four seasons.

“It’s been a journey,” says Wentz, who’ll serve as Patrick Mahomes' backup in the Super Bowl.

Brandon Graham suffered a torn triceps on Nov. 24 and was thought to be finished for the season. There is a chance, though, that he could return for the Super Bowl. “I feel good. I do feel good,” Graham says.

Center Cam Jurgens played through a back injury in the second half against the Commanders after Landon Dickerson could go no further with a knee injury. Jason Kelce said of Jurgens: “He’s a warrior for going out there.”

Three coaches in NFL history have reached multiple Super Bowls in their first four seasons as a head coach: Joe Gibbs, Mike Tomlin, and, yep, Nick Sirianni.

Flyers captain Sean Couturier sat out the game with an illness, but Scott Laughton returned after missing three games because of a family matter.

And he didn’t disappoint. Laughton scored on an empty-netter in the third period as the New Jersey Devils looked to play comeback. Instead, he sealed a 4-2 win Monday night. Goalie Sam Ersson also had a stellar performance, making 31 saves.

The hits keep on coming for the 76ers. Joel Embiid, who has missed extended time because of a sprained left foot and left knee swelling, is set to miss two more games. The good news is that Embiid was a partial participant in practice on Monday and felt healthy enough to spring into a handstand to distract Tyrese Maxey as he finished up some outside shooting. The bad news? Paul George is also out for Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after he suffered an injury to the little finger on his left hand. George did not practice and is awaiting the results of an MRI. The Sixers have rarely had Embiid, George, and Maxey all healthy at the same time this season. The cycle continues on Tuesday.

Maddy Siegrist of the Dallas Wings will get ready for her third season in the WNBA by playing several games beforehand in another competitive league. The former Villanova star will take part in the Athletes Unlimited league in Nashville from Feb. 5 to March 2. Siegrist also has been helping out on the Villanova coaching staff this season.

“Just being able to compete at the highest level is great,” said Siegrist, 24. “I’m just trying to be as versatile [with the ball] as I can and continue to expand my game.”

Who led the Eagles in rushing yards in their 38-35 loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII? First with the correct answer here will be featured in the newsletter.

A) Boston Scott

B) Miles Sanders

C) Jalen Hurts

D) Kenneth Gainwell

We asked you: Who wins Super Bowl LIX and why? Among your responses:

Vegas has KC as the favorite. That’s just fine with us. No pressure! Being the underdog adds to this team’s personality. My game plan for yesterday’s game worked to perfection. Same thing in two weeks except throw in a few all-out blitzes. Constant pressure on the QB. Coming from all sides. Don’t allow him to breathe. ... The Swifters box will be in tears. Look for the BIRDS to have a parade up Broad Street. Birds 37-17 in a blowout. — Ron R.

You can bet the farm that Andy Reid will be at his best (again) for this one. He especially delights in breaking the hearts of his former team no matter the players. The Eagles' task is to reign unrelenting defense on the Chiefs and disrupt Mahomes' artful escapes. ... This has been a season of trick plays. Can we expect Coach Reid to be even more artful this time? Be ready Birds. Like never before. Wise Andy is a Guise Master. On the other hand, team Eagles are at their peak, needing just one more victory for gaining that elusive championship and a parade like no other, down Broad Street. No dummy play or player on either side of the line will do. The continued play of the postseason-possessed Barkley will bring the Bowl to Philly. Best we bet on that. — John B.

The Eagles will win the Super Bowl because they are the better team and they are hungry and seriously motivated. As a much younger team they almost beat the Chiefs last time. This time they won’t fail. The Chiefs have won it 3 times under Andy’s guidance, with Mahomes being MVP, and only lost it once, and that was to Tom Brady. Our Eagles topped the Chiefs in team offense and defense and will show that in New Orleans. As long as our offensive line can heal its wounds over the next two weeks the Eagles will prevail and end the Chiefs' dominance. ... A.J.’s book sales will triple. — Everett S.

What a great game yesterday. Wonderful to see Howie Roseman smile! This Super Bowl win will go to the Birds. They have to pressure Mahomes and continue with their excellent defense against his targets. Hurts and the offense will do their part. This is our year to shine. — Kathy T.

The two teams have at least a nodding familiarity with each other, especially given the meeting in 2023. That said, my sense is that things have evolved to change the matchup somewhat:

In the final analysis, this may prove to be one of the more tense Super Bowls in quite some time. Assuming things are kept on an even keel by the officials (and one has to ask that question given the recent allegations from the Chiefs-Texans game), my sense is that a parade may well be on the calendar in February. Eagles 27, Chiefs 24. — John B.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from EJ Smith, Olivia Reiner, Jeff McLane, Jeff Neiburg, Ariel Simpson, Devin Jackson, Jackie Spiegel, Gina Mizell, and Brooke Ackerman.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading. Bella will be at the newsletter controls on Wednesday. — Jim