Eagles can build a fascinating legacy with a win over Chiefs

The list of truly great 21st century NFL franchises starts with the Patriots and Chiefs, and basically ends there. But with a win on February 9, the Birds would begin to edge their way into the conversation. That may sound crazy, but we can back it up.

In Sixers world, Tyrese Maxey dropped 43 points in a 118-104 win over the Lakers on Tuesday. Eighth time in Maxey’s career that he dropped 40+.

All of that, some Philly sports history, our polls, the links, plus a little something for the Swifties today. Let’s jump in.

In the email today:

• 🏆 Eagles can build a fascinating legacy with a win over Chiefs

• 👱‍♀️ Eagles Super Bowl talk: Taylor's Version

• 🏀 Maxey shines in national spotlight in win over Lakers

  • 📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

  • 📊 Poll

  • 🔗 Links

  • 📺 Coming Up

The Patriots were, of course, in a class of their own during the Brady/Belicheck era. Nine Super Bowl appearances and six rings. We may never see a dynasty like that again.

If one franchise does have a chance to rival the Pats’ success, it’s the Chiefs. Super Bowl LIX will represent Kansas City’s fifth SB appearance in six years. And a win over the Birds this year would give them four trophies in that span, including a three-peat.

But in third place for 21st century Super Bowl appearances? Your Philadelphia Eagles.

Since 2000:

• 12 NFL teams have not played in a Super Bowl;

• 7 NFL teams have played in one;

• 5 NFL teams have played in two;

• 5 NFL teams have played in three; and

• 3 NFL teams have played in four or more (including SB LIX). Patriots, Chiefs, Eagles.

Also since 2000:

• 19 NFL teams have not won a Super Bowl;

• 7 NFL teams have won one;

• 4 NFL teams have won two; and

• 2 teams have won three or more. Pats, Chiefs.

With a win on February 9, then, the Eagles could boast this resume since 2000:

• More Super Bowl appearances than all teams but the Pats and Chiefs;

• At least as many Super Bowl wins as teams all but the Pats and Chiefs; and

• Super Bowl wins over both the Pats and Chiefs.

That would not be a dynasty, but it would cement the Eagles’ legacy as a franchise a tier above 29 of the other 31 NFL teams in this century. As well as their legacy as the team that punched holes in two separate dynasties.

And the best part? There’s no reason to believe the Birds won’t stay in the Lombardi Trophy hunt for the next few years as well.

First things first: February 9, 2025.

This is an unapologetic straight Bill Simmons rip. You can skip ahead if you don’t want to play along.

No one is safe from the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce, er, situation. Hard to know what is really happening there. While we can, though, we’re handing out Taylor Swift song titles.

“Anti-Hero”: To Patrick Mahomes. For a guy who wins so much, he’s not that popular.

“Better Than Revenge”: To the Eagles, for whom winning this Super Bowl would be revenge, and better.

“Closure”: To Eagles fans, who would get closure from 2023 with a win.

“Dancing with Our Hands Tied”: To the Eagles’ offensive line. Given the zebras’ love for the Chiefs, avoiding holding calls is going to be very difficult.

“Everything Has Changed”: To Saquon Barkley. The Eagles had a very good offense two seasons ago. This season, with Saquon, everything has changed.

“Hits Different”: To Jalen Carter and the Eagles’ defensive line. Mahomes is going to get the 15-yard penalties anyway. Make them count.

“The Last Great American Dynasty”: To the Chiefs. The Eagles ended the Patriots’ dominance. History tends to repeat.

“Mastermind”: To Nick Sirianni. He probably won’t win Coach of the Year, though if he wins the Super Bowl, who cares?

“ME!”: What has two thumbs and wants the Eagles to win the Super Bowl? THIS GUY.

“Soon You’ll Get Better”: To Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens, because someone has to snap the ball.

“This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”: To Eagles fans (again), this time because even a filthy, corrupt city like New Orleans is asking us to behave.

And in conclusion.

“You Belong With Me”: To Jalen Hurts and the Super Bowl MVP trophy, who definitely belong together.

Let’s all keep the main thing the main thing.

With apologies to “Sesame Street,” last night’s Sixers win over the Lakers was brought to you by the numbers 4 and 0.

Tyrese Maxey scored 43 points, posting his eighth career 40+ point game. Maxey led the Sixers past the Lakers and their leading scorer, 40-year-old LeBron James, who had 31 points.

Where else did the 4 and 0 come into play? Glad you asked.

When you think about it, that’s quite a milestone. Not too many players could be deemed useful enough to miss 400 games and still be in the league. We’d say they should have stopped the game to recognize this achievement, but….

James was gracious with a number of Eagles players pregame, which was nice to see but also makes us wonder when the Birds are getting out of town and getting back to work.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse, understandably feeling it as the Sixers won a third straight game for just the second time this season, had thoughts about Maxey and the All-Star Game.

Nurse is biased, all right. Maxey is posting these gaudy numbers in the consistent absence of Embiid and with the inconsistent presence of Paul George (who missed last night’s game). Someone has to shoot the ball.

Two things can be true, though. If the Sixers are going to have an All-Star Game representative at all, it’ll definitely be Maxey, though we’d be perfectly comfortable with Guerschon Yabusele going in Maxey’s stead.

The Sixers will try to match their season-high win streak of four games as they take on the Sacramento Kings tomorrow night at the Center.

📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

On Janury 29, 2023, the Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers to claim a spot in the Super Bowl.

📊 Poll

Results from Tuesday:

Morale is high in Birdland.

🔗 Links

• ⭐️ Jared McCain was named a Rising Star despite his knee injury.

• 🌟 From the Falling Stars Department, here’s suspended Jimmy Butler.

• ⬇️ Defending national champion UConn is all but out of the Top 25.

• 💵 The Flyers are raising season ticket prices for the first time in six years.

• 👊 Punches flew in the stands at the VCU-Saint Louis game last night.

📺 Coming Up

Games before our next send.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

• Sixers vs. Kings, 7:00 p.m. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)

• Flyers at Devils, 7:00 p.m. (TNT)

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

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