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3 New Eagles Since Super Bowl 57 That Will Make This One Different

These three new members of the Philadelphia Eagles can swing this Super Bowl rematch in Philadelphia's favor.

By Joseph Grassano

Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) and his team huddle up for a play against the Los Angeles Rams in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) and his team huddle up for a play against the Los Angeles Rams in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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2. Jalen Carter, DT

When these two teams met in Super Bowl 57, Philadelphia's defensive line was the best in the NFL at getting to the quarterback, recording 70 sacks in the regular season. Defensive tackle Milton Williams accounted for four of those sacks, while Javon Hargrave had 11. Yet, both players were held quiet in the Super Bowl.

That should not be the case this time around with second-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Carter has been a game-wrecker all season long, especially in the playoffs. In three playoff games, Carter has recorded 15 QB hurries, three QB hits, and two sacks, per PFF.

Two of Carter's most disruptive plays this postseason came in the final drive of the Eagles' divisional round victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The first occurred on a third-and-two sack that forced quarterback Matthew Stafford to lose nine yards. Then, in the following play, Carter created pressure through the middle that forced an errant pass from Stafford to Puka Nacua, ending the game.

On Sunday, Carter has the chance to be a huge factor on defense. Currently, Kansas City has All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney playing at left tackle, leaving backup Mike Caliendo to start on the interior. If the Chiefs decide to leave Thuney out at tackle to protect Patrick Mahomes' blindside, it will leave a favorable matchup for Carter on the inside.

However, if Kansas City decides to put Thuney back at guard to slow down Carter, it leaves them mismatched on the outside. So, even if Carter doesn't end up having a huge statistical impact his presence on the field is still a huge factor in the game.

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