Jalen Hurts Leads Eagles to Dominance in Super Bowl LIX, Capping Off a Historic Playoff Run

Welcome to the final edition of NFL Under Review for the 2024-25 season, where we break down key narratives, dissect coaching decisions, and dive into the numbers that matter most. This week, we’re analyzing the Philadelphia Eagles’ overwhelming victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

Jalen Hurts Shines When It Matters Most

On the night of Super Bowl LIX, after the Eagles’ dominant win, Jalen Hurts stood at his locker, cigar in hand, smiling and celebrating with teammates like A.J. Brown. What could critics possibly say about him now? A few decades ago, the narrative would have been simple: Hurts is a winner. The Eagles have gone 46-20 in regular-season games with him as the starter, boasting a 6-3 playoff record, two Super Bowl appearances, and a championship.

Today, though, conversations around quarterbacks are far more complex. We analyze film, stats, and supporting cast to evaluate how a QB might perform in a different system. While there’s merit to that analysis, when it comes to Hurts, the narrative has shifted. He doesn’t need to prove anything anymore.

Hurts delivered a performance that cemented his place among the elite quarterbacks. With star running back Saquon Barkley bottled up by the Chiefs’ defense, Hurts was the reason the Eagles didn’t struggle. Barkley ran 25 times for just 57 yards, but Hurts took control, contributing both in the air and on the ground. In a game that could have turned into a slog if the passing game faltered, Hurts’ clutch play prevented any doubt.

His Super Bowl performance placed him in the 95th percentile for expected points added per pass play, a career-best showing. This game, combined with his stellar NFC Championship performance, is a testament to his ability to perform under pressure. If this isn’t clutch, then what is?

A Historic Playoff Run for the Eagles

What the Eagles accomplished this postseason was nothing short of remarkable. The Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, had only lost by more than eight points five times in his 132 starts, and only three times by more than 16 points.

But the Eagles made it look easy, with a final 18-point margin that doesn’t do justice to how dominant the game truly was. The Chiefs’ late touchdowns were mere window dressing, as the Eagles’ 28-point lead at the end of the third quarter was the largest any team had ever built against Mahomes.

The Eagles outscored their playoff opponents by a combined 68 points. That’s one of the most impressive runs we’ve seen this century, with only the 2000 Ravens and the 2002 Bucs having higher margins in their Super Bowl runs. Their playoff path wasn’t soft, either. The Eagles beat three teams—Packers, Commanders, and Chiefs—that ranked in the top 10 in DVOA, with the Rams in the mix at 10th in offensive DVOA.

A Team That Never Beats Itself

One often overlooked aspect of this Eagles team is how disciplined they were under pressure. They committed just one turnover during the entire playoff run—Jalen Hurts’ interception in the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, they forced 13 takeaways, leading to a +12 turnover margin, the best in any postseason since 2000. Credit goes to head coach Nick Sirianni for ensuring his team played smart, mistake-free football when it mattered most.

As we wrap up the 2024-25 NFL season, the Eagles’ dominant performance in Super Bowl LIX and their historic playoff run will be remembered as one of the most impressive in recent memory. For Jalen Hurts, the narrative has officially shifted from “potential” to “champion.” And for the rest of the NFL, the challenge is clear: find a way to replicate what the Eagles did in 2025.