Unprecedented Youth and Vigor
The 2024 Philadelphia Eagles stand out in NFL history as the youngest Super Bowl champions ever. In a single postseason, they played 43 players in their 20s, an astonishing feat that highlights the team’s reliance on youthful talent. Among the entire roster, only a handful of players were in their 30s: tight end Dallas Goedert, kicker Jake Elliott, long snapper Rick Lovato, and offensive tackle Lane Johnson. This level of youth was unprecedented, with the last team to play just one player in their 30s on defense being the 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers, and the 1972 Miami Dolphins holding the same distinction. The Eagles not only fielded a young team but also demonstrated the dynamism and resilience of their younger players, breaking records and setting new standards for performance.
Scoring a Record-Setting Season
The Eagles’ offensive prowess in the 2024 postseason was nothing short of remarkable. They scored a staggering 145 points, the highest total in a single postseason in NFL history. This averages out to 36.3 points per game, far surpassing the previous record of 131 points set by the 1994 San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles’ combined 95 points against the Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs in the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl, respectively, further cements their place in the record books. Additionally, their 68-point combined margin of victory over the Packers, Rams, Commanders, and Chiefs is the second-largest ever by a Super Bowl champion, trailing only the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.
Dominance on the Ground
The Eagles’ running game was a formidable weapon in their postseason arsenal. They rushed for 818 yards, breaking the record of 792 set in 1982 by the Washington Commanders. This achievement is even more impressive when considering that the Eagles are the only team in 50 years to have multiple games in the same postseason with at least 220 rushing yards. They also hold the unique distinction of being the only Super Bowl champion in history to have eight games with 200 rushing yards and a 5.0 average in a season. No other team has managed more than five such games. The balance and power of their rushing attack were key factors in their overwhelming success.
Turnover Mastery
The Eagles’ ability to protect the ball and capitalize on opponents’ mistakes was another hallmark of their championship run. Their plus-12 turnover margin in the postseason is one of the highest in history, with only the 1992 Dallas Cowboys having a better margin at plus-13. Remarkably, the Eagles turned the ball over just once in the entire postseason, tying a record for the fewest turnovers by a Super Bowl champion. They also recorded 13 takeaways, placing them sixth in NFL history. Over the last 15 games, from the regular season to the Super Bowl, their plus-29 turnover margin is the second-highest ever and the highest by any Super Bowl champion.
Conquering the Elite
The Eagles’ regular-season performance against playoff teams was another testament to their dominance. They went 9-2 against playoff-bound opponents, matching the most wins ever by any team in a season against playoff teams. The 1997 Green Bay Packers and the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs also achieved this feat, but the 1997 Packers lost in the Super Bowl. Thus, the only teams to beat nine playoff teams in a season and win the Super Bowl are the 2022 Chiefs and the 2024 Eagles. This accomplishment is particularly significant given that their final game was against each other, showcasing the high level of competition they faced.
Dual Threat Running Backs
The Eagles’ running game featured not just one but two standout players who excelled on the ground. Saquon Barkley ran for 499 yards on 91 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, while Jalen Hurts rushed 34 times for 194 yards and a 5.7 average. This tandem of running backs is the first in NFL history to average 5.5 yards per carry in the postseason, each with a minimum of 30 carries. They also shared the distinction of scoring five rushing touchdowns each, making them the only team to achieve this feat in a single postseason. Only 13 other teams had one player with five rushing touchdowns, and the 2022 Eagles with Hurts were among them. Jalen Hurts now stands alone as the only player in history to score five rushing touchdowns in multiple postseasons.
First-Quarter Reversal
The Eagles’ performance in the first quarter underwent a dramatic transformation from the regular season to the playoffs. In their first 13 regular-season games, they scored only 17 points in the first quarter and were outscored by 42 points. However, in the postseason, they became the best first-quarter team in playoff history, outscoring their opponents 44-10. The 44 points they scored in the first quarter are the most by any playoff team, surpassing the 1994 49ers. Their 34-point first-quarter margin is the largest ever by a Super Bowl champion, edging out the 1972 Miami Dolphins by two points. This turn of events underscores the team’s ability to adjust and dominate even in the early stages of games.
