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Tim McManus
NEW ORLEANS — Multiple defensive players said the Philadelphia Eagles used the Kansas City Chiefs‘ talk of a three-peat as motivation in their dominant Super Bowl LIX performance Sunday.
“That was motivation because it was kind of a slap to us,” veteran defensive end Brandon Graham said. “It was like, they ain’t seen us yet. So, we heard that all week. And when the game came, execution was on point and together.”
The Chiefs were trying to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. News came out last week that the Chiefs and Miami Heat president Pat Riley came to an agreement allowing the Chiefs to use the trademarked “Three-Peat” phrase without issue if they did win.
“Definitely,” said defensive tackle Milton Williams, when asked if he was fueled by that chatter. “They were talking about getting the copyright and all that B.S. Throw that s— in the trash.”
The Eagles’ defensive front dominated the game, sacking Patrick Mahomes six times while registering 11 QB hits in a 40-22 win.
They did not send a single blitz against Mahomes yet still managed to get pressure on 16 of his 42 dropbacks (38%).
Mahomes appeared to feel the effects. He threw a pair of interceptions — including a pick-six to rookie Cooper DeJean — and finished with a QBR of 11.4, the second lowest in a Super Bowl since QBR began being used in 2006.
Josh Sweat (2.5) and Williams (2) both had multiple sacks in the game, becoming just the third Super Bowl tandem to post two-plus sacks.
“We didn’t change the game plan or anything,” said Sweat, who was among those who said they shut out the three-peat talk and other distractions to stay focused. “We just rush and cover together, and whoever made the play made it.
“[Defensive coordinator] Vic [Fangio] just made the calls and we executed. He always puts us in the right position to make the plays, and it worked out.”