When you see it written down, 2018 doesn't seem to have been all that long ago, but it's almost like a lifetime since. The world has changed a lot since then, but in the world of sports, nothing is the same.
Five years is equivalent to a sporting eternity. The Warriors won their second championship and looked poised to dominate the next decade of basketball; Messi vs. Ronaldo was still a worthwhile discussion; Tom Brady just lost the Super Bowl but never seemed likely to leave the Patriots.
Carson Wentz is traded for a living.
The Eagles' fortune certainly improved after Carson Wentz's departure. They are now on the verge of greatness once more, as they are just one game away from winning it all. They are slightly favored heading into this game with -120 odds, compared to the Kanas City Chiefs who are +100 odds. It would be a remarkable turnaround.
Wentz has had a dismal career. Not to deny his versatility, but because he is capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl. During a week 14 game against the Los Angeles Rams, Wentz injured his ACL, leaving him out of the playoffs. Nick Foles managed to win the Super Bowl against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
After the Eagles began to fall in the win column, but eventually, the Eagles decided to go in a different direction and traded Wentz for a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 first-round selection. It began a new era under their current quarterback.
Dependent on the Defense
The Eagles have a great roster, but are heavily dependent on their defense. Their pass rush is phenomenal, and they will have a lot of work to play in the Super Bowl. Just this past regular season, they collected 78 sacks, the third highest in NFL history.
The Eagles' defense has developed a slammy defense in the offseason, which is unusual given the speed with which they have merged. GM Howie Roseman signed Haason Reddick, Kyzir White, and James Bradberry, as well as trading for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, the last piece of the puzzle was the addition of Marcus Epps to the starting lineup.
Ridiculousness
The Eagles have been a force this year, both on and off the field. Over the past few seasons, they've transformed a team that was headed for the bottom, making them a viable contender for what may come years from come.
