PCL Champs: The athletes, the underdogs, the contenders

Sports

Sean Musial, Editor

On Oct. 25, St. Hubert High School’s varsity soccer team won the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) championship against long-time winners Archbishop Wood at St. Joseph’s University. The game was an intense and harrowing victory for the Bambies’. It was the team’s first championship win since they took it home back in 2002 against Little Flower.

Wood scored early with only 4:02 on the clock during the first half. Hubert came back with their own goal with only 11:16 left in the half. The second half of the game saw the two teams trying to score, but the game ended up going into its first overtime, followed by double overtime. The team played an accumulated time of 110 minutes of soccer: 80 minutes of regular time and 30 minutes of overtime. Then penalty kicks (PKs) came around, and Hubert didn’t disappoint. Quinn Miller was a beast in the net, who dominated the game with 11 saves, not including the one she made during the PKs that put them on top. The players who scored during the PKs were Grace Smith, Luca D’Andrea, Saige Pimavera, Kady Donnely and Riley Roesner.

I had a chance to talk to the only scorer of regulation time for both the semi-finals and the championship: Bridie Musial. She made the Varsity team back in her freshman year. Throughout the last two seasons, her soccer career went through a rough patch, but she never gave up, continuously trying to prove herself. I interviewed her this past Monday; this is what she had to say:

SM: What did this senior season mean to you?

Bridie: To me, it was to prove myself throughout my four years of being there that I’m capable of being the player everyone thought I could be. And, it wasn’t the great it started, but in the end it all came to what I wanted it to be.

SM: What are two of your favorite memories from this year, or previous years?

Bridie: Number one—winning the PCL! And, scoring in that game and in the semi finals.

SM: With your senior year coming to an end, are you sad your high school soccer career is over? In addition to that, would you think about playing in college?

Bridie: No, I wouldn’t think about doing college because it wouldn’t be the same. It’s also a D1 school and I don’t want to go D1. I’m very sad my senior year’s over, and all my seasons, but at least I still have Coppa. Most of those girls play on Hubert’s soccer team with me. I know it’s not the same. I’ll be missing all those memories.

Even with the season officially at an end, this win will give future attendees of the school hope that there is a chance they could win the PCL again. Great season to the Bambie’s, and good luck to those moving off to graduating. Last but not least, good luck to the girls who are staying on for the duration of their high school career.

The Road to Red October ‘25

Sports

Sean Musial, Editor

During the 2025 MLB season so far, the Phillies have made it to the top of the NL East division with a record of 86-60. This has placed them second overall in the National League behind the Milwaukee Brewers.

I had the fortunate opportunity of going to the Tuesday night game on Sept. 9 against the New York Mets with some of my hometown buddies. The Phillies dominated this game with a 9-3 final score, giving us an even better performance the next night with a score of 11-3.

The crowd roared the entire game. Behind us was a Mets fan that traveled all the way to Philly to see the game, and he couldn’t help but laugh at the banter the Phillies’ fans had to say during every moment.

With the win-streak they have now, it’s a great look as the regular season comes to an end in just a couple of weeks. A highlight in the Mets series saw Kyle Schwarber hitting his 50th home run. He has become the second Phillie in franchise history to hit 50 home runs in a single season, almost catching up to Ryan Howard’s 2006 record with 58. During the Sept. 9 game, the stadium roared over this accomplishment as the 50th “Schwar-bomb” made it into the stands.

Despite early turbulence with this year’s season, the Phillies began to build momentum as the summer advanced. Big series wins began to shape their identity moving forward as player inconsistency began to tighten up. The team got used to seeing themselves coming from behind or stop losing streaks before they saw it turn for the worse.

The journey towards “Red October” hasn’t been without serious tests coming from every direction. Alec Boehm was placed on a 10-day injured list with a cyst and Trea Turner is currently sidelined, raising questions about infield depth and who will be stepping up during those big decision making plays.

Kyle Schwarber remains a priority for Philly to retain, but his free-agent situation adds some tensions moving forward. This adds to the many uncertainties for many players’ contract situations, declining metrics in some cases, and the pressure of past postseason exits loom large. While wins are continuing to pile up, the offense has had its share of cold streaks that is threatening to derail what they’ve been building.

There are multiple factors that could either jeopardize or secure Philly’s postseason fates moving forward. If pitchers Jesus Luzardo, Ranger Suárez, Aaron Nola and company can stay sharp, give length and limit big innings, that takes a lot of pressure off the bullpen for someone like Jhoan Duran. He has been good, but some relievers have had uneven stretches. Closing tight games down the stretch, especially when facing pressure from Milwaukee for best NL record or wild‑card chasing teams, will be vital in the later games.

Prolonged slumps is something the Phillies need to avoid by any means. When Bryce Harper, Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and the supporting cast have hot bats together, the Phillies are dangerous. When any one of those bats cool off, the margin for error shrinks quickly. Injured players like Turner and Bohm may return, but their replacements need to perform well in high situations before that. Spot starts, defensive subs and pinch‑runners are often overlooked but can decide a close postseason series.

The Phillies are in prime shape to make a deep postseason run when you add all of this up. If they keep winning series, lock down the NL East and avoid letting the Brewers run away with the best overall NL record, they’ll enter October with hurtling momentum. Retaining key players would also help maintain the identity and power of the offense.

Nothing is guaranteed in baseball, especially come October, but this Phillies team seems to be peaking at a good time. The next couple weeks will likely reveal whether they’ve built enough depth, endurance and mental resilience to push past prior postseason disappointments. Go Phills!

La Salle’s Triathlon program is off to a promising start

Sports

Marc Regen, Editor

La Salle University Triathlon is a new NCAA Division I women’s collegiate triathlon team that began its inaugural season in Sept. 2025, competing in NCAA-regulated sprint-distance races that include a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. The program was launched in the fall of 2024 alongside women’s rugby, acrobatics and tumbling and a reinstated baseball program to provide new athletic opportunities for young men and women at the university.

The logistics of a triathlon encompass the careful planning, organization and execution required by both race organizers and individual athletes. For athletes, it is a discipline focused on managing equipment and navigating transitions efficiently. For organizers, it involves managing complex racecourses, a large number of athletes and extensive safety protocol.

The Explorers triathlon team are off to a strong start this season, with four team members finishing in the Top 10 in their first race. One of their successful team members, graduate student Fiona Davoudi, was recently named the NovaCare Rehabilitation Student-Athlete of the Week on Sept. 9, just days after she came in second in their first race of the season.

NovaCare Rehabilitation partners with colleges, including La Salle, Temple and Villanova to provide athletic training and physical therapy for their student-athletes. As part of these partnerships, NovaCare sponsors a “Student-Athlete of the Week” award to recognize athletic performance and achievement. The winner is often chosen based on a fan vote on the universities’ athletic social media channels.

Averi Duncan, Beth Eldredge, Sofia Nordbeck, Luciana Ruiz, Sophie Brandwene and Gabriela Herbreder round out the rest of the team.

The Explorers will compete in three regular-season events in Sept. before embarking on the East Regional Championship on Oct. 25, followed by the subsequent National Championship on Nov. 8.

The Collegian caught up with La Salle Triathlon’s head coach, Sage Maaranen, for an interview.

Collegian: Where does the team compete?

SM: This year: Williamsburg, VA; Pittsburgh, PA; Richmond, VA; Charlotte, NC; Tempe, AZ.

C: When does the team compete?

SM: Fall is the championship season. Regional Champs are at the end of Oct. and Nationals

is Nov 8. After that, training switches focus to individual performance so that athletes are ready to race their own spring and summer races.

C: What is their training regimen?

SM: Two to three sessions per day with a strong emphasis on the swim because a strong swim is essential to be in the thick of the race on the bike and run segments.

C: How or what is the selection process for creating the team?

SM: The majority of athletes on the roster come from the Junior Elite triathlon circuit.

C: How does the team get into the NCAA or can you explain a bit on how that all works?

SM: Triathlon is considered an emerging sport by the NCAA and functions just like any other NCAA team on campus.

C: How did the team do in their recent competition?

SM: Our first race was a great start to the season. We had four athletes finish in the Top 10, Fiona Davoudi finished second and Sophie Brandwene posted a personal best 5k run-off-the-bike split.

C: What do you look forward to coaching in triathlon this year?

SM: Seeing this group of athletes who are used to racing as individuals work together to compete as a unit. NCAA Triathlon provides a unique opportunity for athletes to truly be part of a team.

Wrestlemania Preview

Sports

Andrew Noel, Editor

The biggest weekend of the year for wrestling is quickly approaching, with WrestleMania 41 due to take place on April 19 and 20 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Anticipation is building for some of the most exciting watches in recent sports history.

Lots of championship belts are going to be handed out at Wrestlemania, with one of the first being the World Heavyweight Championship between Jey Uso and Gunther. The two had a heated exchange on last Monday’s episode of RAW, so this match is sure to be a good one.

Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley are set to wrestle for the distinction of womens world champion.

This match is set to end a feud that has been building up for many months now, with the three having both negative social exchanges on social media and confronting one another on last Monday night’s episode of RAW. The match is just one of many that is making wrestling fans all over the world excited for Wrestlemania.

An intercontinental champion will also be crowned at wrestlemania, with Bron Breakker, Penta, Finn Balor and Domiik Mysterio set to compete for the honor. Fatal fourways are always very unpredictable and entertaining, with there being plenty of room for surprises and twists. No matter what happens during this match, it is sure to be as electric as it is entertaining.

There is no argument about which two matches have had the most build up and anticipation. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and CM Punk are set to battle in a highly anticipated Triple Threat match, which should hopefully put to bed the very long running, and very real feud between the three men. Paul Heyman, a confidant of Roman Reigns, is caught in the middle of the match, with CM Punk asking him to support himself instead of Reigns during the fight.

In addition, Rollins asked a favor of Heyman on last night’s episode of RAW. What this favor is (and when it will be turned in) are yet to be decided. The only thing we know right now is that the three men will compete at Wrestlemania. Beyond that, it is anyone’s guess as to how the match plays out and how it affects the wrestling universe. This is seen as, and rightfully so, one of the biggest matches in WWE history.

Despite being one of the biggest matches in WWE history, the triple threat match between Reigns, Punk and Rollins is not even the biggest matchup of the weekend. That title, undoubtedly goes to the undisputed WWE championship match between Cody Rhodes and John Cena. Rhodes finally broke though last year and claimed the WWE championship for the first time. Cena, on the other hand, is going for his 17th world title, which would be a world record.

Will Rhodes defend the legacy that his father built all those years ago, or will Cena cement himself as arguably the greatest fighter of all time? No matter what happens, the match between Cena and Rhodes is one of the most unmissable events of the sports/entertainment calendar in 2025.

With history set to be made and legacies set to be defined at Wrestlemania, this year’s event is absolutely unmissable. In the United States, both nights of Wrestlemania will be streamed live on Peacock, and for international viewers, both nights will be streamed on Netflix.

Azaleas, Pink Dogwoods, Camellias, and more: 2025 Master’s Guide

Sports

Nate Tramdaks, Staff Writer

Forget the Spring Equinox. Spring does not truly start until that first camera pans down Magnolia Lane. Only then, when you see the bright Georgian flowers in full bloom, do you feel like winter is over. The drive through Magnolia Lane takes us to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Course, where a tradition like no other takes place. This will be the 89th Masters tournament, the first of four golf majors, and this one is jam-packed with storylines. From LIV-PGA tensions, Roy McIlroy’s career grand slam chance, and Scottie Scheffler to go back-to-back, here is your preliminary guide to the 2025 Masters.

Round 1 Groups to Follow

Arguably the most electric grouping belongs to world No. 1 and defending Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who is paired with two-time major winner, Justin Thomas and U.S. Amateur champion, Jose Luis Ballester. Scheffler enters with +450 odds to repeat, a feat only achieved by Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. Though winless in 2025, Scheffler’s consistency is unmatched: he leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained: tee-to-green (+2.37) and has six top-10 finishes in eight starts.

Justin Thomas, sitting at +2200, looks to build on two runner-up finishes earlier this year. He ranks 5th in strokes gained: approach and 8th in scrambling, both key metrics. Thomas has made the cut in each of his last seven Masters appearances but is still searching for that elusive Green Jacket.

Then there’s Josele Ballester, the reigning U.S. Amateur champ from Spain. At just 21, he’s the long shot of the group, but he carries the flag for a new generation of talent. Amateurs rarely make noise at Augusta, only three have ever finished in the top 10, but Ballester’s disciplined iron game could make him a fun watch.

The other marquee group features Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg, and Akshay Bhatia, three very different players chasing very different goals.

McIlroy (+650) continues his decade-long quest to complete the career Grand Slam(winning all four of golf’s majors). The Northern Irishman has already won twice this season and enters the week second in strokes gained: total and first in par-5 scoring, a key stat in golf.

Åberg (+1800) is perhaps the most intriguing name in the field– a runner-up in his debut in last year’s Masters, he’s backed by 9.2% of all BetMGM bets, fourth-most in the field, and currently ranks top 10 in greens-in-regulation and strokes gained: off the tee. The 24-year-old Swede is a trendy breakout pick for good reason.

Akshay Bhatia, just 22, has quietly put together a stellar 2025 campaign. Fresh off his victory at the Valero Texas Open two weeks ago, he currently sits 10th in the FedEx Cup standings and is gaining over 1.6 strokes per round, a massive leap from his 2023 numbers. Bhatia is also hitting over 73% of greens in regulation this season and ranks third in total birdies. Though making his Masters debut, his unflappable demeanor and recent form makes him a surprise contender.

Three Favorites to Watch

Ludvig Åberg (+1700)
My personal favorite and already one of the hottest names on Tour, Åberg has climbed to No. 6 in the world and leads the PGA Tour in total driving. He has yet to win a major, but his comfort at Augusta is rare for such a young player. He is also gaining +1.9 strokes per round and has four top-5 finishes in 2025. His blend of accuracy and poise makes him a legitimate threat to win.

Justin Thomas (+2200)
Thomas’s last six starts include two top-3 finishes, and his recent putting resurgence (he has jumped from 112th to 41st in strokes gained: putting) has made him a solid player again. With 10 top-10 finishes in majors, he is as seasoned as they come and seems due for another big breakthrough.

Phil Mickelson (+10000)
At 54 years old and carrying 100/1 odds, Phil Mickelson is far from a betting favorite but he is not to be overlooked. Lefty stunned the golf world in 2023 with a T2 finish at Augusta, becoming the oldest player to ever shoot 65 in the final round. He has made the cut in 28 of 31 Masters rounds and ranks 2nd all-time in birdies at Augusta National. Though playing a limited schedule, Mickelson has averaged 70.4 strokes per round in his last five LIV Golf events and still boasts elite touch around the greens; he ranks first in scrambling conversion within 20 yards among LIV players.

Phil’s knowledge of Augusta’s undulations could give him an edge over younger players unfamiliar with the subtleties. Few know how to shape shots or read these greens better, and if he is within reach on Sunday, don’t be shocked if the galleries roar again for Lefty.

Phillies Season Preview

Sports

Andrew Noel, Editor

Spring is here, the weather is getting warmer and the sun is up past 5 p.m. That can only mean one thing: baseball is back.

The Phillies once again enter the 2025 season with high expectations. However, after last season’s second half struggles, and after being easily swept aside by the Mets in the playoffs, many fans are not expecting much out of the largely unchanged team from a year ago.

This year’s lineup will be nearly identical to the one that Manager Rob Thompson fielded last year, with the rumors that third baseman Alec Bohms’ departure being just that, rumors. The main concern that people have with the Phillies’ lineup is twofold. First, everyone is a year older which means one of the oldest teams in baseball just got… well, older. Second, the main issue that has plagued the Phillies in recent seasons has been striking out too much and, as a unit, being very inconsistent.

Players like Nick Castellanos and Bryson Stott have to show more hitting consistency in 2025. The Phillies also have to hope that aging superstars Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwaber do not begin to decline, as has been the case with catcher J.T. Realmuto. If the Phillies do find themselves struggling offensively, top prospect Aiden Miller is waiting in the wings for his opportunity at the big league level. The Phillies’ lineup remains the biggest question mark heading into the new season.

In terms of pitching, the Phillies’ starting rotation remains largely unchanged from a year ago, at least at the top. Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola will once again shoulder the load and be two crucial players in determining how this season goes. Ranger Suarez and Christopher Sanchez nicely fill in the third and fourth starting spots, and newly acquired Jesus Luzardo will try to overcome the injury bug and develop into the pitcher that many people thought would be a star just a few years ago. One of the game’s best pitching prospects, Andrew Painter, is healthy again and will be looking to make an impact in the second half of the season.

The area with the most change on the Phillies roster from a year ago is no doubt the bullpen. Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez both departed as free agents in the Winter, with Jordan Romano being brought in to help fill the hole left by Hoffman and Estevez. Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering will both hope for bounce back years, and Matt Strahm will be hoping to build off a very good 2024 season.

The Phillies are good–no one can doubt that. However, it became clear last year that the team that will be once again fielding this year does not have the talent to win a World Series. They will certainly be in the playoff picture and will have a say in who represents the National League in the World Series, but unless things drastically change, it’s hard to see the Phillies winning the World Series in 2025, although worse teams than these Phillies have won it in the past.

The Philly Sports Experience

Sports

Sean Musial, Staff Writer

The world of Philly sports is something you can only truly understand if you live in the City of Brotherly Love. Whether it’s through attending the games, going to tailgates, celebrating at parades, watching games at your home or simply just keeping up with a team through a season, the community that our city has developed through our teams is something most cities can’t match.

In the words of Jason Kelce when the Eagles won the Super Bowl back in 2018 while wearing a mummer’s outfit, “No one likes us. We don’t care.” A quote that embodies all of our carefree spirits, showing how we celebrate our hometown team in our own unique way. The wild antics and distinct individuals that attend the games is just fuel to the Philly fire.

Primarily for the Eagles and Phillies, tailgating for the game, even if you’re not actually going into the stadium, has truly become part of the Philly experience. People gather together in the surrounding parking lots with cars loaded with food, coolers, tables, games, tents, decorations and many other things to immerse themselves into the fun for a few hours.

The groups that go down there together are usually close friends and families, but it’s guaranteed that you’ll meet a wide array of individuals while attending these events. A lot of Philadelphia residents use these times throughout the year to have their fun away from school or work. The environment created within the stadium district becomes ecstatic during these times, creating great memories in the process.

When it comes to game time, nothing beats it. Being surrounded by thousands of fans cheering for your hometown can give a euphoric feeling as you cheer alongside them. No matter if it’s the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field or the Flyers and the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center, going to the game is a fantastic experience.

The Eagles are coming off a well deserved Super Bowl victory during their 2024-2025 season where they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs. Though the season is over, the Eagles have still been ranked as the top team in the NFC by analysts giving all of Philly the hope that they can make it to another Super Bowl, possibly even another matchup with the Chiefs.

The 76ers on the other hand have been facing a challenging season, being placed in 12th slot of the Eastern Conference after having a 23-46 record.

The Phillies have been in the middle of spring training as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 season. The National League East (NLE) division is projected to be highly competitive this season, with the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets posing significant challenges. The Phillies aim to leverage a healthier roster and strong starting rotation to contend for the division title.

The Flyers have boasted the worst record so far out of the Philly teams with 28 wins, 34 losses, and 9 overtime losses, putting them at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. The offense has been ranked 18th in goals scored, while the defense has allowed the fourth most goals in the league.

Despite the ups and downs of each team, one thing remains constant: the unwavering passion of the fans. Whether celebrating a championship victory or enduring a tough season, the city’s loyalty never becomes dull. From the electric atmosphere of tailgates to the roaring stadium crowds, Philly sports culture is unmatched in its energy and dedication. No matter what the future holds for the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, Flyers and even the Union, the City of Brotherly Love will always stand by its teams ready to cheer, celebrate and embrace the wild ride that comes with the Philadelphia sports lifestyle.

Philadelphia Sports Complex exit via Wiki Commons

So far, so good for the Flyers rebuild

Sports

Andrew Noel, Editor

The Flyers self-declared rebuild is well underway, as the team has been in the making for two and a half seasons now. With the trade deadline coming up on Friday, now is a good time to look at the rebuild so far and evaluate what the team still has to do in order to get back in Stanley Cup contention.

Let’s start by looking at the Flyers roster in the present. In goal, Sam Errson seems to be a future backup at the very least, or maybe even a low-end starter. The farm is well stocked with Carson Bjarnsson and Egor Zavargin being two of the best goalie prospects in the sport.

On the blue line, Travis Sanheim and Cam York have established themselves as core members of the Flyers defensive team. Jaime Drysdale has also made encouraging steps in his development, and Oliver Bonk remains one of the more underrated defensive prospects in the sport. It’s not a Stanley Cup winning core, but it’s certainly on the road towards becoming one.

The most important position in hockey is arguably center, and center is without a doubt the Flyers’ biggest weakness. Noah Cates is a solid contributor, and Jett Luchenko and Denver Barkey are both good prospects. However, none of them will be the difference between winning a Stanley Cup and not. Center is no doubt the biggest area of need, and consequently the biggest thing holding the Flyers back from contending.

On the wings, the Flyers are almost set. Travis Konecny is on his way to being a Flyers legend. Owen Tippett has developed very well, and Matevi Michkov has been everything he was advertised to be.

To make things more exciting, the Flyers have six picks in the first two rounds of the year’s NHL draft. This means that an already solid prospect pool will be made even better. There is still work to do, but it is fair to say that rookie general manager Danny Briere has the Flyers in a lot better position than he did when he took over the role two and a half years ago. Rebuilds are long and often complicated. Although the job isn’t done yet, there is no doubt that the Flyers are as close as they have been to contending since beginning the rebuild.

Flyer at Wells Fargo Center via WikiCommons

Best-on-best hockey is finally back, and it has not disappointed

Sports

Andrew Noel, Editor

For the first time in nine years, the world’s best hockey players are wearing national team jerseys and competing against other nations to see who the world’s best hockey country is.

The tournament, known as the 4 Nations Face-Off, puts the best players from Canada, the United States, Finland and Sweden against one another in order to decide a world champion of hockey.

In the eyes of fans and players, something like this is long overdue. Not since 2014 have NHL players competed in the Olympics, and not since 2016 has there been an international men’s hockey tournament with NHL players participating.

After seeing the success of soccer’s World Cup, and baseball’s World Baseball Classic, NHL players have been practically begging for competitive national team competition to return. The NHL heard the players’ calls and responded with the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The Four Nations Face-Off hits two birds with one stone. Players and fans get the international hockey that they wanted, and the NHL can do away with, at least for this year, its all-star festivities. Which, after the NFL and NBA have failed to flatter fans with their all-star weekends, is probably a wise move.

A main criticism of the all-star games is that the players do not care, and make a mockery of the sports that they play. There was some concern among fans that the 4 Nations Face-Off would fail to satisfy the competitive edge that fans have been asking for. The events of last Saturday’s U.S.-Canada showdown in Montreal put those fears to rest.

With the world’s biggest hockey rivalry being played for the first time in a decade, some people expected a bloodbath, and that’s exactly what they got. In the first nine seconds of the game, three fights broke out (which never happens). There was no pushing and shoving, only punches – these were real fights, with many of the players showing as much emotion as they ever have. It took nine seconds for any fears of this tournament being an exhibition to be put to bed, and it took nine seconds for the NHL to realize this tournament should not be a one-off event.

The NHL announced that its players will participate in next year’s Milan Olympics for the first time in 12 years. In years where there are no Olympics, there will be a hockey World Cup. While the format of the World Cup is yet to be determined, one thing is for sure– international hockey is finally back, and it is here to stay.

Eagles Super Bowl preview

Sports

Andrew Noel, Editor

The Eagles are back in the Super Bowl! After a dominant performance against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game, the Eagles have earned the right to play for the ultimate championship. The Super Bowl kicks off this Sunday, at 6:30 p.m. on FOX. Here is your one-stop preview of what should be a thrilling game.

First, the opponent. The Kansas City Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl, looking to win their third in a row, which would be a first in NFL history. They are very familiar opponents to the Eagles, who faced them in the Super Bowl just two years ago, with the Chiefs coming out on top. Most recently, the teams faced each other last season, in Kansas City, with the Eagles coming out on top. They are also slated to face one another next season, with that matchup also taking place in Kansas City. There is a saying that familiarity breeds contempt, and given the amount of high-stakes games that these teams have played against one another, one could argue that Chiefs-Eagles is the best current rivalry in the NFL.

One of the oldest sayings in sports is, “offense wins games, and defense wins championships”. This will be the case for the Eagles this Sunday in New Orleans.

It was hard after the Eagles were blown out by the Buccaneers in Week 4 to imagine that they would be on the cusp of a championship. The reason behind the Eagles’ poor start was bad defense, and the reason that they went on to win 15 of the next 16 games was good defense (unsurprisingly, the one lose in that stretch, the defense gave up 36 points). The point is, the Eagles go where the defense takes them, and it will be no different in the Super Bowl.

On paper, this is a matchup that favors the Eagles. Kansas City has been able to put up 30 points only twice this season. A stuttering Chiefs offense versus a red-hot Philadelphia defense, should, at least on paper, favor the Eagles. However, championships are not won on paper, and at the end of the day, this is still the Chiefs, and Patrick Mahomes is still their quarterback.

Eagles fans, when thinking of Sunday’s game, will no doubt have flashbacks to two years ago when the Eagles defense literally could not get a second-half stop, which, despite Jalen Hurts playing the best game of his life, led to the Chiefs winning their second Super Bowl in four years. People should not compare that game to this Sunday. The Eagles are on their third different defensive coordinator since then, and only three of the 11 defensive players that started in that game will suit up for the Eagles in New Orleans. Beyond the fact that these are two great teams, and two deserving Super Bowl winners, nothing from that night in Arizona two years ago is the same as it will be on Sunday.

There are two possibilities. One is that Sunday is one of the greatest days in the entire history of the city of Philadelphia. The other is that the city goes through that indescribable devastation that it has felt many times in the last few years. No matter what happens, this Eagles team should be remembered as one of the best in franchise history. Let’s just hope that the city is able to celebrate with them on Broad Street.