A Century After the NFL Arrived in Philly, Why 2024 Is Its Most Important Season.
In October of 2022, at the NCAA’s oldest stadiums, Franklin Field in Philadelphia —at one of the oldest college football rivalries in the country- the University of Penn found itself tied at 20 late in the game against rival Yale. A turnover then gave the ball back to Penn with just over five minutes to go from their own 41 yard line.
A cry came from the sideline as Penn’s offense broke the huddle and took the field, “Please, do the needful!”
For the Eagles this season, doing the needful is bringing home that second Super Bowl trophy. The one that they almost had in 2023. The one that they could have had, before that untimely piece of yellow laundry floated onto the field late in the game.
Sure — for the majority of Eagles seasons since 2000 — they have been the class of the NFC. Since 2000, the Eagles have ten NFC East Titles, 3 Super Bowl Appearances, 3 NFC Championships, seven NFC Championship Game appearances, and of course one Lombardi Trophy. History, of course will remember none of that list with the exception of that lone Super Bowl Championship.
To position yourself to win in January and February, you have to do things right beginning in the off-season. The Eagles have, once again gaining top rankings on their April Draft from ESPN and somehow outbidding other NFL teams to attract top free agent talent including an All-Pro running back from inside the division (keep trying, N.Y. Giants.)
Philly has the best offense in the NFC (yep, I said it.) But the arm of Jalen Hurts, the acrobatic aerial elusiveness of Devonta Smith, the physical dominance of AJ Brown, and the hard running of Saquon Barkley can only reach their full potential reached with a Super Bowl Ring (4 of them, in this case.) All of the stats don’t matter unless the one, all important stat is present. Winning it all.
If the Eagles place as a top NFC team with a deep playoff run, they may still be able to bolster talent to compete in the coming seasons and keep their nucleaus intact. If not, they run the risk of the organization changing directions and divesting itself of expensive player and/or coaching contracts.
And besides, the most passionate and smartest fanbase in the entire NFL, deserves it. The opportunity to once again feel the exhilaration of a Super Bowl Championship to energize the Philadelphia region. For Eagles fans, another Super Bowl win isn’t just needful. It’s well deserved.
On that crisp, October Day in the shadow of the iconic facade of Franklin Field, the needful for Penn that day was a 61-yard drive featuring two long pass plays, one from fifteen yards and one of seventeen yards. With twenty-seconds left, running back Jonathan Mulatu plunged into the end zone to win the game 20–13.
For the Philadelphia Eagles of 2024, from the coaches to the players, to the devoted staff who routinely clean the Nick Foles statue outside of the stadium and the 2018 Lombardi Trophy encased at the Novacare Complex with plenty of room for a companion right next to it — the needful in 2024 is clear.
Philadelphia Eagles, please. Do the needful.
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