Sports

Eagles avoiding a Super Bowl hangover

October 24, 2023

Eagles fans know how to party, and their beloved team knows how to avoid a Super Bowl hangover.

Fourteen Super Bowl runner-ups since 1989 have missed the playoffs in the following season, including four who finished last in their division.

But any preseason thoughts that the notorious trend would extend to the Eagles sure seem silly now that they have avoided the sluggish start that typically is the cause of a hangover season.

The Eagles didn’t look dominant in starting 5-0, but their winning pedigree made a difference in close games … until the Jets pulled off a stunning upset.

If you were waiting for that loss plus a tough matchup with the explosive Dolphins to be the start of a downward spiral, then you are selling short the Eagles’ motivation — proved again Monday by the Kevin Byard trade — to get back to a Super Bowl and finish the job after blowing a 10-point halftime lead to the Chiefs last season.

Speaking of which, could this season all just be the precursor to a rematch?

Here are The Post’s NFL power rankings for Week 8:

1. Chiefs 6-1 (2)

Patrick Mahomes threw for 424 yards and four touchdowns during a 31-17 win against the Chargers that improved his career record against AFC West rivals to 29-3. Travis Kelce celebrated “National Tight Ends Day” with 12 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown. Mecole Hardman had a 50-yard punt return in his first game after being reacquired from the Jets.

2. Eagles 6-1 (5)

In the battle of former Alabama quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts outdueled former teammate Tua Tagovailoa in a 31-17 victory against the Dolphins. Hurts overcame a pick-six to account for three touchdowns and also converted 4 of 4 “Tush Push” runs into first downs. Josh Sweat’s two sacks and Darius Slay’s red-zone interception keyed a defensive effort to bottle up speed.

3. 49ers 5-2 (3)

The vaunted pass rush no-showed, failing to sack Kirk Cousins on 45 drop backs in a 22-17 loss to the Vikings. Brock Purdy’s interception in the final minute was the 49ers’ third turnover, matching their number of giveaways from the first six games combined. Christian McCaffrey scored two touchdowns to tie for the NFL season lead (11), but make that two straight losses.

4. Dolphins 5-2 (1)

Just like when they played the Bills, the Dolphins were dealt another wake-up call by a Super Bowl contender thanks to the Eagles. They were held to 244 yards of offense — less than half of their season average — even with eight catches by Tyreek Hill. The combined record of the five teams beaten by the Dolphins is 8-25.

5. Jaguars 5-2 (6)

Christian Kirk broke a fourth-quarter tie with a catch-and-run 44-yard touchdown that sparked a 31-24 victory against the Saints. Trevor Lawrence played like a game manager just four days after suffering a sprained knee, which allowed Travis Etienne to rush for two touchdowns. Foyesade Oluokun scored on an interception return.

6. Ravens 5-2 (9)

What does dominance look like? The Ravens scored four touchdowns before the Lions gained a first down in a 38-6 rout. Lamar Jackson threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns — two to Mark Andrews — and ran for another score on a fourth down. The defense has allowed a NFL-low seven touchdowns this season.

7. Lions 5-2 (4)

The kneecap-biting toughness of the Lions met its match with the Ravens — arguably the most physical team of the last 25 teams. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs scored the only touchdown of a blowout loss in their first full game without top rusher David Montgomery. Amon-Ra St. Brown had 13 catches for 102 yards. Jared Goff threw a rare interception.

8. Cowboys 4-2 (8)

Never a slow time for the Cowboys, who created a headline during the bye week when executive Stephen Jones — owner Jerry Jones’ son — told The Athletic that Dak Prescott will get a contract extension after the season to remain the quarterback of the future despite the continuation of his turnover issues (six touchdowns, four interceptions).

9. Steelers 4-2 (10)

T.J. Watt is maybe the NFL’s best defensive player. He also is maybe his team’s best offensive weapon — at least in clutch moments. His interception and 24-yard return set up the first of the Steelers’ three second-half rushing touchdowns in a 24-17 win against the Rams. Pittsburgh benefited from a controversial spot to convert a late fourth down.

10. Browns 4-2 (11)

Who would’ve thought that the defense-first Browns could allow 38 points and still win? In-season addition Kareem Hunt’s second rushing touchdown with 15 seconds remaining finished off a 39-38 victory against the Colts. Myles Garrett’s strip sack set up a defensive touchdown. Backup quarterback P.J. Walker’s game-winning drive was kept alive by two defensive penalties.

11. Bills 4-3 (7)

12. Bengals 3-3 (12)

13. Seahawks 4-2 (14)

14. Falcons 4-3 (20)

15. Texans 3-3 (16)

16. Jets 3-3 (17)

Is there a more interesting team than the Jets, who can beat Super Bowl contenders (Eagles and Bills) and lose to bottom-feeders (Patriots)? Five of their six pre-bye week games were decided by one score. Breece Hall is averaging 6.5 yards per carry, Zach Wilson has cut out the killer mistakes and the defense has forced 13 takeaways.

17. Rams 3-4 (13)

18. Buccaneers 3-3 (15)

19. Vikings 3-4 (26)

20. Chargers 2-4 (18)

21. Colts 3-4 (21)

22. Saints 3-4 (24)

23. Titans 2-4 (25)

24. Bears 2-5 (27)

25. Raiders 3-4 (22)

26. Patriots 2-5 (31)

27. Giants 2-5 (30)

Through seven mostly miserable seasons, one consistent positive for the Giants is beating the Commanders. More of the same happened as the offense snapped a 220-minute touchdown-less streak by scoring two off the arm of Tyrod Taylor in the second quarter, and the defense recorded five first-half sacks in a 14-7 victory on Sunday. The Giants are 8-4-1 in the rivalry since 2017.