In past years, it only took one team to write a Cinderella story to send ripples through the entire NFL.
This year, two teams simultaneously lived out fairytales, upsetting the balance of power as underdogs—and it's no wonder the league is in a state of chaos.
But seriously—how did the Philadelphia Eagles pull off their redemption arc?
Their rise during the season had all eyes on second-year quarterback Carson Wentz. At one point, he was a frontrunner for regular season MVP. So when Wentz went down with a season-ending injury right before the playoffs, the Eagles' fiery momentum instantly froze.
And yet, in the face of adversity, the Eagles found their footing and displayed the maturity of a battle-tested team, pulling off a turnaround thanks to two key weapons.
First: Backup quarterback Nick Foles, the X-factor.
Selected 88th overall in the third round of the 2012 draft by the Eagles, Foles' career had been average. Seen as a solid but unspectacular backup, that was about it.
In his third year, he was traded to the St. Louis Rams. From there, Foles drifted around the league. After being cut by the Kansas City Chiefs last season, he returned to the Eagles as Wentz's backup, living entirely in Wentz's shadow.
But when Wentz tore his ACL, Foles stepped in. He adapted quickly to Doug Pederson's system and, in the final three regular-season games, played the role of fireman with poise—two wins and one loss to close the season.
Then, amid a storm of doubts, Foles shocked everyone in the playoffs, echoing the miraculous 2012 run by Ravens QB Joe Flacco. In the NFC Championship, he dismantled the mighty Minnesota Vikings defense, leaving them stunned and helpless.
The Eagles steamrolled their opponents and claimed the NFC crown with authority, booking their place in the Super Bowl.
The scene brought back memories across the league—memories of 1999, when an undrafted, overlooked QB named Kurt Warner finally got his shot at age 28 after an injury to the starter. In his first full season starting for the Rams, Warner won regular season MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and a championship.
Warner remains one of the most legendary Cinderella stories in NFL history—and the last player to win both MVPs in the same season.
Previously, all eyes were on Vikings backup Case Keenum, who many thought might inherit Warner's legacy.
Now? It's clear the real heir is Nick Foles.
In sports, miracles never go out of style.
So here we are:
Nick Foles—once cut by the Chiefs—now leads the Eagles into the Super Bowl to face the very team that let him go. That storyline alone is enough to capture attention.
How will Foles perform against Kansas City this time?
Second: Their defense—the metronome of consistency.
Often overlooked, forgotten, underestimated, and undervalued, the Eagles' defense stepped up when Wentz went down. They took control, allowing the offense to operate freely and powering the Eagles all the way to the Super Bowl.
In 2017, when people talked about the Eagles' success, most focused on the offense—
Pederson's aggressive, creative play-calling; Wentz's rapid development and command; the youthful energy that transformed the team.
But the real pros knew:
Just like Kansas City, Philly's true edge lay in its defense.
Everyone talked about Jacksonville, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh when discussing elite defenses. The Eagles flew under the radar, hiding behind the noise and playing the underdog to perfection.
Only four teams allowed fewer than 5,000 total yards this season:
The Vikings, Jaguars, Steelers, and… the Eagles.
In overall defense, the Eagles ranked fourth—better than the Steelers, who were sixth. Though only tenth in pass defense, they were second in rush defense.
Additionally, the Eagles ranked fourth in red-zone defense.
In other words, when it mattered most, this team showed toughness and grit. That's how they kept rolling after Wentz's injury.
Now, in the Super Bowl, it'll be strength vs. strength—Philly's top-tier rush defense vs. Kansas City's dominant ground game, led by Lance.
In Week 2 of the regular season, the Eagles underestimated Lance and failed to stop his running. Pederson leaned too heavily on the passing game and neglected the run—an imbalance that ultimately cost them the game.
This time around, the Eagles won't make the same mistake. The key question is:
How will Pederson craft his game plan to cover Wentz's absence, outwit Andy Reid, and contain Lance?
Likewise, the Chiefs won't sit still.
How will Reid avoid the Vikings' mistakes from the NFC title game?
How will he use his versatile offense to break through the Eagles' steady defense?
Their familiarity with each other, and their similar styles, mean this game will come down to execution. Which side can adjust and adapt faster?
As mentioned earlier, both teams made it here not by leaning on superstars, but by relying on teamwork. Even their standout players rose from the foundation of strong collective performance—a testament to football's unique charm.
From different paths and perspectives, both teams are underdogs.
Before the season began, neither was in the championship conversation.
And yet, they clawed and scrapped their way to the Super Bowl.
Now the final question remains:
Which dark horse will run all the way to the finish line?
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Powerstones?
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