I still can’t believe they did it.
“The Dagger.”
One of those few plays in Philadelphia sports history defined by the broadcaster, in this case Fox’s Kevin Burkhardt, who called it, Jalen Hurts’ deep bomb to DeVonta Smith in the third quarter of the Eagles’ eventual 40-22 victory over the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 is etched in NFL lore forever.
No, it’ll never be considered the “greatest” play in Eagles history, not when you have Super Bowl 52’s Philly Special or Brandon Graham’s strip sack of Tom Brady, and one could argue Cooper DeJean’s interception return is the biggest play from 59, but there’s no doubt “The Dagger” is one of the biggest flex plays in NFL history.
When I’m feeling a bit down or depressed, all I have to do is hop on YouTube and pull it up, and I immediately start feeling better.
The call by Burkhardt is just remarkable.
“Now the Eagles get it back. They’re gonna run some clock… or maybe… THROW THE DAGGER. HURTS GOING DEEP, FOR IT ALL… DEVONTA SMITH!!! HE’S GOT IT!!! TOUCHDOWN!!!”
In real time, it was almost impossible to process.
The Eagles, holding a commanding 27-0 lead with 2:47 left in the third quarter, had just snuffed out a 4th down attempt by the Chiefs thanks to an outstanding pass break-up by Avonte Maddox.
The rhythm of the game, as well as the fact the Eagles had a 2,000 yard rusher in the backfield, made it feel like the offense was going to do exactly what Burkhardt assumed they would do, and what they had done all year — ride Saquon Barkley into the sunset. Kill some clock. Suffocate Kansas City five yards at a time.
Little did we know Nick Sirianni and then-offensive coordinator Kellen Moore were planning on committing a murder.
Listening to them talk on the sidelines, it was clear Sirianni was urging Moore to end the game right then and there, telling him to “just call it.”
Merrill Reese’s call of the play was legendary as well.
“Hurts… back… looking… he is going deep… and it is… CAUGHT! TOUCHDOWN!!!”
There’s a Valentine’s Day Simpsons episode in which Ralph Wiggum is in love with Lisa, and after declaring his love for her on a TV show, Lisa screams in his face that she doesn’t like him, crushing his soul right in front of everyone’s eyes.
BART: “Watch this Lisa. You can actually pinpoint the second where his heart rips in half.”
I can’t help but think of that line when I watch the two Chiefs’ defenders on the sidelines bow their heads in despair, a clear acknowledgment that there was no way they could win. You can actually pinpoint the second where their hearts ripped in half.
I often have trouble deciding what my favorite part of that play is. Is it three defenders, Nos. 54, 32 and 23, completely selling out to stop Saquon, only to then be thrown into utter chaos when they realize Hurts is going deep?
Is it the chatter by Chiefs players still trying to convince themselves they can come back even as they faced a four-score deficit late in the third quarter, seconds before being stabbed by “The Dagger?”
Is it Smith casually flipping a strike to the official with his arms raised in the air to signal the touchdown?
Is it Jalen Hurts’ offensive linemen telling him how awesome he is and no one can touch him?
Is it Sirianni almost getting shoved to the ground by an excited coach on the sideline as Sirianni ran down the sideline like a maniac?
Which video is best? Is it the straight call from the game, by Burkhardt and Tom Brady?
Is it the NFL Films version, with that classic music providing the soundtrack?
Some Eagles fans created a Lego stop-action film of the play, which is also incredible.
Is it this view?
There is absolutely no reason I’m writing this other than it made me feel good. I don’t know where this play ranks among all-time Eagles plays (it’s probably No. 3 for me, after the two big Super Bowl 52 moments I mentioned above), but it’s easily the most arrogant Eagles play in history, and I love it.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this. I sure did.
