The Glendale Music Scene Supports the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII

As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, Glendale has come together in support of their team - and that enthusiasm has spilled over into local music scenes as well.

Rapper Lil Uzi Vert's Jersey Club-inspired hit single, "Just Wanna Rock," has quickly become the unofficial anthem of Philadelphia and an instant classic among NFL players and their supporters alike.

Offense

The Eagles offense was woeful against the Saints, with no first down until late in the second quarter and limited movement throughout. Subpar play-calling and ineffective offensive line play ultimately cost them a 20-10 loss in New Orleans.

In the end, the Eagles offense failed to click in their loss against the Saints and could've easily secured a first-round bye and NFC East title if they had won. That's especially true given Jalen Hurts likely returning from his shoulder injury next week against the Giants.

On the contrary, Philadelphia's defense had its best game of the season, tying for third in NFL with 39 sacks. Additionally, Philadelphia was second in pressure rate - a sign that they are continuing to improve with each passing week.

DeVonta Smith has been an integral part of the Eagles offense all year and had a stellar performance against the Saints. His presence poses a real danger to opposing defensive backs, which was evident on this particular play against New Orleans.

The run is straightforward, yet it demonstrates the Eagles' capacity for reading plays and keeping their offense moving. They frequently run counter plays where the running back runs a read before the quarterback decides whether or not to keep it. This puts tremendous strain on defenses, making it difficult to stop.

Another good example is this slant play against the 49ers that worked well against a wide A-gap front. The 49ers typically utilize two-high shells and gap exchanges, but the Eagles can get their corners on islands due to left guard alignment. Kinlaw (99) plays with his inside shoulder, making it easy for Dickerson (50) to get around him and take advantage of the wide angle to the right side.

The Eagles' passing game wasn't as sharp as it has been all year, but they still made some impressive throws. They ran the ball 44 times for 148 yards - an impressive number considering how little ground they gained. It's fortunate they have such a talented running game which can handle any run scheme put in front of them.

Defense

If the Philadelphia Eagles have shown any skill this season, it's defense. It has been an integral part of their success and could potentially give them a shot at winning their first conference championship on Sunday against Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles boast an impressive group of defensive linemen, many of whom take significant snaps at their position. Twelve linemen play at least 15 snaps per game and 10 take 20 or more - placing them sixth in NFL snap count for this statistic.

It's no shock that the Eagles' defensive line has been a key component of their success this year, allowing just 15.6 points per game. Furthermore, their front seven has registered 23 sacks this season - tied for fifth most in the league.

Another key element of the Eagles' defense has been their secondary, which has been one of the best in the league. Thanks to two of football's premier cornerbacks - Darius Slay and James Bradberry - providing excellent coverage, there have only been 16 turnovers this season.

Though these numbers may not seem impressive, you must remember that most of these plays were against quarterbacks who weren't particularly good. This has been where Philadelphia's defense has really shined, shutting down inexperienced quarterbacks like Carson Wentz and Kenny Pickett while making even some very good passing offenses look bad.

They've also been able to stop many short passes, which remain the biggest issue facing quarterbacks today. Through five games this season, Philadelphia has allowed a league-leading 543 yards on short throws.

But they have managed to keep their opponents from getting too comfortable on shorter routes, as opposing quarterbacks have only thrown the ball 58 times on 97 short attempts so far this season.

The Eagles' run defense has been a key factor in their success this season, allowing just 120 yards per game. That has been one of the primary reasons why the Chiefs have struggled to get their running game going early this season and it will be something they must overcome against Philadelphia.

Special Teams

Special teams are an integral component of any football game, but they can also have a major effect on the outcome. This was especially true in Sunday's match between the Eagles and Chiefs.

Kansas City and Philadelphia will engage in an exciting battle of two offensive powerhouses. Both squads boast All-Pro quarterbacks and some of the league's best offensive lines. It promises to be an exciting battle!

The Chiefs are led by dual-threat quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL during the regular season. He's joined by an impressive group on offense including Travis Kelce and Chris Jones.

But the Eagles boast an excellent defense, allowing just 6.5 points per game this season. However, they must improve on punt and kickoff coverage to keep the Chiefs out of the end zone on Sunday.

After a dismal start to the season, special teams made significant strides during the stretch run and finished the regular season ranked among the top five in DVOA.

According to The Athletic, head coach Nick Sirianni unleashed his kickoff coverage unit at a team meeting. Although it was an unconventional move, players said they embraced it with passion.

At that point, special teams redesigned kickoff coverage and continued to refine it throughout the remainder of the season. Some changes were small - like changing up formations on kickoff returns - but their effects were significant.

They've also worked to enhance their punt return game, which saw a dip in production this season. Boston Scott has settled into his role as full-time returner but they have still encountered issues with blocking schemes at times.

Townsend remains one of the NFL's best returners, averaging more than 10 yards per return and providing offensive opportunities in the open field.

Butker has been a reliable option on kickoffs this season, averaging over 40 yards per kickoff. That performance has translated to consistent scoring during the playoffs as well.

Injury Updates

The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs and are just one win away from clinching the NFC East title. A win would grant them a first-round bye and ensure their place in Super Bowl LVII against Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles have several key players working hard to overcome injuries and be ready for this game. Jalen Hurts, Lane Johnson, Josh Sweat and Avonte Maddox have been dealing with intense pain in order to return to the field.

Head coach Nick Sirianni reported that quarterback Jalen Hurts is "close" to being ready to start this week against the Saints. This should bode well for Hurts' availability in the upcoming matchup against the Chiefs.

While many other key players are dealing with injuries, right tackle Lane Johnson was able to practice fully Friday. That means he should be available for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers; however, there may be some setbacks due to an adductor injury which has limited him the past two weeks.

On Wednesday, linebacker Willie Gay was upgraded from limited to full participant status. His availability for Sunday's matchup against the Giants would be a major boost for a defense that has struggled in the second half of the season; they have only scored six points over their last three games combined.

On Friday, safety Reed Blankenship got some reps in practice with a knee injury but is listed as questionable for game action. If healthy enough to play, Blankenship has shown himself to be an invaluable member of the defensive line.

One key player who was absent for some time is cornerback Avonte Maddox, who has been dealing with a toe injury that kept him out since Week 16. But this week he was able to practice and is expected to play on defense against the Niners on Sunday.

Other players to keep an eye on include wide receiver AJ Brown and weakside safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, both injured during Sunday's win against the Giants. Brown is listed as questionable on the injury report; if he cannot play on Sunday, Gardner-Johnson likely fills in for him.