EJ Smith Discusses The Eagles Making it to The Super Bowl
The Eagles are going to the Super Bowl. But how did they get there? EJ Smith joined The Best Show Ever to break down the win over the Niners, react to the criticism that the Eagles had an easy road here, and to discuss the gutsy performance by Lane Johnson. Here is what EJ Smith had to say when he joined us earlier today.
On the talk that the Eagles’ schedule to the playoffs has been too easy
“I don’t think the Eagles need to apologize for who’s been on their schedule. Especially yesterday. The Eagles defensive line wrecked that game from the beginning to the end. It didn’t really matter which QB was back there. The reason both of them got hurt was because they were getting consistent pressure. They were physical once they got to the QB. They weren’t dirty, they just played a really physical game. And that has been the Eagles’ story all season. They are a team that is built to get a lead early and protect the lead. The defensive line literally wrecked the 49ers’ game by knocking out their QB. Obviously, you don’t want to see anybody get hurt. But playing a physical game and affecting the QB like that is part of their game plan.
No, the Eagles have not faced a Patrick Mahomes or a Joe Burrow in the playoffs. But they don’t need to apologize for that. They got the number 1 seed for a reason. You play who is in front of you. It is not something you need to make excuses for.”
On How Jalen Hurts played
“I think he played well enough. He didn’t play his best game. There were a couple of pockets that he left early. And felt like there were a few miscues. Especially the deep pass to AJ Brown. That is the big one, especially in the playoffs. Missed opportunities like that can come back to bite you. It is tough to nitpick his performance when they won 31-7. He did what he needed to do early in the game. Playoff games hinge on a couple of plays most of the time. The Eagles winning in blowouts isn’t exactly the formula most teams have.
He had a couple of plays like the pass to Devotna Smith and the QB sneak deep in their own territory. Those are plays he made that really changed the game. On the flip side, against the Chiefs are they going to need to hit AJ Brown when he is open? Of course they are. Those are plays you need to have in high-leverage games. But I think he was good enough. Maybe not his best day passing. But he played well enough to win the game handily.”
On Lane Johnson playing at a high level through the injury
“The biggest surprise to me is the way Lane Johnson played against Nick Bosa. That was a real wild card going in. Obviously he is dealing with a groin injury. He looked good against the Giants. But Nick Bosa is one of the best in the NFL at what he does. That is a humungous test for a guy going through anything. Even if Lane Johnson is healthy, that is a matchup everyone is going to be watching. Lane Johnson, impacted by that injury, still held up incredibly well against Bosa. Bosa is the type of guy who can ruin a game plan.
The team counts on the tackles to win one on one matchups. They don’t want to send chip help, or max protect. They want those guys to stay on an island and win those blocks. And Lane Johnson even with that injury was able to do it.”
And you can listen to the full conversation with EJ Smith below…
