On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles have to play the Kansas City Chiefs again in Super Bowl LIX. I hope it is a close game like Super Bowl LVII was, when the Chiefs beat the Eagles 38-35. The Chiefs are the favorite to win this game according to the folks in Las Vegas, but I think the Eagles have a great chance to win as well. Here are my three reasons: first, the Eagles have a better offensive line and Saquon Barkley, the best running back in the NFL. Second, I don’t think Travis Kelce is nearly as great as he was two years ago as the tight end. And, third, I think the Eagles’ defensive line can pressure Patrick Mahomes into one or two turnovers in this game. The Eagles are used to being the underdogs in their previous Super Bowl games. In 2017 against the Patriots, no one gave them a chance to win the game against Tom Brady and the vaunted New England Patriots offense, but they pulled off the upset.
Anyway, for the Eagles to win this game, two lesser-known players are going to need to be productive: tight end Dallas Goddert and backup running back Kenneth Gainwell.
Let’s hope it's an exciting game! Go Birds!
The NBA trade deadline has passed. The 76ers did not do much of any consequence. I wasn’t surprised by this since they’re in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and will likely only make the playoffs in the play-in round. If they advance to the actual playoffs, they will probably have to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. It would be a huge upset if they advance further.
There were two big trades this week. First in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA world when they completed a trade for superstar players, Luka Dončić from Dallas, who is a 25-year-old all-star player, for LA center all-star Anthony Davis. The only reason I can think of for Dallas being willing to trade Luca is his unwillingness to stay in shape for a full season and the fact that he seems to always be hurt for a significant period every season.
On the Lakers’ side, considering LeBron James is 40 years old and will be retiring in the next two years, it will be Luka's team and the Lakers can build a strong team around him. After weeks of speculation, the Miami Heat traded 35-year-old Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins and some other players. This will be a big risk for the Warriors because they’re in 11th place in the west and 36-year-old Steph Curry's career is coming to a close, and Jimmy Butler and 34-year-old Draymond Green have very volatile personalities. I don't see them getting very far in the playoffs either.
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A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and building pages, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
