I pen this knowing the peril the Eagles may face. Travis “Swift” Kelce is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world. The Tight End is a position that has evolved drastically in my lifetime. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say anyone over the same 40-ish-year period has been blessed to see at least the 7 best at the position, who have shaped the expectations for players today and in the future. You can guess my 7 at [email protected], but we’re not here to discuss them today.
The History
Going back through the Eagles Super Bowl years in my lifetime we can recount the impact. In the 2004-2005 season, Chad Lewis and L.J. Smith (definitely not on the list) combined for what would be an okay Tight End season by today’s standards (63 receptions, 644 yards, and 8 touchdowns). Meanwhile, in Kansas City Tony Gonzalez was setting, at the time, an NFL record with 102 receptions and having probably a career year. This is the infancy of the new era of position. The Eagles’ Tight Ends didn’t do shit in Super Bowl 39 and the Chiefs didn’t sniff the playoffs.
In the 2017-2018 season, the metamorphosis is complete. Tight Ends are expected to be a 6’6”, 255 lb ballerina, with flypaper hands… that can reach block. Zach Ertz is in the middle of a four-year stretch of leading the Eagles receiving stats. Travis Kelce breaks Tony Gonzalez’s record with 103 receptions and is dating Kayla Nicole. Now obviously I’m biased, but Super Bowl 52 was hands down the most electric in the game’s storied history. Ertz goes 7 for 67, including that miraculous diving, falling touchdown. Gronk smashes, going 9 for 116 and 2 spikes. But wait, the unsung Tight End, Philly Philly motha’ fuckin’ Trey Burton droppin’ a dime on Nick Foles for the iconic touchdown.
Now to the most recent 2022-2023 season. Dallas Goedert manages to be a top 10 Tight End while sharing targets with swole Batman and skinny Batman (A.J Brown and DeVonta Smith for those that are unfamiliar). Travis Kelce had himself a year puttin’ up 110 for 1338 and 12 TDs while courting the lovely Zuri Hall. Respect. Super Bowl 57, the wound is still fresh. Goedert went 6 for 60 including a pair of long 3rd down conversion receptions early in the second half. Kelce had the first Chiefs touchdown to tie the game early at 7-7. I’ve got to imagine the strong showing on that opening drive may have led the Eagles to over-commit their coverage to Kelce and open other things up late in the game for the Chiefs to come back.
The Present
As the teams go, their collective productivity at the Tight End position remains respectable this year, with Goedert and Cacatera in Philly and Kelce and Gray in KC. The starters lack a certain je ne sais quoi. For Goedert it’s obvious, he missed over a third of the season due to various lower body injuries. For Kelce, maybe he is getting old fast at 35, maybe it’s just hard to “shine so bright” in the shadows of multi-platinum recording artist Taylor Swift. Kelce had record lows in receiving yards, yards per reception, and touchdowns.
Gray or Kelce, it won’t matter come Sunday. The defense will dictate the stat line for Tight Ends in this game. The Chiefs are miserable against the position. They are 4th worst in yards per reception allowed (11.19) and receptions allowed per game (6). They are also dead last in total yards per game against Tight Ends (67.16). The Eagles are on the other end of the spectrum. They are top 10 in receptions per game allowed (4.8), 5th in yards per game (40.9), and are tied for tops in the league at yards per reception allowed to tight ends (8.52). Not to mention the Eagles have the best coverage linebacker in the league in Zack Baun.
Taking all this into consideration, I think the Eagles will hold Kelce under 60 yards and no touchdowns. Look for Goedert to score early in the game. I recognize I’m talkin’ shit on one of the most prolific post-season touchdown scorers, so if ole’ Travis gets his groove back, you can blame me.
Which Tight End will ball out at the biggest game of the year? Who are Charley Lancaster’s 7 greatest Tight Ends of all time? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, BlueSky, or TikTok.