In the first Super Bowl experience of his career back in February 2023, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown recorded six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown but was unable to prevent his club from suffering a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl rematch between the Eagles and Chiefs, Brown revealed the biggest lesson he took from all that he dealt with a couple of years ago.
“Last time, I honestly felt like a paid actor during the whole week, just everything, so many interviews. The only part that felt like real football was the game,” Brown explained, as shared by Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “And so when you remove all those things and you’re just trying to focus on the game and that’s the only thing that matters. And just trying to win. Everything else is for everybody else.”
Potential distractions such as media obligations are an inevitable part of any player’s Super Bowl journey. Individuals associated with the Chiefs such as head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have already handled Super Bowl circuses four times since February 2020 and, thus, probably won’t be surprised by anything that happens between now and the second Sunday of next month.
Meanwhile, Eagles offensive most valuable player Saquon Barkley never played beyond the divisional round of a postseason tournament before this winter.
“My emotions are intact,” Brown said without directly naming Barkley or other current teammates who weren’t with the Eagles two years ago. “Of course, I’m excited for guys who haven’t been before. But I just want to win. I just want to win.”
Across his first two games of the playoffs, Brown tallied
a total of three receptions for 24 yards with no touchdowns. He then equaled his production from the Super Bowl LVII loss to the Chiefs — six catches for 96 yards and a score — in the Eagles’ 55-23 blowout win over the Washington Commanders in this past Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
Assuming the Chiefs focus on keeping Barkley in check on Feb. 9, Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts could look for Brown early and often at Caesars Superdome.
“We’ve been there before,” Brown added during his comments. “I’m not saying that I’m used to it but you’ve been there before, you know what it’s like and you know what’s at stake. You know how to handle it now. That’s the only thing I’m focused on. Doing things differently. Trying to do everything in my power to try to get us a win.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Eagles as 1.5-point underdogs against the Chiefs. That same outlet had Brown sixth among the betting favorites at +2800 odds to claim MVP honors for Super Bowl LIX.
