Does Eagles profitable it up entrance bode nicely for Chris ‘Construct the Trenches’ Ballard’s Colts?

The Philadelphia Eagles beat the 2x reigning Tremendous Bowl Champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, 40-22, in fairly convincing style to hoist a Lombardi Trophy of their very own on Tremendous Bowl Sunday.

The Eagles exorcised numerous demons from final yr’s meltdown, as head coach Nick Sirianni’s squad redeemed itself by capping off a powerful season (14-3) with an elusive NFL title—and received revenge from the 2022 Tremendous Bowl towards the Chiefs when it was runner-up.

I don’t wish to oversimplify it as a result of Eagles normal supervisor Howie Roseman has constructed some of the proficient and full rosters on each aspect of the soccer in the entire NFL—and even on the expense of longtime Colts normal supervisor Chris Ballard.

Nevertheless, one of many ways in which the Eagles surprisingly manhandled Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs is up-front, the place Philadelphia’s front-four received to the league’s undisputed prime quarterback early and infrequently—with 6.0 sacks and 11 whole QB hits on the sport’s greatest stage:

The Colts have been no stranger relating to reinforcing the defensive trenches, as below Ballard’s tenure, the Colts have invested numerous first rounders: DeForest Buckner (*commerce), Kwity Paye, and Laiatu Latu in making an attempt to dominate up entrance, in addition to massive cash (see veteran Grover Stewart, together with Buckner’s excessive cap hit).

The person gamers nonetheless have to really produce past their cash and draft pedigree, however might that philosophy lastly repay quickly for Indianapolis?

The Colts completed with simply 36.0 whole sacks (tied for less than twenty fifth most final yr), however are a yr faraway from having an Indianapolis franchise report of 51.0 only a yr earlier than respectively.

May they rediscover their formidable kind below new Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo once more—particularly with him taking part in a extra aggressive scheme at occasions up entrance?

That’s to not say that just like the Eagles, the Colts will all of a sudden morph right into a bona fide Tremendous Bowl contender subsequent yr (some massive Philly additions via the draft and free company definitely paid off final offseason too, together with NFL Offensive Participant of the Yr Saquon Barkley).

Nevertheless, the Colts theoretically have some foundational constructing blocks already in place to doubtlessly make a playoff push—together with inside the defensive trenches:

It’s only a matter of accumulating extra expertise and advancing the roster ahead elsewhere—and particularly at premium positions, that may in the end show to be the distinction.