By David Weinberg
Contrary to popular belief — not to mention the NFL’s TV broadcasts and various entertainment/gossip media outlets — the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t the only team with a Kelce-Swift duo.
As first noted in this space last week, the Eagles actually have a more powerful pairing than Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Eagles center Jason Kelce and running back D’Andre Swift are also a pretty dynamic duo.
“T Swifty” watched Sunday’s 41-10 Chiefs win over the Bears from a suite at Arrowhead Stadium with Kelce’s mom, Donna, then joined Travis for a victory party at Kansas City’s Prime Social Rooftop restaurant.
Monday night, “D Swifty” and Jason were prime players in the Eagles’ 25-11 win at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. D’Andre Swift rushed for 130 yards — his second straight 100-yard rushing effort — in helping the Birds stay undefeated.
The Eagles are 3-0 for a second straight season. Surprisingly, it’s the first time they’ve won their first three games in 30 years, when they went 3-0 in 1992-93 under coach Rich Kotite. Former coach Andy Reid led some outstanding teams during his 14-year tenure (1999-2012). The Birds won four straight NFC East titles from 2001-04, reaching the NFC Championship game those years, yet always stumbled at the outset.
Doug Pederson won his first three games after replacing Chip Kelly in 2016 and started 10-1 en route to winning the Super Bowl the following season, but the lone loss in that stretch came in the second game, a 27-20 loss to the Chiefs.
Back in ’92-’93, the Eagles got off to fast starts, but endured different finishes. In 1992, they were dealing with the tragic death of defensive tackle Jerome Brown in a car accident that summer. The Birds finished 11-5 that season behind quarterback Randall Cunningham and a tremendous defense that featured defensive end Reggie White, linebacker Seth Joyner and cornerback Eric Allen. The season ended with a 34-10 loss at Dallas in the NFC divisional round.
The luck ran out in ’93.
Cunningham suffered a broken ankle in the fourth game against the Jets. The team lost seven of its next eight behind quarterbacks Bubby Brister and Ken O’Brien and missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record.
Barring injuries to key players, this season’s edition should be able to avoid a slump.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been inconsistent in the early going — he threw two interceptions against the Bucs — but is expected to regain top form. Most importantly, the offensive and defensive lines have been outstanding.
That should help them handle a tough schedule that features upcoming games against the other undefeated teams. The Eagles play host to the Dolphins (3-0) on Oct. 22 and take on the 49ers (3-0) on Dec. 3 at the Linc.
It remains to be seen if Taylor and Travis will still be a couple by that point, but there’s little doubt D’Andre and Jason will be a powerful pair.
A.C. Boxing Hall
of Fame weekend
The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame will be holding its seventh induction ceremonies this Saturday night at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City.
This year’s class includes former heavyweight champions George Foreman, Shannon Briggs and Pinklon Thomas, plus long-time contender David Tua. The group also includes former outstanding local fighters such as welterweight Shamone Alvarez and heavyweight Darroll Wilson.
Referees Benjy Estevez Jr. and Rudy Battle are also members of the newest Hall of Fame Class, as well as local trainer Arnold Robbins and advisor Matt Howard.
The weekend festivities start with a boxing card at Bally’s Atlantic City Friday night. Mays Landing super-welterweight Isiah Hart (6-3, 4 KOs) is scheduled to face Philadelphia’s Elijah Vines (6-0, 6 KO’s) on the undercard.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
