Alshon Nostradamus?
Jeffery finds playoff success in Philadelphia
Alshon Jeffery made a preposterous prediction 13 months ago. “I guarantee you we’ll win the Super Bowl next year,” declared the veteran receiver.
The statement was so absurd because, at the time, Jeffery was playing for the Chicago Bears, who had just been crushed 38-10 by the Minnesota Vikings to finish their season with a 3-13 record.
Did Jeffery know something the rest of us didn’t? Maybe. In March, he signed one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles before earning a four-year, $52-million extension in December.
Suddenly, Jeffery is looking like a regular Nostradamus.
“I didn’t say what team, though,” Jeffrey said when asked about his fearless/foolish long-range forecast in a story on ESPN.com a couple months ago — well before the Eagles advanced to football’s final four. “I didn’t say what team.”
While the Eagles’ defence is credited with powering them to a 13-3 record and a spot in Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Vikings, much less is written about an offence that improved from 22nd to seventh in 2017.
Something must be said for the mass overhaul at the skill positions.
Along with Jeffery, the significant newcomers include fellow receiver Torrey Smith and three running backs — Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount and rookie Corey Clement.
Oh, and don’t forget quarterback Nick Foles, who was a Kansas City Chief a year ago and now, because of injury, holds Philly’s fate in his right throwing hand.
Jeffery didn’t have another Pro Bowl-type season. He finished with his lowest receiving yards total (789) since 2013, but he did score nine touchdowns, more than he’s had but once in his six-year career.
Jeffery has had success against the Vikings. In nine games, mostly pitted head-to-head with exceptional cover corner Xavier Rhodes, he has seven touchdowns — more than double the number he’s scored against any other team.
“I’ve gone back and looked at that matchup in particular, just to see the battle that went on and the types of things that Alshon did against him and the coverage technique (Rhodes) used,” Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said earlier. “Does it apply to this game? Maybe a little. I think Alshon is a better player. I think (Rhodes) is a much better player, obviously, and he’s playing with a lot of confidence.
“It’s going to be another great matchup Sunday evening.”
About Rhodes, Jeffery said: “We like to compete against one another. He’s strong, physical. I look forward to the battle.”
He did confirm reports the Vikings offered him a lucrative, multi-year deal last winter.
“There was a few other teams, but Minnesota was one of the teams,” Jeffery said. Why did he reject them? “I just felt the best opportunity for me was here, in Philly.”
As it turned out, they were pretty much equal opportunities.
The Vikings are a 3½ point favourites, but the Eagles have homefield advantage. Really, it’s anyone’s game.
Meanwhile, this is a significant time for Jeffery.
After playing 79 regular season games, he finally had his first taste of the playoffs last Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons. He was targeted five times, catching four balls thrown to him for 61 yards.
But Jeffery isn’t interested in discussing how nice it is to be in the post-season, or what his stats are.
“Trying to get a win, that’s all that matters,” Jeffery said. “I couldn’t care less about the stats, as long as we get the win this Sunday.”
And two Sundays after that, his preposterous prediction could come true.