Unbeaten Eagles look Super, so far

PHILADELPHIA — With one big trade for a big-time pass rusher, the Philadelphia Eagles crystallized a mission statement that already seemed clear to anyone who watched Jalen Hurts and crew get off to an undefeated start — this team is all-in on the Super Bowl.

The preseason hope the Eagles could win the NFC East or even win a playoff game or two has morphed into a fullblown expectation that they should win the championship. And why not? Expectations are sky high in Philly these days and the Phillies’ run to the World Series has already stirred the fan base into dreaming about two sports champions.

Consider, only the Buffalo Bills have better odds than the Eagles to win the Super Bowl, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

The Eagles are the lone undefeated team in the NFL at 6-0 — a start they’ve enjoyed before only in 1981 and 2004 — as they return from an off week to play the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Steelers have lost five of six and have experienced growing pains with rookie QB Kenny Pickett.

The Eagles have won nine consecutive games over Pittsburgh in Philadelphia. The Steelers’ previous win in Philly was a 20-14 victory on Oct. 24, 1965.

“We’re talented enough to win against anybody we play,” Eagles center Jason Kelce said. The Eagles didn’t go far during their time off — Hurts rang the ceremonial bell to start a 76ers game and Ke l ce palled around with the Phillie Phanatic during playoff games. And the front office sure didn’t rest on the Birds’ undefeated start.

Already boasting one of the NFL’s best defenses, the Eagles acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Quinn from the Chicago Bears for a 2023 fourth-round pick Wednesday.

The 32-year-old Quinn is off to a slow start with just one sack and three quarterback hits after opting not to participate in offseason workouts. But he broke Hall of Famer Richard Dent’s franchise record with 18 1/2 sacks last year in a resurgent season. Welcome aboard, Robert. “I know this year the numbers might not be there, but he’s a very tough matchup for a lot of tackles in the NFL,” Kelce said. “I think we have a culture around here that’s very welcoming of players.”

The Eagles hope the break hasn’t slowed Hurts’ roll as he tries to keep the team undefeated.

Kelce