Swift-Kelce still Philadelphia’s dynamic duo

By DAVID WEINBERG

Contrary to popular belief – not to mention NFL telecasts and various entertainment and gossip outlets – the Kansas City Chiefs are not the only team to have a Kelce-Swift duo.

As first reported in this space last week, the Eagles actually have a more powerful duo than Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce and new star Running Back D’Andre Swift also make for quite a dynamic duo.

“T Swifty” watched Sunday’s 41-10 Chiefs defeat the Bears from an Arrowhead Stadium suite with Kelce’s mother, Donna, then joined Travis for a victory party at Prime Social Rooftop restaurant in Kansas City. On Monday night, “D Swifty” and Jason were the main players in the Eagles’ 25-11 victory at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. D’Andre Swift ran for 130 yards – his second straight 100-yard rushing effort – to help the Birds stay undefeated.

The Eagles are 3-0 for a second straight season. Surprisingly, this is the first time they have won their first three games in a row in 30 years, when they went 3-0 in 1992-93 under coach Rich Kotite. Former Eagles head coach Andy Reid led some exceptional teams during his 14-year tenure (1999-2012). The Birds won four straight NFC East titles from 2001 to 2004, reaching the NFC Championship Game in those years, but always stumbled early. 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 only loss in that streak came in Game 2, a loss by 27-20 against the Chiefs. .

In 1992-93, the Eagles got off to fast starts, but had 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 formidable defense consisting of defensive end Reggie White, linebacker Seth Joyner and cornerback Eric Allen. The season ended with a 34-10 loss to Dallas in the NFC Divisional Round.

The luck ran out in 1993 – Cunningham broke his ankle in Game 4 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 early – he threw two interceptions against the Bucs – but should return to his best form. Most importantly, the offensive and defensive lines were outstanding. This should help them handle a busy schedule that includes upcoming games against the other undefeated teams. The Eagles host the Dolphins (3-0) on October 22 and face the 49ers (3-0) on December 3 at Linc.

It remains to be seen whether Taylor (Swift) and Travis (Kelce) will still be a couple at this point, but there’s no doubt that D’Andre (Swift) and Jason (Kelce) will still be a power couple.

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AC Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend

The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame will hold its seventh induction ceremony this Saturday evening at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. This year’s class includes former heavyweight champions George Foreman, Shannon Briggs and Pinklon Thomas, as well as longtime contender David Tua. The group also includes outstanding local veterans such as welterweight Shamone Alvarez and heavyweight Darroll Wilson.

Referees Benjy Estevez Jr. and Rudy Battle are also members of the new Hall of Fame class, along with local coach Arnold Robbins and advisor Matt Howard.
The weekend’s festivities begin 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 KOs) on the undercard.

20 sporting events that took place at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall