You don’t know what you don’t know.

As I listen to the Eagles players and coaches speak leading into Super Bowl week, that line keeps rattling in my head.

While we saw this exact matchup just two years ago, this one feels different. At first, I thought it was because of Saquon Barkley’s presence or the youth movement on the Eagles defense. But then I realized it’s bigger than that.

It’s the “Dunning-Kruger Effect” on the team.

Here’s the Dunning-Kruger Effect, as defined: The effect occurs when a person’s lack of knowledge and skill in a certain area causes them to overestimate their own competence.

In other words: The Eagles weren’t truly prepared for Super Bowl 57, and couldn’t know it beforehand to truly do something about it. Experience matters, especially on a stage like this. Sure, veterans like Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Brandon Graham had been there before. But those are individuals. As a group, the experience two years ago was very new.

This time? It’s not. It’s a more mentally prepared group.

Even Johnson spoke about how they mishandled halftime two years ago and came out with a poor second half as a result.

When I think back to the game two years ago, I remember Nick Sirianni crying at the national anthem, the Eagles blowing a lead, eventual questioning of key second-half decisions, a crucial turnover in a big moment by a typically mistake-free quarterback in Jalen Hurts, blown coverage at the worst moments, and a team that seemed overwhelmed as the game went on.

I believe this time will be different. The Eagles seem to have a different type of focus and energy. Does it guarantee a win? Of course not. And the history of Super Bowl rematches isn’t kind to the team that loses the first battle. Plus, the same could have been said for Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers last year.

But if you (like me) have been trying to put your finger on what’s different this time: They now know what they didn’t know.

The WIP Midday Show is headed to New Orleans! We’ll talk to you on Monday morning from Radio Row.

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