Shannon Sharpe believes 2000 Ravens would ‘dominate’ 2024 Eagles Super Bowl team

The Philadelphia Eagles left no doubt about their dominance this season, capping off an unforgettable run with a resounding victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

From start to finish, the Eagles looked like the league’s most complete team, excelling on both sides of the ball. But how do they compare to some of the all-time great Super Bowl champions, like the legendary 2000 Baltimore Ravens? That’s where the debate heats up.

CBS Sports Crowns the Eagles, But Not Everyone Agrees

CBS Sports recently sparked controversy by naming the 2024 Eagles as the best Super Bowl champion of the 21st century. It’s a bold claim, one that immediately drew reactions from fans, analysts, and former players — including Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe.

Sharpe, who won his third Super Bowl ring with the 2000 Ravens, didn’t mince words when addressing the ranking. Speaking on his Nightcap podcast, he confidently claimed his Ravens would not only beat the Eagles but dominate them.

“I guarantee you, if they let us play by the rules that they played by, not one of those offenses scores on that Ravens defense,” Sharpe declared. “They won’t get more than 14 points.”

While the Eagles soared to the top of CBS Sports’ rankings, the 2000 Ravens landed at No. 24 — just barely above the bottom. The main knock against that Baltimore squad? An underwhelming offense that often relied on its historically elite defense to win games.

That Ravens defense, however, was the stuff of legend. They allowed just 10.3 points per game, the fewest in the 16-game era, and shut out four opponents during the season. Few offenses stood a chance against a unit led by Ray Lewis, Tony Siragusa, and Sam Adams.

Sharpe remains convinced that even an offense as potent as the Eagles’, led by Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, would’ve struggled mightily.

“Barkley? He’d have 37 yards against our defense,” Sharpe scoffed. “You’re not running, because you’ve got Sam and Goose up front and Ray hunting you down.”

Of course, comparing teams across eras is never an exact science. The game has changed, the rules have evolved, and each championship team faced unique challenges. Would the 2024 Eagles, with their balanced attack and suffocating defense, find a way to crack the 2000 Ravens’ impenetrable wall? Or would Baltimore’s ferocity overwhelm them?

We’ll never know for sure. What is certain, though, is that the Eagles deserve their flowers for dismantling a potential dynasty like the Chiefs and cementing themselves as one of the most dominant teams in recent memory.

Whether they’re truly the best Super Bowl champion of the 21st century may be up for debate — but Eagles fans can rest easy knowing their team is officially in the conversation.

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