GLENDALE, Ariz. — Generally there are shock groups that make it to the Tremendous Bowl. This isn’t a kind of instances.
Because the 2022 common season progressed, the Eagles made it clear that they have been the dominant crew within the NFC. There was by no means a time when the Chiefs have been seen as something aside from the highest contender within the AFC. The 2 groups shared the perfect document within the NFL at 14-3 and, as survivors of their respective conferences, will meet on Sunday in Tremendous Bowl LVII.
The Chiefs are again within the Tremendous Bowl for the third time within the final 5 years. The Eagles are right here 5 years after beating the Patriots to convey Philadelphia its first Lombardi Trophy.
Kansas Metropolis averaged an NFL-leading 29.2 factors per recreation for the season. Philadelphia was second with 28.1 factors per recreation. Within the playoffs, the Chiefs beat the Jaguars, 27-20, then wanted a last-second area purpose to beat the Bengals within the AFC Championship Recreation. The Eagles haven’t been challenged, outscoring the Giants and 49ers by a mixed 69-14.
As all the time, there are partaking matchups to dig into. Can Patrick Mahomes escape the Eagles’ fierce strain over what may nonetheless be a suspicious proper ankle? Has Jalen Hurts’ proper shoulder healed sufficient to blow up the Chiefs on the sector? This is a more in-depth have a look at how this recreation performs out:
Chiefs passing offense vs. Eagles cross protection
patrick mahomes He did not play on one leg within the AFC title recreation, however he was actually disabled by a excessive ankle sprain that lowered his mobility. He discovered a strategy to beat the Bengals anyway. Two weeks later, Mahomes needs to be transferring higher, and that is unhealthy information for the Eagles, who’re able to coming in and taking down any quarterback. They led the league with an unbelievable 70 sacks and have eight extra of their two playoff wins. That they had 4 gamers with double-digit sacks, and that can intensify the Chiefs’ offensive line.
Mahomes is the perfect participant within the NFL and the MVP of 2022. He led the league with 41 landing passes and 5,250 passing yards, however the Chiefs do not even have the high-end enjoying expertise they used to, apart from tight finish. Travis Kelce, who must dominate, is able to doing. Mecole Hardman was positioned on injured reserve and subsequently will not play, making JuJu Smith-Schuster the large receiver’s main goal. Kadarius Toney, acquired in a commerce with the Giants, harm his ankle towards the Bengals, and his standing is (what else?) up within the air. The Eagles may need the perfect cornerback tandem within the recreation in Darius Slay and James Bradberry, serving to them surrender a league-low 179.8 passing yards per recreation.
Edge: Eagles
The Chiefs run offense vs. the eagles run defensive
It is no secret that Andy Reid, as a play caller, leans so closely on the passing recreation at instances that he appears to neglect that he also can run the ball on occasion. This season, the Chiefs ranked twenty fourth within the league in dashing makes an attempt, with simply 24.5 per recreation, and that is one of many largest causes they ranked twentieth within the NFL in dashing makes an attempt, averaging . 115.9 yards per recreation. Due to the emergence of rookie Isiah Pacheco and the regular Jerick McKinnon, the Chiefs’ regular-season dashing common of 4.7 yards per try was fairly good. McKinnon is a beneficial security valve possibility for Mahomes off the sector. Pacheco, a seventh-round decide, has been a revelation, averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the outdated starter, endured an injury-plagued season and could possibly be a wild card.
Eagles LB TJ Edwards finds the ball within the floor recreation, as evidenced by his team-leading 159 tackles. The Eagles’ vaunted defensive position is greatest recognized for its cross dashing capacity, and there have been issues about its effectiveness towards the run. That is why Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph have been signed in the course of the season, including two veteran and skilled run-stoppers in the midst of the defensive entrance.
Edge: Eagles
Eagles passing offense vs. Chiefs cross protection
Do you keep in mind when it was not clear if Hurts would develop into an amazing passer? Sure, that concern got here and went rapidly. His pocket consciousness is rising and his deep ball is often fairly correct. CB L’Jarius Sneed left the AFC title recreation with a concussion and complied with protocol final week, an enormous reduction for the Chiefs. He strains up primarily in house and is an important a part of the Chiefs’ secondary, which should give performs to 3 rookies: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams.
That is plenty of inexperience towards AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, who turned the primary pair of Eagles receivers to prime 1,000 receiving yards in the identical season. Brown, acquired in a commerce with the Titans final April, had his career-high 1,496 yards to complete fourth within the league. His 11 landing receptions tied him for third within the league. Smith, in his second NFL season, set a franchise document with 95 receptions. Tight finish Dallas Goedert is an enormous a part of Philadelphia’s passing assault and a tall order for any linebacker. The Chiefs have been second within the league with 55 sacks, led by Chris Jones with 15.5.
Edge: Eagles
Eagles run on offense vs. Chiefs run defensive
What occurs once you take a powerful, however not elite, steady of operating backs and the most effective quarterbacks within the NFL, after which put them behind the perfect offensive line within the league? You may have a operating recreation that’s arduous to cease. No surprise the Eagles have been fifth within the league in dashing.
The five-man line of Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo and Lane Johnson is particularly adept at capturing with guards and Kelce, a future Corridor of Famer at middle. Dickerson suffered an elbow harm within the NFC title recreation however will play, doubtless with an arm brace.
Miles Sanders was one in every of three operating backs this season with 1,200+ dashing yards, 11+ dashing touchdowns, and a dashing common of 4.5 yards or extra. Kenneth Gainwell had 112 yards in a playoff win over the Giants. Boston Scott is succesful (ask the Giants). The Eagles ran for 4 touchdowns towards the stable 49ers protection within the NFC Championship recreation. Hurts, with 760 dashing yards and 13 touchdowns on the season, strikes across the area like a operating again. The Chiefs allowed simply 107.2 yards per recreation on the bottom this season, with linebacker Nick Bolton a tackling machine with 180 of them (108 solo).
Edge: Eagles
Particular groups
Robust-legged Harrison Butker led the Chiefs to the Tremendous Bowl with a 45-yard area purpose with 3 seconds remaining to beat the Bengals 23-20 within the AFC Championship. Butker is aware of strain kicks nicely: He is 8-of-8 capturing from the sector in his earlier Tremendous Bowl historical past. His Eagles counterpart, Jake Elliott, is 12-of-12 capturing from the sector within the playoffs. Elliott went 5-for-5, with passes of 52 and 54 yards, in a Week 18 win over the Giants.
Chiefs punt Tommy Townsend made his first Professional Bowl in his third season in Kansas Metropolis, main the league with a web punting common of 45.6 yards. Eagles punter Arryn Siposs was not as efficient and on the finish of the season he was on injured reserve with an ankle downside. He could possibly be able to play within the Tremendous Bowl.
Chiefs punt returner Skyy Moore, a rookie, had three fumbles in the course of the season, however his 29-yard return late within the AFC title recreation arrange Butker’s game-winning area purpose. Undrafted rookie punt returner Britain Covey has had a number of good instances for the Eagles, who aren’t robust of their kickoff protection. Scott is a big menace because the Eagles’ kickoff returner.
Edge: bosses
Coaching
Welcome to the Andy Reid Bowl. He was with the Eagles for 14 years and simply accomplished his tenth season with the Chiefs. That is the fourth Tremendous Bowl as head coach for the person often called “Large Crimson.” He misplaced the large recreation with the Eagles after the 2004 season and received it as soon as with the Chiefs, reaching the Tremendous Bowl three of the previous 4 years. At 64, he is heading into Corridor of Fame territory.
There was no fuss a 12 months in the past when the Eagles signed Nick Sirianni, however the 41-year-old led the Eagles to a terrific season in his second 12 months on the job. Sirianni is surrounded by younger folks. His coordinators, Shane Steichen (37), Jonathan Gannon (40) and Michael Clay (31), are all on the rise. Reid is surrounded by veteran coordinators Eric Bieniemy (53), Steve Spagnuolo (63) and Dave Toub (60).
Edge: bosses
intangibles
It feels just like the Chiefs are extra conversant in what occurs in a Tremendous Bowl, however they solely have 13 gamers left from their crew that received Tremendous Bowl LIV three years in the past. The Eagles have eight gamers on the roster who have been a part of their Tremendous Bowl LII victory 5 years in the past.
Any crew with Mahomes has a tangible and intangible benefit, based mostly on the magic he brings to the sector. Hurts, in simply his third NFL season, has gone 16-1 as a starter, however the best shoulder harm that sidelined him for 2 video games late within the 12 months hasn’t absolutely healed. Mahomes’ excessive ankle sprain additionally continues to be an element.
Edge: bosses
