FAVORITE TEAMS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

3:30PM PT/4:30PM MT (ARIZONA)/7:30PM ET [FOX]

We’re finally here for Super Bowl week after what was an exciting 2022-’23 season of football from start to finish (minus the Pro Bowl). These are for sure the two best teams that belong thanks to Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Nick Sirianni, and Andy Reid. They dominated their schedule, overcame adversity, and triumphed over their opponents in convincing and dramatic fashion to arrive in Arizona.

The Kelce Bowl was the first thing mentioned by everyone after Kansas City defeated Cincinnati. But don’t forget that this Super Bowl is also the Andy Reid Bowl. He coached Philly in one Super Bowl appearance nearly two decades ago (2005). This is also the first ever Super Bowl matchup between two black quarterbacks. I will explain how the Eagles and Chiefs arrived, and I will predict who could potentially win the Lombardi Trophy.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES PATH

Philadelphia’s path was obvious thanks to the offseason and midseason moves. After making the playoffs last season, coach Nick Sirianni and company figured they add a few more pieces to complete the puzzle if they want a Super Bowl trip. The key pickups that helped this team succeed were receiver AJ Brown, defensive backs James Bradberry and CJ Gardner-Johnson, linebacker Robert Quinn, defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph (former Super Bowl champs), undrafted safety Reed Blankenship, and some key draft picks (Nakobe Dean and Jordan Davis). Them and Hurts’ improved passing game was enough to lead them to the overall seed and a Super Bowl return after six seasons. All that experience, talent, and swagger was enough to get them over the Giants and 49ers with ease during their playoff run.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS PATH

The Chiefs lose two Tys of the same knot that held the Chiefs’ uniform very well (Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu). While Patrick Mahomes resorted to Travis Kelce and an abundance of new pass catchers, their defense relied on their front seven and a bunch of young (and rookie) defensive backs. Somehow, that never slowed the Chiefs’ return to the Super Bowl. They also put their demons to bed along the way (Buccaneers and Bengals). However, Kansas City had some shaky moment. They were in some close games that could’ve ended one way or the other. It wasn’t pretty at times, but when you have Mahomes (healthy or gimpy), they will find a way to win. They were reluctant to attain the overall seed with the Bills/Bengals situation over Damar Hamlin’s life-threatening injury. The Chiefs took advantage by putting down the Jaguars while thanking the Bengals for defeating the Bills to avoid a “neutral site in Atlanta”. Then, they end their 3-game losing streak against those same Bengals. The Chiefs now face adversity against a strong Eagles team that’s hoping to tear down another dynasty team.

THE MATCHUP

Last time the overall seeds met in the Super Bowl was the Patriots and Eagles in 2017. Kansas City and Philly also met in the regular season in 2021. The Eagles are looking for their second Super Bowl win in six seasons while the Chiefs are looking for their third all-time win and second championship in four seasons. The matchup will very much focus on two things: the Chiefs offense vs. Eagles defense, and the Chiefs defensive line vs. the Eagles offensive line.

The Eagles played like the best team for the majority of the season, and have one of the best defenses, including the defensive line being responsible for 70 plus sacks in 2022-’23 season. After realizing their run game was the strength along with their healthy offensive line in 2021, they dominated the trenches for over a year. However, this team could see a creative offense that could make or break their defense. While they dominated San Francisco and New York, New York’s offense was bland, and San Francisco had little to no quarterback play and the team shut down their offense for the rest of the game. They must face dynamic runners and pass catchers in Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco, and the physicality of Clyde Edwards-Helaire potentially in short down and redzone situations. Travis Kelce could grab plenty of attention from the defense that could lead to other receivers getting the touches needed to break down the backend. Philadelphia’s defense’s priority is pressuring Patrick Mahomes early and often like the Bucs did in the last Super Bowl.

Kansas City’s defense must be ready for Jalen Hurts. He will be the Chiefs’ front seven’s worst nightmare, while the defensive backs are tasked with stopping AJ Brown, Dallas Goedert, and Devonta Smith. If Kansas City can’t break down the offensive line, slow the run game, and disrupt their zone read, it’ll be a long evening for them. Philadelphia’s offensive line is one of the best in the league for a reason. Meanwhile on offense, Patrick Mahomes must come through as the quarterback that’s potentially taking the torch from Tom Brady. His last Super Bowl appearance was a disappointment, but you can’t blame him when two starting offensive tackles were out with injuries prior to playing their last Super Bowl. This time, Mahomes has another opportunity. Even with a gimpy ankle, this is his moment to show he can be the G.O.A.T. with that line and without Tyreek Hill saving his bacon.

The books opened with Kansas City as the favorite before immediately shifting to Philadelphia. With little change, Philly is still favored. Plenty had to do with Philly’s defense and Patrick Mahomes’ health on the ankle, but it doesn’t matter. He’s Patrick f****** Mahomes. However, it likely comes down to Kansas City’s pass catchers to back up their quarterback. The Eagles/Chiefs 2021 regular season was a barnburner, but Philly never realized the strength of their run game until later that year, so Jalen Hurts shouldered the load (no pun intended on his shoulder). Kansas City had some shaky moments for most of the season and could come to fruition unless their defense bogs down the Eagles’ run game and force some turnovers. Mahomes must also overcome the pass rush and carve up Philly’s strong pass defense. Otherwise, the Eagles will dominate the trenches and put Mahomes legacy on ice in the desert.

MY PICK: EAGLES