In case you haven’t heard, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are enjoying a soccer recreation on Sunday night.
To be able to preview this Tremendous Bowl LIX matchup, I reached out to our enemies over at Arrowhead Delight. The jazzy Jared Sapp kindly took the time to reply my questions on this upcoming tilt. Let’s check out the solutions. [For my answers about the Eagles, stay tuned to AP.]
Additionally, be sure you verify our “3 the reason why the Eagles will win the Tremendous Bowl” change with AP from earlier this week.
1) The addition of Saquon Barkley and Vic Fangio stick out as two of the largest modifications with the Eagles since Tremendous Bowl 57. What are among the most important variations for the Chiefs on this rematch?
On offense, the Chiefs have a really totally different huge receiver corps (even from Week 1 of this season). Rookie Xavier Worthy has had some massive performances down the stretch, and Hollywood Brown is now giving the Chiefs a second pace possibility. DeAndre Hopkins has by no means discovered the quantity of targets since coming to the Chiefs, however maybe he could be featured in some unscouted appears to be like with every part on the road Sunday. Travis Kelce should still lead the staff in targets and yards — however he doesn’t should for the Chiefs to win.
On protection, the largest distinction is the expertise of the unit from Tremendous Bowl LVII. In that recreation, George Karlaftis and Trent McDuffie have been rookies, and Nick Bolton was a second-year professional ending his first season as a starter. The Chiefs protection as presently constructed has performed a whole lot of soccer collectively and is rather more in synch with what Steve Spagnuolo is wanting.
2) What’s the finest matchup within the Chiefs’ favor on this recreation?
Truthfully, the most effective matchup within the Chiefs’ favor might be Andy Reid vs. Vic Fangio. Reid and Mahomes are 8-0 towards Fangio’s defenses (each because the Broncos’ head coach and the Dolphins’ DC final yr). This Eagles’ protection is exponentially extra gifted than what the Dolphins had within the Wild Card spherical final yr, however I do assume the Chiefs have executed a superb job planning for his scheme. Mahomes has additionally proven unprecedented endurance in taking what’s in entrance of him this season and never forcing massive performs.
On the sector, the Chiefs have lined up Worthy nearly each means legally doable via two rounds of the playoffs. He and Mahomes have by no means fairly developed the massive play timing, however the Chiefs have executed an important job of discovering him favorable match ups (and there may be at all times a good place to place his pace). The 50-yard bomb most likely gained’t occur, however the Chiefs can most likely discover him 5 good alternatives for ten-yard performs.
3) What’s one factor that actually worries you concerning the Chiefs heading into this recreation?
The Eagles inside move rush towards the Chiefs’ reshuffled offensive line. Left guard Mike Caliendo has been a legal responsibility since coming into the beginning lineup with Joe Thuney kicking exterior to left sort out. Jalen Carter has not likely developed right into a touring participant, so he’ll possible line up reverse Professional Bowl guard Trey Smith. Jordan Davis isn’t any slouch, nevertheless, and I concern middle Creed Humphrey will focus a lot on serving to Caliendo that will probably be troublesome to bolster Smith if Carter is cooking.
4) Who’s the Chiefs’ most underrated contributor to be careful for?
Tight finish Noah Grey has had a really quiet postseason after an important stretch halfway via the common season. The Chiefs are actually good at discovering Grey alternatives towards good defensive recreation plans, nevertheless, and I’d look ahead to some checkdowns to Grey if the Eagles achieve limiting the larger names within the passing recreation.
Nikko Remigio has solely been on the lively roster since December, when he was signed from the follow squad as an harm substitute for Mecole Hardman. He has had an enormous return in every of Kansas Metropolis’s first two playoff video games to begin drives deep in opponent territory.
5) Who wins this recreation and why? With the Eagles presently listed as 1.5-point underdogs, what’s your rating prediction?
I feel the Chiefs will keep away from the turnovers and errors that plagued the Rams and Commanders and grasp with the Eagles to win a detailed recreation. I imagine the Chiefs will concentrate on environment friendly drives that reduce Saquon Barkley’s alternatives to do harm. Barkley will get his (Christian McCaffrey totaled 160 scrimmage yards final yr). However I feel Spagnuolo will discover a means over the second half to make the sport a duel between Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. If that occurs, I feel the Chiefs will make three or 4 performs on the proper time which can be distinction in a 27-24 win.
