The 2023 NFL playoffs conclude with the Philadelphia Eagles dealing with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LVII. The Massive Sport is nigh.
As a way to preview this gigantic matchup, I reached out to our enemies over at Arrowhead Delight. The tasteful Tom Childs took the time to reply my questions on this upcoming battle. Let’s check out the solutions.
[For my answers to Tom’s questions about the Eagles, stay tuned to AP. Also, be sure to check out AP previously giving us 3 reasons why the Birds will win on Sunday.]
Our associates at DraftKings Sportsbook have the entire odds for this week’s video games.
1 – The query that everybody asks however nobody seemingly has reply for: What’s the important thing to stopping Patrick Mahomes? Or at the least limiting the injury he can do?
All of us noticed what was mentioned within the offseason:
“Absolutely Mahomes will regress with out Tyreek Hill”.
“This would be the 12 months Mahomes is dethroned within the AFC”.
“XYZ is now higher than Pat”.
Yeah, we stored the receipts.
Whereas a few of these takes had been for clicks, I did assume there was some logic to the considering.
Extra idiot us.
As a substitute of specializing in who wasn’t in KC, Patrick Mahomes determined to show his consideration to the receivers who had been in Kansas Metropolis. Certain, the dynamism of Hill was gone however as an alternative, he has discovered methods to play to the strengths of the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Watson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
At occasions, it hasn’t been flashy. In actual fact, you could possibly make the case that it has been fairly — dare I say it — boring. However what it has been is extremely efficient. Mahomes led the league in nearly each passing metric that issues and led the league’s primary passing offense.
If you take a look at how different quarterbacks reacted after they misplaced their primary large receiver, you simply have to carry your fingers up and admit that we’ve witnessed one of many nice quarterback seasons.
Fast facet be aware: Jalen Hurts was unimaginable too. You’ve obtained one.
How do you cease Patrick Mahomes? If I’m not so certain you possibly can fully, however I’m trying ahead to seeing what the primary passing protection within the NFL has in retailer for him.
You probably did say that nobody has reply to this query.
2 – The Chiefs have been wildly profitable beneath Andy Reid. However what’s the discourse like if KC loses this sport and Andy/Mahomes solely have one Tremendous Bowl title to point out for 5 straight AFC Championship Sport appearances?
Somebody’s opinion on LeBron James’ finals document will most likely be indicator of how somebody will view the Chiefs’ document within the Tremendous Bowl ought to they lose on Sunday.
There’s one viewpoint the place you see the win-loss document and immediately imagine that this particular person chokes when it issues most.
Then there may be the viewpoint the place you acknowledge how extremely tough to get your staff to the finals — or on this case — the Tremendous Bowl within the first place.
Will I be gutted if the Chiefs lose? Certain, I need the Chiefs to win the Tremendous Bowl yearly. However KC followers can’t lose perspective. They’re dealing with one hell of a staff within the Tremendous Bowl after coming by what was a gauntlet of an everyday season and AFC Championship.
Falling on the closing hurdle will damage, however primarily based on what we’ve seen within the earlier 5 seasons, there will probably be loads of alternatives for redemption.
3 – To what extent — if in any respect — do Chiefs followers have a delicate spot for the Eagles given the Andy and Kelce brothers connections?
Truthfully, this week has been the most effective. No trash speak, no drama, no nonsense. And I feel it begins with the connection of the Kelce Brothers.
At this level, who doesn’t take heed to the ‘New Peak Podcast’? It’s so good and unbelievably refreshing that siblings who occur to be athletic, wealthy and well-known nonetheless have relationships like I do with my brothers. By no means have I felt so aligned with any athlete.
In actual fact, I really met the Kelce household (together with Jason) in 2015 when the Chiefs performed Lions in London. The household made it to a celebration we had the night time earlier than. What I noticed that night time is a mirror of what we’ve seen this week. They’re extremely real.
The joint admiration for the Kelces and naturally Andy Reid has filtered down into the fanbases. I feel each units of fanbases know that these are the 2 finest groups within the NFL and whoever comes out on prime will probably be a worthy winner.
4 – Which gamers on the Chiefs’ roster do you assume would begin for the Eagles? Patrick Mahomes at QB, Chris Jones at DT, and Travis Kelce at TE are givens … who else?
Wow, guys. Now you’re turning up the warmth with a query like that.
I’m not going to take a seat right here and fake that I do know the Eagles gamers anyplace close to the extent that you simply and your readers do. I might simply be flat-out mendacity.
However what I do know very nicely are their Chiefs’ counterparts. The names that instantly leap out to me who may begin for any staff, not simply the Eagles are L’Jarius Sneed, Joe Thuney, Trey Smith, Nick Bolton and Tommy Townsend.
I do know that isn’t an enormous checklist however these are the gamers that I might take into account the Chiefs have which can be close to the highest of their place.
An remark I’ve made concerning the distinction between the Chiefs and the Eagles is that the Chiefs possess extra 9 and ten out of ten gamers, however just about the entire Eagles’ roster is a strong seven or eight out of ten with the odd 9 sprinkled in. There simply aren’t any weak hyperlinks. Roster constructing like that paired with wonderful teaching is a terrifying mixture to go up towards.
5 – What’s the finest matchup within the Chiefs’ favor on this sport?
I don’t assume that is essentially the most effective matchup for the Chiefs — removed from it — however I’m actually intrigued by how the Chiefs’ younger corners match up towards the 2 studs the Eagles have at receiver. When L’Jarius Sneed left the sport early towards the Bengals, I feared the worst. I had visions of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins tearing aside a cornerback group filled with rookies. Fortunately, it by no means materialized that method and our bunch of rookies greater than held their very own. Fluke, expertise or gameplan? I didn’t actually care.
Now, I’m not suggesting for one second that I feel the Chiefs will have the ability to lock up DeVonta Smith and the freak that’s AJ Brown — but when they do maintain them quieter than regular then the Chiefs will probably be hoisting the Lombardi on Sunday.
6 – What’s the most regarding matchup for the Chiefs on this sport?
No apologies right here for taking the lay-up nevertheless it’s undoubtedly Hassan Reddick vs Andrew Wylie.
If there was a weak hyperlink within the Chiefs’ offense this season, it has been the play of the offensive tackles. You guys will know greater than most that Andy Reid loves to depart his tackles on an island. Sadly for him, Andrew Wylie has been discovered wanting on a number of events, giving up 9 sacks this season.
We’ve already seen Patrick Mahomes run for his life over and over in a single Tremendous Bowl. I’m praying to the soccer gods that historical past received’t repeat itself on Sunday.
7 – Who wins this sport and why? With DraftKings Sportsbook itemizing the Eagles as 1.5-point favorites, what’s your rating prediction?
I’ll have you ever guys know that I really had this Tremendous Bowl as my preseason prediction so I’ll give myself a fast pat on the again. I even backed it and stand to make a really respectable amount of cash ought to the Chiefs beat Philly.
That’s sufficient about me.
I discussed Tremendous Bowl 55 within the final reply and the way Mahomes was primarily working for his life all sport. What will get misplaced when speaking about that sport was how good Mahomes really was. He was let down massively by his playmakers and offensive line that sport. There’s even a case to make the Chiefs had been underprepared and poorly coached. The entire occasion was a large number from begin to end.
I can’t think about for one second that the Chiefs will put in an analogous efficiency this time round. I do know that number-one offenses don’t are likely to have an excessive amount of success towards number-one passing defenses, however this simply feels just like the Chiefs are able to make that subsequent step in the direction of constructing their dynasty.
The rationale for utilizing homerism to reply this query is that I actually see this sport as a coin flip. Whoever settles in early will win.
With that being mentioned, I’m going with the blokes which were there earlier than. I do know a number of the Eagles staff had been round in 2017/18, however numerous the Chiefs roster and training workers have now seen each ends of the Tremendous Bowl end result. They’ve made errors prior to now on this sport earlier than. They’ll make up for them on Sunday.
Chiefs 31, Eagles 24
No matter who wins, I feel we’ve discovered a brand new inter-franchise bromance.
