Storylines to keep an eye on for Super Bowl LVII

Essentially the most pure storyline of all of them boils all the way down to the Kansas Metropolis head coach’s historical past with each groups. He coached the rival Eagles from 1999-2012 and has been with KC since 2013. Reid was implausible in 14 seasons as the pinnacle coach of the Eagles, with a .583 common season successful share and a Tremendous Bowl look following the 2004 season. He did not win the large one in Philly, nevertheless, however has padded his resume in KC with an unimaginable 9 playoff appearances in 10 years, two Tremendous Bowl appearances, and one ring main as much as his third Tremendous Bowl look in 4 years in Tremendous Bowl LVII.

Hurts has emerged as an NFL celebrity this season, however his playoff expertise — each within the NFL and school — is uneven. He is thrown for under 275 yards in two playoff video games this yr with Philly, and Hurts was famously benched for Tua Tagovailoa at halftime 5 years in the past within the CFP Nationwide Championship. Hurts can change the narrative with a superb Tremendous Bowl exhibiting.

Eagles middle Jason Kelce and Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce are the primary brothers to face off within the Tremendous Bowl as gamers. Remarkably, they’re each possible future Corridor of Famers, and every already has a Tremendous Bowl ring. It doesn’t matter what occurs, their mother and father will possible get loads of digital camera time throughout the tv broadcast.

Neither quarterback enters the Tremendous Bowl at 100% well being. Jalen Hurts has been nursing a shoulder damage that brought on him to overlook two video games late within the common season. On the identical time, Patrick Mahomes suffered a excessive ankle sprain within the Divisional Spherical towards the Jaguars that brought on him to overlook one drive and seem hobbled within the AFC Championship. The accidents might proceed to play a job within the Tremendous Bowl.

The Chiefs actually did not go away the AFC Championship unscathed. The crew misplaced JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), Kadarius Toney (ankle), and Mecole Hardman (pelvis) to accidents throughout the sport. Not one of the trio participated in a full observe within the week following the AFC Championship, although Smith-Schuster and Toney have an opportunity to play. Hardman’s prospects do not sound as promising, in line with head coach Andy Reid. Even when Smith-Schuster and Toney play, they could possibly be restricted.

Each groups have a humiliation of riches on the defensive position, significantly on the inside. Chiefs defensive sort out Chris Jones is a candidate for Defensive Participant of the Yr after recording 15.5 sacks throughout the common season. He added two extra sacks within the AFC Championship. Philadelphia has star veterans Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave, who mixed for 18 sacks throughout the common season.

Kansas Metropolis’s rookie contributors have been paramount of their march to the large sport. Isiah Pacheco and Skyy Moore made massive contributions on offense and particular groups all through the season, whereas the protection has featured George Karlaftis, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, and Bryan Cook dinner. The Chiefs will not beat Philadelphia if their rookies do not have one other massive sport.

What constitutes a dynasty within the fashionable NFL? The Chiefs have hosted 5 consecutive AFC Championships and can play of their third Tremendous Bowl in 4 seasons. Successful their second ring might make the “dynasty” label plain for these Chiefs, led by Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce.

There are few offensive strains higher than the 2 collaborating on this yr’s Tremendous Bowl. The Eagles characteristic three Professional Bowlers in Jason Kelce, Landon Dickerson, and Lane Johnson. In the meantime, the Chiefs have three Professional Bowlers of their very own in Creed Humphrey, Joe Thuney, and Orlando Brown.

Elite cornerback play has been on full show from each groups this season. Eagles star Darius Slay has lengthy been generally known as the most effective corners within the league, making his fifth Professional Bowl this yr, and James Bradberry was a second-time All-Professional on the alternative aspect. Chiefs nook L’Jarius Sneed is a formidable up-and-comer in his third season, whereas Chiefs rookie Trent McDuffie had a superb season.

Each protection appears to prioritize overlaying Travis Kelce, but few are profitable. The Chiefs tight finish had a profession yr at age 33, with 110 catches for 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he is continued his onslaught within the playoffs with 21 catches for 176 yards and three touchdowns in solely two video games. Philly defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon may have a plan to cease Kelce, however doing so has been virtually not possible.

Few present coordinators have extra Tremendous Bowl expertise than Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who is looking performs in his fourth Tremendous Bowl. His Giants protection famously stopped the Patriots good run in 2007, and he is now main the Chiefs protection within the Tremendous Bowl for the third time in 4 seasons. KC’s defensive efficiency has been very important within the playoffs after a mediocre common season.

Each groups have performed within the massive sport during the last 5 years, so there’s loads of Tremendous Bowl expertise on either side. Philadelphia received all of it in 2017, and have key gamers like Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, Brandon Graham, and Fletcher Cox nonetheless on the roster. Kansas Metropolis has considerably extra expertise, only one yr faraway from their final Tremendous Bowl look, with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Frank Clark, and Harrison Butker among the many key contributors to each of the crew’s most up-to-date Tremendous Bowl appearances.

The Chiefs appeared to choose Kadarius Toney as their major punt returner late within the season. An ankle damage places his standing in query, and rookie Skyy Moore regarded spectacular when he obtained a chance within the AFC Championship. It must be famous, nevertheless, that Moore was faraway from the function earlier this season after a number of muffed punts. Kansas Metropolis has an fascinating, high-risk choice on their arms.

With the early Vegas unfold lower than one subject purpose, the percentages that the Tremendous Bowl will come all the way down to the kicking sport are excessive. The Chiefs have rebuilt belief in Harrison Butker with two good playoff performances, and he is kicked in two Tremendous Bowls. Nonetheless, he made solely 75% of his subject purpose makes an attempt this season after combating an ankle damage. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott has been extra constant this yr, making 20-of-23 subject objectives throughout the common season.

It wasn’t misplaced on the Chiefs after they visited Arizona to play the Cardinals in Week 1 that they may return to the desert for the Tremendous Bowl. Kansas Metropolis dominated that sport, successful 44-21. Philly additionally discovered success this yr in Glendale, beating the Cardinals in Week 5. Every crew hopes to enhance their report to 2-0 in Arizona this season.

The Tremendous Bowl broadcast often provides us a dose of Hollywood, and these groups have their justifiable share of celebrity followers. Bradley Cooper, Kevin Hart, and Mike Trout have been synonymous with Eagles fandom lately, whereas the Chiefs can declare Paul Rudd, Rob Riggle, Eric Stonestreet, and Melissa Etheridge. How lengthy till the FOX cameras pan to those well-known faces?

An enormous efficiency within the Tremendous Bowl might be the momentum a participant wants for an enormous payday, as Aaron Donald confirmed final yr. Chiefs Orlando Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jerick McKinnon, and Juan Thornhill are among the many KC gamers who might hit free company this offseason. On the identical time, the Eagles have massive names like Miles Sanders, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and Javon Hargrave.

This yr’s Tremendous Bowl might have the highest two finishers within the MVP race with Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts. The star quarterbacks would love nothing greater than to place the cherry on high of their excellent common seasons with a Tremendous Bowl win. Though the MVP voting has already taken place, their performances might additional add to the debates.

Every crew includes a prime Defensive Participant of the Yr candidate, along with MVP candidates. Chris Jones is the important thing participant for the Chiefs after recording 15.5 sacks and 44 tackles throughout the common season, whereas Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick had 16 sacks and led the NFL with 5 pressured fumbles within the common season. To win, every participant might want to come up massive for his crew.