Win the primary downs. The Chiefs must discover a technique to flip the Philadelphia Eagles right into a dropback passing offense. If Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can scheme up one thing to win the preliminary down, his entrance can take over on second- and third-downs. Oliver Connolly
Maintain Patrick Mahomes clear. Two years in the past the Eagles grew to become solely the second Tremendous Bowl crew in historical past (together with the 1974 Steelers) to steer the NFL in sacks however fail to file one within the huge recreation. That safety went a great distance towards swinging the steadiness in a contest that went all the way down to the wire. However there’s no query Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith will supply a stiffer take a look at for Kansas Metropolis’s stout offensive line than Ndamukong Suh, Linval Joseph and Robert Quinn did. Bryan Armen Graham
Except for persevering with to grease the refs? Juuust kidding. The Chiefs must preserve doing all of the issues which have outlined their success, together with their top-ranked third-down offense and basic playoff clutchness. Oh, and so they should cease that Saquon Barkley dude. Melissa Jacobs
Consolidate third-down stops by scoring as quickly as they get the ball again. The Eagles offense is all about ball management – but when they fall behind, sticking with the run recreation could not suffice, even with Barkley’s home-run capabilities. It’ll put stress on Jalen Hurts to throw to catch up and, properly, he’s no Mahomes in a shootout. Andrew Lawrence
Mahomes must get the ball out shortly. Kansas Metropolis’s offensive line could possibly be their achilles heel. Joe Thuney has stuffed in at left sort out properly however guards Mike Caliendo and Trey Smith have struggled within the postseason giving up 11 pressures on 58 passing snaps. If blockers aren’t throughout their assignments then Philadelphia present one of many worst matchups attainable. Defensive tackles Carter and Milton Williams have the ability to burst via the inside whereas Smith is extremely disruptive from the sting. The depth of expertise from gamers comparable to Jordan Davis and Josh Sweat additionally ups the ante in comparison with the defenses they’ve seen within the playoffs to this point. Graham Searles
Plaster the Chiefs’ receivers. Mahomes has been proof against stress, however he has struggled this season when compelled to carry on to the ball. If the Eagles corners can dangle in sticky protection, Mahomes will probably be compelled to scramble to create on his personal. Ordinarily, that’s terrifying. For the Eagles, it will be a win. OC
Win first down. If Barkley can get right into a rhythm of constant four- or five-yard good points on first-and-10, the Eagles’ path to victory broadens significantly. By avoiding the tough second- and third-and-long conditions that may permit Spagnuolo to dial up aggressive blitzes, Philadelphia’s playbook will broaden to the short throws, RPOs and designed runs that play to Hurts’ strengths (say nothing of extra Saquon). Most necessary, it’ll management the clock and preserve Mahomes off the sector. BAG
Get Saquon going early and infrequently to maintain Mahomes off the sector. Hurts have to be higher throwing the ball away if the Chiefs are to get any penetration. Maybe most significantly, the Eagles’ go protection, which was top-ranked throughout the season however has slipped within the playoffs, has to carry off Mahomes’s candy spot: intermediate throws. MJ
Possible, Hurts has been fascinated about his fumble within the Tremendous Bowl for the previous two years. It was the one blemish in an in any other case magnificent recreation which noticed him defy expectations and duel throw for throw with Mahomes. If the Eagles need revenge, they will’t sabotage themselves – and Hurts can’t afford one other large mistake, even when it’s simply the one. AL
If Hurts is absolutely wholesome then increasing his position with designed runs will preserve the Chiefs on their toes as they fixate on Barkley. Not that the operating again wants any assist to destroy Kansas Metropolis. The Eagles must chorus from overthinking the state of affairs no matter how traditionally nice the opponent is. The crew is ready up for Barkley so simply let him fly. GS
Key participant for the Chiefs
Travis Kelce, tight finish. Kelce at all times reveals up within the largest moments. The Eagles’ protection is structured in a means that tight ends get loads of alternatives to assault the center of the sector. It’s unclear if Philly will designate one in every of Cooper DeJean, Zack Baun, or Oren Burks (or a mix of two) to trace Kelce. Regardless, Mahomes will look Kelce’s means on pivotal downs – and his tight finish ought to have an edge. OC
Patrick Mahomes, quarterback. You would make the case for proper guard Trey Smith, who probably attracts the unenviable task of containing the formidable Carter. However as Mahomes goes, so go the Chiefs. His skill to keep away from sacks, lengthen performs and make off-platform throws when issues break down stays unmatched – and there’s no one higher at orchestrating a game-winning drive if the sport is shut within the fourth quarter. BAG
Xavier Worthy, broad receiver. Worthy, who scored in his debut, has solely develop into extra impactful because the season has progressed. Simply the mere menace of Worthy along with his all-world velocity and explosive playmaking is sufficient to make Eagles defensive. coordinator Vic Fangio work additional time. If Worthy is profitable on a couple of huge performs, this recreation might not be shut. MJ
Kareem Hunt, operating again. Individuals neglect: Hunt, the 2017 dashing chief, was the Chiefs’ breakout rookie, not Mahomes – who carried a clipboard that yr. He simply missed out on the start of the Chiefs’ dynastic run due to a domestic-violence incident that compelled the crew to waive him. Again after 5 years of soccer purgatory in Cleveland, Hunt isn’t the game-breaking menace he was when he was youthful – however he’s nonetheless a powerful runner and distinctive go catcher who will get the job executed. AL
Charles Omenihu, edge defender. An underrated playmaker for the Chiefs has the power to supply when it counts as he confirmed with an important batted-down go within the closing quarter in opposition to the Payments. Spagnuolo can depend on Omenihu to set a rock stable edge because the Chiefs throw all the pieces at containing Barkley’s dwelling runs. GS
Key participant for the Eagles
Jalen Carter, defensive sort out. The Chiefs have rejigged their offensive line and now have two clear weak factors: left guard and proper sort out. The Eagles must take benefit. It’s over to Carter, a one-man inferno, to take benefit. The Eagles hardly ever transfer Carter round, which means he’ll most likely be one-on-one in opposition to Chiefs proper guard Trey Smith. If Carter wins a ‘good on good’ matchup, the remainder of his teammates ought to feast alongside the road. How typically do Tremendous Bowls come down to 1, decisive sack? Carter is the front-runner to drop Mahomes and tilt the sport. OC
Milton Williams, defensive sort out. He could not have the identical Q Rating as Philadelphia’s different younger defensive stars, however the 25-year-old lineman will play an necessary position within the Eagles’ try and decelerate Kansas Metropolis’s offense. With Carter demanding double groups, Williams can have loads of one-on-one possibilities in opposition to Chiefs left guard Caliendo, who’s struggled in go safety. Williams’ elite 12.5% stress price ranks second amongst defensive tackles, and his disruptive presence may collapse the pocket, forcing Mahomes into uncomfortable throws. If Williams dominates his matchup, Philadelphia’s protection may replicate Tampa Bay’s Tremendous Bowl LV blueprint. BAG
Jalen Carter, defensive sort out. Carter has been a pressure all season and particularly within the playoffs. In three video games this postseason, Carter has 20 pressures, two sacks, three quarterback hits, and 5 run stops. If he dominates the Chiefs’ inside line as he has most different interiors, the Eagles have a hell of a shot. MJ
Cooper DeJean, defensive again. Don’t choose a ebook by its cowl: DeJean is an distinctive cornerback who hits in addition to he covers. Principally, the Eagles stick him on receivers within the slot, which implies he will probably be charged with locking down one other rookie – Worthy, the Chiefs’ main downfield menace. AL
Jordan Mailata, left sort out. Mailata’s dominance on the road of scrimmage is the muse of Philadelphia’s explosive offense. His blocking provides each Hurts an age to throw or scramble and Barkley acres of avenue to skip via. The Australian gunning for a primary Tremendous Bowl ring for his nation allowed 14 pressures, one sack and no hits of his quarterback in 406 passing snaps within the common season. And he solely began taking part in the game seven years in the past. GS
One daring prediction
The Eagles rating on a faux tush push. It’s time! Sufficient of creeping the ball alongside for a yard or two. The Eagles’ short-yardage play is a cheat code, nevertheless it’s time for them to spice it up. Philly have toyed with trick performs that leverage the worry of the Brotherly Shove, however they haven’t unveiled the lengthy con in an enormous spot. OC
Dallas Goedert leads all gamers in receptions … and rushes for a landing. Possibly not as daring a name as, say, Taylor becoming a member of Kendrick for Dangerous Blood, however it will be some capper for Philadelphia’s dynamic tight finish after accidents restricted him to 496 yards receiving throughout the common season. Goedert has at all times stepped up his manufacturing within the playoffs, together with 4-for-47 with a highlight-reel landing in opposition to the Packers, 4-for-56 in opposition to the Rams and a 7-for-85 outing within the NFC title recreation (and 13 extra yards on two rushes) that prolonged a streak of 9 straight playoff video games with 4 or extra catches. They’ve known as his quantity constantly within the largest of moments throughout the Hurts-Sirianni period and there will probably be no scarcity of these on Sunday. BAG
A profanity controversy will kick off after Kendrick Lamar performs his Drake-diss observe megahit Not Like Us however doesn’t censor fairly as many lyrics because the NFL would love. MJ
Kendrick makes an announcement both at Trump or about Trump that turns into the following nice tradition struggle controversy. AL
Philadelphia add one other statue to their corridor of backups as Kenny Pickett wins the Tremendous Bowl. Edge defender George Karlaftis goes to irritate Hurts’ knee damage just for King Kenny Pickett to avoid wasting the day. If Nick Foles can topple Tom Brady, Pickett can slay Mahomes. GS
Which of those groups is probably to be right here subsequent yr?
It’s the Chiefs. They’ve the very best quarterback and training workers and are oozing with younger expertise that may carry one dynastic run into the following. The Eagles have some tough free-agent questions to handle this offseason; the Chiefs can have all their key gamers again subsequent season. OC
Each of them, most likely. It’s arduous to guess in opposition to Mahomes and Reid, who’ve develop into the Brady and Belichick of the 2020s. However Howie Roseman’s deft, visionary front-office work has Philadelphia positioned for long-term success in what seems to be the weaker convention … and that’s even when a rumored commerce for Myles Garrett doesn’t pan out. No matter occurs Sunday, a Chiefs-Eagles threequel could be very a lot in play. BAG
Kansas Metropolis. Isn’t there some NFL by-law that states Mahomes have to be within the Tremendous Bowl? They’ve beforehand made it with a shaky protection, then with out Tyreek Hill, and now with a past-his-prime Kelce. No person can seemingly cease this juggernaut. MJ
Kansas Metropolis. With all due respect to Eagles GM Roseman, the Chiefs have been right here 5 of the previous six years. AL
Kansas Metropolis. Philadelphia’s downside is what the longer term holds at quarterback in the event that they lose. Hurts has helped mould the Eagles right into a juggernaut. His 46-20 common season win-loss file is phenomenal in comparison with a 2020 draft class the place all 4 QBs picked forward of Hurts are positively or not less than arguably higher passing technicians but all have lesser CVs – Joe Burrow 38-30-1, Tua Tagovailoa 38-24, Justin Herbert 41-38, Jordan Love 18-15. If the Eagles lose, the knives will probably be out for a quarterback who at instances struggles to take advantage of his wonderful broad receivers. When you preserve Hurts then you definately threat upsetting AJ Brown and if you happen to twist you throw away one of the strong and versatile leaders within the NFL away. The Mahomes machine lacks any of this potential noise. GS
The Most Helpful Participant will probably be …
Patrick Mahomes. Towards an impressive Eagles protection, Mahomes will should be near-perfect. The Eagles don’t flip the ball over – and so they pressure takeaways. Mahomes can not afford to cough up a foolish interception or fumble. Even with out turnovers, the Chiefs will want the quarterback to conjure a second or two of magic to recover from the road. However Mahomes at all times raises his recreation on the most important stage, and I’m guessing he’ll stroll away along with his fourth Tremendous Bowl MVP. OC
Jalen Hurts. Ought to the Chiefs promote out to cease Barkley from beating them, it is going to be on Hurts to maintain the protection trustworthy by exploiting one-on-one matchups on Brown and DeVonta Smith whereas prioritizing ball safety. The ultimate stat line might not be as splashy as two years in the past, when Hurts performed arguably the very best recreation of his profession in a slim 38-35 defeat, however the consequence will greater than make up for it. Hurts’ win-loss file as a starter is 42-12 since 2022, second solely to Mahomes (48-10) over that span. As a well-known Louisianian as soon as put it, it’s time to place some respek on his identify. BAG
Saquon Barkley. The offensive line will probably be at its greatest, and Barkley will showcase the identical imaginative and prescient that has outlined his sensational season. Barkley’s stats will probably be so large – let’s say, 175-plus yards and two scores – that awarding a operating again the MVP trophy for the primary time since Denver’s Terrell Davis received it in 1998 will probably be a no brainer. MJ
Patrick Mahomes. Picked for the third straight time, Mahomes joins Brady as the one participant to win the award 4 instances in a profession. AL
Patrick Mahomes. When the Chiefs win, in some way, it is going to be largely due to the golden arm and thoughts of Mahomes. There could also be a extra decisive flip from Nick Bolton disrupting Barkley, or anybody disrupting him for that matter, however the crown will stay with Mahomes. GS
The ultimate rating will probably be …
Chiefs 27-24 Eagles. The Eagles have the setup to disrupt the Chiefs. They’ll command the time of possession with Barkley and their run recreation after which launch the hounds on protection to chase down Mahomes. However the Chiefs are a extra adaptable crew. If the Eagles are compelled to play from behind or alter their method, the sport may run away from them. Finally, this can be a guess on the very best quarterback, offensive play-caller, defensive coach and, sure, kicker within the league. OC
Chiefs 27-38 Eagles. Successful three Tremendous Bowls on the trot is a process so tough that no crew has managed to even come inside 60 minutes of it till this yr. Each of those golf equipment are improved variations of the perimeters who met in that Glendale heart-stopper two years in the past, nevertheless it says right here Kansas Metropolis’s charmed postseason run will attain its terminus in opposition to a Philadelphia crew loaded with expertise on each side of the ball. The deciding issue would be the the Eagles’ offensive line, the tallest and largest in Tremendous Bowl historical past (common measurement: 6ft 6in and 338lb) and the key sauce behind Barkley’s greatest ever season by an NFL operating again. With their entrance 5 serving to dictate the tempo and restrict the Chiefs’ time of possession, the Eagles will go away little question in bringing dwelling a second Tremendous Bowl title in eight years. BAG
Chiefs 24-32 Eagles. It’s arduous to get as full a crew because the Eagles. The concept of their usually dominant offensive line organising gaps for Barkley is kind of promising, to not point out an additional week for Hurts to get wholesome and return to dominating the blitz. Having current Tremendous Bowl expertise ought to assist Philly stave off any early-game jitters, too. MJ
Chiefs 34-20 Eagles. The Chiefs do this factor they at all times do late within the season and run a bunch of performs out of formations nobody’s seen earlier than – and hit on sufficient of them to remain forward at half-time. Hurts performs valiantly once more, however this time it’s Barkley who mishandles the ball and definitively swings the momentum KC’s means. All through, Mahomes shines – not with the sport of his life, however with one other measured deployment of fast passing and well timed operating that carries the day. The Chiefs win, Mahomes takes MVP and the best ever debate expands from him and Brady to incorporate Andy Reid and Invoice Belichick. Trump goes dwelling completely satisfied. America braces itself for 10 extra years of this. AL
Chiefs 29-28 Eagles. Kansas Metropolis earn an unbelievable three-peat that has surprisingly additionally felt fully anticipated from the get-go. In what is bound to be an exhilarating recreation Mahomes will come out on prime because the grasp finesser of the best margins. A shocking two-point conversion from the QB to Kelce, who will then trip off into retirement, will seal historical past. The following problem is making the dynasty unassailable with a fourth championship in succession. GS
