Super Bowl LIX Preview
Get the tissues and tears ready, because we are down to the last game of football until August. The Super Bowl is always one of the most bittersweet days of the year for sports fans. On one hand, we get to enjoy the culmination of all the hard work on the nation’s biggest stage. On the other hand, post football depression sets in as soon as that clock hits zero. I always try my best to enjoy the game and the circus that leads up to the game. So let’s push off the sadness and look forward to an exciting game on Sunday.
We have a rematch of Super Bowl LVII. Kansas City is looking to be the first team to ever 3-peat in NFL history, while Philadelphia is trying to avenge their loss and reach the precipice of the NFL mountaintop. Another interesting dynamic to watch during the game is the difference in identities between these two teams. The Chiefs are balanced all around but rely heavily on Patrick Mahomes, their all world quarterback. Their opposition, the Eagles, have skilled players at all positions. However, their bread and butter is their offensive line and star Saquon Barkley. In today’s NFL, that identity is becoming less and less as the emphasis goes towards throwing the football. The stage has been set and now we all just have to see what the result is. Read my full preview below and please enjoy the game, I know I will!
After going perfectly .500 through the first two rounds, I finally broke that streak in the Conference Championship round by going 2-0. So thankfully, despite being confident in my pick below, I will not have to live with the shame of being under .500 in the playoffs no matter who wins on Sunday.
Wild Card Round: 3-3
Divisional Round: 2-2
Conference Championship Round: 2-0
Total: 7-5
Eagles vs. Chiefs
Why Eagles Win:
Win the turnover battle
150+ rushing yards for Saquon
3 or more sacks
Why Chiefs Win:
Winning or within 1 possession entering the 4th quarter
Force Jalen Hurts to make plays with his arm
Patrick Mahomes 250+ yards and no turnovers
Key Matchups:
Chiefs IOL vs. Jalen Carter
AJ Brown/ Devonta Smith vs. Trent McDuffie
Eagles IOL vs. Chris Jones
Travis Kelce vs. Eagles LBs and Safeties
Game Analysis:
In a game where a ton of the attention is going towards the Chiefs attempt at a 3-peat, this Eagles team cannot be overlooked. Philadelphia earned their trip to the Super Bowl through their explosive rushing attack and stifling defense. The addition of Saquon Barkley has reinvigorated a Philly team that struggled towards the end of last season. Barkley is a threat to take it to the house any time he touches the football. This has opened up throwing lanes for Jalen Hurts to connect with his big three targets in AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert. Philadelphia has one of the best defensive units in the league and possess playmakers at all three levels of the defense. There are some players that have been defensive pillars, but the main growth has been the emergence of younger players. This includes Quinyon Mitchell, Jalen Carter, Zach Baun, and Cooper DeJean. To win on Sunday, the Eagles will need to play their best game of the season. To start things off, they’ll need to establish Saquon early to open up the offense. The defense will need to put pressure on Mahomes and actually get him on the ground. The offensive tackles positions for Kansas City are a potential weakness, but they will need to sack Mahomes and not let him extend the play. The final key for Philly will be to win the turnover battle. If they can protect the ball and take advantage of any opportunities given to them by the Chiefs.
Now let’s talk about the team looking to win their third straight Super Bowl. We all know about the Chiefs and how they operate. During this run, they have not played the most visually appealing brand of football. However, nobody can argue with the results. This is a veteran team that just simply knows how to win. This year has nearly been identical to last season. Patrick Mahomes has not put up the MVP caliber stats that we’d been accustomed to in the past. With that being said, if the game is on the line and Mahomes has the ball, we all know what the result is going to be. He and Travis Kelce still speak their own unspoken language offensively and there are enough veteran pass catchers to step up in big moments. On defense, Kansas City is aggressive and opportunistic. They might not be quite as elite as Philly’s unit but their isn’t much of a gap. Players like Chris Jones, Trent McDuffie, and George Karlaftis have been dominant in the playoffs this year. If the Chiefs can play turnover free offensively and force Jalen Hurts to be the catalyst for the Eagles offense, they will be well on their way to their third straight Super Bowl.
It goes without saying that I am very excited for this Super Bowl LVII rematch. The Chiefs are rightfully favored, but I think there is a clear path for the Eagles to pull this one out. For that to happen they will need to win the turnover battle and enter the 4th quarter up by more than 2 scores. These are imperative because we have learned two clear lessons from the run of this Chiefs dynasty. First off, if you make an untimely error, Kansas City will take advantage of it and make you pay. Secondly, if Mahomes and this Chiefs offense have the ball done one possession in the fourth quarter, that game is as good as over. The path is clear and this Philly team is very talented. With all that being said, I think you’d have to be crazy to bet against Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and the Chiefs. Kansas City has proven time and time again that they know how to win these close games. I don’t think Philly be be able to blow the Chiefs out and that plays right into the hands of Kansas City. Ultimately, I will need to see someone beat this team in the playoffs before I pick against them anytime soon.
Prediction: Chiefs 26 Eagles 24
The focus of this blog will turn towards basketball from now until August with a brief break in April for the draft. For now though, I’ll extend the joy of football until the last possible second. Regardless of who wins, I just want a good game to close this football season. We have been spoiled in recent memory as all the games have come down to the 4th quarter. If we get towards the 4th quarter on Sunday and Jalen Hurts has a chance to etch his name in Philadelphia lore, that is all we can hope for. Enjoy the Super Bowl for every second. Each 2 yard run, incomplete pass, PAT, and every other play that will bring us pleasure that we’ll be dying for in just a few months.