Welcome to the worst reality. I personally thought that one Super Bowl matchup was enough, but this year we were (un)lucky enough to get round 2 of Chiefs-Eagles. In the past 10 years, each of these teams have been the overwhelming fan choice against a Tom Brady led team in a Super Bowl. Wow, look how fast times can change. All of the hatred directed at KC and Philly have distracted fans from just how good of a matchup this could be, though. So here, we will take a look at what could decide this year's Super Bowl matchup.
THe Path
It was a rough beginning to the season in Philadelphia. After a 2-2 start, hope was bleak. The same team crumbled at the end of the 2023-24 season, and they entered playing uninspired football against a mild schedule. Nick Sirianni looked like his Head Coaching time could be up in Philly. Suddenly, though, free agent RB Saquon Barkley came alive behind his offensive line, sparking the team into a winning streak that would carry on until week 16.
Jalen Hurts, who suffered a concussion in that week 16 loss, had faced critics throughout the regular season and especially in the first 2 playoff games. Against the Packers and Rams, the team leaned significantly more on Barkley, understandably so, as Barkley came inches from breaking the single season rushing record in 16 games. Still, the Eagles offensive scheme had less to do with Hurts' passing ability and more to do with the strength of the rushing game -- which Jalen Hurts was also a major part of.
After blocking out those critics the entire year, Jalen Hurts led the Eagles to trouncing of their divisional rivals in the Conference Championship. They are now set to play in their second Super Bowl in 3 years and have all the momentum they could possibly ever need coming in to it.
Kansas City, unsurprisingly, have faced their share of criticism for years now. Despite having just 2 losses all season (one of which coming in week 18 with starters resting), the Chiefs have had to fight through plenty of one score games. Even in the playoffs, their matchups against the Texans and Bills have not come easily en route to a chance at their 3rd straight Super Bowl.
After a gritty 9-0 start to the season, KC's biggest test came against the Bills, where they suffered a somewhat convincing loss. Although they may not have lost again until Week 18, close games against teams like the Raiders and Panthers spelled possible upcoming trouble in Missouri. Patrick Mahomes lost his #1 option after Rashee Rice went down with a season ending injury early on, and the team traded a small sum of picks for Deandre Hopkins, who has done little to improve the team's overall play.
Even without his best skill position player, Mahomes once again used his skill and his connection with TE Travis Kelce to lead this team through a challenging AFC playoff schedule and into yet another Super Bowl.
The Matchup
These two teams did not play this season, so we do not have any prior matchups to go off of. Both defenses are among the best in the league in run defense, which should help the Chiefs greatly. If they are able to even somewhat contain Saquon Barkley, they can force the Eagles to throw the ball -- where they have sometimes struggled. On the offensive side, the KC has struggled at points this year, so they will need to be at least serviceable to give themselves a chance. Any consistency from the running backs -- Isaiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt -- who have struggled this year, will also be a huge boost.
Philadelphia should come in with the same game plan they have had all playoffs - run, run, run. It's essentially the opposite of what we've seen from every other team for years, and it's worked to perfection. This is not to say that Jalen Hurts cannot pass, he proved that he could last week, especially with the talent in that receiving core.
This game is really as close to a 50/50 as a Super Bowl can get. And despite 95% of NFL fans wanting both teams to lose, this could have (unfortunately) been the best matchup for the league.
Eli Knight
Add comment
Comments