The climax of the NFL season is here with Super Bowl VIX nearly upon us.
Staff writers Anay Gupta, Carson Pfotenhauer, Landon Olberg, and KK DeMello have stepped up to preview the game, highlighting key players and reviewing what each team needs to do to claim the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night.
The Philadelphia Eagles will be trying to stop the Kansas City Chiefs from being the first team to three-peat in the Super Bowl era with the game kicking off at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans at 3:30 p.m. on FOX.
Anay Gupta, Staff Writer
Kansas City: The Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowll for the third straight year.
The Chiefs won a lot of close games that were decided by one score, but their first game scoring at least 30 points was against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game. All of that is in the past as the Chiefs have locked in and are firing on all cylinders for the playoffs.
Chris Jones and George Karlaftis head the defense that always comes through in the clutch and has held their weight throughout the season as well. Legendary head coach Andy Reid will have some tricks on offense for this game and four time Super Bowl champion defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will create confusion for the Eagles offense. The Chiefs have peaked at the right time, just as always, and are extremely prepared for the Eagles as they aim to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.
The Chiefs need to play the mesmerizing game that we see consistently in the playoffs, the game that got them to three Super Bowls. The offense needs to trust quarterback Patrick Mahomes, contain Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, and play clean football. The defensive scheme is already legendary, especially Spagnuolo’s blitz packages that are difficult to predict. If the Chiefs play similar defense to what they did against San Francisco’s powerhouse in last year’s Super Bowl, they should run away with this game.
Philadelphia: A 55 – 23 win in the NFC Championship Game stunned many and was a statement win for the Eagles. The fact that Philly has made it to two Super Bowls in three years shows how good a job general manager Howie Roseman has done building this roster. Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts have proven to be the best backfield duo in the NFL, with Barkley putting up MVP numbers. The Philadelphia offense came alive last week, especially on the ground, where Barley and Hurts scored three touchdowns apiece. Wide receiver A.J Brown had a quieter game with just under 100 yards. But he still made big plays when he needed to.
Philly needs to ride Barkley but not force feed him if the run isn’t there. They need to do what they do best, establish a solid run game, successfully execute the “Tush Push” in short down situations, and make plays to their playmakers. They absolutely cannot turn the ball over,need to force turnovers, always account for Mahomes using his legs, and contain tight end Travis Kelce in the passing game. The Philly defense also came alive last week as well, forcing three fumbles and one interception. They’re going against Mahomes, but if they play like they did against the Commanders, the Ealges can potentially turn this game into a defensive battle.
Prediction: Just like in 2022 when Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII over the Eagles, 38-35, this game will be close. I see a potential Eagles’ game-winning drive stalling out because of a sack by Jones to ice the game. The Chiefs’ championship DNA will take them to the first three peat in NFL history with a win over the Eagles
Score: Kansas City 31-24.
Carson Pfotenhauer, Sports Editor
Kansas City: Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a league leading 15-2 record that looked dominant on paper, but the eye test says that this team has problems. The Chiefs struggled against teams like the lost Las Vegas Raiders, Bo Nix-led Denver Broncos, always disappointing Los Angeles Chargers, and rebuilding Carolina Panthers.
If Kansas City’s defense wasn’t so dominant under legendary defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, this unit’s record may look a lot different. Mahomes didn’t have his usual MVP caliber year, and his offense wasn’t lighting up scoreboards. This may be attributed to the fact that Mahomes’s weapons include an aging Travis Kelce, who regressed in a major way this season, an unproven rookie receiver who showed flashes in Xavier Worthy, and two veteran receivers in Hollywood Brown and Deandre Hopkins.
The Chiefs looked very underwhelming all year and although they have looked better in their two playoff wins, they are going to have to channel a team of Chiefs’ past to beat this loaded Philadelphia team. In the playoffs, Mahomes has a passer rating of 105.8 and a touchdown to interception ratio of 43:8, both of which are excellent. Knowing this, the Chiefs need to make sure the ball is in Mahomes’s hand at all times and trust their elite defense, led by perennial stud defensive tackle Chris Jones and lockdown corners Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. They need to rush Jalen Hurts and get the ball out of his hands quickly to prevent him from extending plays with his legs. Philadelphia is second in explosive play percentage, so Spagnuolo needs to make it an emphasis to limit these explosive plays.
Philadelphia: In the offseason the Eagles added All Pro running back Saquon Barkley from the division rivals Giants and they have never looked better. The Eagles have dominated all year due to them being lights out on defense, allowing the league lowest 17.9 points per game and the fewest average yards per game at 289.3. Mix this top three defense with Hurts at the offensive helm, AJ Brown and Devonta Smith as their wideouts, and Barkley in the backfield and the Eagles dominated.
Fletcher Cox retiring was supposed to be a major loss, but Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis have picked up where he left off. The Eagles secondary is also a strong unit with their with rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean playing well in their first season. If the Eagles want to get in the way of a three peat, they have to stick to their game. They have to use Hurts in the run game to compliment Barkley, who I see getting around 30 carries in the biggest game of the year.
Ultimately this game comes down to which team plays better defense and which team contains the quarterback. It seems as if Mahomes uses his legs a lot more in these big games, so the Eagles should employ breakout linebacker Zack Baun to keep track of him and not let him get downhill. Mahomes definitely isn’t quick, but has a certain elusiveness to him that allows him to make magic and create problems for defenders to bring him down.
Prediction: I think Barkley finally gets his Super Bowl win and the Eagles will triumph over the Chiefs. Collectively as a unit, the Eagles are a little better than the Chiefs, especially with their big men up front. Games are won in the trenches and the Eagles two first round picks at defensive tackle are game changers. Barkley ends the game with more than 150 yards from scrimmage and wins Super Bowl MVP on his birthday.
Score: Eagles 31-28
Landon Olberg, Staff Writer
Kansas City: The Chiefs are going back to their third Super Bowl in a row and trying to become the first team in NFL history to win three in a row. Chiefs superstar Quarterback Patrick Mahomes led his team to a 15-2 record and earned the top seed in the AFC. The Chiefs have been dominant in every game they played this season, but it is evident that the Chiefs have some sort of luck in one-score games. The Chiefs have won a mind boggling 17 straight one score games. Mahomes didn’t have a good statistical season, throwing 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 26 touchdowns is the lowest in his career, but did have his highest completion percentage of his career with 67.5%.
Travis Kelce, Mahomes’ most reliable target, had a down year as well for the Chiefs. Kelce has 97 receptions and was short of 1,000 yards for the second straight season. He also scored only three touchdowns. He had career-low in yards per catch averaging 8.5, while previous years he was averaging more than 10 yards, consistently stretching the field. But I don’t think any of that matters much with the chemistry between Kelce and Mahomes, but it does play a factor when both players are having down years.
Philadelphia: The Eagles are going back to their second Super Bowl in the last three years and have been playing great all year. Superstar Quarterback Jalen Hurts led this team to a 14-3 record and earned the second seed in the NFC. Hurts has been underrated this season primarily because of injuries and their other superstar players. Hurts threw for 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also had the highest completion percentage and passer rating of his career, showing incredible growth even though he’s regularly criticized for his passing ability. Hurts hasn’t gotten enough credit that he deserves this season and how he helped his team to the Super Bowl.
Eagles superstar running back Saquon Barkely has been electric. Barkley put up career numbers this season and forced himself into the MVP conversation. He had more than 2,000 rushing yards this season and 13 touchdowns, both career highs, while averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Barkley has changed this team and he is a big reason why they are in the Super Bowl. Barkley’s leadership and humility off the field is another big part for this team reaching the big game.
Another weapon for Hurts is wide receiver AJ Brown, who has been unbelievable lately and has been balling out in the playoffs. Brown, with his third season in a row with more than 1,000 yards, has been a major part for this Eagles offense. He had seven touchdowns in the regular season with 67 receptions. I think he will have a huge part for this Eagles team in the Super Bowl. The Eagles offensive line is another reason as it’s nothing short of elite, allowing Barkleyto have room to run and Hurts time to throw all season.
Prediction: I think this time around the Eagles will get revenge on the Chiefs and win after falling in the final seconds two seasons ago.
Score: Eagles 34-28
KK DeMello, Staff Writer
Kansas City: While the Chiefs have had an amazing season, posting a 15-2 record, production from their go-to players has been lacking. Tight end Travis Kelce had an off year for him, only recording three touchdowns and 823 receiving yards. Over Kelce’s career, he has been revolutionary at the tight end position and truly plays the game like no other. Kelce surpassed the 1,000 yard mark for seven straight years and has only recently faltered under that mark the last two seasons.
Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also had an underwhelming season compared to the gunslinging and air raid Chiefs offense fans are used to watching. The Chiefs offensive focus is shifting toward the ground game and it has favored them so far. That being said, the success this team has had this season is undeniable with one only the Detroit Lions having as many regular season victories.
With their number one wide receiver, Rashee Rice out with a knee injury, Kansas City will struggle in the deep pass game. They are left with former first round pick Hollywood Brown and a legend at the end of his game in Deandre Hopkins. The Chiefs looked underwhelming all year and have barely looked better in the playoffs. Will Mahomes lead his team to yet another Super Bowl win and threepeat, or will the Chiefs dynasty finally come to an end?
Philadelphia: The Eagles have had an incredible season due to a busy offseason with multiple additions. In the offseason, the Eagles made a trade to the New York Giants all-world running back Saquon Barkley, which was arguably the best decision the front office has ever made. Barkley has had a season most only dream of, with 2005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
Even with Barkley, this Eagles team is full to the brim with talent with wide receivers A.J Brown, Devonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson. It is led by an elite quarterback in Jalen Hurts. With this team going 14-3, the Eagles look dangerous as they head into the big game this weekend. But the question remains if they can beat the best team in the NFL, especially after losing to the Chiefs two years ago in Super Bowl LVII?
Prediction: I believe the Eagles will keep the game close, but I do think the Chiefs will win again and become the first team in NFL history to win back to back to back Super Bowls with Mahomes as the Super Bowl MVP.
Score: Chiefs 31-28
