The Chiefs are preparing to face off against Andy Reid’s former team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Both top seeds dominated their conference and will square off to determine who will be the 2022 Super Bowl Champions. This year’s halftime performance will be performed by Rihanna, which might be one of the most electrifying performances we’ve seen in a while. How will the Chiefs hold up against this Philadelphia Eagles team who has scored the same amount of points and have the number-one-ranked defense in the league?
The Chiefs will face a tough battle this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57. This will be one of their toughest matchups this season and this is one team that can match anything the Chiefs do. Head Coach Nick Sirrani who is a protege of Andy Reid would love to avenge his old boss as he was let go years ago by Andy Reid and the Chiefs’ front office and what a perfect way to prove everyone wrong. How will the Chiefs’ offense and defense put pressure on this Eagles team who is looking to win its second Super Bowl?
Offense
Patrick Mahomes was able to will his team to a win in the Conference Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals. After a late hit that gave the Chiefs an additional 15 yards after Mahomes was able to escape the pocket on a hobbled ankle and get a first down, Butker was able to come out and seal to send the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl in four years. Travis Kelce was shut down in the previous matchup and was able to overcome the blanket that the Bengals tried to force on him and he was still able to reel in 7 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.
One surprise in this matchup that helped push the Chiefs over the Bengals was the performance by MVS reeling in 6 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. In this upcoming game between the Chiefs and Eagles, those two guys will need to have the same performance along with other weapons including Toney, McKinnon, and Pacheco. With the absence of Mecole Hardman, who was the best red zone threat for the Chiefs this season, they at least get to reactivate running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was very solid in the red zone as well before his injury that kept him out at the end of the season.
While the Eagles have one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the league, the Chiefs will rely heavily on their run game to be effective and to force those elite pass rushers to think before reacting, which will eventually open up the passing game. The key for the offense in this upcoming matchup is to move to the ball effectively and kill the clock as much as possible keeping Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense off the field.
Defense
The Chiefs’ defense in the AFC Championship game was able to sack Joe Burrow 5 times, way more than what they have done in previous games. Jones had 2 sacks, Clark had 1.5 sacks, and the rookie Karlaftis got his first career playoff sack as well. In this matchup against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, it is imperative that this pass rush is effective and that the run defense is on point. This is one of the best running teams in the league led by Miles Sanders and of course, Jalen Hurts and if they can’t do it in the air, they will definitely do it on the ground.
The Eagles had two phenomenal deep threats on each side with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, expect Spags to dial up heavy blitz packages to force Jalen to make quick decisions. The reason he likes to do this is that it limits the big-play success of the opposing offense, however, with Hurt’s mobility Bolton and Gay need to be ready to contain on their end because if Hurts get to the second level, it will make it a long evening for the Chiefs defense.
The most underrated unit on this Chiefs’ defense is the secondary. Even though they have been doubted by many this season, they were the ones who had to make a big play to close out games for us in big games. Two rookies Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams came up big in the AFC Championship game two weeks ago and first-round draft pick Trent McDuffie has been a stud since he came back from injury. The role is big for them this Sunday because we know the big play ability of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith and although Hurts has been inefficient in the passing game lately, this is the Super Bowl and anything can happen.
Prediction
Both teams have a ton of respect for one another and only one will be the Super Bowl LVII champion. The Chiefs have a lot at stake because Dynasty talks have simmered down every since losing to Tampa in Super Bowl LV and missing the Super Bowl last season. If KC can pull out the victory, Mahomes will have two Super Bowl wins and two MVPs adding to his already great legacy. The Eagles are looking to shift the culture after winning their first Super Bowl in 2017 and want to add to the trophy case this year after making big additions in the offseason.
Arrowhead Live prediction for this upcoming matchup is the Chiefs rallying late, winning their 2nd Super Bowl in four years overcoming the Philly defense beating them 37-30. Patrick Mahomes will win his second Super Bowl MVP cementing his future HOF status and shocking the world once again after experiencing one of the most doubtful offseasons from the media after losing star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and star safety Tyrann Mathieu.
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