Super Bowl: Game Overview and Prediction

And then there were two.

We have finally reached the big game. Fresh from being named this year’s MVP, Patrick Mahomes will lead the Chiefs to Glendale, AZ to face Jalen Hurts – arguably the runner-up for the award – and the red hot Eagles who have so far cruised through the playoffs.

After opening as two-point favorites, the Chiefs are now viewed as a 1.5 point underdog against Philadelphia in what should be one of the most entertaining Super Bowls in a long time. Will the Eagles’ defensive line bring back existing problems for the Chiefs?

Can Jalen Hurts escape Frank Clark and Chris Jones for 60 whole minutes? There are so many rhetorical questions that make this game a complete toss-up, but let’s dig a little deeper in an attempt to determine a winner.

Kansas City Chiefs (AFC #1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC #1)

(Sunday 2/12, 6.30 PM EST)

What’s worth noting to start things off is the number of players on both teams who are dealing with some form of minor or major injury. During their divisional matchup with the Jaguars, Patrick Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain. A high ankle sprain usually sidelines players 4-6 weeks, but Mahomes wasn’t letting that happen as he returned in that game and played through the entire AFC Championship game against the Bengals.

He’s been logging full practices this week, but it’ll be something to watch as he gets pressured during the game. The AFC Championship game also saw three of the Chiefs’ receivers leave with injuries. Mecole Hardman is on IR, JuJu Smith-Schuster is dealing with a knee injury, and Kadarius Toney has seen limited practice time due to an ankle/hamstring injury. My guess is JuJu and Toney will play, but it’ll be interesting to see if their injuries get in the way.

On the Eagles side, Jalen Hurts has been nursing a shoulder injury since playoffs started, but has yet to show up on the team’s injury report. A few bumps and bruises also came to their offensive line, but nothing serious. Landon Dickerson hyperextended his elbow in the NFC Championship game and Lane Johnson has been playing through a groin injury, but both men are seeing normal reps in practice.

So who has the edge?

Looking historically, the Chiefs’ roster has significantly more Super Bowl experience than the Eagles’ roster. They’ve won, they’ve lost, and they’ve been around the playoffs more in general.  

It’s obvious the Chiefs are more battle-tested, and have advantages that make a really big difference in a game like this. Patrick Mahomes is the better quarterback and Andy Reid is the better coach.

Kansas City will also make sure to pound the run game with Isaiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon against a defense that ranked 16th in rushing yards allowed and 24th in yards per carry allowed. 

On the other hand, Philadelphia’s pass rush and secondary have been an explosive force all season, ranking 1st in sacks, 1st in passing yards allowed, 3rd in total yards allowed, and 4th in interceptions.

You could see in the NFC Championship game how easy it was for the Eagles to shut down the run after Brock Purdy left the game, so if troubles arise with Mahomes and his ankle the Chiefs would be in serious trouble.

To top all this off, you’re looking at the top two scoring offenses in the league facing off against each other. Patrick Mahomes will score points. Then Jalen Hurts will score points. Unless something treacherous happens, they are going to go back and forth until the final whistle. There are two questions that swirl in my head entering this game: one, The Chiefs have suffered adversity all through the playoffs and have prevailed so far, do they have one more game in them? And two, the Eagles have had their way thus far, are they prepared for a team of the Chiefs’ caliber?

In my opinion, the Eagles may have the better overall roster, but the Chiefs are too advantageous in this game where it matters most. If you’re a betting person, slam the over then buckle up. This is gonna be a good one.

Score Prediction: Chiefs 38, Eagles 35