It is the game you have been waiting for! After a two-week build-up, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will face off in New Orleans for the right to lift the Lombardi Trophy. Philadelphia enters the game as a slight underdog in seeking their second championship in franchise history. The Chiefs are the favorites to win the contest as they chase history in becoming the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive championships. In this article, we break down the teams, and their recent history, and make a prediction.
1. Head-to-Head- this will be the 12th time the Eagles and Chiefs will face off against each other. Kansas City holds the narrow edge 6-5 in the 11 matchups. Kansas City has won 4 of their last five matchups, including Super Bowl LVII when the Chiefs won on a Harrison Butker field goal as time expired in regulation. However, the Eagles have the bragging rights of winning their most recent head-to-head after exacting revenge in November 2023 by defeating the Chiefs 21-17 on the road at Arrowhead Stadium. Patrick Mahomes is 0-8 against a Vic Fangio-led defense, which he will face on Sunday. Andy Reid will be out for revenge when he faces his former employer, who fired him in 2012 after making four straight NFC championship games.
2. Chiefs offense versus Eagles defense- it feels like the Chiefs have been more productive on offense in the playoffs. It coincides with the return of speed receivers like Hollywood Brown joining Xavier Worthy. In the regular season, there were issues on the offensive line, but Joe Thuney’s move from left guard to left tackle late has reduced the pressure Mahomes has faced. The offensive line will face the number one defense in the NFL. Vic Fangio’s defense is to play zone rather than to blitz the quarterback. Zone defense forces a quarterback to be patient in producing methodical drives down the field. Mahomes has played man-to-man defense better but has improved against Zone coverage. It will be interesting to see if Jalen Carter wins his one-on-one battle up front and attacks Mahomes. Also, will Fangio mix up his strategy against Mahomes to cause confusion? Look for Mahomes to try to get the ball out of his quickly to negate any pressure.
3. Eagles offense versus Chiefs defense- The Eagles’ offense is built around the dynamic rushing of their superstar Running Back Saquon Barkley. Barkley had a stellar debut season in the City of Brotherly Love by tallying 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns on 345 attempts. The playoffs have been equally impressive, with Saquon tallying 442 yards and five touchdowns in just three games. Barkley is difficult to stop because he runs behind the best offensive line in the league.
The Chiefs’ defense has been good against the run, and it will be interesting to see if defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can slow down the running game. Spagnuolo tends to take away what the opponent does best, and it will be interesting to see the wrinkles he executes. The plan will be to force Jalen Hurts to beat them, and the quarterback has not been asked to win many games due to the excellence of Barkley. The Eagles were last in the league in passing attempts due to the success on the ground. He will have to do more here. Can Hurts tap into the 2023 version of himself where he torched the Chiefs defense by throwing for 304 yards and rushed for 70 yards with three touchdowns? It might be the difference in the game.
4. Prediction- I have been wrestling back and forth about this game. I don’t think there is a distinct favorite. I think the Eagles have the better roster, but this game could be won on the sideline with the Chiefs having the most tried and tested coaching staff. I think if the Eagles are to win this game, they will have to get ahead and have a sizeable cushion to prevent Mahomes from having a sniff. The Eagles need to lead early in this game to ensure they are not under pressure to throw the football. The Chiefs have won an NFL record with 17 consecutive games decided by one score and it is bound to catch up with them. Eagles have the better roster and will put this game away before Mahomes can comeback.
Eagles 31-Chiefs 21