How the Chiefs Will Walk Away as Super Bowl Champions Once Again
The Kansas City Chiefs will soon be playing the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII in what is expected to be an epic battle from start to finish. In what seems to be a rare occurrence, the actual two best teams in the NFL made it through the playoff gauntlet to get to the big game. This will be the Chiefs’ third time playing in February in the last four years, and it's all going to be on the line as the game kicks off at 5:30 CT on FOX.
There are many various scenarios that could help the Chiefs walk away with their second Lombardi Trophy in four seasons, but here are five that I believe will propel the team to victory in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday.
The defense won't allow big plays
The definition of “big play” could be pretty broad here. The Chiefs and their secondary have been known to give up one or two each game, and it will be up to the young cornerbacks to keep the talented Eagles’ wide receivers in check. This group of young but talented secondary pieces has grown so much throughout the season and general manager Brett Veach really found something special here.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been dealing with a shoulder injury since late December and he still may not be 100%. His deep passes haven’t been as crisp or on target in recent weeks. The Chiefs could take advantage of this and force a turnover or two when the Eagles are trying to get a big play of their own deep downfield.
The Eagles will be aggressive. Getting a couple of stops when Philly goes for it on fourth down would absolutely be a game-changer and likely help boost the Chiefs to a win.
Patrick Mahomes being Patrick Mahomes
The two-time NFL MVP will need to play his greatest Super Bowl game to date, as the Eagles' defense has nearly set an NFL record for sacks in a season. They will be trying to get to Mahomes and the offensive line will need to step up and give him time. Assuming the Eagles will get some pressure, Mahomes will need to make plays in multiple ways. He can step up in the pocket and hit receivers on the run when the ends are crashing down, or he can use his legs to help pick up first downs. Mahomes will likely feel comfortable running the full selection of plays Andy Reid will have at his disposal.
If Mahomes throws for 300 yards and three touchdowns, the Chiefs should be taking home another Lombardi Trophy and Mahomes would walk away as a two-time Super Bowl MVP as well.
Travis Kelce can take the Eagles’ lunch
The Eagles will likely try and make some adjustments against Travis Kelce, possibly bringing in a cornerback to run with him and bringing in double- and potentially triple-teams to try and limit the damage he can do. If Kelce is drawing that much coverage, we’ve seen what Mahomes can do this year and he’s not afraid to spread the ball around to anyone who is open.
Kelce is already one of the all-time great playoff receivers in NFL history and his legend would only grow with a big game and another Super Bowl ring to add to his collection after Sunday.
Special teams play continues to be positive
The biggest weakness throughout most of the regular season for the Chiefs was their special teams unit. It seems like they have flipped a switch and everyone is on the same page and working together at the right time. There could be one huge positive special teams play that gives the Chiefs an advantage. Maybe it will be a big kickoff or punt return for a touchdown. We all saw Skyy Moore step up in a big moment in the AFC Championship Game, and maybe Kadarius Toney will be the guy to make a play this weekend.
Perhaps we see even Orlando Brown Jr. get his hand on the football if he does field goal duty. Could there be a 60-yard field goal from Harrison Butker in a big moment? There may be multiple positive plays that give the Chiefs an edge in this category. A dream scenario would be to never see Tommy Townsend punting the ball once on Sunday. That may be the best possible outcome.
Andy Reid calls the game of his life
Andy Reid has all the experience in the world and needs to showcase his talents on Sunday by outcoaching Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. Reid is the veteran and won’t be rattled by the moment. We really don’t know what Sirianni will do when the lights are shining the brightest. ISirianni is from the Todd Haley coaching tree and that just doesn’t feel like a recipe for success in a first-ever Super Bowl appearance.
A win for Reid would make him a consensus top 10 NFL coach ever. Beating his former team — a team that he could never get to the mountaintop — would make it that much sweeter.
The way Veach, Reid and their scouting team have attacked the draft has opened a new Super Bowl window. Every year in the NFL is different, and you can’t take these moments for granted. Despite feeling that having Mahomes gives Kansas City a chance to win the Super Bowl every year (and trust me, it appears that it does), it is never a guarantee.
The Chiefs hosting five straight AFC Championship Games is unprecedented, and so is what Mahomes does on a football field. Take it all in and try to enjoy the game this Sunday. Super Bowl Sunday hits differently when your team is playing in the game. Winning another Super Bowl would be the icing on the cake of a season when many doubted the Chiefs could get back to this spot. Kansas City, let’s have a parade on Wednesday.
