SUNDAY FEB. 9
CHIEFS VS EAGLES
@ CAESAR’S SUPERDOME, NEW ORLEANS
POSITION MATCHUPS
QBS: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) vs Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
Despite both of these quarterbacks having somewhat mediocre seasons, they’re both back in the Superbowl. We know what these two are capable of in a big game like this. In their last Super Bowl matchup against each other, Mahomes had 182 yards, a 131.8 QBR, and 3 touchdowns, and Hurts had 304 yards, 103.4 QBR, and 1 touchdown, in one of the best Super Bowls in recent history. With Hurts looking for revenge, and Mahomes on fire in the postseason, this matchup could be one for the ages.
RBS: Isaiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt (Chiefs) vs Saquon Barkley (Eagles)
Chiefs running back duo Pacheco and Hunt totaled for 1038 yards on the ground. Hunt was picked up off free agency after Pacheco missed 10 weeks with a fractured fibula. For the Eagles, Saquon Barkley was unstoppable. He was the heart of the offense, with 2005 rushing yards, 278 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns. Barkley was also just named Offensive Player of the Year this past Thursday. There’s a very good chance that Philly will abuse the run game, which could make this game very difficult for Kansas City.
WRS: Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, Juju Smith Schuster (Chiefs) vs AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Jahan Dotson (Eagles)
The receiving core of both of these teams has been very strong throughout the year. The Eagles feature a star studded duo of A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, who both were on the team the last time the Eagles made it to the super bowl. The Chiefs feature an entirely new wide receiver group than who they had last season. Xavier Worthy was a first round draft pick this season, and the Chiefs traded for Deandre Hopkins in the middle of this season. Smith-Schuster won a super bowl with the Chiefs in 2022, and now on his second stint with the team, is looking for his second super bowl victory.
TES: Travis Kelce (Chiefs) vs Dallas Goedert (Eagles)
O-LINES: Joe Thuney, Mike Caliendo, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor (Chiefs) vs Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton, Lane Johnson (Eagles)
These offensive linemen have been protecting their quarterbacks all year long. The star of the show in Kansas City has been Creed Humphrey. He’s one of the best players from the 2021 draft class, and Mahomes has been very happy with help from him. Hurts, however, has it even better than Mahomes, with stars Jordan Mailata and veteran Lane Johnson. One of Philly’s most used plays, the “Tush Push” relies heavily on the offensive line and it’s nearly impossible for defenses to stop. These offensive linemen on both sides of the field will be matched up against some of the best defensive lines in the world, so it will be very interesting to watch.
D-LINES: George Karloftis, Tershawn Watson, Chris Jones, Mike Danna (Chiefs) vs Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter (Eagles)
Both of these defensive lines are the definition of elite. If they want to win this ball game, they’ll need to bring some serious pressure, which they’ve been doing all season. Chiefs veteran and team captain Chris Jones has always been elite. Him and teammates George Karloftis, Tershawn Watson, and Mike Danna have combined for 23 sacks this year. Eagles three man rush consisting of Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter have also been great, with 10.5 sacks between the three of them.
LBS: Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal (Chiefs) vs Nolan Smith Jr, Zack Baun, Oren Burks, Josh Sweat (Eagles)
The Eagles have posted the best defense in all of football in 2024, only allowing 278.4 yards per game, and allowing 17.8 points per game. The defense is led by linebacker Zack Baun, who many felt should have won the DPOY. The Chiefs boast an elite linebacker core as well, as their three top linebackers have all won multiple super bowls leading a Chiefs defense.
DBS: Trent McDuffie, Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Jaylen Watson, Chammarri Conner (Chiefs) vs Quinyon Mitchell, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Darius Slay Jr, Cooper DeJean (Eagles)
The Eagles led the NFL in pass defense this season by only allowing 174.2 passing yards per game. They will truly be tested in the super bowl by going up against arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. CJ Gardner-Johnson of the Eagles picked off six passes this year. The Chiefs have been more middle of the pack in pass coverage this season, allowing 218.8 passing yards per game.
PREDICTIONS
ARNAV: EAGLES 38 CHIEFS 34
ESPEN: CHIEFS 24 EAGLES 21
GATORADE PREDICTIONS
ARNAV: YELLOW
ESPEN: PURPLE
