Super Bowl LVII is Set: An Early Look at the Chiefs vs Eagles
- Alex Benjamin
- Jan 31, 2023
- 5 min read
By Alex Benjamin
Road to the Super Bowl:
The 2022-23 NFL season was one for the books. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs were two of the strongest and most exciting teams to watch all season long. From their electrifying offenses to their tenacious defenses, these two teams dominated their respective conferences and proved themselves to be the top contenders for the Super Bowl. This is how it should be, the two best two teams in the NFL.
The Eagles started off the season with a bang, winning their first 8 games. They maintained their dominance all year and secured their spot in the playoffs with a 14-3 record. The team's defense was a standout all season long, with players like defensive end Haason Reddick and cornerback Darius Slay leading the charge.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs were also a force to be reckoned with from start to finish. With the incredible talent of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs dominated the NFL, finishing with a 14-3 record. Mahomes shattered records, throwing for over 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns, and most likely earning himself the title of NFL MVP. The Chiefs' offense was not just limited to Mahomes though, as players like tight end Travis Kelce proved to be unstoppable weapons on the field.
As the playoffs approached, it became clear that the Eagles and the Chiefs were on a collision course for the Super Bowl. The Eagles faced off against the New York Giants in the Divisional round, a game that was never close, and then defeated the 49ers 31-7 in the NFC Championship. The Chiefs, meanwhile, took care of business against the Jaguars in the divisional round, earning themselves a spot in the AFC Championship, where they defeated the Bengals 23-20.
The stage is set for an epic showdown between the Eagles and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
Initial Thoughts on the Matchup:
The game will be the first matchup of black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl, with Mahomes facing off against Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts, and it will also feature a brother-against-brother showdown between Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Philadelphia center Jason Kelce.
The Eagles and the Chiefs have been two of the most dominant teams in the NFL all season. It’s no surprise that they will be facing off in the Super Bowl. It is the first time two No. 1 seeds have met in a Super Bowl since Philadelphia and New England met five years ago. The Eagles are led by their dynamic quarterback, Jalen Hurts. Hurts has been able to bring a new level of energy to the team, and his leadership has been a big factor in the team's success. The Chiefs have their own superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has been unstoppable this season, and his ability to make big plays has been key. Both teams have talented players on both sides of the ball, and it will be a true test of who the best team really is.
Jalen Hurts has been a key factor all season, and he will need to be on top of his game in the Super Bowl. They are 16-1 with him under center. He has shown that he can make quick decisions, and his ability to run the ball will be a big asset for the Eagles. He has been able to lead the team to some big wins but nothing like this.
Mahomes on the other hand has been here before. Mahomes is quoted as saying, "When I first got into the league it all happened so fast, I won the MVP, I won the Super Bowl, and I thought that was just how it went,... Now that I've dealt with failure, losing an AFC Championship and a Super Bowl, I know how much hard work and daily grind it takes."
The Eagles will need to bring their A-game if they want to beat the Chiefs, as Mahomes has proven that he can make big plays even under pressure. Mahomes has been good enough for so long that we've become accustomed to it. The Chiefs went 14-3 and lost those three games by a total of 10 points, two of which were against the Bills and the Bengals. They will now attempt to add a second championship. He clearly qualifies as the game's best quarterback. The ankle watch will be continued as Patrick Mahomes' ability to move around is crucial in any game, especially the biggest one of the season. The Chiefs will likely hope that the two weeks between games allow him to recover his sprained ankle and return to as close to 100% as possible. Same with the Eagles and Jalen Hurts’ shoulder injury.
Both quarterbacks are excellent, and both win in different ways. They will be critical to their team's success. The two quarterbacks that dominated the Most Valuable Player standings for the majority of the regular season will face off. Both are electrifying with the ball in their hands. It is also important to note that Hurts is the same age as Mahomes when he first played in the Superbowl.
I would also give the Eagles the advantage in terms of weapons. The Eagles' trade for A.J. Brown was a game-changer, as the receiver blew up for 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns this year. With DeVonta Smith also putting up 1,200 yards as a receiver and Dallas Goedert playing an important role as a playmaking tight end. The Chiefs have Travis Kelce but are currently banged up at receiver. Mecole Hardman, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Kadarius Toney all left the AFC Championship Game with injuries, and the team will need to keep a close eye on their status moving forward.
Andy Reid is the Chiefs' head coach but he was once the head coach of the Eagles for 13 seasons before becoming the head coach of the Chiefs. In those 13 years, he guided the Eagles to four consecutive NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl trip. And now, a decade after Andy Reid was fired by the Philadelphia Eagles, he'll be coaching against them in Super Bowl LVII.
Here's another entertaining fact. It’s a Kelce Bowl. In two weeks, Jason Kelce will embrace the city of “brotherly love” and will face his brother, Travis, in the Super Bowl. What a family!
The Super Bowl LVII spread was released almost immediately after the Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. A rush of money on the Eagles drove the spread as much to -2.5 for the Eagles. That wasn't exactly a surprise, but Patrick Mahomes is suddenly in an unfamiliar spot, he's an underdog.
With Patrick Mahomes (ankle), Travis Kelce (back), and L'Jarius Sneed (concussion) injured for the Chiefs, the Eagles should be favorites. But don’t count out the Chiefs. In two weeks they should get much healthier. The Chiefs have become the most successful team in football under Mahomes. Kansas City has won at least 12 games in each of Mahomes' five seasons as the starting quarterback, and they have rarely been doubted. However, Mahomes and the Chiefs will be underdogs against the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
Eagles vs Chiefs game will undoubtedly have some of the most compelling storylines in Super Bowl history. Without a question, these are the league's top two teams. And without a question, this is the best matchup for football fans. It may or may not be a Super Bowl for the ages, as such things are never exactly predicted, but it will be memorable.
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