Ten days of hype. Ten days of anticipation. Ten days for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’s high-ankle sprain to better heal. Ten days for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ shoulder to mend a little more. Ten days of needling between the Kelce brothers — one of whom will go home a winner — and chatter about Chiefs head coach Andy Reid going against the franchise that eventually tossed him out after 14 seasons without a Super Bowl title.
Here are some other random thoughts on the buildup and the game:
Quarterback Jalen Hurts is built for this moment
Hurts, an MVP candidate already well known to NFL fans, will be on a worldwide stage with a chance to prove that he is the best among the new generation of dual-threat quarterbacks. With a win, he could break into the group of the five top quarterbacks in the league. Although his running was curtailed at the end of the season because of a shoulder sprain (that might be more serious), he still amassed 4,461 yards — 3,701 passing and 760 rushing with 35 touchdowns overall. If the usual unflappable Hurts can rise to the moment, he could be the game’s MVP.
The pass rush could contain a hobbled Patrick Mahomes
The Eagles collected 70 sacks during the regular season and another eight in two postseason victories. Linebacker Haason Reddick has been virtually unstoppable with 16 sacks in the regular season and 3.5 in the playoffs, including the hit that knocked out Niners quarterback Brock Purdy and all but guaranteed the NFC Championship Game victory.
Reddick will line up against Chiefs right tackle Andrew Wylie, who, according to Pro Football Focus, has not given up a sack in the playoffs. Wylie, however, had his lowest-graded performance of the season against Las Vegas Raiders Maxx Crosby in the regular-season finale, giving up a sack and two hurries. With Mahomes limited in his mobility, the Eagles’ pass rush will be a key.
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A study of Reid’s offenses predict screens and quick tosses to playmakers like running back Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs leading rusher and former Rutgers star. The Chiefs use a lot of run-pass option, similar to the Eagles. According to Pro Football Reference, Mahomes had the third-highest amount of RPO throwing attempts (86), while Hurts led the league at 122. Those plays would allow Mahomes to avoid the pass rush.
Eagles wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown could take over the game
The Eagles have focused on the running game during the postseason, rushing for an average of 208 yards in their two victories. Brown and Smith will be tough matchups for the Chiefs to defend based on their last games against Kansas City last season. In Smith’s fourth game in the league, he finished with seven catches for 122 yards in the Eagles’ 42-30 loss, and Brown had eight catches for 133 yards and a touchdown in the Tennessee Titans’ 27-3 Week 7 win.
Chiefs cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson were targeted 19 times by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, and they allowed 15 catches for 177 yards and a touchdown. If the Eagles can run the ball effectively and then use play fakes, they could take several shots downfield. Hurts’ scrambling ability also will put the Chiefs’ secondary at risk of big plays.
Expect the unexpected
Reid likes to get cute with his play-calling in big games. The Chiefs used the merry-go-round huddle and did their best Temptations impersonation near the goal line in Super Bowl LIV. The Eagles defense must prepare for the unexpected.
Josh Sills’ indictment will hang over the team
Eagles offensive lineman Josh Sills was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list Wednesday after being indicted by an Ohio grand jury on felony counts of rape and kidnapping. Sills’ first appearance in court is not until Feb. 16 — four days after the Super Bowl. He is not allowed to practice, travel, attend the game or any events surrounding it.
The team’s statement on Wednesday called it a “legal matter.” It’s more serious than that, and the allegations will be raised by the media at the NovaCare Complex on Thursday and by the national media at the Super Bowl. While players are likely to have no comment, the accusations will hang over the team.
Chris Franklin:
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