Super Bowl Sunday is the largest sporting event in the United States. Unlike many other football days, everyone tunes in to watch the big game. Some view it as an excuse to host a party, while others wait anxiously to watch their team get dominated by Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Still, the second Sunday of February never disappoints.
After much controversy this year, the Philadelphia Eagles will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs. These teams are storied franchises that are no strangers to the big game—this will be both teams’ fifth appearance in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs are seeking what many call a “threepeat,” which has never happened in the Super Bowl era. There is no shortage of conspiracy theories regarding how the Chiefs continue to dominate. Some argue that it’s scripted by the NFL in order to ensure Taylor Swift is in attendance at the Super Bowl, while others argue that the Chiefs pay off the refs. While it may seem plausible, ultimately, the Chiefs’ combination of elite Quarterback play and the best head coach in football pushes this team into the Super Bowl annually. The Eagle’s path to the Super Bowl has been unique, though. They have lost many key players and coordinators over the years, leading to a roster that looks worlds different from the team that made the Super Bowl just a few years ago. General Manager Howie Roseman has done a brilliant job bringing in talent through the draft and free agency, while also pursuing experienced coordinators who understand the schemes and the roster.
The storyline heading into Sunday is centered around Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley. These two players are at the very top of their respective positions, and both are poised to continue their dominance at the highest stakes. Mahomes is no longer the flashy player he once was, but he compensates for that lack of pizazz with unparalleled game control. On the other hand, Barkley is the league’s most dynamic player, offering the ability to explode at any point for a massive play. His speed and vision combined with the size and force of the Eagle’s offensive line create nightmares for opposing defenses. In addition, AJ Brown’s speed and height create a mismatch for nearly every opposing defense, especially when teams are so focused on the run game. The Chiefs’ defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, will have to plan a masterclass if he hopes to slow down the Eagle’s offensive attack.
Despite the abundance of star power on each offense, these teams arguably have the best defensive units in the league. The Chiefs’ star defensive tackle is Chris Jones. His use of power and speed on the interior wreaks havoc for the opponent in the run-and-pass game. Speaking of the passing game, Chiefs’ young cornerback Trent McDuffie has been on lockdown all year. His matchup with AJ Brown could shift the trajectory of this game. The Eagle’s defensive unit has talent everywhere. Their defensive line has athletes all over the place. Jalen Carter is an absolute monster on the interior, Nolan Smith gets to the quarterback in the blink of an eye, and Zach Baun has played like the best linebacker in football this season. After rough outings from the Eagles’ secondary last season, the team drafted cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper Dejean. Both rookies have been invaluable to the team and must play their best football to slow down Mahomes.
Super Bowl Sunday promises to offer something for everyone thanks to the various parties, the exciting game, and Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance. For those who aren’t interested in partying, football, or rap, it’s likely that Taylor Swift will appear on the broadcast several times—probably five or more. If everything goes according to plan, this should turn out to be one of the most competitive Super Bowls in years.
