That's it, the big day is coming! Kendrick Lamar heats his voice, advertisers rub their hands, your families ask you their annual questions on the NFL: this week, it's the Super Bowl Lix! Two years later, the Eagles find the chiefs. Kansas City can aim for a historic hat -trick. For his part, Philadelphia hopes that Saquon Barkley will be able to change his destiny.
Monday February 10 – 00:30
Philadelphia Eagles (NFC) – Kansas City Chiefs (AFC) – To follow live on M6
The player to follow on the Eagles side: Saquon Barkley, the instrument of revenge?
Philadelphia had passed so close. Two years ago, the Eagles bowed on the 38-35 thread against Kansas City during the Super Bowl LVII. At the time, the Pennsylvania franchise was not a favorite, but his quarterback Jalen Hurts had made a big match. To a very good assessment of 27/38 completed passes, 304 yards, 0 interception, 1 td, in the air, he had added the trifle of 17 races for 70 net yards won and 3 touchdowns in the race. Figures that had made him the first Philadelphia's ground producer on the match. The three team runners, Kenneth Gainwell, Miles Sanders and Boston Scott had accumulated, together, only 45 yards in 17 races.
Hurts is no longer alone, far from it. Everything was said about the impact of Saquon Barkley on his team. The runner is 30 yards to break the record of a runner in a season, qualified qualifiers (2,476 yards of Terrell Davis in 1998 with broncos). Outside injury, it seems incongruous to imagine that he might not reach them. It only took an action to get there in the NFC final. Besides, it is difficult to imagine a scenario in which the Eagles would win without it reaching them. Barkley has become, more than Hurts, the face of his franchise. It must be said that an effective floor game is a solution to many problems. He advances the attack, and he is also a defensive weapon to deprive Patrick Mahomes of the ball for long minutes of play. In moments of tension, he can reassure: Saquon Barkley has only committed 8 fouls (4 lost) in career.
The coach to follow: Steve Spagnuolo's new masterpiece?
So stop the former giants will be the number 1 task of Steve Spagnuolo and his defense. The task of the defensive coordinator of Kansas City is all the more difficult since Jalen Hurts remains a mobile quarterback. It is also necessary to monitor him. Arising to stop the Eagles floor game is undoubtedly the first key to the match. No one has really got there this season. On paper, the chiefs have weapons: Chris Jones (DT) remains a monster, and the trio in Tranquil, Leo Chenal, Nick Bolton forms a more than formidable Linebacker squad. In the regular season, the chiefs had the 7th league brand with 4.1 yards per opposing race.
This reassuring stat was nevertheless put in difficulty during the playoffs. During their two previous towers, Joe Mixon (Texans, 18 races, 88 yards, 1 td) then James Cook (13 races, 85 yards, 2 TDS) managed their match. Spagnuolo had undoubtedly balanced his choices to favor containing the aerial game. However, Philadelphia's attack will leave him little margin. Building everything on the ground is potentially opening breaches to AJ Brown and Devonta Smith … that the habit of seeing Kansas City win does not mislead you. To win this match, the Chiefs will have to release a new genius. Fortunately, as he demonstrated on decisive action against Bills, Spagnuolo is one.
The chiefing thermometer: Kelce Travis
Everyone remembers the Super Bowl LV, where the Buccaneers had brought hell to life to Patrick Mahomes (31 – 9). Thanks to a line where Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith, among others, are wreaking havoc, and a secondary filled with stars players, the Eagles have the best defense against the pass of the League. What imagine such a debacle of the Missouri team, less impressive offensively than it was in the first years of the Duo Reid – Mamiles?
It's not that simple. The offensive line of the chiefs, already, is much better than the one who had folded in Tampa. Creed Humphrey is one of the best centers in the league. Whether he plays the post of Guard or Tackle, Joe Thuney is a safe bet on the left: he could become the third player in history after Charles Haley and Tom Brady to win a fifth Super Bowl. Without being as explosive as before, Kansas City's attack remains formidable and gaining power. Faced with the Bills, the chiefs finally exceeded 30 points this season, they have chosen their moment.
The fact remains that faced with the solid defense of Vic Fangio, Patrick Mahomes will have to find an ally in the air, a guarantee of safety to advance the chains. Inevitably, all eyes are shot on Travis Kelce. With 81 yards against the Eagles two years ago, and 93 against the 49ers last year, Kelce was twice the number 1 recipient of the Missouri franchise. If he was back in front of the Bills, there is the best risk of his quarterback on paper. If Kelce makes her match, Kansas City will be difficult to get. Otherwise, you will have to find another valve and a bit of magic.
Factor X: Still magic in Kansas?
“Toto, I think we are no longer in Kansas” : This replica of the Magician of Oz remained cult. In NFL, it is on the side of Kansas City that the magic operates, especially during the Super Bowl. From the miracle reception of Tyreek Hill against the 49ers during the Super Bowl Liv, to the recovery of a punt last year in the third quarter, passing through the arabesques of Mahomas on a leg or the mad ride of Kadarius Toney in front of the Eagles two years ago, the chiefs were able to find sometimes incredible ways of turning fate during their victorious epics.
In addition to the talent of Mahomas, Chris Jones, Kelce, the general quality of the workforce, the clairvoyance of the coaches and their tactical flexibility, that's what makes it difficult to bet against Kansas City. Much like New England it was a time, when Tom Brady dates back 28-3 against Falcons or when Malcolm Butler deprived the Seahawks of a double on the wire, there is this belief in something elusive that will do the Difference during this super bowl.
By having fun in the game of predictions, what could it be this time? Obviously, any loss of ball will be key: the two teams combine one in this eliminatory campaign. What if it was rather the performance of a player who would come out like a rabbit from Andy Reid's hat? Xavier Worthy exploded in front of the Bills, why not reoffend? Will Deandre Hopkins become the terror of yesteryear again, the space of a match? The list of possibilities is long. Reid has more than one trick in his bag. Faced with the end of the NFL, Philadelphia must be ready for anything.
The prognosis
Whether for history, if the chiefs were to win a third title in a new affiliate, or to crown the revenge of a team full of talent in Philadelphia, the champion will be beautiful.
