How we got to this Matchup:
The Kansas City Chiefs came into the AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a banged up Patrick Mahomes, and lost three starting wide receivers in the win. Then backup receiver Skyy Moore and practice squad receiver Marcus Kemp stepped into the game for the injured guys and did their job. Marquez Valdez-Scantling provided a spark for Mahomes the whole game and helped carry his team’s receiving core against the Bengals. In the end, the Chiefs needed everyone to come together with 100% total team effort and that would lead the Chiefs to victory.
The Philadelphia Eagles came into the NFC Championship game against the well-rounded and talented San Francisco 49ers. In this game, the Eagles benefited from a key injury to 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy. After that took place, it essentially made the 49er’s offense one-dimensional. However, we should not take anything away from the Eagles team that the dominated line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Factors:
Now, here is the factors to watch for closely in the big game:
1. Patrick Mahomes Health
It was nothing short of a surprise to everyone that Patrick Mahomes was able to be his old self and be as mobile as he was against the Bengals. Regardless, Mahomes was still very hampered by the high ankle sprain but put his body on the line and made the play of the game to set his team up for the game-winning field goal.
However, there is a marginal difference between the Bengals and Eagles pass rush, as the Eagles led the NFL in sacks this season with 78. That is enough for the second most in team NFL history. So with that being said, if Mahomes ability to move and scramble around is just a little bit compromised, that could cause major trouble for the Chiefs.
2. Eagles Run Game Against Chiefs Front 7
It is widely known that the Eagles love to run the ball with both the Running Back and Quarterback. Now the Eagles finished fifth in rushing in the NFL.
Eagles Miles Sanders was able to get into the endzone twice untouched against the 49ers. The Eagles perhaps might be the best in the league at pulling their center and guard to outnumber on the outside.
If the Chiefs front 7 wants to stop this Eagles run game, they need to find a way to prevent the Eagles from getting what they want. Chris Jones and the rest of the defense had a great game against the Bengals. But with the Eagles having arguably the best offensive line and the Chiefs having a great defensive line, this game may very well be won in the trenches.
3. Chiefs Cornerbacks vs. A.J. Brown & DeVonta Smith
L’Jarius Sneed has quickly became the most important member of that Chiefs secondary this year and alongside him this year, three rookies have played surprisingly well and not like rookies whatsoever. But in this game they will have to play as well as they did against the Bengals, if not better, in the Super Bowl.
Now all of these tasks for the rookies Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Joshua Williams will come with a lot of pressure. They will need to contain and stay with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith all game long. That will be the most crucial aspect of this Super Bowl.