Super Bowl XLVII Preview

This is an area of the field that is absolutely fascinating.  If Hurts and Mahomes are to find their receivers, they will need their offensive lineman to protect them. This was the narrative to come out of the Chiefs loss to the Bucs two seasons ago.

The Chiefs have since invested in their o-line and boast one of the best in the league. Andrew Wylie is the only starting offensive lineman that played in that Bucs loss. They went out and got experience, through acquiring two-time Super Bowl champion Joe Thuney in free agency and trading away a second round and sixth round pick to acquire multiple pro bowler Orlando Brown Jr. In addition, they went down the draft route in second round center Creed Humphrey and sixth rounder Trey Smith – therefore finding that balance between experience and young talent. 

Up against them, is a fierce Eagles defense that boasts four players with double digit sacks in Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, Javon Hargave and Josh Sweat. Their talent on this side of the ball does not end there. Fletcher Cox is one of just a few that played during their one Super Bowl win and was still able to pitch in with seven sacks. Their secondary is also impressive, a unit that includes Darius Slay, James Bradberry and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

No-one allowed fewer passing yards (3,057) and only seven teams allowed fewer total points than Philly this season. Only the 1984 Chicago Bears and 1989 Minnesota Vikings have recorded more sacks in a season than the 2022 Eagles. This is a fearsome unit and the Chiefs offensive line will have some work to do if they want Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce to play at the level that we have become so accustomed to in these past five seasons. This is where the Chiefs can expose the one weakness that the Eagles have.

Whilst linebackers T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White had 159 and 110 sacks respectively, the Eagles’ run defense only finished 17th this season. And the Chiefs possess a trio of running backs that will need to be accounted for. Jerrick McKinnon is battling injury concerns and Clyde Edwards-Helaire has only recently been activated off the Injury Report list having not played since 21st November. But Isaiah Pacheco was a steal in this year’s draft and will look to try and beat this Eagles run defense. A back that is good in the running game and receiving game, Pacheco has impressed in the postseason so far with 186 all-purpose yards Expect a lot of trick plays, screen passes and rushing attempts involving Pacheco, who will go into this game as the lead back.

Meanwhile, there is a big task for this Eagles offensive line. Whilst Reddick (16.0) boasted the second-most regular season sacks in 2022, Chris Jones was not far behind with 15.5. He will be the key to stopping Hurts finding A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, or Dallas Goedert. In addition, Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, recorded the second-most total tackles in 2022 (180) and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed also had triple figure digits (108). 

Head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will need these two to continue their performances on Sunday if they want to limit the Eagles run game featuring Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott – a trio that have performed so well in 2022. Throw in the aforementioned dual threat of Hurts, who broke an NFL record this season for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, and Philly brings quite the run game to the Super Bowl party.