Super Bowl LVII Recap and Reaction

 Super Bowl LVII is in the books, and the Kansas City Chiefs are hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Eagles in a thriller 38-35. It is the third Super Bowl in franchise history for the Chiefs and the second in four years. Pat Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP, and the game certainly lived up to the hype. It was a great back and forth game and a shootout, but in the end Mahomes and the Chiefs pulled it out late and are back on top of the NFL. Here are some quick hit thoughts about the game from my perspective.....

1) This was a very fun and entertaining Super Bowl. There haven't been to many shootouts in the Super Bowl, but this was a classic. It had a lot of big plays on both sides of the ball and came down to a field goal at the end. A great game by any measure for a Super Bowl.

2) The Chiefs deserved the win and Mahomes was lights out in the second half. After trailing 24-14 at halftime, Mahomes led the Chiefs to three straight touchdown drives and the game-winning field goal. He has cemented his status as the NFL's best player, and he is already a Hall of Famer after only starting for five seasons. He is the face of the league and with two Super Bowls, he might be on pace to catch Tom Brady. It is still early and a lot can happen but it is all there for Mahomes to ascent himself as a Top 3 All-Time QB.

3) The Eagles and their fans will have a very long and bitter offseason after losing this game. The Eagles controlled this game for three quarters, and I really felt like they were going to win until the very end. I think the key moments in this game for the Eagles were: The Jalen Hurts fumble that was recovered by Nick Bolton and returned for a TD in the 2nd quarter to tie the game at 14. Also, when they were up 24-21 and settled for a field goal and going up 27-21 instead of possibly being up 31-21 in the 3rd quarter. The overturn replay of the Devonta Smith catch on the sideline really hurt the Eagles chances. Finally, when the Chiefs took the lead at 28-27 with 12:04 left in the game, it felt like the Eagles had done so much right in this game, and then all of a sudden they were trailing.

4) Eagles QB Jalen Hurts was amazing all game long. He ran for three touchdowns and threw for another and accounted for almost 400 yards of total offense. He matched Mahomes play-for-play, and he was the best player on the field-despite the critical fumble- and would have won the MVP if the Eagles won the game. Give credit to Hurts because he was phenomenal in a losing effort, and proved he will be a top-tier QB moving forward.

5) The Eagles defense had a very bad day and it cost them the game. For two weeks, all we heard about was the Eagles pass rush and how they were going to get after Mahomes, but they didn't even register a sack in the game. They barely generated any pressure. Their defense also got gashed by the Chiefs in the run game-which no one had predicted. They had no adjustments in the second half and had no answers as the Chiefs went down the field on them the entire second half and took the game over. The Eagles prided themselves for two weeks on how good their defense was, but they didn't match that hype in the Super Bowl at all.

6) I thought Andy Reid did a great job in this game. His play-calling and play design was fantastic and he created some great plays to help KC get in the endzone at key moments down the stretch. He out-schemed and out-coached the Eagles coaching staff in the second half and it proved the difference in the game.He once again showed why is a Hall of Fame caliber head coach and now he has two Super Bowl rings to prove it. 

7) The refs called a controversial penalty late in the game that cost Philly the Super Bowl, and that can't be overlooked. On 3rd and 8 from the Philly 15 with only 1:54 seconds left, Mahomes threw incomplete to JuJu Smith-Schuster in the end zone. There was a flag and Philly CB James Bradberry was flagged for defensive holding. It gave the Chiefs a first down and they were essentially able to run the clock down to 8 seconds and kick the game-winning field goal. Yes, there was a tug from Bradberry on the play, but it really wasn't that bad and I think the ref should have not thrown the flag. You can't throw the flag at that point in the game. The problem is that every week in the NFL the officiating either makes a call or a non-call on a play like that and it affects the outcome-in this case the Super Bowl. It is just not consistent week to week with these NFL officials. I hated the call. The ball was overthrown anyway. I just think the ref has to put the flag away in those situations and just let them play. It was a rough call to end a really good game.

8) The Eagles have a built a very talented team and Hurts has blossomed into a star, but you just never know if you will get back to a Super Bowl. It is so tough. Even though the NFC is weak, you just can't pencil the Eagles in to get back there next year. This will be an opportunity lost for them and this one will sting a long, long time for Eagles fans. EVERYONE was picking the Eagles to win this game by the time the game kicked off. They were favored to win the game, and the line never really moved. Most of the experts on the pregame shows picked the Eagles. They were expected to win the game, dominated and controlled most of the game, and still lost. That is a tough pill to swallow.

9) As I said in my Super Bowl preview, if KC wins this game, then you can start talking about them being a dynasty. Mahomes is only 27, and Andy Reid is 65 and not looking to retire anytime soon, so this team is going to be favored next year to get back and win another Super Bowl. They are going to be a force to reckon with in the foreseeable future, and I think we will be seeing this group in many more Super Bowls-unfortunately.

10) As far as the Broncos are concerned, it is definitely demoralizing to see the Chiefs win another Super Bowl, but with Sean Payton coming into the fold as our new head coach, maybe it gives us Broncos fans some hope that we can turn this team around and somehow find a way to challenge the Chiefs. 

Super Bowl LVII Preview

Super Bowl LVII kicks off on Sunday from Arizona. It is a matchup of both #1 seeds in the AFC and NFC with the Chiefs and Eagles squaring off. These were probably the two best teams in the NFL all year long, so this is certainly a game that is evenly matched and should be a very good, competitive game. The Super Bowl has provided a lot of really good games the last 20 years, and there really is no more big blowouts like there was in the 70s and 80s. This game does feature a bunch of interesting storylines. Here is a breakdown of the five major storylines heading into Super Bowl LVII...

I) The Andy Reid Bowl: Andy Reid was the Eagles coach from 1999-2012. He led them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2004 and was considered the most successful coach in Eagles history at the time. He left and went to Kansas City in 2013 and has turned the Chiefs into a powerhouse with three trips to the Super Bowl in the last four seasons. He is a Hall of Fame coach, who was linked to the Eagles and now is linked to the Chiefs. Now, he goes for his second Super Bowl title with his former team standing in the way.

II) The Kelce Bowl: This storyline is going to get annoying and old by the time the game kicks off on Sunday, but it is noteworthy that the Kelce brothers are facing off in the Super Bowl. It also helps that both are All-Pros and are major performers for their respective teams. Travis Kelce is the best TE in the NFL, and he is one of the main reasons why the Chiefs are so good on offense. Jason Kelce is probably the best Center in the NFL, and one of the main reasons why the Eagles offensive line is so good. They also host a podcast together throughout the season. Both are big personalities, and as much as this story will be overly talked about, it is pretty cool that these two brothers are playing each other in the Super Bowl.

III) Pat Mahomes Legacy: Pat Mahomes has taken the NFL by storm since he got the starting job in KC in his second year in 2018. He has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowls in four years and has already won one Lombardi Trophy. He is on the verge of getting his second title this year. He is only 27 years old. He is already a Hall of Fame player, and he is only 27. Tom Brady just retired, but Mahomes is on his way to possibly challenge Brady in Super Bowls, wins, and passing records. Mahomes desperately needs a second title, and if he gets it this year, then his legacy will continue to grow.

IV) The Philly Turnaround: After the 2020 season, the Eagles were a mess. They had a losing season, fired HC Doug Pederson, and moved on from Carson Wentz. They had an unproven QB in Jalen Hurts, and hired an unknown coach in Nick Sirianni. Two years later, they finished with the best record in the NFC and are back in the Super Bowl. It is quite a turnaround for this franchise and it happened so quickly. If they can get their second Super Bowl title in six years, then this franchise will become one of the true model franchises of the NFL. 

V) The Kansas City Dynasty: Teams like the Packers ruled the 60s, the Steelers ruled the 70s, the Niners ruled the 80s, the Cowboys ruled the 90s, and the Patriots ruled the 2000s. Now, the Chiefs are on the verge of owning this next decade. This is their third Super Bowl in four years (2019, 2020, 2022), and they are on the cusp of winning a second title in four years. With Patrick Mahomes in place as the best QB on the planet and only 27, and a Hall-of-Fame coach in Andy Reid, the Chiefs (unfortunately for Broncos fans) are set up to win multiple Super Bowls and dominate this era just like those teams I mentioned earlier in prior decades. 

Super Bowl LVII Preview 

Kansas City vs. Philadelphia

Final 2022 Regular Season Overall Record: 137-119-16

Last Week's Playoff Record: 2-0

Overall Playoff Record: 6-6

A Case for the Chiefs: Do you really want to bet against Patrick Mahomes in a Super Bowl? After seeing what he did against the Bengals, you just can't doubt him. Even if the game is close, Mahomes can come down and pull it out at the end. That's how good he is at this moment of his career. The Eagles have had an easy path of QBs to face all year long, and they have not faced the caliber of player that Mahomes is. I give the edge in the coaching matchup to Andy Reid over Nick Sirianni. The Chiefs staff has been here before and have a lot of big game experience. You can see the Chiefs defense being able to disrupt and force Jalen Hurts into some mistakes. Hurts did not look good at all against the Niners in the NFC Championship Game. Also, it feels like the Chiefs are poised to win their second Super Bowl in the Reid-Mahomes era. They lost in 2020 to the Bucs in the Covid Super Bowl, and they blew the AFC Championship to Cincy last year, so I can't see them getting to the Super Bowl and losing it. 

A Case for the Eagles: They have cruised through the NFC all year long. They were the best team in the NFC from Week 1 all the way through the NFC Championship. They have a dominating offensive and defensive line. Usually, the team with the better line on both offense and defense will win the game, and the Eagles have that advantage over the Chiefs. I could see Philly just running the ball down the Chiefs throat all game long. Their defense also lead the NFL in sacks this year and they have a relentless pass rush. That could overwhelm the Chiefs offensive line, and you could see Mahomes running for his life. There is a swagger to this Philly team and it stems from their coach, Nick Sirianni. I think the Eagles will play fast and loose-even though they are a slight favorite.

Prediction: Kansas City (+1) over PHILADELPHIA: This game reminds me so much of the Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl LIV when KC won 31-20. The 49ers had the better defense and lines, and they kept the Chiefs in check until it was 20-10 midway through the 4th quarter. Then, Mahomes and the Chiefs exploded and won the game 31-20. I see this game playing out the same way. The Eagles grab a lead and hold onto it into the 4th quarter, but Mahomes finds a way to bring the Chiefs back and they take the lead. A late Jalen Hurts turnover seals the game for the Chiefs. Kansas City will win their second Super Bowl in four years (3rd in franchise history), and Mahomes gets his second Lombardi Trophy. 

Final Score: Chiefs-30 Eagles-20

Sean Payton Named Broncos Head Coach

 On Tuesday, Sean Payton agreed to become the next head coach of the Denver Broncos. Payton, who was still under contract with the Saints, comes to Denver after the Broncos agreed to compensate the Saints with a 2023 1st Round pick (#29 overall) and a 2024 2nd Round pick. The Broncos get a 2024 3rd Round pick back from New Orleans. The Broncos started this search looking for to make a "big splash" and a "CEO" type of head coach. They went after Jim Harbaugh and some other candidates. Well, they got one in getting Sean Payton. He is the best head coaching candidate that is out there and the Broncos were able to get him. This franchise needed an established, veteran head coach. They couldn't go down this road and hire another first-time head coach. They needed experience, leadership, and someone that can fix Russell Wilson. They got that in the hiring of Sean Payton. Here is how I breakdown this coaching hire for Denver.....

-As I said, the Broncos started this search looking for a big name, experienced coach. I would have been pleased with either Sean Payton or Jim Harbaugh. Once Harbaugh decided to go back to Michigan, getting Payton was the next best option.

-There is a lot of talk about how the Broncos preferred DeMeco Ryans as their top candidate, but the problem I had with Ryans was that he was going to be a first-time head coach. They couldn't go down that route once again.

-Regardless if Payton was their first choice or third choice, it doesn't matter. He is THE choice and it is about as good of a hire as you can get. Sean Payton's resume speaks for itself. That is the bottom line.

-I give the new Walton-Penner ownership group credit: They identified what they needed in a new head coach, and they went after it and got it-regardless of having to giving up draft capital for Payton.

-Payton is the best option for fixing Russell Wilson. We know how Payton is a great offensive mind and QB coach, so this has to be a good thing for Russ and the rest of the Broncos offense.

-Payton also brings instant leadership and credibility to the locker room. This franchise desperately needed a true head coach and a true leader. After dealing with first year head coaches the last three hires, this team needed a real coach to take over and they got that in Payton.

-This was a job that many people around the NFL thought was not a good job, and many didn't expect Sean Payton to take this job, but lo and behold he did and that still shows the value and respect the Broncos organization still has in the NFL.

-This was a move the Broncos had to make. They got the best candidate out there, and it helps improve their chances of turning this franchise around and getting back into the playoffs. Payton certainly can help get the Broncos there. I'm being cautiously optimistic because last year I got burned with the debacle of the 2022 season, but I'm happy that Sean Payton is coming to Denver to be the head coach, and I'm really excited for the 2023 season. Go Broncos!