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