The annual winter classic never seems to disappoint in excitement and action, but this year’s Super Bowl seems like it is going to be even more captivating.
This coming Sunday, at 3:30PM Pacific Time, tens of thousands of fans will fill Caeser’s Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, and millions more will tune in on their family room TVs to watch Superbowl LIX, a battle between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. For casual fans, this may seem like a re-hash of the bowl two years ago, but the significance of this weekend’s game lies in how both teams made their way here.
The Chiefs finished their season with a 15-2 record on the back of their future Hall of Fame Quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, though, the season was not easy. After a nail-biting victory against Baltimore to begin the season, the Chiefs battled their way through games, often finishing victorious by just a couple of inches or by a controversial official call. In games finishing with a one-score difference, the Chiefs are currently on a 17-game win streak, with some attributing this success to Patrick Mahomes’ “clutch gene,” while some question the late-game decision-making of NFL referees.
Still outscoring their opponents by 59 points, the record led them to clinch the 1st seed and a first-round bye in the AFC playoff picture before defeating the formidable opponents of Houston and Buffalo, the latter in a tight nail-biter.
Despite the rocky performances from the Chiefs this season, their actual storyline spans across the last 3 years. The Chiefs have won 2 straight and have been a part of the winter classic for four of the previous five seasons. This year, however, their continued success could point toward an unprecedented goal. The “three-peat”. No team has won three Superbowls in a row, so Kansas City has the opportunity to make history.
The Philadelphia Eagles have also had a dominant season. Via their dynamic duo of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, the Eagles finished to the tune of a 14-3 record, securing the 2nd seed in the NFC. Despite early struggles with team chemistry, the Eagles ended the year hot, carrying that momentum into the postseason, eventually overcoming the Packers, Rams, and Commanders.
The Kansas City Chiefs struggled to consistently produce on offense this season, as no receiver finished with over 1000 yards this season, and the team posted a disappointing 23.2 points per game (playoffs included), which would be the 12th-ranked offense in the league. Despite the up-and-down performances of the offense, the Chief’s defense has been elite and key to their success.
On the other side, the Eagles had outstanding individual performances from their stars. NFL Offensive Player of the Year candidate Saquon Barkley currently (playoffs included) has 2,447 rushing yards and a notable 7 60+ rushing yard touchdowns and only needs 30 rushing yards on Sunday to break Terrell Davis’ single-season rushing record (playoffs included). The Eagles have found mixed success in the passing game, primarily due to injuries, as top receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both missed multiple games this year.
However, the Birds of Brotherly Love’s passing game flaw is not one to be overlooked. Nearing the end of the season, the health of their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, came into question. Due to a concussion as well as a knee issue, Hurts missed multiple games at the end of the year. The team explained that he plans to wear a knee brace during the game and that he is good to go for competition.
Mike Teti, a Philadelphia native and O’Dowd parent, expressed the importance of Hurts to the team, “I actually think the team goes how Hurts goes. Control the ball, accurate throws, and timely runs”. For Philly, a Superbowl victory would mean an act of revenge against the Chiefs, who shattered their championship hopes two years ago. To prepare for the notoriously raucous Philadelphia sports fans, the city has optimistically begun greasing city light posts.
The game is scheduled for 3:30 Pacific Time on Sunday and can be watched on Fox Sports 1, ESPN 2, or the NFL Network. Watching the Superbowl can often feel like witnessing the season finale of your favorite TV show, but this year’s championship seems to have a little bit more at stake for both teams. All we can do is embrace the cliffhanger and prepare ourselves to witness what could be either a record breaking moment for Kansas City, or a successful retribution for Philadelphia.
