Arrowhead Pride
To close the 2024 season, Kansas City’s chance to make NFL history will collide with the talented, vengeful Eagles.
The ultimate game of the 2024 NFL season is here. The Kansas City Chiefs (17-2) will square off with the Philadelphia Eagles (17-3) in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana; kickoff is set for Sunday at 5:30 PM Arrowhead time.
The city of New Orleans is hosting the title game for the 11th time, tying Miami, Florida, for the most by any single city. The first was Super Bowl IV at Tulane Stadium, a game in which the Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
55 years later, the Chiefs are returning to New Orleans with a chance to make NFL history: no team has ever won three consecutive Super Bowls. To do so, the Chiefs would have to defeat the Eagles on the biggest stage for the second time in three seasons. Two years ago, the Chiefs kicked a field goal as time expired to win Super Bowl LVII.
The Chiefs’ motivation to be unprecedented, three-time defending champions will go head to head with the hunger and revenge from Philadelphia’s side. Here are five things to watch in an epic matchup:
Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes saved his most impactful performance of the season for the AFC Championship win over the Bills. Specifically, he was disciplined in the pocket and efficient on quick passes, completing 12 of 15 attempts for 140 yards and a touchdown. He also made the most of each rushing opportunity.
He or the ball will likely need to get out quick against Philadelphia, even though the Eagles blitz at the fifth-lowest rate in the NFL. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme will center around trusting a talented four-man rush unit headed by defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Carter nearly exclusively lines up to the offense’s right of the ball. That primarily sets him up against right guard Trey Smith, but left guard Mike Caliendo has interior disruptors like Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, or Moro Ojomo to work against. The defensive tackle room has four sacks and 25 quarterback pressures combined this playoffs.
Center Creed Humphrey will need to keep his head on a swivel to uphold the front of the pocket.
Second-year edge rusher Nolan Smith has four sacks this postseason himself. He will primarily align over Chiefs’ right tackle Jawaan Taylor.
A key factor for the Chiefs’ defense will be how committed the scheme and players are to sealing run lanes against Eagles’ running back Saquon Barkley.
This postseason, Barkley has touchdown runs of 62, 78, and 60 yards. Those game-breaking plays boost a three-game stretch with only a 34.8% rushing success rate; in the regular season, that would’ve ranked 34th among qualified running backs.
A plan to limit Barkley’s explosive plays would involve safety Justin Reid consistently playing closer to the line of...
