Opponent perspective on Philadelphia’s rematch with Kansas City.
In case you haven’t heard, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs are playing a football game on Sunday evening.
In order to preview this Super Bowl LIX matchup, I reached out to our enemies over at Arrowhead Pride. The jazzy Jared Sapp kindly took the time to answer my questions about this upcoming tilt. Let’s take a look at the answers. [For my answers about the Eagles, stay tuned to AP.]
Also, be sure to check our “3 reasons why the Eagles will win the Super Bowl” exchange with AP from earlier this week.
1) The addition of Saquon Barkley and Vic Fangio stick out as two of the biggest changes with the Eagles since Super Bowl 57. What are some of the most significant differences for the Chiefs in this rematch?
On offense, the Chiefs have a very different wide receiver corps (even from Week 1 of this season). Rookie Xavier Worthy has had some big performances down the stretch, and Hollywood Brown is now giving the Chiefs a second speed option. DeAndre Hopkins has never found the volume of targets since coming to the Chiefs, but perhaps he can be featured in some unscouted looks with everything on the line Sunday. Travis Kelce may still lead the team in targets and yards — but he doesn’t have to for the Chiefs to win.
On defense, the biggest difference is the experience of the unit from Super Bowl LVII. In that game, George Karlaftis and Trent McDuffie were rookies, and Nick Bolton was a second-year pro finishing his first season as a starter. The Chiefs defense as currently constructed has played a lot of football together and is much more in synch with what Steve Spagnuolo is wanting.
2) What is the best matchup in the Chiefs’ favor in this game?
Honestly, the best matchup in the Chiefs’ favor is probably Andy Reid vs. Vic Fangio. Reid and Mahomes are 8-0 against Fangio’s defenses (both as the Broncos’ head coach and the Dolphins’ DC last year). This Eagles’ defense is exponentially more talented than what the Dolphins had in the Wild Card round last year, but I do think the Chiefs have done a good job planning for his scheme. Mahomes has also shown unprecedented patience in taking what’s in front of him this season and not forcing big plays.
On the field, the Chiefs have lined up Worthy almost every way legally possible through two rounds of the playoffs. He and Mahomes have never quite developed the big play timing, but the Chiefs have done a great job of finding him favorable match ups (and there is always a favorable place to put his speed). The 50-yard bomb probably won’t happen, but the Chiefs can probably find him five good opportunities for ten-yard plays.
3) What’s one thing that really worries you about the Chiefs heading into this game?
The Eagles inside pass rush against the Chiefs’ reshuffled offensive line. Left guard Mike Caliendo has been a liability since entering the starting lineup with Joe Thuney kicking outside to left tackle. Jalen Carter has not really developed into a traveling player, so he will likely line up opposite Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith. Jordan Davis is no slouch, however, and I fear center Creed Humphrey will focus so much on helping Caliendo that it will be difficult to reinforce Smith if Carter is cooking.
4) Who is the Chiefs’ most underrated contributor to watch out for?
Tight end Noah Gray has had a very quiet postseason after a great stretch midway through the regular season. The Chiefs are really good at finding Gray opportunities against good defensive game plans, however, and I’d watch for some checkdowns to Gray if the Eagles succeed in limiting the bigger names in the passing game.
Nikko Remigio has only been on the active roster since December, when he was signed from the practice squad as an injury replacement for Mecole Hardman. He has had a big return in each of Kansas City’s first two playoff games to start drives deep in opponent territory.
5) Who wins this game and why? With the Eagles currently listed as 1.5-point underdogs, what’s your score prediction?
I think the Chiefs will avoid the turnovers and errors that plagued the Rams and Commanders and hang with the Eagles to win a close game. I believe the Chiefs will focus on efficient drives that minimize Saquon Barkley’s opportunities to do damage. Barkley will get his (Christian McCaffrey totaled 160 scrimmage yards last year). But I think Spagnuolo will find a way over the second half to make the game a duel between Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. If that happens, I think the Chiefs will make three or four plays at the right time that are difference in a 27-24 win.
