Sunday’s game is a rematch from two years ago. Photo Credit: NFL/Facebook
Get your popcorn ready.
The Kansas City Chiefs will try to make history Sunday night. The Philadelphia Eagles will try and stop them.
Kansas City is attempting to become the first team in National Football League history to win three straight super bowls.
Super Bowl LIX or 59 is a rematch of the NFL’s championship game from 2023 in which Patrick Mahomes,Travic Kelce and company were victorious 38-35 on a winning field goal from Harrison Butker, after a controversial pass-interference call against the Eagles.
Last season, KC won again by three points, 25-22 over the San Francisco 49ers.
Can Philadelphia prevent history Sunday night?
When you think of the Eagles two names immediately come to mind.
Running back and NFL Most Valuable Player finalist Saquon Barkley, and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Barkley’s regular season numbers were phenomenal, 345 carries for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns. That’s 5.8 yards per carry.
He certainly hasn’t slowed down in the playoffs, averaging 6.7 yards per carry on 66 rushes and five touchdowns.
And there’s this little tidbit regarding Barkley and Sunday’s game. It’s his 28th birthday.
“I think just winning the Super Bowl in general is such a cool moment and it puts you in football royalty,” Barkley said during Super Bowl media day. “It’s something that you’ve wanted to accomplish since you were a little kid. Whether it was on my birthday or not, to be able to win it would mean everything.”
Jalen Hurts on the other hand, has had an average season, after most recently battling concussion and finger injuries.
Still, Hurts has the ability to beat teams with both his arm and feet. Remember he threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns in Philly’s loss to KC two years ago.
On the other side of the field, Mahomes threw for less than 4,000 yards for the first time since taking over as starter in Kansas City. His 26 touchdown passes were also a career low. He knows his team has a lot of haters, and is embracing that role.
“If winning football games makes you a villain, we’re going to keep going out there and doing it,” said Mahomes. “We embrace who we are. We believe we play the game the right way, with a lot of heart and passion for the game.”
Travis Kelce is Mahomes’ most well recognized passing target for both his skill on the field, and love interest off of it.
The Kansas City tight end recorded just 823 yards receiving and three touchdowns this past – his lowest since 2013.
As always Sunday’s game could be decided in the trenches, by the offensive and defensive lines.
Both quarterbacks can scramble so both are vulnerable to sacks, but pressure can also lead to turnovers in the air.
Special teams is another aspect that can decide football games.
One stat stands out the most here. The Chiefs Harrison Butker has never missed a field goal in the fourth quarter or overtime of a postseason game.
The coaching matchup pits Andy Reid, being affectionately called Big Red against Nick Sirianni or Nasty Nick to some.
Reid holds the unique distinction of being the only coach in NFL history to be the winningest for two different franchises, ironically enough Philadelphia and Kansas City. He is also the only NFL coach to win 100 games with two teams, to win 10 playoff games with two teams and to appear in four consecutive conference championships with two different teams.
Nick Sirianni has never won the big game, and some say he could be out of a job if the Eagles lose Sunday night.
Kick off from Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, is 6:30 pm.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
