Crowe: Super Bowl Prediction
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Welcome to Super Bowl Sunday. Patriots fans are probably having a tough time on whom to root for in the game.
If Kansas City captures its second championship in the modern era since taking over control of the AFC from New England and third overall.
If Philadelphia wins, it will be its second Super Bowl title and first since they topped the Pats back in Super Bowl LI. Patriots Nation will remember that one as the infamous Super Bowl in which Malcolm Butler was benched by Belichick and the Pats eventually lost despite Brady throwing for 505 yards and 3 TDs.
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Super Bowl LVII Chiefs vs. Eagles – Sunday 6:30 pm FOX
If you picked chalk, then you’re getting what you wanted this Sunday at Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. The number one seed in both the AFC and NFC has made it through to the ultimate game as the Kansas City Chiefs (16-3) take on the Philadelphia Eagles (16-3). Both quarterbacks are regular season MVP candidates, although Patrick Mahomes is my pick over Jalen Hurts. Mahomes led the league in both yards and touchdown passes with 5,250 yards and 41 TDs respectively. Hurts was no slouch either accounting for 35 total touchdowns (22 passing, 13 rushing) to go with his combined 4,461 total yards from scrimmage (3,701 yards passing, 760 yards rushing). Both quarterbacks should be healthier with the two-week rest since the conference championship. Mahomes has been battling a high ankle sprain from the Divisional Round game with Jacksonville while Hurts continues to come back from a left shoulder injury he suffered against the Bears in week 15. Both are expected to have no limitations come Sunday.
Andy Reid coached 14 years in Philadelphia, leading the Eagles to four NFC Championships and one Super Bowl that they lost to the Patriots. Now, Reid is in his 10th year in Kansas City trying to win his second title which would be his 22nd playoff victory which ranks Reid second all-time behind Belichick’s 44 wins. Ironically, when Reid first got to Kansas City, a young coach named Nick Siriani was on the staff. Unfortunately for Siriani, Reid didn’t retain him as his wide receivers coach and now they’ll be facing each other on the biggest NFL stage of them all. Pretty ironic, don’t you think?
This one could come down to which defense can get their pass rush going. The Eagles led the league in sacks with 70 in the regular season and 78 overall. One of their stars is Haasan Reddick with 16 regular season sacks and 3.5 more in the playoffs including taking out 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy with a UCL tear in the NFC Championship. The Chiefs aren’t too shabby either. They racked up 55 sacks in the regular season, topped by Chris Jones and his 15.5 sacks. Jones also got to Joe Burrow and the Bengals twice in the AFC Championship.
Speaking of defense, both teams have tightened things up against the run. The Chiefs, who were 25th against the run in weeks 1 through 11, moved up to 10th since week 12. The same can be said for the Eagles, who are tops against the run in the playoffs after being last in the league for the first ten weeks of the season. The question is can the Chiefs stop an Eagles ground attack that’s averaged 208 yards through two playoff victories? After all, Philadelphia did score a league-high 32 times via the run.
Offensively, the Chiefs come into the contest as the number-one scoring offense in the league averaging 28.2 points per game in the regular season. Their offensive line wins at a rate unmatched in the league as well. KC’s 74.7% pass block win rate ranks best in the league. They’ll need to be at their best against Philly’s dominant front seven.
Kansas City should have wide receiver Kadarius Toney back from his ankle and hamstring injury. They could add Clyde Edwards-Helaire back, as he’s been activated off injured reserve. Edwards-Helaire has been inactive since a Week 11 high ankle sprain injury. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who cleared concussion protocol last week, showed up on the injury report Thursday with a knee injury that bears watching. Eagles offensive tackle Lane Jonson continues to struggle with a groin injury but should play.
So, who’s going to win the Kelce Bowl between the brothers Travis and Jason? Both are looking to add a second Super Bowl ring to their collection but the clear winner is their mother, Donna Kelce. She’ll be able to cheer for both offenses with Travis at tight end for the Chiefs and Jason playing center for the Eagles.
Players to watch:
Chiefs – Running back Isaiah Pacheco and defensive end Frank Clark
Eagles – Wide receiver Davonta Smith and running back Kenneth Gainwell
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Eagles 24
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