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Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Keys to victory for both Super Bowl LIX teams
As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles put the finishing touches on their respective game plans for Super Bowl LIX, each team will be keenly aware of how their strengths and weaknesses compare to their opponents.
DAZN News analyses how the two teams compare and breaks down three key factors that could prove decisive in the matchup.
Patrick Mahomes vs the Eagles' secondary
The Eagles' secondary demonstrated remarkable improvement this season, thanks to an infusion of young talent acquired through the 2024 NFL Draft, including rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
In 2024, the Eagles' defense gave up 1,285 fewer passing yards and 13 fewer touchdowns, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 15.1 lower passer rating than in 2023.
However, the new-look Eagles secondary has the unenviable task of facing arguably the most talented quarterback in the league in Super Bowl LIX.
Patrick Mahomes's regular-season production has dipped due to several factors, including fewer pass attempts and being sacked more often.
Still, the three-time Super Bowl MVP provides the Chiefs with the edge in this showdown, and the Eagles' secondary must do what no other team has managed in the Super Bowl since future Hall of Famer Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the title in 2020.
Containing the Chiefs' offense starts with thwarting their screen passes - which have become more prevalent and successful during the playoffs - and limiting yardage after the catch.
That feat is easier said than done when the Chiefs possess dangerous weapons like Xavier Worthy.
Saquon Barkley and the Eagles' offensive line vs the Chiefs' run defense
The running back position has been devalued in recent years, but Barkley's impact on the Eagles' offense will undoubtedly make NFL front offices think twice.
If Barkley manages only 30 yards in Super Bowl LIX, he will surpass the marks set by Hall of Fame running back Terrel Davis for most rushing yards and scrimmage yards by a player in NFL history.
The Eagles' offensive line deserves some of the credit. Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, and Landon Dickerson's run-blocking prowess have been key to Barkley's success.
However, the availability of Dickerson and center Cam Jurgens is uncertain. Both players suffered injuries in the NFC Championship game, and their absence would severely affect the Eagles' game plan.
As talented as the Chiefs' front seven is, it will be incumbent on the whole defense to contain Barkley on Sunday.
On paper, the Chiefs' defence is better equipped to contain Barkley than most teams after finishing the season ranked sixth among all defenses in rushing yards allowed per attempt.
In reality, the task is more difficult as Barkley still averaged 100 rushing yards in the four games he played against teams who ranked above the Chiefs in that category.
Andy Reid vs Nick Sirianni
While the players earn most of the attention and accolades, the vital role of a head coach can be overlooked when comparing teams.
The efforts of Nick Sirianni should not go unnoticed. He inherited an underperforming Eagles team that went 4-11 in 2020 and has led them to the playoffs every year since.
Despite Sirianni's impressive run, he has yet to win a Super Bowl, and the coach who outsmarted him in Super Bowl LVII will once again be his counterpart on the opposing team in Super Bowl LIX.
Describing Andy Reid's success as unparalleled would be disrespectful to legends such as Don Shula, George Halas, and Bill Belichick - each of whom led their respective teams to more overall wins than Reid has so far.
Still, with a win on Sunday, Reid will tie with former Steelers head coach Chuck Noll Reid for second behind only Belichick in Super Bowl wins.
Super Bowl LIX will be contested as much on the field by the players as by the two head coaches in the build-up and the adjustments made throughout the game.
Reid has the edge in that respect and has history on his side, but part of the reason the NFL is so exciting is that anything can happen on game day.
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One of sport's greatest occasions is with us, Super Bowl LIX, as Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles go at it once again, in a repeat of the 2023 NFL showpiece.
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