Patrick Mahomes vs. Philadelphia Eagles' defense and Jalen Hurts vs. Kansas City Chiefs' defense: Who has the edge in Super Bowl LIX?

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles fell just short against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs back in Super Bowl LVII in February 2023.

Just about two years later and Mahomes and the defending back-to-back champion Chiefs will seek a historic Super Bowl three-peat, while Hurts’ Eagles look to avenge their loss with dynamic running back Saquon Barkley by their side. The teams will clash in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday night.

How will each quarterback fare against the other team’s defense? DAZN News takes a deeper dive into just that.

Patrick Mahomes vs. Philadelphia Eagles’ defense

Mahomes has been every bit of the consummate leader this postseason. Already a three-time Super Bowl winner with MVPs to go along with each of those victories, Mahomes has been gaining momentum with each playoff game this year.

The 29-year-old took a relatively quiet 16-of-25 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown and 14 yards rushing in an AFC Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans and exploded for 245 yards passing and a TD with two more touchdowns on the ground in the AFC Championship victory over the Buffalo Bills.

The superstar’s ability to extend plays on his feet and come up with the right play at the right time has been nothing short of phenomenal.

When Josh Allen led the Bills on a nine-play, 70-yard drive to knot the game with 6:15 remaining, Mahomes led the Chiefs on an eight-play, 51-yard drive which ended in a 35-yard field goal in what turned out to be the decisive drive with 3:33 left.

He then dashed any hopes for a Bills’ rally by finding Samaje Perine with a 17-yard pass with 1:35 remaining to punch their Super Bowl LIX ticket.

The Eagles defense is surrendering nearly 246 yards per game via the air and 106 yards rushing and that might play right into Mahomes’ skillset as he is able to buy time with the slightest moves en route to either a dagger of a pass or knowledgeable run. Whichever he chooses, Mahomes tends to be ultra efficient with making reads.  

Jalen Hurts vs. Kansas City Chiefs’ defense

Hurts is similar to Mahomes in the sense that he could take off on his feet and extend plays regularly.

He’s been aided this season by the presence of running back Saquon Barkley, who has delivered a lifetime of highlights during these playoffs.

Getting over 200 yards rushing from Barkley, Hurts only needed 128 yards passing — without a touchdown — while adding 70 yards rushing and a TD on the ground in the Eagles’ win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round.

During the Eagles’ NFC Championship stomping of the Washington Commanders, Hurts then threw for 246 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for three more TDs on the ground in an explosive performance. Barkley had 118 yards rushing and three touchdowns in that game, further etching the Hurts-Barkley two-headed monster.

Like Mahomes, Hurts is nimble on his feet to the point that he could hurt you in the pocket passing or out of it with a dazzling, breakout rush.

He is certainly going to test the Chiefs defense’s 207 yards passing and 148 yards rushing allowed per game in attempt to complete his quest to become a Super Bowl champion.

The more the Chiefs’ defense will have to account for Barkley, the more havoc Hurts might be able to generate as well — another storyline to watch entering Sunday night's big game.

With this quarterback clash being a close one, who has the edge?

Patrick Mahomes vs. Eagles' defense & Jalen Hurts vs. Chiefs' defense: So who has the edge in Super Bowl LIX? Both Mahomes and Hurts have been excellent this postseason. But if there is a slight edge, it’s got to go to Mahomes due to his Super Bowl experience. Nothing seems to rattle the three-time champ and we will see whether that includes going for an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat. (Chiefs 1, Eagles 0)