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Super Bowl 59: The 11 most important Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles players to watch
A matchday roster will contain 53 players, all of whom have a very specific role. Whether that is the quarterback taking charge of the offense, down to a back-up who is thrown into the action at a moment’s notice for the game’s biggest play.
Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will feature a host of big-name players and unsung heroes, so who do you need to keep an eye on?
DAZN News takes a look at the key names to follow on Sunday night.
11. Zack Baun, Eagles linebacker
While the Eagles free agency pick-up of Saquon Barkley made all the headlines and paid off handsomely, the under-the-radar acquisition of Zack Baun from the New Orleans Saints has been another masterstroke by Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
Baun returns to the Superdome as a first-team All-Pro linebacker at the heart of the league’s best defense, a far cry from his years toiling away as an unremarkable edge rusher for the Saints.
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10. Joe Thuney, Chiefs offensive lineman
Even Patrick Mahomes needs a fully functioning offence line and in Joe Thuney the Chiefs QB has one of the most reliable and experienced linemen in the game.
Preparing for his sixth Super Bowl and the owner of four rings, former New England Patriot Thuney shifted over the guard to left tackle towards the end of the regular season, and did not put a foot wrong in the AFC Championship game win over the Bills, when he allowed zero quarterback pressures.
9. Jordan Mailata, Eagles left tackle
The Eagles dealt with a banged-up offensive line in their NFC Championship game win over the Washington Commanders, with Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens and Tyler Steen all suffering with injuries.
Thankfully, the Eagles had Jordan Mailata at full strength and the Australian knows he will have to be at his best again if the likes of Chris Jones, Charles Omenihu and Mike Danna are to be kept quiet in New Orleans.
Philadelphia have been battling offensive line issues in recent weeks, with guard Landon Dickerson and his backup Tyler Steen playing through the pain in the NFC Championship game win over the Commanders, while center Cam Jurgens has also been struggling with a back injury.
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Read next | Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles: Super Bowl LIX offensive position groups compared
8. A.J. Brown, Eagles wide receiver
The Eagles’ run-heavy offense has meant a more restrained role for wideout A.J. Brown, so much so that he’s even found time to thumb through books on the sidelines during matches.
But shortly after he was pictured reading his copy of Inner Excellence in the Wild Card round, he served up a reminder of what he can do, hauling in six balls for 96 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship game.
Don’t let his quiet season fool you, as Brown can be a difference-maker in the biggest of games.
7. Travis Kelce
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You’ll see plenty of both Kelce and his famous partner during Sunday night’s coverage, even if the Chiefs tight end is coming off his least productive season as a starter to date.
Kelce still remains Patrick Mahomes’ favourite target and went up several gears during the playoffs, again showing he has the ability to peak when it really matters.
6. Jalen Carter, Eagles defensive tackle
Carter’s second year in the NFL has seen him mature into one of the sport’s best linemen and a defensive leader for the Eagles.
Reports that he has been suffering from illness will be a concern for the Eagles, as they know just how disruptive he can be. If he is fully fit and firing, Patrick Mahomes will have his work cut out trying to avoid him.
5. Xavier Worthy, Chiefs wide receiver
While Kelce remains Mahomes’ favourite security blanket, rookie wideout Xavier Worthy is his new favourite downfield threat.
Has become more involved as the season has progressed and ended up outscoring every Chief bar kicker Harrison Butker.
The speedster also registered three rushing touchdowns this season and will be a dual threat that the Eagles need to contain if they are to succeed in stifling the Kansas City offense.
4. Jalen Hurts, Eagles quarterback
The Eagles quarterback heads to New Orleans looking for revenge over a Chiefs side that pipped them in the Super Bowl two years ago, as an excellent performance by Hurts - more than 300 yards passing and three rushing touchdowns - went down as a mere footnote in that latest chapter of the Chiefs dynasty.
Hurts is coming off a very different season than he did 24 months ago, as he now has Saquon Barkley carrying a significant offensive load, meaning he has not been called upon to do as much.
Dubbed a game manager by some pundits, Hurts would no doubt the extra responsibility if he is called upon to use his legs and playmaking ability more this weekend.
3. Chris Jones, Chiefs defensive tackle
Jalen Carer may have enjoyed a superb start to his NFL career, but the Eagles lineman has some way to go before he is considered Chris Jones’ equal.
The Chiefs made re-signing Jones an offseason priority following last year’s Super Bowl win and the decision was a no-brainer, especially when you see how he’s been playing in the Chiefs two playoff wins so far.
Jones will be tasked with stopping Saquon Barkley and will have noted that Eagles have been playing with a banged-up offensive line in recent week, something he will look to take advantage of.
2. Saquon Barkley, Eagles running back
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While he’s not got the same aura and big game experience as the player who tops this list, Saquon Barkley is coming off one of the best running back seasons in the history of the league.
He has shown no signs of slowing down in the playoffs, where he is averaging well over 100 yards per game and has scored five touchdowns in the Eagles three wins.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will have spent the past fortnight tinkering with a gameplan to stop Barkely, because if the Eagles are allowed to establish the run and dominate the clock behind Barkley’s powerful running, it may leave the Kansas City offense with too much to do.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs quarterback
No prizes for originality here, but the sport’s best player, who is bearing down on the record books, has to be the game’s most important player.
If Mahomes can find a way past Philly’s ferocious defense, he will claim a fourth Super Bowl ring, putting level with the likes of Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw, with Tom Brady the only quarterback ahead of him.
Mahomes barely puts a foot wrong in games like this and has an almost supernatural talent of delivering in the big moments, which is why the hundreds of million viewers watching from home will be expecting big things from him on Sunday evening.
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