The finalists
The Philadelphia Eagles finished first in the National Conference East Division with 14 wins and 3 losses. Which is the NFL’s best record with…Kansas City. In the play-offs, they easily beat the New York Giants (38-7) and San Francisco (31-7).
The Kansas City Chiefs took the Western Division of the American Conference, with the same record as the Eagles. It’s been five years since the Chiefs qualified for at least the Conference Finals. In the play-offs this season, Kansas City eliminated Jacksonville (27-20) then Cincinnati (23-20).
Where will the match be played?
The 57th Super Bowl will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, not far from Phoenix. Since 2006, it has been the home of the Cardinals, the state’s NFL franchise. State Farm Stadium can accommodate up to 72,000 spectators. The Super Bowl will be played there for the third time, after the 2008 and 2015 editions.
The results of the two teams
Philadelphia is in the Super Bowl for the fourth time. The Eagles have only been crowned once, in 2018 (41-33 against New England and Tom Brady), after losing in 1981 and 2005. Kansas City will play its fifth final. The Chiefs were champions in 1970 (23-7 against Minnesota) and in 2020 (31-20 against San Francisco), but finalists in 1967, during the first Super Bowl, and in 2021.
Anthem and halftime show
Before the game, the American national anthem will be performed by Chris Stapleton, a country music singer. From the field, a person will translate the lyrics into sign language for the deaf. Finally, the famous half-time show will star Rihanna.
Les quarterbacks
Jalen Hurts (24) landed in the NFL three years ago with the Eagles. At the end of his freshman year, he became a starter. This season, he not only took “Philly” to the Super Bowl, but he also signed his best stats (3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns thrown). Hurts is also an excellent runner (13 TD’s scored).
If Tom Brady, retired for a few days, is the legend of quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes (27) is the best QB of the moment, with Kansas City. In his first season as a starter, in 2018, he was awarded the title of NFL MVP. Mahomes guided the Chiefs to the title in 2020. With 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns thrown this season, he was voted MVP on Thursday.
The 57th Super Bowl will have a very strong symbolism: for the first time, the two titular quarterbacks will be African-Americans. Only three black QB’s have won the super final, and Jalen Hurts will only be the eighth to play it.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the No. 1 asset of the Kansas City Chiefs. (D. Medley/USA Today Sports/Sports Press)
The coaches
The titled generation in 2018 arriving at the end of the cycle, the Philadelphia Eagles had changed coach two seasons ago and appointed Nick Sirianni (41). He was then the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts. Previously, Sirianni served as an assistant coach in Kansas City and San Diego.
Andy Reid (64) has been in charge of the Kansas City Chiefs for ten years. It was he who allowed the team to win the Super Bowl in 2020. Before, Reid coached … the Philadelphia Eagles. With them, he had lost the Super Bowl in 2005.
The other players
Philadelphia has an excellent defense, second in the number of yards conceded (195.5 average per game) and first in sacks (70). With linebacker Haason Reddick, who has offered 16 quarterback scalps, in the lead. The safety CJ Gardner-Johnson is also formidable (six interceptions). On offense, the Eagles can count on runner Miles Sanders and receivers AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, all over 1,000 yards.
Kansas City has the best offense of the season (413.6 yards / game and 29.2 points / game). THE tight end Travis Kelce had one of his best years (1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns). The ground game is based on Isiah Pacheco (830 yards), who is discovering the NFL this season. The defense is not the strong point of the Chiefs (11th in yards conceded, 16th in points against). THE defensive tackle Chris Jones, however, stands out with 15.5 sacks.
Wink of fate: the two Kelce brothers will be adversaries. Jason, Travis’ older brother, is the center of the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the first time that two brothers will be rivals in the Super Bowl.
