Reasons to believe Eagles pass rush can get the job done versus Chiefs

The Eagles may take advantage of Patrick Mahomes’ tendency to hang on to the ball too long.

Throughout the 2022 regular season, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, had an average time to throw of 2.89 seconds according to next-gen stats. That shouldn’t surprise anyone, nor should it shock anyone that this ranks among the game’s slowest release times.

Mahomes is tied at 28 in that category with Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Part of what makes Patrick great is his ability to extend plays, but that might work to his detriment in Super Bowl LVII.

Mahomes’ escapability is a huge part of his game, but his recent ankle injury, one he sustained during the Chiefs’ Divisional Round matchup versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, hasn’t come at an ideal time. The effects of his injury lingered into the AFC Championship Game. It’s expected that he won’t be 100% come game time, but any improvement will help his performance. Just don’t expect him to speed up his delivery.

His 2.89-second release time increased to 2.94 seconds versus the Cincinnati Bengals. That was the slowest of the three qualified passers from Championship Sunday. This plays in the Eagles’ defense’s favor.

During the regular season, Philly’s defense allowed, on average, 2.71 seconds to throw, a mark only 12 quarterbacks exceeded all season. Fielding a defense that notched 70 sacks no doubt forced a lot of opposing quarterbacks to throw the ball faster than they would have liked. Forcing Mahomes to hold on to the ball too long will hopefully lead to pressures or, if Philly is lucky, turnovers.

Only three quarterbacks, including two New York Giants signal-callers, exceeded Mahones’ average of 2.89 seconds from snap to release. Daniel Jones posted a single-game mark of 3.16 seconds in the Divisional Round. Davis Webb had an average time to throw of 2.98 seconds in Week 18. Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields also average a 3.05 time to throw in the Eagles’ Week 15 matchup. Each game resulted in Eagles wins.