This Super Bowl rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles seems like it that was destined to be. This game features old teammates and coaches facing off, two juggernauts duking it out, and more as highlighted in our '4 reasons why the Eagles vs. Chiefs Super Bowl LIX matchup is must-see TV story.
The Chiefs are currently the betting favorite. They're favored against the spread and straight-up. It isn't hard to see why.
The Chiefs are a complete team, and it's no surprise they're again playing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. They've made it to the big Game five times in the last six seasons.
This juggernaut of a team doesn't seem to have any weaknesses. But, no team is perfect. Trust us on this. The Chiefs have weaknesses. They just aren't discussed very often.
The Eagles and Chiefs prepare for a Super Bowl rematch.
At the Super Bowl opening night press conferences, Saquon Barkley was asked how he is preparing to face the Chiefs defense, to which he provided an interesting comment: "I don't think they've (allowed) a 100-yard rusher this year, besides Lamar [Jackson]".
Yes, you heard that right. The Chiefs have not let any player rush for 100 yards or more since they played the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. But, that stat might display a weakness in the same manner that it displays strength. K.C. gave up 122 rushing yards to Lamar Jackson in a game they only won by a toe... literally.
Throughout the rest of the regular season, the Chiefs only played against two other teams with a top-10 rushing QB. The Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos were the opponents in that instance. Those teams handed the Chiefs their only two losses.
Saquon Barkley bettors should look away. This game might turn into the Hurts show.
During both of the Chiefs' losses this season, the opposing quarterbacks were the leading rushers. The Chiefs also beat the Bills and the Broncos once this season, and in both of those games, Josh Allen and Bo Nix were outgained by their running backs.
Saquon Barkley has been the workhorse that the Eagles rode through the regular season and playoffs. In his first Super Bowl appearance, DraftKings gives him odds of +260 to win the Super Bowl MVP trophy at this story's release. Those are currently the highest odds of any player to win the honor.
Remember: Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Unfortunately for Barkley, however, the Chiefs defense may provide his toughest test yet. Fortunately for the Eagles, though, Hurts has the skill and experience to shine, and expose this potential Achilles' heel. He shouldn't rule out attacking K.C. with his legs.
Alan Moore once said that "there is no coincidence. Only the illusion of coincidence". While these statistics may seem cherry-picked, it is undeniable that the Chiefs lost (and almost lost) vs. teams with highly mobile quarterbacks.
While Hurts isn't a reigning NFL MVP, he is certainly capable of winning with his mobility, and he may be more pf a threat to the Cheifs than Josh Allen and Bo Nix.
Jalen Hurts tallied 15 carries for 70 yards and recorded three touchdowns in his last Super Bowl performance. He also tacked on 304 yards passing, completing 27 of 38 attempts. The Chiefs didn't seem to have an answer for him. He would have won the game if he had a few more minutes.
If this season is any indicator, he is more than capable of repeating that performance. He rushed for 86 yards and four touchdowns in his last two playoff games, and that trend should be expected to continue into the Super Bowl.
Just because you know it's coming, doesn't mean you can stop it.
The Eagles are capable of attacking defenses from every angle. Hurts is just as likely to throw for 300 yards as he is to rush for 100. Barkley has proven that he can tear off a touchdown run at any time. The Chiefs will be forced to choose what threats to take away, but they can't cover all three fronts on every down.
Barkley has been lightning in a bottle this season, and defenses can't ignore the threats that receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith pose. That should give Hurts plenty of opportunities to run himself.
The film doesn't lie, and the film shows that the Chiefs have struggled against dual-threat quarterbacks this season.
Hurts has proven that he is a threat on the ground just as much as in the air, and when you spread a defense thin and attack from all angles, it's bound to expose some weak spots. Hurts taking off on designed runs and improvisations could be the difference-maker that brings the Lombardi back to Philly.