LIVE updates: Kansas City Chiefs win the 2023 Super Bowl

Posted

February 12, 2023 at 5:38 PM EST

On paper, the biggest mismatch in this game is the Eagles’ rushing offense vs. the Chiefs’ run defense. The Eagles are the most effective running team in the league, and the Chiefs’ run defense is mediocre.

The Eagles have won a lot of games this year by jumping out to an early lead, then running the ball. A run-heavy game runs down the clock faster than a pass-heavy game, so most teams start rushing more often once they’ve got the lead — and the Eagles are very good at running the ball. Quarterback Jalen Hurts (#1) is a talented rusher in his own right, and Philadelphia’s offensive line is skilled at creating space for him and their running backs to pick up yards on the ground.

For the Chiefs’ defense, the path to success might be to try to force Hurts to throw the ball, where he is good but not great. At the line of scrimmage, watch for Kansas City’s All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones (#95) to see whether he can get pressure on Hurts.

This is a tough choice for Kansas City. Focusing on the pass game might allow the Eagles to move the ball at will on the ground, which would chew through clock and limit opportunities for Kansas City’s league-best offense.

But if the Chiefs decide to put more defenders up front to try to stop the Eagles’ run game, that risks opening up opportunities for the Eagles’ stellar wide receivers A.J. Brown (#11) and DeVonta Smith (#6). If this seems like a lose-lose situation for the Chiefs, well … that’s why the Eagles are 14-3.