Chiefs, Eagles bring firepower, stout defense to Super Bowl LIX

For the second time in three years, the Chiefs and Eagles will meet in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 and if this match up is anything like the first, fans are in for a thrilling contest.

Chiefs rallied from a 24-14 halftime deficit in Super Bowl LVII, with Patrick Mahomes tossing two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and Harrison Butker kicking the game-winning field goal with eight seconds remaining to seal a 38-35 win. The teams combined for 73 points and 757 yards in total offense, and the game’s lone turnover (a fumble return for a touchdown by the Chiefs) proved to be a major factor.

Both teams have undergone some roster turnover, most notably the addition of Saquon Barley to the Eagles backfield, and points may be more difficult to come by in Super LIX considering their defensive prowess this season. 

But it would be foolish to underestimate coach Andy Reid or Mahomes, as the Chiefs scored 32 points to edge the Bills in the AFC Championship, and the Eagles blasted the Commanders with a 51-point outburst in the NFC Championship.

Chiefs secured the top seed in the AFC and will bring a 17-2 record to the Super Bowl. Eagles, who were the second seed in the NFC, enter with a 17-3 record.

Let’s examine some additional statistics for each team.

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Defensively

Eagles rank first in total defense (289.3 yards allowed per game) and scoring defense (17.9 allowed points per game). They finished second in passing defense and eighth in rushing defense.

Chiefs rank 10th in total defense (327.3 yards per game) and fourth in scoring defense (19.4 per game). They wound up ninth against the run (106.7 yards per game) and 19th against the pass (220.6 yards per game), the latter probably a little misleading considering many opponents were forced into passing situations while trailing.

Both teams averaged 2.6 sacks per game.

Offensively

Eagles averaged 28.4 points per game, sixth best in the league, and the Chiefs were 12th (23.2 points per game).

Surprisingly, Chiefs ranked 19th in total offense (324.5 yards per game); the Eagles finished seventh best (367.1 yards per game). Despite an abundance of weapons, Eagles passing game proved pedestrian at times, ranking next-to-last (behind only New England) by averaging 180.5 passing yards per game. 

Eagles leaned on the ground game, trailing only Baltimore with the league’s 2nd-best rushing attack (186.6 rushing yards per game).

Chiefs finished 15th in passing offense (220.5 yards per game) and 23rd in rushing offense (103.9 yards per game).

Turnover Margin

Eagles proved very opportunistic in the postseason, forcing 10 takeaways and yielding no giveaways in three games. They ranked second to Buffalo in turnover margin.

In a pair of playoff games, Chiefs finished with a -1 turnover margin (no takeaways and one giveaway). They showed their class down the stretch of the regular season, maintaining home-field advantage and the top seed in the AFC by winning three consecutive games (before meaningless season finale) and recording a +10 turnover margin.

Conclusion

Chiefs are listed as 1.5-point favorite at FanDuel, with the total of 48.5 points.

For the Eagles to win, Barkley must perform at a high level because the Eagles don’t want to get into a passing game with the Chiefs. Jalen Hurts will need to provide some balance with his arm, and Eagles must limit giveaways after losing the turnover battle in Super Bowl XVII.

Chiefs excel defensively when it matters and just need to keep it close for Mahomes, who seemingly displays superhero abilities finding a way to prevail in every close game this season. Chiefs bring a 12-0 record in one-score games to Super Bowl LIX.