On Monday night, the Kansas City Chiefs host the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII. However, instead of a neutral site game, this rematch takes place at Arrowhead Stadium where the Chiefs enjoy a considerable home-field advantage. Still, this is a formidable group from Philadelphia that could walk away with a win on Monday.
Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles was a tremendous finale to the 2022 season. In the end, the best teams in each conference did battle with the Chiefs winning 38-35 in the final seconds.
On Monday night the rematch occurs with both teams atop their respective conferences and coming off their Bye Week. So who has the edge?
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes vs. Jalen Hurts
This is really a no-brainer because I’m not betting against Mahomes in Arrowhead in primetime. Yes, he lost to the Detroit Lions earlier in the season, but that was hardly his doing. Still Hurts is one of the top three quarterbacks in the NFL. This season he’s battled knee and shoulder issues but that hasn’t slowed him down. What makes this battle intriguing is the fact both quarterbacks are winning close games.
Edge: Mahomes
Wide Receiver: Rashsee Rice vs. A.J. Brown
Clearly Brown has the edge over the Chiefs rookie wide receiver. However, Brown faces a fast and talented secondary, whereas Rice, should he get more touches Monday night, won’t be facing the same competition as his counterpart. Still, Brown is the best receiver in the NFL, and though the Chiefs have done well against the best of the NFL to date, Brown can get open on any snap. He could have a big game against Kansas City.
Edge: Brown
Tight End: Travis Kelce vs. Jack Stoll
With Dallas Goedart out with an injury, Stoll has to fill the shoes of a man who has tormented the Chiefs in the past. That’s a tall task. On the flip side, Kelce is the game’s best tight end, and after a lackluster performance against the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, he’s due for a breakout game. Plus, if his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, and her family attend that game as is being reported, that takes things to a whole new expectation level.
Edge: Kelce
Offensive Line: Eagles vs. Chiefs
In reality, the Eagles have the best offensive line in football. Regardless, of whether you rank them by the success of the Tush Push or not, they run, trap, block, and protect better than anyone. The Chiefs offensive line has struggled at times this year. With two new tackles, both Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor still assimilating the schemes, this unit is not playing to its potential. They are not alone; the interior of KC’s line has also broken down and has yet to find any consistent dominance.
Edge: Eagles
Defense: Eagles vs. Chiefs
The Chiefs defense has been on fire this season. Currently, they rank third in the NFL and overall have a balance of youth and veteran playmakers that have turned this unit into one of the NFL’s best. The Eagles defense is equally as good, and they’ve proven they can eliminate any offense. They have playmakers at every level, and despite some lulls in games that have allowed opponents to score more points than a year ago, late in games they are nails. However, the same can be said for the Chiefs defense.
Edge: Chiefs
Special Teams: Eagles vs. Chiefs
If Tommy Townsend and Harrison Butker are not the best punter and kicker combination in the NFL, I don’t know who can match them. Kicker Braden Mann and Punter, Jake Elliott are not elite at their positions. Elliott has struggled at times, and Mann who came over from the San Francisco 49ers, has made some big kicks. Still, in clutch moments it’s clear who are the better duo.
Edge: Chiefs
Coaching: Reid vs. Sirianni
If beating him in the Super Bowl didn’t tilt the scales, then you don’t understand what a good coach can do for a team in the postseason. Reid outcoached his counterpart in the second half of Super Bowl LVII ultimately deciding the victor. I think Sirianni is a good coach, but he’s benefited from the work of General Manager, Howard Rosen who has built an incredible roster. This season after losing both his OC and DC to head coaching jobs, Sirianni has his hands full this season. Reid, already a Hall of Fame Head Coach, understands big games and the big moments within them to make the right decisions.
Edge: Reid
