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Super Bowl LIX analysis and predictions. RotoBaller compares the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at every position, analyzing each team's strengths and weaknesses ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
With the dust settled on an 18-week regular season and three rounds of the NFL playoffs, just two teams remain standing.
The AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs are set to square off against the NFC-winning Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. The Super Bowl returns to New Orleans this year and is set to be played on Sunday, February 9, in the Caesars Superdome.
This battle will be a rematch of Super Bowl LVII, an exciting game that the Chiefs won 38-35. As the season's finale draws closer, let's take a look at how these two powerhouse teams compare. In this article, we'll break down the Chiefs and Eagles at every position group to determine which team holds the advantage ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
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Quarterback
Kansas City Notables: Patrick Mahomes; Philadelphia Notables: Jalen Hurts
For all the talk of how Patrick Mahomes has had a "down" year, I'm still taking him over virtually any quarterback alive every day of the week and twice on Sunday. That's especially true on Super Bowl Sunday, as Mahomes sports a 3-1 career record in football's biggest game.
Which of these is your favorite? pic.twitter.com/gzYuqOlhD8
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 4, 2025
Giving the edge to Mahomes here is certainly not throwing shade at Jalen Hurts, a QB who in his lone Super Bowl appearance put forth one of the best statistical performances in the history of the game, which coincidentally came against these Chiefs two years ago. He's showcased the ability to be ruthlessly efficient in this year's Eagles offense.
Both of these QBs were asked to do less during the regular season, with Mahomes leaning on K.C.'s strong defense and Hurts handing the ball off to all-world running back Saquon Barkley. However, we know all bets are off in the environment of a Super Bowl, and I have more trust in Mahomes if the game is on the line.
Advantage: Chiefs
Running Back
Kansas City Notables: Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt; Philadelphia Notables: Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, Kenneth Gainwell
I'm not going to waste a lot of article space here, as all football fans are well aware of the historic season Philly's Saquon Barkley has put together. In his first campaign with the Eagles, Barkley rushed for an eye-popping 2,005 yards in 16 regular-season games. That dominance has carried over to the postseason, as he's averaged a ridiculous 147.3 rushing yards per game with five TDs across Philly's three playoff wins.
Saquon Barkley needs just 30 rushing yards in Super Bowl LIX to break Terrell Davis' record for most rushing yards in an NFL season (regular season + postseason combined) with 2,476. pic.twitter.com/WOHUKJ4zRl
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) January 27, 2025
While the Philadephia backfield features a superstar, the Chiefs have been forced to take a committee approach. K.C. brought in veteran Kareem Hunt following an injury that forced lead back Isiah Pacheco to miss a large chunk of the regular season.
Hunt not only solidified what could have been an ugly situation but has remained heavily involved in the K.C. offense since Pacheco's return. That said, neither of the Chiefs backs has displayed anywhere near the type of game-breaking explosiveness that Barkley possesses.
Advantage: Eagles
Wide Receiver
Kansas City Notables: Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, JuJu Smith-Schuster; Philadelphia Notables: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson
The Chiefs have been scrambling at the wide receiver position since a season-ending injury to Rashee Rice in Week 4. Offseason addition Hollywood Brown also missed nearly the entirety of the regular season with a shoulder injury. A midseason trade for veteran DeAndre Hopkins helped bridge the gap to Brown's return, while first-round rookie Xavier Worthy has stepped up his game during the NFL playoffs.
Xavier Worthy’s rookie season going into Super Bowl LIX…
880 yards from scrimmage
10 TDs pic.twitter.com/YBjeUO9dZQ— Arrowhead Live (@ArrowheadLive) January 28, 2025
Philadelphia might not have as many warm bodies in its receiving corps, but the dynamic duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith is as good as any in the league. While this Eagles offense has been largely content to dominate on the ground for large stretches, both Brown and Smith can take over games when called upon.
Advantage: Eagles
Tight End
Kansas City Notables: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray; Philadelphia Notables: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra
Comparing most tight ends to future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce in a Super Bowl setting would be a very short discussion, and while Kelce would still get the checkmark over almost anyone here, Dallas Goedert at least deserves a respectful nod of acknowledgment -- especially when considering his late-season surge of production, which has included 15 catches for 188 yards and a TD across Philly's three playoff wins.
Travis Kelce has recorded a league-high 3,927 receiving yards against opposing linebackers throughout the Mahomes era, including playoffs, over 1,000 more than the next closest player. His +185.7 receiving EPA on such targets also leads the league since 2018.
Matchup To Watch🔍… pic.twitter.com/VgdZc3uh9Q
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) February 4, 2025
Kansas City was likely banking on the 35-year-old Kelce being able to "flip the switch" when the postseason arrived. The results have been mixed, as he dominated Houston in the Divisional Round but was held in check by Buffalo in the AFC title game. Noah Gray is a player on the rise who had some nice moments during the regular season but has been quiet to this point in the playoffs.
Advantage: Chiefs
Offensive Line
Kansas City Notables: Creed Humphrey, Joe Thuney, Trey Smith; Philadelphia Notables: Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata
It once appeared as if anything was going to derail the Chiefs' hopes of a three-peat, it would be their issues on the offensive line. While the interior remains solid, injuries and inconsistencies at tackle have forced Kansas City to make notable changes, including longtime guard Joe Thuney being forced into duty at LT. It remains unclear if Thuney will remain there in the Super Bowl.
Patrick Mahomes has been sacked only 1 time since Week 15 🏰
Mahomes took 35 sacks between Weeks 1-14 https://t.co/nmdeTpGPKh pic.twitter.com/A0iHpPF3RI
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 17, 2025
The Philadelphia O-line boasts the ability to dominate as both pass- and run-blockers. This group, led by Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, paved the way for Saquon Barkley to rush for over 2,000 yards during the regular season while also being unstoppable when deploying the infamous "Tush Push."
Despite their greatness, the Eagles line will get a firm test in Super Bowl LIX, as it'll be tasked with containing one of the NFL's best interior defenders in Kansas City's Chris Jones.
Advantage: Eagles
Defensive Line/Linebackers
Kansas City Notables: Chris Jones, Nick Bolton, George Karlaftis; Philadelphia Notables: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Nolan Smith Jr.
Both of these squads boast amazing defenses with stars all along the front seven of each unit. Kansas City fields perhaps the NFL's best individual interior defender in Chris Jones, who teams with George Karlaftis to form one of the league's most disruptive defensive duos, while Nick Bolton leads up a rock-solid linebacker corps. The Chiefs held opponents to the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game during the regular season.
Jalen Carter is a certified DAWG🐶 pic.twitter.com/VzXIp3vXF9
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) February 4, 2025
As stout as the K.C. defense is up front, Philadelphia is arguably even better. The depth of talent that the Eagles possess is somewhat mind-blowing, as the trifecta of Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Milton Williams is just a portion of the weapons Philly will bring into Super Bowl LIX.
The Eagles allowed the NFL's fewest total yards per game and second-fewest points per game this season while holding opponents to just over 18 points per game in their three postseason victories.
Advantage: Eagles
Secondary
Kansas City Notables: Trent McDuffie, Justin Reid, Jaylen Watson; Philadelphia Notables: Darius Slay Jr., Quinyon Mitchell
Philadelphia's impressive defense extends past the front seven. After an abysmal 2023 campaign, the Eagles rebuilt their secondary during the offseason, an area of focus that's paid huge dividends this season. Rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are both Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists, while veteran Darius Slay Jr. looked rejuvenated in 2024. The Eagles allowed the league's second-fewest passing yards per game during the regular season.
Want a defensive masterclass? Just watch Quinyon Mitchell. 👀 (by @awscloud)
📺: #SBLIX Countdown -- Saturday at 8pm ET on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/WYaipgN69H
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 4, 2025
The Kansas City secondary has also been a standout unit, holding opposing receivers to just 7.39 yards per target during the regular season -- the third-best mark in the NFL. Jaylen Watson has been a valuable postseason addition after missing the majority of the season with an injury, allowing just three catches for 17 yards in K.C.'s two playoff wins. Watson will be a key player in Super Bowl LIX, as he'll be tasked with corraling either A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith.
Advantage: Eagles
Kicker
Kansas City Notables: Harrison Butker; Philadelphia Notables: Jake Elliott
While Butker's season has featured some ups and downs that included missed time with an injury, he's been perfect in the postseason, going 4-of-4 on field-goal attempts in K.C.'s two playoff wins.
Jake Elliott has only made one kick of 50+ yards this year.
He's now 1/8 this season after his first career postseason field goal miss. pic.twitter.com/wlhagK74aX
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 26, 2025
The same can't be said for Philly's Elliott, whose regular-season struggles have bled over into the playoffs. He's missed a field goal and three extra-point attempts across the Eagles' three postseason games.
Advantage: Chiefs
Punter
Kansas City Notables: Matt Araiza; Philadelphia Notables: Braden Mann
From a statistical perspective, this is a dead heat, with both Araiza and Mann averaging exactly 48.6 yards per punt for the season. However, Araiza has been slightly better at pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line. The Chiefs punter sports a 39.4 percent inside-the-20 rate, while Mann posted a 36.9 percent rate.
Advantage: Chiefs
Coaching
Kansas City Notables: Andy Reid (HC), Steve Spagnuolo (DC); Philadelphia Notables: Nick Sirianni (HC), Vic Fangio (DC)
After a disastrous 2023 campaign, there was some legitimate discussion as to whether Nick Sirianni should be back at the helm in Philly this season. Sirianni and company -- notably offseason defensive coordinator hire Vic Fangio -- have rebounded beautifully. Say what you will, but Sirianni has now compiled a 48-20 record and reached two Super Bowls in his four years as the head coach of the Eagles.
Super Bowl LIX will feature Andy Reid vs Nick Sirianni, which will be the 5th HC rematch in Super Bowl history.
The head coach that won the 1st meeting also won the 2nd meeting in the other 4 times. The other 4 instances:
Andy Reid vs. Kyle Shanahan
Tom Couglin vs. Bill… pic.twitter.com/ILA0w0AXRb— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) January 29, 2025
What's left to say about Andy Reid? The former Philadelphia head coach has led Kansas City to an 18-7 playoff record and three Super Bowl titles across his 12 years on the Chiefs' sideline. One of the game's best-ever play-callers, Reid also has the benefit of experienced defensive mastermind Steve Spagnuolo handling the K.C. defense.
Advantage: Chiefs
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