The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to face one another in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday - and for many, it is a matchup that defines the 2022 season.
For the first time in five years - since the Eagles defeated Tom Brady’s New England Patriots back in 2018, the two first seeds are set to clash in the championship finale. Since seeding was introduced in 1975, both top seeds have advanced to the Super Bowl just 13 times.
On top of that, two Black quarterbacks - Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, whose ankle will be under the spotlight throughout the week, and the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts - will meet in the Super Bowl for the first time in NFL history. It’s fitting it will take place in the second week of the United States’ observance of Black History Month.
Finally, there is the Kelce Bowl as Philadelphia center Jason and Kansas City tight end Travis prepare to become the first brothers to play against one another in a Super Bowl. Both brothers are all-time players at their respective position, and it adds to the wider spectacle of what is set to be a thrilling contest.
With so much talent on either side, who will come out on top? Sports presenter Vernon Kay - who is a passionate NFL fan after playing for the London Warriors - believes that while Mahomes’ ankle could play a part, the Chiefs’ stagnant running game could swing the game in the Eagles’ direction.
“If you look at each element of the Chiefs and Eagles, both teams have strengths in all areas of the game - but the one weakness for me would be the inconsistency of the Chiefs running game,” Kay exclusively told Mirror Sport. “We saw how they struggled a little but against the Cincinnati Bengals with Patrick Mahomes and his ankle. I’m not going to put it all on Patrick Mahomes’ ankle because I think that’s unfair as a team is more than one man, although he is a special player.
“I think there are more strengths in the Eagles team than there are in the Chiefs but that’s only marginal. The big plus for the Eagles is, while both teams have good offensive lines, theirs is outstanding. It’s insane: great center, two great tackles and running backs who have the vision to spot the holes and make plays. I think that’s going to win it for the Eagles; I did pick the Chiefs but the more I watch the Eagles, I think they’re a more complete team.”
Whether Kay likes it or not, Mahomes’ ankle will be heavily assessed and scrutinised throughout the week as the teams get to grips with life in Arizona. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain after being tackled against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, with the 2018 MVP limping over the line to send the Chiefs to a fifth successive AFC Championship Game.
Mahomes overcame pain and adversity to finally get a win over Joe Burrow to reach a third Super Bowl in four seasons. Despite the fact he was visibly limited, Mahomes managed an incredibly gutsy run in the closing moments of the win over the Cincinnati Bengals to draw a penalty from Joseph Ossai, setting up Harrison Butker to f ire the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.
Kay spoke highly of Mahomes’ fortitude, adding: “It was definitely a serious injury - you can’t just shrug off a high ankle sprain, so I think it is a big deal. We saw against the Bengals how limited he was.
“If I’m the Chiefs, it’s not going to worry me because it’s Patrick Mahomes. He has a great arsenal in terms of how he throws the ball and plays the game. Mahomes has such ability that I don’t think the ankle will come into play. It’s Super Bowl Sunday - the biggest game of the season - and there’s more resting on the shoulders of the Chiefs; going to three Super Bowls and only winning one completely flips the chat of a dynasty on its head. I know they won but nobody wants to repeatedly get to the Super Bowl and lose.
“You can talk about the narratives surrounding this game for a long long time but Mahomes is so multi-faceted it doesn’t matter about his ankle.”
Vernon Kay was speaking on behalf of 888sport .Place a Super Bowl Bet Builder with 888sport and get your money back if it loses. TCs apply. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.
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