The Kansas City Chiefs completed their last session while the Philadelphia Eagles conducted final walkthroughs ahead of Super Bowl LVII on Sunday.
On Saturday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid ran situational scenarios to best prepare his team ahead of the big game. He referred to the session as a ‘Mock Game’, making sure his players were able to switch between personnel relatively smoothly and without issue.
Reid was also thrilled that each of his players on the active roster are fit and available to face the Eagles tomorrow. The 53-man roster and practice squad took part in a very brief walkthrough in Tempe, near the home of Arizona State, Sun Devil Stadium.
“I’m happy for the guys,” Reid told reporters. “We’ll make it work with whatever we got but I mean, I’m happy for the guys to have this chance. It’s special to play in the Super Bowl.
“It’s a great opportunity that doesn’t come around very often.”
The session was somewhat emotional for the Chiefs - who will wear white tops and red pants against the Eagles - as strength and conditioning coach Barry Rubin is set to leave the team after the match. Players and staff alike paid tribute to Rubin, who has been coaching alongside Reid since 1995 with the Green Bay Packers.
Reid had one more nugget of advice for his team as the future Hall of Fame coach told his team to ‘be themselves’. He said: “You don’t need to be any more or any less. Just, go be yourself. That’s what it’s all about really, and that’s what they’ll do.”
As for their championship rivals, the Eagles arrived at the Arizona Cardinals’ training facility earlier this morning for their final walkthrough before Super Bowl LVII. Head coach Nick Sirianni led the Eagles through a set of situational plays, covering all three phases during the 45-minute session.
Most of the Eagles’ game-planning was focused on early-game plays, as well as critical situations including two-minute drill, punts, and fourth downs. Backup quarterback Ian Book played the part of Chiefs quarterback and two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes.
Thankfully for Philadelphia fans, there were no changes to the team’s final injury report, with Britain Covey (hamstring) remaining listed as questionable. However, everyone else is cleared and ready to compete Sunday.
The Eagles were scheduled to have some free time with family for much of Saturday afternoon before regrouping for a final team meeting in the evening. Sirianni’s hope is his players use the time to take it easy and act as if it was like any other game.
“We know tomorrow is going to be a long day,” Sirianni said. “So, relax, stay off your feet. Do what you normally do.”
The Eagles face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona on Sunday.
