Sports writer Griffin Smith profiles the upcoming Super Bowl
Super Bowl LVII is taking place Feb. 12, 2023, at State Farm Insurance Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals. The game sees the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
This Super Bowl LVII matchup includes some unique instances. First, it includes one of the youngest Super Bowl quarterback matchups. Patrick Mahomes is 27 years old, and Jalen Hurts is 24, giving Hurtsthe opportunity to be the youngest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl.
This Super Bowl also includes the first ever brother vs. brother matchup in Super Bowl history — Jason and Travis Kelce. Jason is the starting center for the Eagles, and Travis Kelce is the starting tight end for the Chiefs. Jason and Travis grew up in Hamilton Heights, Ohio, a suburb outside of Cincinnati. They both played college football together at the University of Cincinnati and were later drafted to their respective teams
This Super Bowl matchup also includes two outstanding coaches, Andy Reid of the Chiefs and Nick Sirianni of the Eagles. Reid was previously the coach of the Eagles from 1999 until 2012, and has been with the Chiefs ever since. Sirianni has been the head coach in Philadelphia since 2021 and is looking for his first Super Bowl win as a coach.
Looking at the offenses, Kansas City ranks tied for first in statistics such as points/game (28.7), first in yards/game (407.9), first in yards/play (6.3) and second in touchdowns/game (3.5). The Philadelphia offense ranks tied for first in points/game (28.7), second in yards/game (384.2), sixth in yards/play (5.8) and first in touchdowns/game (3.6).
Looking at these particular offensive statistics, I am going to have to lean toward the offense of the Kansas City Chiefs to dominate and make the difference in this game on the offensive side. I think the key to the game on offense is going to be if the Eagles’ defense can shut down Patrick Mahomes and company to keep the game in reach for the Eagles.
Looking at the defensive side of the ball, Kansas City ranks fifth overall — tenth in opponents points/game (21.5), tenth in opponents yards/game (328.3), ninth in opponents yards/play (5.1) and twentieth in opponents touchdowns/game (2.5). The Philadelphia defense ranks first in opponents points/game (18.8), first in opponents yards/game (290.3), first in opponents yards/play (4.7) and tenth in opponents touchdowns/game (2.2). Looking at these particular defensive statistics, I am going to lean toward Philadelphia’s defense on this matchup. I think Philadelphia’s defense is going to wreak havoc on the Chiefs. The matchup of Kansas City’s offense and Philadelphia’s defense is going to be the difference between who wins or loses Super Bowl LVII.
I also wanted to preview one more aspect of Super Bowl LVII, and that is the halftime show. The halftime show performance is going to be by Rhianna. Sources have stated she’ll be the only performer, but I have a feeling someone might possibly join her Super Bowl halftime performance.
My final prediction for Super Bowl LVII is the Philadelphia Eagles 24, Kansas City Chiefs 17.
