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The Kansas City Chiefs are chasing history, and standing in their way are the Philadelphia Eagles. On February 9, Super Bowl LIX (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox) will take place in New Orleans, where the Chiefs look to make history by becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three consecutive championships.
The Chiefs have already made their mark as the NFL’s ninth team to win back-to-back Super Bowls, and they’re hungry for more. However, the Eagles are standing tall, determined to block Kansas City’s path to history.
Kansas City finished their regular season with a 15-2 record, tying for the best in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. Despite their impressive record, the Chiefs had some close calls throughout the season—11 of their wins came by one score, and they ranked 11th in point margin per game (3.47). Still, they clinched their ninth consecutive AFC West championship, earned the top playoff seed in the AFC, and secured the only first-round bye in the conference.
In the postseason, the Chiefs played both of their games at Arrowhead Stadium, defeating the Houston Texans 23-14 in the divisional round before edging past the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game. That victory over the Bills was notable for extending the Chiefs’ NFL-record streak of wins in one-score games to 17—a testament to their ability to perform under pressure.
As Super Bowl LIX approaches, there are several key questions that will shape the game’s outcome.
How well can the Chiefs defend the Eagles’ tush push?
The Eagles’ signature “tush push” has been a point of concern for opponents, and the Chiefs have already shown that they can defend it effectively. During the AFC Championship Game against the Bills, the Chiefs stopped quarterback Josh Allen’s tush push on multiple occasions. However, they struggled against Eagles QB Jalen Hurts in previous matchups, particularly in Super Bowl LVII, where Hurts scored two touchdowns using the play. The Chiefs will need a dominant performance from their defensive line, led by Chris Jones, to contain Hurts in the red zone.
How does Eagles running back Saquon Barkley change the game plan for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo?
To counter Barkley’s impact, Spagnuolo may opt for a heavier defensive front, adjusting Kansas City’s coverage schemes to focus more on stopping the run. With a more stacked box, the Chiefs could play more man-to-man and zone coverage to counter Philadelphia’s running attack, especially on the edges where the Eagles often try to get Barkley to the perimeter.
What’s different about this Chiefs team compared to the last two Super Bowl teams?
While the Chiefs’ offense isn’t as explosive as in previous seasons, they remain highly efficient. In 2023, Kansas City ranked 15th in scoring (21.8 points per game), a far cry from their 2022 performance when they led the NFL in scoring. The Chiefs’ defense has been their strength this season, ranking second in scoring defense (17.3 points per game). The Chiefs’ ability to get after the quarterback, particularly with their strong pass rush toward the end of the season, will be crucial against the Eagles.
How does the Chiefs’ wide receiver group match up against the Eagles’ high-quality secondary?
Kansas City’s receiving corps—Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, and Juju Smith-Schuster—will have their hands full with the Eagles’ talented secondary. Despite struggles in the regular season, with Hopkins, Brown, and Smith-Schuster failing to make an impact in their playoff win over the Texans, these receivers have shown the ability to step up when it matters most. Worthy, the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick, has made great strides in his development and could be a future star. Smith-Schuster showed flashes of brilliance in the AFC Championship Game, recording the Chiefs’ two longest plays of the game. However, they will need to overcome Philadelphia’s elite cornerbacks, including Darius Slay and James Bradberry, who have been key to the Eagles’ defense this season.
How will the Chiefs’ offense adjust to attack the Eagles’ defense?
Under Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have an impressive array of offensive weapons, and their adaptability is a key factor in their success. Mahomes’ ability to read defenses and make adjustments on the fly will be crucial in exploiting the Eagles’ defense. In previous matchups, the Chiefs have been able to take advantage of predictable man coverage in the red zone, using motion and misdirection to confuse the Eagles’ secondary. The Chiefs will likely lean on tight end Travis Kelce, who has been a postseason standout, as well as Mahomes’ ability to make plays with his legs, especially when facing a fierce pass rush from the Eagles.
As the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, one thing is certain: this will be a battle of elite offenses and defenses, with both teams having their own set of challenges and strengths. Will the Chiefs make history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, or will the Eagles stop them in their tracks? Tune in on February 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET on Fox to find out.