NFL · 8 months ago

How the Eagles Will Beat the Chiefs: 10 Keys to a Super Bowl Victory

Grant White

Host · Writer

Don't Let the Moment Get to You
At times, the Philadelphia Eagles have gotten in their own way. They have to shed that persona if they want to escape Super Bowl LIX with the win.

Eagles fans don't need to be reminded of their epic collapse last season, which culminated in an unceremonious exit in the Divisional Round. Moreover, the last time these teams met in the Super Bowl, the Eagles blew a fourth-quarter lead, letting the Chiefs score 17 points in the final stanza en route to the three-point victory.

This is a more mature Eagles squad. We saw it throughout the regular season, and their cohesion has been on full display in the postseason. Still, there can't be a drop of blood in the water against the Chiefs. The slightest inkling of doubt could be the Eagles' undoing.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Get Saquon Involved Early
Chiefs vs. Eagles Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates

The Philadelphia Eagles are trying to accomplish something that few other teams have been able to pull off over the past few seasons -- knock off the Kansas City Chiefs. Their best chance of pulling off the stunning upset rests on obvious shoulders.

Undoubtedly, Saquon Barkley has been the MVP of the Eagles, if not the entire NFL, all season. The former second-overall pick is within striking distance of the all-time record for rushing yards in a season (including the playoffs). Moreover, he's tallied no fewer than 118 yards in any of the last five games.

Use the NFC Championship Game as the prime example of the benefits of getting Barkley involved early. While he might be unable to pull off another 70-yard masterpiece, Barkley's the centerpiece of the Eagles' attack.
Incorporate All of the Pass-Catchers
While A.J. Brown is credited as Philadelphia's top receiver, the Eagles fly highest when they get all their pass-catchers involved. That should be a priority from the outset of Super Bowl LIX.

We've seen Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert carry the passing attack at various points this season. Optimizing the passing game will allow Philadelphia to exploit the Chiefs' vulnerable secondary. Kansas City has looked out of sorts trying to defend the pass this season, a concern that has persisted into the postseason. In two playoff games, opponents have completed 66.1% of passes versus KC for 482 yards.

Maximizing the Eagles' trio of top pass-catchers and even incorporating Barkley into the passing attack puts the Chiefs at a disadvantage.

Spread: Chiefs -1.5 | Moneyline: Chiefs -124 | Eagles +106 | Total: 49.5
Blitz on Every Occasion
The Eagles' defensive front is one of the nastiest in football. Philadelphia has dialed up its defensive pressure lately, and the Chiefs haven't excelled at protecting their quarterback.

In three playoff games, the Eagles have sacked opposing quarterbacks 10 times. Putting their opponents under duress has resulted in some less-than-stellar results. Jordan Love, Matthew Stafford, and Jayden Daniels have combined for a 60.0% completion rating while tossing four interceptions.

Replicating those postseason efforts will be crucial in disrupting the timing of the Chiefs' offensive plays.

March down the field with SportsGrid’s FREE Top NFL Game Picks and NFL Player Prop Picks weekly!
Put C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Xavier Worthy
For some reason, top wide receivers continue to fall into the laps of the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Draft. Xavier Worthy is their latest catch and has proven to be a top contributor in the playoffs. The Eagles need to sic C.J. Gardner-Johnson on the Chiefs' top wide receiver.

Gardner-Johnson has had an incredible campaign. The Eagles' safety has six interceptions and 12 pass deflections on the season, adding one forced fumble for good measure. Further, he's allowing a noteworthy 62.2% completion rating in pass coverage.

Neutralizing Worthy hampers the Chiefs' offensive outlook. Gardner-Johnson can be relied upon to keep the rookie in check.
Zack Baun Should Blanket Travis Kelce
Father Time has proven to be the most effective way of slowing down Travis Kelce. But the eventual Hall of Famer has yet to face the likes of Zack Baun in coverage.

In his fifth professional season, Baun has emerged as an All-Pro linebacker. The former third-round pick has finally started to live up to his potential, serving as an elite defender in every facet of the game, including his top-end pass coverage metrics.

Baun has totaled 151 tackles, four pass deflections, five forced fumbles, and an interception this season. Further, he's put up a career-best 73.5% completion percentage in coverage while holding opponents to 7.3 yards per pass attempt.

Baun won't be asked to contain Kelce on every play, but corraling the Chiefs tight end early could stop Kelce from finding his rhythm.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter.
Give the People Another Philly Special
The Eagles' lone Super Bowl Championship was characterized by the Philly Special. The NFC Champs don't need to run the same play, but running a trick play or two could be the difference between winning and losing.

Kansas City's defense has been a stabilizing factor in their pursuit of a third straight championship. Philadelphia must get creative if they hope to exploit a battle-tested unit. Leave it to Nick Sirianni to develop a signature play and expect the Eagles to execute.
Let Jalen Hurts Do His Thing
Saquon Barkley has shouldered the offensive burden for too long. While injuries have hampered Jalen Hurts's production at times this season, he's healthy enough to do his thing against the Chiefs.

Philadelphia is at its best when Hurts can use his legs. We've already seen him use his mobility to his advantage this postseason. Still, the Eagles are one of the best at improvising when plays go awry, thanks to Hurts' athletic ability.

On Sunday, the Caesars Superdome is Hurts's kitchen, and the Eagles must let him cook.

Blitz the Books with SportsGrid's 4- & 5-star NFL Game Picks and NFL Player Prop Bets.
Contain Patrick Mahomes
At this point, we all know what to expect from Patrick Mahomes. The three-time Super Bowl MVP has consistently put the Chiefs on his back and carried them to glory. Not to state the obvious, but finding a way to contain him is crucial to victory.

Like a Bianca Censori gown, the Chiefs hide nothing about their offense. Mahomes is the field general commanding KC's offense and has free rein to do what he needs to.

Philadelphia must be prepared to disrupt Mahomes's timing and prevent him from using his legs to his advantage. If they can pull that off, the Eagles will be well on their way to their second Super Bowl title.
Play the Full 60 Minutes
It's been less of a concern this year, but we've seen the Eagles take their foot off the pedal. They can't afford slip-ups or missteps if they want to dethrone the Chiefs.

The NFC Championship Game might be the best example that Philadelphia has learned those hard lessons. The Eagles played an unrelenting brand of football, destroying their division rivals en route to their third Super Bowl in seven years.

Still, we've been reminded of these concerns a few times this season. Most notably, the Eagles gave up 22 fourth-quarter points to the Washington Commanders in Week 16 and a game-winning drive in the waning moments vs. the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the year.

Patrick Mahomes is a world-class architect of game-winning drives. Philadelphia needs to be ready to stop him for the full 60 minutes.
Don't Let the Moment Get to You
At times, the Philadelphia Eagles have gotten in their own way. They have to shed that persona if they want to escape Super Bowl LIX with the win.

Eagles fans don't need to be reminded of their epic collapse last season, which culminated in an unceremonious exit in the Divisional Round. Moreover, the last time these teams met in the Super Bowl, the Eagles blew a fourth-quarter lead, letting the Chiefs score 17 points in the final stanza en route to the three-point victory.

This is a more mature Eagles squad. We saw it throughout the regular season, and their cohesion has been on full display in the postseason. Still, there can't be a drop of blood in the water against the Chiefs. The slightest inkling of doubt could be the Eagles' undoing.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Get Saquon Involved Early
Chiefs vs. Eagles Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates

The Philadelphia Eagles are trying to accomplish something that few other teams have been able to pull off over the past few seasons -- knock off the Kansas City Chiefs. Their best chance of pulling off the stunning upset rests on obvious shoulders.

Undoubtedly, Saquon Barkley has been the MVP of the Eagles, if not the entire NFL, all season. The former second-overall pick is within striking distance of the all-time record for rushing yards in a season (including the playoffs). Moreover, he's tallied no fewer than 118 yards in any of the last five games.

Use the NFC Championship Game as the prime example of the benefits of getting Barkley involved early. While he might be unable to pull off another 70-yard masterpiece, Barkley's the centerpiece of the Eagles' attack.

How the Eagles Will Beat the Chiefs: 10 Keys to a Super Bowl Victory

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos