Super Bowl Film Room: Can The Eagles Deny Chiefs 3-Peat?

It’s a Super Bowl rematch from two seasons ago as the Kansas City Chiefs are seeking the first-ever three-peat, and the Philadelphia Eagles are chasing their second title in eight seasons.

Jalen Hurts is the first starting quarterback in 33 years to return to the Super Bowl after losing in his first appearance.

Previous David and Goliath battle

In round one, Hurts went band for band with Patrick Mahomes and it came down to who had the ball last. 

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With a personal bubble space to throw, Hurts connects with wide receiver AJ Brown on a 45-yard touchdown, testing All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie in coverage.

This is a “my guy is better than your guy” play.

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It’s all Jimmies and Joes here. Mahomes sees a free lane and takes off for a clutch gain.

What cost the Eagles were multiple defensive miscommunications, and the Chiefs won by running two similar plays.

Kadarius Toney fakes a jet motion before running to the flat for a walk-in touchdown. Then, it’s a similar play, just flipped. Skyy Moore fakes a jet motion and runs to the flat for another easy touchdown.

It’s difficult for the Eagles to make the adjustment since the fake jet motion occurs right before the snap.

New birds

Philadelphia’s offense has four new starters since their last Super Bowl appearance:

• RB Saquon Barkley (All-Pro)
• WR3 Jahan Dotson
• C Cam Jurgens (Pro Bowler)
• RG Mekhi Becton 

And eight new starters on defense:

• DE Milton Williams
• NT Jordan Davis
• DE Jalen Carter (All-Pro)
• WLB Nolan Smith Jr.
• ILB Zack Baun (All-Pro)
• ILB Oren Burks
• CB Quinyon Mitchell (rookie)
• FS Reed Blankenship
• *NB Cooper DeJean (rookie)

Bulldogs to birds

Philadelphia’s defense features six former Georgia Bulldogs: Davis, Carter, Smith, Kelee Ringo (who was DNP in the playoffs), Nakobe Dean and Lewis Cine (both on IR).

During these playoffs, the Eagles have faced quarterbacks that are elite against the blitz, Matthew Stafford and Jayden Daniels.

Stafford had the highest passer rating (139.2) against the blitz in the playoffs, while Daniels had the third-highest QBR (90.3) against the blitz in the regular season. 

The Eagles have smartly relied on their front four, forcing great quarterbacks against the blitz to throw into seven or eight defenders while also dialing up the occasional blitz.

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On a four-man pass rush, Smith lines up in a wide nine (he’s even further from the ball than the receiver) and evades the left tackle for a sack.

In this matchup, Mahomes is the last quarterback anyone should dare to blitz. 

Philadelphia will have to take a page from former New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (ironically enough, Kansas City’s current defensive coordinator) and create pressure with four while dropping seven in coverage.

Spagnuolo’s consistent pressure on Tom Brady with just his front four was arguably the most important component of the Giants’ defeat of the New England Patriots twice in the Super Bowl. 

The Eagles will also have to defend the Chiefs’ perimeter run plays. They have the talent and personnel to match with that.

Check out Carter’s speed to blow up this jet sweep:

Quest for the three-peat 

Kansas City’s offense has six starters remaining since their 2022 Super Bowl win over Philadelphia:

• QB Patrick Mahomes (3x SBMVP)
• RB Isiah Pacheco
• TE Travis Kelce (4x All-Pro)
• LG Joe Thuney (2x All-Pro)
• C Creed Humphrey (2x All-Pro)
• RG Trey Smith (Pro Bowler)
• *WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (2022 starter) 

And six starters back on defense:

• DE George Karlaftis
• DT Chris Jones (3x All-Pro)
• MLB Nick Bolton
• CB Trent McDuffie (2x All-Pro)
• SS Justin Reid
• CB Jaylen Watson

Stars and Spagnuolo’s chaos 

Three starters of Kansas City’s offensive linemen are Pro Bowlers. Since nobody dares to blitz Mahomes, the offensive linemen thrive in pass protection.

They are also terrific in Andy Reid’s perimeter run plays.

On this end-around play, there’s just a convoy of blocks for Xavier Worthy. Humphrey (#52) takes down do-it-all safety Kyle Hamilton and right tackle Jawann Taylor (#74) gets ten yards downfield to lay a red carpet for Worthy.

Then there’s Steve Spagnuolo’s star-studded defense. 

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Spagnuolo moves Chris Jones from his usual spot to the defensive end. Jones has quick hands to get home. Notice Spagnuolo sending a cornerback blitz on the same play.

Christian Roland-Wallace (#30) appears to blitz before anticipating the running back to run a route.

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On third down, it’s another corner blitz, with Joshua Williams flying free to rush while the safety replaces him up top.

Key matchup: Barkley vs Spagnuolo

For the second straight year, the rushing champion would play in the Super Bowl in the same season (Christian McCaffery, 2023).

Here’s Barkley taking a house call and left tackle Jordan Mailata (#68) throwing a defender on the perimeter to help Barkley get to the second level.

Spagnuolo’s run defense has surrendered 120 yards per game in six Super Bowls (two with NYG and four with KC).

While the matchup will primarily focus on Barkley versus Spagnuolo on the ground, the other element of this chess game is Barkley picking up Spagnuolo’s blitzes.

Heading into the playoffs, Spagnuolo’s group had the highest rate of cover zero (free rusher).

Barkley will likely have to make key pass blocks against a happy blitz team like he did in the NFCCG.

Barkley takes on 11-time All-Pro Bobby Wagner, lowers his shoulders and throws Wagner to the ground to keep him out of Hurts’ personal bubble space. 

Special teams

In the midst of their quest for a three-peat, the Chiefs’ special teams unit has come up with a kick or punt return to flip field position on four occasions.

• Divisional Round vs. HOU 2024 – 63-yard kickoff return 
• Super Bowl vs. SF 2023 – recovers a muffed punt and scores on the next play to take their first lead
• Super Bowl vs. PHI 2022 – 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter
• AFCCG vs. CIN 2022 – 29-yard punt return with a minute left

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The X-factor will be whether the Eagles can prevent the Chiefs from stealing yards on a return play to swing momentum.

Kansas City’s attempt at a three-peat began with a Super Bowl win over Philadelphia. The final boss to a three-peat ends with another battle against Philadelphia.