Super Bowl LVII Chiefs vs Eagles Position by Position: Who has the advantage

QUARTERBACK

Advantage: Chiefs

Jalen Hurts had a great season. There shouldn’t be any debate about which quarterback is the best in this matchup. Patrick Mahomes is the clear winner here.

Mahomes is on his way towards his second MVP Award. Even though he lost star receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason Mahomes still threw for 5,251 yards and 41 touchdowns, finishing the regular season with a 91.3 grade from PFF — his third 90.0-plus grade in six years. Mahomes had his best season with fewer weapons as he played more within himself and didn’t force as many throws, leading to fewer chances taken and fewer costly turnovers.

After suffering a high-ankle injury against the Bengals, the Chiefs quarterback was able to throw for 327 yards with two touchdowns, this is his third Super Bowl appearance in five seasons.

Patrick Mahomes 2022-23 Highlights MVP

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Running Back

Advantage: Eagles

The Eagles boast the most enviable rushing attack in the NFL. The Chiefs just came off a game in which their running backs ran 27 yards on 15 carries. Advantage Philly.

Miles Sanders ran a record-breaking 1,271 rushing yards this season. Kenneth Gainwell led the Eagles in rushes in all of their playoff games.

This might be considered cheating, but quarterback Jalen Hurts must be part of the Eagles’ running attack. Hurts has reached the end zone 15 times this season on the ground, which is a record for the NFL when you include postseason games.

Top 10 RB | Philadelphia Eagles RB MILES SANDERS First Half 2022 Highlights

Wide Receiver

Advantage: Eagles

This one isn’t even close. A.J. Brown and Smith are the Eagles’ top two wide receivers, while the Chiefs had a depleted receiver room against the Bengals, and some of those injury issues could carry forward into this Super Bowl.

Brown and Smith are the Eagles’ first duo of receivers to reach 1,000 yards in a single season. They also each received an 80.0-plus PFF grade.

A.J. Brown 🔥 Scariest Receiver in the NFL ᴴᴰ

TIGHT END

Advantage: Chiefs

The most significant difference in the NFL between the best and second-best tight end is likely the largest due to Travis Kelly’s dominance; nobody is as good as Kelce right now.

Kelce finished the regular season with a 91.1 grade from PFF, making him the first player to achieve that grade in that position. Kelce was separated from the next closest player by 9.1 PFF points, which is the most significant gap in the league at any position.

Travis Kelce 2022-2023 Season Highlights

Offensive Line

Advantage: Eagles

For most of the season, the Eagles had the NFL’s top offensive line, and they’re not giving up on it now.

Lane Johnson has continued his exceptional play through the playoffs despite a torn right groin muscle. He has not allowed a sack in two seasons, an impressive streak that he will want to continue for at least one more game.

Philadelphia’s offensive line is strong because there is no weakness. The Eagles’ five starting offensive linemen all have a pass-blocking grade of 70.0-plus this season. The Eagles’ offensive line ranks as a whole first in pass-blocking, pressure rate, and run-blocking grades.

Eagles’ Offensive Line is DOMINATING: Film Breakdown

Defensive Line

Advantage: Eagles

The Eagles’ defensive line features a pass-rusher who is an elite player. It also boasts four players with 12+ sacks. Haason Reddick leads the group and is arguably the most notable free-agent signing in 2022. He has generated 21 sacks and 80 pressures this season, including in the playoffs.

This Eagles deep defensive line will be a challenge for the Chiefs’ offensive line and a possibly still-injured Mahomes.

The Chiefs Defensive line may be the second-best in the NFL, and they will need a massive game from Chris Jones and Frank Clark.

Here’s How Eagles Defensive Line DOMINATED vs 49ers

Linebacker

Advantage: Chiefs

T.J. Edwards ranks eighth in linebacker grades at 81.4, while Kyzir White is fourth at 64.9. The Chiefs’ linebackers are ranked second and third, with Nick Bolton at 74.4 and Willie Gay Jr. ranking at 68.1.

This comparison is so close it could easily be a draw, but I don’t believe in draws.

Nick Bolton Chiefs Rookie 2021-22 Highlights || HD

Secondary

Advantage: Eagles

The Eagles made some serious moves in the offseason, adding both James Bradberry and C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the secondary. This unit was able to take the next step by combining these two with Darius Slay, an ex-All-Pro.

During the regular season, Eagles’ secondary was first in combined forced interceptions and incompletions (66), third for 15-plus yard passes allowed (50), and second in open target percentage (44.4%).

James Bradberry’s 2022 Season Highlights

Coaching

Advantage: Chiefs

Andy Reid has been there and done that winning the Super Bowl a few years ago. That gives him the edge in this one.

Conclusion

Advantages

Eagles 5

Chiefs 4

If you throw in special teams, it is 5-5, as this matchup is as close as it gets. What would worry me if I were a Chiefs fan is that the Eagles have the edge on both the offensive and defensive lines.