- The Chiefs’ movement was the distinction: Kansas Metropolis averaged 7.1 yards per play when a participant went in movement pre-snap.
- Jalen Hurts‘ legs had been a weapon: As a part of a stellar all-around outing, Hurts gashed the Chiefs with three runs of 10 or extra yards.
Estimated Studying Time: 9 minutes
After 271 NFL video games, the assembly of groups within the 272nd and ultimate contest isn’t all that shocking. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles had been two of the NFL’s greatest squads from begin to end and can now battle for the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in three seasons.
Whereas there can assuredly be some fan fatigue relating to Tremendous Bowl 59, it nonetheless presents a titan-on-titan battle in what appears like a high-level boxing rematch not lengthy after the preliminary marquee showdown. Positive, many gamers and coaches from each side are now not a part of the identical organizations, however a number of key figures on each side nonetheless don the identical colours.
How did the Chiefs dethrone the Eagles the primary time round in Tremendous Bowl 57? Which tendencies and gamers stood out on all sides, and might we count on related elements to repeat in New Orleans? After rewatching the sport and analyzing the superior knowledge, listed below are a number of notable observations and patterns from Chiefs-Eagles I.
The Chiefs’ movement decimated the Eagles
From begin to end, Andy Reid put collectively a moderately exceptional gameplan towards an Eagles protection that entered the sport ranked second in anticipated factors added per play and tenth in success charge. The crux of that revolved round movement, as Kansas Metropolis utilized both shifts or movement on 77.8% of its offensive snaps. The end result was a prolific 45.2% success charge and a mean of 0.439 EPA per play.
Two of the Chiefs’ pivotal landing passes — to Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore — concerned return movement, which made waves within the aftermath of the sport. However the broader copy of the tape underscores simply how important movement was to Kansas Metropolis’s offense in each the go and run.
Contemplate this play within the fourth quarter, the place Toney was despatched in movement. Linebacker T.J. Edwards and cornerback Avonte Maddox (neither of whom remains to be an Eagles starter, for what it’s value) each adopted Toney within the flat, leaving JuJu Smith-Schuster vast open for a bit play on a gap shot.
Likewise, the Chiefs exploited the Eagles’ protection with movement on the bottom. Transferring gamers laterally helped create eye sweet for defenders, notably eradicating them from the field or the route of the run. Such was the case on this counter, the place Skyy Moore’s jet movement led to a neater rating for Isiah Pacheco. You’ll be able to see each Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson affected by the movement, giving the Eagles fewer our bodies in place.
The Chiefs applied movement on 77.3% or extra of their offensive performs in every of their 2024 playoff video games. Anticipate that pattern to proceed in Caesars Superdome, with Xavier Worthy enjoying a focal position — and being extra harmful than Moore two years prior.
Jalen Hurts thrived vs. the blitz
There aren’t many certainties in life, however one is seemingly Steve Spagnuolo’s blitz packages dictating video games each January. Such was the case once more within the 2024 AFC Championship recreation, with the Payments’ last-dash fourth-down attempt thwarted by Kansas Metropolis’s strain look.
In Tremendous Bowl 57, Hurts performed a unbelievable total recreation, and blitz recognition was a giant element. Whereas being blitzed on 42.9% of his dropbacks, Hurts accomplished 13 of his 18 passes for a 90.8 PFF passing grade, three big-time throws and 0 turnover-worthy performs.
Hurts was higher towards the blitz two years in the past (74.5 PFF passing grade) than in 2024 (65.5), one thing that displays his waning total play. Whether or not or not Spagnuolo elects to blitz on the identical frequency — or if he holds again due to how effectively Hurts did in Tremendous Bowl 57 — might be telling.
Chiefs discovered inventive methods to deploy Travis Kelce
Very similar to Spagnuolo, Kelce’s playoff dominance is an plain phenomenon. Over the previous 4 postseasons, Kelce’s 90.3 PFF receiving grade sits third amongst qualifiers. The easiest way to explain Kelce is perhaps that despite the fact that opposing defensive coordinators attempt ceaselessly to cease him, they merely can’t — and Reid had a giant say in figuring out why.
Patrick Mahomes’ first landing go in Tremendous Bowl 57 was a powerful idea from Reid, because the Chiefs motioned Kelce inside to get him one-on-one with security Marcus Epps inside. A go route from Marquez Valdes-Scantling and unhealthy vary by Gardner-Johnson left Kelce with a major alternative to separate on a stellar out-and-up route.
Kelce is historically generally known as extra of an upright tight finish, however he nonetheless put his hand within the dust to throw off the Eagles. Working because the inline tight finish right here helped disguise Kelce earlier than snapping off an out-breaking route towards Philadelphia’s Cowl 3. Reid knew he had a mismatch between Kelce and the Eagles’ linebackers, and the storied coach repeatedly went again to that effectively in 2023.
Reid was so intent on getting his celebrity the ball that he even turned to this idea, wherein Kelce slipped throughout the formation, albeit for a minimal achieve.
In opposition to the Texans within the 2024 divisional spherical, Kelce seemed unguardable but once more, compiling a 91.1 PFF receiving grade and 117 yards. Nevertheless, the Payments slowed down the longer term Corridor of Famer, holding him to 2 catches for 19 yards and a 54.0 PFF receiving grade. Vic Fangio might want to discover a approach to replicate what Buffalo did to keep away from getting gashed just like the Eagles two Tremendous Bowls in the past.
The Chiefs’ run protection excelled — besides towards Jalen Hurts
In 2022, the Eagles’ run recreation was elite, rating first in each EPA per play and success charge going into Tremendous Bowl 57. However Kansas Metropolis rose to the problem on nearly each down, containing Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell to only 14 carries for 37 yards.
Linebackers Nick Bolton and Leo Chenal had been notably terrific towards the run. The 2 mixed for 5 run-defense stops, and every posted PFF run-defense grades above 82.8.
Furthermore, Chiefs cornerbacks repeatedly received their noses soiled to assist sluggish Philadelphia’s floor assault. Trent McDuffie generated an elite 88.8 PFF run-defense grade, whereas L’Jarius Sneed, Juan Thornhill and Joshua Williams additionally added impactful tackles.
Altogether, Kansas Metropolis missed solely two tackles in run protection, securing a 48.4% positively graded play charge and a 68.8 group run-defense mark.
The rationale these numbers aren’t as excessive as one may’ve anticipated is due to how effectively Hurts fared on the bottom. He ran 15 instances for 70 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 3.00 yards after contact per try, choosing up 10 first downs and securing a 68.5 PFF dashing grade. Hurts’ legs on designed runs, like this energy, had been usually extremely efficient.
The identical goes for the Eagles’ signature Tush Push, which the Chiefs — even with the monstrous Chris Jones — didn’t decelerate a lot in any respect. Philadelphia transformed on 5 of six late-down dashing makes an attempt from 1 or 2 yards out, retaining drives alive within the course of.
If the Eagles can obtain higher dashing manufacturing from Saquon Barkley and nonetheless maintain possessions with their tried-and-true weapon, they may very effectively produce a distinct consequence on this yr’s Massive Recreation.
Patrick Mahomes’ scrambles proved killer but once more
Final week, PFF’s Ben Linsey defined how Mahomes ups his scramble charge and effectiveness within the postseason, and that narrative was definitely on show in Tremendous Bowl 57. In State Farm Stadium, Mahomes scrambled 4 instances for 51 yards, choosing up two first downs and amassing an 85.7 PFF dashing grade.
When Mahomes took off and dashed, it netted the Chiefs a 75% success charge. This scramble, performed in quintessential Mahomes style, was one of many nails within the coffin in a really shut recreation.
As Ben provided, Mahomes will in all probability flip to the identical scramble-heavier strategy towards the Eagles on this rematch, particularly given how effectively it labored two seasons in the past. Zack Baun and Oren Burks can have their work lower out for them in the midst of the sphere, and Eagles pass-rushers have to keep up rush lane self-discipline as greatest as attainable.
The Eagles neutralized Chris Jones
The primary order of enterprise for any offensive coordinator enjoying the Chiefs is to circle No. 95. In 2022, Shane Steichen’s offense did what few can obtain: decelerate Jones. The three-time All-Professional mustered solely a 59.4 PFF pass-rushing grade towards the Eagles in Tremendous Bowl 57, which was powered by an 11.1% pass-rush win charge — good for many gamers however beneath Jones’ conventional numbers.
Most fascinating is that the Eagles didn’t appear to overly spend money on Jones, not sending an amazing variety of double groups or chip assist. On 18 pass-blocking matchups with Isaac Seumalo, Jones registered an elevated 17% pass-rush win charge and 11.1% strain charge. However towards the opposite 4 Eagles beginning offensive linemen, Jones produced just one strain and no particular person win charges above 9%.
Even with out Jason Kelce and Seumalo in Spherical 2, the Eagles nonetheless possess great inside expertise in Cam Jurgens and Mekhi Becton. On the identical time, neither has posted a PFF pass-blocking grade above 62.0 this season, which might go away offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in a bind by needing to double Jones.
Chiefs Move-Dashing Grades from Tremendous Bowl 57
A.J. Brown dominated on beneath routes
Brown is among the greatest all-around receivers within the league, as instructed by his 91.0 PFF receiving grade and a pair of.69 yards per route run — each of which rank third amongst certified receivers. Whereas Brown can win deep, he focuses on beating cornerbacks on brief routes, and he did simply that towards the Chiefs.
In Tremendous Bowl 57, Brown caught all 5 of his brief (1-to-9-yard) targets, racking up 51 yards, three first downs and an 81.4 PFF receiving grade. Brown’s skill to rapidly swipe away the palms of gamers like Sneed was vital, notably on conversion downs and when Spagnuolo despatched the blitz.
Brown was barely extra dominant on deep passes by producing a 45-yard landing, however it’s notable that he caught solely certainly one of three makes an attempt over 20 yards downfield. Anticipate that Hurts will maintain feeding Brown from brief vary, whether or not he’s guarded in man or zone, as a result of his 96.9 PFF receiving grade on such throws led the league this yr.
