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The Philadelphia Eagles might be trying to hoist simply their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise historical past this Sunday after they face the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LVII.
These are the 2 groups who led their respective conferences for almost all of the 2022 common season, combining to go 28-6 because the league’s solely two groups to win 14 video games every.
As you may think about, there’s fairly a little bit of star energy on each rosters, so right here’s a have a look at the impression gamers to observe for on the Eagles’ aspect.
Jalen Hurts
In fact, you’ve gotta point out the beginning quarterback, although it’s not simply due to the place’s significance. When wholesome, Hurts is likely one of the league’s finest general quarterbacks and arguably the very best dual-threat passer.
Nevertheless, Hurts is battling a proper shoulder sprain he initially suffered within the Eagles’ Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears. That led to him lacking the following two video games, each of which have been losses for the Eagles.
Earlier than the damage, Hurts was a robust contender for NFL MVP, however he’s clearly taken a step backward since then. In these three video games – Week 18 vs. the New York Giants, the Divisional Spherical rematch with the G-Males, and the NFC Championship vs. the San Francisco 49ers — Hurts has accomplished 51 of 84 passes (60.1%) for 504 yards and two touchdowns vs. one interception. He’s additionally run 29 instances for 86 yards (2.97 yards per carry) and two scores with one fumbled (he recovered it) throughout that span.
A examine from Curtis Hirsch of Sharp Soccer went into nice element about Hurts pre- and post-injury, which I’d suggest studying. After the damage, Hurts has accomplished simply 20% of passes thrown to the precise aspect of the sector after halftime in comparison with his 76.6% mark pre-injury. He’s finishing 50.0% of his right-side passes over the course of whole video games in comparison with 72.3% pre-injury.
The hope is having an additional week to get well between the NFC Championship and Tremendous Bowl will result in a greater efficiency, which the Eagles might want to overcome the Chiefs and hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Miles Sanders
With Hurts probably restricted on account of his damage, that places extra stress on operating again Miles Sanders to hold this offense.
Good factor Sanders is within the midst of simply his finest season as a professional.
Within the common season, Sanders ran for 1,269 yards on 259 carries (4.9 yards per rush) with 11 touchdowns. Extra importantly, Sanders has performed in each recreation this season after being a tad injury-prone within the earlier two years with 9 regular-season video games missed. His 74.0 PFF grade can also be the best of his four-year profession.
As a result of the Chiefs sometimes bounce on their opponents early, stated groups find yourself abandoning the run too usually. Within the common season, the Chiefs had the sixth-fewest speeding makes an attempt (419) in opposition to their protection however are tied for fifteenth in yards allowed per rush try (4.4), so there might be alternatives for Sanders to make performs vs. this protection.
One other issue for Sanders being one of many extra intriguing gamers to observe in Tremendous Bowl LVII is that he’s scheduled to hit unrestricted free company his offseason. A giant outing to cap off a profession 12 months would possible guarantee Sanders will get a serious payday from somebody in March.
Relying on how efficient Hurts is, the Eagles’ finest hope of successful this recreation could find yourself being to trip Sanders early and sometimes.
Haason Reddick
The Chiefs and Eagles have each had standout offensive traces this season. Nevertheless, the Chiefs have a little bit of a weak spot at proper sort out in Andrew Wylie, their solely beginning lineman beneath a 70.0 PFF grade (61.4). He’s additionally allowed 9 sacks this season, tied for the third-most of any participant.
Wylie is now set for one among his greatest challenges this season in Haason Reddick, who virtually solely rushes from Wylie’s aspect (PFF has Reddick at 402 go rushes from left defensive finish in comparison with 60 at proper defensive finish).
Reddick is coming off an everyday season through which he racked up a career-high 16 sacks to go along with 49 mixed tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 26 QB hits, 5 pressured fumbles, three fumbles recovered, and an 81.1 Professional Soccer Focus grade.
In two playoff video games, Reddick has notched 3.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, two tackles for loss, one pressured fumble, and one fumble restoration.
If the Eagles protection is to have any hope of slowing down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense, Reddick should dominate this matchup.
Eagles’ inside offensive linemen
Relating to defenders on this 12 months’s title recreation, All-Professional defensive sort out Chris Jones rightfully will get a lot of the consideration. The previous Mississippi State Bulldog has grow to be the center and soul of the Chiefs protection. Since Jones joined the group in 2016. Kansas Metropolis has gained the AFC West yearly.
How nicely the Eagles comprise Jones is definitely one of many greatest storylines to observe for in Tremendous Bowl LVII. Simply ask the Bengals, who have been held to twenty factors largely on account of Jones wreaking havoc within the backfield with two sacks, three tackles for loss, and 5 QB hits within the AFC Championship.
In line with ESPN’s Adam Teicher, no inside defender has been double teamed extra usually than Jones (69%) has within the 2022 season. A whopping 342 of his go rushes have been in opposition to two blockers, probably the most within the league.
Regardless of the frequent double groups, Jones nonetheless completed fourth within the NFL in sacks (15.5 in 17 video games) to go along with his 2.5 sacks in two playoff video games to date.
Containing Jones gained’t be a one-man deal, however the Eagles could have the horses to do it because of a fantastic inside offensive line led by Jason Kelce, among the finest facilities in soccer. The duo of Landon Dickerson and Isaac Seumalo can also be one of many NFL’s finest guard tandems.
Kelce’s 88.9 Professional Soccer Focus grade ranks him sixth amongst all NFL offensive linemen, whereas Jones’ 92.6 grade ranks first amongst all NFL defensive gamers. Seumalo (73.0) and Dickerson (70.9) additionally had respectable grades, although neither is the type of man you need blocking Jones one-on-one.
If anybody can preserve a hat on Jones for 60 minutes, it’s the Eagles’ inside linemen. This might be an absolute battle that goes a good distance in deciding who wins Tremendous Bowl LVII.
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