4 Tremendous Bowl matchups potential, ranked by how good the sport could be

Confronted with a query like this, there’s actually no incorrect reply.

Wanting on the 4 potential Tremendous Bowl matchups, there isn’t any scarcity of storylines that lie forward. No matter how this weekend unfolds, the Tremendous Bowl will provide unimaginable matchups, dynamic gamers, and sensible teaching staffs. With any one among these 4 video games, soccer followers will emerge as the largest winners of all.

That is all to say … attempting to rank them was a troublesome activity.

However that’s what we did right here, voting on the 4 potential Tremendous Bowl matchups. Listed here are the outcomes, with the 4 potential Tremendous Bowl matchups, ranked.

1. Chiefs vs. Eagles

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports activities

Who wouldn’t be up for a battle between the statistically two greatest groups from both convention? The popcorn drawing matchup could be Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense vs this loaded Eagles protection. Edge rushers Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat present a problem for the Chiefs offensive tackles with their pace across the nook, however the inside battles between Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, and the Eagles’ bevy of inside rushers vs Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith shall be field workplace. Mahomes is in his personal stratosphere as a QB this yr. Whereas his Common Throw Depth has gone down since his stellar 2018, his effectivity is sort of at a career-high. The Eagles will attempt to problem him with their gifted secondary, and it’ll be field workplace.

Flipping it riverside, Jalen Hurts has was an MVP candidate whereas enjoying in probably the most versatile and explosive offenses within the league. Wanna sit again in 2-high shells and restrict explosive passes? Then the Eagles can get explosives within the run sport with Hurts, a secure of dynamic RBs, and the most effective offensive line in soccer. As quickly as you peek too far inside on the run sport, growth—AJ Brown or Devonta Smith excessive, who win in varied methods. The chess match between Eagles OC Shane Steichen and Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo shall be enjoyable to look at.

— JP Acosta

2. Bengals vs. Eagles

Most sports activities are at their greatest after they prominently characteristic elite athletes making performs in area. A Bengals-Eagles Tremendous Bowl could be stuffed with that form of factor. Each groups are stacked with a number of standout large receivers who can flip a routine catch right into a game-breaking play. Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Philly’s A.J. Brown are All-Professional abilities who’re among the many greatest within the league at their place. DeVonta Smith and Tee Higgins are adequate to be No. 1 choices on many different groups. Philly’s Dallas Goedert is a productive, pass-catching tight finish, and Cincy’s Tyler Boyd has a number of 1,000-yard receiving seasons on his resume.

The blokes throwing them the ball are fairly rattling good, too. Jalen Hurts’ third-year breakout turned him into an MVP front-runner, with an enhancing skill to stretch the sector together with his arm made much more harmful by his dynamism as a runner. Joe Burrow proved himself on the largest levels final season by main the Bengals to the Tremendous Bowl, and he’s been each bit nearly as good this yr. I’d count on a lot of large performs in a Bengals-Eagles sport, and that makes for Tremendous Bowl.

— Ricky O’Donnell

3. Bengals vs. 49ers

This matchup may need some sentimentality for the undersigned writer, however we’ll get to that in a second.

A part of the attract, nonetheless, stems from the battle of wits this potential Tremendous Bowl affords. When the 49ers have the ball, you might have the minds of Kyle Shanahan and firm tangling with Cincinnati defensive coordinator Lou Anuramo, who as our personal JP Acosta argued, is the unsung hero of your complete NFL Playoffs.

Then when the Bengals have the ball, Zac Taylor and Brian Callahan — who has acquired some head teaching curiosity — sq. off with DeMeco Ryans, who additionally appears to be headed right into a head teaching function every time this season ends.

Relating to the gamers on the sector, this potential sport is full of must-watch matchups. San Francisco’s 21 personnel bundle towards Mike Hilton, Jesse Bates III, and the Bengals’ protection. Deebo Samuel towards Eli Apple in man protection. Fred Warner prowling the center of the sector towards Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati fast passing sport.

Now for the sentimental half. A rematch of two completely different Tremendous Bowls from my childhood, bringing again pictures of Ken Anderson, Joe Montana, Boomer Esiason, and John Taylor. And a fairly candy uniform matchup besides.

— Mark Schofield

4. Chiefs vs. 49ers

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports activities

Sure, there’s likelihood we might run this one again and get a repeat of Tremendous Bowl LIV — which was probably the most anticipated offense vs. protection video games on paper that was a complete snooze fest. That mentioned, this yr could possibly be very completely different.

The largest indictment of Tremendous Bowl LIV was that whereas Kansas Metropolis actually deserved to win, no person on both facet of the ball actually lived as much as their potential. The quarterback play from Patrick Mahomes and Jimmy Garoppolo was middling, offensive ability place gamers (exterior of Tyreek Hill) have been uninspired, and neither crew was notably good defensively both.

We got here away with a sport that felt loads like we had two younger groups who weren’t ready for the second and did their greatest to patch a sport collectively.

Three years makes a giant distinction. Each the Chiefs and 49ers are older, wiser, and higher. Brock Purdy continues to be getting his toes beneath him at quarterback, however is unquestionably a extra thrilling participant to look at than Jimmy G. In the meantime Mahomes may not have the weapons he did in 2020, however that’s additionally made him a way more full quarterback. Arguably this was Mahomes’ greatest season, as he was pressured into growing his sport extra — which appeared inconceivable for somebody of his ability.

In the meantime the 49ers protection has extra expertise beneath its belt. It’s higher geared up now to comprise a quarterback like Mahomes, and with Christian McCaffrey within the fold they’re extra different on offense than they have been three years in the past.

A second Tremendous Bowl assembly between the Chiefs and 49ers could be a hell of a sport.

— James Dator