The Super Bowl is set with an Eagles vs Chiefs matchup in Arizona. Throughout the season, the two teams’ offenses have looked like the most explosive units in the league, foreshadowing the battle taking place on Sunday. Featuring the youngest quarterback matchup in Super Bowl history, each team is highlighted by youth and playmaking ability, although they typically find production through different means. However, my words don’t hold much weight–in this exercise, let’s look at what the stats say about each squad.
Eagles vs Chiefs: An Offensive Overview
Young Quarterbacks Lead Two Terrific Passing Offenses
In this battle of elite up-and-comers, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts look to lead their offenses through the air. During the regular season, the Chiefs led the league in passing yards (5,062), passing yards per game (297.8), passing touchdowns (41), and were tied second in yards per pass attempt (8.1). Mahomes, despite the loss of Tyreek Hill over the offseason, has continued to strengthen his Hall of Fame resume while also being an MVP favorite. Travis Kelce leads the team in receiving yards with 1,338, good enough for the eighth highest total in the league.
On the opposite sideline, the Eagles‘ passing attack isn’t quite as impressive, but only by a small margin. It all starts with Hurts, who’s improvement from year two to three has been a sight to behold. His regular season stat line saw him throw for 3,701 yards (10th in the league), 22 touchdowns (14th in the league), and eight yards per pass attempt (third in the league).
Philadelphia also has a plethora of pass catchers, two of whom went for over 1,000 yards each in 2022. AJ Brown finished fourth in the league in receiving yards with 1,496 while Devonta Smith racked up 1,196 yards himself, good enough for ninth in the league. Add in tight end Dallas Goedert (702 receiving yards), and the Philly passing attack is a serious threat.
The advantage goes to Kansas City in the passing department, but both teams are more than capable through the air. Given the two team’s inconsistency against the pass on defense, this game could quickly turn into an aerial showdown.
However, There is a Clear Advantage on the Ground
While the Chiefs hold a slim advantage in the passing game, the Eagles rushing attack gives them the upper hand. Through the regular season, Philadelphia ranked fifth in rushing yards per game (147.6), only behind the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, and New York Giants. However, what makes this offense different is the fact that each of those four teams had bottom seven passing offenses, not a top ten unit like in Philadelphia. Hurts, Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott have all had significant roles in the rushing offense, with the first two totaling 24 touchdowns and 2,029 yards combined.
In Kansas City, the production isn’t quite the same. Ranked 20th in rushing yards per game, the Chiefs have clearly valued supremacy through the air over all else. Rookie back Isiah Pacheco leads the team on the ground with 830 yards and five touchdowns, but inconsistency has been an issue. Mahomes is a threat to run but given his ankle sprain back in the divisional round, he may not be as quick to take off.
The advantage clearly sits with Philadelphia here, and it may end up playing a significant part in this contest. Against San Francisco’s top ranked defense, the Eagles were able to run for 150 yards and four touchdowns, winning the battle in the trenches without contest. Playing a significantly weaker Chiefs’ defense, this mismatch will be utilized.
Offensive Lines Built for Championship Football
Time to show the o-lines some love. The Eagles and Chiefs might have the two best offensive lines in the league, bar none. With six Pro Bowlers and four all-Pro’s between the teams, these units are star-studded, both able to take over games at the line of scrimmage.
Jason Kelce has been one of the best centers in the league for most of the last decade and is the heartbeat of the Philadelphia Eagles. Alongside him are Isaac Seumalo and first time Pro Bowler Landon Dickerson. Lane Johnson is the Eagles other all-Pro on the offensive line at tackle, and Jordan Mailata remains the league’s biggest triumph in the initiative to grow the game internationally. This group is deep, talented, and as nasty as they come.
As for the Chiefs, it’s a similar story. Creed Humphrey has quickly become a top center in the league, likely to replace Kelce as the league’s best once the Eagle legend retires. Joe Thuney and Trey Smith finish off what is likely the strongest interior o-line in football–it’s just a monstrous group inside. Orlanda Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie aren’t the greatest pair of tackles in the league, but both are very capable on the edge. Again, this group is well-rounded and does a nice job protecting their franchise quarterback.
So Who Has the Offensive Advantage in Eagles vs Chiefs?
On paper, it’s the Eagles. According to the stats, it’s the Eagles. In the trenches, it’s probably the Eagles. With that, I’m going with… well, neither. You see, there’s one unquantifiable factor that gives the Chiefs an edge: Andy Reid. Reid and Mahomes together have created one of the most unstoppable offenses ever, an offense that has gotten the Chiefs to three Super Bowls in five years. Those two combined give the Chiefs something no other team has and keeps Kansas City in every single game. The Eagles might have a deeper, more complete lineup, but it won’t mean anything if Mahomes and co. play up to their potential.
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