the Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs should be a great one. The Eagles have a near pick-’em point spread reflected in ESPN’s Football Power Index, giving them a 50.1 percent chance of winning. Both of these teams are recent NFL champions and have a combined record of 32-6. Therefore, it is time to look ahead to the thoughts of every football fan: the big game is in sight. Talk about an unpredictable tossup! In the Pro Bowl 7-on-7 flag-football game next Sunday in Las Vegas, which team will prevail? Is the AFC team coached by Peyton Manning or Eli Manning’s NFC team? Has anyone noticed a betting line? I’m referring to the question of whether Peyton is holding a large bag of Lay’s potato chips on the sideline in an obvious attempt at product placement.
Also very excited about the dodgeball competition at the Pro Bowl on Thursday! as we watch the Pro Bowl transform from an event that no one used to care about into a more amusing affair that is even simpler to ridicule and take pleasure in not watching. Ah, but the Super Bowl between the Chiefs and Eagles on February 12 looks like a masterpiece in the making, a chance for the Fox-TV crew in Glendale, Arizona.
As K.C. tries to win its second championship in four years and Philly tries to win it again, it could be the perfect matchup.
This time, no Cinderellas are permitted; Cincy, I’m sorry. Our Super Bowl primer includes the most important national and Miami-based storylines that Your Friend The Media will force upon you over the next two weeks.
The general national talking points are first: The Quarterbacks: A Super Bowl analysis must always begin with the passer matchup, but this one deserves the spotlight. Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes will be the first Black quarterbacks to compete in the Super Bowl in its 57-year history. Together, Mahomes, 27, and Hurts, 24, will be the youngest quarterbacks ever to start. They are, coincidentally, only five years older combined than Tom Brady.)
If Mahomes wins a second ring, especially one that he would win while limping like Walter Brennan’s grandfather in “The Real McCoys,” his legacy would be secure. Kids, look it up.) Hurts also made the Pro Bowl this year, but he will be portrayed as the underdog quarterback vying for national recognition because he was selected in the second round of the draft, runs like a lot, and is not Mahomers. Coaching rivalries? — If there isn’t, then there ought to be! Nick Sirianni was the Eagles’ head coach from 2009 to 2012, but when the Chiefs fired Romeo Crennel, the new coach, Andy Reid, didn’t keep Sirianni.
The fact that Reid served as executive vice president in charge of football operations for the majority of Philadephia’s 14 seasons prior to joining the Chiefs and firing Sirianni is more well-known. In fact, Reid is the Eagles’ 75th Anniversary Team coach. — It’s the Kelce Bowl! You are aware that Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’ star tight end, and Jason Kelce, the Eagles’ starting center, are the first brothers to play in a Super Bowl. In addition, you will be reminded 346 times over the next two weeks if you did not do so. Feel sorry for Ed and Donna Kelce’s parents as they try to find reassuring tales of their sons’ childhoods and come up with creative responses when smiling TV reporters inquire about their favorite team.
Philly cheesesteak versus Kansas City barbecue? Come on, mayors of cities! You are aware that the absurd civic wager must be made. At least the two rival cities have a signature dish in this instance. Please make my barbecue brisket when you are in K.C. Please, burnt ends.) Now, let’s tweak a Chiefs-Eagles matchup and look for Miami-related content in it: Tyreek Hill was acquired by the Dolphins in a significant trade, and Mahomes would absolutely not be able to recover from the sudden loss of his most dynamic receiver! Hill said that Tua Tagovailoa throws the most catchable balls he has ever seen, which was an insult. Tyreek, are you happy for the Chiefs? Tua and Jalen at Bama: Tagovailoa took Hurts’ place at halftime of the national championship game in 2017 when Alabama was 13-0 down on Georgia. The Tide won 26-23 thanks to Tua’s heroics. After Tua was injured, Hurts transferred to Oklahoma, but not before leading Bama to a 35-28 victory over Georgia in the SEC title game a year later. Relationship frosted? No, they assert. After the Eagles practiced at Miami’s facility during the preseason, Hurts stated, “I know he wants to see me win and I want to see him win.” Tua stated, We text each other even though we don’t spend time together during the offseason. Chiefs with ties to Miami: Backup quarterback Chad Henne was a little-noticed Dolphin from 2008 to 2011, throwing 31 touchdown passes and 39 interceptions. Deon Bush, a backup safety for the Miami Hurricanes and Columbus High School, was born in Miami. Also on K.C.’s practice squad are the fabulously named cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (born in Miami, Killian, and Southridge High) and running back La’Mical Perine, who was signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad in October before being signed by K.C. Philadelphia’s backup defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was a high-priced Dolphin from 2001 to 2017 and had 15 1/2 sacks and made one Pro Bowl. Both of these players have Miami ties. The Dolphins’ backup defensive end Robert Quinn had 6 1/2 sacks in 2018. Josh Jobe, a reserve cornerback, was born in Miami and attended Columbus High School. From 2007 to 2010, Miami Hurricanes offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland served as interim head coach for one game and worked with Philadelphia Eagles run-game coordinator Randy Shannon. From 2006 to 2010, Philly special teams assistant Joe Pannunzio coached UM tight ends, assisting in the growth of Greg Olsen and Jimmy Graham. That concludes our overview of the Super Bowl. Wait. Chris Stapleton, a country singer, has set the over/under for the national anthem before a game at 125 seconds. You might like that one’s high-end. The man can extend a note.
