Saquon Barkley is the star however Jalen Hurts can win Tremendous Bowl for Philadelphia Eagles, says Neil Reynolds | NFL Information

We now know the line-up of Tremendous Bowl 59 – it is a rematch of two years in the past because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tackle the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans on Sunday February 9.

Here’s a look forward to the massive recreation with the 5 storylines I shall be monitoring in simply a few weeks…

Historical past beckons

Each Tremendous Bowl feels historic to me and tells a unique story. Performs which might be made within the Tremendous Bowl simply hit totally different, they stand the take a look at of time, that is genuinely a time when gamers and coaches can change into legends and statues might be constructed due to it.

Take a look at the Philly Particular, there’s a statue of Nick Foles and Doug Pederson exterior Lincoln Monetary Discipline in Philadelphia.

For the Eagles that is sufficient to make historical past once more for his or her passionate followers. For the Chiefs, they’ve an opportunity to finish a historic run by turning into the primary staff to win three Tremendous Bowls in a row.

The threepeat remains to be on. Each different back-to-back champion has didn’t get so far as the Chiefs, they’re inside touching distance of footballing immortality and what a run it has been. 5 Tremendous Bowl appearances in six seasons, 107 wins in a seven-year span since Patrick Mahomes grew to become a starter within the NFL – probably the most in NFL historical past.

That is an unimaginable run and an unimaginable time for us to witness as NFL followers. I do know there’s some fatigue across the Chiefs and individuals who consider they get too many calls of their favour.

I feel that distracts from true greatness and that’s what we’re seeing on this Chiefs staff and so they have an opportunity to cement that on Tremendous Bowl Sunday.

Particular person greatness

Each Tremendous Bowl is large for gamers and coaches concerned, and this could be a actually particular second for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.

Reid has an opportunity to be within the dialog now as the best head coach in NFL historical past. He took the Eagles to a number of NFC Championship Video games and to a Tremendous Bowl and now has accomplished so many fantastic issues with the Chiefs.

He and Mahomes have the possibility to change into simply the third head coach and quarterback pairing to win 4 Tremendous Bowls, becoming a member of Invoice Belichick and Tom Brady, and Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw.

Andy Reid has greater than 300 profession wins and 28 playoff wins – simply three shy of Belichick – and goes for a fourth Tremendous Bowl success.

This isn’t a sleight on Patrick Mahomes in any means, however he places him in some very easy positions to create passes. The one to Samaje Perine to clinch the AFC Championship Sport is the proper instance: three our bodies flying throughout the sector to occupy and distract defenders, and Perine comes out the backfield to present Mahomes a easy dump-off go to seal the win over the Buffalo Payments.

As for Mahomes: 29 years outdated, on the point of play in his fifth Tremendous Bowl, attempting to win it for the fourth time. His successful mentality and refusal to be crushed and refusal to be happy is why the Chiefs are right here once more, it is actually an unimaginable duo and so they have an opportunity to take a large step into soccer immortality on Tremendous Bowl Sunday.

Can Saquon go all the way in which?

Tremendous Bowl 59 could possibly be the crowing glory for Saquon Barkley after an unimaginable and historic season. Saquon has been sensational, he’s the most important distinction to me on this Eagles staff in comparison with the one which was dealing with the Chiefs within the Tremendous Bowl two years in the past.

He provides them way more steadiness, way more hazard, way more efficiency within the operating recreation. They will rating from the place on the sector within the operating recreation, very like when groups can do it within the passing recreation.

Barkley has scored seven touchdowns of 60 yards or extra – everyone is aware of he’s the point of interest, everyone is aware of that’s the place you begin if you wish to cease the Eagles.

That’s the place Kansas Metropolis will begin, however he has had 14 100-yard dashing days – an NFL document, together with the playoffs. He was sensational within the common season as he rushed for greater than 2,000 yards and in the event you take a look at his yards per recreation and carry, he is even higher within the playoffs.

He’s the person who can win this Tremendous Bowl for the Eagles, and if he does he’ll achieve this on his twenty eighth birthday – what a present to himself

Payback time for Hurts?

I am certain Jalen Hurts shall be out for revenge on Tremendous Bowl Sunday.

When these groups met two years in the past, Philadelphia’s quarterback performed the sport of his life, I feel it is the most effective anyone has seen him play within the NFL and he got here up brief with the agony of the go interference penalty in opposition to James Bradberry and the Harrison Butker subject purpose to finish it.

Hurts may be very level-headed, he shall be all in regards to the victory and I guess he would not speak a lot about revenge in Tremendous Bowl week main as much as the massive recreation.

He will not entertain us with any of that thought, he’ll simply be about successful the sport but it surely should be behind his thoughts.

I feel he can lead the Eagles to victory. It is a Saquon Barkley-influenced staff now and there have been actually some hand-wringing firstly of the playoffs when Hurts threw for 131 yards after which 128 yards, however he was superb and really environment friendly within the NFC Championship Sport.

If he has to throw the soccer, he can do it with AJ Brown, with DeVonta Smith, with Dallas Goedert. The Eagles are a operating staff, however power them into the go and Hurts can nonetheless ship.

Which protection delivers?

There are such a lot of offensive stars on show within the Tremendous Bowl, however I do not know if this shall be a 38-35 recreation just like the final time these groups met a few years in the past.

Each defenses are actually good. The Eagles have the No 1-ranked protection within the NFL and are No 1 in opposition to the go with playmakers in any respect three ranges.

Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith could make an affect up entrance, Zack Baun is an All-Professional linebacker who’s at all times across the ball and I like their secondary, which I feel is considered one of their largest enhancements within the yr.

Whenever you take a look at the Chiefs, Steve Spagnuolo has gained 4 Tremendous Bowls as a coordinator and is a serious motive they’re on this recreation yearly, although we take note of all of their offensive stars.

I feel the Chiefs can affect this recreation as nicely, they’re inclined to the operating recreation and I feel Saquon Barkley may not get shut down, however they’ll warmth up Jalen Hurts, particularly in these downs the place you recognize it’ll be a go and you recognize Spags is bringing a linebacker, a security or a nook off the sting.

The chess match between the defenses goes to be actual. I feel the Chiefs rely extra on the play-calling of Spags, I feel the Eagles are extra bodily and extra gifted. I feel the Eagles might need the sting in that division.

Defenses win Championships in response to my pundits within the studio, particularly Mr Ndamukong Suh. I are likely to suppose that may be the case this time round.

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl 59 on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday February 9, reside on Sky Sports activities NFL and Important Occasion from 10pm forward of kickoff at 11.30pm; 17-time Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar headlines the half-time present