NFL 2022: Football Food For Thought (Super Bowl LVII)

It’s been called the “Andy Reid Bowl” and it’s understandable. This will be the seventh time that the longest active head coach in the NFL in terms of tenure has been involved in a Chiefs/Eagles encounter. If you like offensive statistics, Super Bowl LVII has plenty. However, don’t discount either one of these opportunistic defensive units in what could be a contest loaded with big plays.

NOTE: Win-loss records include playoffs

Sunday, Feb. 12

(AFC) Kansas City Chiefs (16-3) vs. (NFC) Philadelphia Eagles (16-3) at Glendale, AZ: The numbers show a lot of similarities. The two teams with the best win-loss record during the regular season meet in the desert. This inter-conference series is renewed for just the 10th time and the first time on Super Sunday. The Chiefs bring the top-ranked offense in terms of yards per game (413.6) and the Eagles ranked second in the NFL in the same category (389.1). Kansas City led the league in points per game (29.2) and Philadelphia was third (28.1). Andy Reid’s team amassed 59 offensive touchdowns while the Birds’ offensive unit reached the end zone 57 times.

It’s on defense where Super Bowls are traditionally won. The Eagles (70) and Chiefs (55) also ranked 1-2 in the NFL this season in sacks. Philadelphia add eight more QB traps in the playoff sweep of the Giants and 49ers while Kansas City totaled a combined seven sacks in the victories over the Jaguars and Bengals.

A total of 19 players finished with at least 10 sacks this season and five are in this game in Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones (15.5) as well as Philadelphia’s Haason Reddick (16.0), Javon Hargrave (11.0), Josh Sweat (11.0) and Brandon Graham (11.0). Including playoffs, the Eagles have forced 31 turnovers in 19 games (4 in the postseason) while the Chiefs have 24 takeaways in 19 outings (4 in the postseason).

In 2021 at Philadelphia in Week 4, the Chiefs came away with a wild 42-30 victory over the Eagles. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 278 yards and five touchdowns (1 interception) and Reid’s team rushed for 200 yards. Eagles’ signal-caller Jalen Hurts threw for 387 yards and two scores. Kansas City gained 471 yards, 10 more than Philadelphia (461).

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Numbers

The Coaches: Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid: 21-16 in postseason play (10-9 with Eagles, 11-7 with Chiefs)…Eagles’ head coach Nick Sirianni: 2-1 in postseason play…

Postseason History: Chiefs: Making 25th overall playoff appearance (21st since merger), 19-21 in postseason play (14-19 since merger)…Eagles: Making 29th overall playoff appearance (25th since merger), 25-24 in postseason play (21-23 since merger)…

Super Bowl Experience: Chiefs: Making 5th Super Bowl appearance (4-4), defeating Vikings in Super Bowl IV (23-7) at Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana and 49ers in Super Bowl LIV (31-20) at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, while losing to Packers in Super Bowl I (35-10) at the L.A. Coliseum and Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV (31-9) at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida…Eagles: Making 4th Super Bowl appearance (1-2), defeating Patriots in Super Bowl LII (41-33) at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, while losing to Raiders in Super Bowl XV (27-10) at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX (24-21) at ALLTEL Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida…