Tremendous Bowl LIX is formally set and what a shock, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are taking part in in it.
KC has a possibility to realize a three-peat of Tremendous Bowl victories, which implies that they already stand alone in NFL historical past (clearly they wish to go the ultimate step). In the event that they wish to do one thing that will distinguish them in a really completely different form of sports activities method they should get by the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, one thing they had been barely capable of do when the 2 danced within the desert of Arizona two years in the past.
The sport, the massive recreation, will mark Kansas Metropolis’s fourth look in six years, which is totally absurd. Take into account that the worst season we’ve got ever seen from Patrick Mahomes was his group shedding the AFC Championship Sport. It should be good.
With one recreation left on this season, we right here at The Skinny Put up, Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa, have some ideas on the place issues stand for the time being.
Are you extra impressed or aggravated by KC’s run?
RJ:
I’m undecided at what level it was, nevertheless it was throughout LeBron James’ run of NBA Finals appearances that I spotted seeing greatness is typically price it.
It is a realization that I feel a whole lot of sports activities followers attain in some unspecified time in the future. Whether or not it was/is with LeBron or Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes… seeing historical past is cool. Dwelling by it, even.
As a Dallas Cowboys fan I’ve no actual beef with the Chiefs (didn’t imply to rhyme) and in reality am considerably grateful for them. Up to now they’ve stopped the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles, groups I actually don’t like, from successful three complete titles with one other clearly now hanging within the stability.
My Cowboys failed their probability at a three-peat within the mid-90s largely as a result of their proprietor meddled and ruined all the things… some issues by no means change.
I’m good with KC and am rooting for them. The historic aspect is certainly a cause why.
Michael:
As a fan of a soccer group that performs within the AFC, I’m very a lot aggravated by the back-to-back dynasties established first by the Patriots after which adopted by the Chiefs. Let me be clear: I’m a fan of watching historical past be made and/or constructed. There’s one thing particular about saying “I used to be there” or one thing like that. However right here’s the deal: When the group that has now been to 5 of the previous six Tremendous Bowls is sitting in the identical division as your favourite group, there’s no silver lining for something that makes it any extra palatable.
It’s exhausting watching the Chiefs make their third consecutive Tremendous Bowl. The Tremendous Bowl hasn’t been pleasing to look at for a lot of the previous decade. There’s nothing recent about watching a Tremendous Bowl rematch from two seasons in the past. I wish to see extra fresh-faced gamers win the last word prize. I wish to see franchises with little to no Tremendous Bowl historical past make it to the massive recreation and doubtlessly change the best way their group is considered within the nationwide highlight.
Actually something is healthier than watching a divisional rival doubtlessly make historical past as the primary group to ever three-peat as Tremendous Bowl champions.
Satirically, the opposite group on this recreation is out of your division, so I fully perceive why you’re rooting for KC. What a predicament we’ve each discovered ourselves in, huh?
Favourite head coach-team pairing from this hiring cycle?
Michael:
Okay let’s take a break from speaking concerning the groups within the Tremendous Bowl neither of us are an enormous fan of.
Of all the brand new head coaches up to now (I imagine the Saints are the one coach-less group left?), it’s arduous to not like Ben Johnson taking on a Chicago Bears group that regarded to have a reasonably stable offensive group round Caleb Williams. I imagine I used to be on report in an earlier TSP saying that Matt Eberflus merely didn’t know the best way to give Williams the fitting steerage and I don’t see a greater coach outdoors of Andy Reid to present to Williams now going ahead.
The offense will deliver again D’Andre Swift, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, and D.J. Moore. If they’ll use their sizable cap area this offseason to strengthen the offensive line to only a “first rate” stage, the Bears shall be way more aggressive in 2025.
RJ:
Chicago is a very reasonable reply, however I’m fairly stunned with the choice that I actually am making by selecting Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets.
A part of that is that I noticed his opening presser earlier than penning this, however I actually really feel like Glenn is the closest factor to a culture-builder as you may get from a Dan Campbell-led operation. Ben Johnson could wind up being an excellent coach however my level is that if there’s one other Campbell-like individual on the market then it’s Glenn.
If we’re getting a bit extra particular… Johnson is going through some fairly heavy expectations what with how full the cabinet in Chicago feels. Dare I say he’s beneath extra stress.
A lot has occurred with the Jets as of late that I feel individuals are going to be prepared to be extra affected person with AG. He will get my vote.
Who’s probably the most underrated participant in Tremendous Bowl LIX?
RJ:
Let me say that we reserve the fitting to vary our minds right here over the subsequent two weeks, however I feel that the reply is DeVonta Smith.
The Eagles have so many weapons and selections and issues to make the most of… I may completely see a world the place Smith takes heart stage and is an enormous cause for that aspect having success.
Fairly often the Tremendous Bowl incorporates a participant come out of nowhere to seize the second. Smith is just not an unknown participant, however on a group with so many recognized commodities… it could possibly be his time.
Michael:
I’m going to stay with the Eagles right here and spotlight tight finish Dallas Goedert. Whereas Saquon Barkley will get the largest highlight, adopted by Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and the plethora of different huge names on either side of the ball, Goedert runs a bit of nearer to the perimeters of that mild.
Goedert missed seven video games this season which triggered him to report the bottom receiving complete since his rookie season. However since hitting the playoffs, he has regarded like a runaway freight practice the best way he’s been working by and over defender seemingly each time he touches the soccer. It’s been a ton of enjoyable to look at and I’d wish to see him do a bunch of that towards the Chiefs within the Tremendous Bowl. Please and thanks!
The Senior Bowl is that this week. Any participant you’ll be keeping track of?
Michael:
Ah Senior Bowl Week. That is the great things. It’s just like the official begin of draft season yearly.
There’s at all times going to be future NFL gamers in Cell, Alabama for this occasion and that’s definitely the case once more this 12 months. Nonetheless, there’s one participant I’ll be preserving a detailed eye on not as a result of I’m anticipating him to be a prime performer, however due to his path to the all-star showcase and that’s Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma.
He’s from Canada!
Colour me intrigued as a result of I don’t recall the final time a world participant took half in Senior Bowl week however the reality he’s taking part in quarterback — a place that may clearly be entrance and heart all week lengthy — make it much more charming. I imply, how superior would it not be if he goes loopy and wins recreation MVP on the finish of all of it? Inform me that wouldn’t be the good factor you’ve ever seen.
RJ:
There isn’t any query that I’m going to be obsessive about one participant this whole draft cycle… my fellow Arizona State Solar Satan in Cam Skattebo.
Skattebo took the faculty soccer world by storm final season by serving to lead the Solar Devils to our first Huge 12 title… in our first season within the convention! He nearly singlehandedly powered ASU to an upset victory over Texas within the Peach Bowl. Over the previous few months he has drawn a whole lot of comparisons to Toby Gerhart, however his ASU coach in Kenny Dillingham has give you a comp (soccer solely right here) that I actually like in Ray Rice.
He’s robust and stout and bodily and not possible to deliver down. I think about with an incredible efficiency in Cell he can actually elevate his inventory, or no less than put himself in entrance of the fitting individuals.