Super Bowl LIX Thread

[74_75_78_79_]

Guess I beat you BOTH to it, Wolf & Plug!

I "imagined" the entire game today while in the shower before going to work this morning. I have to work tomorrow (Sunday) as well, but will be able to get out hours before kickoff. Two years ago I was at a party, but I'm going to stay in just like I also did last year. This is a game that I'd rather be able to focus on the whole way throughout without any distractions.

Yes, I picked KC to complete the three-peat before the season began. And my last post I predicted they likely winning close tomorrow - even closer than two years ago. But it's not as if I put money on all this or anything; and there's no "ego" making me feel that I must "stick" with that pick through-and-through.

And here's the other thing...I didn't think that the Eagles would actually show up here! I thought it'd be a "Classic Chess match" between Reid & McVay. Well, Rams not too bad an NFC pick, end of day, but came up short though not by too much. I thought the Eagles would have their moments of explosiveness reminiscent of '22 and within their '23 start but mediocre overall and barely losing out to Dallas for the division at 9-8 (and Big D then getting knocked out by...Carolina! Hey, maybe next year the Panthers get in - not ashamed of that pick).

Going into this "imagined" entire game (which ended around the time I was already dressed and having my first cup of coffee), I thought the Chiefs would win by such a nail-biter. Well, here's how it turns out...

I think the first half will be ridiculously low-scoring! Perhaps near record-low! Xavier Worthy scores the first points, and early. A big pass play. Almost like Young-to-Rice in SBXXIX, but by all means this game will be competitive! Birds only score a FG in the first half! Chiefs 7, Eagles 3 halftime!

Then the scoring, AND Barkley, turns it on in the 2nd! I think each team will turn the ball over at least three times. This will assist in that very low halftime score. But some of those turnovers will either lead to immediate points or points very shortly after deep into their territory. A blocked punt through the end-zone cuts KC's lead to 7-5 very early in the 3rd. And then Eagles score on their next immediate possession to make it 13-7 in their favor only for KC to drive down and make it 14-13 right after.

Anyway, cutting to the chase, Eagles pull away BIG at the very end of the 4th Q! Final score - Eagles 35 Chiefs 21! Yes, so not closer than two years ago after all yet alone Chiefs even winning thus not three-peating. Saquon scores at least two TDs and, of course, he's the game's MVP. But what does wanna-be-Nostradamus-me know anyway?

In either event, a Chiefs defeat tomorrow should not warrant a reinforcing of this they being a paper-tiger all along kind of thinking. Come on. 15-1 going into a meaningless finale after winning back-to-back and then returning to the Big Game, at least, which none of the others who tried since the '67 Packers were able to do.

Yes - repeating what I already opined on my last post - '70s Dolphins & Steelers, '80s Forty Niners, '90s Cowboys, and even '00s Pats are overall better than these 2020s Chiefs even if they three-peat tomorrow but still. Whether you're now "annoyed" with them for whatever garden variety plethora of reasoning, they'd be at least an NFL version of these recent Curry Golden State Warriors who won several titles but lost a couple in the final as well - still a Dynasty.

And an Eagles victory tomorrow will make Nick Sirianni the 6TH coach who I saw in-person coach any game (pros or college) who would either end up winning a Super Bowl or already did. Here's my list in chronological order. #6 being IF Eagles win, that is...

1) Bruce Arians, 10/25/86, Syracuse 27 Temple 24, Veterans Stadium
2) Chuck Noll, 9/22/91, Eagles 23 Steelers 14, Veterans Stadium
3 & 4) Bill Cowher & Pete Carroll, 1/3/98, Steelers 7 Patriots 6, Three Rivers Stadium
5 & 6) Mike Tomin & Nick Sirianni, 10/30/22, Eagles 35 Steelers 13, Lincoln Financial Field

No, I won't start a Sirianni vs Switzer "so far" thread if Eagles win being both will have a Ring as well as each, so far, each having coached four NFL seasons. But take it away if any of you would wish.

And if Eagles lose, I won't post a '22 vs '24 thread either but maybe someone will want to.

GO BIRDS! Really want them to win! Even if my three-peat pick pre-season won't come true.

[Brian wolf]

Great analysis as usual 74_75_78_79 ...

Like Richard said, the Birds will Run, Run, Run, like the 1966 Who song, but early, they will throw to get the lead and hope to keep it close before relying on the legs of Barkley and Hurts. DeVonta Smith reminds me of Marvin Harrison somewhat, and can make big plays if KC worries about Brown too much ....

The tight ends for both teams, Kelce, Goedert and Gray will be crucial if the receivers make plays. Can the Chiefs and Eagles have enough pass rush to help their secondary? Danna and Graham could have surprising games and can Huff actually contribute to an Eagles victory?

[JuggernautJ]

I don't particularly care one way or another who wins but I think it'd be kind of cool, as someone interested in football history, to see a three-peat (that I would remember) in my lifetime. I was alive for (and probably watched at least some of) the Packs 65-67 run but can't say I really remember it.

Similarly, I was kind of rooting for the 2007 Patriots so that I could witness an undefeated Super Bowl Champion but alas, that one was not to be...

Should the Chiefs lose tomorrow I doubt I'll have a chance to see either in my lifetime... but ya never know.

Enjoy the game, all!

[Brian wolf]

Wow ... imagine all the people who could have won prop bets on Barkley scoring first? Instead, Hurts fans are happy but what were the odds on Dotson scoring first?

[Brian wolf]

Chiefs are lucky they arent down 13 or 17-0. Eagles have had constant momentum but Bolton and Cook get a needed turnover.

[JameisBrownston]

The better team is looking far better so far. Just hoping against another 28-3 scenario. Mahomes, like Brady, is a guy you always expect to deliver until it's no longer possible.

[RichardBak]

Don't screw this up, Philly. We Lions fans remember blowing a 17-pt lead in 3Q at SF a year ago. Still hurts. Or Hurts. Or Barkleys. Whatever.

[Brian wolf]

Mahomes is definitely rattled, similar to the first half against the Bucs in 2021. The Eagles I feel will get Barkley more to the outside in the second half. Who will be a factor at receiver for the Chiefs in the second half?

[GameBeforeTheMoney]

Going into KC's last possession of the first half, Eagles had more time of possession minutes than KC had yards. Let that sink in.

The ONLY thing that can work for KC is if the long halftime affects the Eagles too much. This is complete domination on the defensive line. Eagles o-line hasn't been as good as the d line and Hurts has made a couple of bad throws, but the Eagles d has forced Mahomes into two picks. The only thing that can slow Philly right now is if the halftime takes their momentum and KC comes back with an outstanding 3rd quarter. Remember, that sort of happened in the GB/Pitt SB - the third q put Pitt back in it after GB was ahead 21-3. Of course, Woodson went down and that made a big difference.

Right now it looks like we have a better chance of seeing the first SB shutout rather than the three-peat.

[GameBeforeTheMoney]

Mahomes is definitely rattled, similar to the first half against the Bucs in 2021. The Eagles I feel will get Barkley more to the outside in the second half. Who will be a factor at receiver for the Chiefs in the second half?

The o line is getting crushed right now. The only real way to maybe change that would be screens to Pacheco or another back possibly?