We are finally here. One more game. Either the Eagles emerge champions, and the city parades down Broad Street, or the Chiefs make it 3 straight, and the Eagles head home empty-handed again.
The Eagles have been the best team in the league for most of the year, but the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid who have become inevitable. But can the Eagles stop an unstoppable force? Can they prevent history from being made, and in turn, make history themselves?
If they are going to, they need everyone to be at their best. Starting with the defense, we highlighted 6 players or coaches who need to be great on Sunday if they are going to slay the dragon that is Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
6 Eagles Who Need To Have Great Games Against The Chiefs
Vic Fangio
Fangio has been the best DC in the league this year. To take a defense that was arguably the worst in the league, and turn it into the best defense in the league, is a feat that is hard to imagine. Everyone thought the defense would be better, but not this much better. And while the infusion of talent plays a massive role in that, his part cannot be undersold.
In the last Super Bowl, Mahomes had his way with Jonathan Gannon’s defense. The Eagles didn’t get a single stop in the 2nd half. But Fangio is not Gannon. Mahomes beat the pupil, but Fangio is the master of his system. And while that 0-8 against Mahomes stat has made the rounds, as we explained in a separate article, it is incredibly misleading. In truth Fangio has often held Mahomes under his career norms, he was just coaching teams with terrible offenses, making it hard to keep up.
Stopping Mahomes is no easy task. Not only because of his arm but because of his legs. He might not be Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts with his legs, but the guy is good for a couple of scrambles a game for a 1st down, and there might be no QB better at avoiding pressure.
Fangio has his work cut out for him, but on average, he has held Mahomes and the Chiefs to 24 points per game. If the Chiefs only score 24 in this game, you have to feel good about the Eagles’ chances.
This Chiefs offense is not explosive at all. It is plodding and deliberate. Death by 1000 cuts. But as long as Fangio and company keep the Chiefs out of the end zone, they will have done their job.
Milton Williams
I went into this in great detail in a separate article, so I will be somewhat brief here, but the Eagles defender with the best matchup is Williams. He is going to be blocked by Mike Caliendo, who is the weak link on that Chiefs’ O-Line. Because of Jalen Carter, he is going to get to face Caliendo 1 on 1 for most of the game. Willims should be able to dominate.
With pending Free Agency, this is a chance for Williams to really sell himself. Take over this game, help his team win it all, and then get his big payday, likely in another city. But before he leaves, he has a chance to be a hero here.
Nolan Smith and Josh Sweat
Getting pressure is key. But maintaining discipline is even more important. Mahomes can move. And if you don’t maintain lane integrity not only can he make you miss, and run for a 1st, but he can shake free and deliver a pass too.
It is on Sweat, Smith, and Brandon Graham to not get over anxious. Get after the QB, but do so in a smart way. They did a pretty good job of this vs. Jayden Daniels and did a good job of it earlier in the year vs. Lamar Jackson. But the onus is on the Edge Rushers to play smart. Do your part and be where you need to be, and you will be there to clean things up when Carter or Williams flush him to the left or right.
Whoever Covers Travis Kelce On Any Given Play
It is very clear who Mahomes favorite target is. He is going to get the ball to Kelce.
Kelce had his worst year maybe ever this season. Age has caught up to him a bit. But he proved in the AFC Championship he still has something left in the tank. And if anyone on this Chiefs offense is going to beat you, besides obviously Mahomes, it is him.
The Eagles struggled to cover Zach Ertz in the NFC Championship game. Ertz racked up 11 catches, 104 yards, and 9 1st downs. Reed Blankenship was the primary man being beaten, giving up three 1st downs, but he also beat Baun, CJGJ, and even Mitchell and DeJean for 1st downs. The Chiefs likely saw that and will seek to have Kelce have a similar day.
But it is not a trend that carries through the season. The Eagles mostly have done great vs TEs. The Eagles LBs gave up the fewest yards per target in the league, and both Safeties have held up well. Still, Kelce is the matchup to watch. You will likely see a lot of the Safeties on him, but Baun and Burks will both have their names called at some point, too. It might even be DeJean occasionally.
Cooper DeJean
The other weapon to watch out for is Xavier Worthy, who spends half his time in the slot. That means he and Cooper DeJean will get very familiar with each other. But DeJean at this point is used to tough matchups. He has matched up with Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, and Cooper Kupp, just to name a few, and held his own. Now he draws a fellow rookie.
With Worthy’s speed, you might expect them to run a lot of deep routes with him. But mostly they have used him on short routes, opening to get him in space, where his speed can take over. They also like to hand it off to him.
But that is actually something DeJean has been great at defending. Think back to the big hits he put in the open field on both Chase and Derrick Henry. DeJean might be the perfect man to stop those types of plays. To get Worthy down before he ever gets a chance to accelerate. DeJean has thrived at being where he needs to be to top these types of plays and then finishing the tackle. If he keeps doing that, it take a major tool out of the Chiefs toolbox.
Jalen Carter
This one is obvious. He could be the best player on that field. Carter took over the Rams game at the end of the game. If all else fails, and it is an end-game scenario, and Mahomes has the ball, you will look to your superstar to save the day.
We talked about Calinedo’s struggles, but the inside of the Chiefs 0-Line in general has struggled. Carter can, should, and needs to win his matchup. Based on everything we have seen from him, Eagles fans should feel good about him doing so.