Alright, let’s get it back to previewing the game itself. Super Bowl 57. Eagles vs. Chiefs.

Who has the advantage at each position group? It’s a pretty tight battle across the board, but this is how we see it:

 

quarterback

advantage: Chiefs

It’s the MVP vs. the MVP runner up at quarterback, so this isn’t exactly Trent Dilfer vs. Kerry Collins. This game will feature two elite players at their position, one coming off an ankle injury and the other a still-relatively-recent shoulder injury, so both aren’t going to be as fresh as they were in week 2, but should be more than ready for the big game following a two-week layoff.

 

running back

advantage: Eagles

Isiah Pacheco had a fantastic rookie year, going for 830 yards and five scores on the ground, but Miles Sanders had a career season, topping 1,200 yards and finding the end zone 11 times. Beyond that, you look at Clyde Edwards-Helaire losing his job and then getting injured, and the overall RB grouping favors Sanders/Gainwell/Scott vs. Pacheco/CEL/Jerick McKinnon.

 

tight end

advantage: Chiefs

Dallas Goedert is an excellent TE, but Travis Kelce is the best in the NFL. He’s the Chiefs’ top offensive weapon and has been a 2023 postseason monster.

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

 

receivers

advantage: Eagles

The Chiefs are coming into this game with some banged up receivers. Kadarius Toney was limited Wednesday due to his ankle and JuJu Smith-Schuster had some knee swelling, so we’ll see where they’re at come game time. Mecole Hardman was put on IR ahead of Sunday.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a good season, but the production from A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith tops what anyone on the Chiefs did this year, so the edge goes to the Eagles here.

 

offensive line

advantage: Eagles

Of the 10 starters on both lines, nine are Pro Bowl players or alternates. The only one who isn’t is Chiefs right tackle Andrew Wylie, who allowed nine sacks this season and will go up against Haason Reddick. Two very good units, but the edge goes to the Eagles, even with Lane Johnson not at 100%.

 

defensive backfield

advantage: Eagles

The Chiefs’ passing defense was not great this year. They’re relatively inexperienced out there, with Trent McDuffie in his rookie season and L’Jarius Sneed in year three. Justin Reid wasn’t with the Chiefs when they won it all a few years ago and Juan Thornhill wasn’t a starter.

On the other side, the Eagles are rolling Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, CJGJ, and then Marcus Epps back there, while Reed Blankenship could see a few snaps as well. Overall, the Birds’ unit is better.

 

linebackers

advantage: wash

Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards vs. Nick Bolton and Willie Gay? It’s pretty even. There’s really not much to separate the overall play between each respective unit.

 

defensive line

advantage: Eagles

The Chiefs’ D-line is underrated and anchored by multiple-time Pro Bowler Chris Jones, but the Eagles have Pro Bowl players and alternates across the entire unit. Haason Reddick, Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Linval Joseph, Ndamukong Suh, and even Robert Quinn is a group with more depth and experience.

Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

special teams

advantage: Chiefs

Jake Elliott vs. Harrison Butker is probably a wash, but KC has the better punter/unit and more dangerous returners when healthy. The Eagles’ special teams was seen as a weakness until they patched it up and became serviceable about midway through the season.

 

coaching

advantage: Chiefs

Andy is the best coach in football and has been here before. Bieniemy is excellent and SPAGS is a grizzled vet.

The Birds had a great season between Nick Sirianni, Shane Steichen, and Jonathan Gannon, but there’s a clear gap in experience here, so the edge goes to KC.