For the second time in 5 years, the Eagles have found their way to the Super Bowl. Just like last time, there are a ton of great players, coaches and storylines to add to the fun. Andy Reid is facing his former team, while the Jason and Travis Kelce will be the first set of brothers to play against each other in the Super Bowl. Before the highly anticipated matchup begins, here are 5 players to watch out for in the big game.
Jalen Hurts
The Eagles’ best player is the #1 guy to watch for in the Super Bowl. If Philadelphia wants another championship, Hurts has to play like the MVP finalist we saw for most of the season. Ever since suffering the shoulder injury, he hasn’t been tested much as a passer. The key to the game is how healthy is he after another 2 weeks off. I think the coaching staff will use him with no reservations because there is no tomorrow.
Hurts is one of the toughest players in the NFL and I believe he will be able to play through the injury and continue to show no effects. He has played on the biggest level in college so I don’t think the moment is too big for him. He is the ultimate winner and competitor and I’m confident in his ability to deliver when the lights are the brightest.
Patrick Mahomes
There isn’t a lot to say about Patrick Mahomes that hasn’t already been said. He’s arguably the best player in the NFL and is on track to be possibly the best player ever. A second Super Bowl title would only help cement that. He can make throws from any angle and with either hand. Just when you think the defense has a play bottled up, he can scramble out of the pocket and find an open receiver downfield.
The only question, like Hurts, is how healthy is he? Since suffering a high ankle sprain in the Divisional Round, his mobility has been severely hampered. If he can tough the injury out and scramble like he usually does, the Eagles may be in trouble.
Brandon Graham
In his first Super Bowl, Eagles defensive end, Brandon Graham, delivered the most important play in franchise history by strip-sacking Tom Brady. After the defense couldn’t stop the Patriot offense all day, BG stepped up and made the big play when it was needed the most.
He is the vocal leader of the Eagles defense and is also the heart and soul of the locker room. Graham lives for moments like these and while he may not play every snap, he will make an impact on the plays he’s on the field for. I don’t know if he’ll force a game-winning fumble, but he will be a factor in wrecking the Chiefs’ game plan.
Chris Jones
Some Eagles fans may not be very familiar with Jones, but he has quietly become one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. He finished the season with 15.5 sacks, which lead all interior linemen. He is an absolute force to block and might be the toughest assignment the offensive line has had yet. Jones is constantly overshadowed by Patrick Mahomes but he is almost as important.
The Chiefs do not have an elite defense, but Jones can take over a game at any time, being he is a good pass rusher and run stuffer. He can destroy plays before they form, and he will be someone Eagles fans, players and coaches need to look out for.
Miles Sanders
Somehow the Eagles rushing attack broke the San Francisco 49ers without Miles Sanders having a big game. He had 2 touchdowns, but on just 11 carriers. He’s been nursing a leg injury the last month and the coaches have been using Scott and Gainwell more as they’ve played well this postseason.
Sanders is the forgotten piece of the offense, but he still scored 11 touchdowns and had over 1,000 yards in the regular season. He is a good running back and with all the attention going to Hurts, Smith, and Brown; Sanders could surprise the Chiefs and slice the defense for 6 yards per carry.
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
