By: Andrew James & Vincent Cruise (contributing writers)

Andrew James Takes the Eagles:

It’s that time of year again. The Super Bowl has arrived. It’s time to pick your team, watch epic commercials, and enjoy the game.

This is the matchup many expected, top seed in the NFC vs. top seed in the AFC, and it should be a phenomenal game. I expect a very high-scoring game between two high-powered offenses led by arguably the two best quarterbacks in the league this season. 

While Jalen Hurts should be fully healthy, Patrick Mahomes will still be dealing with a high ankle sprain that substantially limited his mobility versus the Bengals. This injury brings up a crucial question about this game. How will Mahomes deal with the Eagle’s suffocating pass rush, led by Haason Reddick? Reddick led the NFL with 19.5 sacks this season (including playoffs) and two vs. the 49ers to pair with a forced fumble and fumble recovery. 

So where will the Chiefs get their offense from with a limited Mahomes going against the Eagle’s tremendous pass rush? My answer is a simple one, the run game. For the Chiefs to potentially win this game, they will need to get Isaiah Pacheco going. Obviously, Mahomes will play like everyone knows he can, but his ankle will hinder his ability. With that being said, I would like to see Pacheco get over 15 touches against a defense giving up 119.3 rushing yards per game. 

There was some concern surrounding the Eagle’s offense with Jalen Hurts’ shoulder injury to end the season, but they have quickly shut down all of these concerns posting 34.5 points per game this postseason. 

Of course, much of this success offensively has had to do with the outstanding play of MVP candidate Jalen Hurts, but a large part of it is also from the breakout seasons of AJ Brown and Miles Sanders. While Sanders has had quite the postseason so far (132 yards, 2 touchdowns), Brown has been disappointing, to say the least (7 receptions, 50 yards). Nevertheless, I think Sanders will continue his excellent play into the Super Bowl, and AJ Brown will have a monster game in the biggest one of his career. 

In a battle between two of the best offenses in the NFL, this Super Bowl will be a thrilling game and one of the best we have seen in a while. The two best quarterbacks in the league will go head to head, but a Patrick Mahomes ankle injury will loom large. On the other side of the ball, the Jalen Hurts to AJ Brown connection will be as crucial as ever. It will show on the scoreboard as the Philadelphia Eagles will defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 34-30 and win Super Bowl LVII. 

Vincent Cruise Takes the Chiefs:

There are so many things to like about the Eagles. Their defensive line is one of the best ever, with four players with over 10 sacks on the year. Their offensive line with Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson is incredibly sound and has been arguably the best front in football this year. The run game is a thing of beauty, fueled by seamless blocking. Last but not least, the connection between Jalen Hurts and his two receivers (AJ Brown and Devonta Smith) has been stellar. All of this is a recipe for success, and that is exactly what they have had this year.

On the other side of the ball is an outstanding Chiefs team. Creed Humphrey anchors a solid offensive line. Three stud pass rushers highlight the Chief’s front seven, and most people will credit them for the Chief’s AFC Championship win against the Bengals. The Chief’s rookie class has also been key for them with Isaiah Pacheco and Trent McDuffie balling out this year. All of this culminates in who I think is the most capable, exciting, jaw-dropping quarterback-to-tight end duo ever to play the game of football. Obviously, I’m referring to Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, whose performances will be the reason the Chiefs win or lose this Super Bowl. 

All things considered, the Eagles have a more complete team but are lacking one thing, Mahomes Magic. If the Chief’s offensive line can hold steady, it will allow Mahomes and Kelce to go to work, and that is never good for their opponent. For these aforementioned reasons, I’m picking the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LVII on a Harrison Butker field goal, 30-27.

Additional Super Bowl Storylines

• This is the first time two brothers will compete against each other in a Super Bowl (Travis and Jason Kelce).
• Andy Reid will be the fifth coach to face his former team in the Super Bowl.
• It is a battle between Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, who were both top MVP candidates this year.