Super Bowl Rankings

by Marc Narducci | Feb 3, 2025
Super Bowl Rankings
The Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs played a classic Super Bowl two years ago with the Chiefs earning a 38-35 win.

When they meet this Sunday for a rematch two years later, the game has an excellent chance at being another classic.

This game is considered a tossup, but there is one big distinction—the Eagles are the more talented team.

Let’s go position by position:

 

Quarterback

KC

Jalen Hurts has done an excellent job and is not always appreciated for what he has accomplished, but this one has to go to the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes is already considered among the best quarterbacks of all-time.

There are several quarterbacks who have better statistics than Mahomes, except in the category that matters most—wins.

This is his fifth Super Bowl in the last six years, of which he has won three. The Chiefs are attempting to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. He has played in seven straight AFC championship games.

 

Running back

Eagles

This is a big edge to the Eagles, with Saquon Barkley leading the way. Counting the postseason, one could suggest this is the best season for a running back in NFL history. After rushing for 2,005 yards (5.8 avg.) and 13 touchdowns in the regular season, Barkley has rushed for 442 yards (6.7 avg.) and five touchdowns in three playoff games.

He has been a difference-maker all season and there is no reason to doubt he can do it again.

Vineland graduate Isiah Pacheco rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown two years ago against the Eagles in the Super Bowl, but he has not hit his stride since recovering from a broken leg. Kareem Hunt has been more than serviceable, rushing for 108 yards (4.3 avg.) and two touchdowns in two playoff wins. That could be one good half’s work for Barkley.

 

Receivers

Eagles

The Eagles have the edge simply because they have the two best receivers. Nobody on the Chiefs would start ahead of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.  Chiefs rookie Xavier Worthy has great speed, and is a game-breaking threat, but he is nowhere near as polished as the Eagles top two receivers. This one isn’t close.

 

Tight end

Chiefs

The Chiefs Travis Kelce is a future Hall of Famer, and he gives Kansas City the edge, but it is not as substantial as one would think against Dallas Goedert, who is the Eagles leading receiver this playoff (15 receptions, 188 yards and one touchdown). Kelce, in one fewer playoff game has nine receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. Yet, Kelce is so good that he commands double teams. Goedert might show that double-teams are warranted his way, but it’s difficult to do with Smith and Brown also in the lineup.

 

Offensive Line

Eagles

The Eagles earn the edge here, especially at tackle where Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata might be the best combination in the NFL. While Pro Bowl selections Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson have been banged up, the extra week off should benefit both. Guard Mekhi Becton has enjoyed a resurgence with the Eagles.

The Chiefs offensive line has been better since they moved Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney to tackle. There are two other Pro Bowlers on the line—center Creed Humphrey and guard Trey Smith. Kansas City is weak at the other tackle and the Eagles should be able to exploit Jawaan Taylor.

 

Defensive line

Even

Both teams have a game-changing linemen in Chris Jones with the Chiefs and Jalen Carter with the Eagles. Both are capable of taking over a game and each could play inside or outside.

Each team has underrated linemen—Tershawn Wharton for KC and Milton Williams for the Eagles.

George Karlaftis has three sacks in the playoffs for the Chiefs and Nolan Smith has four for the Eagles. Both have been major difference makers this playoff.

There is depth on both lines.

 

Linebacker

Eagles

This is close, but the difference is that nobody has a playmaker like the Eagles’ Zack Baun, who has been even better in the postseason and that is after having an All Pro type regular season. In three playoff games, Baun has 26 tackles, including two tackles for loss. He has two passes defensed, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Oren Burks has played very well filling in for the injured Nakobe Dean. Nick Bolton leads a solid Chiefs linebacking corps, but Bolton is prone to overrunning plays.

 

Secondary

Eagles

Chiefs corner Trent McDuffie is arguably the best defensive back in the Super Bowl, but the Eagles have the best cornerback combo in Darius Slay and Quinyon Mitchell. Even at 34, Slay remains an elite cover corner, while Mitchell has played like a future Pro Bowler. Fellow rookie Cooper DeJean has been a major contributor for the Eagles as a slot corner. The Eagles also have safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a major playmaker.

 

Special Teams

Chiefs

Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker gets the edge over the Eagles’ Jake Elliott, who before this year was considered automatic, but has been inconsistent. Chiefs rookie Nikko Remigio has been a key returner in the playoffs, averaging 31 yards on seven kickoff returns and 26 yards on two punt returns. The Eagles Kenneth Gainwell is a sold returner and excellent backup to Barkley, but he is coming off suffering a concussion, so there is no telling how he will perform. Eagles punter Braden Mann has done a great job in the postseason with a 47.7 yard average on 11 punts and a net average of 39.8. Chiefs rookie Matt Araiza hasn’t been a difference maker in the postseason with a net average of just 33.5 yards on four punts.

 

Prediction

Eagles 27, Chiefs 24. Once again Barkley is the difference.

 

Photo Courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles

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Author: Marc Narducci

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