NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will play in one of the most anticipated games this season. This is a Super Bowl rematch from last season and while the stakes are not as high, this game has meaning for both teams. The Eagles are in the middle of a tough stretch of games and want to prove they’ve earned the No. 1 ranking in most NFL Power rankings. The Chiefs are looking to show they are still at the top with another defeat of the Eagles.
Can the Eagles suspect secondary find a way to finally slow down an opposing QB? Can the Chiefs limit Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown? This will be a chess match of a game and one where a simple mistake could cost either team a victory. Do not expect a blowout on either side as both teams are evenly matched.
Here are 3 keys to victory for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Eagles Must Play With Anger And Poise
No matter what happens, the Kansas City Chiefs are still the Super Bowl champs. The Eagles cannot snatch the Lombardi Trophy back with a victory Monday Night. This is the first thing they must get in their heads and focus on the task at hand. This is just a rematch of Super Bowl teams. Winning this game will put the Eagles clearly as the best team in the league for this season and that’s all it will do, nothing else.
Yes, it will give the team a morale boost as some believe they played a superior game but still lost. Normally, this is where I would say they should ignore everyone and focus but this is the game where they have to play with a chip on their shoulders. Losing this game will cause doubt to set in. No one wants to lose to a team twice in a row.
Everyone from Hurts to AJ Brown to Darius Slay to Fletcher Cox must play as if it’s the game of their lives. Play with anger but play with poise. Keep the importance of the game in the front but play as if there’s no tomorrow. There’s a good chance these teams will meet again in Las Vegas and the Chiefs must know that Eagles can beat them.
The Philadelphia Eagles Ground Game
Something is off and it has been for weeks. Looking at the end-of-game stats each week, you could give the Eagles praise for gaming over 100 yards on the ground. However, that can be a bit deceptive. What happened to D’Andre Swift? Early in the season, he was top 3 in yards rushing but has dropped to 7th overall.
In his last 3 games, Swift has rushed the ball for 162 yards on 49 carries. While Brian Johnson has implemented Kenneth Gainwell back into the fold, that means that he has lost some faith in Swift. Jalen Hurts is still a threat to tuck and run but even he’s not the same. That knee is clearly bothering his mobility.
The Chiefs are surrendering 112 yards rushing per game and this will be a true test to see where the Eagles are moving forward. The run sets up everything for this offense and without it, the RPO is off base. They must get back to what made them a potent offense and that means taking it right up the gut of the Chiefs defense.
Don’t Let Travis Kelce Beat You
The glaring weakness in the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense is the secondary. While the run defense has been dominant, the pass defense is by far one of the worst in the NFL. Each week a new QB is throwing for 300+ yards and that was just not the case a season ago. Even with James Bradbury and Darius Slay manning the corners, every opposing QB has looked like a Pro Bowler. This has to stop.
With such a high-profile game on the line, the stars will expect to step up, and for the Chiefs that means Travis Kelce. The Eagles can’t allow one player to get the best of their secondary, yet again. Kelce is All World, his bust is already sculpted and awaiting the go-ahead from the Hall of Fame Committee.
While Patrick Mahomes makes the offense go, it’s Kelce who provides the heartbeat. Yes, one man has the ability to change the course of a game, and with the Eagles also lacking at LB, Kelce could have a good game if the middle of the field remains a soft spot in the defense. Stopping Kelce is the key to the Philadelphia Eagles walking away 9-1.
