The NFL season has come down to a close with one game left to determine the champion.
Super Bowl 57 will feature the Kansas City Chiefs going up against the Philadelphia Eagles, a rematch from two years ago.
Kansas City looks to cement its spot in history with the first ever three-peat in the Super Bowl era.
It will be the fifth Super Bowl appearance in the last six years for Kansas City with three Lombardi Trophies during that span.
Here are three keys to victory for the Chiefs.
Chiefs Key #1: Limit Explosive Plays
Philadelphia leads the league in touchdowns from outside the red zone.
They are a run first offense with an explosive mix of play action.
The Chiefs must limit these explosive plays to stay on pace.
Saquon Barkley is the primary concern for Kansas City’s defense.
He has scored 7 touchdowns of 50 or more yards this season, which is the most in the league by far. No other player has more than 2.
The Chiefs are a great run defense with All-Pro Chris Jones leading the way. He has led that group to being top 10 in yards per carry allowed and success rate against the run.
The threat of explosive pass plays is just as prevalent for Kansas City’s defense.
Philly’s leading receiver, A.J. Brown, averaged 2.73 yards per route this season, which is third among receivers.
Explosive plays can change the momentum of a game in an instant.
If KC can force the Eagles to earn points through long, sustained drives, they will be in a good position to win the game.
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Chiefs Key #2: Pressure Jalen Hurts
Steve Spagnuolo is one of the most creative defensive coordinators in the league.
He uses disguised blitzes and coverages effectively, but he will have his hands full against a sturdy Eagles offensive line.
The Chiefs play Cover 0 at the second-highest rate in the league and are top 10 in overall blitz rate.
Unfortunately, this might not work against Hurts, who posts a 112.0 QB rating against the blitz.
Jalen Hurts struggles most when he holds the ball for more than 3 seconds.
He has taken an abysmal 37 sacks this season in that scenario, and in most cases, these plays were not blitzes.
Spags and the Chiefs are going to have to find a way to apply pressure on Hurts without blitzing him.
While his stats against the blitz are phenomenal, his stats while under pressure rank near the bottom of the league.
Pressure through disguised blitzes, lockdown coverage, and winning individual matchups on the defensive line is the way to make Hurts uncomfortable.
That will be the key for the Chiefs in this game.
Chiefs Key #3: Win in the Trenches
Both these teams have All-Pro players all over their lines. Chris Jones could be the x-factor among this group.
He will be matched up with some banged-up Eagles players including Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens.
Recent reports indicate that these players will be back to healthy for the big game, but those injury questions still linger.
On the opposite side of the ball, there is another All-Pro matchup on the interior.
Jalen Carter is the No. 1 concern in that group. He has had a tremendous season ranking among the top 10 defensive linemen for pressures, pass rush grade, and forced fumbles.
Joe Thuney moved out to tackle last in the season, leaving Creed Humphrey to help contain Carter. Humphrey ranked in the top five for pass blocking grade according to PFF.
Winning the matchups in the trenches allows teams to establish the run and set the tempo in a game.
The Chiefs' star linemen must rise to the occasion for a Super Bowl victory.