Who would the Eagles rather face in Super Bowl 57: Chiefs or Bengals?
The NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles will await the AFC champion in Super Bowl 57.
With the Philadelphia Eagles dominating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, the Birds are going to the Super Bowl!
Top-seeded Philadelphia had no issues with this depleted San Francisco offense. The Eagles were the best team in the NFC throughout the regular season and proved it triumphantly during the NFL playoffs. However, the Birds will have more than their hands full when it comes to who will be representing the AFC in the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals.
So … who would the Eagles rather face in Arizona in two weeks: The Chiefs or the Bengals?
Philadelphia Eagles would rather face Kansas City Chiefs over Cincinnati Bengals
While it really is pick your poison for the Eagles, thankfully, they will not have to. They will face the winner of the AFC Championship Game, no matter who it is. Admittedly, it is close, but there are three reasons why Philadelphia would rather face Kansas City over Cincinnati. The Bengals are deeper in the weapons department, more complete on defense and the hungriest team remaining.
Kansas City has a great roster, which is a big reason why the Chiefs are a final four team. However, their combination of receiving corps, running backs and quarterback does not match Cincinnati’s. It would have been different if Tyreek Hill still played for the Chiefs, but the speedy wide receiver now plays for the Miami Dolphins. Defensively, the Bengals are well-coached at all levels of it.
The fact defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has not garnered any serious consideration to be a head coach this hiring cycle is ridiculous. The Bengals’ pass rush is ferocious, the secondary is loaded and the linebacking corps plays with great discipline. Cincinnati’s biggest issue is along the offensive line, but there are so many reasons why they won the AFC last year and nearly won it all.
When it comes to Kansas City, yes, you still have Patrick Mahomes to worry about, but even he is banged up. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is not 100 percent either. So Kansas City is really lacking explosiveness on offense. Yes, the defense will keep them in the game, but they may have a harder time playing from behind, or potentially holding a lead, if they were to face the Eagles next.
Ultimately, the Eagles may be the top-seeded team in the NFC, but they are going to be the underdog to whoever comes out of the AFC between Kansas City or Cincinnati. No doubt about it, the Birds can beat either of these teams, but their respective cores have been to Super Bowls more recently than them. Andy Reid has won a Super Bowl and Zac Taylor has just played for one.
It is going to take a great game plan from Nick Sirianni and elite execution for Philadelphia to win.
