Mike Golic reveals what can help Chiefs, Eagles win Super Bowl 57

NFL analyst Mike Golic revealed what could lead the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl 57 on Sunday.

The most anticipated game in the NFL is just hours away. Of course, we are talking about Super Bowl 57, where the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Both teams had the best record in the NFC and AFC respectively, earned a first-round bye in the playoffs, and defeated their two opponents to reach the big game. The Eagles defeated the rival New York Giants in the Divisional Round, while handily beating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. As for the Chiefs, they overcame a high ankle sprain to quarterback Patrick Mahomes to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round and the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. So, who has the edge, considering both feel evenly matched?

FanSided’s Matt Verderame and Patrick Allen spoke with NFL analyst Mike Golic at Super Bowl 57 radio row this week, and asked what would determine who wins and loses the game. Golic first brings up the Eagles, and brings up their ability get the running game going against the Chiefs defense.

“Can the Eagles get the running game going,” said Golic. “Let’s be honest, Jalen Hurts didn’t play well in the [NFC] Championship Game. So can they get their running game going, which includes Jalen Hurts against this Kansas City defense? How much will Chris Jones move around? We saw him move around to the outside to get that last sack [vs. Bengals in AFC Championship Game]. Is he going to do that against the Eagles and go up against Lane Johnson? Or will he stay on the inside, bring a backer up to try and occupy Jason Kelce and let Chris Jones one-on-one with one of the guards? So I’m looking for that as well.”

Mike Golic on what could determine who wins Super Bowl 57 between Chiefs, Eagles

If there was one common theme of Philadelphia’s playoff run, it was their ability to run the football at will against opposing defenses. In the Divisional Round, they ran for 268 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries against New York’s defense. Facing off against a tougher 49ers defense, the Eagles were able to gain 148 rushing yards on 44 carries. But, they did score four touchdowns on the run.

As Golic brings up, Hurts didn’t have the greatest game against the 49ers. Hurts threw for just 121 yards while completing 15-of-25 pass attempts.

The Eagles will have to face a Chiefs defense that has allowed 107.2 rushing yards per game in the regular-season, ranking eighth-best against the run in the NFL.

As for the Chiefs, Golic brings up what the Chiefs can do against the Eagles pass rush, which was brought up at the start of the question. Golic mentions Kansas City’s running game and how they can counteract Philadelphia’s pass rush.

“We’re talking about the pass rush, so what do you do with the pass rush? Is the ball going to come out quicker out of Mahomes’ hands? Or can they get a running game going,” said Golic. “Isiah Pacheco, can he bounce one of the outside uses 4-3 speed? Jerick McKinnon, did anybody have this guy before the season as the running back with the most receiving touchdowns in the NFL? He had nine, so watch for him out of the backfield to be that quick outlet. What Kansas City does well, they will chip. They understand the great edge rushers Philly has, they’ll chip with running backs, they’ll chip with tight ends just to slow up the rush a little bit.”

The Chiefs offense was expected to drop off in production after they traded star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. Instead, the production was maintained, as the running backs more than did their part.

In last year’s NFL Draft, the Chiefs selected Isaiah Pacheco in the seventh round out of Rutgers, and he catapulted himself to the top of the running back depth chart. This season, Pacheco ran for 830 yards and five touchdowns on 170 carries, while catching 13-of-14 targets for 130 yards.

When looking at Kansas City’s receiving touchdowns leaders, tight end Travis Kelce is at the top with 12. Second on the list is Jerick McKinnon, who has nine. McKinnon was a huge contributor in the passing offense, as he recorded 56 receptions (third-most on team) for 512 yards (fourth-most).

Super Bowl 57 has the makings to be one of the best ever, at least on paper. Be on the lookout for these strategies Golic brings up throughout the game.

Mike Golic joined FanSided on behalf of the NFL Alumni Association and the Huddle Up: Let’s Talk Obesity campaign.