The NFL's top two teams -- the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles -- face off Sunday in Super Bowl LVII. Both rosters were built through savvy moves in free agency, the draft and even the trade market, and no matter the statistical area, both franchises were at or near the top of the league in 2022. Unsurprisingly, there aren't many weaknesses for either team.
But who has the edge here in the final and biggest matchup of the season? Football is a team sport, but it's easiest to take a closer look at the two loaded rosters by stacking them side by side, position by position. That starts, of course, with the QB1 matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. But we're going a full 27 positions deep, breaking down No. 3 receivers, No. 2 cornerbacks, right guards, rotational edge rushers and even specialists.
I'll pick which team has the advantage at each spot -- some of these were really close -- and I relied on what I see on tape and what we should expect to see on Sunday.
Jump to:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
EDGE | IDL | LB | CB | S | K
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts vs. Patrick Mahomes
Hurts posted 4,461 total yards this season -- with 22 touchdown passes and 13 rushing scores -- in a scheme-versatile Eagles offense built around his dual-threat traits. We saw his development as a passer, as he registered a 68.3 QBR on pocket throws, the third-highest in the league. Hurts is seeing it fast and challenging defenses at the third level.
With Mahomes, we are looking at the favorite to win the 2022 MVP, as he led the league in Total QBR (77.6), passing yards (5,250) and touchdown throws (41). And when his movement skills were severely limited in the AFC Championship Game due to a high ankle sprain, Mahomes still answered the bell, throwing for 326 yards and two touchdown passes in the win over Cincinnati.
Who has the edge? Mahomes. This season's big jump from Hurts has to be mentioned, along with the conflict he creates for opposing defenses on designed carries. But it's still Mahomes for me. He's an elite player at the position, with the best second-reaction ability I've seen on tape.
