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.
Running back: Miles Sanders vs. Isiah Pacheco
Sanders produced career numbers this season for the Eagles, rushing for 1,269 yards and 11 scores on 259 carries. He's a slasher in the zone run game and has the explosive-play ability to hit the second level. In Kansas City, Pacheco changed the identify of the Chiefs' run game this season, bringing a physical and decisive downhill style to the offense. The seventh-round rookie logged 830 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season, and there's some juice to his game when he finds the open field. His 127 rushing yards over expectation ranked 20th this season, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Who has the edge? Sanders. The Eagles' dynamic run scheme and the talent of their offensive front played roles in Sanders getting the nudge here. Those elements create daylight for Sanders to attack. His 3.0 yards before first contact per rush ranked fifth among running backs this season. But this was closer than you might think, given Pacheco's rookie tape -- especially on outside zone concepts.
Third-down back: Kenneth Gainwell vs. Jerick McKinnon
Gainwell plays downhill faster than any back on the Eagles' roster, which pops on inside zone concepts. And the receiving traits are there for him to catch the ball on unders in the Philadelphia route tree. The second-year pro rushed for 240 yards this season, while also logging 23 receptions (169 yards). And while McKinnon can add to the Kansas City ground game as a perimeter runner with the cutback ability to find creases of space, it's his role in the pass game that truly impacts Andy Reid's offense. McKinnon caught 56 of 71 targets this season for 512 yards and nine touchdowns.
Who has the edge? McKinnon. Just look at how he is deployed in the Chiefs' pass game, with screens, backfield releases and flexed alignments. It allows Reid to scheme targets for him, while also creating matchups in scoring position. McKinnon caught seven of his nine touchdowns this season inside the red zone.
Wide receiver No. 1: A.J. Brown vs. JuJu Smith-Schuster
With the physical profile to play through contact at all three levels of the field, Brown can stretch defenses vertically and create after the catch on quicks/unders. He caught 88 passes this season for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns, and his 568 yards after the catch ranked second among receivers.
Smith-Schuster brought a different element to the Chiefs' route tree, given his inside/outside flexibility and the ability to work the dirty areas of the field. He caught 73 of 101 targets as an intermediate option for Mahomes, and he's more explosive after the catch than most think (452 yards after the catch, 11th among WRs).
Who has the edge? Brown. He is an upper-tier receiver, and his arrival in Philadelphia immediately boosted the pass game element for Hurts and the Eagles' offense. And there's big-play juice to his game, as Brown's 23 explosive-play receptions (catches of 20 or more yards) ranked fifth in the NFL.
Wide receiver No. 2: DeVonta Smith vs. Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Smith is a detailed route runner, with the separation speed to run away from coverage or work to the third level of the field. The second-year player led the Eagles with 95 receptions and totaled 1,196 yards, while also catching seven touchdowns. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Smith caught 6.9% more passes than expected, tied for the seventh-highest rate in the league.
In Kansas City, Valdes-Scantling is the vertical stretch target who can also be used on schemed crossers and overs, with the ability to isolate as a target for Mahomes. Valdes-Scantling averaged 16.4 yards per reception and played his best game of the year in the AFC Championship Game, catching six of eight targets for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Who has the edge? Smith. His overall usage and the multiple roles he plays in the Eagles' route structure is a big part of it, too. With 136 targets this season and his ability to win one-on-one or attack schemed voids, the arrow is pointing up on Smith in just his second pro season.
Wide receiver No. 3: Quez Watkins vs. Kadarius Toney
Watkins gives the Eagles straight-line juice from outside alignments -- he runs a sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash -- with the slot flexibility to work inside. All three of Watkins' touchdown receptions this year were on throws of 20 or more air yards, and he can separate on in-breakers/unders to get loose. With Toney, the Chiefs added a dynamic offensive threat via a trade with the Giants. He can be schemed on manufactured touches (fly sweeps, backfield alignments and screens) with the route traits to shake coverage. In his nine games with the Chiefs this season, Toney produced 253 total yards and three scores.
Who has the edge? Toney. His deployment in Reid's offense as a horizontal stretch option gives him the advantage. He's sudden and dynamic in space, and he can impact the game plan from multiple alignments as a motion/movement player.
Tight end: Dallas Goedert vs. Travis Kelce
I see Goedert as a top-five tight end in the NFL, with great route running skills and the ability to hold the point as a positional blocker in the run game. He logged 703 receiving yards in just 12 regular-season games and averaged 7.8 yards per reception after the catch. He's a seam stretcher at the second and third level who can create his own separation underneath. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Goedert's 9.1% catch rate over expectation was No. 1 among tight ends this season.
In Kelce, we are talking about Mahomes' No. 1 option in the pass game -- a tight end with rare positional flexibility and matchup ability who went for 1,338 yards this season. He is extremely rugged after the catch, too. Kelce saw 156 targets this season, and his 110 receptions ranked third in the league behind only Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill. His 10 red-zone touchdowns led the NFL.
Who has the edge? Kelce. But it's closer than you think! The red-zone upside and Kelce's ability to impact opposing defenses are critical, though. When opponents lack a man coverage matchup for Kelce or a plan to create disruption at the line of scrimmage, the Chiefs' tight end can take over games and find the end zone.
Right tackle: Lane Johnson vs. Andrew Wylie
Johnson registered a pass block win rate of 95% this season, tops in the NFL among tackles. It's all about the easy movement ability and the traits to handle both speed and power off the edge. And there's a sense of nastiness with Johnson as a blocker in the run game. He will finish defenders. Wylie is a phone-booth mauler who can displace defenders at the line of scrimmage, where he posted a 74.6% run block win rate. And while he can be tested on his edges in pass pro, Wylie did check in with a 92.8% pass block win rate in the regular season, ninth in the league at the position.
Who has the edge? Johnson. I see him as the NFL's premier right tackle. He can match up with the best of the best in protection with high-level technique to win true one-on-ones. And he will come off the ball in the run game.
Right guard: Isaac Seumalo vs. Trey Smith
A technically sound blocker with the foot quickness to re-direct in space and the power to wrestle back at the point, Seumalo posted a pass block win rate of 93.6% this season (15th at guard). His mobility on zone combos or pulls in the run game stands out, too. And for the Chiefs, I've seen rapid technique growth from Smith's college tape. The second-year pro has the frame, length and power on contact to shock defenders in the run game. With the traits to drop an anchor in pass protection, Smith can stone rushers on the interior of the pocket. This season, Smith posted a pass block win rate of 95.9%, good for fourth among guards in the NFL.
Who has the edge? Seumalo. It's a very close one here, especially when it comes to pass protection. But I'm taking Seumulo because of what I see on tape in the run game. He has more lower-body agility to climb and move at the second level.
Center: Jason Kelce vs. Creed Humphrey
We're talking about two of the league's best here. Kelce is the top interior mover I've studied on tape. He wins with leverage and consistent technique, which allows him to cut off second- and third-level defenders in space. There's a tenacious demeanor to his game which also shows up in pass pro, where he registered a pass block win rate of 95.5% (eighth among centers).
Looking at Humphrey, his pass block win rate of 98.1% ranks second overall in the NFL -- and No. 1 among centers. He is in only his second pro season, but his lower-body quickness, footwork and hand usage put him in a position to win despite limited length. Humphrey only allowed one sack in 2022.
Who has the edge? Kelce. Yes, Humphrey will soon be tagged as the top center in the NFL, and he has the tape to make a case for it this year. But I'm going with the veteran here, as Kelce's overall experience and savvy style of play wins out. He still sets the bar for how to play the position at a high level.
Left guard: Landon Dickerson vs. Joe Thuney
Dickerson's pass block win rate of 97% ranks fifth overall in the NFL. His ability to handle power rushers pops on the tape, and there is enough foot speed with Dickerson to slow down speed rushers who try to work his edges. He's efficient in the run game, too, with heavy, controlled hands on contact and the lower-body strength to move defenders. His 80.3% run block win rate was No. 1 among guards this season.
The only guard with a better pass block win rate than Dickerson this season was Thuney (98.9%, tops overall in the NFL), and Thuney didn't allow a single sack. He's a really good fit for the Chiefs' zone run game as a good mover who can reach, combo and climb to take on second-level linebackers.
Who has the edge? Thuney. We are looking at two very good interior players here, but Thuney takes it due to his high-level tape in pass protection and his run game fit for the Chiefs.
Left tackle: Jordan Mailata vs. Orlando Brown Jr.
A powerful and gifted mover at 6-foot-8 and 365 pounds, Mailata has the ability to mirror in space and the foot speed to create positive blocking angles on the edge. But he's also a finisher in the run game, registering a run block win rate of 83.3% (second overall in the NFL). In Kansas City, Brown uses his 6-foot-8 frame and length to overcome limited foot and body quickness in pass pro and when climbing to shield linebackers in the zone-run game.
Who has the edge? Mailata. Brown did register the higher pass block win rate (91.8% and 18th among tackles, vs. Mailata's 82.1% at 56th), but I'm going to trust what I see on the tape. Combine Mailata's pass protection traits with some high-end run-blocking skills, and you have a difference-maker at left tackle.
Edge rusher No. 1: Haason Reddick vs. Frank Clark
Reddick posted 16 sacks during the regular season (tied for second) and then added 3.5 more so far in the playoffs. With versatile traits, he can play off the ball and drop into coverage. His pass-rush upside truly stands out and makes him a game-changer for Jonathan Gannon's defense. Reddick forced five fumbles and had 46 pressures in the regular season (tied for ninth).
Clark only posted five regular-season sacks for the Chiefs, but his playoff production is on the rise. The defensive end posted 2.5 sacks during this postseason run to the Super Bowl. Clark can attack the edges of offensive tackles in protection or be schemed off twists and stunts to get home to the quarterback.
Who has the edge? Reddick. The first-step quickness and short-area speed jump on the tape. Plus, Gannon can create defined one-on-ones for him in the Eagles' five-man defensive surfaces. Reddick's pass rush win rate of 27.6% during the regular season ranked second in the league behind only Dallas' Micah Parsons.
Edge rusher No. 2: Josh Sweat vs. George Karlaftis
I see Sweat as one of the more underrated edge players in the league. With 11 sacks and 27 pressures in 2022, Sweat can create pocket disruption with his long 6-foot-5 frame, change-of-direction ability and lower-body flexibility. And Karlaftis wins with speed to power and hand usage, which also allows him to create production late in the down. The rookie recorded six sacks this season and added one more in the postseason against Joe Burrow.
Who has the edge? Sweat. The production and overall impact wins out for Sweat. During the regular season, Sweat's pass rush win rate of 21.5% ranked 10th in the NFL, ahead of the 49ers' Nick Bosa (21%). He can get off the ball and create protection issues on the edge.
Situational edge rusher: Brandon Graham vs. Carlos Dunlap
In his 13th NFL season, Graham posted career numbers, including 11 sacks as a rotational edge player on the Eagles' front. The veteran can still rock back offensive tackles on contact, and his hand usage puts him in a position to attack edges. He joined New England's Josh Uche as the only players with fewer than 300 pass-block snaps but 10-plus sacks. And with Dunlap, the short-area speed has diminished -- but he has flashed on tape with the long reach and strength to shed blockers. Dunlap totaled four sacks this season, and his 11% pressure rate was 23rd in the league. He also ended the season with 14 pass breakups, tied for 13th overall in the NFL.
Who has the edge? Graham. In addition to the sack totals, Graham also notched 30 pressures this season (tied for 43rd). And his production points to the overall depth and talent of this Eagles' defensive line.
Interior defensive lineman No. 1: Javon Hargrave vs. Chris Jones
Hargrave was extremely productive on the interior of the Eagles' defensive front this season, racking up 11 sacks. Slippery off the ball with upfield burst, Hargrave can knife through protection or push the pocket, posting a 17.1% pass rush win rate (22nd in the league). And he controls gaps in the run game, too.
But with Jones, we are looking at one of the league's most dominate defensive tackles -- and one who has the position flexibility to also align on the edge. Jones notched 15.5 sacks this season and led all interior rushers with a pass rush win rate of 21%. He's powerful with light feet and high-end counters; Jones can create consistent disruption against both the run and pass game. He has two sacks in these playoffs.
Who has the edge? Jones. Hargrave was one of the best interior pass-rushers I studied on tape this season, and he is No. 3 on my current free agent list for this upcoming offseason. But it's still Jones, who checked in with 22.5 disrupted dropbacks this season, the fourth most in the NFL. Simply put, the Chiefs' defensive tackle has game-wrecking talent.
Interior defensive lineman No. 2: Fletcher Cox vs. Derrick Nnadi
At age 32, Cox can still shed blockers to penetrate and disrupt in the run game, and we know he will get up the field to disrupt the throwing platform in the pocket due to his upper-body strength and foot speed. The veteran defensive tackle posted seven sacks this season as part of a deep and skill-versatile Eagles defensive front. And on the Kansas City side, Nnadi registered 25 total tackles while playing in a rotational role on the Chiefs defensive line. While Nnadi isn't going to create high-end pass-rush numbers (zero sacks and two pressures), his ability to shoot gaps or take on double-teams against the run game will play a critical role on Sunday against the Eagles.
Who has the edge? Cox. He'll have one-on-one opportunities against the interior of the Chiefs' offensive front, and after recording 24 pressures in the regular season, he should make an impact there.
Linebacker No. 1: T.J. Edwards vs. Nick Bolton
Edwards can key and diagnose quickly in the run game -- his 39.5% run stop win rate was 19th in the NFL -- while also being able to play to depth in coverage with his second-level range. Edwards recorded 159 tackles this season, and he can be schemed as a blitzer, too (two sacks).
Bolton, meanwhile, is a downhill thumper against the run with fast eyes. His 180 tackles were the second-most in the NFL, and he can make plays in coverage; Bolton had two interceptions and four pass breakups on the season. And according to NFL Next Gen Stats, his 16 run stuffs tied for 14th in the league.
Who has the edge? Bolton. Close one, but I like him here given his physical and instinctive play style against the run and his coverage skills that have developed since his Mizzou days. Bolton can run the pipe in Cover 2 and play top-down from depth as a hook defender.
Linebacker No. 2: Kyzir White vs. Willie Gay
White has the run-and-hit traits and the coverage range to impact at the second level as a stack linebacker. He logged 110 tackles, 1.5 sacks and seven pass breakups this season for the Eagles. In Kansas City, Gay was productive, notching 88 total tackles and 15.5 disrupted dropbacks in 13 regular-season games. His 12 pass breakups tied for second among linebackers, and he has a good feel for zone windows, along with the burst to close on the ball. And in Steve Spagnuolo's scheme, Gay is utilized as blitzer, posting 2.5 sacks and eight pressures.
Who has the edge? White. I see more here in his coverage, including the ability to play to depth as a hook/curl defender, match/carry in Quarters and create downhill speed to the ball. White has the range to cover some grass.
Cornerback No. 1: Darius Slay vs. L'Jarius Sneed
Slay has the high-end coverage traits to match in man coverage, and we see his transition speed and backfield vision when aligning in zone schemes. He displays the lower-body flexibility to create downhill juice out of his breaks, and he recorded three picks and 14 pass breakups for the Birds this season.
Sneed has the position flexibility to play outside or in the slot as a disruptive defensive back with playmaking traits. He logged 486 snaps in the slot this season, where he can blitz, match in space and tackle. The Chiefs' top corner posted three picks and 11 pass breakups to go with 3.5 sacks and 14 pressures.
Who has the edge? Slay. There are two of my favorite defensive backs to study, and Sneed can fill up the stat sheet. But I'm going with Slay based on his coverage ability in the single-high and split-safety schemes we see in Gannon's defense.
Cornerback No. 2: James Bradberry vs. Trent McDuffie
Bradberry finished the regular season with 17 pass breakups (third-most in the league) and three interceptions. The veteran corner has the press-man skills and length to create on-the-ball production, along with the zone awareness and coverage poise to make plays down the field. As the nearest defender via NFL Next Gen Stats tracking, he kept opponents to a minus-12.5% completion percentage over expectation (fourth among defenders with 50-plus targets) and minus-10.6 receptions over expectation (second).
McDuffie is another Chiefs corner with inside/outside flex. He's extremely urgent and competitive in coverage, and we've seen McDuffie match vertically down the field in one-on-one situations while also using his lateral speed and zone eyes to create disruption as a nickel defender. In 11 games played during the regular season, McDuffie recorded seven pass breakups and 44 tackles. The arrow is pointing up on the rookie.
Who has the edge? Bradberry. While Bradberry's play speed has started to decline, his instincts and technique have boosted the coverage profile of the Eagles' secondary. And the ball production speaks for itself here.
Cornerback No. 3: Avonte Maddox vs. Jaylen Watson
Injuries limited Maddox to just nine regular-season games, as he finished with three pass breakups and one interception. But we know his profile as a slot corner in the Eagles' defense. He can play the two-way releases, settle in zone coverage to break on the ball or use his lateral speed to close on ball carriers.
I've been impressed with the tape on Watson, one of Kansas City's seventh-round rookies. He's long at 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, and he shows the scheme-specific traits that fit Spagnuolo's system. He will roll up as a Cover 2 corner or press in man looks. Watson had one interception and six pass breakups during the regular season, and he has shown up in the playoffs with an interception in each of the Chiefs' postseason wins.
Who has the edge? Maddox. Yes, Watson is an ascending player, but Maddox has a defined role and great tape as a slot defender, where he will be in a position to create on-the-ball production against Mahomes on Sunday night.
Free safety: Marcus Epps vs Juan Thornhill
Epps was one of the top run-defending safeties I watched on tape this year. He's a gritty player in the box who can mix it up with bigger players and cut off the ball on the edge. And in Gannon's defense, Epps can play off the numbers in two-deep, rotate to the post or roam underneath as a curl defender. He finished the regular season with 92 tackles and six pass breakups.
With Thornhill, we have to focus on his range first. He can cover ground from the deep half in Cover 2, overlapping outside verticals, and he's a natural middle-third defender. He provides a prime fit for late movement in the Chiefs' secondary. Thornhill logged three interceptions and nine pass breakups this season.
Who has the edge? Thornhill. Epps plays a key role in the Eagles' secondary, but Thornhill has the ball production and playmaking ability on third-level throws. He's an easy mover who can eat up grass to limit explosive plays down the field.
Strong safety: C.J. Gardner-Johnson vs. Justin Reid
Gardner-Johnson tied for the league-lead with six interceptions despite playing just 12 regular-season games, and he added eight pass breakups and 67 tackles. Urgent and competitive on tape, with the nickel flexibility to cover in the slot, Gardner-Johnson can make plays over the top of the secondary and match up with physical tight ends.
Reid, meanwhile, is your classic veteran safety who can run the alleys to set an edge to the formation, drive downhill from split-field alignments or match/carry underneath. He's an instinctive player in both the run and pass game. This season, Reid accounted for 81 tackles and eight pass breakups.
Who has the edge? Gardner-Johnson. Look at the production. Look at the positional flexibility. Look at the coverage skills. Gardner-Johnson is a multi-dimensional defender in Gannon's defense, and he should be the man-matchup player against Travis Kelce this weekend.
No. 3 safety: Reed Blankenship vs. Bryan Cook
An undrafted rookie, Blankenship stepped in to start four games for the Eagles this year -- and the tape is solid. He can generate speed out of his pedal to drive on in-breakers in Quarters or spin to the post, and he's a physical defender at the point of attack in the run game. A core producer on special teams for the Eagles, Blankenship notched 32 tackles and two pass breakups this season, along with an interception of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (put that one on the mantle).
Cook is the dime safety in Kansas City. The second-round rookie has tone-setting ability to his game, with the downhill speed to play as an enforcer in split-safety coverage or as a robber/underneath defender. He had 27 tackles and two pass breakups on 320 snaps this season.
Who has the edge? Blankenship. It's the tape and special teams production that gives him the advantage. He can play in the three-safety sub-sets and make tackles on coverage units. You have to have that in your swing player at the safety spot.
Kicker: Jake Elliott vs. Harrison Butker
Elliott went 20-of-23 on field goals this season, including 5-of-6 on kicks of 50 or more yards. He also hit 96.2% of extra points. Looking at Butker, he connected on 18 of 24 field goals, going 2-of-4 on kicks of 50 yards or more -- and his long of 62 was the best in the league. The extra-point percentage of 92.7% comes in a little lower than Elliott, though.
Who has the edge? Butker. He worked through an ankle injury this season, which impacted his numbers, but I see him as a big-game kicker with the accuracy and poise to convert in critical game moments. And we saw that on the late game-winner against the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.
Punter: Brett Kern vs. Tommy Townsend
Kern joined the Eagles after an injury to starting punter Arryn Siposs. In four regular-season games with them, Kurn logged 10 punts for an average of 40.8 yards, with one punt downed inside the 20-yard line. Townsend's average of 50.4 yards ranked second in the league this season, and his long of 76 yards tied for second-best. Townsend also had 22 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Who has the edge? Townsend. Kerns is the better place-kick holder if we focus on the mechanics, but the 10-yard difference in average per punt separates Townsend.