Three key players at Super Bowl LVII

The stage is set as American Football fans prepare for Super Bowl LVII. Glendale’s State Farm Stadium welcomes the NFL’s showpiece event as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

It’s proving tough to call so far in the pre-match build-up but if this year’s matchup is anything like last, where the Cincinnati Bengals were within touching distance of beating the Los Angeles Rams in their own backyard, then we’re in for a treat. Unfortunately for Bengals fans their side weren’t able to make successive Super Bowls having come up short against the Chiefs due to a late field goal in the AFC conference finals. The Rams were unable to replicate their sparkling form of last year which allowed the Eagles to better the San Francisco 49ers and play in their first Super Bowl for five years.

Indeed, the Chiefs come in as slight favourites in this one when checking the NFL betting odds. Two-time champions, albeit 50 years apart, Andy Reid’s side won their second title weeks before the coronavirus pandemic, and while they were able to reach the world’s stage again a year later, the restricted capacity crowd and sheer aura of Tom Brady ensured the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV and Brady won a seventh ring. The Eagles have caused upsets before though, winning their first and only title to date in 2018, when Nick Foles’ inspired performance from quarterback help his side overcome the might of the New England Patriots.

Both sides will be dreaming that one of their stars can replicate a performance like that one in Minnesota. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the key players who could decide the outcome of Super Bowl LVII.

Patrick Mahomes

The battle that has caught everyone’s attention is that between Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurst. The quarterbacks go a long way to deciding games and both have been tipped as favourites for the MVP award. We think Mahomes just edges the individual battle, having proved himself when the spotlight has shone brightest before. Statistically, he leads the league for passing and the game-winning drive against the Bengals is just the fuel he’ll need to put on a show come Sunday.

Chris Jones

The enforcer of the Chief’s side, Chris Jones has dedicated his whole offseason to this game, and having kept the Bengals quiet he’ll be hoping to do more of the same against the Eagles. Jones is a monstrous presence at defensive tackle — six feet, six inches tall, yet deceptively agile and quick in short bursts — and if he can set the tone for another solid Chiefs performance, it’s hard to see the Eagles living with them.

A.J. Brown

One of the most interesting narratives ahead of this year’s match is the face-off between high-school teammates A.J. Brown and Willie Gay. Both were second-round picks for a talented Starkville side and will come to blows in Arizona on Sunday. Brown joined the Eagles last April from the Tennessee Titans and has so far justified his $100 million dollar contract with an array of good performances, but the wide receiver will need to put his emotions to the side when he faces an old friend.

“To be on the biggest stage of football, so blessed to play this game and to know Willie and play high school ball with him, compete against him in college,” Brown said. “Growing up just five minutes from him, it means everything. It means everything to the City of Starkville, I know they are proud of both of us.”