By Mike Grimm
The Eagles are a 1 1/2-point fave over the Chiefs in Sunday night’s Super Bowl.
And we think the Birds will win and easily cover.
But the Kansas City Star offers a counter-argument:
Jalen Hurts isn’t the same quarterback the Chiefs faced in October 2021, when the Eagles’ signal-caller was still raw in his second season.
The 6-foot-1, 223-pound Hurts has come into his own as one of the NFL’s top dual-threat quarterbacks, throwing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns against six interceptions. He also rushed for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns on 165 carries.
The Chiefs must keep an eye on Hurts because of the number of RPOs (run-pass option) plays the Eagles incorporate with their quarterback.
“You know some quarterbacks we play are not going to run the football,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “So you take that out of your thinking, the pass rush is a little bit different, maybe the edge run support’s a little bit different. But when the quarterback can do what this quarterback can do, it brings it a lot more different issues.”
Given the stress Hurts can put on a defense, would the Chiefs be willing to place a spy, perhaps speedy linebacker Willie Gay Jr., on him?
“You got to keep an eye on him, for sure,” Reid said. “He is a great runner, but he can also throw the ball well.”
The Chiefs can’t pay Hurts all of their attention because running back Miles Sanders has rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns on 269 carries, all career-highs, this season.
Whatever scheme the Chiefs come up with for Super Sunday, they’ll need to be disciplined.
