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Super Bowl 57's Biggest Questions and Storylines for Chiefs vs. Eagles: Can Eagles Play from Behind?

Henry John

Last Updated: February 12, 2023 2:10 PM EST • 4 min 15 sec read.

Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Kenneth Gainwell during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers, and we offer new U.S. bettors our exclusive Caesars promo code for Dolphins vs. Eagles.
Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Kenneth Gainwell during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images via AFP.

Are the Kansas City Chiefs truly healthy heading into Super Bowl 57? Who will win the battle in the trenches? What will happen if the Philadelphia Eagles face a deficit on the scoreboard for the first time in these NFL playoffs? We size up some of the biggest questions for bettors to consider ahead of Super Bowl 57.

The biggest sporting event of the year is fewer than 24 hours away! All eyes will be on State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, on Sunday evening as the Chiefs face off against the Eagles in Super Bowl 57. As always, the Super Bowl is a sports bettor’s dream thanks to the multitude of Super Bowl predictions, Super Bowl prop bets. and all the rest of the NFL picks that are available for action.

Bettors aiming to conduct a thorough and proper assessment of the matchup will need to be selective regarding which Super Bowl narratives are important and thus worth monitoring in the lead-up to kickoff. As expected, further clarity has been gained throughout the week. Bettors are wise to revisit their previous calculations and pursue their updated bets based on the latest news (our Super Bowl roundup can help with that).

From the latest injury intel to position battles, the following looks at some of the biggest Super Bowl 57 questions and updated storylines.

Biggest questions and updated storylines for Super Bowl 57

Are Chiefs’ biggest stars fully healthy?

Earlier this week, we included the health of the Chiefs’ wide receivers as a key Super Bowl narrative to monitor. Fast-forward to the weekend of the game and Kansas City’s injury report is completely empty, save for Mecole Hardman who has been placed on injured reserve. 

While Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury was well-documented going into the AFC Championship, several others players were banged up coming out of that game. Wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster and defensive back L’Jarius Snead were both knocked out of the win over Cincinnati with injuries, but neither has a designation on the final Super Bowl injury report.

JuJu Smith-Schuster any questions from reporters ahead of Super Bowl 57.
JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during Super Bowl LVII Opening Night presented by Fast Twitch at Footprint Center on February 06, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Rob Carr/Getty Images/AFP

Of course, the question that arises is just how healthy are the Chiefs players that have been battling injuries? Being on the field is one thing, but being able to execute at 100% is another story. The extra week off between the conference championship and the Super Bowl was certainly helpful.

Can Eagles play from behind?

One interesting talking point that has been raised by several analysts this week is what might happen if the Chiefs get out to an early lead. Due to the offensive scheme and system that the Eagles deploy, playing from behind could be a problem. 

In terms of talent, Philadelphia had the best roster in the NFL on paper since the start of the season. However, because the Eagles’ offense is predicated on running the football and the play-action pass, there are some concerns about how effective they will be if playing from behind. This sort of game script notably did not transpire in their two dominant playoff wins to date.

As such, the goal for Kansas City should be to get off to a strong start and build an early lead. If the Chiefs can carry an advantage into the second half, the Eagles could be forced into the uncomfortable scenario of having to rely on QB Jalen Hurts’ as a dropback passer. Will he be able to succeed in this role? We explore this question with our Jalen Hurts prop bets.

Check out our Super Bowl expert picks and Super Bowl bold predictions.

Can Chiefs’ offensive line hold up in protection?

In terms of talent depth, the Eagles’ defensive front will be the most imposing unit on the field in Super Bowl LVII. This sparks major concerns about the Chiefs’ ability to hold up at the line of scrimmage. After all, in order for Mahomes to put the team on his back, he needs to be upright. 

During the regular season, Philadelphia amassed 70 sacks as a team. Not only did that lead the league, but it was a whopping 15 more than the Chiefs who finished second in this category. From Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham to Josh Sweat and Hassan Reddick, the Eagles’ collection of talented pass-rushers is extremely impressive.

Check out our Super Bowl defensive player prop predictions and Super Bowl sacks prop odds and predictions for more.

It’s worth noting that Kansas City’s offensive line has looked vulnerable at times this season. If Mahomes’ ankle injury is still limiting his escapability, the Chiefs may find themselves in a very difficult spot. Look for the Eagles to line Reddick up opposite of right tackle Andrew Wiley in a one-on-one matchup that will gain them a clear advantage.

Who will Eagles feature at RB?

On the surface, this may seem like a silly question to ask. After all, Miles Sanders has been the top dog in the Eagles’ backfield throughout the entire season. However, head coach Nick Sirianni and his staff may have a wrinkle in store for the Super Bowl.

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Defensively, the Chiefs have struggled against speed and quickness. While Sanders has no shortage of athletic ability, a second-year pro, Kenneth Gainwell, may be in line to have his number called more frequently in Super Bowl 57. Gainwell’s speed and elusiveness as both a runner and pass-catcher could prove to be a major problem for Kansas City, especially in the play-action passing game.

Check out our Miles Sanders player prop picks and Super Bowl 57 MVP odds.

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Written By:
Henry John
Henry’s passion for sports dates all the way back to childhood and has ultimately led to a full-fledged career as an analyst and content creator. After getting his start penning fantasy football articles, he forrayed into the betting side of the business in early 2019. His love for sports and statistics proved to be an ideal match with the dedicated research and strategy that handicapping requires. Henry currently specializes in betting analysis and picks for college football, college basketball, and NASCAR. He counts NFL, WNBA, and NBA player props as additional leagues/markets of interest. Henry graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2021 with a Communication Studies degree and a Psychology minor. A native of the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, he and his pup, Harold, have since relocated to Laramie, Wyoming. Thanks to his professional goals within the sports betting industry, there has been a whole lot of steam on the odds for a move to Las Vegas in 2023! Most of Henry’s free time is spent on outdoor adventures, playing chess, snowboarding, or reading a good book. He is also a competitive powerlifter and aspires to qualify for the USAPL Nationals meet within the next 2-3 years.