Chiefs: Super Bowl Dashboard – Finale

David Bell

In previous sessions that resulted in the first three articles in this series, I have tried to keep it light-hearted while focusing on specific aspects of the Kansas City Chiefs football club. For example, in the preceding articles, I noted the special departure parades that took place in the communities of two of the Chiefs players.

I also felt great about the special greeting by RB Christian Okoye at Phoenix, who greeted the Chiefs as they deplaned the aircraft. The fans were treated to a unique camaraderie in which we fans feel about the Chiefs, and I believe the team feels the same way about the fans. It is the complex of the Chiefs Kingdom. I have been a Chiefs fan since the beginning when the Dallas Texans arrived and set up shop.

Continue Rookie Focus

George Karlaftis – GK was not on my list of “to-draft” players. He was, however, fortunately, Veach’s second pick in the 1st round — 30th overall –of the 2022 Draft. That paid off for the Chiefs big time! Karlaftis was interviewed by Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports and was asked about Jalen Hurts and how Karlaftis appraised him.

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Listen to the response of Karlaftis:

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As the season wore on, his pressures were getting home, and he was one of the top batted-ball defenders in the NFL. In the closing Six Games of the season, George had five sacks in the six games to tally 6.5 sacks in his inaugural season in the NFL.

Trent McDuffie – I knew about McDuffie before the draft and had watched film of some of his games. I figured he would be long gone before the Chiefs draft pick. Then Brett Veach traded picks to move up and select Trent at pick #20. What a great move. Let McDuffie’s words illuminate who he is… for the Chiefs!

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McDuffie had a tough season opening and missed six games due to injury after Week One vs. the Cardinals. From the point of his return, McDuffie has played like you would expect a High Draft choice in round one to play. McDuffie has been an excellent CB playing outside opposite L’Jarius Sneed and has played in the slot as well.

Jaylen Watson – there is no doubt in my mind that Watson was meant to play in the NFL. I had him on my “to-draft” list for 2022. However, he is no longer a Rookie. Watson worked his way into a significant role on the defense, despite being a 7th-round pick.

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Jori Epstein (Yahoo Sports) has a great article about Jaylen Watson, called: “Super Bowl 2023: Chiefs rookie went from Wendy’s to intercepting NFL’s best QBs. Will Jaylen Hurts be next?” Watson went from flippin’ burgers to defending against the pass for the Chiefs. Epstein quoted Chiefs DC when he was encouraging Watson to keep some perspective about where he came from. Spags said:

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“Do you remember what it was like?

Don’t forget that. Things are really,

really, really good now. But be

humble and remember where you

came from.”

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You may recall, that Jaylen Watson had a great pick-6 early in the season off of Justin Herbert:

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Joshua Williams – Williams was a draft pick that was not even on my radar. Brett Veach drafted Williams in the 4th round out of Fayetteville St (an HBCU college in Arkansas). I was familiar with the College but had no idea about Joshua. Williams also worked himself into an essential role in the secondary. Often, Spagnuolo swapped Watson(above) and Williams in and out. Both players have good length and arm span.

Isiah Pacheco (The Chiefs Energizer Bunny) – Another 7th-round draft pick by Brett Veach. This young man is constantly hopping. It took 3 or 4 games to learn how to be patient and select the hole, but once he did, Isiah made the best of it. Pacheco became the Chiefs feature back after CEH was injured. Isiah had 830 Yards Rushing, a 4.9 YPC average, and figured into the aerial attack with 130 receiving yards. His energy on the field has inspired his teammates. What a great addition.

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I Suspect

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni will go with the strength that has been the staple of the Eagles offensive attack. Hence stopping the run attack will be paramount for Spagnuolo’s defense. If this is the case, I see LB Leo Chenal having early snaps in the game at the same time the Chiefs push the box. Bryan Cook will have a significant role in such an approach. With Leo defending the run game and Cook up in the box, the Chiefs will force the Eagles to an aerial game — and that should turn the tables, making Hurts go to the air. At that point, the Chiefs should have the advantage – force Hurts to throw the ball – a one-dimensional offense. If that is what unfolds, the Chiefs will have a significant advantage, especially if they can get a two-score advantage. Contain Hurts on the run and shut down the Eagles’ ground attack. Sounds like a winner to me. Make Hurts try to win the game with the pass.

This is my take on the game. Philly will try to use their season-long strength, and Spagnuolo’s defense sets ruin the deal. See the chart(s) in the next section to show why!

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About LVII

The Chiefs play with an officiating crew that has had and deserves considerable criticism – the standard eye test tells me that Carl Cheffers is not a friend of the Chiefs. No matter what, this crew calls penalties out of thin air and Cheffers has even tried to overrule one of his own team members. As it is, the Chiefs need to play close to near flawless ball to avoid having to fend off the officials as well as the Eagles. Oddly enough, the Eagles are 6-8 when Cheffers is the Referee and the Chiefs are 16-7. No matter what the game is or who the team’s playing, I have grown ill at ease anytime I view a football game with Cheffer’s unit being the officiating crew.

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We can all talk about “our” team and their prowess. I am impressed by our Rookie Class from 2022 (now veterans). Philly has a great football team. Their record in the regular season NFC equaled the Chiefs. Many statistics were also equal: For example, Total Points scored: 546 for both teams. As for me? I am a Chiefs fan, and we have the extremely likely 2022 MVP QB Patrick Lavon Mahomes II.

Seth Keysor — Chief in the North — covered what I think is essential about the Chiefs led by Mahomes, shown in a Chart of QB efficiency.

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Mahomes’ Numbers for 2022 are the primary influence that will propel him to his 2nd MVP.

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2022 was his 2nd season with more than 5,000 Yards. Moreover: the experts are going to value the Eagles as the winner, about 60% to 40%. My bet is that they once again picked the wrong horse. Also, from Seth Keysor – pass-run efficiency from “Chiefs in the North”. It’s not a perfect outlook. Take a peek.

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Enough said: I think the Chiefs win this game, more than handily, but that is just a statistical outlook. I am betting on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Another Lombardi is in the offing. They set this as the goal from the beginning and rolled through tough times and good. With all its facets, players stepping up, contributing, and being themselves, this team has emerged in the title game.

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Go Chiefs!

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David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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