Nearly 100 million People watched the Tremendous Bowl in 2022. Evaluate that to the common Monday Night time Soccer sport this yr, loved by “solely” about 20 million sports activities followers. In the event you’re a kind of 80 million or so informal viewers, I’ve assembled a thumbnail sketch of the themes, dramas, and gamers to observe for in Tremendous Bowl LVII to provide some context to The Massive Sport.
The place and when is Tremendous Bowl 57?
State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ will host Tremendous Bowl LVII (or 57, for those who favor trendy numerals) on Feb. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for six:30 p.m. EST. It should air on Fox, and stream via any service that carries Fox, together with Hulu, Fubo, Sling, AppleTV, and extra.
What groups are enjoying in Tremendous Bowl 57?
This yr, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs can be going through off towards the Philadelphia Eagles. This isn’t a season the place a fluke of scheduling or accidents resulted in a less-than-worthy staff making it to the large present (besides your staff, Sports activities Fan. They was robbed!) Each groups are wonderful, with matching 14 and three information throughout the common season. The Eagles are at present favored to win, however barely: The unfold has been hovering underneath three factors, so it’s anybody’s sport, and gamblers count on an in depth one.
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Quarterback face-off: Mahomes versus Hurts
Both the Eagles and Chiefs are led by ridiculously good quarterbacks, but each has suffered a late-season injury that could be the deciding factor in the game. Patrick Mahomes has an ankle injury, while Jalen Hurts is plagued by a shoulder issue. Maybe the time off between playoffs and Super Bowl will be enough for them both to experience full recoveries—but maybe not.
The easy read on the difference between the two quarterbacks is that Mahomes is passing quarterback while Hurts is a running quarterback. While that’s true to a point, Hurts’ passing game is anything but weak, and Mahomes will take the ball across the line himself if needed.
Overall, the Chief’s offense is heavier on passing, while the Eagles are known for a more balanced mix between the air and ground games. But again, you don’t get to the Super Bowl without being dominant in all aspects of football.
Defending against Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes is a walking highlight reel—the dude’s innovative, casual athleticism and almost supernatural passing game put him in the rarified air of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. But none of that will mean anything if the Eagles defense, regarded as among the best in the NFL, shows off its terrifying pass rush.
The Eagles led the league in sacks this season, and it wasn’t close. The Birds tackled the QB 70 times, where the second place team managed “only” 55 sacks. The second place team was the Chiefs, though, so it’s not a one-sided defensive battle.
A pair of Super Bowl firsts: Brother vs. brother, and two Black QBs
For the first time in Super Bowl history, siblings will be facing off against each other: Both Jason and Travis Kelce have been to the pro bowl multiple times, and they are both locks for the Hall of Fame. Travis plays tight end for the Chiefs, where his older brother Jason is the Eagles’ star center.
Another first for Super Bowl 57: This is the first time both Super Bowl teams are headed by Black quarterbacks. Only three Black quarterbacks have ever led a team to Super Bowl victory, and one of them of is Patrick Mahomes, who took home the ring after the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl 54.
Coach versus coach: Age meets experience
Kansas City coach Andy Reid has been around the block—his first head coaching spot dates back to 1999. Over the last five years, Reid led the Kansas City Chiefs to the AFC championship game five times and brought them to the Super Bowl in three of the past four years, but he cut his teeth in Philly, coaching the Eagles for 14 seasons, beginning in 2001. While the split between Reid and the Birds seemed as amicable as these things can be, there has to be a part of Reid that wants to show his old team a thing or two.
Standing in Reid’s way is Nick Sirianni. Known for his aggressive, risk-taking style, Sirianni is a spry 41, and he’s only been an NFL head coach since 2021, when he took the job leading the Eagles. An outspoken favorite among Philly fans, Sirianni is no doubt hungry for the ring.
Who is playing at the halftime show?
Enough sports; let’s talk music! This year, the halftime show will feature singer/icon Rihanna. I would bet a sizable sum of money that a number of guests showing up, but none have been announced. It’s not a competition, but if it was, Rihanna better have something amazing planned to top last year’s excellent halftime show, which featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar.
