After 284 games in nearly five months, we’re down to the final game of the season in the NFL – the game of all games – Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The conference championship game favorites, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, have triumphed over their rivals and will meet in the Super Bowl, just two seasons after their last meeting in Super Bowl LVII in Arizona. In that game, the Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35 for the first of their back-to-back championships. Now, the Chiefs are closer than ever to becoming the NFL’s first three-peat.
The Eagles secured the NFC title in dominating fashion, scoring 55 points with Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley each accounting for three touchdowns. Their performance overwhelmed the inexperienced and undisciplined Commanders. The 55 points are the most ever scored in an NFC Conference Championship game. Meanwhile, in the AFC, the Chiefs once again eliminated Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in an intense and entertaining game. Allen is now 0-4 against Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, becoming the first quarterback to lose four playoff games to another quarterback in NFL history. As has been the case in recent seasons, and especially this one, the Chiefs defense played a crucial role in the victory. Despite giving up 29 points, they made key plays when it mattered most.
Chris Jones on Sustaining the Chiefs’ Success
In their quest for immortality with three consecutive Super Bowl wins and four in six years, the Chiefs have six key figures who have been with the team throughout this successful era. Four are players – Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones and Harrison Butker – and two are coaches – Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo. Each of these six has stepped up at critical moments, with some playing bigger roles than others. Together, they form the backbone of a dominant dynasty that could last for another decade. For defensive captain Chris Jones, the Chiefs’ dynasty will continue as long as Steve Spagnuolo remains the team’s defensive coordinator. Jones said, “As long as they keep Spags as our defensive coordinator and don’t hire him as the HC, we’re going to keep winning.
Spagnuolo has done a phenomenal job since joining the Chiefs in 2019. With seven head coaching vacancies this offseason, it seemed likely that he could be a candidate for one of those jobs. However, six teams have already filled their positions, leaving the New Orleans Saints as the only remaining vacancy. Rumor has it that Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is the leading candidate for the job. Spagnuolo’s name has surfaced during this hiring cycle, as he has interviewed with the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars for their head coaching positions. He has previous head coaching experience, leading the then-St. Louis Rams from 2009-2011, where he failed to reach the playoffs, and serving as the interim head coach of the New York Giants in 2017.
Steve Spagnuolo: A Key Piece in the Chiefs Dynasty
In the win over the Bills, Spagnuolo was instrumental in stopping Josh Allen on the final drive with two minutes remaining. The Buffalo offense faced a fourth-and-5 from their own 47-yard line. A conversion would have kept their hopes alive, but a stop would have all but guaranteed the Chiefs the win. As we all know by now, the Chiefs made the stop and delivered what I believe to be the defensive play call of the year.
Spagnuolo called a play reminiscent of last year’s Super Bowl. With the 49ers just 9 yards away from a game-winning touchdown in overtime, the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator called an all-out blitz on third-and-4. The pressure forced an incomplete pass from Brock Purdy. The 49ers settled for a field goal, and Mahomes and the Chiefs responded with a game-winning touchdown drive. Now Spagnuolo faces his toughest test of the season against Saquon Barkley and the Eagles’ dominant offensive line, which has had its way with opponents all season. Fortunately for the Chiefs, Andy Reid and Spagnuolo will have two full weeks to prepare for this matchup and go for the unprecedented feat of a three-peat.
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