Jalen Hurts Can Outplay Patrick Mahomes In The Super Bowl, But It Has To Be On The Ground

As the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs prepare for a Super Bowl rematch, the traditional playbook for both teams is likely being refined and sharpened in the interest of making one final push. 

As both teams look for ways to keep their opponent off-balance, both coaching staffs are likely landing on the same answer: quarterback mobility. It could very well decide the Super Bowl.

To get to this point, the Eagles and Chiefs have relied on certain strengths, some similar and others vastly different. Philadelphia has leaned heavily on running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 2,005 yards in the regular season, and Jalen Hurts’ physicality on rushes, scrambles and sneaks. Kansas City has relied on Patrick Mahomes’ arm, which led the team to countless one-score victories this year. Both teams boast daunting run defenses as well, which have been vastly helpful in forcing turnovers and keeping them in close games. 

In the playoffs, the Eagles have simply perfected the system they used in the regular season. Barkley remains a bell cow, and Hurts has been a powerhouse out of the pocket, rushing 23 times for four touchdowns in three games. 

In their postseason run, however, the Chiefs have stepped things up a notch. Mahomes has finally begun leaving the pocket, a change that absolutely killed the Texans and Bills. Buffalo could have dealt with Mahomes’ arm, but his legs were what eventually sent the Bills packing in the AFC Championship game.

In the process of shedding their regular-season identity, the Chiefs have come to rely on Mahomes’ full arsenal, something they intentionally restrain most of the year. This is the same reason Travis Kelce has become notorious for quiet ends to the regular season late in his career. Kansas City prefers to preserve its stars and unleash them at opportune times.

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With Mahomes capable of breaking off massive chunk plays through the air and on the ground, the Chiefs have again become the most dangerous offense in the NFL. The team’s defense has always been elite. If the Eagles have any chance, it will depend on Barkley pulling through by himself. Hurts will have to outplay Mahomes. Doing that in the passing game is practically impossible, but he’s one of a handful of quarterbacks in the league who can do so by rushing.

The last time these two teams played in a Super Bowl, the Eagles were the better team in most areas, and Mahomes made up the difference. This time around, the Chiefs are the ones playing with more chips. Hurts is Philadelphia’s only meaningful variable, the team’s most dynamic player whose performance can singlehandedly make the difference or lead directly to another defeat.

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