Opinion
Quarterback. Undeniably the most crucial and decisive position in the wild sport of American football.
Different expectations were placed on both teams heading into the season.
The Kansas City Chiefs are always one of the favourites to win the Lombardy Trophy based on Patrick Mahomes’ incredible few seasons since his debut which took the NFL world by storm.
2018 Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles, on the other hand, were a little unknown to some. Pundits predicted a great showing from them, but definitely not to this extent of being remarkably formidable, starting the season 8-0.
NFL is obviously not an individual sport. However, these two quarterback geniuses share two incredible journeys that create the focal point of this highly-anticipated matchup.
Mahomes, 27, is arguably the most popular player in the league right now, and for some time. Recently named MVP for the 2022 season, he has impressively continued to fight against affliction to a shot at the big dance on Monday.
It was only a span of four years, but the partnership between Mahomes and wide-receiver Tyreek Hill was undoubtedly one of the best duo’s the NFL has ever had the chance to witness.
After back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2020 and 2021, the departure of Hill to the Miami Dolphins gave the Chiefs’ quarterback with less talent at his disposal.
On top of that setback, Kansas City traded their stability by losing key defensive players in the form of Tyrann Mathieu and Melvin Ingram. Fair to say, this type of uncertainty would derail most quarterbacks. The only thing is that Patrick Mahomes is on another planet.
An average of 308.8 yards per game saw him deservedly valued as the best player in the league, proving that he can still produce extraordinary plays when it is least expected of him.
Known for his incredible arm and ability to find pockets of space to make plays out of absolutely nothing, Mahomes is simply box-office.
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
An argument can easily be made that he hasn’t demonstrated that he can work this kind of magic with a lower-class franchise and that he still has quality and experience around him such as Travis Kelce.
As soon as a one-legged Mahomes carried his side over the line against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC championship game, any doubts would be foolish.
Waiting to meet on the other side of the field will be Jalen Hurts, a competitor who has always based his game on tough grinds.
That has stemmed from solid family values and a commitment to strive for greatness no matter how many difficult moments arrive.
Tipped for stardom at a young age, the pressure on Hurts to live up to the hype became ever more apparent once he was breaking records for Alabama.
– Record of 36 touchdowns in a single season for Alabama
– First QB to pass for 300-plus yards and rush for 100-plus yards in a single game for Alabama
– First QB to rush for 120-plus yards in multiple games for Alabama
Despite those outstanding achievements, he failed when it mattered most against college arch-rivals Clemson in the National Championship game, hitting just over 40 per cent of his targets.
The question then arose, does Hurts have the mental fortitude to succeed?
Just as the season prior, Hurts put up jaw-dropping numbers, including over 2000 passing yards.
Another National Championship encounter was his due reward, this time against Georgia.
What should have been his moment at redemption turned out to be a nightmare from hell, replaced by now Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoa midway through the game in which Alabama would complete a comeback to cast doubt over Hurts’ professional career moving forward.
To his credit, the Eagles draftee used that disappointment as fuel to come back stronger than ever, answering the earlier question of whether that mental fortitude existed when necessary.
The 24-year-old has been a revelation this season, acting as the catalyst to guiding Philadelphia to the Super Bowl.
His explosiveness and all-round game both rushing and in the air have almost put him in the category of Mahomes as that type of generational athlete.
Overall, the numbers speak for themselves. 3701 yards with a 66.5 per cent completion rate along with 22 touchdowns to his name this season has caused a frenzy.
Hurts’ importance has become instrumental, highlighted through his two-game absence when the Eagles succumbed to defeats against the Cowboys and the Saints. He makes the offence tick.
As the Chiefs and Eagles prepare to do battle in Arizona to fight for the Super Bowl crown, it will ultimately come down to who handles the key moments better.
Kansas City has more experience, including their veteran head coach Andy Reid, and they are used to this occasion.
In saying that, the Eagles boast the better roster player for player in multiple positions, along with arguably playing the best football throughout the campaign.
The most respectable similarity between both quarterbacks is their incredible tenacity and hunger to win at all costs.
Super Bowl LVII will go down as one for the ages in the desert.
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