NEW ORLEANS — Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs are on a quest for history, potentially adding a few of Taylor Swift’s achievements to their own accolades. Standing in their path are Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chiefs (17-2) are aiming to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls, taking on the Eagles (17-3) this Sunday at the Superdome. This matchup serves as a repeat of the thrilling showdown from two years ago, where Hurts nearly guided the Eagles to victory, but Mahomes ultimately clinched the championship with a last-minute field goal, resulting in a 38-35 victory for Kansas City.
Last year, Mahomes led the Chiefs to another overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers, and with this potential for a three-peat comes the challenge of maintaining focus, a sentiment echoed by Mahomes. “The only time I’ve heard him say it is when you all ask him about it,” Mahomes commented about coach Andy Reid’s avoidance of the term. “He’s very focused on our daily practices and perfecting our cadence.”
Reid, who had a successful tenure in Philadelphia before moving to Kansas City, had multiple conference title appearances but failed to secure a championship with the Eagles. His career shifted after he was let go in 2012, but he quickly established a successful era with the Chiefs, crediting his achievements to the talents of Mahomes, Kelce, and Chris Jones, among others. “You don’t have time to think about all that,” Reid noted regarding the possibility of a three-peat. “The focus is on preparing to face a strong Eagles team.”
Jones, a three-time All-Pro defensive tackle, reinforced Reid’s approach, stating, “We don’t talk about no three-peat. Our main focus is ensuring we’re ready for the Eagles.” However, the conversation around a three-peat continues to buzz, as no team has achieved it in the Super Bowl era. Kelce was the one who initiated the discussions about winning three championships on stage last year. “This is gonna be our biggest test yet,” Kelce asserted. “They have exceptional players, and their teamwork stands out, especially on defense.”
The current Eagles roster is markedly different from the team that narrowly lost to Kansas City in Arizona two years ago, led now by the dynamic Barkley, who amassed 2,447 rushing yards and multiple 60-plus yard touchdowns this past season. “The goal remains to win it all, not just to reach this point,” Barkley stated.
For Hurts, that previous loss continues to fuel his ambition. He’s driven to lift the Lombardi trophy this time, even keeping a wallpaper of himself amid the Kansas City confetti as a reminder of the past. “That loss has motivated me greatly,” Hurts confessed. “It ignited a fire within me, and this opportunity is what every player strives for.”
The Chiefs’ defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, faces the formidable challenge of curbing Hurts, Barkley, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith, with the Eagles also bringing in the NFL’s top defense featuring several new starters and defensive leader Vic Fangio.
Reid praised Vic Fangio’s creativity and experience in the league, emphasizing the trust he has earned from his players. If Kansas City emerges victorious, Reid and Mahomes would inch closer to matching the impressive six Super Bowl wins of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady during their time together in New England. Mahomes currently finds himself four titles behind Brady’s seven.
“My goal is to be the best Patrick Mahomes I can be,” the quarterback expressed. “That’s what everyone aims for: greatness in their profession. It requires continuous effort and focus day in and day out.”
Moreover, a Kansas City win would mean Kelce earns his fourth Super Bowl ring, matching the number of Grammy Awards earned by his pop star girlfriend for best album. With Kelce counting 18 playoff victories to Swift’s 14 Grammys, he quipped, “I need to match her energy; she’s working hard as a superstar.”
