Image Credit – Chicago Tribune
The Kelce Bowl, the Andy Reid revenge game, Super Bowl rematch – One of the most anticipated games of the year for many reasons. Before that – let’s take a look back at some of the notable games in the history of this series between these two great franchises. The Chiefs and Eagles have faced off 10 times total, and the Chiefs lead the all-time series 6-4.
Chiefs 24-17 Eagles – Arrowhead Stadium – October 11th, 1992
Image Credit – NFL.com
The Philadelphia Eagles were undefeated coming into this October showdown at Arrowhead in 1992, but they met the stifling Chiefs defense of the 90s. Randall Cunningham was sacked 6 times, threw 2 interceptions, and lost 2 fumbles. Derrick Thomas had 3 sacks on the day, Neil Smith had 2, and Kevin Ross and Dan Saleaumua each had half of a sack. Cunningham was scrambling around all day, and even when he wasn’t sacked, he took some huge hits – as you see in the above picture hard-hitting safety Bennie Thompson was laying people out all day. Stud cornerbacks Albert Lewis and Dale Carter each had interceptions on the day.
On the offensive side of the ball, the performance differed from the typical 90s offenses. This game was won more through the air as Dave Kreig threw for 272 yards and 3 touchdowns. On the receiving end, WR Willie Davis had 5 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown, and WR J.J. Birden had 3 catches for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns. Plenty of highlight plays on offense and great defense make this one a great throwback game to go back and watch for any self-proclaimed Chiefs historians out there.
Chiefs 26-16 Eagles – Lincoln Financial Field – September 19th, 2013
Image Credit – SB Nation
The year when everything turned the corner for the Chiefs – 2013. Andy Reid was hired in Kansas City, and in week three he went back to Philadelphia to play his former team. The Chiefs had the tough task of facing the dynamic duo of Mike Vick and LeSean McCoy and were able to turn them over 3 times. The Chief’s talented defense was shining with the new addition of defensive coordinator Bob Sutton – Justin Houston sacked Vick a whopping 4.5 times in the game, Tamba Hali had 1 sack, and Derrick Johnson had half a sack. Eric Berry had an interception for a touchdown, and cornerback Sean Smith also picked off a pass. On the offensive side, Jamaal Charles carried the load with 172 yards from scrimmage and touchdown, and sporadic performer Donnie Avery had one of his best games as a Chief with 7 catches for 141 yards. Andy Reid showed that he belonged as a Chief, and let Philly know that they shouldn’t have let him go (but we’re glad they did).
Chiefs 38-35 Eagles – Super Bowl LVII – State Farm Stadium – February 12th, 2023
Image Credit – Marca.com
I couldn’t write this article without mentioning the most recent and most significant of the matchups between these two teams, Super Bowl LVII. One of the great Super Bowls in history – A classic shootout between two high-powered offenses. This game wasn’t one of Mahomes best games yardage-wise, but he was very efficient, completing 77 percent of his passes with no turnovers and 3 touchdowns. Isiah Pacheco showed up on the big stage, rushing for many key first downs and finishing with 76 yards and a touchdown – and arguably the coolest moments of the game came from a loophole the Chiefs coaches found in the Eagles goal line defense, scoring on the same motion play twice on opposite sides, with Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney. Although the Chiefs gave up 35 points in this game, star linebacker Nick Bolton had a great argument for Super Bowl MVP, finishing with 9 tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown (arguably should’ve been two, yet one was taken away as an “incomplete pass” even though Miles Sanders made a football move). This game cemented Andy Reid’s legacy as a Chief, and how poetic to beat your former team on the biggest stage
Moving onto this week, the Eagles are one of the most talented rosters in the NFL – a good QB in Jalen Hurts, and one of the better receiving duos in the league with A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith. They also have a great offensive line which helps the running game be dangerous with the likes of D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Gainwell. Tight End Dallas Goedert will be out for this game, which will make things a bit easier on the Chiefs. If the Chiefs defense plays how they have played the whole season, they should be in good shape. Look for the corners to be tested more than usual tonight with 50/50 balls thrown to A.J. Brown. It will be interesting to see if L’Jarius Sneed shadows him the whole game.
The Chief’s offense needs to put together a FULL game-good performance, and what better test than against one of the league’s best fronts. The O-Line will be tested against a vaunted pass rush, but this should be a good opportunity for a huge Travis Kelce game, as the middle of the field is one of the only slight areas of weakness in this defense. But if somehow these receivers can step up and have a huge game against a great cornerback room, this will hopefully inject some belief in Chiefs fans for the offense the rest of the way.
Primetime! Super Bowl Rematch! Let’s go!
