PHOENIX, AZ — Quarterbacks get all the eye and the headlines. That’s significantly true when you might have the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, two MVP finalists, set to duke it out on the Super Bowl LVII stage on Sunday. However, in the case of which of these quarterbacks will truly be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy when this tremendous shindig is all stated and executed, that may might come all the way down to what occurs within the trenches.
As you peel this Super Bowl matchup again, you will discover a looming conflict of two of the NFL’s finest at what they do — Eagles middle Jason Kelce vs. Chiefs defensive deal with Chris Jones. But do not take my phrase for it.
“Chris Jones is not less than probably the greatest, I’d say, the most effective defensive deal with within the NFL,” Kelce stated from his podium throughout Super Bowl Opening Night.
“[Kelce’s] a stud, man,” Jones stated of his upcoming opponent. “Probably the most effective middle within the league in my eyes.”
Kelce headlines a top-ranked Philadelphia offensive line that was the most effective within the NFL in passing blocking and third in run blocking, in keeping with Pro Football Focus. Specifically, with Kelce, he allowed strain on simply 1.2% of the time this season, which ranked second within the league amongst all offensive linemen that registered not less than 500 pass-blocking snaps.
“They have a exceptional offensive line,” stated Jones. “Tough guys. The finest offensive line within the league collectively as a complete. It’s going to be a problem.”
That unit and Kelce can be put to the check in opposition to Jones, who’s within the midst of a dominating season himself. He enters Super Bowl LVII with 17.5 sacks on the 12 months, 35 quarterback hits, and 93 pressures (together with playoffs). Each of these ranks No. 1 amongst defensive tackles.
“H’s received the whole lot,” Kelce stated of Jones. “Whenever you play a defensive lineman you strive to determine what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are. Is he a fast man? Is he a powerful man? Is he an extended man? Chris has all of these. That’s not a mix you prefer to see [as an offensive lineman]. You cannot financial institution on realizing that he’ll attempt to work an edge or do one thing fast off the ball or he’ll run proper by you. You cannot hunker down and prepare for energy in any other case he is gonna work an edge. All the issues you are able to do to remove strikes that he is received, he is received a counter to it. So, he is a man that may wreck video games. He has ruined video games and he is a man that we will have to use loads of consideration to this week.”
To Kelce’s level, Jones ruined his matchup within the AFC Championship in opposition to Cincinnati to assist propel Kansas City to its sixth Super Bowl look in six years. In that win, he registered 10 strain, 5 quarterback hits, and two sacks. That’s simply the fourth occasion that is occurred this season (together with playoffs) and Jones accounts for 2 of them.
So, as you sit again to observe these groups twin for immortality, take a gander at what occurs right here with Kelce and Jones. Whoever comes out on prime there’ll doubtless inform you which membership would be the final one standing.
