The matchup is all set for New Orleans and Super Bowl LIX in a couple weeks, and if you are a fan of “new,” then I might suggest an African safari or a long cruise over the next couple of weeks, because you’re about to get inundated for the next several days with stories about the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
The Eagles were in the big game two seasons ago, playing these Chiefs, who have now made the Super Bowl in five of the last six seasons. In a conference that boasts quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow, Mahomes has created a monopoly on the AFC championship. The only hope here in Houston is that maybe C.J. Stroud gets the necessary help to put his name alongside those others as worthy foils to Mahomes.
So here we have the rematch from two seasons ago, a 38-35 Chiefs win with no shortage of referee controversy (shocking, I know), and with many of the same faces in prominent roles two seasons later. There are, however, some crucial new players to this matchup, of interest both locally her win Houston and nationwide.
For money, these are the four most interesting new faces to this matchup since the two teams met last time in February 2023:
4. DeANDRE HOPKINS
Back at the trade deadline, the Chiefs pilfered Hopkins from the Titans for a Day 3 draft pick in this spring’s NFL Draft. Hopkins made significant contributions during the regular season to what, at the time, was a depleted Chiefs receiving corps. Hopkins has been quiet in the postseason thus far — zero catches against the Texans, one catch for 11 yards against the Bills — but there are many Texans fans who remember the litany of awful quarterbacks Hopkins endured for much of his time here. They would love nothing more than to see Hopkins win a ring.
3. VIC FANGIO
Fangio is a coaching lifer, including a stint as the Texans’ defensive coordinator under Dom Capers in the infancy of the franchise. The Eagles’ one season in between these two Super Bowl appearances was marked by questionable hires at offensive and defensive coordinator. After getting bounced in the wild card round last season, head coach Nick Sirianni decided to bring in Fangio, and the result has been a ferocious defense, built around Jalen Carter up front, newcomer Zach Baum at linebacker, and rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. The chess game between Fangio and Andy Reid should be epic.
2. SAQUON BARKLEY
Last time the Eagles were in the Super Bowl, two years ago, their lead running back was Miles Sanders. This time around, it’s a major upgrade, with likely Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, and his 2,000-plus yards rushing, ready to ball out against the Chiefs’ defense. Barkley had seven runs of more than 60 yards this season, and he set the NFC Title Game on it sear with a 60 yard run on the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage. He finished with 118 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns, just another day at the office for a player having perhaps the best running back season in league history.
1. TAYLOR SWIFT
I feel like, for most of you, this is where we get to the “go on an African safari or a long cruise” part of the article. Look, I get it. People feel a certain kind of way about Taylor Swift. Obviously, millions of people are fans of hers, and as we’ve learned throughout this courtship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, many are not. However, even the fans of Taylor that I know aren’t saying “You know what I’d like to see? MORE of her during these game telecasts.” The fatigue is real, and it will be put to the test next Sunday.
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