Now this is a Super Bowl.
Sometimes a different look at the same thing brings about new perspective. We’ve talked for two weeks (literally) about Eagles-Chiefs and Super Bowl 59. But it wasn’t until I sat down in an attempt to rank the 10 best players we’ll see on the field in the Superdome that it hit me: This is an all-time Super Bowl.
Both sides have incredible players. Both coaching staffs and front offices have individuals on Hall of Fame tracks. Heck, the players not on my top 10 could make up a Pro Bowl roster.
Here’s how I would rank the 10 best players we’ll see on the field in Super Bowl 59.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: You can focus on less-than-amazing (by his standards) regular season. I’ll focus on what matters. We’re watching the NFL’s Michael Jordan. He’s an absolute killer at the most important position in sports.
Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles: By the time the confetti falls in New Orleans, the single greatest running back season in pro football history could be complete. Can the Chiefs actually hold him under 100 yards? It’s hard to imagine.
Chris Jones, DL, Chiefs: I almost typed “DT” but then revised it because Kansas City moves him everywhere across the line. He’s up to 80.5 regular season sacks, and is a big-game player every January and February. A bust in Canton awaits.
Jalen Carter, DL, Eagles: If there’s a “next Chris Jones” in the league, it’s Carter. The second-year disruptor has become the best player on the best defense in the NFL. I can’t wait to watch Carter go up against the strength (center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith) of Kansas City’s offensive line.
Trent McDuffie, CB, Chiefs: Three years, three Super Bowl appearances. McDuffie is the NFL’s most versatile corner, with the ability to cover on the outside, be physical in the slot, and blitz off the edge. He will be involved in the biggest play of the game.
Lane Johnson, RT, Eagles: When he allows a sack, it feels like a seismic event.
Jordan Mailata, LT, Eagles: One of the best value draft picks in the history of the Eagles franchise. An anchor and leader.
Zach Baun, LB, Eagles: Full-circle story with Baun returning to New Orleans, the city he played in for four years before becoming an out-of-nowhere star in Philadelphia.
A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles: Nothing better illustrates how much talent is on the field in this game than Brown ranked here. A true No. 1 and dominant receiver.
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs: If this was a regular season game, I could have easily ranked five or six other players in this spot. But this isn’t just some game. Kelce is the best big-game tight end in history. He will make a big impact on this Super Bowl.
Apologies to Jalen Hurts, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, DeVonta Smith, Travis Kelce, Landon Dickerson, Dallas Goedert, Nick Bolton, George Karlaftis, Justin Reid, Quinyon Mitchell for being left off the list. Narrowing it down to 10 was not easy!
We had Kurt Warner and Dan Orlovsky on for our final show from Radio Row.
Warner gave Hurts credit and explained why he’s come around to appreciate what the Eagles quarterback does. You can listen to the interview here.
Orlovsky said he would pick Howie Roseman over Patrick Mahomes if he was starting an NFL franchise from scratch. Check out the interview here.
What does Nick Sirianni need to do differently in this Super Bowl? I have four ideas on WIP Daily.
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