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Chiefs vs Eagles: 3 stats that will decide the Super Bowl

By Russell S. Baxter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 03: Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs as owner Jeffrey Lurie of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 03: Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs as owner Jeffrey Lurie of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles finished with identical records in 2022. Which numbers will determine the Super Bowl LVII champion?

There are numerous ways to break down Super Bowl LVII. Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles led by Nick Sirianni ranked first and third, respectively, in points per game.

However, that adage that defense wins championships is very real.

Of course, there are other factors as well. And these three NFL stats will be critical in deciding who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Glendale after the conclusion of Super Bowl LVII.

NFL Stats: 3 stats that will decide Chiefs vs Eagles Super Bowl matchup

3. Control the football

Only four teams in the league rushed for more yards per game than the Eagles (147.6). However, only two clubs finished with more running plays (544) than Sirianni’s team. On the other hand, the Chiefs averaged 115.9 yards per game on the ground (20th in the NFL) and totaled just 417 running plays.

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Why is this significant? Super Bowl history shows that the team that finishes the game with the most rushing yards owns a 41-14 record. On the other hand, the club that winds up with the most running plays on Super Sunday owns a 47-7 mark.

2. Protect the quarterback

It could be a tough afternoon for Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes and/or Eagles’ signal-caller Jalen Hurts if they don’t get some help up front. Philadelphia’s pass rush produced a league-leading 70 sacks during the regular season and added eight more quarterback traps in their two postseason wins (the most by any playoff team).

Meanwhile, Kansas City was second in the NFL with 55 sacks and came up with seven more in the playoff sweep of the Jaguars and Bengals (tied for the second-most in the playoffs). Haason Reddick (16.0) and Chris Jones (15.5) led the Eagles and Chiefs in sacks, respectively.

Which brings us to…

1. Hang onto the pigskin

Winning the turnover battle has proven to be huge when it comes to hoisting a Lombardi Trophy. The combined 56 Super Bowl champions have given up the ball just 64 times. On the other hand, the 56 losing squads teamed for an astounding 163 turnovers. Only six times has a team committed more turnovers than the opposition and managed to win the game.

It should also be noted that the sixth time was a year ago. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had both of his club’s miscues via a pair of interceptions. The Cincinnati Bengals played turnover-free football in Super Bowl LVI but were on the losing end of a 23-20 score.

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