GLENDALE, AZ — With Super Bowl LVII set to kick off between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, both teams boast formidable players on defense who can make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Below are the top five players to watch.
Fletcher Cox — DT, Philadelphia Eagles: The main focal point in the Eagles’ pass rush that generated 78 sacks for the season, the 6’4 310-pound Cox will be key in trying to contain Mahomes in addition to slowing the Chiefs high-powered offense.
Haason Reddick– LB, Philadelphia Eagles: Relentless, aggressive and highly explosive off the edge, the fifth-year former first round standout out of Temple will look to apply constant pressure on Mahomes on the edge as well as act as a spy in keeping him in the pocket, thus an easier target for Philadelphia’s non-stop pass rush.
Chris Jones — DT, Kansas City Chiefs: Just as the aforementioned Cox is to the Eagles, the destructive one-man wrecking crew that is Jones. If the Chiefs hope to stop Philadelphia and win their second Super Bowl in four years, containing Jalen Hurts starts with Jones living in the Philly backfield.
Darius Slay — DB, Philadelphia Eagles: Likely tasked with covering Juju Smith-Schuster or/and Marquez Valdez-Scandling, Slay has lived up to his $50 million contract after being acquired from Detroit, Slay may also play a key role in blitzing and playing man/man in key points.
Frank Clark — DE, Kansas City Chiefs: Lastly, if Jones is the main disruptor on the inside, then “The Shark” is the main problem on the outside for the Eagles. A key factor for the Seahawks Super Bowl LIV title, and a three-time Pro Bowler, Clark will have his chances to get Hurts, thanks to Jones tying up Philadelphia’s guards and notably fellow Cleveland native in Eagles center Jason Kelce.
Depending on how much Jones dominates vs. Kelce inside will determine how Clark does against Philadelphia’s tackles outside.