Chris Myers
Play-by-play announcer, reporter and studio host
Editor’s note: Throughout the NFL playoffs, Chris Myers and his research team analyze upcoming matchups, while providing news, notes and nuggets for insider access to the information an NFL broadcaster uses to prepare to call a game
Both home teams won on Sunday, with the Kansas City Chiefs now heading to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX to take on the Philadelphia Eagles, the same team they defeated in Super Bowl LVII to begin their streak of consecutive titles. This is only the second time in Super Bowl history that two teams will meet twice in a span of three big games. In 1992 and 1993, the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills met in consecutive Super Bowls.
Two years ago, quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts provided plenty of highlights in Kansas City’s 38-35 victory. This will be the third time that two quarterbacks have met for the second time in the Super Bowl. Troy Aikman’s Cowboys defeated Jim Kelly’s Bills in Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII. Eli Manning also combined twice with Tom Brady, but those two New York Giants victories came in a span of five Super Bowls.
Analysis by Chris Myers: “The Super Bowl matchup is between a couple of powerhouse teams we’re familiar with. Yes, there are NFL fans who have had enough success from the Chiefs and those who haven’t warmed up to the achievements of the Eagles, but the success of Kansas City and Philadelphia, both in recent years and this season, cannot be denied.
“There is no shortage of star power, with Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the Swiftie effect with Travis Kelce for the Chiefs and the lively Nick Sirianni and the likable Saquan Barkley for Philadelphia. I think when neutral fans digest this matchup, they will appreciate, appreciate What should be a highly competitive game and making a decision on who to support.
“It’s notable that Tom Brady will call his first Super Bowl in a game that pits the last team he beat (Kansas City, Super Bowl LV) against the last team to beat him there (Philadelphia, Super Bowl Lii).”
This is how both teams got here
Philadelphia Eagles 55, Washington Commanders 23
Only one team was able to win on the road in these playoffs, the Majors who did it twice, in Tampa and Detroit. But they couldn’t make it three in a row, as the Eagles became the first team since 1982 to win three home playoff games in one postseason.
The Eagles are now plus 10 in turnover differential this postseason, with six fumble recoveries, four interceptions and not a single giveaway by either type.
The Eagles tied an 85-year-old NFL record with their seven rushing touchdowns on Sunday. The 1940 Chicago Bears scored seven rushing TDs in the NFL championship game, and that also happened against Washington. In winning 73-0, those Bears had 11 total touchdowns with three on interception returns and one on a forward pass.
The Eagles have rushed for 10 touchdowns this postseason, tied for second most in NFL postseason history. The record of 12 was set by Denver in 1997 when they ended up losing to Green Bay in Super Bowl XXXII.
Saquon Barkley went 60 yards for a touchdown on Philadelphia’s first play. It was his seventh TD of more than 60 yards this extended season, setting an NFL record. His three touchdowns of more than 60 yards are also a record for any postseason.
Barkley now has 2,447 rushing yards in the extended season (regular season and postseason) and needs 53 in the Super Bowl to become the first NFL player with 2,500. He needs 30 to eclipse Terrell Davis’ 1998 record of 2,476, which was finished for 102 yards against the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Like Barkley, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts rushed for three touchdowns against Washington. He now has nine rushing touchdowns, a new career high for a quarterback. Former 49ers QB Steve Young had the previous mark with eight.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert had one carry in his 103-game career (with playoffs), good for one yard, entering Sunday. But Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore gave it to them twice on the ground for gains of nine and four yards against the Commanders.
On the Washington side, Punter Tress Way hadn’t thrown a pass since 2018, but he hit a perfect strike for 23 yards to Ben Sinnott on a fake punt on Sunday. Way finished the three-game postseason with just two total punts in his actual job.
Congratulations to tight end Zach Ertz on his 11-sack performance to set a Washington postseason record. It was his highest total in a game since 2019 when he played for Philadelphia.
One thing we liked about the broadcast: Fox came up with a great opportunity from the end zone on Nate Shipley’s 59-yard run, showing off his varied expressions as he struggled to stay ahead of the pursuing commanders. And Tom Brady, with a strong performance, ably provided timely and charming narration for the pictures.
Analysis by Chris Myers: “For Washington to win this game, they would have had to play a nearly error-free game and force a turnover or two. Instead, it was Philadelphia that forced fumbles that fueled a big lead.
“Can the Eagles play from behind? After the 18-play field goal drive that made it 3-0 Washington, a drive that could have been a plan for the Commanders’ victory, the Eagles grabbed the lead and hit the game pedal, closing, closing out of the game impressively.
“In addition to the three fumbles, the commanders committed some ‘panic penalties’ and for the first time in these playoffs they showed their inexperience.
“I can’t tell you how many times in our production meetings, coaches cite giveaways and takeaways as the key to victory, and with a plus-10 margin so far and zero giveaways, the Eagles are proving that formula. Vic Fangio as Defensive Coordinator was perhaps the key coaching hire of 2024, and is maximizing Jalen Carter’s great talents.
“The Eagles have a 10-3 rush-to-pass TD ratio this postseason, and if they can do something like that against the Chiefs, say three hurries and a pass, I like their chances.”
Kansas City Chiefs 32, Buffalo Bills 29
The Chiefs are now the first team to go to five Super Bowls in a six-season span. They have become the first team to reach a three-peat victory, although the Bills circa 1990 remain the only team with four consecutive Super Bowl appearances (LLLL). The Miami Dolphins in the early ’70s (LWW) and the Patriots starting in 2017 (WLW) also had runs of three consecutive SB appearances.
The Chiefs have a 17-2 record this season despite once not scoring more than 30 points in a game.
Josh Allen had produced 28.3 ppg in four postseason meetings with the Chiefs, and he is 0-4.
For Patrick Mahomes, he now has 17 postseason wins, passing Joe Montana for second place on the all-time list. He’s still not halfway to Tom Brady’s 35 postseason wins. Mahomes has multiple wins in his last six standings.
One thing we liked about the broadcast: We liked how Jim Nantz, a master of the well-timed nugget, dropped the inside scoop after a Patrick Mahomes-Xavier-worthy TD pass that each was drafted with a first-round pick obtained in an exchange with an exchange the bills.
Analysis by Chris Myers: “While there were some officiating issues that seemed to favor Kansas City, ultimately the Chiefs were the better team at Crunch time. After the Bills tied it with six minutes left, it led to a field goal, they stopped the Bills in the bottom and then they ran out of clock.
“Down three, you thought Josh Allen would at least get them into field goal range, but the fourth-and-5 play was broken up by Steve Spagnuolo’s Blitz and the Chiefs then relied on Mahomes for a pair of successful passes for the first attempts.
“James Cook was a revelation for the Bills in this game with 138 yards from scrimmage, but he didn’t touch the ball on Buffalo’s final 11 offensive plays.
“So, it’s back to the drawing board for the Bills. Over the last six seasons they’ve won 78 games (including he Post) – That is, 13 wins per season. But they are stuck in a conference with the Chiefs (the only team with more wins at 94) and have not been able to overcome them to make the Super Bowl. Much like Marv Levy’s Bills who went to four straight Super Bowls, the current version of the Bills has had some excellent accomplishments that hopefully won’t be lost in their inability to win a Super Bowl so far.
“Meanwhile, this Chiefs team is 17-2 and on the cusp of unprecedented achievement, despite not scoring more than 30 points in any game and having a Plus-71 point differential that’s only 11th best in the NFL this season. The 17-3 Eagles are +210 this year, but Kansas City opens the betting as a slight favorite.
Chris Myers is an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, reporter and studio host for Fox Sports. Follow him on Twitter @The_Chrismyers.
recommended
Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites for information on games, news and more