Dave Zangaro Joins Us To Preview Super Bowl LVII
In just over 48 hours, Super Bowl LVII will be kicking off. And get some insight into how the game will play out, The Best Show Ever talked to Dave…
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 08: A view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy and the helmets of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles before a press conference for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at Phoenix Convention Center on February 08, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Photo by Peter Casey/Getty Images)In just over 48 hours, Super Bowl LVII will be kicking off. And get some insight into how the game will play out, The Best Show Ever talked to Dave Zangaro, who covers the Eagles for NBC Sports Philly. How will this game play out? What matchups can the Eagles exploit? Dave Zangaro discussed all that and more about Super Bowl LVII. Here is what he had to say.
On what team has the better roster
"I think the Eagles are the better team. If you play that game where you go position by position I think there is more talent on the Eagles roster. And I think Mahomes is the better Qb. I don't think that is a knock on Jalen Hurts. Mahomes has proven it year after year. He won the MVP. And he is great. But I don't know if the gap between them is big enough to overcome the gap in overall roster talent. And the Eagles are the more talented team. Stopping Mahomes is daunting... But the Eagles have a lot of great players... If you were putting a list together of the top 10-15 players, you would end up with more Eagles. And that really matters in the Super Bowl."
On how the Chiefs may attack the Eagles' Defense
"I think it is getting their players the ball in rhythm and creating after the catch. Which is something they have done all year. That isn't something they are just trying to attack against the Eagles. It is just something they have done really well all year. That is what makes them impressive... What they have done so well is just being efficient. The league has really changed the way they play Patrick Mahomes. The scary thing about it is it hasn't really mattered. He has been really effective with the receivers they have.
The plan Gannon had against the Chiefs last year, I don't think it will be that dissimilar from that. The difference is the Eagles have more talent. And they especially have more talent up front. That is really what this game can come down to. If they can make Mahomes uncomfortable. Make him make some bad throws... force him into bad plays, that's really the key""
On How the Chiefs Can Go About Stopping the Eagles' Offense
"It is tough. I have a lot of respect for Steve Spagnolo, but I don't know... They are really balanced. That is what makes them incredibly difficult to defend. The Chiefs had the number 1 offense in the league. The Eagles are right there behind them. I would argue that they have a more balanced offense, and it starts with that offensive line. They don't give up anything. They are so good in the run game. They'll move people out of the way, and they can move this defensive line. Chris Jones is good, he is great in fact. But the Eagles' offensive line has an advantage there.
And I think those corners are susceptible as well. Snead is a really good player. But they have two other rookies starting. If it is Jaylen Watson vs Devonta Smith, I'm taking that matchup 10 out of 10 times. That could be a huge matchup."
And you can listen to the full discussion with Dave Zangaro about Super Bowl LVII below
Who Has the Better Roster- Special Teams Edition
The Super Bowl gets closer and closer. And what better way to pass the time than to break down the matchup endlessly? On Tuesday we took a look at both teams' offenses, and it came up Eagles, with them winning 6 out of 9 matchups. Yesterday we looked at the defenses, and the Eagles won 4 out of the 5 matchups. But what about Special Teams? It is perhaps the least important of the 3 units. But that doesn't mean it doesn't matter. And it may be the Eagles' one weak link. So let's see who has the edge on Special Teams.
Kicker- Jake Elliott vs Harrison Butker
Kicker is one of those positions where the stats do actually tell a full story. There is no one else you have to rely on. You either make the kicks, or you don't. So let's simply look at both guys' numbers this year.
I mean, one is pretty clearly better than the other. Elliott is solid from any part of the field. Butker struggles to range past 50 yards. The interesting takeaway here is how rarely the Eagles attempt a 40-49 yard field goal. If the Eagles get into that intermediate area, more than likely they will be going for it.
But Elliott is clearly the better kicker. If needed, they can trust him from any distance. The Chiefs probably have to get within a 45-yard FG to feel good having him line up for a game-winning or game-tying kick. It might not come down to that, but having the luxury to attempt a long FG at the end of the game is an advantage that the Eagles have, and the Chiefs may not have, given Butker's struggles on 50+ yard FGs.
Edge: Eagles
Punter- Arryn Siposs/ Brett Kern vs Tommy townsend
It is looking like Arryn Siposs will be back for the Super Bowl, though it is still not confirmed. But whether it is him or Kern, neither are better than Tommy Townsend. Townsend was the first-team All-Pro Punter. Siposs and Kern are both near the bottom of the league in all punting stats. While Townsend is 2nd in average punt distance with 50.4 yards. This isn't close. It may be the largest edge the Chiefs have over the Eagles. The Eagles are one of the worst punting teams in the league, and the Chiefs are one of the best. Luckily for the Eagles, they don't have to punt too often.
The Eagles' coverage units have also been a bit iffy at times. It improved some over the course of the season. But there are still times when it feels like they are giving guys too much space to return the ball.
Edge: Chiefs
Return Man: Isiah Pacheco and Kadarius Toney vs Britain Covey and Boston Scott
Neither team is particularly dangerous in the return game. Covey has done a better job later in the season, but that is not saying too much. It has never felt like he represents a threat to break one, or even get a decent return. Boston Scott has broken loose on a few kick returns, but mostly he just gets back to the 25.
And it is pretty much the same story for the Chiefs. Pacheco has not been too dangerous on Kick returns. Toney had a decent return vs the Bengals, but he is banged up coming into the game so those duties may pass to Skyy Moore. Either way neither has put up big return numbers this season. It seems unlikely the returners will have a big impact in this game for either team. This might just be a draw.
Edge- Draw
Conclusion
Kicker- Eagles
Punter- Chiefs
Return Man- Draw
