Heading into Super Bowl LIX, there's a key matchup that stands out between the Kansas City Chiefs defense and the Philadelphia Eagles offense. More specifically, defensive tackle Chris Jones going up against the Eagles' interior offensive line.
Chris Jones has wreaked havoc all postseason long and is coming off a dominant performance in the AFC Championship in which he recorded a 33.3% pass rush win rate which was significantly higher than Myles Garrett's pass rush win rate for the season for perspective.
Chris Jones had a 33.3% pass-rush win rate against the Bills! Holy shit. For reference, Myles Garrett led the league during the regular season at 23.1%.
— Adam Best (@Arrowhead_Adam) January 27, 2025
But Chris Jones being Chris Jones isn't the only reason why the Kansas City Chiefs have a huge advantage in this game, although, it is a pretty good reason in itself.
Philly's line has its weak spots
This Philadelphia Eagles offensive line isn't quite as good as the one manned by Jason Kelce two years ago in Super Bowl 57. The interior, in particular, is a group that can be exploited by Jones and the Chiefs' pass rush.
This postseason, Eagles center Cam Jurgens, who is also dealing with a back injury heading into this game, is allowing a 13.8% pressure rate which is the highest among any offensive lineman from either team in this game. In addition, Mekhi Becton at left guard is allowing the second-highest pressure rate at 9.4% this postseason.
How the Chiefs and Eagles' OL stack up ahead of SBLIX 🛡️ pic.twitter.com/E7U24gx4Vc
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 1, 2025
While Philadelphia's offensive front is extremely solid as a whole, the interior is the weaker part of their offensive line and if the Chiefs hope to slow down Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' offense in this game, they're going to have to get pressure. This matchup sets up nicely for Jones to make another huge impact.
Jones' versatility will make him even more dangerous
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo also really likes to move guys around on the defensive line as we already know which means you'll still see Chris Jones line up on the outside, drawing attention while still lining up a George Karlaftis or Charles Omenihu from the interior. He'll also bring pressure through blitzes where the Eagles aren't prepared, which is exactly how Kansas City iced the AFC Championship on defense.
The gravity that Jones has as a pass rush threat really opens things up for the Kansas City defensive line and we will surely see a lot of exotic pressures and mismatches to expose on the Eagles interior offensive line in this Super Bowl.
Not only that, but if Kansas City wants to stop Saquon Barkley in this game who is considered the biggest threat on the Eagles offense, they need to shed blocks quickly and get hands on Barkley before he reaches the second level of the defense but the graphic above combined with what we know Chris Jones, Tershawn Wharton, etc. can do would indicate Kansas City is capable of slowing down Barkley and have the personnel to do so. Jurgens and company are much better run blockers, but we do know Kansas City can hold some of the best rushers in the league to mediocre numbers when they are motivated to,—and have done so most of the year.
Nonetheless, Chris Jones will play a large part in determining if Kansas City can pull off the win. Luckily for Kansas City, Jones is on a heater right now and has been one of the Chiefs' most consistent playoff risers over the past several seasons and he will have his work cut out for him going up against a questionable Eagles interior in pass protection.