As always seems to happen, the Kansas City Chiefs were fighting to stay in the game in Super Bowl 58. Down ten points, the San Francisco 49ers defense was suffocating the Chiefs offense including star tight end Travis Kelce, who had been a major key to the Chiefs' post-season run. However, something happened that changed the outcome of the second half of that year's championship game.
While running onto the field, 49ers star linebacker Dre Greenlaw ruptured his Achilles. It was truly one of the more unique and heartbreaking ways to see a player miss a Super Bowl. Even Chiefs fans can empathize with a player sustaining such a major injury from simply running on the field. The injury to Greenlaw prompted third-string linebacker Oren Burks to finish out the game on defense.
This might have been the turning point for Super Bowl 58.
Dre Greenlaw appeared to injure himself jogging back onto the field pic.twitter.com/p3nwmTUsfO
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024
Burks finished the game for Greenlaw and gave up 6 receptions on 6 targets for 50 yards and a touchdown—good for a 141.0 passer rating when targeted. Greenlaw did not allow a completion in his 12 defensive snaps played.
No player might be a better illustration of the impact that Burks had on the Niners' defense than Travis Kelce, who entered halftime with 1 yard and finished the game with 93 yards. The Chiefs offense averaged 0.36 EPA/play in the second half and overtime of Super Bowl 58, a complete change from the first half where they averaged -0.43 EPA/play. Burks' 6 targets defended were the most targets per snap of any player on the Niners' defense. The Chiefs had a bullseye on him in coverage and it made an impact.
Why is Oren Burks so important to Super Bowl 59? Because, once again, he is filling in for an injured starter against the Chiefs offense.
Eagles LB Nakobe Dean suffered torn patellar tendon and is out for the playoffs. (via @RapSheet, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/DXHqy7YJ55
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025
Eagles starting linebacker Nakobe Dean tore his patellar tendon against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round, ending his season. Burks will now be playing next to All-Pro Zack Baun just like how he played next to All-Pro Fred WArner against the Chiefs in Super Bowl 58, too.
Last week against the Washington Commanders, the Eagle linebackers were targeted 14 times allowing 10 completions for 67 yards. Tight end Zach Ertz finished the day with 11 catches for 104 yards against the Eagles.
One of the turning points in SB 58 was the injury to Dre Greenlaw. Kelce was held to 1 yd in the 1st half
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) January 29, 2025
Greenlaw's replacement? Oren Burks. Who will be playing for Nakobe Dean in SB 59
Burks allowed 6/6 50 yards and a TD as Kelce had 92 yards in the 2nd half #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/GVzuuDFNJ4
The Chiefs were able to win Super Bowl 58 largely because of a great defense and the team running their entire offense through Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, and Rashee Rice. This year the Chiefs bring a much more balanced version of their offense to the table. Against a very talented Texans defense, the Chiefs relied on Travis Kelce for 7 catches 117 yards and a touchdown. The following week, the Chiefs scored a season-high 32 points with Kelce only having 19 yards.
Against the Eagles' talented secondary, Chiefs' receivers might have a hard time separating like they did against a banged-up Bills secondary. Travis Kelce vs. Oren Burks could be a key factor if the Chiefs achieve football immortality. Only time will tell.