The Super Bowl hype is back.
The event, arguably the most popular in all of sports, has been a bit quiet over the past two years thanks to COVID-19 restrictions. Two years ago, all interviews were conducted on Zoom. Last year, there were very few in-person interviews. this year? It’s back to what you’re used to from the Super Bowl. Opening Night (formerly Media Day) kicks things off on Monday night and the hype train will run wild from there.
We’re here to prepare you for the story angles you’ll be sick of hearing about by Sunday. Here are the top 10 stories to follow this week before the big game:
brotherly love
It is already ending. Travis and Jason Kelce are set to become the first pair of brothers to play against each other in the Super Bowl. Travis is the Chiefs star tight end. Jason is the center for the Eagles. Both have big personalities and will attract plenty of media attention in their own right. Bhai’s story only makes it more so. Kelce Parents may need to hire a publicist to manage their media requests this week.
Andy Red Bowl
Chiefs coach Andy Reid could add another Super Bowl ring and bolster his Hall of Fame credentials. He will have to do it against the team that gave him his first chance to become a head coach. Reid coached the Eagles from 1999-2012 and is the winningest coach in Eagles history. Reid led Philadelphia to five NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl, but he couldn’t get over the hump. Reed won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs at the end of the 2019 season.
Ankle angle
There’s almost always an injury that dominates the conversation leading up to the Super Bowl. This year it’s Patrick Mahomes’ ankle. Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain in the Chiefs’ AFC divisional playoff win over the Jaguars. This injury usually takes 4-6 weeks to heal, but Mahomes is undefeated. He came back to beat Jacksonville and then played well in the AFC Championship Game. There were only a few moments where it seemed to bother Mahomes, but he will be asked about his ankle every day.
A historic QB matchup
The quarterback matchup between Mahomes and Jalen Hurts will be an interesting and historic one to watch. This is the first time a Super Bowl has had two black starting quarterbacks. It will be Mahomes’ third Super Bowl appearance and Hurts is set to become just the eighth black quarterback to start in the game. Doug Williams was the first black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl and win Super Bowl 22.
Life after Tirek
The Chiefs made a blockbuster trade last March when they sent superstar wide receiver Tyreke Hill to the Dolphins. There were some who thought the loss of Hill could slow down the Chiefs offense, but here he is. Mahomes and Co. Not hindered by the absence of Hill, one of Mahomes’ favorite targets. It’s a credit to Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy that they found a way to adjust their offense without Hill.
Howie Hope
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman deserves a lot of credit for his decision to shake things up and revamp his team after the 2020 season. He fired Doug Pederson, the coach who won the Super Bowl for him in 2017, and traded for Carson Wentz, the quarterback selected No. 2 overall in 2016. They were replaced by Nick Siriani and Hurts, respectively, and now the Eagles are back in the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia roster is loaded and Roseman will be making his second Super Bowl team with a different coach and quarterback (Nick Foles won it in 2017).
Greg on the mic
The Super Bowl isn’t just about the teams on the field. Everything about the game gets coverage and that includes the broadcasters. Fox has the new No. 1 team of Kevin Burkhart and Greg Olson calling the game. Olsen has impressed so far, but the story surrounding Tom Brady this week will soon bump him from the top team. Brady’s retirement means he’s ready to step into the broadcast booth and Olson will be out.
How early is it?
The Eagles’ defensive line was unreal this season, finishing with 70 sacks. That’s 15 more than any other team in the NFL. The Eagles had four players — Hassan Reddick, Jeon Hargrave, Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham — finish with double-digit sacks.
No name Nick
Siriani was not popular when he became Eagles coach in 2021. His introductory press conference was mocked but he turned out to be a good choice. His impact will be evaluated this week, especially after Giants safety Julianne Love said Siriani has a “free ride” because of the Eagles’ talent.
Look at this whistle
NFL officials have come under more scrutiny than usual after several questionable calls in conference championship games. Carl Schaffers will be the referee for this game. This is his third Super Bowl assignment. The NFL will have to brace itself for a controversial call in the game that has fueled all the talk about the officiating over the past two weeks. Schaffers and his staff put a lot of pressure on him.
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