Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles is going to feature two of the most talented defenses in the NFL. Both teams boast elite playmakers at every level of their defense. With so much talent on both of these teams, this game will likely come down to a few plays and it will be in the hands of these individuals listed to determine if their team will be the one taking home the Lombardi Trophy.
From dominant pass rushers to lockdown cornerbacks, the defenses of both of these teams will heavily dictate the outcome of this game. The Chiefs will rely on their star power, while the Eagles have more depth on defense. Let’s take a look at each position and break down the key players in each position group and which team has the edge heading into Sunday.
Defensive Line
The battle in the trenches will be vital in determining the outcome of this matchup. The Chiefs defensive front consists of Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Tershawn Wharton, and Mike Danna. The Eagles counter with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Nolan Smith, and Josh Sweat. Both teams have shown the ability to be able to consistently generate pressure on opposing teams, but their philosophies differ.
Philadelphia enters this game leading the NFL in sacks and sack rate. Leading the charge for the Eagles is Carter. He is an All-Pro talent who has accumulated 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 42 tackles this season. His explosiveness in the playoffs, particularly against the Rams in the NFC Divisional Round, has made him the Eagles game-changer up-front. The Philadelphia defensive line can easily wreck this game for the Chiefs if given the opportunity.
Kansas City, however, has the most dominant individual player in this group. Jones, even in the final years of his career remains one of the league’s best pass rushers tallying five sacks this season. His impact extends beyond statistics, as his presence forces offenses to tailor their protections around him. With Karlaftis continuing to emerge as the Chiefs’ go-to sack threat, the Chiefs also have the potential to shake up Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offensive game plan.
Linebackers
The middle of the field will be a battleground for both teams. The Chiefs rule out Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, and Leo Chenal, while Philadelphia counters with Zack Baun, Oren Burks, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. The Eagles enter this game having suffered a key loss to their linebacker room when Nakobe Dean went down, but Baun has stepped up in a major way.
Baun now leads their linebacker room after a season where he earned first-team All-Pro honors and recorded 151 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, and 3.5 sacks. His ability to defend the run and cover the middle of the field has been critical to the Eagles’ success on the defensive end. Baun also played a major role in Philadelphia’s success against the run in the playoffs where they allowed just 105.6 rushing yards per game.
Kansas City’s linebacker corps also features one of the league’s best in Nick Bolton. He is both a tackling machine and the playcaller of the defense. However, even with that being the case Baun is simply in another tier, and even with the Chiefs’ linebackers having as much experience as they do the edge in this department has to go to the Eagles.
Cornerbacks
Trent McDuffie leads the KC secondary while the Eagles do have an impressive room themselves with Quinyon Mitchell, Darius Slay Jr., and Cooper DeJean. Both secondaries have talent, however, the Chiefs possess the most talented player amongst both teams with the Eagles having the superior depth at the position. The Eagles defensive back trio allowed just five total touchdowns in coverage this season.
Even so, McDuffie remains the best cornerback in this game. He ranks third among all corners in overall grade and ninth in coverage grade, per PFF. His ability to shadow top receivers week-in-and-week-out and disrupt passing lanes while also limiting passing plays. While Jaylen Watson and Chamarri Conner are solid, they don’t match Philadelphia’s depth.
Slay remains a quality veteran, and Mitchell is a rising star. DeJean’s versatility in the slot makes this unit formidable. The Eagles may not have a shutdown individual talent like McDuffie, but their collective ability in coverage gives them the advantage here as well.
Safeties
The last line of defense will play a key role in containing big plays for both sides. Kansas City’s safety duo consists of Justin Reid and Bryan Cook, while Philadelphia has C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship. Both units bring physicality and ball-hawking ability.
Gardner-Johnson has been one of the best deep coverage defenders in the league. He has allowed a passer rating under 78 and provides the Eagles with elite range. Blankenship complements him well, ensuring few breakdowns in coverage. Their consistency has been a major factor in Philadelphia’s defensive dominance this season.
Reid is a strong veteran presence for Kansas City but allows a higher passer rating in coverage. Cook has flashed potential throughout the year but lacks the same level of impact as Gardner-Johnson. While the Chiefs’ safeties are solid, the Eagles have a clear advantage in this department.
Final Thoughts
On paper, it is clear that Philadelphia holds the edge in all defensive positions. They have a deeper unit at each level, with just as much talent. However, Kansas City counters with its star players who can take over a game. Jones and McDuffie, for example, are two of the best in the entire league at their positions and will have ample opportunities in this game to do just that.
However, as it is many times in games like this one the deciding factor will be coaching. Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is one of the best in the league, without question. His complex blitz schemes and in-game adjustments have given Kansas City an edge in big moments year after year. While Vic Fangio, the Eagles defensive coordinator, is experienced and also one of the best in his own right. Spagnuolo’s ability to dial up the pressure at the perfect time could likely be what swings this matchup in Kansas City’s favor.
