What was this, the county fair merry-go-round? Or the neighborhood Thanksgiving Day game? A Sunday morning beer league? An XFL game?
It couldn’t have been the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is a billionaire dollar international event in which franchises are validated, GOATS and goats are determined, millions of adults reduced to emotional children.
This is serious business, like a letter from the IRS serious
Yet when the Chiefs broke the huddle with 9:31 left in the fourth quarter, the skill position players circled around like an avant garde dance troupe run amok. Someone not familiar with the gravitas that is the Super Bowl might have wondered just what the heck he or she was watching. Musical chairs?
No, it was the Super Bowl and Chiefs coach Andy Reid, the most brilliant and devious play caller in the NFL, had just announced to the NFL world that he was utterly and comfortably in control of the game. So much so that he could call a version of “Snow Globe,” as the Chiefs dubbed it – in the biggest game of the year.
It didn’t matter that Eagles QB Jalen Hurts would have won MVP in almost any other game, or that the Chiefs played without a No.1 wide receiver all season, Reid, who bears no resemblance to Alvin Ailey, or Bill Walsh for that matter, had deciphered Philly’s vaunted defense after one half.
Even with a hobbled Patrick Mahomes, who did win MVP, Reid was the most deserving recipient of that award. His brilliant coaching ability that allowed him to build another resilient team and devise an unstoppable game plan is why Kansas City won its second Super Bowl in four years with a 38-35 win.
The Chiefs, who wisely wrapped up Mahomes with a 10-year $503 million deal in July of 2020, have the most important on-field commodity in the NFL – a franchise QB.
And they have the most important commodity on the sideline, a brilliant coach who will never be accused of being nibble yet doesn’t step on any toes. Reid said after the game he’ll be back next season, which is why the Chiefs are favorites (+600) to win next year’s Super Bowl.
“As long as Andy Reid is coaching, we’ll always have a chance,” said Mahomes. “I’ll keep the big guy around for another couple of years and we’ll try to be back in this game as many times as possible.”
Bet against Reid and Mahomes, who now has two Lombardi, Pete Rozelle Super Bowl MVP, and regular-season MVP trophies on his too-small mantle, at your own peril. Mahomes (+650) is favored to win his third MVP.
For the record, the merry-go-round play on 2nd and goal at the Philly 4 didn’t work as Mahomes threw the ball out of the end zone. No worries. Mahomes hit a wide open Skyy Moore on the next play for a touchdown and a 35-28 lead.
The Eagles recorded 70 sacks this season. They never got to Mahomes, even after he reinjured the high right ankle sprain. Reid had all the answers. The question is, does any team have an answer for the Chiefs in 2023?
Here’s a look at the Chiefs’ contenders.
Cincinnati Bengals (+850): The Striped Cats are +850 to win Super Bowl LVIII and QB Joe Burrow is +750 to win MVP. Cincy has the QB, a dynamic receiving corps. Burrow is eligible for his second deal and the Bengals would be wise to follow the Chiefs lead and guarantee he’s the face and arm of the franchise for years to come.
Philadelphia Eagles (+900): Philly also has its franchise QB in Hurts (+1200 MVP), a pair of dynamic WRs and solid lines, but have free agent decisions to make on C Jason Kelce (35) and DT Fletcher Cox (32) along with three fourths of the secondary. GM Howie Roseman wisely traded away one of last season’s No.1 picks to have two in the upcoming draft.
San Francisco 49ers (+900): And the starting QB is? Brock Purdy (+3000) went from Mr. Irrelevant to Mr. Inside Track to start in 2023. What becomes of former first-round pick Trey Lance and former starter Jimmy Garoppolo? Once that is answered, San Fran could use another corner and O-Line help.
Buffalo Bills (+900): Once the odds-on favorite, Buffalo finds itself trailing K.C. and Cincy. A lot of that comes down to QB play. Josh Allen (+750) had a lot of hiccups and is now behind Mahomes, Burrow, and a case could be made for San Diego’s Justin Herbert. The Bills running game is paltry and the line could use some young blood.
Dallas Cowboys (+1400): The Cowboys suddenly have a QB concern. Several of the 17 interceptions Dak Prescott (+1600) threw were rookie-like, throwing right into coverage. The defense is elite but there is no No.2 WR, and Dallas must decide whether to keep RBs Zeke Elliott and extend Tony Pollard.