Super Bowl LIX Preview: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

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9Feb 2025
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Super Bowl LIX Preview: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Brandon Graham

CHIEFS PLAYERS FROM MICHIGAN: DE Mike Danna, OLB Josh Uche, WR Xavier Worthy*

The 15-2 Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Buffalo Bills 30-21 and then got blown out by the Denver Broncos in the final week 38-0, but that was when the Chiefs didn’t care because they had their playoff spot locked up. Otherwise, it was a perfect but underwhelming season. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL – and his Super Bowl rings say he’s currently the best – but he finished 7th in passing yards (3,928), 9th in passing touchdowns (26), and 8th in QBR (67.7). Retread RB Kareem Hunt (200 carries, 728 yards, 7 TDs) led the team in rushing because Isiah Pacheco missed a big chunk of the year due to injury. Famed TE Travis Kelce grabbed 97 passes but for a mediocre 823 yards (8.5 yards/catch) and 3 touchdowns. Former Michigan commit Xavier Worthy, a 1st round pick wide receiver in 2024, caught 59 passes for 638 yards and 6 touchdowns, adding 20 carries for 104 yards and 2 scores. Former Michigan DE Mike Danna finished #4 on the team with 3.5 sacks, behind Purdue product George Karlaftis (8.0). Outside linebacker Josh Uche managed just 10 tackles across six games in his first season coming over from the Patriots.

EAGLES PLAYERS FROM MICHIGAN: DE Brandon Graham, OG Trevor Keegan, LB Ben VanSumeren*

Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts is more involved in the running game (150 carries, 630 yards, 14 TDs), but he has had a fairly efficient year throwing the football (68.7% completions, 2907 yards, 18 TDs, 5 INTs). The offense has really been powered by RB Saquon Barkley (345 yards, 2005 yards, 13 TD), who has had the most amazing season by an NFL running back in a long time – not just with yardage, but with explosive plays and highlight reel talent. The receiving group is led by WR A.J. Brown (67 catches, 1079 yards, 7 TDs) and WR Devonta Smith (68 catches, 833 yards, 8 TDs), with TE Dallas Goedert (42 catches, 496 yards, 2 TDs) also a valuable receiving target. Former Michigan DE Brandon Graham (20 tackles, 3.5 sacks) played in eleven games this season, but an upper body injury caused him to miss the remainder of the year; he has been activated since the NFC Championship game, so he may play in the Super Bowl, which will likely be the final game of his career as he trends toward retirement. Former Michigan LB Ben VanSumeren, who finished his career at Michigan State, has played in eleven games and made 3 tackles; he has also played a little bit of fullback as a blocker in short yardage situations.

*Worthy and VanSumeren both signed with Michigan out of high school. Worthy did not get through admissions and ended up at Texas, while VanSumeren transferred to play for MSU.

PREDICTION

I don’t want to pick against the best quarterback in the NFL. Mahomes always seems to make the plays – and some would say get the calls – when the game is on the line. But when I look at the rosters, I think Philadelphia has more talent. They have the best running back in the league, a great defensive line, two good receivers, a good tight end, and players up and down the roster from Georgia, along with high-level draft picks. The Chiefs of course have great players (Mahomes, Kelce, WR DeAndre Hopkins, DT Chris Jones, etc.), but top-to-bottom, I see more talent on the Eagles side. I’m excited to see what wrinkles Andy Reid has in store for the big game – he always has some fun play designs – but I think the Eagles’ defensive talent will make enough plays to eke out a win. I’m going with the Eagles, 24-20.

13Feb 2022
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Super Bowl LVI Preview: Through the Eyes of a Wolverine

David Long

This is not an in-depth preview of any sort, but as a football fan, the Super Bowl is the most hyped game of the year. I don’t get as antsy about the Super Bowl as a Michigan State game, an Ohio State game, or a meaningful post-season game for the Wolverines, but it’s still pretty exciting to see the show the NFL puts on.

I usually root for whichever team has Tom Brady; failing that, I usually pick based on which team has more former Wolverines.

CINCINNATI BENGALS
#25 RB Chris Evans
Defensive Quality Control Assistant Jordan Kovacs

LOS ANGELES RAMS
#36 CB Blake Countess
#25 CB David Long, Jr.

Hit the jump for more.

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10Feb 2021
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Michigan Wolverines in the Super Bowl

Tom Brady (image via USA Today)

If you enjoy the content here at TTB, please consider making your Amazon purchases through the site (LINK):

I combed through box scores for every Super Bowl throughout history and tried to compile every statistical performance for a Michigan player since the Super Bowl began. If you see any names or statistics missing, please let me know. (While comments still aren’t working here, you can go over to the Blogspot site HERE.)

Hit the jump for more.

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7Feb 2021
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The Super Bowl is tonight

Tom Brady (image via The Sporting News)

Michigan has several representatives in the Super Bowl tonight, and if you’re rooting based on Michigan ties, the Kansas City Chiefs are your team:

  • DE Taco Charlton (reserve/injured)
  • DE Frank Clark
  • DE Mike Danna
  • QB Chad Henne
  • OG Patrick Omameh (practice squad)

If you’re rooting for the GOAT, Tom Brady, then here are your fellow Wolverines:

  • QB Tom Brady
  • P Matt Wile (practice squad)

Either way, tonight is going to be a good night for at least a couple wearers of the Maize and Blue.

What’s your prediction?

I’ll say 34-27, Chiefs.

4Feb 2018
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Super Bowl 52 Predictions

I’m torn on whether I want the Eagles or Patriots to win the Super Bowl tonight. On the one hand, I want Tom Brady to be cemented as the greatest QB of all-time, and it would be nice for Alan Branch and David Harris to get Super Bowl rings, too. On the other hand, Brandon Graham plays for the Eagles and doesn’t have a championship yet.

Nick Foles played out of his mind in the NFC Championship game, and I don’t think he’ll replicate that against the Patriots. So I’ll go with New England, 26-23.

What’s your prediction for the score? I’ll send you a $25 Amazon gift card if you’re the first to guess the correct winner and score.