Super Bowl Sunday – 2025
Hear it here!
This should be a glorious week for the NFL.
The Super Bowl is Sunday in New Orleans and the Kansas City Chiefs are shooting for an unprecedented third consecutive championship. It’s never been done before.
That’s right. Even with the incredible domination of the New England Patriots, and the other dynasties that sport has seen: the Steelers, 49ers, and the Cowboys, no one has ever won three in a row.
The Chiefs can do just that, by beating the Philadelphia Eagles, the team Andy Reid coached for a decade before moving on to Kansas City, and the team the Chiefs beat in a tight battle only two years ago.
Yes, this should be a glorious week for the NFL.
But it’s not.
It’s not because there is a serious problem with the officiating in the league, an issue that has been front and center in these playoffs leading up to the big one and it’s become the number one topic of conversation.
I’ve been asked who I think will prevail. But more people have asked me whether the Chiefs are getting preferential treatment by the officials. That the calls are going their way. That the league is determined to “make sure” KC gets that three-peat.
In last week’s AFC title game, Bills quarterback seemingly gained enough on an early fourth quarter, fourth down charge up the middle to get the one-yard he needed for a first down. It would have kept the Bills, with a 22-21 lead, possession to keep the drive going.
Instead, the Chiefs took over with significant field position and eventually scored the go-ahead touchdown. They never trailed after that.
It looked to the broadcasters, this reporter, and others, like it was an obvious call. But the officials who apparently didn’t spot the ball correctly ruled otherwise.
I am not of the mind to declare an officials’ call the difference in a game because there are so many other plays that really determine the outcome.
In the Chiefs-Bills contest there were later opportunities for the Bills to win, including making a stop on that ensuing Chiefs march for that go-ahead TD.
But it’s the perception that is the most damning.
The perception, in this case, that the Bills were robbed.
In the Chiefs playoff win over the Texans, quarterback Patrick Mahomes took off on a run and was tackled creating a roughing the passer call, giving the Chiefs 15 more yards. My former partner Troy Aikman, in the booth for the broadcast, has been vocal over that call, which is not one of the reviewable plays through replay for some strange reason.
Troy’s contention is that once a quarterback takes off after not throwing a pass, he is essentially a runner and not subject to the protection quarterbacks usually receive.
Replays review so many plays, but it raises a big a question as to why such a significant call wouldn’t be checked out.
Many fouls are declared judgment calls and no review is permitted.
But it seems the judgment we often see is not very good.
What has underscored all the fuss about questionable officials calls is the gambling culture which has now been embraced by the NFL and the networks covering the games. Millions, if not billions are involved in the emphasis on betting, now widely encouraged. This, of course, creates a huge question of the integrity of the sport.
Once upon a time, the honesty, and integrity of all sports were the backbone of their existence. Without that, what do you have? It creates the suspicion that the games are like what pro wrestling was, and to an extent, still is in some cases.
There was a story this week that federal prosecutors were investigating whether veteran NBA player Terry Rozier manipulated his performance as part of an illegal sports betting scheme.
This is scary stuff.
If you pinned me to the wall, and asked whether I thought there was calculated dishonesty in the NFL, I would say no. But I would add that nothing would surprise me.
That’s the real problem. Fans who have the PERCEPTION things may not be right, and the doubt that could creep into what they witness when they watch a game.
I don’t think the Chiefs are getting an edge, but it’s dangerous to think fans may think that way.
Will it be in the minds of the officials this week that fans believe the Chiefs have an advantage with some calls, and will it affect their rulings? I don’t know. You hope not.
If leagues were intent on shaping the outcome of their championships, the final series would always go the full seven games and that is simply not the case.
The emphasis on betting has hurt the integrity of the game, and that includes the NFL.
Now, let’s talk football.
The drama of this year’s Super Bowl is captivating.
Choosing a winner is pure guesswork and has nothing to do with actually knowing the game, or the teams themselves.
No one has any idea which player will make the pivotal execution on a given play.
No one has any idea who will drop a key pass, or even worse, fumble, or throw a crucial interception. No one has any idea who will miss a tackle allowing a runner more yards or even a touchdown. Or who will make the extremely long kick. Or miss a chip-shot.
As I’ve written before, on the day of the game, even the respective coaches have no idea what will transpire. They prepare, and they hope it all pays off.
I believe the chess match between KC’s head coach and brilliant play-caller Andy Reid and the Eagles defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio will be a classic.
Reid has been a master at creating mismatches and getting his backs and receivers free with incredibly novel designs.
Fangio has devised imaginative ways of limiting opposing weapons. How will the Eagles defensive guru handle Mahomes, who is unpredictable as they come. Is there anyone more imaginative who plays that position?
How about the other side of the ball. The Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, I feel, is the principal reason why
Kansas City is back in the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs defense has been the reason why they won so many tight games, the real mark of a champion in my view.
Spags, as he’s called, and everyone else who has watched the Eagles this year, is fully aware that this is a team that relies on the running game and not the pass.
Any surprise there? In runnning back Saquon Barkley, the Eagles have the most potent figure, other than Mahomes, on the field.
Along with quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has battled injuries all season, the Eagles can control the time of possession, using the timely running of Hurts, and, of course, Barkley.
Controlling the ball would keep Mahomes off the field.
Ultimately, all eyes will be on the factor that has been the chief determinator of virtually every game ever played. The line of scrimmage.
Will the Chiefs offensive line and their play calls, nullify the best defensive front in the game? Or will it be the other way around?
Lots of questions posed. That’s what it should be.
If you talk offensive and defensive lines, the Eagles have the edge.
If you rate quarterback brilliance and making the right play at the right time, it’s Patrick Mahomes hands down.
Sticking my neck out, I have a hunch Spagnuolo and the Chiefs defense slows down Mr. Barkley just enough to make a difference. Maybe force Philly to throw a lot more.
And how can you turn your back on that Mahomes fellow? Tough to do.
Oh, yes, one other thing……..the turnovers…….did I mention that?
I know I promised a Tom Brady review, but it’ll have to wait another week.
He’ll be in the booth for the Super Bowl in New Orleans, which is exactly where he was when he won his first Super Bowl for the Patriots.
