Are we headed for a Chiefs vs. Eagles Super Bowl rematch? Remaining schedules, toughest games for both teams

Almost midway in the course of the 2023 NFL season, and there two teams atop the standings at 6-1. They simply so occur to be the reigning convention champions who clashed in Super Bowl LVII: the Chiefs and Eagles.

Boring, proper? Well, no longer so rapid. These teams have not precisely loved the smoothest of rides up to now, with both Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts encountering early-season inconsistencies. But both logged remark victories in Week 7, with Mahomes dicing up the Chargers to rout his AFC West opponents and Philly outmuscling the high-flying Dolphins in top time.

Now the query is, are those contenders actually the cream of the crop (once more)? So much can occur between now and the tip of the season, however is it that loopy to suppose the Chiefs and Eagles may well be again within the Super Bowl come February?

Only time will inform, however for now, here is a have a look at their last schedules, toughest combatants and largest hurdles to any other Super Sunday showdown for the Lombardi Trophy:

Chiefs’ last agenda

Toughest matchups:

• Week 9 vs. Dolphins: Miami can obviously be overwhelmed, because the Eagles reminded us on Sunday night time. But the Chiefs’ run protection hasn’t been just about as ferocious, and Mike McDaniel’s high-speed backfield may pose a danger to keep an eye on the clock right here as the 2 powerhouses tangle in Germany.
• Week 11 vs. Eagles: How may this one no longer make it? The Super Bowl rematch will likely be a great take a look at for both aspects, specifically within the trenches, the place Philly’s been an absolute power on protection however Chris Jones and Co. have additionally affected the cross in Okay.C.
• Week 17 vs. Bengals: If by hook or by crook Cincinnati cannot stay righting the send offensively, and/or Joe Burrow cannot keep upright, that is any other tale. But Burrow’s been Mahomes’ leader big-game rival within the AFC, and the Bengals protection has flashed as neatly.

Eagles’ last agenda

Toughest matchups:

• Week 11 @ Chiefs: Take a have a look at Weeks 11-15 and you’ll be able to perceive why it was once massively essential for the Eagles to stack wins early in 2023. Traveling to Arrowhead to stand Mahomes and Andy Reid is a tall process regardless of who you might be.
• Week 13 vs. 49ers: San Francisco will likely be motivated to avenge its lopsided NFC title-game defeat, or even after back-to-back losses, the 49ers profile as some of the league’s maximum balanced teams. The Eagles can be coming off a Bills recreation right here.
• Week 14 @ Cowboys: The brutal stretch assists in keeping moving into Dallas, the place the Eagles will take at the opportunistic America’s Team protection — however best after back-to-back-to-back matchups with the Chiefs, Bills and 49ers.

Remaining power of agenda

According to combined win percentage of remaining opponents:

• Chiefs: Twenty third-hardest (or Tenth-easiest)
• Eagles: Thirteenth-hardest

How does that evaluate to different doable contenders in both meetings? Here’s a have a look at some notable foes:

• Bengals: 1st-hardest
• Seahawks: 4th-hardest
• 49ers: Fifth-hardest
• Bills: Sixth-hardest
• Ravens: Seventh-hardest
• Cowboys: Ninth-hardest
• Dolphins: Eleventh-hardest
• Saints: Twenty eighth-hardest (or Fifth-easiest)
• Lions: Thirty first-hardest (or Second-easiest)

Biggest challengers

• AFC: Ravens, Dolphins, Bills
• NFC: 49ers, Cowboys, Lions

This is what is truly matter to switch. We’re seven weeks into the season, which means that there are nonetheless 11 weeks for “contenders” to fold and “pretenders” to return alive. But getting into Week 8, those are the teams that glance best-positioned to problem the Chiefs and Eagles for Super Bowl illustration.

You would possibly choose the Bengals within the AFC over the Bills, however Cincy’s but to totally revert to offensive shape, and whilst Buffalo’s struggled to prevent the run today, additionally it is surrendering fewer issues than all however 4 teams. The Dolphins’ firepower cannot be overstated, even though they want a wholesome O-line to make sure Tua Tagovailoa has time to feed his playmakers. That leaves the Ravens as perhaps probably the most bad competitor; Lamar Jackson’s supporting forged is at all times susceptible to hiccups, however the QB’s been as regards to MVP-level beneath new coordinator Todd Monken, and their protection is without doubt one of the stingiest within the league.

The NFC feels even much less threatening at this juncture. While the Eagles were not flawless of their first six games, their leader pageant has been simply as muddy, with the 49ers losing two directly amid accidents to core avid gamers like Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel. There’s additionally a moderately rising worry about QB Brock Purdy’s late-game keep an eye on and now “Mr. Irrelevant” has been positioned in concussion protocol. Dallas nonetheless has one of the most recreation’s perfect ability with an opportunistic “D,” however the Cowboys are susceptible to malfunctions beneath the brilliant lighting. And the Lions, in spite of a scorching get started and balanced assault, noticed their robust line fall apart when matched up with a actual defensive entrance in Week 7.

Conclusion

So the place does this go away us? Not a long way from the place we began, to be truthful. But that is most commonly a testomony to the power of the Chiefs and Eagles. It’s no twist of fate those have been the ultimate two Super Bowl teams. And we can see now, the way in which this yr has began, they weren’t flukes, both. That was once already true of Okay.C., taking into account the historical past of the Mahomes-Reid regime. But it is proving simply as true in Philly, the place trainer Nick Sirianni’s squad — and basic supervisor Howie Roseman’s roster — are actually 28-8 of their ultimate 36 games, together with playoffs.

Even if we challenge a second-half slip-up or two by way of both teams, it is difficult to forecast any other AFC or NFC contender absolutely capitalizing. Who’s stepping as much as fill the void there? Miami? San Francisco? Maybe. But they’ve their very own hurdles to transparent. So, sure, issues alternate in a hurry within the NFL. But when you have been to guess on February’s final matchup to near the 2023 marketing campaign, there may be reputable explanation why to saddle up for a rematch.