Super Bowl LVII kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday in a matchup that is expected to be very close. Oddsmakers have listed the Philadelphia Eagles as 1.5-point favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs have plenty going for them in the title game. The most prominent of weapons is Patrick Mahomes, arguably the most explosive quarterback in the NFL.

Kansas City also boasts an accomplished head coach, perhaps the best tight end in the league and an effective defense. The Chiefs are also well acquainted with going deep in the playoffs. With Mahomes as the starting quarterback since 2018, the Chiefs have won a Super Bowl along with an impressive 10 playoff games.

Yet the Chiefs may be more of an underdog than some might think. They will be facing an Eagles squad that has overachieved in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Here's a quick look into how the Eagles have the edge in the Super Bowl.

Defense

This unit had an impressive 70 sacks in 2022, which was by far the most in the league. But they also showed up when it counted. In two playoff games, the Eagles held the New York Giants to seven points and the San Francisco 49ers to seven points.

While the Eagles only had two Pro Bowlers on defense — outside linebacker Haasan Reddick and cornerback Darius Slay — this group is more than just a pair of stars. Veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has been a beast all season. Both Hargrave and defensive end Josh Sweat, who has improved from a breakout season in 2021, have 18.5 sacks in two seasons. The Eagles also have Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox among others to pressure Mahomes and contain Travis Kelce.

Chiefs Lack An Elite Running Game

The Eagles' lone poor defensive showing was on the road against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 24, when they gave up 40 points in a loss. But in that game, the Eagles held star running back Ezekiel Elliott to 55 yards on 16 carries. The Cowboys boast a stronger offensive line than the Chiefs and there is no rusher on the Chiefs as effective as Elliott.

Rookie running back Isiah Pacheco had a solid season for Kansas City. However, he managed just 26 yards on 10 carries at home against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC championship. Significantly outperforming those numbers against an Eagles defense that has more depth and star power than the Bengals seems unlikely.

Head coach Andy Reid can't expect magic from Mahomes on every play. When the Chiefs go to the ground game, the Eagles' defense will be up for the challenge.

Dallas Goedert

The Chiefs' defensive backs have plenty to be worried about with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. While the two star wideouts may provide some big plays for quarterback Jalen Hurts, don't be surprised if the Eagles throw to their steady tight end on important plays.

Hurts threw to Goedert three times in the opening drive against the 49ers in the NFC championship. The Eagles would score a touchdown on the drive.

On the next three drives, Hurts didn't throw to Goedert and the Eagles managed just one first down on 10 plays. The fifth drive involved a completion to Goedert and the Eagles would later score a touchdown. The sixth drive saw two completions for Goedert in a three-play drive that ended with running back Boston Scott rushing for a touchdown.

Yes, when Goedert is involved in a drive, good things usually happen for the Eagles. This logic is probably not lost on head coach Nick Sirianni.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo has blitzed less this season and could hone in on Goedert. But that may mean opening up reception opportunities for other players like Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell.

Confidence

The Eagles blew out their two playoff opponents. The Chiefs were fortunate to come away with a win over the Bengals and a week earlier didn't look particularly dominant against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Entering the season, there was much talk about the strength of the AFC West. However, it was the NFC East that turned out to be the strongest division in the NFL.

The Eagles, who got through a tough regular-season gauntlet, have plenty of swagger and weapons to hold off an excellent Chiefs squad.

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