Super Bowl Sunday is drawing closer and the excitement, anticipation and tension is palpable in Arizona, where the match will be contested.
On Thursday, players and coaches from the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles spoke to the media for the final time before zeroing in on their preparation ahead of Super Bowl LVII. Both head coaches gave injury updates, although Andy Reid’s was more detailed than Nick Sirianni’s as the Eagles head coach prefers not to disclose such information.
The Chiefs final media session was relatively relaxed, with many members of the roster clearly utilising their experience at previous Super Bowls to take in the moment while remaining focused on the goal: a Lombardi Trophy. The Eagles appear to be following the lead of uber-composed quarterback Jalen Hurts, whose infectious demeanour inspires and motivates his teammates.
Here are five things we learned from final press conferences on Thursday:
1. The Chiefs will be at full strength (nearly)
Super Bowl week has been defined thus far by frantically following Patrick Mahomes’ ankle. There were other concerns too, as star receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was slowed by a knee injury.
However, both Mahomes and Smith-Schuster received a full designation which suggests both men will be close to full strength come Sunday. Only Kadarius Toney received a limited designation after he hurt his hamstring in the AFC Championship Game.
On Thursday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid sounded optimistic about Toney’s chances of playing in his first Super Bowl - and he was later upgraded as a full participant in practice. He said: “Yesterday, he did everything we asked him to. Today, he did the same thing.”
Key cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who cleared concussion protocol to give the Chiefs a boost heading into the week, was limited after picking up a knee injury. Sneed was still present and participating in practice with a limited designation.
2. Travis Kelce will make amends for Super Bowl LV defeat
Travis Kelce will be in the Hall of Fame when it’s all said and done. He is arguably the greatest pass-catching tight end in NFL history alongside Rob Gronkowski - and the 33-year-old hopes to extinguish memories of struggling against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV two years ago.
“I don’t think that I stepped up to the plate as much as I should have in that game,” Kelce told reporters on Thursday. “And that’s where it really burns me. I’m just focusing on myself to be able to be the best leader that I can [and] the best teammate that I can — come game day. And not put my team in a position like I did the last time we were in the Super Bowl.”
He added: “There were a few plays early on there that I just didn’t feel like I did my job. And then on the sideline - in terms of the energy and the motive and the demeanour of the team - that’s where I really think I could have helped out as well.”
3. Is there an illness spreading around the Chiefs camp?
On Wednesday, star defensive tackle Chris Jones told reporters he was feeling under the weather, while he was suffering from congestion and a sore throat. Meanwhile, Kelce took to the podium appearing rather rundown while he cleared his throat as he seemed to have a case of the sniffles.
Mahomes was in a similar boat as it was clear the superstar quarterback had a runny nose on some level. All three players, as well as whoever else has come down with the illness, will soldier through to play on Sunday.
4. Philadelphia looking to make an impact on third down
The Eagles reportedly spent much of their nearly two-hour practice Thursday afternoon focused on their third-down packages in ahead of the Super Bowl. The exercise was important for the starting defence mainly as they prepare to face Mahomes, with backup quarterbacks Gardnew Minshew and Ian Book attempting to imitate the Chiefs star's ability to extend third-down plays.
Thursday’s practice concluded with the starting defence practicing a pre-planned situation against Hurts and the offensive starters.
5. Offensive personnel problems flying for Eagles
The Chiefs may be struggling with illness, but the Eagles are not without their own problems. Receiver DeVonta Smith, who tallied 1,196 yards to go with seven touchdowns in the regular season, practiced but came down with a migraine and was forced to miss the final media session.
