Super Bowl 2023 LIVE: Latest news and build-up to Eagles vs Chiefs

Super Bowl 57 is here and the Philadelphia Eagles battle the Kansas City Chiefs in what promises to be a thrilling finale to the NFL season.

Patrick Mahomes edged out Jalen Hurts for this season’s MVP award, but no quarterback has doubled up the most prestigious individual accolade in the sport with the Lombardi trophy since Kurt Warner in 1999.

The key battle in this game is likely to centre around Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the pressure exerted from the Eagles defense.

Should Mahomes prevail it will be a second ring in five years on this impressive run under Andy Reid, though Nick Sirianni hopes to complete a remarkable two-year transformation of the Eagles.

Follow live build-up to the game at State Farm Stadium this evening:

Super Bowl 57 - Philadelphia Eagles vs Kansas City Chiefs

• Super Bowl 57 kicks off at 11:30pm GMT at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

• Betting guide, tips and predictions: Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5) vs Kansas City Chiefs

• Who’s going to win Super Bowl 57? | You Ask the Questions

• Patrick Mahomes and the key battle that will decide Super Bowl 2023

Super Bowl 2023: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni uses lessons from Frank Reich

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“He’s got an incredible ability to connect with players and it’s just authentic, it’s genuine,” Frank Reich told the AP Pro Football Podcast.

“It’s easy for him because he cares. He’s just really good at that. He’s also an elite offensive mind. He’s a great game-planner. He’s got that coaching pedigree. We worked together for six years.

“It was a real highlight. I know he’s always complimentary because I’m like the older brother who mentored him, but trust me, this was a two-way street. We both benefited from it and I’ve learned a lot from that.”

Super Bowl 2023: Talking points for Eagles vs Chiefs

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Is Jalen Hurts healthy and can he hurt the Chiefs from the pocket?

If the Chiefs dare Hurts to win from the pocket, then the Eagles must test the nerve of the four Kansas City rookies in the secondary with Jaylen Watson, Trent McDuffie, Bryan Cook and Joshua Williams daring to replicate the youthful nature of the San Francisco secondary en route to the Super Bowl in 1981.

While Hurts can routinely connect deep with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, Nick Sirianni will hope his quarterback’s shoulder is healthy enough to emphasise the option threat and occasionally dart towards the edge with a heavy dose of violence deny the Chiefs rhythm on defense.

Just like Josh Allen did, Hurts has elevated his accuracy in the passing game, up more than five percent to 66.5 percent this season, even if his legs remain the most potent threat towards the Chiefs. Should he prevail on Sunday, Hurts would become the first quarterback to triumph with over 100 carries along the way.

Crunch the numbers and Hurts is third in the entire league in adjusted yards per attempt (8.4), according to Pro Football Reference, with only Patrick Mahomes (8.5) and Tua Tagovailoa (9.2), who missed four games, ahead of him. Another efficient, yet versatile display from Hurts will prove once and for all he is more than a dual-threat quarterback.

Super Bowl 2023: Talking points for Eagles vs Chiefs

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Can AJ Brown and Devonta Smith exploit inexperienced Chiefs’ secondary?

While the Chiefs have got strong play at times in the defensive backfield this season, Kansas City ranks 26th in secondary spending in the NFL – it’s an inexpensive and relatively inexperienced group, with three rookie cornerbacks in line to feature heavily even with L’Jarius Sneed set to be cleared to play after clearing concussion protocol.

In AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, the Eagles have a pair of complete receivers with the ability to win vertically, and Jalen Hurts should have opportunities to throw one-on-one matchups to the outside down the field if the Chiefs load the box to try and stymie Philadelphia’s run game.

Brown should have a big game. The Chiefs ranked 31st in DVOA against number one wide receivers this season, and Brown shreds press coverage. The trade for the former Tennessee Titan has already paid dividends for Philadelphia, transforming their offence, and he could be decisive on Sunday - three or four explosive passing plays could tilt the game in Philadelphia’s favour.

Super Bowl 2023 expected to break betting records

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The Super Bowl has long been the single biggest sports betting event of the year in the United States and Sunday’s showdown in Glendale, Arizona could reach new heights as wagering on the NFL’s championship game has exploded in popularity.

It will be the first Super Bowl held in a state that offers legal sports betting and there is even a physical sportsbook on the same grounds as the stadium that will host the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

Mix in the fact that there are three additional states that offer legal sports betting compared with a year ago, for a total of 33 states plus Washington, D.C., and it is no wonder a betting bonanza is on the horizon.

Sports betting was allowed to be legalized at state level in 2018 when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 1992 federal law that barred it in most places.

The NFL, like many other leagues, had long been against sports betting due partly to concerns about the integrity of the game but changed its tune and turned it into a viable revenue stream through agreements with sportsbook operators.

“The fact that the Super Bowl is being played in a state where you can legally bet on sports was almost unthinkable five years ago,” American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Bill Miller told Reuters.

“There is important symbolism and economics around the fact that a Super Bowl is being held in a state where sports betting is legal, no question about that.”

RECORD WAGERS

According to analysts at PlayUSA, legal sportsbooks across the United States could take in a record $1.1 billion in Super Bowl wagers, led by Nevada ($176 million), New York ($161 million) and New Jersey ($115 million).

A survey by the AGA, a trade group for the U.S. casino industry, showed a record 50.4 million American adults, or about 20% of the population, are expected to bet $16 billion on the Super Bowl.

The AGA said the number of expected Super Bowl bettors would represent a 61% increase from last year while the wagers, which include bets made with legal sportsbooks, illegal bookmakers or casually with friends, would be double last year’s estimates.

Super Bowl 2023: Indigenous activists to protest Kansas City Chiefs name, ‘tomahawk chop’

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Native American groups are expected to protest the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, calling for the AFC champions to drop their name and logo as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57.

The Chiefs wear the arrowhead logo on their helmet and use a large drum to kick of their home games, as fans routinely engage in what’s known as the “tomahawk chop” chant, all of which critics say draw on offensive and racist stereotypes.

This is their third trip to the NFL title game in four years and Kansas City fans can be heard throughout Phoenix singing the “tomahawk chop” chant. It is a jarring contrast to the displays of Native American culture and pride that Super Bowl hosts have invited to participate in the days leading up to the game.

Dancers from Indigenous Enterprise performed at Monday’s Opening Night festivities, becoming the first Native Americans to perform at the annual media mega event.

In a strange juxtaposition, they took the stage minutes after Kansas City fans in attendance at the Footprint Center joined together in a loud rendition of their “tomahawk chop” chant.

“What the NFL is doing inside Phoenix, by bringing in indigenous dancers and artists, that’s celebrating the authentic, which is wonderful,” said Cher Thomas, an artist, community organizer and member of the Gila River Community. She will be among those outside the game on Sunday protesting.

“However, the NFL simultaneously condones Kansas City’s team and their names and monikers and their derogatory traditions.”

Super Bowl 2023: Will Jason Kelce retire after game?

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“I know it’s coming,” Kelce said. “It’s getting closer and closer each day. I’m just trying to enjoy this moment now and attack that when it gets here.”

“From everything I’ve been told about when you know it’s time to retire or not, you just know when you know, and it’s going to be when you don’t want to play football anymore.

“And I don’t think that winning this game is going to determine whether I want to continue playing football or not.”

Super Bowl 2023: Jonathan Gannon emerges as Cardinals head coach contender

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As the Arizona Cardinals search for a head coach, one coach involved in the Super Bowl tonight at State Farm Stadium may just hang around.

Eagles’ DC Jonathan Gannon could interview this week with the Cardinals ready to ask permission from Philadelphia to interview their defensive coach, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Arizona’s other candidates include New York Giants OC Mike Kafka and Cincinnati Bengals DC Lou Anarumo.

Eagles vs Chiefs: Key free agents after Super Bowl

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Chiefs: LT Orlando Brown, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, RT Andrew Wylie, S Juan Thornhill, RB Jerick McKinnon, WR Mecole Hardman, WR Justin Watson, DE Carlos Dunlap, QB Chad Henne.

Eagles: DT Javon Hargrave, DT Fletcher Cox, RB Miles Sanders, DB Chauncey Gardner Johnson, CB James Bradberry, LB Kyzir White, G Isaac Seumalo, S Marcus Epps, DE Robert Quinn, QB Gardner Minshew, OT Andre Dillard, DT Ndamukong Suh.

Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts convinced team spirit makes Eagles fly

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Jalen Hurts says: “I think the number one thing is to invest in your team-mates and coaches.

“It’s important to go out there and build relationships with the people around you, the people that you’re going to be playing with so everyone can play that much harder for one another.

“I feel like if you have a relationship with someone, you know them on a personal level, they’re going to play harder for you on the field.

“I think that’s why we’ve come so far, because we’ve been truly connected all year. We’ve been on the same page.

“We’ve competed hard for one another. You can see that passion on the field, you can see that passion in the stands and the city of Philly. It all goes together.”

Super Bowl 2023 odds

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There are various markets available for tonight’s game, but here are some of the biggest ones, all odds via Betfair.

Super Bowl 2023 winner

• Philadelphia Eagles 3/4

• Kansas City Chiefs 11/10

Super Bowl 2023 MVP

• Jalen Hurts EVS

• Patrick Mahomes 6/5

• Travis Kelce 10/1

• AJ Brown 11/1

• Devonta Smith 20/1

• Miles Sanders 25/1

• Haason Reddick 40/1

• Jerick McKinnon 40/1

• Isiah Pacheco 40/1

• Darius Slay 40/1

• Chris Jones 40/1

Super Bowl Handicap

• Philadelphia Eagles -1.5 9/10

• Kansas City Chiefs +1.5 9/10

Super Bowl Total Points

• Over/Under 49.5

Super Bowl 2023 coin toss

• Heads 10/11

• Tails 10/11

Super Bowl 2023 winning Gatorade shower colour

• Orange 9/4

• Clear 5/2

• Blue 3/1

• Yellow/Green 3/1

• Purple 11/2

• Red/Pink 8/1

Super Bowl 2023: Talking points for Eagles vs Chiefs

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Brotherly love but only one city will celebrate Kelce triumph

Regardless of what happens in the Super Bowl, at least one bit of history will be made. Never before have two brothers faced each other in the NFL showpiece. Step forward Travis and Jason Kelce. Chiefs tight end Travis and Eagles centre Jason won’t technically be on the field at the same time – given that they both play on offense – but the narrative of sibling vs sibling is an enticing one.

Their mother, Donna, is already famous for wearing her stitched-together, half-and-half Eagles-Chiefs jersey on Sundays when following the fortunes of her boys, now she will get an airing on the biggest stage. To add to the drama, Jason’s heavily-pregnant wife Kylie is attending the game but bringing along her obstetrician-gynaecologist as a guest in case she goes into labour.

Meanwhile, on the field, both men are crucial to their respective team’s hopes, with the seemingly unstoppable Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce connection at the crux of KC’s offensive gameplan and Jason sitting at the heart of Philadelphia’s offensive line that will need to click to create holes for running back Miles Sanders and allow the Eagles to control the clock. Come the end of the evening, one brother will have the ultimate bragging rights over their sibling.

Super Bowl 2023: Talking points for Eagles vs Chiefs

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Nick Sirianni a perfect match in Philadelphia a decade on from Andy Reid snub

Nick Sirianni bristled at the thought of his dismissal at the hands of Andy Reid a decade ago. Now the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, his drive to become a leader in the NFL was fuelled by his opposite number in the ruthless preliminary stages of the Chiefs’ remarkable turnaround.

Sent packing as the wide receivers coach in 2013, Sirianni, whose wife is from Kansas City, proved resilient, but Reid’s decision to discard him added fuel to his burning desire to reach the top.

“Do you always have this little chip on your shoulder? Sure, yeah, you do,” Sirianni said. “But that’s who I am as a coach and as a person -- I want to make sure I’m working my butt off to get as good as I possibly can. And sure, you hold on to some of those things.”

Sirianni’s brash nature has endeared himself to the fanbase: from wearing a ‘Beat Dallas’ t-shirt to roaring on the touchline at each play and that arrogant nod towards a television camera as his side demolished the New York Giants in the divisional round of the playoffs. This is a loaded roster and a success in planning and team building as much as coaching excellence, yet Sirianni has provided an emotional spark for the Eagles to ignite this season.

Super Bowl 2023: Talking points for Eagles vs Chiefs

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How bad is Patrick Mahomes’ ankle?

The most talked-about ankle in sport might just end up dictating the destination of this Super Bowl. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes got his ankle caught and rolled up under a Jacksonville Jaguars defender during the Divisional Round and was forced to leave the game, as Kansas City fans were treated to the worrying vision of Chad Henne under centre in the play-offs. Mahomes eventually returned but was clearly limited and in pain, although that didn’t stop him grinding his side to a 27-20 triumph.

He then gritted his teeth and did what he needed to do to help the Chiefs down the Bengals in the AFC Championship game but a less-than-fully-mobile Mahomes restricts what KC can do offensively. He has built his reputation as the NFL’s superman on a freakish ability to complete passes on the run, from impossible angles and to contort his body into the unlikeliest of positions. Head coach Andy Reid is cautiously optimistic that his QB will be able “to do just about everything”, while Mahomes himself admits there is some uncertainty, saying: “I don’t think you’ll know exactly until you get to gameday.

I definitely can move around better than I was moving last week or two weeks ago, then I’ll rely on some adrenaline to let me do a little extra when I’m on the field.” The Chiefs will need their superstar to be close to 100 per cent in order to hoist the Lombardi.

Patrick Mahomes and the key battle that will decide Super Bowl 2023

13:41 , Jack Rathborn

Patrick Mahomes frantically dashed to his right, desperately scanning the end zone in search of an open teammate. It was fourth and nine and almost his last chance to spark a fourth-quarter comeback in Super Bowl 55 while down 31-9.

But as William Gholston nibbled at his ankle, Mahomes flicked a wrist while sprawled out with just a hint of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam to the pose. The pass looked destined to produce his latest masterpiece.

But with four Buccaneers constructing a wall around Darrel Williams, the ball landed with a gentle bounce on the turf, extinguishing hope and eventually defeat to add a blemish to Mahomes’ résumé.

Two years later, Mahomes is hobbled from an ankle sprain but eagerly embraces a third trip to the big dance, cognisant of how a winning or losing record in this particular game can shape a legacy. It is partially why Tom Brady, with a 7-3 Super Bowl record, elevated himself above Peyton Manning, who finished his career with two wins and two losses.

The NFL throne is tantalisingly within reach, but the Chiefs continue to tiptoe between sunk opportunity and supremacy during the Mahomes and Andy Reid era, depending on the result on Sunday. The NFL has masterfully produced parity and equal opportunity over the last decade or more, in stark contrast to the Premier League, ensuring no dominant force since Brady and the Patriots parted ways. That changes if Mahomes can clinch a second ring to go with five consecutive AFC Championship games.