Most of the focus heading into Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs has been on the quarterbacks. After all, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes are making history as the first pair of Black quarterbacks to start the big game.
But as we’ve seen in past Super Bowls, running backs can play a major role in the outcome of a game.
It’s interesting to look at. Former Denver Broncos star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis was the last running back to win Super Bowl MVP. He accomplished that feat back in Super Bowl XXXII when Denver defeated the Green Bay Packers.
Despite this, others have come close. Damien Williams’ shocking performance in Kansas City’s win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV is the most-recent example of this. As we prepare for Super Bowl LVII, let’s check in on the running back groups for both the Eagles and Chiefs while providing an overall grade.
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Philadelphia Eagles led by Miles Sanders
Philadelphia ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing during the regular season. While a lot of that had to do with Jalen Hurts (760 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns), Sanders himself was on a mission. The former Penn State star put up 90 rushing yards or more five times in 17 regular-season games, displaying a ton of consistency in the process.
- Miles Sanders stats (2022): 259 attempts, 1,269 rushing yards, 4.9 average, 11 TD
The one issue as it relates to this impending free agent is his inability to do much in the passing game. Sanders has caught all of 124 passes in 57 career regular-season games.
The good news for Philadelphia heading into Super Bowl LVII is that is has a reliable backup in Kenneth Gainwell. The former fifth-round pick from Memphis has been on one during the postseason, tallying 195 total yards on 29 touches for an average of 6.7 yards per touch.
Circling back to Philadelphia’s inability to get much from its running backs in the passing game. This could loom large come Sunday in Arizona. Kansas City yielded the most receptions (112) and second-most receiving yards (806) to running backs during the regular season. It was one of the Chiefs’ biggest downfalls on defense. If Philadelphia can’t take advantage of this, it could have an impact on the results of the game.
- Philadelphia Eagles running back grade: B
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Unheralded Isiah Pacheco and the Kansas City Chiefs rushing attack
A rookie seventh-round pick out of Rutgers, Pacheco took over for an ineffective Clyde Edwards-Helaire as Kansas City’s primary ball-carrier back in Week 10. The young man did not look back, putting up 633 rushing yards at a clip of five yards per tote in nine games in that role. Overall, Pacheco was among the most-underrated rookies in the NFL.
- Isiah Pacheco stats (2022): 170 attempts, 830 rushing yards, 4.9 average, 5 TD
Despite Pacheco’s success, Kansas City’s rushing attack ranked in the bottom-13 of the NFL. The youngster also put up just 26 yards on 10 attempts against an elite Cincinnati Bengals defensive front in the AFC Championship Game.
Much like Philadelphia, these Chiefs also have a reliable backup that can help shoulder the load. Unlike the Eagles, said player is a force in the passing game. Veteran running back Jerick McKinnon caught 56 passes for 512 yards during the regular season.
Related: Super Bowl LVII, Patrick Mahomes vs Jalen Hurts
Kansas City will need both of these two to provide something of substance as a way to give Patrick Mahomes balance on offense. Hobbled by a high-ankle sprain, Mahomes is up against an Eagles defense that recorded a whopping 70 sacks during the regular season.
The good news for Kansas City heading into Super Bowl LVII is that Philadelphia’s run defense ranked in the middle of the pack during the regular season. It yielded a resounding 4.6 yards per rush and gave up north of 100 rushing yards 12 times in 17 games.
- Kansas City Chiefs running back grade: B