At long last, Super Bowl week is here. After a grueling NFL journey that began during training camps in July, followed by an 18-week, 272-game marathon, then another 12 playoff games, it all comes down to this.
Las Vegas as host city
The NFL world this week descends on Sin City, which welcomes it with open arms for its first time hosting the Super Bowl. The NFL has held a Pro Bowl and a draft in Las Vegas, but the Super Bowl is a much bigger deal. The three-year-old Allegiant Stadium should be an impressive setting for the biggest game of the year, and in Kansas City and San Francisco, the NFL has two fantastic teams to showcase. The big question is whether everyone affiliated with the NFL can navigate this week without a hitch.
Patrick Mahomes’ pursuit of greatness
Most NFL players spend their entire careers in pursuit of one Super Bowl appearance. And then there’s Patrick Mahomes, who is playing in his fourth Super Bowl and chasing his third Lombardi Trophy before his 29th birthday. At various points this season, it looked as if Mahomes and the Chiefs lacked the firepower to reach this stage. But they’re still standing.
Andy Reid’s growing legacy
Remember the old days, when Andy Reid was regarded as a good coach, but deemed incapable of winning the big one? Now, 19 years after his Super Bowl debut (a 24-21 Philadelphia Eagles loss to the New England Patriots), Reid will make his fifth Super Bowl appearance. He’ll be going for his third Super Bowl win in five seasons, and his second in a row.
Evolution of Chiefs’ defense
This Chiefs march to the Super Bowl may be among their most impressive because of the way they evolved after salary cap-induced roster turnover. Mahomes still has trusty tight end Travis Kelce, but the starry wide receiver unit is a thing of the past. This year, the Chiefs have had to rely more heavily on their defense, which general manager Brett Veach fortified with draft picks and veteran free-agent acquisitions. Kansas City’s defense has morphed into a juggernaut, holding teams to only 17.3 points per game during the regular season and an even more impressive 13.7 points per postseason contest. The Chiefs also lead all playoff teams in takeaways, with four in three games.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift
Love it or hate it, this story isn’t fizzling over the next six days. This romance truly was appointed by the entertainment gods. Kelce is one of the most colorful personalities in the NFL and one of the most dominant tight ends in history. Swift is the biggest pop star of this generation. Half of NFL fans have great fatigue over the very mention of Swift and the 30 or so seconds she is shown cheering for her beau during Chiefs games. The other half find it delightful.