Four players who could impact the Super Bowl LIX outcome
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Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs talking to Anthony Firkser during a practice ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW ORLEANS – As the two-time defending champions Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles prepare to do battle in Super Bowl LIX, here are four players besides Saquon Barkley who may have a big say in the outcome of the National Football League (NFL) championship game.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs quarterback
A thrower with exceptional improvisational skills and pinpoint accuracy, Mahomes is returning for his fifth Super Bowl appearance in six seasons, having gone 3-1 previously. He led the Chiefs to a 15-2 regular season record, tied with Detroit for best in the league, and enters the game on the heels of an AFC Championship game in which he threw for 245 yards, one passing touchdown and ran in two scores.
2. Jalen Hurts, Eagles quarterback
The fifth-year quarterback has proven to be a nightmare for rivals as he has established himself as a true scoring threat with both his arm and legs. Hurts was on the losing end of the Super Bowl two years ago despite playing a solid game. He arrives on the grandest stage in top form, having thrown for a touchdown and rushing for three scores in the NFC Championship.
3. Xavier Worthy, Chiefs wide receiver
Selected with the 28th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the speedy rookie overcame a slow start to the season to emerge as one of Mahomes’ preferred targets in the post-season. Worthy started making noise on the Chiefs offence late and has not shown any signs of slowing down. He thrived under an increased workload while catching 11 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown in two play-off games.
4. Jake Elliott, Eagles kicker
Elliott has not been quite as automatic this season as in previous years and, in a league where games are often decided by razor-thin margins, that could convince the Eagles to go for it on fourth and short when in field-goal range. In the Eagles’ first two play-off games, he made all six of his field goals. In the NFC Championship, he hit all seven extra-point attempts and missed a 54-yard field goal. REUTERS
