Super Bowl LVII is right around the corner and one former NFL standout believes a Mississippi-based player could be the difference in determining a new champion.
The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up to face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Glendale, Ariz. this coming Sunday. Both teams will be meeting with an identical 14-3 record and the game is anticipated to be a close one, as Las Vegas has Philadelphia favored to win by less than two points.
Nevertheless, former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro linebacker Chad Brown argues that an impact player on the Chiefs’ roster could swing the pendulum in Kansas City’s favor as the game transpires.
According to Brown, former Mississippi State defensive lineman, Chris Jones, gives the Chiefs a competitive advantage. Though Jones is never the first player mentioned when Kansas City’s roster is discussed, Brown argues that he’s one of the most talented NFL players at his position.
“I think for a player who is as good as he is, he doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves because he plays on the same team as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce,” Brown said. “Chris Jones is one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in the game who also has the ability to slide outside in certain situations.”
The former All-Pro linebacker says that Jones’ impact in both stopping the run while also having a unique ability to prevent quarterbacks from getting set in the pocket could possibly put the Chiefs in the driver’s seat to defeat the Eagles, who are led by a young quarterback in Jalen Hurts.
“He’s disruptive in the run game and in the passing game. He has the ability to continually get quarterbacks off the spot from his inside rush position. In some ways, he’s the absolute best of that Chiefs’ defense,” Brown continued. “If he can have a good game and affect Jalen Hurts by pushing that pocket back, not even getting sacks, but by constantly pushing the pocket back and forcing Jalen Hurts to reset his feet, he could play a major factor in the Chiefs’ success.”
Jones, a Houston native, is heading into Super Bowl LVII with 44 tackles (30 solo), 15.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Watch the full interview with Chad Brown below.
