Super Bowl Position Breakdown: Offensive Line

The offensive lines in this year’s Super Bowl are two drastically different units that both have had issues in the season.

The Eagles’ issues were during the beginning of the season. Once they figured out and solidified the five starters, it became one of the best lines in the entire league.

However, some issues in the playoffs have led to questions about Cam Jurgens’ ability to play center at a high level. Jurgens has massive shoes to fill after Jason Kelce’s retirement last season.

The line that dominated defenses consisted of Jordan Mailata at left tackle, Landon Dickerson at left guard, Jurgens at center, Mekhi Becton at right guard and Lane Johnson at right tackle.

The unsung hero of this line was Becton, who was highly drafted as a mauling type of tackle. After struggling at tackle and to stay healthy with the New York Jets, he became a guard and turned himself into one of the better guards in the NFL.

The offensive line has been a big factor in the dominance of the running game, mainly with Saquon Barkley.

Barkley’s potential was showcased throughout his years with the Giants, but with a strong offensive line with the Eagles, he was unleashed as the top running back in the NFL.

He rushed 345 times for 2,005 yards, which led the league in both categories, and he is likely on his way to the Offensive Player of the Year award. A lot of that has to do with the dominant offensive line that has mauled defenses.

Additionally, the tush push has become popular in the league, and the Eagles are seemingly the only team that can consistently do it. A main factor in that is the offensive line getting an immediate push off the snap.

The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line is a completely different story.

The Chiefs have consistently struggled on the offensive line and have forced the offense to become way different than in the past two championship years.

This has caused many people to believe that this Chiefs team isn’t actually that good and shouldn’t be in the Super Bowl.

However, they have been able to survive for the time being with the current offensive line that Andy Reid is throwing out on the field.

With a lack of play plus injuries the line has been shifted around, which has in return caused other holes within the line.

Joe Thuney has been lining up at left tackle after being one of the best guards for years. This has caused a hole in the interior, specifically at left guard with Mike Caliendo. Creed Humphrey will be a mainstay on the line for years to come as one of the best centers in the league, while Trey Smith has been one of the more consistent guards in the league this season at right guard.

The biggest problem is Jawaan Taylor at right tackle. It’s not Patrick Mahomes’ blindside but it’s still one of the edges that consistently is causing Mahomes to improvise.

Luckily for the line, Mahomes’ improvisational skills are like no other quarterback the league has really seen. Despite this, the Eagles’ pass rush has been ignited in the playoffs and could cause major problems for Mahomes.

It won’t come as a surprise if Mahomes is running around behind the line of scrimmage, similar to how he was against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl a couple of years ago.

Games are won in the trenches and with a drastic difference in these two offensive lines, the big game could be decided by the performance of the offensive lines, both good and bad.

Andrew Deal is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please contact asd5765@psu.edu