It's February (you already knew that, but I like drama). Most fans of the NFL’s 32 teams are now done with all the ‘woulda, coulda, shouldas.' The spotlight has narrowed down to the final two clans.
 
In the real world, people are not ‘eliminated’ by one bad day at the job — nor are they crowned champions. Except for those folks living in (or strongly attached to) Philadelphia and Kansas City, we fans will enter the coliseum on Super Sunday anticipating high-adrenaline but carefree fun. We will watch our gladiators battle to the bitter end, having little at risk personally — maybe bragging rights, that’s all. Which army will hoist its flag and brandish the Lombardi?

Dissecting the contest is half the fun.

 In my assessment, the Eagles are a great defensive team with a good offense, while the Chiefs are a great offensive team with a good defense. The two defenses are comparable at defending against the run, but I think the Eagles have a clear edge in the passing game, primarily due to the linebacker and secondary positions. Teams who took on the vaunted Chief offense have been, in recent weeks, doing more double-teaming of TE Travis Kelsey than usual. And I think the Eagles will, too, because Kelsey is QB Patrick Mahomes’ security blanket.
 
The Eagle defense has successfully brought pressure against both runners and passers — often without blitzing. I don't think that will change. Yes, the Chiefs’ defensive line is also potent, but I think they will have to risk blitzing a little more.
 
A key factor to watch will be how well the two quarterbacks read the defenses. Misreads can result in turnovers, which can be game-changers. It will be intriguing to watch how the defenses scheme to pursue turnovers, particularly interceptions.
 
Perhaps the biggest mystery will be how those esteemed offensive and defensive coordinators call their plays. Since the conference championships, they have spent days (and nights) devising their strategies (and, of course, keeping them secret). 
 
Here is my best guess on strategy. Because Mahomes' injury is to his leg, the Chiefs will likely want to run the ball more than usual. That would spare his ankle some pounding and give him fewer exposures to the Eagles’ wicked pass rush. Now, these plays won't just include plain, vanilla handoffs; they will likely include more quick throws than usual.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ injury is to his shoulder (albeit his throwing shoulder). Since the Eagles were a run-first offense before Hurts’ injury, they will not have to change much. Hurts will likely not run as much as he did before the injury — but he will run.
 
I like the Eagles to top the Chiefs. I don’t care to predict the margin of victory (it's not important to me, especially as a non-gambler).  Regardless of who wins, I expect a spectacle ranking among the many other memorable Super Bowls. 
 
"Once more to the coliseum!"  Enjoy.