NEW YORK (AP) — You don’t must be an American soccer fan, and even an American, to have heard in regards to the Tremendous Bowl.
For the NFL devoted, the occasion is a closing push towards the top zone following a season-long drive down the gridiron, every yard stuffed with shot nerves and hypertension. However for individuals who are simply becoming a member of for the ultimate dash (and didn’t perceive the metaphor in that final sentence), right here’s all the pieces you want to know to get caught up to the mark.
Who’s taking part in?Patrick Mahomes #15 and Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs rejoice after the Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Payments 32-29 to win the AFC Championship Recreation at GEHA Discipline at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Pictures)
Final yr’s Tremendous Bowl winners, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, will likely be taking part in towards the Philadelphia Eagles.
If a Chiefs–Eagles Tremendous Bowl sounds acquainted, that’s as a result of it’s. Simply two years in the past, the 2 groups competed in Tremendous Bowl 57, when quarterback Patrick Mahomes helped lead his group to victory.
What’s all this chatter a few ‘three-peat’?
This yr, all eyes are on the Chiefs. Not simply because Taylor Swift’s boyfriend is on the group (although it helps) however as a result of they’ve the possibility to do one thing that no group has ever achieved earlier than: win three straight Tremendous Bowls.
Can they do it? We will see.
Gamblers are break up within the early wagering on the Tremendous Bowl. Sports activities betting web site BetMGM has the Chiefs because the favored winners with odds at -130. The underdog Eagles have their odds at +110.
When is the sport, and the way can I watch it?
At 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 9, the 2 groups will face off on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The sport will air on Fox, however for these with out cable, the community will stream the sport on Tubi, a free, ad-supported streaming service, for the primary time.
How does soccer work once more? What are the foundations?
For all its ubiquity within the U.S., soccer is a surprisingly sophisticated sport. So let’s keep on with the fundamentals and discuss by some phrases you would possibly hear on the published.
There are two groups, and each needs to attain as many factors as attainable.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in motion earlier than an NFL divisional spherical playoff soccer recreation, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photograph/Matt Rourke)
When a group has the ball, they’ll try to both run or throw the soccer down the 100-yard-long subject in hopes of getting it into the finish zone, thus scoring a landing, which is value 6 factors (a profitable further level kick after the landing would make it 7). The opposite group will search to cease their opponent by both tackling the participant with the ball, knocking the ball to the bottom or intercepting the ball.
Groups have units of offensive and defensive gamers. When a group has the ball, their offensive gamers take the sphere, pushing ahead and defending the participant with the ball. The group with out the ball has its defensive gamers take the sphere, making an attempt to cease their opponents from advancing. The group with the ball has 4 possibilities (referred to as “downs”) to maneuver 10 yards down the sphere. In the event that they efficiently advance 10 yards, the variety of downs resets. In the event that they fail, the ball should go to the opposite group.
There are much more particulars and exceptions, however these basic guidelines ought to assist get you thru the sport.
Who’re some key gamers to observe?
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles appears to be like on previous to the NFC Championship Recreation towards the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Monetary Discipline on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photograph by Mitchell Leff/Getty Pictures)
Eagles operating again Saquon Barkley, #26, helped lead the Birds to the Tremendous Bowl and had an unimaginable season. He signed a $37.75 million, three-year contract final March and have become the ninth participant ever to hurry for two,000 yards in a daily season. He additionally set an NFL document by finishing seven landing runs of at the least 60 yards within the common season and playoffs.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, #1, had an amazing Tremendous Bowl towards the Chiefs two years in the past, however he misplaced a fumble that was returned for a landing within the first half of Kansas Metropolis’s 38-35 comeback victory.
However that received’t reduce it this time, particularly not in Philadelphia.
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs passes the ball to Travis Kelce #87 throughout extra time at GEHA Discipline at Arrowhead Stadium on November 04, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Photograph by David Eulitt/Getty Pictures)
As for the Chiefs, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, #15 — or as his teammates and coaches name him, “Laid-back Pat” — is likely one of the best within the sport. He already has three Tremendous Bowl rings and is chasing a fourth, and is a two-time league MVP who’s shattering information each season.
Travis Kelce, #87, has been ranked by AP because the NFL’s prime tight finish two years in a row. Kelce is Mahomes’ most trusted go catcher, so you’ll be able to count on to listen to the 2 gamers’ names talked about in tandem rather a lot on Sunday.
Who’re the coaches?
Philadelphia Eagles’ Nick Sirianni reacts in the course of the NFC Championship NFL soccer recreation between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photograph/Matt Slocum)
Nick Sirianni took the helm for the Eagles in 2021, his first time serving as head coach. He’s labored to fill the sneakers of coach Doug Pederson, who led the group to a Tremendous Bowl victory in 2017.
Sirianni has the best successful proportion amongst energetic NFL coaches and the fifth-best in NFL historical past. Nonetheless, he’s typically ridiculed for his sideline antics that may overshadow his teaching success.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is doused after their win towards the Philadelphia Eagles on the NFL Tremendous Bowl 57 soccer recreation, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photograph/Matt Slocum, File)
The Chiefs’ Andy Reid is an NFL stalwart who’s guided the group for over a decade.
Reid isn’t any stranger to the Eagles himself. Earlier than becoming a member of the Chiefs, he coached the Eagles for 13 seasons and was essentially the most profitable within the group’s historical past. Go determine.
Regardless of main opposing groups, Reid and Sirianni have one thing in widespread: Sooner or later, Eagles followers wished them each fired.
What if soccer simply isn’t my factor?
You don’t must hold your eye on the ball to benefit from the massive recreation. Right here are some things to be careful for this yr:
Enjoyable adverts: Manufacturers are paying massive bucks to hold the nostalgia practice rolling. Former “When Harry Met Sally” costars Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal will reunite for a mayonnaise business set in Katz’s Deli, and Chrises Pratt and Hemsworth will use their bromance (final seen onscreen in “Avengers: Infinity War”) to advertise Meta’s good Ray Ban sun shades.
Kendrick Lamar performs in the course of the Competition d’ete de Quebec in Quebec Metropolis, Canada on July 7, 2017. (Photograph by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
The halftime present: 17-time Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar will headline this yr’s halftime present, persevering with his cultural domination with one other victory lap following the discharge of his chart-topping “GNX” album and decisive overcome Canadian rapper Drake in final yr’s rap beef.
Taylor Swift: Whereas it’s nearly inconceivable to know the place the famous person will likely be on any given day, she will likely be in New Orleans on Feb. 9 carrying purple to help boyfriend Travis Kelce.
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs kisses Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 2 throughout Tremendous Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures)
Betting on the sport: When you’re over 18 and in a state the place it’s authorized, you’ll be able to turn out to be one of many many tens of millions of Individuals who wager on the large recreation. And if the sport itself doesn’t curiosity you, there are tons of different proposition bets that don’t have anything to do with soccer. They might be something from what coloration the Gatorade will likely be when it’s dumped on the successful coach (a long-standing soccer custom), to how lengthy the nationwide anthem run time will likely be and whether or not Kelce will suggest to Swift on the finish of the sport. (Sure, it is a actual factor.)
