Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, two of the most successful coordinators in NFL history, traded defensive stops in Arrowhead in a repeat of last year's Super Bowl.
Steve Spagnuolo has won four Super Bowls as a defensive coordinator. He's the only coordinator in NFL history to win four in that role.
He is also the only coordinator to win Super Bowls with two different franchises (Giants and Chiefs). Spagnuolo will go down as one of the greatest defensive minds in NFL history.
Vic Fangio’s legacy as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator is a testament to his brilliance as one of the NFL’s most innovative and respected defensive minds. With over four decades of coaching experience, Fangio has left an indelible mark on the game.
Fangio’s 2024 season, capped by a Super Bowl LIX victory, silenced critics and fulfilled a lifelong dream. Eagles fans and players view him as a cornerstone of their success, with many arguing he deserves consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In the week 2 matchup between the Eagles and Chiefs, Fangio did a Spags impersonation.
Whether it was in the original gameplan or in a game adjustment, Fangio pressured on 30% of the dropbacks by Patrick Mahomes.
Fangio started the game like any other game with four man rush after four man rush.
But when Mahomes gashed the defense with scrambles of 11, 7, and 22 yards, Fangio turned up the heat by adding linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Zack Baun to the pass rush.
Standout rookie safety Andrew Mukuba had 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, half a sack, and a crucial interception.
The Mukuba pick was a result of 1 of Vic's five man pressures that isolated defensive tackle Jalen Carter 1 on 1 and allowed him to get quick pressure and force Mahomes to throw it earlier than he would have liked.
Mahomes finished the first half 2 for 6 for 19 yards. He was pressured on five of seven blitzes and was sacked once. The Eagles held the Chiefs to under 300 total yards in the game and won 20-17.
It was an epic battle of the NFL's greatest defensive minds that resulted in a physical game of defensive dominance.