We are just a few days out from Super Bowl LVII and all the buzz is revolving around the huge playmakers like Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes. While those two are gamebreakers, there are other key matchups that could decide the outcome of the game. Here are four matchups to keep an eye on during Super Bowl LVII.

Chris Jones vs Eagles Interior Offensive Line

I recently wrote how Chris Jones has a legitimate shot at winning Defensive Player of the Year. Over 17 regular season games, the dominant defensive lineman tallied 15.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles. He now has his most ferocious foe: the Eagles interior offensive line. While Jones does lineup in multiple different techniques outside of the interior from 4i-technique to wide 7-technique, he plays the majority of the snaps in the interior. Philly has one of the league’s best centers in Jason Kelce who hasn’t allowed a sack all year. At left guard, Philly has Landon Dickerson who has allowed one sack and Isaac Seumalo at right guard who has allowed one sack this season. That’s two sacks for three players over 19 games.

The Super Bowl could be decided purely off this matchup. If Khalen Saunders lines up as a 3-technique, this makes life easier for Philly. Saunders has only 3.5 sacks this season and if he’s at 3-tech, then either Landon Dickerson or Isaac Seumalo can solo him in pass protection or the run game. Now if Jones moves to the 3-technique, then I’d still say that Philadelphia philosophy should be to solo Saunders in the run game and double Jones with one of the guards and Kelce. In the pass game, Dickerson or Seumalo should jump set Saunders in the 1 technique and Kelce can slide to the 3-technique Jones.

While that could work out for Philly, Jones is an animal. He’s shown that he can transition power to speed or speed to power in the pass game. He goes from bullrush to rip or long arm to swim. In the run game, Jones is dominant at splitting double teams. I’m pumped for this matchup.

Orlando Brown vs Haason Reddick

Last time Kansas City was in the Super Bowl, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the Chiefs offensive line. Absolutely dominated them. Their front office saw that and they went out and revamped their offensive line by signing Joe Thuney, drafting Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey, and trading for Orlando Brown. Now, Brown will have a huge matchup with the NFLs sack leader Haason Reddick.

Reddick dominated against San Francisco, but the issue was that the 49ers had tight ends trying to block Reddick. Just a bonehead move. He bends very well around the edge almost grabbing grass as he’s dipping shoulder to maneuver offensive tackles and tight ends. He’s not a great power rusher, but he works his hands like a true technician and kills tackles with speed. What works to his benefit is that he uses speed so much that tackles will abandon their technique and try to stop his speed move. By doing that, tackles will open their shoulders and alter their footwork. This now allows Reddick to work an inside rip or hump move to work the inside path. He carries a plethora of pass rush moves that are tough to stop.

Brown has been solid this season. He allowed 4 sacks in the regular season, but hasn’t allowed one this postseason. What concerns me is even though he has a large frame, Brown is a bit flat-footed in his pass protection and a tad robotic. He’ll have to take bigger kick steps or flatter angles to prevent Reddick from speed rushing up field. Brown will also have to be wary of his inside move and not abandon his traditional technique.

James Bradberry vs JuJu Smith-Schuster

The signing of James Bradberry this offseason has proven to be a great one. Philly added the All-Pro cornerback on a 1-year, 7.5 million dollar deal and he’s been elite. On the other side though, JuJu Smith-Schuster emerged as Mahomes’ favorite wide receiver option this season. This is a huge matchup.

During the regular season, Bradberry has held top receivers like Justin Jefferson and Deebo Samuel under 50 yards. He’s tallied 49 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 19 pass breakups this season. Bradberry has great hips and is pretty solid in any coverage whether Jonathan Gannon puts them in zone, man, or if Bradberry’s playing bump and run over deep thirds. In addition, Bradberry is really great at contesting deep passes. That might be what he’s best at. Most of the time the Samford alum will bat the ball away, but he’ll go up and contend a pass and pick it off.

For JuJu Smith-Schuster, he might struggle in his matchup with Bradberry due to his size. Bradberry is a taller corner standing the same height as Schuster, 6’1. On the other hand, Schuster is a good route runner. He’s made his bones between five and fifteen yards running whip routes, digs, and slants. I don’t think Schuster scores because he’s struggled to find pay dirt, but he could work Bradberry and tally five or six catches with solid RAC.

George Karlaftis vs Jordan Mailata

The biggest matchups in this game are coming in the trenches. An underrated one will be the rookie George Karlaftis vs Jordan Mailata. With Chris Jones receiving a great deal of attention, George Karlaftis will benefit and it could be a tough day for Mailata being on an island. Or, Mailata could be able to stone wall the Purdue alum with his massive frame.

Karlaftis had a great rookie season as he tallied 35 tackles, 7 sacks, and 7 pass deflections. He’s prone to using power moves and setting up alternative moves through his power. He’ll start games off by using two hand bull rushes and then once a tackle decides that he’s done getting blown back, he’ll switch to a two hand shuck. This has become affective for Karlaftis because he gets the tackles to lean and extend their arms to halt his bull rush and he simply swipes their hands away. I do have one concern. Karlaftis hasn’t been great vs elite tackles. When he’s battled good tackles like Trent Williams, Tristan Wirfs, and Braden Smith, he’s been shut down. Mailata is a good player.

Mailata is massive. Massive may even be an understatement. He stands at 6’8, 365 pounds. For that size, he moves pretty smooth. With that being said, he allowed 6 sacks in the regular season, but improved in the postseason having allowed none in the playoffs. What gives Mailata an advantage is that his arms are a lot longer than Karlaftis. Mailatas arms are 35.5″ inches while Karlaftis’ are 32.5″ inches. With this type of advantage, Mailata may be able to suppress the power moves from Karlaftis.