Love them or hate them, the Chiefs are the biggest show in the NFL right now

Peter Schrager

NFL Insider & NFL Reporter

THE HOWARD STERN COROLLARY

I feel the entire Chiefs “fatigue” storyline that plagued the airwaves per week in the past is misguided. And the sensation that this 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl lacks “buzz” is slightly absurd.

It is the freaking Tremendous Bowl and that is the primary time now we have an opportunity to see the NFL’s first Tremendous Bowl three-peat champion in historical past, and whether or not you want Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the complete Kelce household tree (and its many, many tentacles, i.e. Taylor Swift) — you must at the very least respect the historic significance. An NFL document 57 million Individuals tuned into Payments-Chiefs showdown within the AFC Championship Sport. That does not imply 57 million Individuals like Mahomes, Kelce and Swift. It signifies that 57 million Individuals wished to look at.

In 1997, the film “Non-public Elements,” the movie primarily based on the Howard Stern’s best-selling e-book, hit cinemas and was a nationwide sensation. In a pivotal scene, an exasperated station operator — the appropriately nicknamed “Pig Vomit” (performed by Paul Giamatti) — asks a researcher to do an evaluation of Howard Stern’s recognition. I copy and pasted the following change from IMDB.com:

Researcher: The typical radio listener listens for eighteen minutes. The typical Howard Stern fan listens for – are you prepared for this? – an hour and twenty minutes.
Pig Vomit: How can that be?
Researcher: Reply mostly given? “I wish to see what he’ll say subsequent.”
Pig Vomit: Okay, nice. However what in regards to the individuals who hate Stern?
Researcher: Good level. The typical Stern hater listens for 2 and a half hours a day.
Pig Vomit: However… in the event that they hate him, why do they pay attention?
Researcher: Commonest reply? “I wish to see what he’ll say subsequent.”

This scene can be utilized to explain the Chiefs’ monster TV scores. Ask anybody exterior of Kansas Metropolis (and FS1’s Nick Wright and film star Paul Rudd and myself), and so they’ll inform you they’re simply sick of this crew. And Kelce’s brother. And Kelce’s brother’s household. And Swift. And Swift’s household. And “Bundle-Rooski.” And on and on and on. Properly, those self same people who find themselves sick of them … are watching. And possibly it is to see their final demise. Perhaps it is as a result of they’re hoping to see Mahomes give a resigned nod of the pinnacle and a shake of the hand to a quarterback lining up other than him.

Nevertheless it hasn’t been the case since Joe Burrow did it in January 2022. Mahomes has since overwhelmed the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Josh Allen (twice), Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, and C.J. Stroud. In complete, solely two quarterbacks in NFL historical past have overwhelmed Mahomes in a playoff recreation; the aforementioned Burrow and Tom Brady, who did it twice.

Love them (it seems like there’s an awfully lot much less of those people) or hate them (whats up to the remainder of you), the Chiefs are the most important present on the town proper now. And if the promoting gross sales numbers or TV scores inform any form of story, Kansas Metropolis continues to be good enterprise for the NFL.

Why the Chiefs “fatigue” narrative is perhaps overblown heading into Tremendous Bowl LIX.

THE OTHER DISCARDED NEW YORK FIRST-ROUNDER

Sure, Saquon Barkley would be the huge headline of discarded New York first-round skills making his former crew’s followers weep as he begins in a Tremendous Bowl. However Mekhi Becton has fairly a narrative, too. You may’t essentially blame the Jets for shifting on from Becton in free company a 12 months in the past.

After a promising rookie season — during which he was drafted earlier than perennial All-Professional Tristan Wirfs — Becton battled weight points, accidents and antagonistic Jets followers on-line for the majority of his New York profession. He had two separate main knee accidents, and when requested, stated he’d slightly not transfer to proper deal with earlier than his closing season with the Jets. So he wasn’t re-signed or given an extension, and as a substitute, signed a minimal cope with the Philadelphia Eagles.

In Philadelphia, he discovered the coach he’d lengthy been lacking. Jeff Stoutland, the professor of the famed Stoutland U, and one of the best offensive line in NFL historical past, naturally took the troubled Becton beneath his wing and turned him right into a dominant offensive guard for one of the best working crew within the NFC. Becton — who stands at 6-foot-7 and weighs effectively over 350 kilos — had by no means performed offensive guard in his life.

“It is fairly humorous to me that I am the place I am at, and so they’re the place they’re at,” Becton stated of the Jets final week, according to the New York Post.

“I am the identical participant I’ve all the time been,” Becton stated. “It is nothing totally different. I simply did not have the assist like I’ve now. I really feel like if you happen to give someone assist and uplift them — and never tear them down day-after-day — they’re going to go carry out like they’ll.”

His star teammate Barkley received the headlines this season, however the Becton story is one which’s a testomony to each the participant’s dedication to proving his former employer mistaken, and the ability of a greater NFL constructing.

Mekhi Becton has turned his profession round in Philadelphia.

PACHECO CHASING HISTORY, TOO

Isiah Pacheco is not essentially the most well-known working again on this recreation. And his story would possibly rank third in sexiness stepping into, when in comparison with Saquon Barkley’s quest for a Lombardi Trophy and Chiefs teammate Kareem Hunt’s full circle story with KC. However Pacheco, a seventh-round draft decide from two years in the past, has some historical past to make, too.

If he will get the nod within the beginning lineup on Sunday, Pacheco will grow to be the primary working again in NFL historical past to begin within the Tremendous Bowl his first three years within the league. He is already the primary working again in NFL historical past to begin and win Tremendous Bowls in his first two years within the league. Pacheco’s story is one among redemption and perseverance, too. In September, Pacheco fractured his fibula and missed Weeks 3-12. His departure from the lineup opened the door to for Hunt’s re-entry to the crew. When Pacheco went down, Hunt referred to as Andy Reid, himself, and stated he wished one other shot and was prepared.

Pacheco’s again, and although Hunt has acquired the majority of the carries the previous two weeks, do not for a second assume Pacheco will not play a job within the Tremendous Bowl. Pacheco has been affected person, however his quantity will probably be referred to as. Simply wait.

Isiah Pacheco is one step away from Tremendous Bowl historical past on Sunday.

BUSIEST MAN OF THE WEEK

It is not Mahomes, Hurts or Tom Brady, who will little doubt have his fingers full. It is Submit Malone. Per sources, Posty will probably be performing a present Thursday night time in New Orleans. He’ll be performing Saturday on the Fanatics occasion hosted by Michael Rubin. And he is additionally performing on the NFL’s official tailgate occasion earlier than the Tremendous Bowl. Life is sweet for Posty. Let’s hope his voice makes it by means of the weekend.

SUPER BOWL STAT OF THE WEEK

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has an 0-8 document in opposition to Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback whom he’ll face on Sunday in Tremendous Bowl LIX.

Peter Schrager is an NFL Insider for FOX Sports activities and a number of “Good Morning Soccer” on NFL Community. You may observe him on Twitter at @PSchrags.