Sports

Field Conditions At Super Bowl LIX In New Orleans Deny Philadelphia Eagles From Making Excuses

by Last Updated
Chiefs Eagles Super Bowl Field Controversy
© Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Eagles used field conditions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale as an excuse for their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at the Super Bowl in 2023. They will be unable to do so again at the Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday.

However, there is reason to discuss the playing surface that could have a small impact on the outcome.

This dialogue first began two years ago when Philadelphia lost to Kansas City by three in Super Bowl LVII. There was major controversy surrounding the natural grass field on which the game was played. A large number of players — on both teams — complained about slipping. Travis Kelce specifically warned his teammates about specific spots.

Hey, the paint’s slippery! Be under control in the paint!

— Travis Kelce, via NFL Films

It was a real problem.

Although the Chiefs and Eagles played on the same field, data showed that it had a greater impact on the latter than the former. The numbers actually back it up.

  • The Eagles’ defense had a player slip on 38% of Patrick Mahomes’ dropbacks — five times they had multiple slippages.
  • The Chiefs’ defense had a player slip on only 14% of Jalen Hurts’ dropbacks — with no multiples
— Ollie Connolly

Tight end Dallas Goedert straight up blamed the slippery grass for the loss.

If the field was better, and if we were playing on turf, I’m taking us 10 out of 10.

— Dallas Goedert

Defensive end Brandon Graham did not go quite as far as Goedert but he expressed the same general sentiment.

I’m telling you… that O-line, they got blessed. I’ll say that.

— Brandon Graham

The controversy became so significant that even the NFL issued a statement. It offered a flimsy excuse for the Super Bowl LVII turf debacle while ‘The Sodfather’ denied any responsibility for the field conditions and deflected blame right back on the league.

That was two years ago. Kansas City has since won a second Super Bowl in a row and will play for a historic three-peat on Sunday. Philadelphia wants to stop history in its tracks.

And, unlike the first meeting between them, a slippery field is not an excuse. The Superdome is turf.

Goedert said the Eagles would’ve won Super Bowl LVII on turf. He is still on the team so Super Bowl LIX offers him and his team a chance to back up their complaints. Was it really the slippery field?

Although field conditions at the Superdome do not seem to pose an issue like State Farm Stadium two years ago, there is something to watch according to boots on the ground. It is hard.

Will the losing team use a hard field as an excuse for the loss? We will find out on Sunday!