Super Bowl LIX is shaping up to be an iconic collision between an unstoppable force and an immovable object.

Much of the build-up will center on the Philadelphia Eagles working out how to stop Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes from taking over yet another game.

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Barkley holds the keys to victory in the Super Bowl[/caption]

But it could be another matchup that decides the contest as Saquon Barkley pits his season for the ages against Chiefs assistant Steve Spagnolo – possibly the greatest defensive mind in the NFL.

Barkley joined the Eagles as a free agent last summer and racked up 2,005 yards in the regular season – 100 shy of the record Eric Dickerson set with the Los Angeles Rams in 1984.

He has already added 442 in three postseason contests and needs just 30 to surpass Terrell Davis’ all-time high of 2,476 yards from the Denver Broncos‘ Super Bowl-winning campaign of 1998.

Barring injury, that mark should not be a problem.

Barkley broke Wilbert Montgomery’s record for most 100-yard games in a season with 11 and has hit a century in nine of his last 10 appearances.

He had 60 with his first play of the victory over the Washington Commanders that sent the Eagles to the Super Bowl.

But repeating the feat could prove an issue against a stout Chiefs D that Spagnuolo has led since 2019.

In his time as defensive coordinator, Kansas City has never given up a 100-yard rushing game to a player in the postseason.

“Here’s the deal, plain and simple,” said NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt. “We have the greatest defensive coordinator of this era vs one of the greatest running back seasons ever.

“What’s it gonna be? I don’t think the Eagles can win this game if Saquon doesn’t get 100 yards. I really don’t. I think the Chiefs defense is that good.

“I think (Jalen) Hurts is good in the passing game. I respect it, but Saquon is the best player on their team. If we look up and he’s got 87 yards, 92 yards, 99 yards, I think the Chiefs are gonna win.

“Something’s got to give. Spags has never given it up. Nobody can stop Saquon. Which one’s it gonna be?”

Leonard Fournette’s 89 yards in Super Bowl LV is currently the most Spagnuolo’s defense has given up in the postseason.

Encouragingly for the Eagles, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won that game 31-9 as Mahomes threw two picks and zero touchdowns.

But this Chiefs team is a different animal as they chase an unprecedented third consecutive championship – a run that started by beating the Eagles in 2023.

Jalen Hurts ran for 70 yards and three scores that day – putting in a phenomenal performance in a 38-35 defeat.

Kenneth Gainwell, Miles Sanders and Boston Scott combined for just 45 yards in the backfield.

If the Eagles cannot get Barkley rolling downhill, they could be in for a long day.

Everybody knows the gameplan, the question is, can Spagnuolo do what nobody else could and stop it.

Barkley had 15 carries for 118 yards and three touchdowns against the Commanders and almost had another after being stopped on the one-yard line.

He will not care what the numbers say as long as he gets his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

“Should’ve been four, right?” Barkley said after the NFC Championship Game win. “The beauty of that is you don’t reach there (for the end zone). It’s all about the team.”

“It was fun to be out there, see the confetti, and things you envision.

“For me, though, I’ve never been (to the Super Bowl), but I’ve been there so many times in my head, so it’s kind of expected.”

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