Miami, FL. - For the first time in NFL history, Pennsylvania will crown a Super Bowl champion as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles meet in Miami for the Lombardi Trophy. It's a matchup 300 miles and a world of championship experience in the making.
The Steelers (18-2) are seeking to become the first back-to-back champions since the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowls LVII and LVIII in 2023 and 2024. The Eagles (14-6) are looking to reclaim the throne they sat upon just three years ago, returning to the big game for the third time in four seasons.
One state. Two titans. One trophy.
Richardson's Quest for Immortality
Anthony Richardson entered the 2027 season with one goal: prove that last year's Super Bowl victory and MVP award were no fluke. Mission accomplished—and then some.
The back-to-back MVP completed 68% of his passes for 4,174 yards and a league-leading 48 touchdowns against just 15 interceptions. Add another 1,034 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground, and Richardson has cemented himself as the most dangerous dual-threat quarterback in football.
"He's playing at a level we haven't seen since peak Lamar Jackson, maybe even better," Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said this week. "He can beat you in so many ways. The scrambles, the deep ball, the red zone efficiency—there's no weakness."
Richardson's supporting cast is equally formidable. Rookie sensation Ryan Williams capped his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign with 95 receptions for 1,144 yards and 16 touchdowns. DK Metcalf remains one of the league's premier deep threats with 80 catches for 1,413 yards and 19 scores, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Running back Quinshon Judkins provides a punishing ground game with 1,053 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The result? The NFL's highest-scoring offense at 39.5 points per game and the league's most dominant rushing attack at 186.2 yards per contest.
"We're not just trying to win another Super Bowl," Richardson said after the AFC Championship Game. "We're trying to build something that lasts. Dynasties aren't built on one ring."
Hurts' Redemption Tour
If Richardson is chasing history, Jalen Hurts is chasing redemption.
This will be Hurts' fourth Super Bowl appearance in six seasons—a remarkable run of sustained excellence. He led the Eagles to victory in Super Bowl LIX following the 2024 season, then returned in 2025 only to fall to the Baltimore Ravens in a heartbreaking defeat.
Now, at 29 years old and in his prime, Hurts has another chance to capture championship glory.
"I've been here before. I know what it takes," Hurts said. "But every Super Bowl is different. Every journey is unique. This team has fought through adversity all season, and we're not done yet."
Hurts has been excellent in 2027, throwing for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns against 12 interceptions while adding another 361 yards and 5 scores on the ground. His favorite target, AJ Brown, has been reliable as always with 78 catches for 870 yards, though injuries to Devonta Smith (dislocated knee) have complicated Philadelphia's receiving depth chart.
The real story of Philadelphia's offense, however, has been the continued brilliance of Saquon Barkley. The NFC Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 1,521 yards and 16 touchdowns, providing the Eagles with a every-down workhorse who can take over games when needed.
"Saquon is the best back in football, period," Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen said. "He can run between the tackles, bounce it outside, catch passes—he's a nightmare to game plan for."
Clash of Styles
This Super Bowl presents a fascinating stylistic matchup. Pittsburgh's explosive, high-octane offense against Philadelphia's more balanced, methodical attack. The Steelers' opportunistic defense against the Eagles' bend-but-don't-break approach.
Pittsburgh ranks first in scoring offense (39.5 PPG) but 15th in scoring defense (22.9 PPG allowed). The Eagles are second in scoring offense (28.1 PPG) but 21st in scoring defense (23.2 PPG allowed). Translation: expect points. Lots of them.
The Steelers' defense, led by two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt (18 sacks), excels at getting after the quarterback and forcing turnovers. Watt, Patrick Queen (12 sacks), and a secondary anchored by Joey Porter Jr. have suffocated opposing passing attacks all season, ranking first in the league in pass defense (200.6 yards allowed per game).
Philadelphia's defense, meanwhile, has struggled against the pass (26th in pass defense) but remains stout against the run (9th in rush defense). Jalen Carter (10.5 sacks) and Nolan Smith Jr. (9 sacks) provide interior pressure, but the secondary has been vulnerable—a concerning sign facing Richardson's deep-ball prowess.
The Injury Factor
The Eagles enter Super Bowl LXII significantly banged up. Starting receiver Devonta Smith is week-to-week with a dislocated knee and is questionable for the game. Tight end Dallas Goedert (broken thumb), safety Sydney Brown (dislocated ankle), edge rusher AJ Epenesa (fractured shoulder blade), and right tackle Roger Rosengarten (PCL sprain) are all dealing with various ailments.
The Steelers, by contrast, are virtually at full strength—a significant advantage in a game where depth and execution will be paramount.
"We've been beat up all year," Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said. "That's playoff football. Whoever wants it more, whoever executes better, that's who wins. Simple as that."
Roads to Miami
The Steelers navigated a brutal playoff gauntlet, piecing together a thrilling 21-point comeback against Buffalo in the Wild Card round before dismantling Denver 38-22 in the Divisional Round. Their crowning achievement came in the AFC Championship Game, where they traveled to Houston and ended the Texans' perfect season with a dominant 45-31 victory at NRG Stadium.
The Eagles' road was equally impressive, winning three consecutive road playoff games. They dispatched Carolina 28-9 in the Wild Card round, upset hated rival Dallas 27-17 in the Divisional Round, then traveled to Los Angeles and knocked off the top-seeded Rams 28-21 in the NFC Championship Game. It's a battle-tested team that knows how to win away from home.
The Tomlin Factor
This will be Mike Tomlin's fourth Super Bowl appearance as a head coach, seeking his third championship ring. If the Steelers prevail, Tomlin will join Bill Belichick, Chuck Noll, and Bill Walsh as the only coaches with three or more Super Bowl victories.
"Coach Tomlin has been here before, and that matters," Richardson said. "He knows what it takes. He knows how to prepare us. We trust him completely."
Sirianni, meanwhile, is 1-2 in Super Bowl appearances and seeking to establish his own legacy among the coaching elite.
The Stakes
For Pittsburgh, it's about cementing a dynasty. Back-to-back championships would validate Richardson's status as one of the game's all-time greats and solidify this era of Steelers football as one of the franchise's most dominant.
For Philadelphia, it's about redemption and resilience. After falling short on their own repeat two years ago, the Eagles have battled through injuries, close losses, and questions about their toughness all season long.
"Pennsylvania football has always been about grit, toughness, and pride," Hurts said. "Two teams from the same state, fighting for the biggest prize in sports. It doesn't get any better than this."
One team will return home a champion. The other will face a long offseason of what-ifs.
The entire football world will be watching.
