Kansas City, Missouri. It’s likely that Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones will be crying when the opening notes of the national anthem are sung during Sunday’s Super Bowl and Louisianan Jon Batiste begins his performance.
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It doesn’t occur in every game. However, it appears to occur for every major game.
But those tears are not quite what they appear to be. Jones isn’t driven to tears by his excessive patriotism. Jones isn’t nostalgically remembering all the friends or relatives who have helped him get to the top of his career, nor is he reminiscing about some corny moment from his early years in Houston, Mississippi.
No, those tears are actually angry ones.
A brief tale. The film 300 was what I was viewing. You know, it’s one of my favorite films. Some of them start crying just before they go into battle because they are so angry. Jones clarified this week that they are going to war. When playing football, I truly enter that mindset, such as, “I might not make it home tonight,” even though I know I’ll make it home, but I also know I’m going to battle. There will be bloodshed. It will become physical. Maybe I won’t make it. Maybe I’ll make it.
Jones stated, “I have to put myself in that mindframe,” during the playing of the national anthem.
According to Jones, the first time he shed a tear was during his debut in the AFC title game, where the Patriots defeated Kansas City in overtime. Since then, he has been the target of TV cameras during The Star-Spangled Banner, knowing that they will probably get a supposedly moving moment before the heat of combat starts.
In a way, I’m also going back and reviewing all the challenges I had along the way. Jones went on to reflect on all of that manifesting. I’m so furious that tears start to fall. I’m experiencing a wide range of emotions. I can recall anything (bad) that someone said, such as three weeks ago. I simply have a lot of feelings.
Jones’ ability to bring about a particular mindset has undoubtedly been successful.
The three-time All-Pro defensive lineman inked a five-year, $158.75 million contract after winning his third Super Bowl ring the previous season, which might guarantee Jones spends the rest of his career in Kansas City. After being selected in the second round of the 2016 draft, he has been outstanding practically from the start, making it to the Pro Bowl each of the previous six seasons.
He is the best defensive player in football, according to Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who has faced him many times.
Brady remarked, “He is as dynamic as they come.”
Jones, 30, only recorded five sacks this season, which is a somewhat low number considering that he has previously had seasons of 15 1/2. However, statistics only tell a portion of the tale. Because the rest of the Kansas City defense was exploiting open routes to the quarterback while Jones was being double- and triple-teamed and his sack number was dropping.
George Karlaftis, a defensive end, recorded three additional sacks in a divisional-round victory over the Texans, adding to his eight sack total from the regular season. Tershawn Wharton, a defensive tackle, got six sacks, which was almost twice as many as he had in his previous four NFL seasons.
According to K.C. defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Chris is having an impact on the game even when it doesn’t seem like it.
Additionally, he will be in the thick of things for the Super Bowl.
When facing Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who has had an even more remarkable postseason after establishing a record during the regular season, Jones will be the first line of defense.
He will be in charge of applying pressure to Jalen Hurts, who has occasionally performed poorly under pressure this season.
Additionally, Jones, Wharton, and the rest of the Kansas City defensive line will be responsible for driving the Eagles back in short-yardage situations when they line up for their notorious and seemingly invincible tush push.
We only desired the chance to arrive here. Jones declared, “We’re here.” We need to seal the deal now.
— AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta
What TV channel is Super Bowl 2025 on today? Is Kansas City vs. Eagles streaming?
What: LIX (Super Bowl 59)
Who: Kansas City versus. Philadelphia Eagles | 2025 playoff bracket
Kendrick Lamar with special guests during the halftime show
When: February 9, 2025, Sunday. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT), with coverage starting at 2:30 p.m.
Where: New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome
TV network: Fox or on-demand streaming. By using the channel finders for well-known providers such as Comcast Xfinity, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, and Optimum/Altice, you may learn more about which channel Fox is on in your area.
You can see this game locally on your Fox affiliate if you have an HDTV antenna. This HDTV antenna is now the best-selling HDTV antenna product on Amazon, so if you need one right away, purchase one. It ships fast with Prime and costs about $20.
How to watch live or on-demand streaming: You can still watch this game live for free without cable if you have DirecTV Stream or Fubo (free trial). You can watch the game on Fox Sports Live by logging in using your provider details if you currently have a cable or satellite subscription.
Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Eagles game spread, latest betting odds
Spread of points: PHI: +1.5 | KC: -1.5
Above/Below: 48.5
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