It's here. Full Super Bowl LIX coverage inside...
We're live. Links to all stories, all podcasts are inside.
NEW ORLEANS — Greetings from the Superdome. The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will clash right here tonight for NFL supremacy. I think all fatigue clouding this matchup has officially faded — fans can objectively enjoy what should be an exceptional game.
There’s star power. There’s history on the line. It’s almost impossible to imagine this game not boiling down to the final possession.
We’ve got you covered these final hours before kickoff.
Links to all stories and all podcasts from the week in New Orleans are below.
Thank you for fueling everything at Go Long. You are the reason we’re able to stay completely independent, ad-free and attend Super Bowl LIX.
Also: Be sure to download the Substack app and turn notifications on to join our Gameday Chat as we get closer to kickoff. We’ll break the game down, and I’ll also be sure to share the sights and sounds from the stadium — Mahomes to Saquon to Kendrick Lamar. Go Long is positioned right at midfield.
His X's and O's are both funky and ruthless. And yet? That’s not what makes him the NFL’s best defensive coordinator. Here's how Steve Spagnuolo created a defense that lives for nut-cutting time. Wondering why Kansas City makes The play in The moment? It’s no accident with “Spags” at the controls.
The Legend of 'Spags'
NEW ORLEANS — First comes the evil smile. All commentary 1,232 miles north in Orchard Park, NY might as well be sweet jazz playing in the ears of Kansas City Chiefs players and coaches. Yes, it’s true. Steve Spagnuolo set up the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game — exactly as O’Cyrus Torrence
He thought the Buffalo Bills were going to draft him. Instead, the rookie has a chance to be “DeSean Jackson” and/or “Tyreek Hill” in Kansas City. How did the NFL let this happen? We chat with the wide receiver and his coach, Connor Embree, at length to piece together the back story. We may forever look back and wonder how in the hell 31 teams allowed Andy Reid to get his hands on the man who ran the fastest 40 time ever.
Scorched Earth: Xavier Worthy is only getting started with the Kansas City Chiefs
NEW ORLEANS — The visit, in his mind, was a smashing success. Xavier Worthy was designated one of the Buffalo Bills’ Top 30 visits ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft and the team made it abundantly clear they were in the market for a wide receiver. On his visit, he was joined by Florida State wideout Keon Coleman and others.
Remember when this team was about to light itself on fire? Today, the Eagles will play in Super Bowl LIX. Players explain in detail how they were able to right the ship. The key: fearlessness. Howie Roseman just keeps swinging on “red flags,” and the culture works itself out over time… with a few road bumps along the way. Fine lessons to glean for other teams in contention.
Talent vs. Vibes: How the Philadelphia Eagles avoided an 'avalanche' to get to Super Bowl LIX
NEW ORLEANS — Loss to damning loss, confusion deepened. The Philadelphia Eagles’ 2023 season was caving in and players couldn’t point to one obvious root cause. That’s what was most frustrating. Reed Blankenship’s brain is still boggled.
How did Philly's pass defense do a total 180? On Opening Night at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Go Long chatted with the coach central to the development of rookies Quinyon Mitchell & Cooper DeJean. This team’s secret weapon is a 33-year-old defensive backs coach who’ll likely be running his own defense very soon.
The Philadelphia Eagles' secret weapon is Christian Parker
NEW ORLEANS — The 33-year-old assistant coach isn’t a main attraction on the marquee. Inside the Superdome on “Opening Night” for Super Bowl LIX, mobs of cameras flock toward the big draws: Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts and Travis Kelce
Where in the hell did this come from? Four years into his career, Zack Baun was just a special teams player in New Orleans who couldn’t crack into the lineup. This year, he’s the best linebacker in the sport. A stunning ascent.
The Mystery of Zack Baun, the Eagles’ 2024 wrecking ball
NEW ORLEANS — Back where he spent his first four years in the NFL, nothing makes sense. The player who struck the NFC like a meteor this 2024 season has no clear and obvious explanation for his own carnage. Zack Baun turned a modest one-year, $3.5 million pact with the Philadelphia Eagles into one of the best seasons we’ve seen at in…
Does he gets calls from officials? Sure. But it's obvious the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has crawled into the brains of opponents. He's the mountain you must climb. He's special. He’s Tiger Woods in his prime with no serial cheating in sight. (Bad news for everyone else.)
Embrace Greatness. Embrace Patrick Mahomes.
Granted, it was always foolish to outright hate the New England Patriots. But those screaming profanities at their TV screens every January could at least pinpoint a source of furor. Be it a character or a controversy. The Darth Vader head coach, who seemed miserable 24/7. The quarterback, whose life was too good to be true. People never hid…
Great work Tyler. As Always.
Thanks for sharing Your Talents Sir. 👏🙇🏈📝
Game was bad