The Super Bowl is in reruns.
Yes, it’s a rematch of the same game we saw just two years ago. But these are two teams we’re well-accustomed to watching in the Super Bowl. This will be Philadelphia’s third Super Bowl in the last decade and Kansas City’s fifth.
The same two teams have not faced each other again so soon in the Super Bowl since the consecutive-year rematch between the Bills and Cowboys in the 27th and 28th editions of this game.
Will the Chiefs make history with three straight? Or will Philadelphia win its second in seven years, and the first for Jalen Hurts and Jamestown native coach Nick Sirianni?
CONNOR JACKSONUgh, the Chiefs again. And we are starting to see the Eagles in the Super Bowl too often as well. Still, these two elite teams deserve to be here, and it should be a good game. The Chiefs’ offensive numbers were significantly worse this season than they were in the rest of Mahomes’ tenure, but they still went 15-2 and are somehow the same dominant Chiefs. The Eagles are capable of overwhelming their opponent into submission before halftime. They are talented and big all over the field, and I’m not sure if Kansas City is ready for it. When they get a lead, they tend to hold it with Saquan Barkley toting the rock. It will be good against good all over the field, and it might come down to what coach can put together the better gameplan. A lot of history is at stake with Kansas City having the chance to be the first team ever to win three straight titles. Patrick Mahomes’ clutch play has seemingly picked up right where Tom Brady left off, let’s see if he can do something that not even TB12 could do. People always say not to pick against the Chiefs, but I believe in the Eagles.
Eagles 32, Chiefs 21
SAM WILSONPat Riley might get to cash in on Sunday.
The Hall of Fame basketball coach and executive owns the trademark to “three-peat” … despite the fact that none of his teams have actually won three championships in a row. Back in 1988, after his “Showtime” Lakers won back-to-back NBA championships, Riley obtained the trademark as they set out to win a third in 1989, but they were swept by the Pistons in the Finals that year. Riley’s company reportedly reached a deal with the NFL to sell three-peat merch if the Chiefs leave New Orleans with another trophy.
There, of course, have been actual three-peats in the NBA (most recently Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers), MLB (lastly the end-of-century Yankees) and NHL (not since the 80s Islanders). But never in the NFL. No one’s gotten this close: Tom Brady’s Patriots, Troy Aikman’s Cowboys and Terry Bradshaw’s Steelers all failed to make the Super Bowl the year after winning back-to-back. Even the Packers didn’t make it back after Vince Lombardi stepped down as coach following the second Super Bowl.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles came awfully close to beating Patrick Mahomes and KC last time. He has Saquon Barkley at his side now. You’d think that would give me confidence to pick Philly. Somehow, it doesn’t.
But my word to the wise on the many Chiefs haters in our midst: if you think games are “rigged,” bet on them to win (modest sums only, of course). Either you’ll win a few bucks, or you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Chiefs 34, Eagles 30
JP BUTLEROn Thursday night, I jokingly texted my brothers asking them what they were going to watch in lieu of Super Bowl 59.
(My personal preference, I said, is reruns of Alf and Bewitched.)
Except, I wasn’t actually joking.
This year, I’ll be watching the I Love Lucy episode in which she and Ethel buy a large amount of meat and try to hide it from their husbands by putting it in the furnace, only to have Fred turn the oven on and cook the meat, over “the big game.” Why? Let me count the ways.
I’m among the thousands (millions?) suffering from “Chiefs fatigue.” This current Kansas City run is easily more insufferable than any stretch of the Patriots’ dynasty. This is a team, after all, that has played in seven-straight AFC Championships, reached five of the last six Super Bowls and could well become the first in NFL history to three-peat. I’m also extremely bitter after AGAIN watching the Bills fail to get by the Chiefs in the playoffs (you’re telling me that neither Buffalo’s third- nor fourth-down effort right at the line was good enough for a first down? Really?)
It’s also the exact same matchup from two years ago, when Kansas City had already begun its transition to NFL villain and the Eagles had become mostly unlikeable due to their high-priced roster and a coach who’s too often displayed an unmeritorious arrogance.
So, no, I’ll be watching Matlock while the Chiefs execute their black magic once more.
Chiefs 23, Eagles 21
COREY DIETEMANThe Philadelphia Eagles don’t have history on their side entering Super Bowl 59. The Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs become the sixth rematch within a 10-year span in Super Bowl history. In each previous instance, the team that won the first meeting also won the second.
The last time these two teams met, they provided us with one of the more entertaining Super Bowls in recent years. It was a back-and-forth game that went right down to the wire, with Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker making a game-winning field goal with 8 seconds left. One of the biggest challenges for both teams in that game was the slippery grass field in Arizona. While Kansas City managed to adjust, Philadelphia struggled with its footing.
This time, the turf won’t be an issue with it being held indoors on turf at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. And I feel like this could make all the difference this time. The Eagles’ core roster remains largely intact but has been bolstered by key additions, including running back Saquon Barkley, linebacker Zack Baun and rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
I still fully expect this game to be a one-score game because that is the Chiefs way this season. But I feel the Eagles’ talent on both the offensive and defensive lines, combined with their skill-position players, may prove too much for Kansas City’s defense.
Eagles 31, Chiefs 30
ANDY CLOSEIt’s the Super Bowl not a lot of people wanted, but here we are. The Chiefs are aiming for history, attempting to become the first franchise to win three consecutive Super Bowls. For the second time in three years, the Eagles stand in their way. Across the board, I think the Eagles have one of the most talented teams I’ve ever seen. They are not just good, but elite at almost every position on both sides of the ball. On defense, all three levels are excellent. Offensively, they have the best back in the league in Saquon Barkley, running behind a great offensive line. Jalen Hurts, who I consider more than good enough to win a Super Bowl but not elite, has a pair of stud receivers and tight end. One spot where the Eagles don’t have the advantage, however, is coach and quarterback. I’ve seen this drill way too many times with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. I’ve been foolish enough to bet against them in these spots at times in the past, and I’m just not going to do it again.
Chiefs 27, Eagles 24