Brandon Lewis- Sports Director, Host of Brandon’s World & Co-Host of Championship Rings
Eagles 27 Chiefs 23
My Philadelphia Eagles are back in the Super Bowl for the third time in a seven-year period. The 2017 Eagles won the teams’ first Super Bowl in franchise history by slaying the “Evil Empire” in Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the New England Patriots. Now, they are looking to dethrone the new “Evil Empire” in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are looking to do what nobody in NFL history has ever done: Win three straight Super Bowls.
Two years ago in Super Bowl LVII, these two teams faced off in an epic shootout, with the Chiefs winning 38-35. The end of the game saw a controversial holding call on third down on Eagles defensive back James Bradbury, which allowed the Chiefs to run down the clock and essentially kick a game-winning field goal with almost no time left on the clock.
These two teams are very different from the last Super Bowl matchup. The Chiefs offense has gone from an offense built on explosive big plays and a defense who was suspect on the back end to an offense that is built on efficiency and a defense that is loaded with young talent. Meanwhile, in 2022, the Eagles offense was built on big plays in the passing game with wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Eagles defense was historically great on the defensive line, but their secondary was suspect.
The Eagles started 10-1 in 2023, including a victory over the Chiefs in Week 11. However, they collapsed down the stretch, finishing 1-6 (including the playoffs). The team revamped its coaching staff, bringing in Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator and Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator. Both guys have reinvigorated the Eagles’ units. The offense now features running back Saquon Barkley, who finished the season with more than 2,000 yards rushing, while the defense has been completely rebuilt by Fangio. The Eagles defense is ranked No. 1 in the NFL. In 2023, they were 30th.
In my opinion, the transformation of the Eagles’ defense is the biggest difference between Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIX. Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are all starters for this Eagles D that was not on the field in Arizona two years ago. They are the key to the game. If the defense can create stops on Kansas City, it will complement the offense.
Even though Barkley has had a historic season in Philadelphia, the offense still features Hurts, Brown, and Smith, with the ability to throw the football all over the gridiron. Led by a dominant offensive line, the Eagles have the formula. They have the better team. They just have to make sure Mahomes doesn’t pull a houdini act. If my birds play to their potential, they will stop Kansas City and the Swifties from three-peating. I do think this will be lower-scoring than Super Bowl LVII, but I still like the over of 48.5.
Sean ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald – Contributor & Host of Fitz On Sports
Eagles 27, Chiefs 24
To summarize what I told Brandon on the latest ‘Fitz on Sports’ Podcast (out as of this publication), it boils down to the late game.
Having seen the prior matchup with these two teams in Super Bowl LVII, I envision this game will be a close, defensive battle in the first half, before the points start flying late.
The Eagles are the Eagles, but the Chiefs are… well, the Chiefs – the latter of whom are attempting to clinch the first three-peat in the Super Bowl era. In order for the Eagles to win this, establishing the ground game is a must, but using Saquon Barkley and the threat of Jalen Hurts as a runner to open up the passing lanes for A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, etc.
Both defensive lines are battle tested and will be faced with solid offensive lines, making a battle in the trenches into a warzone. The Chiefs front four defense versus the Eagles offensive line will be the specific matchup to watch.
Here’s my bold prediction: The Eagles score to go up late in the fourth quarter and Patrick Mahomes will get the ball last.
“WHY WOULD YOU GIVE PATRICK MAHOMES TIME?!”
That’s what I imagine you all are asking. The pressure of a three-peat will fall on the shoulders of Kansas City – the weight of history a constant reminder during crunch time.
Mahomes will drive down the field, and as I told Brandon, the Eagles will win either by a Jalen Carter sack of Mahomes or an interception by cornerback Cooper DeJean. Philadelphia came close two years ago. This time, they’ll finish the job.
Josh Ungar – Contributor & Co-Host of Championship Rings
Chiefs 24, Eagles 21
Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have all certainly put their stamp on the Philadelphia Eagles defense since they’ve all joined the mix, but what really put the Eagles back into this position was the addition of Saquon Barkley after prying him away from their NFC East rivals, the New York Giants.
But on the opposing sideline is Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, and the two= time defending reigning and defending undisputed Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs who have become the new “Evil Empire”. The reason the Chiefs are the new “Evil Empire” is because fans have fully bought into the conspiracy theory that the league is rigging games in favor of KC.
You can bet against Mahomes if you want to, but he has deservedly so developed the reputation that if you leave time on the clock, he will find a way to make the play to put his team in a position to pull victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Chiefs used to be this high flying offense that generated a lot of excitement. Now, they’re more of a ball control team that essentially wants to play keep away, and I think that’s exactly why they’ll make history by becoming the first team to three-peat in the Super Bowl era.
