This month’s most anticipated TV event, the NFL’s Super Bowl LIX, will feature a pair of familiar foes: the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game will be hosted at the Caesar Superdome in New Orleans, with the winner crowned as the 2024 World Champions. Although both teams feature stars on both sides of the field, the Chiefs will prevail once again.
After winning three Super Bowls in five years, the Chiefs have cemented themselves as the “supervillains” of the NFL. Critics argue that referees are always on their side and that the league wants them to keep winning. People love to root for the underdog, making the Chiefs the number one target on the chopping block for opposing fans.
The team features three future Hall-of-Famers: Head Coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and tight end Travis Kelce.
Andy Reid’s football mind is bar none. He’s been coaching for decades, starting at San Francisco State in the early 80s. In only around a decade with the Chiefs, Reid transformed them from a 2-14 record to a playoff clinch. If anybody knows how to win a Super Bowl, it’s Reid.
Reid’s star player, Patrick Mahomes, is arguably the best player in the NFL. Despite not being the most athletic, Mahomes makes up for it with his sheer intellect. He’s an adept passer who can make off-platform throws from any part of the field. If he wins this game, some commentators believe Mahomes may become the GOAT of the NFL, even over other legends like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
While Mahomes conducts the offense, it’s Kelce who scores game-winning touchdowns. While many associate Kelce with his relationship with pop idol Taylor Swift, he’s certainly no slouch on the football field. Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, he’s an incredible receiver who pairs perfectly with Mahomes’ playmaking ability. Kelce’s professional career hinges on this game, with some news outlets circulating that he might retire and propose to Swift after a win.
While the team’s got offensive firepower, its real strength lies in its defense. Led by star defensive tackle Chris Jones, the Chiefs are great at blitzing and creating turnovers. Their defense is overseen by Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who dials up pressure for opposing offenses. Since Spagnuolo took over, the Chiefs rank second in expected points allowed per play on dropbacks when they blitz.
Of course, the Eagles are certainly worthy opponents. Anchored by MVP-level running back Saquon Barkley, who might break the NFL’s all-time rushing yards record, their offense is top of the pack. Like the Chiefs, the Eagles also feature diverse talent: quarterback Jalen Hurts, receivers AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, rookie defensive backs Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, and the best offensive line in the NFL.
Despite all this talent, I don’t think it’s enough to dismantle the Chiefs. The Eagles have only won one of four Super Bowls they’ve ever been in. In their last appearance, which was also against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, they suffered a 38–35 loss to the Chiefs on a last-second field goal. Sure, it might’ve been close that time, but the Chiefs have a knack for endgame strategy. If Mahomes has the ball and finds Kelce at the end of the game, they’ll certainly come home with a victory. That’s part of why NFL fans hate the Chiefs — they always seem to find an unexpected edge crucial to winning.
Everybody would love an underdog like the Eagles finally dethroning the hated Chiefs. We thought that last year. And the year before. But unfortunately, this year probably won’t be a departure from that norm.
