The NFL playoff bracket has narrowed the field from 14 teams competing to two: The stage is set for Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.
The Kansas City Chiefs will meet the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years in a battle to hoist the Lombardi trophy. It will be a rematch of Super Bowl 57, which the Chiefs won 38-35.
The Chiefs’ attempt to make NFL history by winning three consecutive Super Bowls remains intact but the NFC champion Eagles and Saquon Barkley aim to topple the dynasty.
Will the Eagles soar to new heights in New Orleans in two weeks or will the Chiefs make history? Kansas City and Philadelphia are bound to deliver a classic; some NFL fans will scramble to determine who will come out on top.
As the world begins gearing up for Super Bowl 59, the USA TODAY Sports staff sits at the table and provides predictions and picks for which team will win and cement their legacies in NFL lore next month.
Super Bowl picks: Chiefs vs. Eagles predictions
Jacob Camenker, NFL writer: Chiefs 23, Eagles 20
The Chiefs vs. Eagles Super Bowl is the sequel few (outside of Kansas City and Philadelphia) wanted. Here’s a result that very few will want in a game that seems destined to be a lower-scoring knock-off of the first one.
This game likely boils down to whether the Eagles will be able to run the ball well against the Chiefs. Kansas City showed some vulnerability against James Cook but still allowed the third-fewest rushing yards to running backs during the regular season. As such, they could be uniquely equipped to slow down Saquon Barkley and make Jalen Hurts beat them.
That doesn’t sound like a recipe for success for Philadelphia. While the Eagles’ defense, which is allowing just 18.3 points per game in the postseason, may be able to slow down Patrick Mahomes somewhat, it won’t be able to fully stop the three-time Super Bowl winner.
Expect Mahomes to log another game-winning drive in the fourth quarter and further cement his legacy as one of the best quarterbacks ever.
Joe Rivera, editor, NFL Connect: Chiefs 28, Eagles 24
There’s a famous line from pro wrestler Bret Hart that goes like this:
“Who are you to doubt El Dandy?”
Until someone knocks him off his pedestal, nobody – nobody – should be doubting Patrick Mahomes. While the Chiefs defense has propelled them to wins this year (and last), Mahomes is still That Dude. Philly’s seemingly unstoppable running game could cause the Chiefs’ defense some trouble, but Steve Spagnulo’s unit always seems to come up with the momentum-shifting play when KC needs it.
This one will be close entering the fourth quarter. Mahomes will seal the game with some trademark magic. Should that happen, he’ll be one step closer to not only being the best there is, but also the best there was and the best there ever will be.
Ayrton Ostly, NFL writer: Eagles 28, Chiefs 25
For the second year in a row, the Chiefs will have a Super Bowl rematch. Their second title game against the Eagles won’t be a repeat of Super Bowl 57, though, thanks to Philadelphia’s improved running game and defense on every level.
Kansas City’s playoff success has made the ridiculous seem routine. They’ll come close to a record third consecutive Super Bowl title, but they lack the depth of talent to get across the finish line compared to this Eagles team.
Tom Viera, NFL writer/editor: Eagles 31, Chiefs 28
What an incredible feat by Mahomes and the Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl for a historic fifth time in six seasons. Only Tom Brady has more playoff wins than Mahomes.
They deserve their flowers, but the Chiefs offense struggled to score touchdowns this season, finishing 22nd in red zone efficiency. The Chiefs will ultimately fail to make history. Cue the fight song.
The Eagles finished the regular season with the fewest yards allowed per game (278.4) and were the second-best scoring defense (17.8 PPG). Signing Saquon Barkley will go down as one of the single-best free agency moves of all time. The former No. 2 overall pick has been the best player in the NFL and showed it again in the NFC title game.
The Eagles’ offensive line will continue to bulldoze the way for Barkley and Hurts. Philadelphia just trampled Washington for 55 points, the most scored by any team in a conference championship game since the Super Bowl merger in 1970. They are on a mission.
Philly will control the tempo just long enough to thwart off the Mahomes magic. The Eagles will smile through the confetti this time around.
