By Courtney Knight
Boston University News Service
For the second time in three years, the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl — this time in what could be a history-making game. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
A win in Super Bowl LIX could make the Chiefs the first team to “three-peat” in the championship game, or it could make the Eagles the first team to win a Super Bowl rematch since Philadelphia beat New England in Super Bowl LII.
Currently, DraftKings and FanDuel both have the Chiefs as the favorites at -120 and the Eagles as the underdogs at +100 and +102 respectively. This means betting on Kansas City would require a bigger stake to see a profit, while a bet on the Eagles could bring in a greater profit for every dollar wagered.
Despite the odds, this matchup might not be as lopsided as it seems.
From a statistical standpoint, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs haven’t had the season many would have expected. Mahomes was sacked 36 times, and according to Sports Illustrated, the 2024 season marks the first time he hasn’t surpassed 4,000 passing yards.
Still, Kansas City managed to stay atop the AFC for most of the regular season.
Much of their success came from their ability to perform well under pressure. The Chiefs started the season with a nine-game winning streak, seven of which they won by a one-possession margin.
Even without relying on luck in tough situations, the Chiefs are strengthened by stars like Chris Jones and Travis Kelce. As we’ve seen over the past five years, Patrick Mahomes also always seems to find a way to win.
The final edge Kansas City holds is coaching. Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid is the NFL’s fourth-winningest coach of all time and has led the team to five Super Bowls in just six years.
That said, the Philadelphia Eagles are not to be counted out.
The Eagles have some big names leading the charge — including wide receiver A.J. Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts — hoping for a rematch of Super Bowl LVII, which saw them fall to Kansas City 38-35.
But the real blue-chip piece for Philly this Sunday is running back Saquon Barkley.
According to ESPN, Barkley, who joined the team this summer, has already racked up 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. In the NFC Championship game against the Washington Commanders, Barkley scored a 60-yard touchdown on his first touch of the game — just eight minutes in.
While Barkley has been a key contributor to Philadelphia’s offense, the team’s defense has also been dominant, ranking among the best in the league.
If all else fails, the Eagles can resort to one of the most heavily debated strategies in football: the tush-push. This technique allows for the running backs to push the quarterback through the defense and into the endzone.
With Mahomes looking to cement his legacy and Hurts aiming to build his own, Super Bowl LIX will be a high-stakes showdown for both teams.
Sunday’s game will be broadcast live on Fox. Streaming options are available on these platforms: Fubo, Tubi, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV.
