Chris Berman’s Super Bowl LIX Predictions: Chiefs vs. Eagles
Welcome back, sports fans! It’s that time of year again when the air is filled with excitement, anticipation, and a touch of nostalgia as we gear up for Super Bowl LIX. And who better to guide us through the intricacies of this monumental clash than the legendary Chris Berman? With a track record that speaks for itself, Berman has picked the winner in five of the past six years, and in each of the past three Super Bowls, he has correctly picked the winner AND the exact margin of victory. So, let’s dive into his insights for the upcoming showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
First, let’s set the stage. The game is set for Sunday, Feb. 9, at 6:30 p.m. ET, at the iconic Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Chiefs are favored by a slim margin of -1, with an over/under of 48.5 points. This matchup is not just another game; it’s a potential history-maker. The Kansas City Chiefs are on the brink of becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three consecutive Lombardi Trophies. The only team to have achieved three straight championships in the NFL’s history is Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers, who did so from 1965 to 1967. However, when it came time for the Packers to win three straight Super Bowls, they fell short, as did other legendary teams like the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers (twice), San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots. The Chiefs deserve immense credit for being the only team attempting a three-peat that has made it back to the Super Bowl.
On the other side of the field, the Philadelphia Eagles have their own slice of history to contend with. Saquon Barkley has become the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. Of the other eight players to achieve this feat, only Terrell Davis of the Broncos in 1998 reached the Super Bowl in that season. This adds another layer of intrigue to what is shaping up to be a “Super” Super Bowl.
Let’s take a closer look at the Chiefs’ journey. Since Christmas Day in 2023, the Chiefs have lost only one real game, and that was when they rested most of their starters in the Week 18 loss to the Broncos. Some might question how they managed to win this season, with victories coming by the narrowest of margins against teams like Baltimore, Denver, and the Raiders. However, when you’ve won 17 straight one-score games, including the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, those questions should have stopped long ago. It’s not an accident.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have only one loss since the start of October. Head coach Nick Sirianni has emphasized that they don’t care how they win, and it’s clear that style points aren’t their priority. The bottom line is that the two teams with the fewest question marks on their roster have made it to the Super Bowl, and looking back, that’s no surprise. Interestingly, these teams won the first two games of the season—the Chiefs in the Thursday night opener and the Eagles on Friday night in Brazil—and now they’re playing in the last one.
Two years ago, these teams faced off in a thrilling Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, a game Berman dubbed “The Roaster in the Toaster.” Kansas City emerged victorious with a 38-35 win in the final seconds, naturally by one score. While this game might not be as high-scoring, Berman expects both teams to score in the neighborhood of the upper 20s.
For the Eagles, the addition of Saquon Barkley as the running back is a significant change. The offensive line has undergone some changes, with Jason Kelce now working for ESPN, but they remain outstanding. The Eagles have also changed both coordinators twice since their last Super Bowl meeting, with Kellen Moore calling the offense and Vic Fangio calling the defense. The Eagles’ defense has been bolstered by strong draft picks and strategic trades, resulting in a plus-10 turnover differential in their three playoff wins alone.
On the Chiefs’ side, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes continue to solidify their legacy as one of the great coach/QB duos of all time. Travis Kelce remains a key player, with 97 receptions during the 2024 regular season. The Chiefs have adopted an “everybody eats” approach in the receiving department due to injuries, but they are now as healthy as they have been all season. The biggest change has been on the O-line, with Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney playing left tackle out of necessity, and it has worked out well.
Last season, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl on the strength of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, and this season has followed a similar formula. Chris Jones, Nick Bolton, and Trent McDuffie provide a stalwart presence at every level. Spagnuolo’s timely blitzes have been effective, as seen in the final minutes of the AFC Championship Game against the Bills.
So, who will come out on top on Sunday? The key matchup to watch is how the Chiefs’ defense will handle Barkley, who has been a standout performer. If Barkley runs for 115 yards, will that be enough to open up opportunities for the Eagles? On the other hand, Patrick Mahomes, the “electric eel,” continues to confound opposing defenses with his ability to make key plays at crucial moments.
In the end, Berman’s prediction is for a close game, with the Kansas City Chiefs edging out the Philadelphia Eagles 27-24. Perhaps it’s the allure of a three-peat that sways his decision, but if the Swami can do it, he figures the Chiefs can, too.
Kansas City 27, Philadelphia 24
P.S. Maybe I’m also a softie for a three-peat, which somehow I’ve done in this column. If the Swami can do it, I figured the Chiefs can, too.
Originally Written by: Chris Berman
