It’s finally here: Super Bowl LIX. The Kansas City Chiefs will attempt to become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The Eagles will ride MVP finalist Saquon Barkley and a top-ranked defense into the Big Game against one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Patrick Mahomes.
Who has the edge? Let’s break the matchup down from every angle.
If the Chiefs win, is this the best dynasty in NFL history?
Nadkarni: This is a very easy yes for me. No team has won three Super Bowls in a row, and in a salary-capped league in which there has never been more talent, another Chiefs win would be a massive accomplishment. You could argue the Patriots had a better dynasty if you want to combine their six rings into one era, but that felt more like two separate eras of football even if head coach and quarterback were the same.
Three championships in a row and four in five is wild! Kansas City’s floor during the Mahomes era has been the conference championship game. We’ve really never seen anything like this.
Greif: Since 2000, 13 different franchises have won a Super Bowl title. Let’s face it, parity is a good business strategy for the NFL, which benefits when fans from as many franchises as possible believe this could be their year to win. Salary cap restrictions and free agency have aided that parity, and yet, at a time when dominating for years should be harder than ever, Kansas City would have authored an unprecedented five Super Bowl appearances in six seasons and three consecutive titles.
This isn’t to short the incredible consistency of the New England dynasty over a longer span, but a Chiefs title would be remarkable for the sheer focus, and lack of complacency, required to win year after year.
Daugherty: I’ll get technical and say it’s the best dynasty peak we’ve ever seen. The “Patriots Dynasty” was so long and all encompassing it takes the cake, but then you’re getting into granular language issues like “define dynasty.” Unless you want to count the 1960s Packers, whose first title came in the pre-Super Bowl era, no one has ever three-peated.
By definition, if the Chiefs win, they’ll have done something no one has ever seen before unless the ghost of Lyndon Johnson rises from the grave and says “now hold on a second there.” Kansas City just won’t be part of the greatest dynasty conversation, it’ll be jockeying for pole position with decades of Patriots dominance.
Which player or coach has the most to gain on Sunday?
Nadkarni: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. As solid of a quarterback as Hurts has been, and as many wins as he’s delivered the Eagles, he’s still not really respected as a passer. That’s in part because the team around him is so good. And also in part because, well, Hurts isn’t as gifted a thrower as say, Mahomes or Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson. But beating the Chiefs in the playoffs is something only two quarterbacks have done — Tom Brady and Joe Burrow. I understand logically that wins are not a quarterback stat…at the same time, how else do you explain Kansas City’s success this season? Has it not been a steady dose of Mahomes magic at the right time?
If Hurts can beat Mahomes with his arm and lead the Eagles in a shootout — while not relying as much on the running game — it may be a more difficult way for Philly to win, but it will earn Hurts much more respect.
Greif: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, whose contract is up after the 2025 season. A title would provide quite the leverage in those negotiations. Recent history has proven, however, that winning a Super Bowl doesn’t protect a coach for long in Philadelphia after Doug Pederson, Sirianni’s predecessor, was fired only three seasons after delivering the Eagles’ first Super Bowl ring.
Daugherty: It’s temping to rattle off any number of Eagles, but it’s Patrick Mahomes. If Mahomes can accomplish the staggering feat of hoisting his fourth Lombardi Trophy before the age of 30, the seemingly impossible achievement of matching or even surpassing Tom Brady’s seven titles is suddenly within striking distance. Mahomes’ two head-to-head playoff losses to Brady across his first three seasons as starter left him needing a “perfect career” the rest of the way out if he was going to even have a chance to catch the greatest to ever do it. Winning on Sunday would keep that chance alive.
Which matchup are you most interested in?
Nadkarni: The Chiefs’ defense vs. the ‘tush push.’ Kansas City stuffed Bills QB Josh Allen on four of his six quarterback sneak attempts in the AFC championship game, including on a crucial-turned-controversial fourth down in the fourth quarter. Those stops helped swing a three-point game.
The Eagles’ push is a whole different beast, and can’t be as easily scouted as Allen is always running to his left. But if the Chiefs can figure out a way to stop a play they didn’t stop once in the Super Bowl two years ago, that takes away a significant weapon from Philly’s offense.
(Oh? You want to learn more about Kansas City trying to stop the tush push? I wrote about it here!)
Greif: Philadelphia’s offensive line against Kansas City’s rush defense. Mahomes has entered the GOAT conversation among quarterbacks, Travis Kelce has joined Jerry Rice among the most prolific pass-catchers in NFL history, and coach Andy Reid is getting his due as a historically great coach — and yet still the most underappreciated pillar holding up the Chiefs dynasty is defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. His knack for a well-timed blitz has fooled offenses for years. If he can design a scheme that can limit Philadelphia’s ground game from its postseason average of 227 yards per game, then more of the Eagles’ playmaking hinges on quarterback Jalen Hurts. Philly has averaged an incredible 6.6 yards per carry across three playoff games, while Kansas City has allowed 4.9 yards per rush.
Daugherty: The Chiefs’ run defense vs. Barkley. For the second consecutive Super Bowl, there is talk of the Chiefs’ hot-and-cold run defense being a potentially game-ruining vulnerability against a superstar running back. The 49ers and Christian McCaffrey couldn’t make it happen last year. If the same fate befalls Saquon and the Eagles, it suddenly becomes a contest of passing-game matriculation, and that’s the game the Chiefs want to play.
Who will win Super Bowl LIX?
Nadkarni: I think the Eagles are a better, more well-rounded team than the Chiefs. And a huge part of me wants to pick Philly. But I just can’t bring myself to bet against Mahomes. I also think Kansas City is better equipped to win any style of game. So even if the Eagles play ball control and don’t put too much pressure on Hurts, if it’s a close game that comes down to a couple plays in the fourth quarter, I’d rather bet on the Chiefs to pull through in those big moments.
Greif: The Eagles have the deeper defense, the league’s dominant offensive line and Barkley, the most valuable offseason addition in the entire NFL. And yet, until the Chiefs are beaten in a close game, I’ll continue to pick Kansas City.
Daugherty: The Chiefs have ruined football analysis. Nothing we say or write really matters unless it’s “well, obviously the Chiefs will just easily win.” The Eagles have the advantage if you are ranking the roster 2-53. The Chiefs own the top spot, as well as the sideline. I will believe someone else has won the Super Bowl when I see it.
