This weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles will battle the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The Daily Pennsylvanian’s Sports team, currently reporting on the big game from New Orleans, sent in their predictions on the winner of this year’s championship.
Sean McKeown — Sports Editor
Eagles 40, Chiefs 34
As an Eagles fan, I understand why no one wants to see these two teams play in the Super Bowl.
On one hand, you have the “Devil Magic” Chiefs: a team that has won a multitude of games on blown calls, fluke field goal misses, and other debaucheries that many chalk up to unholy intervention.
On the other, you have a team that wins in the most frustrating of ways. Two star wide receivers that don’t get the ball, an offense that never shows up until the second half, and a dominant defense that forces increasingly unlikely turnovers seemingly by whim.
Annoying to watch for everyone outside of Philadelphia and Missouri, these teams’ constant winning despite their unappealing play styles could frustrate even the best of football purists.
That all said, they are here for a reason. With talent galore on each side, the game will come down to who depends the least on luck. As the Chiefs seemingly have had a lot of “luck” affecting the outcome of their games, the Eagles’ divine ability to avoid turnovers and mistakes will help the Birds prevail over the Chiefs’ devilish tricks.
Valeri Guevarra — Sports Editor
Eagles 35, Chiefs 27
I’ve always been attracted to slow-burn success stories. I have been a fan of Sabrina Carpenter since 2018 — well before “Espresso.” I’ve been a fan of Ariana Grande’s acting since her time on Broadway. Those stories prove that slow-and-steady hard work makes the dream work. And while these examples are from a completely different industry, I think it’s finally the Eagles’ time.
It helps that quarterback Jalen Hurts is more dedicated than ever. His strength and perseverance after Super Bowl LVII and the Eagles’ 2023 season collapse are not one to be underestimated. After speaking with him during media week, all the pieces seem to be coming together.
The Eagles’ well-developed defense will be a key to a victory. The Chiefs haven’t been winning games in the same flashy ways they have in the past, now seemingly relying on luck and external factors while the Eagles’ defense is a proven stopper.
In the center of it all is star running back Saquon Barkley — the most slow-burn story of all. After five quiet years with the New York Giants, Barkley has broken through in his first year with the Birds in record-breaking fashion. And with his place on the roster being a key differentiator from this Super Bowl matchup two years ago, the signs point to finally rewarding these long-awaited storylines this year with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Tyler Ringhofer — Deputy Sports Editor
Chiefs 29, Eagles 27
Three-peat, Chiefs-peat, whatever you want to call it.
Sure, the Chiefs are a dynasty, but they are also a team of destiny. For 59 years since the inception of the Super Bowl in the NFL, there has never been a repeat three-time champion, three years in a row.
With history seemingly against the team, the odds could not swing any more in its favor from a coaching and quarterback perspective. Led by arguably the best coach and quarterback in history, the duo can cover up a lot of the team’s weaknesses and mistakes.
On paper, the Eagles have more talent from a roster position standpoint, with Saquon Barkley leading the way by (backwards) leaps and bounds. With a dominant running game that sees the offense run more run plays than any team in the league, the Chiefs’ defense will be tested early and throughout.
Ultimately, I believe this underrated Chiefs defense holds its ground with a game plan by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnoulo. I also expect the Chiefs’ wide receivers to step up in the game, including Penn football alumnus and 2018 Wharton graduate Justin Watson.
And just like last time, the Chiefs will win on a game-winning drive fueled by one of the greatest: Patrick Mahomes.
Lydia Tong — Sports Photo Editor
Eagles 41, Chiefs 34
The poles are greased for a reason.
I thought I understood what it was to be a sports fan was back home — most recently from the Astros’ exhilarating victory over the Phillies in 2022.
But in just four short months, Philadelphia has shown me how hard the city goes for its Birds. This genuine belief in their players and coaching staff is what will bring the Lombardi home to Philadelphia.
That said, my time in the Caesars Superdome has tested me.
Battling through a seductive wink by Justin Watson and a shared love for an underground Houston food spot with DeAndre Hopkins, my favorite player since childhood, was a test — but there was something ringing in my ears every 10 minutes: the Eagles fans chanting something even more seductive.
Go Birds.
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