Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl Rematch: Who Comes Out on Top?

This Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will face off once again in a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch—a matchup featuring multiple storylines that go much deeper than just the game itself. There is much at stake for both teams, whether it’s Kansas City aiming for an unprecedented three-peat or Jalen Hurts and this Eagles core seeking their first Super Bowl title. These factors set the stage for one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the last five years. With that said, only one team can come out on top, and today I present my final prediction for this year's championship game. So, let’s break down who will be the 2024-2025 NFL Super Bowl champions.

Right away, we must discuss the prior matchup between these two teams. Kansas City edged out the victory by only a field goal, winning 38-35 in a game where the Chiefs' offense played nearly flawless football. Patrick Mahomes was sensational, completing 21 of 27 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns. However, it wasn’t the Chiefs’ passing attack that won them the game—it was their ability to control the line of scrimmage and dictate the pace from the outset. The Chiefs allowed zero sacks and committed no turnovers, checking off some of the most crucial aspects of winning football. On top of this, Kansas City's rushing attack thrived, accumulating 156 yards on 26 attempts. These key factors led to their victory in February of 2023. However, this is not 2023, and the Eagles are not the same team they once were.

Things have changed for both Philadelphia and Kansas City, but I believe the balance has tilted in Philly's favor. First, let’s address the elephant in the room: Saquon Barkley. Barkley is the key to this game for the Eagles—if he plays well, they win. In the Chiefs' last four games, they have allowed rushing totals of 202, 158, 149, and 147 yards, with the Bills rushing for the most among them. Buffalo ranked eighth in total rushing this season, while Philadelphia ranks second, trailing only Baltimore. The Ravens and Eagles are the only teams to eclipse 3,000 rushing yards, thanks largely to Barkley surpassing the 2,000-yard mark. If these teams could run on Kansas City, just imagine what Barkley could do. Even if Barkley doesn’t deliver a transcendent 200-yard performance, if he consistently gains steady yardage and keeps the Eagles in third-and-manageable situations while limiting Mahomes' time on the field, his impact will be immense. Mahomes must be treated like Tom Brady was in his prime—the longer he is kept off the field, the better.

A quality performance from Barkley significantly reduces the workload on Jalen Hurts, which transitions into my next point. The ongoing narrative surrounding Hurts is that he isn’t as proficient a passer as some may think due to his lack of eye-popping box score numbers. While I agree that Hurts is not a top-five quarterback in the same tier as Mahomes, I believe he is much more capable than people give him credit for. He proved this on the biggest stage. Hurts had one of the best individual performances in Super Bowl history despite the loss, accounting for four touchdowns (three rushing), throwing for over 300 yards, and leading his team in rushing with 70 yards. The rest of the Eagles' rushing attack was nonexistent, managing only 45 yards on 17 attempts. If Barkley can alleviate some of the burden on Hurts and provide even 90 yards on those same 17 carries, the need to force plays—thus increasing the risk of turnovers—will be significantly reduced. Additionally, the last time Hurts threw an interception was against the Commanders on November 14th. The Philadelphia quarterback takes care of the football, and if they win the turnover battle or at least break even, it will be a significant advantage.

After highlighting the Eagles' offensive strengths, some may ask, "What about their defense? How will they stop Mahomes?" The answer is simple: pressure, pressure, pressure. Throughout the playoffs, Philadelphia has excelled in two key areas—getting to the quarterback and forcing turnovers. These two aspects are essential to winning, and the Eagles have mastered both during their postseason run. In their three playoff games thus far, the Eagles have forced 10 turnovers and registered 10 sacks. This defense has hit its stride at the perfect time, and I expect that momentum to continue on Sunday. While the Chiefs' offensive line has done a solid job of protecting Mahomes throughout the season, they have yet to face a defensive front like Philadelphia’s. With Jalen Carter dominating in the middle and edge rushers like Nolan Smith flying off the edges, this group presents a serious challenge.

Additionally, the Eagles have done an excellent job containing mobile quarterbacks. Jayden Daniels, for example, was held to just six carries for 48 yards, with much of that coming in garbage time. Containing Mahomes is vital, as he can extend plays and create magic when needed. However, Philadelphia’s defense is young and fast, featuring key playmakers like Zach Braun, a Defensive Player of the Year finalist acquired from New Orleans. Braun will have his hands full dealing with Travis Kelce and potentially serving as a spy on Mahomes.

With all of this in mind, I believe Philadelphia will take this one home. The Eagles' ability to dictate the pace with their rushing attack, coupled with their explosive passing options and dominant defense, makes them an incredibly tough matchup. While I expect a competitive game, this is one instance where Mahomes' magic won’t be enough to overcome the force that is this Philadelphia team. I predict the Eagles will secure a firm 27-21 victory, with Saquon Barkley earning Super Bowl MVP honors in New Orleans.