NFL players past & current share predictions for Chiefs vs. Eagles in Super Bowl LVII
Virtually everyone has an opinion as to who will win when the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles square off here Sunday in Super Bowl LVII.
Even former and current NFL players that The Star caught up with during Friday’s “radio row” media event, held at the Phoenix Convention Center, were eager to share their thoughts.
“It should be a good one,” Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith said. “You’ve got two teams, and you’ve got two guys who are capable of leading his squad.”
Sunday’s matchup features plenty of star power. Super Bowl LVII boasts teams that topped their respective conferences with 14-3 records to close out the regular season; two of the NFL’s top offenses; marquee quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts; rosters filled with All-Pros and Pro Bowlers; and Chiefs coach Andy Reid facing his former team.
“I’m excited we have two No. 1 seeds going head-to-head,” former Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman said.
Coleman also looks forward to a historical aspect of the game.
“I’m excited for the first time in history two black NFL quarterbacks starting in the Super Bowl,” he said. “That’s iconic and it’s going to be great to experience, so I’m excited just to witness history.”
A.Q. Shipley was a center with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. While he landed on injured reserve during the regular season, he watched his team defeat the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
Shipley admits the Chiefs’ current offensive line has improved from three seasons ago, but he believes Kansas City’s bookend tackles might run into issues Sunday.
“I think the tackles are still a step behind the interior three,” Shipley said. “So I think Philly is going to try and exploit that.”
Still, the former NFL center says the Chiefs are well-equipped to give the Eagles trouble on both sides of the ball.
“Mahomes is so good, (tight end Travis) Kelce is so good, and I think Spags (defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) is phenomenal,” Shipley said. “He’s done this a billion times and he’s been in these situations; he’s obviously won in these situations. I think he’s going to have something that Philly hasn’t seen.”
Smith, Coleman and Shipley believe Sunday night’s pairing could produce a classic, and perhaps even some late-game heroics.
“I just want it to come down to the last possession and whichever offense is going to be better or whichever defense is going to be better,” Coleman said. “I just want them to take it to the last possession. I don’t want no blowouts, but I want everybody to stay healthy.”
OK, but who wins?
“I’m going with Philly because of their defense,” Coleman said.
Shipley agreed with Coleman’s pick, but for a different reason.
“I’m an O-line guy and I think Philly’s is the best I’ve seen in 20 years,” Shipley said. “I really do, and I think they do a great job of relying on that. I think it’s going to be 31-24, 30-24, somewhere in that range. Philadelphia.”
Bills safety Jordan Poyer, who has faced the Chiefs with frequency over the past few seasons, offered a dissenting voice. He predicted the Chiefs would squeeze out a 31-28 win because of a few things that he’s seen up close and personal.
“Experience,” he said. “I think both teams match up well on both sides of the ball, but I think it’s going to come down to experience and who can make the last play.
“I think the entire experience, whether it’s the D-line, whether it’s Travis Kelce and the Mahomes factor, I think all of that experience is going to come down to Kansas City’s favor.”
This story was originally published February 10, 2023 at 5:20 PM.
