Watch this prime matchup in Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl LIX, plus some fun prop bets
Here’s a matchup within a matchup to watch in Super Bowl LIX between the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts’ elusiveness vs. Steve Spagnuolo’s blitz calls.
The Chiefs ranked fourth in the NFL in blitz percentage this season. That helped them top the league in quarterback knockdowns.
And, although they finished in the bottom half in sacks, the Chiefs picked up the pace toward the end of the year with 20 in a six-game stretch and 10 more in two playoff games.
The Eagles will test the Chiefs’ defense. They boast the NFL’s top running back, in Saquon Barkley. But if Kansas City can limit Barkley’s damage — no small task, as he gained 2005 yards in the regular season and has averaged 147 in three playoff games — that could play to a recent Chiefs strength.
The idea could be to make Hurts beat you with his passing, and keep him guessing about pressure calls from KC defensive coordinator Spagnuolo.
“You never know what you’re going to get from Spags,” said Chiefs All-Pro tackle Chris Jones.
That’s partially true. You’re often going to get a blitz in a third- or fourth-down passing situation. Teams just don’t know where the blitz will originate from, or who will be blitzing.
The Chiefs’ AFC Championship Game victory over the Buffalo Bills was sealed when safety Justin Reid and cornerback Trent McDuffie caught Bills QB Josh Allen by surprise and rushed his pass with a blitz. A week earlier, the Chiefs sacked Texans QB C.J. Stroud four times on Houston’s final drive.
Both quarterbacks the Chiefs have thus far faced in this year’s playoffs were threats to run, and so is Hurts. And not just when his tush is being pushed in short-yardage situations. He’s Philly’s second-leading rusher and tops the team with 14 touchdowns.
So putting him in passing situations and hurrying his decision-making process could provide the Chiefs an edge.
In the most recent Chiefs-Eagles meeting, a regular-season victory by Philadelphia at GEHA Field at Arrowhead in 2023, the Chiefs blitzed on 14 of Hurts’ 28 dropbacks. He finished the game 14 of 22 for 150 yards with an interception and five sacks.
And in the teams’ Super Bowl meeting two years ago, Hurts would have been the MVP had the Eagles won. He passed for 304 yards and rushed for three touchdowns and a two-point conversion.
On Sunday, he could become just the third quarterback to defeat a Spagnuolo-coached Chiefs defense in the postseason, joining Tom Brady and Joe Burrow.
Or Spags could add to his Super Bowl ring collection. If the Chiefs win, it will be his fifth.
Here’s what else to watch — and some of the best prop bets — when the Chiefs and Eagles face off Sunday at 5:30 p.m Central Time (TV: Fox).
Best Eagles prop bet: Hurts anytime TD (minus -115. Best $115 to win $100)
The Chiefs pushed back on the Bills’ quarterback sneak two weeks ago, stopping Allen in three of five-short yardage situations. The Eagles were the first to employ the strategy, and in their last two games against the Chiefs, Philly has been successful on all nine attempts. There’s no doubt who’s getting the call when the Eagles sniff the goal line.
Best Chiefs prop bet: Xavier Worthy over 54.5 receiving yards (minus-110: Bet $110 to win $100)
Patrick Mahomes’ trust in Worthy has grown throughout the receiver’s rookie season. Through the Chiefs’ first nine games, Worthy had 20 receptions. Since then he has 39, and he’s coming off his most productive game yet: 85 yards vs. the Bills.
Here are the Chiefs’ top wide receivers in each of the last four Super Bowls:
- 2019: Tyreek Hill, 105 yards, Sammy Watkins 98
- 2020: Hill 73
- 2022: JuJu Smith-Schuster 53
- 2023: Mecole Hardman 57, Justin Watson 54
Best special teams prop bet: Harrison Butker over 1.5 field goals made (minus-145, bet $145 to win $100)
Butker is a playoff machine, going 36 for 40 on field goals in postseason games and nine for 10 in four Super Bowls (those 9 “makes” stand as a Super Bowl career record). The Eagles have one of the NFL’s top red zone defenses, keeping teams out of the end zone on 43% of their trips, and the Chiefs’ red zone offense, better lately, ranks 22nd in the NFL. Butker could have a busy day.
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 10:25 AM.