Here is who national experts predict will win Super Bowl LIX between Chiefs and Eagles
The day has arrived. Finally.
By the end of Sunday, we’ll know if the Chiefs succeeded in becoming the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls or if their reign as league champions has come to an end.
At the very least, we know the Chiefs have already done something unprecedented by being the first two-time defending champion to return to the Super Bowl. But they’d sure love that three-peat, even if the majority of the country is rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles to beat the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
Will the Chiefs win a third straight Lombardi Trophy and their fourth in six years? Here are who 174 experts are picking in the game, which starts at 5:30 p.m. and is being broadcast on Fox (Ch. 4, 24).
A 31-30 Eagles win is the prediction from the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi. This is a snippet from his story: “The Eagles didn’t have (Saquon) Barkley when they faced the Chiefs two years ago. He joined them in free agency this season and is on the verge of history. Barkley has 2,447 yards rushing, 30 away from passing Terrell Davis’s 26-year-old record for most in a season, including playoffs.”
A 30-27 Chiefs victory is the pick for the Sporting News’ Bill Bender. Here is an excerpt of his story: “The rematch will live up to the expectations, and the Eagles will jump out to a quick lead behind Barkley. If this turns into a shootout, then that would favor Kansas City. Philadelphia allowed an average of 399 total yards in its three losses. Kansas City hit that number one time this season. The Eagles have the best chance to knock the Chiefs off the throne, but we just cannot pick against a (Patrick) Mahomes-led team in this spot. Will a Harrison Butker field goal in the final minutes be the difference?”
A 27-24 Eagles win is the prediction from the Los Angeles Times’ Sam Farmer. This is from his story: “As long as the Eagles don’t fall behind in a big way early, they should be able to control the game by running. If they’re relegated to throwing, that’s a problem. The game could hinge on that factor. A.J. Brown creates matchup problems for Kansas City, and Saquon Barkley is a nightmare for anybody. Even though it’s ill-advised to bet against Patrick Mahomes, and nobody is as experienced as the Chiefs at winning close games, Philadelphia is the more complete team.”
Picking the Chiefs are seven of nine Sports Illustrated writers: Albert Breer (27-23 final score), Gilberto Manzano (27-24), Matt Verderame (27-23), Michael Rosenberg (27-17), Greg Bishop (24-21), John Pluym (31-28) and Mitch Goldich (26-25). Going with Philly are Conor Orr (31-28) and Andrew Brandt (31-16). Bishop, who predicted linebacker Nick Bolton would be MVP, wrote: “The Chiefs won 17 games this season in every which way except the most obvious, most predictable ones. Much of their edge in one-score games is owed to Mahomes, his ability to process football instantly and his elite vision in the pocket. But Kansas City wouldn’t be anywhere near that tally if not for an elite defense and role players, such as Nick Bolton or (Leo) Chenal, who aren’t as impactful as Mahomes, necessarily, but who impact these seasons of triumph in significant, critical ways. Bolton is one of two K.C. defenders—alongside elite defensive tackle Chris Jones — who seems to always come up with a special play late in the postseason. It took Jones a few seasons and several playoff runs to assert his January/February dominance.”
Going with the Chiefs are five of nine writers at The Athletic: Tashan Reed (24-21 final score), Josh Kendall (29-21), Dan Santaromita (31-24), Jacob Robinson (31-27) and Ben Standig (26-22). Picking the Eagles are Nick Kosmider (21-19), Brandon Funston (26-24), Steven Louis Goldstein (23-19) and Larry Holder (27-24). This is part of what Standig wrote: “The postseason is where the greatness and value can’t be ignored. In seven seasons with Mahomes as the Chiefs’ starter, Kansas City reached the Super Bowl five times. The two losses in the championship round went to overtime. In other words, Mahomes has never lost a championship game round in regulation. Insane. Factor in a top-shelf defense, and the Chiefs aren’t losing, even if the Eagles were the league’s most well-rounded team. Washington committed four turnovers in the NFC Championship Game and remained impotent stopping the run, but the offense moved the ball. Kansas City will do the same with fewer mistakes.”
The Chiefs are the choice for five of the seven writers at The Ringer: Nora Princiotti (27-24 final score), Steven Ruiz (23-17), Lindsay Jones (28-27), Danny Kelly (27-23) and Danny Heifetz (27-24). Picking the Eagles: Sheil Kapadia (24-21) and Diante Lee (27-23). This is part of what Ruiz wrote: “I’m not making the mistake of picking against Mahomes in a big game. It also helps that this version of the Chiefs offense is built to go on painstakingly long drives—thanks mostly to Mahomes’ efficiency—which is the best way to counteract the bend-but-don’t-break style that Vic Fangio’s defenses play. Kansas City’s even got a good matchup on the other side of the ball, with Spagnuolo drawing up creative blitzes (to combat runs and passes) and coverage disguises that should give Jalen Hurts some issues when he’s operating as a pocket passer.”
A Chiefs victory is the prediction from eight of 15 members of Fox Sports: James Jones (30-27 final score), Emmanuel Acho (30-28), Chase Daniel (34-31), Henry McKenna (25-23), Ben Arthur (28-25), Eric D. Williams (30-13), Carmen Vitali (33-31) and David Helman (28-27). Picking the Eagles are Keyshawn Johnson (35-27), LeSean McCoy (30-27), Jason McIntyre (31-20), Sammy Panayotovich (24-20), Ralph Vacchiano (27-20), Greg Auman (31-28) and Rob Rang (34-27). This what Williams wrote: “We haven’t had a blowout in the Super Bowl in a few years. And while this one certainly could be close with all of the one-score games Kansas City has played this season, I think DC Steve Spagnuolo develops a good plan to contain Saquon Barkley and Patrick Mahomes plays big with a chance to make history within his grasp.”
Picking the Chiefs are 21 of the 28 NFL Media experts: Keegan Abdoo (27-21 final score), Jack Andrade (20-17), Mike Brand (24-20), Judy Battista (28-24), Ali Bhanpur (27-24), Tom Blair (26-21), David Carr (30-27), Brooke Cersosimo (27-23), Jeffri Chadiha (24-23), Eric Edholm (28-25), Michael F. Florio (28-24), Christian Gonzales (34-27), Grant Gordon (23-18), Anthony Holzman-Escareno (30-27), Maurice Jones-Drew (45-42), Dante Koplowitz-Fleming (33-30 in OT), Bobby Kownack (30-27), Gerald McCoy (28-21), Dan Parr (27-24), Kevin Patra (27-25) and Lance Zierlein (23-21). Going with the Eagles are Michael Baca (27-23), Jimmy Bergman (23-18), Gennaro Filice (27-17), Matt Okada (26-23), Chad Reuter (31-28), Marc Ross (30-28) and Nick Shook (30-28). This is what Carr wrote: “The Eagles tie up the game late in the fourth quarter but leave too much time on the clock for Patrick Mahomes to work his magic. The Chiefs win their third championship in a row after Harrison Butker nails a 53-yard field goal as time expires.”
The Chiefs are the choice for 41 of the 67 ESPN reporters: Aaron Schatz (31-25 final score), Andrew Hawkins (33-30), Ben Baby (24-21), Ben Solak (31-27), Brooke Pryor (32-29), Damien Woody (27-24), Dan Graziano (27-19), Dan Orlovsky (24-21), Daniel Oyefusi (27-24), David Newton (34-30), David Purdum (27-23), DJ Bien-Aime (27-24), Eric Woodyard (35-28), Field Yates (28-25), Jamison Hensley (24-20), Jason Reid (38-24), Jeff Darlington (38-35), Jeff Saturday (35-34), John Keim (24-21), Jordan Raanan (32-31), Jordan Reid (27-24), Josh Weinfuss (31-28), Katherine Terrell (34-31), Kevin Clark (30-26), Kevin Seifert (27-24), Kimberley A. Martin (28-24), Lindsey Thiry (27-24), Marc Raimondi (21-17), Marcel Louis-Jacques (27-21), Matt Miller (27-24), Michelle Beisner-Buck (28-21), Mike Greenberg (31-30), Mike Tannenbaum (31-28), Mina Kimes (30-27), Nick Wagoner (30-20), Rich Cimini (27-21), Sarah Barshop (34-31), Stephen Holder (27-23), Tedy Bruschi (27-24), Tim Hasselbeck (23-17) and Todd Archer (27-23).
Picking the Eagles are Herm Edwards (29-24), Joe Buck (28-25), Alaina Getzenberg (31-27), Alden Gonzalez (31-28) Brady Henderson (27-24), Courtney Cronin (31-27), Elizabeth Merrill (34-32), Jenna Laine (24-21), Jeremy Fowler (30-24), John Buccigross (22-16), Kalyn Kahler (33-30), Kris Rhim (32-22), Marcus Spears (35-32), Matt Bowen (27-23), Michael DiRocco (27-24), Mike Clay (27-23), Mike Reiss (20-17), Paul Gutierrez (24-20), Rob Demovsky (28-24), Sal Paolantonio (34-30), Scott Van Pelt (30-24), Seth Walder (25-24), Seth Wickersham (17-14), Stephania Bell (31-28), Tim Keown (34-31) and Turron Davenport (28-24).
The Chiefs are the pick for seven of eight writers at CBS Sports: Pete Prisco, Ryan Wilson, Dave Richard, Jared Dubin, Jamey Eisenberg, Will Brinson and Tyler Sullivan. Picking the Eagles is John Breech. Prisco predicts a 30-27 score. This is an excerpt of what he wrote: “How do you pick against Patrick Mahomes in the biggest game of the year? You don’t. That’s the simple way to make a pick for Super Bowl LIX. When the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles take the field Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, the Eagles will do so with a better roster, more top-end players and a physical style that exudes bully ball.”
Taking the Eagles are the four Philadelphia Inquirer writers Jeff McLane (31-23 final score), Jeff Neiburg (31-27), Olivia Reiner (34-31) and EJ Smith (31-27). This is an excerpt of what McLane wrote: “I picked the Chiefs two years ago. I’m not patting myself on the back, but mention it to show that my picking the Eagles this year isn’t homerism. I just think this team is built stronger and the Chiefs aren’t as strong as two years ago. It’s tough to bet against Reid and Mahomes. They could easily get it done again. But I don’t think Kansas City will have an answer for Barkley. If they do, then it’s on Hurts, and that may be how the Eagles lose. But I see another halftime lead, the Chiefs keeping it close, but Fangio being the defensive difference in the second half this time around.”
It’s a split for the Pro Football Talk writers. Mike Florio sees the Chiefs winning 27-24. Chris Simms is taking the Eagles 38-28. This is part of what Florio wrote: “Even if I’m wrong (and I won’t be), I can’t stop trusting Mahomes and Reid now. Too much is on the line. And the greater the stakes, the more likely they’ll find a way to bridge the talent gap and win in the only statistical category that ever matters — points scored vs. points allowed.”
The Chiefs are the choice for eight of nine Yahoo writers: Jason Fitz (27-23 final scores), Charles Robinson (21-17), Nate Tice (24-20), Jori Epstein (34-31), Charles McDonald (23-20), Dan Wetzel (27-17), Jay Busbee (24-21) and Matt Harmon (31-28). Taking the Eagles is Frank Schwab (21-19).
It’s even among the six USA Today writers. Going with the Chiefs: Jarrett Bell (34-20 final score), Tyler Dragon (27-24) and Lorenzo Reyes (26-23). Taking Philadelphia are Chris Bumbaca (32-29), Nate Davis (30-27 and Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (20-17).
Picking the Chiefs are four of seven writers at NorthJersey.com: Bob Jordan (41-21 final score), Chris Iseman (27-24), Dave Rivera (29-27) and Art Stapleton (31-27). Those picking Philly: Brian Marron (27-22), Steve Edelson (31-30) and Bert Bainbridge (28-24). Here is what Jordan wrote: “They won’t be climbing polls Sunday night in Philly’s Center City. The real MVP for the Chiefs is Andy Reid, who has done a much better job sharing operational control unlike the Patriots’ dynasty (where Bill Belichick called all the shots and there was no one to help stop the collapse). Chiefs’ haters should buckle up for a few more years of this.”
This story was originally published February 9, 2025 at 7:04 AM.
