Andy Reid is widely regarded as one of the greatest head coaches of all time. After spending 13 years in Philadelphia, he has led both the Eagles and Chiefs to four consecutive conference championship games. Over the past five years, he’s led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories and is now looking to cement his legacy with a third consecutive championship. Former Bears head coach Matt Nagy serves as their offensive coordinator, working alongside Reid to develop a versatile offense that allows the Chiefs’ many playmakers to shine and keeps the chains moving despite ongoing personnel changes.
On the defensive side, former New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has orchestrated a top-tier Chiefs defense, and he’ll be focused on creating a game plan to contain Saquon Barkley while also defending Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ passing attack. On the other side, Nick Sirianni is back in the Super Bowl for the Eagles, marking his second appearance in just four years as the team’s head coach. Known for his fiery personality, Sirianni has drawn criticism from opposing fans and even some of his own, but he has proven capable of leading the team to success, bouncing back from early struggles to bring the Eagles back to the biggest stage.
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After a rocky 2023 season in which the Eagles fell out of playoff contention despite starting 10-1, Sirianni made significant coaching changes—firing defensive coordinator Sean Desai, offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, and defensive assistant Matt Patricia. He retooled his staff by hiring former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive legend Vic Fangio—moves that have helped transform the team. Under their leadership, the Eagles’ defense has gone from a liability to a strength, while the offense has shifted to a run-first approach while still utilizing their weapons at receiver and tight end.
Prediction:
So, what does all of this mean for the game’s outcome? I expect a very competitive matchup, but the key to the game will be Saquon Barkley. The Chiefs have a notable weakness in their run defense, which stands out given how well-rounded their team is in other areas. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ greatest strength is their run game, and this could present matchup problems for Kansas City.
Barkley has the ability to break the game open with a few explosive runs, or he can grind down the clock by consistently picking up five to six yards per carry—possibly a combination of both. If the Chiefs manage to shut down Barkley, the Eagles’ offensive line will give Jalen Hurts plenty of time to throw, allowing him to find top targets like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, giving the Eagles control of the game offensively. The Chiefs were able to stop Josh Allen’s quarterback sneak, but the Eagles’ “Tush Push” is a different challenge, and they should be able to convert a couple of critical third-and-short situations to extend drives.
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Kansas City has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, and they seem to always find ways to stay competitive, but they haven’t faced a team as talented as the Eagles in all phases. What worries me even more is that Kareem Hunt struggled to find any space against Buffalo towards the end of the game, running into a wall. The Eagles boast a strong defensive line and have a knack for creating turnovers while limiting the run game.
With a weakened Chiefs run game, Patrick Mahomes will likely be put in more obvious passing situations. And although he’s better equipped than anyone to navigate those, the Eagles’ secondary will challenge the Chiefs’ receivers. Winning a couple of key matchups and forcing Kansas City off the field more often than usual—including a critical turnover.
The Chiefs will certainly score and keep things competitive, with standout performances from players like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Travis Kelce, but ultimately, the Eagles’ ability to control the clock with their run game and stop the run will be the defining factor—a factor they didn’t quite have two years ago. With a vastly improved defense and the offensive firepower led by Barkley and Hurts, the Eagles will ensure Mahomes doesn’t get the ball back for a final drive, squashing the Chiefs’ hopes of a three-peat.
Eagles 31, Chiefs 28
