The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will face off in Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The game kicks off on FOX at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 9.

The teams met two years ago in Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, where the Chiefs erased a 10-point halftime deficit and won 38-35 off a last-second field goal. The following year, the Chiefs narrowly defeated the 49ers to become the first team to win back-to-back titles in 20 years. With their birth in Super Bowl LIX, they are now the first team to return to the Super Bowl after back-to-back victories and aim to complete the first-ever Super Bowl three-peat.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid are making their fifth appearance in the past six seasons in search of their fourth overall title. In Mahomes young and storied career, through seven seasons as a starter, his worst result is losing in the AFC Championship game (twice). His 17 career playoff wins trail only Tom Brady’s 35, which he accumulated over 23 seasons in the NFL.

The Eagles are out for revenge in what will be the ninth-ever Super Bowl rematch, occurring just a year after the Chiefs vs. 49ers rematch (LIV and LVIII). This year’s team features many of the same players; however new additions should be credited for their return. Running back Saquon Barkley, a free agent signing from the New York Giants, has become the focal point of the offense. He was named to the NFL First-Team All-Pro team after becoming the ninth-ever player to rush for 2000 yards in a season. Center Cam Jurgens has excelled as Jason Kelce’s successor, second-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter has emerged as one of the league’s best, and rookie cornerback phenoms Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have revamped the Eagles secondary.

Chiefs Keys to Victory

Protecting Mahomes

The Chiefs offensive line has struggled at points this season, allowing the most sacks in a regular season during the Mahomes era (36). The consistent pressure, perhaps paired with the Chiefs lack of a WR1 since the week 4 injury to Rashee Rice, has contributed to Mahomes posting one of the quietest seasons of his career, in which he tallied the fewest yards and touchdowns per game of his career.

Stopping the Run

Saquon Barkley has rushed for 100 yards in 14 of the Eagles 19 games this season, including each of the last five. In three playoff games, he has averaged 147.3 rushing yards per game. The Eagles strength in the ground game has allowed them to be explosive and methodical. Barkley has posted an NFL record seven 60+ yard rushing touchdowns this season, and the Eagles lead the league in time of possession (32:22).

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been a consistently dominant force during the Chiefs dynasty; he hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in their last 18 playoff games. However, after holding opponents to 101.8 rushing yards per game in the regular season, the rush defense has allowed 148.0 per game in the playoffs. Stopping Barkley will be key to taking the Eagles offense out of their comfort zone. If Barkley is allowed to run free, the Chiefs reign may come to an end.

Eagles Keys to Victory

Establishing the Passing Game

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’s four years as the Eagles starter has been overwhelmingly successful, as he has a 46-20 record and now two Super Bowl appearances. However, the Eagles have been a rush-first team during his tenure, and despite boasting one of the league’s best offensive lines and receiving cores, Hurts has shown many ineptitudes as a passer.

Assuming the Chiefs sell out on stopping Saquon Barkley, Hurts must make plays with his arm for the Eagles to win the game. Establishing an early rhythm with star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will be an easy way for the Eagles to diversify their offense and give themselves a chance to win the big game.

Limiting Run After Catch

Following the departure of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill in 2022, the Chiefs have not had the same high-flying, explosive offense that led them to their first Super Bowl title. Instead, they have resorted to a dink-and-dunk offense, especially over the last two seasons under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. However, this does not mean the offense is any less effective in winning games.

The offense boasts a solid running game and relies on throwing the ball frequently and generating yards after catch (YAC). Their average receiving core and an aging Travis Kelce are not able to spread the field like the Chiefs of old, but they remarkably generate a league-leading 58% of their receiving yards through YAC. Rookie speedster Xavier Worthy leads the way with 439 YAC and has shown up in the playoffs thus far. If the Eagles number one defense can limit YAC, it may be the difference in the game.

The Foreword Staff Picks

Dillon Javid, Co-Editor-in-Chief:

Chiefs 26, Eagles 24

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Gatorade Color: Yellow

The 49ers couldn’t avenge their Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, and neither will the Eagles. The Eagles have a far better roster, but Mahomes will be the difference yet again. In Chiefs fashion, they’ll extend their NFL record streak of winning one-score games to 18 and complete the three-peat.

Same Game Parlay:

Jalen Hurts Anytime TD (-115)

Has 18 rushing TDs in 17 full games played

Ran for 3 in Super Bowl LVII

Ran the tush push 5 times in the NFC Championship for 2 TDs

Patrick Mahomes OVER 1.5 Passing TDs (-154)

Hit this line in each of his Super Bowl victories, including 3 in Super Bowl LVII

Averaging 2.3 passing TDs/game over 20 career playoff starts

Travis Kelce 5+ Receptions (-280)

Averages 7.25 rec/game in the playoffs

Had 6, 10, 6, and 9 receptions in 4 career Super Bowls

$100 Pays $384.22 (+284)

Gabe Seldin, Staff Writer

Chiefs 31, Eagles 25

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Gatorade Color: Orange

Similar to these teams' previous encounter in the Super Bowl, the Eagles come out hot, jumping to a 10-0 lead. Despite this, the Chiefs will manage to mount yet another comeback. However, instead of the offense winning the game on the final play like the last two seasons, Jalen Hurts will throw an ill-timed interception to seal the game for Kansas City.

Satyan Chickering, Staff Writer:

Eagles 24, Chiefs 17

MVP: Cooper DeJean

Gatorade Color: Purple

The Eagles establish the run early. The duo of Barkely and Hurts gets off to a hot start after the Chiefs win the flip and defer. Mahomes begins to mount a comeback in the 4th, but after a drive stalls out, they are forced to punt the ball to Cooper Dejean, who makes the Chiefs special teamers look like the Minnesota Gophers and takes the ball to the house. This time, the refs cannot deny his talent and allow the touchdown to stand.

Jordan Sampson, Staff Writer:

Chiefs 27, Eagles 24

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Gatorade Color: Yellow

While America is rooting against it, a Chiefs three-peat seems inevitable. Mahomes, destined to get bailed out by a questionable call or two, looks incredibly determined to pick up his third in a row, and it appears nothing can stop him. Sadly for America, Barkley will probably be unable to stop the red hoard.

Abigail Naveh, Co-Editor-In-Chief:

Chiefs 31, Eagles 21

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Gatorade Color: Orange

Sam Tobias, Editor

Chiefs 21, Eagles 6

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Gatorade Color: Red

Sophia Hadi, Editor:

Eagles 55, Chiefs 7

MVP: Jalen Hurts

Gatorade: Yellow

Eli Coffey, Staff Writer

Eagles 31, Chiefs 28

MVP: Kenny Pickett

Gatorade Color: Yellow

Tobi Badino, Staff Writer

Eagles 35, Chiefs 27

MVP: Saquon Barkley

Gatorade Color: Blue

Malcolm Brown, Staff Writer

Chiefs 27, Eagles: 24

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Gatorade Color: Orange

Shane Birkenfeld, Staff Writer

Eagles 31, Chiefs 26

MVP: A.J. Brown

Gatorade Color: Purple

Angela Alacio Rivas, Staff Writer

Chiefs 27, Eagles 21

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Gatorade Color: Orange

Maya Beakley, Staff Writer

Chiefs 30, Eagles 21

MVP: Travis Kelce

Gatorade Color: Orange

Braylon Griffin, Staff Writer

Chiefs 34, Eagles 32

MVP: Saquon Barkley

Gatorade Color: Blue

Heru Lowe, Staff Writer

Chiefs 34, Eagles 27

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Gatorade Color: Yellow

Jon Parker, Censor-in-Chief

Eagles 24, Chiefs 21

MVP: Saquon Barkley

Gatorade Color: Blue