Super Bowl 2025: Chiefs-Eagles picks, key stats, predictions

Super Bowl LIX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the Philadelphia Eagles going through the two-time reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs. This can be a rematch of Super Bowl LVII, after the 2022 season, by which the Chiefs beat the Eagles 38-35.

Kansas Metropolis is trying to make historical past by changing into the primary NFL workforce to win three straight Tremendous Bowls. The final time the Eagles gained the Tremendous Bowl was after the 2017 season in Super Bowl LII. The Chiefs entered the playoffs because the AFC’s No. 1 seed, whereas the Eagles have been the NFC’s No. 2 seed.

We have now you coated with every part you’ll want to know for Chiefs-Eagles, together with workforce previews, field rating predictions, a breakdown of Tremendous Bowl MVP candidates and sport picks. We additionally present recommendation from our sports activities betting consultants and in-depth statistics from ESPN Analysis. We have a look at the 2 quarterbacks, coaches, officiating, positional benefits and X components. And scroll all the way in which down to take a look at our preview of Kendrick Lamar’s halftime present.

Let’s dive into this one-stop store cheat sheet, beginning with a preview of the matchup.

Bounce to a piece:
What to know | Meet the teams | QBs
Projecting the box score | Biggest questions
Keys to Chiefs win | Keys to Eagles win
Picks | MVP watch | Stats to know
Bold predictions | Injuries | Officiating
Betting the game | Halftime | FAQs

Previewing Chiefs vs. Eagles

When: Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET
The place: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
Tv: Fox
Depth charts: Chiefs | Eagles

If the Chiefs need their three-peat, they will should beat the very best workforce they’ve performed in a Super Bowl within the Patrick Mahomes period. The Eagles have misplaced three video games all season, two of them after their receivers dropped passes that will have clinched victories. Since their Week 5 bye, they’ve gone 15-1, posted a plus-27 turnover margin and gained their video games by a mean of 13.8 factors.

This Eagles workforce is healthier than the one the Chiefs beat two years in the past in Super Bowl LVII and higher than both of the 49ers groups Kansas Metropolis topped in Tremendous Bowls LIV and LVIII. Philadelphia is even scarier than the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers, who managed to provide Mahomes his only championship game defeat in Super Bowl LV.

I would not say that is the very best Chiefs workforce we have seen, however it is perhaps the wiliest. Not often dominant however by no means out of it, the Chiefs put collectively a collection of spectacularly shut victories in 2024. Holding on to a victory towards the Ravens in Week 1 by the size of Isaiah Likely‘s toenail portended what was to return all season. The Chiefs gained video games with fourth-down stops, discipline targets bouncing off uprights, kicks getting blocked and snaps being dropped. They discovered a option to sprinkle simply sufficient magic mud into every victory. Their win over the Payments within the AFC Championship Game, a measure of revenge for Buffalo costing the Chiefs an opportunity at an undefeated regular season in November, was their fifteenth consecutive victory in video games determined by seven factors or fewer.

Can the Eagles deny the Chiefs from making historical past? A 2024 offseason for the ages has replenished Philadelphia’s roster, and it’s the higher workforce — on paper. That begins with the participant who is perhaps the story of the season, a working again Kansas Metropolis has to cease if it has any hope of successful one other title: Saquon Barkley — Invoice Barnwell, senior NFL author

Learn extra: Barnwell previews the Super Bowl (ESPN+)

Meet the groups

Coach: Andy Reid

Reid brings a great deal of playoff and Tremendous Bowl expertise. In 26 seasons — 12 with the Chiefs — Reid is 28-16 within the postseason and 3-2 within the Tremendous Bowl. He was a finalist for the 2024 AP Coach of the Yr award, an honor not normally given to the chief of a two-time defending Tremendous Bowl championship workforce. The 2024 Chiefs have been hit laborious by accidents, had hassle at occasions defending Mahomes and have been inconsistent for a lot of the season on protection. However thanks partly to Reid, they’re nonetheless one win away from successful a 3rd consecutive championship.

How did they get right here?

Attending to 17-2 (together with two playoff victories) took a number of work. Kansas Metropolis gained 11 regular-season video games plus the AFC Championship Game towards the Payments by one rating and at occasions was aided by a component of luck. However the Chiefs additionally confirmed a knack for making the suitable play on the proper time. A blocked discipline objective on the ultimate play to protect a two-point win towards the Broncos in Week 10 was something however luck. — Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter

Coach: Nick Sirianni

Sirianni is the primary coach within the Tremendous Bowl period to make the playoffs in every of his first 4 seasons whereas reaching the Tremendous Bowl a number of occasions. He guided the Eagles to the title sport towards the Chiefs within the 2023 season, a 38-35 Eagles loss. With a regular-season file of 48-20, Sirianni has the third-highest successful share (.706) by a head coach within the fashionable period (minimal 50 video games), trailing solely John Madden and George Allen.

How did they get right here?

The Eagles bought off to a shaky 2-2 begin, testing the nerves of the fan base following a 1-6 collapse down the stretch final season. They grew to become extra of a Saquon Barkley-focused offense during the Week 5 bye, and that propelled them to a 10-game win streak and a 14-3 regular-season file. Led by the NFL’s prime speeding sport and protection, Philadelphia earned the No. 2 seed within the NFC and gained three straight postseason house video games to punch its ticket to the Tremendous Bowl, together with a 55-23 thumping of the Commanders within the NFC title sport. — Tim McManus, Eagles reporter

Learn extra: Reid says he’ll return as Chiefs coach in 2025 … Sirianni is a players’ coach, no matter what you think of him

QB breakdown

Mahomes is coming off a down 12 months — for him — as he ranked eighth with a 68 QBR within the common season. It wasn’t all on him, although, because the Chiefs struggled to settle their deal with state of affairs and his playmakers have been missing, particularly early within the season. However you’ll nonetheless count on extra from the very best quarterback on the planet enjoying for coach Reid (and with an elite inside offensive line). After all, postseason Mahomes is solely completely different. His 79 QBR ranks third within the playoffs, and his profession postseason QBR is roughly 10 factors increased than within the common season.

Power: Determination-making. Regardless of Mahomes rating fifth with a 69 QBR this season (postseason included), he ranks first on third down (90). Regardless of throwing to the sticks solely 28% of the time on early downs (second lowest), his quantity jumps to 60% (eleventh most) on third down, demonstrating how Mahomes modifications his threat profile when the state of affairs warrants it. And when Mahomes decides to scramble, he’s hyperefficient, averaging 0.79 EPA per play, third highest and highest amongst any quarterback with at the very least a 2% scramble price.

Lastly, the Chiefs ranked second in common separation on the time of ball arrival (3.9), per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Which may sound like a large receiver statistic, however it may need extra to do with the scheme and quarterback; separation on this context is just measured on targets, and that is partly a mirrored image of Mahomes’ potential to seek out and throw to an open participant.

Weak point: Accuracy. It is humorous that the consensus finest quarterback of this era is mediocre relating to accuracy, however it has been true for years. Mahomes recorded a minus-2 completion share over expectation this season, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. His 14% off-target price was twelfth finest, however that got here whereas averaging simply 6.2 air yards per goal (third lowest) — shorter passes are a lot much less prone to be off-target. Mahomes has had a adverse completion share over expectation in each season since 2019. — Seth Walder, analytics author

Philadelphia has probably the most run-heavy offenses within the league, with a minus-11% go price over expectation (fourth lowest), per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. That’s, to a point, a mirrored image and knock towards Hurts, who has additionally had the good thing about enjoying in very pleasant circumstances. He performs behind a great offensive line and with distinctive ability gamers (although the specter of his legs helps, too). Hurts’ 65 QBR ranks tenth — scrambles and designed runs are essentially the most environment friendly components of his sport. However on non-scramble dropbacks, Hurts nonetheless ranked eleventh in QBR (61), and he additionally led the league in completion share over expectation (plus-7, through Subsequent Gen Stats).

Power: Runs — each designed (together with the tush push) and scrambles. The Eagles working the tush push with such success is a credit score to Hurts and the offensive line, and its impact should not be minimized. Hurts ranks second amongst all quarterbacks in complete EPA (58) generated on runs and scrambles — one thing that was true even earlier than the postseason. And it is not all fourth-and-1 conversions. performs with 2 yards or extra to go, the Eagles’ EPA on Hurts’ runs (37) ranks third finest behind the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and the Payments’ Josh Allen.

Hurts can be simpler on runs up the center than going east and west; he averaged 0.29 EPA per play on runs and scrambles with at the very least 2 yards to go outdoors the tackles, however 0.42 EPA per play inside.

Weak point: Sack avoidance. The Eagles’ offensive line deservedly receives loads of reward. It ranked sixth in go block win price (67.4%) and has arguably the NFL’s finest deal with in Lane Johnson. And but, Hurts has taken sacks on 9.4% of his dropbacks, which is forward of solely the Titans’ Will Levis and the Bears’ Caleb Williams amongst QBR-qualifying quarterbacks. The results of that difficulty have been profound; the Eagles’ offense has recorded 1.1 anticipated factors added per drive that doesn’t embody a sack, however that quantity drops to minus-1.0 when there may be at the very least one sack. — Walder

Learn extra: Can Hurts provide a Super Bowl win to quiet the doubters? … Every way to bet Mahomes … Every way to bet on Hurts

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Projecting the passing field rating

In preparation for the Tremendous Bowl, I got here up with predicted stat lines for every player concerned, together with passing projections for the 2 QBs. When Mahomes is aware of what he is getting on any given play, he not often misses the inform or the throw. On fast throws this season, Mahomes had a hit price of 60.9%. However towards fast throws, the Eagles allowed solely 5.5 yards per try — finest within the NFL. One thing has bought to provide. Issues may get difficult within the crimson zone, the place impulsively there is no beneath area. However keep in mind, Reid cooked the Eagles within the crimson zone two Tremendous Bowls in the past with back-and-forth motions.

Hurts, in the meantime, has been higher towards the blitz, his largest criticism exiting 2023, and has usually turn out to be extra correct as a thrower. However the largest enchancment he made this season was not turning the ball over. He may really should throw the Eagles again into this sport, although. I count on Chiefs D-coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to current a ton of untamed seems to be to remove quick-game choices and encourage Hurts, one of many league leaders in time to throw (3.13 seconds), to carry onto the soccer. The longer the down, the extra seemingly it’s Hurts takes a foul sack. — Ben Solak, NFL analyst

Learn extra: Solak projects the full Super Bowl box score (ESPN+)

Largest questions

Can the Chiefs defend the Eagles’ tush push?

Judging solely by how they defended the Payments’ model of the play within the AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs have motive to imagine they will maintain up effectively. Josh Allen and Buffalo tried it six occasions towards Kansas Metropolis however transformed simply twice. One cease got here on fourth down on the Kansas Metropolis 41-yard line within the fourth quarter, when the Chiefs trailed by a degree. They used the favorable discipline place to attain the go-ahead landing.

“The [defensive] line must be dominant,” defensive deal with Chris Jones mentioned on how the Chiefs defended the play. “Your two [nose guards] and your two ends should be bodily on the within.”

Kansas Metropolis hasn’t fared as effectively in defending Hurts on the tush push. He used it to attain two touchdowns towards the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. Hurts additionally used it to attain the successful landing towards Kansas Metropolis within the fourth quarter of a Week 11 regular-season contest in 2023. — Teicher

Learn extra: Chiefs’ biggest matchup questions

What do the Eagles want from receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith to enhance the run sport?

They’re going to want the sort of passing effectivity they obtained within the NFC Championship Game when Hurts went 20-of-28 for 246 yards, a landing and no interceptions. It marked simply the second time since mid-November that Hurts threw for 200-plus yards.

Questions continued concerning the aerial assault for a lot of the season. The manufacturing didn’t match the sort of expectations that include gamers like Brown, Smith, Hurts and tight finish Dallas Goedert on the offense. However a lot of it was by design, because the teaching employees — armed with a dominant protection and floor sport — leaned conservative with the go to maintain turnovers at a minimal. That strategy has labored fairly effectively: The Eagles have 10 takeaways to zero giveaways within the playoffs.

Hurts quipped after the NFC title sport that coach Sirianni “let me out of my straitjacket slightly bit,” permitting him to air it out to Brown and Smith greater than common. Sirianni ought to go into this matchup assured about Hurts, who had the most effective performances of his profession in Super Bowl LVII (374 complete yards, 4 touchdowns). Smith (7 catches, 100 yards) and Brown (6 catches, 96 yards, TD) have been a giant a part of that. They’re going to seemingly be known as on once more provided that the Chiefs are positive to be centered on slowing down Barkley. — McManus

Learn extra: Eagles’ biggest matchup questions

Keys to a Chiefs win

Positional benefit: Quarterback

Mahomes’ success in important moments of a sport, plus his potential to create on scrambles, offers the Chiefs a definitive benefit at quarterback. His league-best QBR on third down within the common season (90) jumped to 98 within the playoffs. Mahomes additionally transformed 22 first downs as a runner on scramble makes an attempt within the common season, with 5 extra within the playoffs. Along with his elite instincts to win on cash downs, he can lengthen drives along with his legs. The Eagles’ go rush will definitely warmth up the pocket and drive him to maneuver. — Matt Bowen, NFL analyst

Chiefs’ X issue: Jaylen Watson, CB

After enjoying extra of a depth function in 2023, Watson was penciled in as a starter to switch the departed L’Jarius Sneed in 2024. And for the primary few video games, Watson was incredible. By way of Week 7, his protection DVOA of minus-51.5% was fifth within the league amongst beginning cornerbacks. However he fractured an ankle in Week 7 and was misplaced for the common season.

There is not any query the Chiefs’ protection nosedived after Watson bought damage. In Weeks 1 by 7, the Chiefs ranked second in defensive DVOA. Within the following six weeks, Kansas Metropolis ranked twenty eighth in defensive DVOA. The Chiefs reversed issues within the ultimate few weeks of the season, with sturdy defensive performances in Weeks 14 by 17 earlier than they sat starters in Week 18.

Watson has returned to the lineup for the postseason, and he is again to shutting down opposing receivers. Within the first two playoff video games, FTN Data charting listed Watson as the primary defender in protection on 5 passes. The Texans and Bills weren’t throwing at him. The one accomplished passes he allowed have been an 8-yard completion to Texans’ Xavier Hutchinson late within the fourth quarter and a completion for no acquire to Payments’ Ty Johnson in zone protection. Watson is normally lined up because the left cornerback, which implies he’ll be masking whoever is the outermost Eagles receiver on the suitable aspect. — Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst

Rookie to observe: Xavier Worthy, WR

Worthy has turn out to be a go-to goal for the Chiefs’ offense. The primary-round decide completed the common season with 59 catches for 638 receiving yards and 6 landing receptions. He can be up towards the Eagles’ secondary, the most effective within the NFL, so coach Reid and Mahomes should determine the right way to get Worthy concerned within the passing sport. However along with his velocity and dynamic skills, count on to see many targets going his means within the Tremendous Bowl. — Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst

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Keys to an Eagles win

Positional benefit: Secondary

Since Week 6, when rookie slot nook Cooper DeJean was inserted into the beginning lineup, the Eagles have allowed a league-low 5.2 yards per try and 171.9 passing yards per sport. On the perimeter, corners Quinyon Mitchell and Darius Slay Jr. are sticky in protection, with high-end closing velocity. And safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship can play top-down on the ball, which is a seamless match for coordinator Vic Fangio’s split-field schemes. This defensive unit has the personnel and the playcaller to create matchup benefits towards the Chiefs’ large receivers and tight ends. — Bowen

Eagles’ X issue: Nolan Smith Jr., LB

After a quiet rookie season in 2023 (one sack, 18 tackles and no begins), Smith has been a way more vital a part of the Eagles’ go rush this season. He entered the beginning lineup for good in Week 9 and had 6.5 sacks within the common season. Smith has been on hearth within the playoffs, with 4 sacks whereas enjoying over 80% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps over the previous three video games. His go rush win price of 16.6% would have ranked seventeenth if he had sufficient snaps to qualify for ESPN’s rankings.

Smith developed a lot this season that he primarily made big-money free agent Bryce Huff disappear. Huff, who signed a three-year, $51.1 million deal within the offseason, misplaced his beginning job to Smith at midseason and has performed solely 13 complete defensive snaps within the playoffs.

Smith has 28 complete go pressures (together with the playoffs), which ranks third on the Eagles behind the better-known Jalen Carter (34) and Josh Sweat (36). Because the left outdoors linebacker, Smith will spend many of the Tremendous Bowl lined up towards proper deal with Jawaan Taylor, who has given up essentially the most first pressures on the Chiefs (72, together with the playoffs). — Schatz

Rookie to observe: Quinyon Mitchell, CB

The Eagles’ protection is stuffed with influence rookies like Mitchell, DeJean and Jalyx Hunt, who’ve helped information the workforce again to the Tremendous Bowl. However none has been extra vital than Mitchell. The primary-rounder has been superior at cornerback, particularly within the postseason, the place he has two interceptions. Going through a Chiefs passing assault that can be in search of methods to get the ball into the arms of Worthy, Mitchell’s man protection potential and playmaking expertise ought to come up massive for Philadelphia. The Eagles’ defensive position is a matchup benefit, and if they will get Mahomes transferring off his spot and making late throws, Mitchell can be in line to profit from it. — Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst

ESPN’s FPI has the Eagles successful 56.1% of the simulations — and they’re favored to win by a mean of two.2 factors.

This matchup is a showdown between two top-10 groups in FPI: the No. 5 Eagles (6.0) and the No. 6 Chiefs (3.9). The Eagles are fifth on offense and the Chiefs rank seventh. On protection, Philadelphia ranks first and Kansas Metropolis is thirteenth. The Chiefs have been No. 2 in FPI within the preseason, whereas the Eagles have been No. 5.

Within the preseason, the Chiefs had the second-best likelihood to make the Tremendous Bowl (18.9%) and the Eagles had the third-best odds (16.4%). Kansas Metropolis was given a 9.4% likelihood to win it, whereas Philadelphia was at 9.6%.

Who wins the sport?

We requested 67 consultants to weigh in on who will win. The Chiefs have been picked by 41 of them (61.2%), whereas the Eagles claimed 26 votes (38.8%). The most typical rating predictions have been 27-24 (picked by 10 of our consultants), 27-23 (5) and 31-28 (5).

Learn extra: ESPN staff predictions

Of the 67 consultants who weighed in, 37 (55.2%) picked Mahomes to win Tremendous Bowl MVP. Mahomes (+105), Barkley (+275) and Hurts (+360) are the ESPN BET betting favorites. We requested a number of consultants to elucidate their MVP prediction.

Elizabeth Merrill, senior author: Barkley. He turns 28 on Sunday, the 12 months NFL working backs sometimes start their declines, however Barkley has by no means regarded higher. He has been unstoppable within the postseason.

Jason Reid, Andscape senior author: Mahomes. The NFL’s finest participant needs to turn out to be the best of all time by successful his fourth award.

Jeremy Fowler, nationwide NFL reporter: Barkley. He’s a near-unstoppable-force, averaging greater than 150 speeding yards per sport over his previous 5 video games. If the Eagles win, he’ll be the catalyst.

Lindsey Thiry, nationwide NFL reporter: Mahomes has led the Chiefs to a few Tremendous Bowl titles and was named the MVP in every. He is a confirmed champion who again and again has lifted his workforce to many inconceivable victories. It’s unfathomable to foretell anybody else however the star quarterback as essentially the most precious participant.

Seth Walder, analytics author: Hurts. Quarterbacks — sure, I imagine even these on the identical workforce as Barkley — have such an edge on this market. If the Eagles do certainly win, it is just about sure Hurts may have made some massive performs. And so long as the receiving manufacturing is unfold out throughout a few gamers, the award will default again to him.

Learn Extra: Experts predict Chiefs-Eagles score, MVP … Betting buzz: An O-lineman for MVP?

Stats to know

Workforce stats: Chiefs | Eagles

Chiefs

• Mahomes has 4 straight playoff victories when trailing at the beginning of the fourth quarter, which is the longest streak by a quarterback all time. It began towards the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.

• Together with the playoffs, Chris Jones ranks third in go rush win price (15.3%) amongst inside defenders regardless of rating fifth in double-team price (70%).

• This can be Reid’s forty fifth playoff sport as a head coach (with the Chiefs and Eagles), passing Invoice Belichick for essentially the most all time. He’s the primary head coach to face his former workforce twice within the Tremendous Bowl.

• The Chiefs have gained 9 straight postseason video games courting to the 2022 postseason, which is tied for the second-longest streak in NFL postseason historical past. The Patriots gained 10 straight from 2001 to 2005.

• Kansas Metropolis is sporting white jerseys for the second time in its three straight Tremendous Bowl appearances. Relationship to Tremendous Bowl XXXIX within the 2004 season, the workforce sporting white jerseys has gained 16 of the previous 20 Tremendous Bowls. The Chiefs wore crimson jerseys of their Super Bowl LIV and LVIII wins.

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Eagles

• Hurts already has essentially the most speeding touchdowns by a quarterback within the postseason (9). One other rating will make him the ninth participant all time to achieve 10. Solely two others have accomplished that within the twenty first century — Marshawn Lynch (12) and LeGarrette Blount (11).

• The Eagles want 27 factors for essentially the most in a single postseason in NFL historical past. The file was set by the 1994 49ers (131), who achieved the mark in a single much less sport.

• There have been 36 gamers to see at the very least 75 targets in protection this season, together with the playoffs. DeJean and Mitchell rank second and third, respectively, in yards per goal allowed as the closest defender in protection, trailing the Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr., per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats.

• Barkley wants 30 yards to surpass Terrell Davis’ 1998 file for essentially the most speeding yards in a single season (2,476), together with the playoffs. Since Steve Spagnuolo grew to become the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator in 2019, Kansas Metropolis has not allowed any participant to hurry for 100 yards towards them within the playoffs.

• The Eagles completed the common season with extra rush makes an attempt (621) than go makes an attempt (448). Out of the primary 40 Tremendous Bowl champions, 33 had extra rushes than go makes an attempt of their Tremendous Bowl successful seasons (83%). Since 2006, the 2013 Seahawks are the one workforce to try this.

Learn extra: Super Bowl LIX by the numbers: Key stats for Chiefs-Eagles … Super Bowl history: Facts, stats, and records to know

Daring predictions

Worthy will end as the highest large receiver in receiving yards. The rookie’s velocity and flexibility are precisely what Reid will wish to leverage towards the Eagles, particularly when he is up towards Mitchell. The Eagles may wrestle to concentrate on shutting down one receiving playmaker for the Chiefs. Bracketing Travis Kelce or JuJu Smith-Schuster opens the door for Worthy to capitalize on one-on-one matchups. — Eric Moody, NFL analyst

Hollywood Brown will rating the game-winning TD. Brown may have a giant day, gathering at the very least 125 receiving yards. He’ll clinch Kansas Metropolis’s three-peat by discovering the tip zone with seconds to go. — Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst

The Eagles will win convincingly. Even once we exclude Week 18 (each groups rested gamers), the Eagles maintain a solid-to-sizable edge in offensive, defensive and general EPA. The 2024 Chiefs are notorious for his or her knack of finding ways to sneak by with wins, however the Eagles have had about the identical success within the win column after a gradual begin (each are 15-1 of their previous 16 video games, excluding Week 18) and have accomplished so in a extra convincing trend. — Mike Clay, NFL analyst

Barkley will rush for 125-plus yards and earn MVP honors within the course of. Of the 19 video games Barkley has performed this season, he has rushed for over 100 yards in 14 of them, topping 200 yards twice. Count on the Eagles to put on down a strong Chiefs protection and — as was the case most frequently this season — the majority of Barkley’s manufacturing will come within the second half. — Stephania Bell, NFL analyst

The deciding play will come from the foot of 1 workforce’s kicker. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott has had a troublesome common season, lacking eight complete discipline targets — that’s as many as he missed over the prior three seasons mixed. However he, like Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, has made no scarcity of big-time kicks for Philadelphia in his profession. One way or the other, a way, this sport appears like it will likely be a decent one and a discipline objective might be the distinction. — Area Yates, NFL analyst

Who’s in, and who’s out?

Harm stories: Chiefs | Eagles

Kansas Metropolis ought to have its decide of all 53 of its gamers for the Tremendous Bowl. The Chiefs took benefit of the three weeks between clinching the AFC’s prime playoff seed in Week 17 and enjoying their preliminary postseason sport within the divisional spherical to provide injured gamers like Mahomes (ankle), Jones (calf) and Isiah Pacheco (fibula) an prolonged break. Then the workforce was lucky to not endure a major harm in both of its playoff video games. — Teicher

Middle Cam Jurgens (back) and left guard Landon Dickerson (knee) missed components of the NFC title sport due to accidents. However Jurgens and Dickerson have been full individuals at apply this week and each have spoken optimistically about enjoying. DeVonta Smith has been restricted this week with a hamstring harm however intends to play. Veteran defensive finish Brandon Graham, who got here up with the game-defining strip sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII, has been working again from a torn left triceps and is hopeful to go well with up. There’s a likelihood the Eagles may have all of their authentic starters obtainable besides linebacker Nakobe Dean, who tore the patellar tendon in his left knee throughout the wild-card game towards the Packers. — McManus

What to know concerning the officiating

Ron Torbert is one in all three referees the NFL has trusted to work the Tremendous Bowl on this decade. He joins Invoice Vinovich and Carl Cheffers to every obtain two Tremendous Bowl assignments since 2020. In his first look (Super Bowl LVI), Torbert’s crew took a again seat for a lot of the sport, declining to throw a flag for a doable offensive go interference or face masks name on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, and totaling solely 4 flags by the primary 58 minutes of the sport. The Rams’ successful possession, nonetheless, featured 4 extra flags, together with two towards Bengals go defenders within the crimson zone.

In 2024, Torbert’s regular-season crew threw the third-most flags within the NFL (17.1). His divisional-round crew threw 12 flags, six apiece towards the Commanders and Lions, however none for both roughing the passer or offensive holding. — Kevin Seifert, Vikings reporter

Learn extra: NFL names Torbert referee for Super Bowl LIX … NFLRA says theories that officials favor Chiefs ‘insulting’ … Goodell shuts down notion NFL officials partial to Chiefs … Inexperience of Super Bowl officials is ‘huge departure’

The right way to wager Tremendous Bowl LIX

Present line from ESPN BET Sportsbook: Chiefs -1, O/U 48.5

Since 2021, underdogs are 4-0 towards the unfold and 3-1 outright within the Tremendous Bowl. Underdogs are 22-36 outright and 29-27-2 ATS within the Tremendous Bowl all time. The Chiefs are 4-2 outright and ATS within the Tremendous Bowl, successful and masking in every of the previous two seasons.

Mahomes is 3-1 outright and ATS within the Tremendous Bowl. All of Mahomes’ Tremendous Bowls have featured traces of three factors or much less. The factors complete hit the over in each of the Chiefs’ previous two Tremendous Bowl appearances. The entire for the pending Chiefs-Eagles matchup opened at 49.5 at ESPN BET.

Learn extra: Updated odds and trends for Chiefs-Eagles … Americans expected to bet $1.39B legally on Super Bowl … Betting for beginners … Your guide to making the best picks on Sunday (ESPN+) … A Swiftie’s guide to Taylor-themed Super Bowl prop bets … Mike Clay’s playbook (ESPN+)

Who’s enjoying the halftime present?

Kendrick Lamar will perform on the halftime present. He’s a 22-time Grammy winner, and in 2018, he grew to become the primary non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his album “DAMN.”

Lamar’s final album, “GNX,” was launched in November. He garnered a lot consideration in 2024 along with his diss monitor “Not Like Us,” which was aimed toward fellow hip-hop star Drake. On the 67th Grammy Awards, “Not Like Us” gained 5 awards: Track of the Yr, File of the Yr, Greatest Rap Track, Greatest Music Video and Greatest Rap Efficiency. 5-time Grammy winner SZA can be a particular visitor in Lamar’s efficiency.

Learn extra: Lamar previews his upcoming halftime show … Most searched Super Bowl halftime shows … Who has performed at Super Bowl halftime show? … SZA to join during Super Bowl halftime performance

Tremendous Bowl FAQs

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