Super Bowl 2025 predictions: Picks for Chiefs v Eagles, MVP, score and winners

Will Patrick Mahomes lead Kansas City to an unprecedented three-peat? Or will Jalen Hurts help Philadelphia complete unfinished business. Win the first downs. The Chiefs need to find a way to turn the Eagles into a dropback passing offense. Philly’s passing game can be boom-or-bust, relying on low-percentage shot plays to AJ Brown to keep the chains moving. If Steve Spagnuolo can scheme up something to win the initial down, his front can take over on second and third downs. Oliver Connolly.

Keep Mahomes clean. Two years ago the Eagles became only the second Super Bowl team in history (along with the 1974 Steelers) to lead the NFL in sacks but fail to record one in the big game. That protection went a long way toward swinging the balance in a contest that went down to the wire. But there’s no question Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith will offer a stiffer test for Kansas City’s stout offensive line than Ndamukong Suh, Linval Joseph and Robert Quinn did. Bryan Armen Graham.

Aside from continuing to grease the refs? Juuust kidding. The Chiefs need to keep doing all the things that have defined their success, including their top-ranked third-down offense and general playoff clutchness. Oh, and they must stop that Saquon Barkley dude. Melissa Jacobs. Consolidate third-down stops by scoring as soon as they get the ball back. The Eagles offense is all about ball control – but if they fall behind, sticking with the run game might not suffice, even with Saquon Barkley’s home-run capabilities. It’ll put pressure on Jalen Hurts to throw to catch up and, well, he’s no Patrick Mahomes in a shootout. Andrew Lawrence.

Mahomes needs to get the ball out quickly. Kansas City’s offensive line could be their achilles heel. Joe Thuney has filled in at left tackle well but guards Mike Caliendo and Trey Smith have struggled in the postseason giving up 11 pressures on 58 passing snaps. If blockers aren’t all over their assignments then Philadelphia provide one of the worst matchups possible. Defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Milton Williams have the power to burst through the interior while Nolan Smith is highly disruptive from the edge. The depth of talent from players such as Jordan Davis and Josh Sweat also ups the ante compared to the defenses they have seen in the playoffs so far. Graham Searles.

Plaster the Chiefs’ receivers. Mahomes has been immune to pressure, but he has struggled this season when forced to hold onto the ball. If the Eagles corners can hang in sticky coverage, Mahomes will be forced to scramble around to create on his own. Ordinarily, that’s terrifying. For the Eagles, it would be a win. OC. Win first down. If Barkley can get into a rhythm of consistent four- or five-yard gains on first-and-10, the Eagles’ path to victory broadens considerably. By avoiding the difficult second- and third-and-long situations that will allow Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to dial up aggressive blitzes, Philadelphia’s playbook will expand to the quick throws, RPOs and designed runs that play to Hurts’ strengths (say nothing of more Saquon). Most important, it will control the clock and keep Mahomes off the field. BAG.

Get Saquon going early and often to keep Mahomes off the field. Hurts must be better throwing the ball away if the Chiefs get any penetration. Perhaps mst importantly, the Eagles’ pass defense, which was top-ranked during the season but has slipped in the playoffs, has to hold off Mahomes’s sweet spot: intermediate throws. MJ. Likely, Hurts has been thinking about his fumble in the Super Bowl for the past two years. It was the only blemish in an otherwise magnificent game which saw him defy expectations and duel throw for throw with Mahomes. If the Eagles want revenge, they can’t sabotage themselves – and Hurts can’t afford another massive mistake, even if it’s just the one. AL.

If Hurts is fully healthy then expanding his role with designed runs will keep the Chiefs on their toes as they fixate on Barkley. Not that the running back needs any help to destroy Kansas City. The Eagles need to refrain from overthinking the scenario regardless of how historically great the opponent is. The team is set up for Barkley so just let him fly. GS. Travis Kelce, tight end. Kelce always shows up in the biggest moments. The Eagles’ defense is structured in a way that tight ends get plenty of opportunities to attack the middle of the field. It’s unclear if Philly will designate one of Cooper DeJean, Zach Baun, or Oren Burks (or a combination of two) to track Kelce. Regardless, Mahomes will look Kelce’s way on pivotal downs – and his tight end should have an edge. OC.

Patrick Mahomes, quarterback. You could make the case for right guard Trey Smith, who likely draws the unenviable assignment of containing Carter, who has looked like the second coming of Jerome Brown of late. But as Mahomes goes, so go the Chiefs. His ability to avoid sacks, extend plays and make off-platform throws when things break down remains unmatched – and there’s nobody better at orchestrating a game-winning drive if the game is close in the fourth quarter. BAG.