Five bold predictions for Super Bowl LIX

This disparity has been a hot topic of conversation over the past two weeks and leaves the NFL in somewhat of a tough spot. If the Chiefs finish the game with fewer penalties, conspiracy theorists will continue to believe Kansas City receives special treatment. If Philadelphia finishes with fewer penalties, some will see it as an admission of guilt and an overcorrection by the NFL.

If the league does anything, they’ll encourage the officials to keep the flags in their pockets and let the players play.

Travis Kelce will top 100 yards

Kansas City’s All-Pro tight end posted a career-low 823 yards and hit the century mark just once during the regular season. He had just 19 yards against the Bills in the AFC Championship Game after making seven catches for 117 yards against the Texans the week before. He’ll do better than that against the Eagles.

The Chiefs passing offense was nothing special this year but rookie cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell certainly were for Philadelphia. Assuming neither are affected by the bright lights of their first Super Bowl, they should have no problem covering Kansas City’s wide receivers, allowing Kelce to work the middle of the field.

Carson Wentz will make an appearance

The Eagles traded up to take Wentz second-overall in the 2016 NFL Draft but he’s played for four teams (mostly as a backup) over the past four years. The 32-year-old quarterback would like nothing more than to face the team that traded him away and will do so on the game’s biggest stage.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2020 but does appear on the team’s latest injury report. While listed as a full participant for Wednesday’s practice, he’s obviously still dealing with a high ankle sprain he suffered against the Browns in Week 16. 

That leaves Wentz one bad hit away from a chance to deny his old team its second Super Bowl championship.

The Eagles win big

Let’s face it. When the majority of experts agree on something, the opposite is often true. In a recent poll, ESPN asked 67 analysts and writers to predict the outcome of this year’s Super Bowl. Most of them, 41 to be exact, picked Kansas City to win the game while only 26 sided with Philadelphia. 

Take the Eagles.