Eagles, propelled by Hurts and the 鈥淭ush Push鈥� soar past Chiefs, 28-25 // Alex Porter, Senior Staff Writer
They say luck runs out. Well, for America鈥檚 sake, let’s hope the same applies to devil magic. Fortunately for those hate-watching the Chiefs or peers from 鈥渙utside Philly,鈥� the Eagles don鈥檛 need luck to win this Sunday because they have the skill.聽
The Chiefs鈥� generational run this season remains undeniably impressive. However, they鈥檙e yet to face a team of the Eagles鈥� caliber. One through 53, Philadelphia assembled the most talented roster in the NFL.聽
Most fans would agree that the Bills were the Chiefs鈥� toughest opponent yet. If Bills running back James Cook can average 6.5 yards against the Chiefs, imagine what historically great Eagles running back Saquon Barkley might do. If the Chiefs sell out to stop the run, the Eagles can bomb it to A.J. Brown or Devonta Smith 鈥� the best receiving duo in the league, both infinitely more talented than anything Buffalo had to offer.
Then comes the vaunted Eagles defense. In just three playoff games, Philadelphia has forced 10 turnovers 鈥� six on the ground and four in the air. This isn鈥檛 just a hot streak. If you include the last three regular-season games, Philadelphia has forced 20 turnovers in its last six games. Swifties beware 鈥� when the Chiefs make a mistake, this defense will capitalize, most likely making a Super Bowl-winning play.
This all comes without mentioning the 鈥淭ush Push.鈥� With Philadelphia鈥檚 unstoppable quarterback sneak, every set of downs becomes essentially nine yards. Fourth and one? Sorry, Saqoun, it鈥檚 鈥淭ush Push鈥� time. Third and two? Surprise, here comes two 鈥淭ush Pushes.鈥� The Chiefs can dread it, run from it 鈥� the 鈥淭ush Push鈥� arrives all the same.
With the game on the line, expect the play NFL fans once begged to ban to become their saving grace, as Jalen Hurts 鈥淭ush Pushes鈥� it in to take home the Lombardi 鈥� preventing the dreaded Chiefs three-peat. And in the midst of it all, Pitt fans can enjoy Panthers legend Kenny Pickett earning a well-deserved ring of his own.
The Greatest Showman has one more magic trick 鈥� a third straight Lombardi // Sean McQuillan, Staff Writer
Arguably the two best teams the NFL has to offer from the 2024 season will take battle in New Orleans in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII. Two years later, a lot has changed.
The Eagles can and rightfully should win this game. They have players in five different NFL Honors categories, which is the most of any NFL team.
On the other hand, the Chiefs boast some successful members of their own. Head coach Andy Reid is already the most successful coach in Chiefs and Eagles history, having won 143 games since 2013 and 130 games between 1999 and 2012.聽
Star teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have the most touchdowns between any duo in NFL playoff history.聽
Don鈥檛 overthink it, ladies and gentlemen. This should play out as one of the greatest performances you will ever see, and I think Mahomes and company claim the three-peat, 36-33.
Chiefs take care of business, win by two scores // Ari Meyer, Staff Writer
The Kansas City Chiefs are a force to be reckoned with for another season, much to the dismay of many NFL fans. With that said, I don鈥檛 see the Philadelphia Eagles stopping the train that is the Chiefs鈥� competitive edge.聽
With the Chiefs having more playoff experience, making a three-peat is a near certainty. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes will prove himself as one of the greatest playoff performers of all time, pulling out another Super Bowl victory. Tight end Travis Kelce will shine again and should get open for catches on nearly every possession.
While the Eagles boast a strong offensive line and young talent, their lack of experience will show as they struggle to keep up with the Chiefs. I do not anticipate either team to perform incredibly well defensively, and both teams will exchange the lead toward the beginning of the contest.聽
As is tradition, one player will surprisingly shine from the Chiefs, and I am picking JuJu Smith-Schuster to take that role this game. The Chiefs win 42-31.
A lose-lose situation, Taylor Swift is the only hope // Camille de Jesus, Staff Writer聽
I鈥檓 torn more than ever regarding my Super Bowl pick. If you were to ask my honest opinion, I鈥檇 tell you this game is a lose-lose situation. If I could have my way, Roger Goodell would announce five minutes before kickoff that we鈥檙e disbanding the NFL until next season, but alas, when it comes down to it, I must make a choice.聽
As a die-hard Steelers fan the entirety of my life, there鈥檚 truly nothing I hate more than an obnoxious Philly fan. Every year, I have to hear countless Pitt students from the inferior side of the state tell me that their team is the best of all time when their lousy franchise has a singular ring 鈥� unbelievably flawed logic.聽
On the other side of the ball, Patrick Mahomes may stand as the most insufferable man to walk the Earth, and I鈥檝e dealt with some bad ones in my time. His whiny voice, his ability to always convince the refs to take his side and his terrible baby names make him a pretty hated guy.
Although, if I鈥檓 forced to select the lesser of the two evils, I fear I have to go with the Chiefs. There鈥檚 one person single-handedly swaying my choice, and that is my girl Taylor Swift. If I can get any bit of joy from this game, it is a cute picture of my favorite artist and her man embracing on the field under confetti. At its core, a Chiefs win will pain me, but there鈥檚 a little light at the end of the tunnel in a cameo of Taylor and the Lombardi.