Super Bowl 2025 predictions: Can the Eagles stop the Chiefs?

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Sean McDermott coping with another heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs

Sean McDermott coping with another heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs, this one 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game.

The championship games are barely over, and the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are already the favorites to win Super Bowl 2025. 

The Chiefs kicked a late field goal then held off Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, 32-29, in yet another epic playoff game between the two teams. 

Earlier in the day the Philadelphia Eagles dominated division-rival Washington Commanders, 55-23, in a game that saw running back Saquon Barkley rush for 118 yards and three touchdowns.  

The Eagles lost to Chiefs 38-35 in Super Bowl 57, the game that kicked off the Chiefs dominance the last three seasons 

The Chiefs are now early (1.5 points) favorites to become the first team ever to win three-straight Super Bowls, according to BetMGM. The money line for the Chiefs is -125 (bet $125 to win $100), for the Eagles it's +105 (bet $100 to win $105). 

Here's what the early predictions are saying: 

Scott Polacek writes: "There will certainly be plenty of star power in New Orleans with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones leading the Chiefs and Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown spearheading the effort for the Eagles.

"It is also a rematch of Super Bowl LVII from two seasons ago, which came down to the final moments before Kansas City escaped with a 38-35 victory.

"But it's going to be different this time.

"Kansas City feels inevitable, but it is going to lose at some point. It was a solid-but unspectacular 15th in the league in points per game this season and was outgained in total yardage in each of its playoff victories over the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills.

"In fact, Houston enjoyed a 336-212 advantage in total yards, while Buffalo held a closer advantage at 374-368.

"But Mahomes made the plays at the biggest moments like he always does, and many will surely bet that he can do the same in the Super Bowl. The thought here, though, is that the Eagles have the personnel to lift the Lombardi Trophy.

"Barkley was not on the roster the last time these teams met in the Super Bowl, but he is playing at an MVP level for the Eagles. He posted 442 yards and five touchdowns in the team's three NFC playoff games and can help Philadelphia keep Mahomes on the sideline by controlling the clock and game in New Orleans.

"The Eagles are also perfectly suited to pick up the short-yardage plays that proved to be Buffalo's undoing in Sunday's AFC Championship Game. The Bills held a one-point lead with the ball in the fourth quarter but were stopped on a quarterback sneak near midfield, which allowed Kansas City to get the ball back and go down and score a go-ahead touchdown.

"Yet Philadelphia has Hurts and the famous tush-push to pick up those yards. Of course, it can also turn to Barkley to pick up those first downs, which will be necessary to keep Mahomes and Co. away from the ball in the final minutes."

Look for a narrow Eagles victory.

Bill Bender writes: "Will the Eagles' running game control the game? Philadelphia averages 236.7 rushing yards per game and 6.8 yards per carry in the playoffs. Saquon Barkley averages 147.3 rushing yards with five TDs in this run, and he has been effective behind that offensive line. Jurgens and Dickerson will have a week to rest injuries, and their status will need to be monitored during Super Bowl week. Still, Philadelphia had seven rushing TDs in the NFC championship game. 

"Hurts has a 69.5% completion percentage in the playoffs, and A.J. Brown had his best game of the postseason with six catches for 96 yards and a TD against the Commanders. Hurts had 304 passing yards, 70 receiving yards, and four total TDs in his last Super Bowl appearance. 

"How will the Chiefs counter that? Jones anchors a strong interior defensive line, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will continue to dial up the pressure on run blitzes. Kansas City allowed 98.5 rushing yards per game in the playoffs and 104.4 yards per game for the season. Hurts had 70 rushing yards and three TDs in the last Super Bowl matchup, and that was without Barkley. 

"On the other side, how does Philadelphia slow down Mahomes, who had 182 passing yards, 44 rushing yards, and three TDs in the last Super Bowl matchup? Mahomes is 17-3 S/U in the postseason and has a chance to add yet another Super Bowl championship to his resume. 

"This year, Mahomes has made it work with Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Will the Chiefs generate enough of a running game with Kareem Hunt and  Isiah Pacheco to keep the Eagles' defense honest? 

"The Eagles have a plus-10 turnover ratio in the playoffs too — with no turnovers on offense. That will be another factor to watch in the Super Bowl. Linebacker Zach Baun averages 11 tackles per game, and defensive tackle Jordan Davis has three sacks in the postseason. 

"Philadelphia is 13-of-36 (36.1%) on third down in the playoffs. That is where the running game comes in. Will those be third-and-short situations where Hurts can use the "Tush Push?" Or will third-down — and potentially fourth-down — situations be a difference-maker in this game? The Chiefs are 9-of-20 (45%) on third down, and the Eagles will need to find ways to prevent Mahomes from making those game-changing plays. 

"Penalties will be another topic of conversation leading up to the game. Kansas City has nine penalties for 50 yards in two games. Philadelphia has 15 penalties for 108 yards in three games. The last Super Bowl matchup had a controversial defensive holding call, too. 

"The rematch will live up to the expectations, and the Eagles will jump out to a quick lead behind Barkley. If this turns into a shootout, then that would favor Kansas City. Philadelphia allowed an average of 399 total yards in its three losses. Kansas City hit that number one time this season. The Eagles have the best chance to knock the Chiefs off the throne, but we just cannot pick against a Mahomes-led team in this spot. Will a Harrison Butker field goal in the final minutes be the difference?" 

— Bill Wolcott is a producer who helps cover the Buffalo Bills, high school and Rochester sports in general. The lifelong New Yorker has been a journalist for 30 years.