So, you want to bet with your friends about the upcoming Super Bowl. Makes sense to me. Many people want to sound authoritative about the sport without actually knowing too much about it.
Makes sense. There’s only so much time in a day and so many days in a year.
Fortunately, I’m here to help.
So, you want to know who’s going to win Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles?
That’s the million-dollar question.
On one hand, you have the Chiefs with all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce – and his ubiquitous pop-star girlfriend Taylor Swift (who have, together, apparently taken over the world) along with affable head coach Andy Reid (who was once the head coach of the Eagles) and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulolo attempting to make history as the first NFL team to win three straight Super Bowls.
On the other hand, you have the Eagles, who have constructed their team from the offensive line out and added all-world running back Saquon Barkley last offseason to run behind them.
The result has been a season for the ages and that running game is the one thing I think might derail the KC juggernaut.
These two teams played in this game just two seasons ago, with the Chiefs winning a 38-35 nailbiter that went down to the wire.
I think this time around, the Barkley factor might be enough to sway me.
Barkley has the ability to break huge runs even when the other teams loads the box to stop him.
This season, he has six runs of 50-plus yards, which is not only the most by a running back this season but the second-most by any back in the past 25 years.
He’s a generational talent.
And yet, try as I might, with the Eagles’ elite offensive skill players and their all-world offensive line being factors, I just Can’t. Get. Myself. To. Pick. Them.
So, when Sunday comes and I get out of the gym just in time to begin making food for the game, I’ll know that I have earned the extra calories I’ll be putting in my body that day.
Chicken wings, chili, maybe one or two vegetables just to ensure I don’t wake up at 2 a.m. with heartburn. Maybe some other goodies as well!
Much like I was during the AFC championship game, I will be rooting against Kansas City while at the same time girding my loins for the inevitability that they will win.
I’m not especially excited about a rematch from two seasons ago, but I am curious to see what KC’s defense has dreamed up to stop Barkley an company.
Also it feels like I'd be remiss in not mentioning that Philadephia Eagles fans are writ large, terrible people. They go to other team’s stadiums and cause loutish, drunken brawls.
My son had such a bad experience dealing with Eagles fans at our first-ever NFL game that he has rooted against them since that moment, and for only that reason. Individually, you all might be wonderful people who do a lot of good in the world.
However, I’ve seen you guys at football games. It’s…not pretty.
So, that’s my guess. I think this goes down to the wire again and I think the best quarterback I’ve ever seen play the game pulls this one out at the end as well.
Root for the Eagles, but take the Chiefs. KC wins 28-24.
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