The wait is nearly over.
As the countdown to Super Bowl LVII brings us closer to kickoff between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, we turned to our panel for predictions about who’s got the edge in what is poised to be the most evenly matched championship showdowns we’ve seen in quite some time.
We asked each panellist to predict the winning team, score and MVP, and get creative with a prop bet and one bold prediction for the game. (Lots of Rihanna fans here!)
So, who ya got?
Donnovan Bennett, Writer/Host
Super Bowl winner: Kansas City
Final score: 29-22
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
One prop pick bet: The Gatorade colour will be clear.
One bold prediction for the game: My actual bold prediction is that Rihanna will bring out Drake as her surprise guest and shut down the internet.
My on-field prediction is that Philadelphia’s legendary pass rushers will register zero sacks on Sunday. For starters, Mahomes’ injured ankle is getting better. But more importantly Kansas City will use Philadelphia’s pass-rush prowess against them. Nobody has a more elaborate screen game than Andy Reid and no player is more Oscar-worthy in selling it than Mahomes. When throwing screen passes this year, Mahomes has the best QBR (57) and completion percentage (93 per cent) and the most touchdown passes (5). Since 2018, Mahomes has scored 31 touchdowns on screen passes, 20 more than any other QB. Yes, Philadelphia is first in pass rush win rate this season but Kansas City is first in pass block win rate this year. In this case, good offence beats good defence.
David Morassutti, Associate Editor
Super Bowl winner: Kansas City Chiefs
Final score: 31-28
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
One prop pick bet: Haason Reddick OVER .5 sacks (-167)
One bold prediction for the game: Travis Kelce throws a touchdown pass. When Tyreek Hill was traded out of Kansas City during the off-season, there were questions about the impact it would have on the Chiefs’ offence but Kelce quelled any doubts with another monster season. Expect No. 87 to be heavily used in this game and possibly in some creative ways. You may recall in last year’s playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chiefs used a trick play where he threw a two-yard touchdown pass in a blowout win so it’s not totally out of the realm of possibility.
Mike Koreen, Sr. Editor
Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
Final score: 27-24
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
One prop bet pick: Eagles RB Miles Sanders registers over 54.5 rushing yards
One bold prediction for the game: There will be no turnovers in the game. Both teams have excellent quarterbacks and sharp offensive head coaches. Expect them to play nearly mistake-free football.
Shoaib Alli, Radio Producer
Super Bowl winner: Philadelphia Eagles
Final score: 31-28
Super Bowl MVP: QB Jalen Hurts
One prop pick bet: Rihanna will open the show with her Oscar-nominated song, Lift Me Up, from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, before getting into all of her certified smash hits. (Lift Me Up is currently +700 to be the first song performed, at the time of writing).
One bold prediction for the game: Hurts has a plethora of receiving weapons – we all know the impact A.J. Brown has had on this offence, and fellow wideout DeVonta Smith has had a pretty good sophomore season as well. The receiving option that will factor in the most? Tight end Dallas Goedert, who has quietly had 10 catches and a touchdown in two playoff wins for the Eagles this year despite missing a chunk of time in the middle of the season due to injury. He has a knack for getting open in the middle of the field and will shred the Chiefs’ pass defence for 100-plus receiving yards and a touchdown to boot.
Hayley McGoldrick, Associate Editor
Super Bowl winner: Philadelphia Eagles
Final score: 27-21
Super Bowl MVP: Jalen Hurts
One prop pick bet: Haason Reddick OVER 0.5 sacks (-167)
One bold prediction: As much as many believe the Chiefs could be the newest dynasty with a win, the Eagles have what it takes thanks to Hurts. Hurts is a Super Bowl MVP-caliber quarterback and he’ll show everyone why this Sunday. Howie Roseman said himself that the team believed in Hurts and gave him the tools to succeed this year, and he has made it clear he is just as important to the offence as the receiving threats around him.
Emily Sadler, Writer
Super Bowl winner: Kansas City Chiefs
Final score: 34-31
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
One prop pick bet: Jerick McKinnon scores first touchdown of the game
One bold prediction for the game: After putting up middling numbers all season and being blanked through two playoff games en route to the Super Bowl, Kansas City’s run game takes centre stage at last with three rushing touchdowns. The Eagles have very few weaknesses, but past losses show a vulnerability against the run. Mahomes will still shine bright enough to get the MVP nod (might he try a behind-the-back pass!?), but considering the strength of Philadelphia’s pass defence, the path to victory might just be on the ground.
Mike Johnston, Writer
Super Bowl winner: Philadelphia Eagles
Final score: 39-26
Super Bowl MVP: Jalen Hurts
One prop pick bet: Kenneth Gainwell anytime TD (+275 at Sports Interaction)
One bold prediction for the game: Patrick Mahomes throws multiple interceptions for a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance and this time at least one ends up as a pick six.
My Superb Owl pick this year is the Forest Eagle Owl, which is a wild coincidence since my Super Bowl pick is the Eagles, who just happen to wear forest green uniforms. As all of you are acutely aware, forest eagle owls are large and powerful just like Philadelphia is on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Mahomes will be seeing forest green ghosts out there.
