Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, setting up a rematch of their championship clash from two seasons ago. And Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman has weighed in with his prediction for the highly anticipated showdown.
Despite having Mahomes and Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’ offense struggled compared to previous seasons. They averaged just 327.6 yards per game in the regular season, ranking 17th in the league. In fact, Kansas City didn’t break the 30-point mark until the AFC Championship Game. Yet, they continue to find ways to win.
The Eagles, on the other hand, boasted one of the league’s most dominant offenses. Their rushing attack ranked second in the NFL with 179.3 yards per game, thanks in large part to Barkley’s impressive 2,005-yard regular season.
Even with elite offensive talent on both sides, Aikman predicts the Super Bowl will be more of a defensive battle.
During a recent appearance on SI Media With Jimmy Traina, Aikman joined the show to discuss several topics, including the Cowboys, Tom Brady, and the upcoming game. The three-time Super Bowl champion shared his thoughts on what to expect from Chiefs vs. Eagles.
“For Philadelphia to get over the hump, they’ve got to play a really clean game,” Aikman said. “Expect this to be a defensive battle. Philly has obviously been really strong defensively, and I think Kansas City has been outstanding as well… I don’t see this game being high-scoring.”
While both offenses are capable of putting up points, the defenses could be the deciding factor. The Eagles featured one of the best defensive units in the league, allowing just 278.4 yards per game (1st in NFL), 174.2 passing yards per game (1st), and 17.8 points per game (2nd).
Kansas City’s defense, though not as dominant statistically, has been solid, allowing just 19.2 points per game (4th). However, stopping Barkley will be a challenge, as they allow 101.8 rushing yards per game (8th).
Aikman knows what it takes to win on the biggest stage. In the 1990s, he led the Cowboys alongside Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, securing three championships in four years.
Super Bowl LIX is set for Sunday, Feb. 9, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
