Man vs. Dog: Super Bowl will decide who can pick NFL games more accurate
USA TODAY Sports conducted an experiment on who could more accurately pick NFL games — a dog, man or machine — and Super Bowl 59 will determin the result.
Sports Pulse
Super Bowl 59 has NFL experts in agreement over precisely one thing: the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are widely expected to play an extremely tight game.
The Chiefs have turned winning one-score games into an art form, winning a record 17 straight games that fit the category. That includes Kansas City’s AFC championship win over the Buffalo Bills, which was decided by just three points. Patrick Mahomes seems to always find the open receiver or move the chains when the Chiefs are in trouble, adding to a feeling that the Chiefs are inevitable.
Still, while Kansas City keeps coming up with the big play in crunch time, those close scores leave plenty of room for a savvy observer to pick the Eagles instead. With running back Saquon Barkley having an incredible year and a seemingly impenetrable defense, Philadelphia has plenty of appeal for NFL prognosticators.
Here’s what you need to know about predictions for Super Bowl 59, including odds, moneyline, and why some experts are going with the Eagles rather than the favored Chiefs:
Super Bowl predictions: USA TODAY experts split on Chiefs, Eagles
As one might expect heading into a Super Bowl featuring two outstanding NFL teams, there’s not much to separate the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. Some experts favor the battle-tested Chiefs, while others can’t look past the Eagles’ dominance in the trenches.
That extends to USA TODAY’s NFL staff. Our experts all see a nail-biter of a game Sunday, but when it comes to the winner, it’s a 3-3 split:
- Jarrett Bell: Chiefs 34, Eagles 30
- Chris Bumbaca: Eagles 32, Chiefs 29
- Nate Davis: Eagles 30, Chiefs 27
- Tyler Dragon: Chiefs 27, Eagles 24
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Eagles 20, Chiefs 17
- Lorenzo Reyes: Chiefs 26, Eagles 23
USA TODAY’s Jordan Mendoza explained the logic behind picking the Eagles over the Chiefs:
“The Chiefs defense will have their hands full trying to defend Saquon Barkley and company, who are coming off an electric performance in the NFC championship,” explained Mendoza. “The game will really fall on Jalen Hurts, and whether he’s able to orchestrate a passing game that makes life tough for Kansas City.
“In another Super Bowl that goes down to the final minute, Philadelphia goes down the field and gets the winning score to get revenge on Kansas City and win another Super Bowl title.”
Even Tyler Dragon, who took the Chiefs to win 27-24, admitted that he thinks “the Eagles have the better roster.” However, his counter-point is that Kansas City is uniquely suited to claim yet another win in a close game.
“I’m not betting against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs,” said Dragon. “Kansas City’s won 12 one-score games this season. In addition, the Chiefs have won the last 17 one-score games they’ve played, which is an NFL record.
“The magnitude of Super Bowl 59 won’t phase the Chiefs. We’ve seen Kansas City make game-changing plays on offense, defense and special teams throughout the season. They’ll do it again in New Orleans and become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls.”
Super Bowl 59 game odds: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Kansas City Chiefs are favorites to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles, according to BetMGM. And don’t miss out on big game sportsbook promos and sports betting apps.
Odds as of Friday, Feb. 7
- Spread: Chiefs (-1.5)
- Moneylines: Chiefs (-120); Eagles (+100)
- Over/under: 48.5
How to watch Super Bowl 2025: Time, TV channel, streaming
Super Bowl 59 will be broadcast nationwide on Fox. Streaming options include Fubo, which is offering a free trial for new subscribers, or Tubi.
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 9
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- TV: Fox
- Streaming: Fubo, Tubi
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
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