NEW ORLEANS Throughout the season, Kansas City won games by the slimmest of margins: a last-minute stand, a field goal blocked or made, or a score at the last second, all of which made general manager Brett Veach nervous.
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Veach, however, remembered sitting there and watching as his team thrashed the Steelers 29-10 on Christmas Day, when Kansas City met Pittsburgh in a game that was truly a must-win for them to secure the No. 1 seed and a first-round playoff bye.
Veach added, “I thought that’s kind of how this team operates.” They can lock in and play their greatest football when it counts most, for example, when they are in these have-to-have-it states. It’s a quality of a champion.
This characteristic contributes to Kansas City’s near-invincibility in the postseason.
The team’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles to complete a record three-peat may also be largely due to this.
The two-time defending Super Bowl winners enter Sunday’s game on a nine-game winning streak in the playoffs, which is more evidence that they appear to step up when it counts.
After two years of consistent success, including a thrilling Super Bowl victory over the Eagles, they most recently lost to Cincinnati in the 2021 AFC title game.
Veach explained that the regular season isn’t a big game until it’s all or nothing because you get used to it every week. It’s somewhat of a phenomenon that these players perform at their peak when it counts most.
Veach continued, “I don’t know how you handle all that winning, but that’s not the kind of trait you want to hang your hat on.” It’s difficult to sit there with them in Week 2 in Atlanta and say, “Guys, we have to have this.”
However, a number of elements on both sides of the ball and special teams offer Kansas City an edge, which is why they are a 1 1/2-point favorite, according to BetMGM, rather than just their championship history.
Kansas City offense
Patrick Mahomes has won three Super Bowl rings and been named MVP in each of those contests for a reason. Like the rest of his team, the superstar quarterback elevates his game when it comes to the playoffs.
Additionally, he has more support now than he did in previous years.
Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt were added by Kansas City to form a strong one-two in the backfield. Travis Kelce is still there to demand that opposing defenders pay attention.
Most importantly, though, Mahomes has arguably the strongest wide receiver group of his career, led by first-round pick Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, and three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins.
This club is deserving of a spot in the Super Bowl. Hopkins stated, “That’s what we are.” We play to the very end. We never give up. It speaks much about us as rivals. That speaks volumes about a team.
Kansas City defense
Saquon Barkley, who set a record with 2,005 yards rushing in the regular season and is averaging 147.3 yards in three postseason games, gave Philadelphia the second-best rush offense in the league. However, the K.C. defense has been strong in halting the run; this season, they shut down Bijan Robinson, Alvin Kamara, and other players, and they were ranked seventh in the NFL.
Steve Spagnuolo, the defensive coordinator for Kansas City, is one of the finest in the industry at implementing creative blitzes that are meant to confuse quarterbacks, and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has suffered a little under pressure in the throwing game.
Chris Jones, a defensive tackle for Kansas City, stated, “I think it’s going to be important for us to establish a dominance up front.” Saquon must be stopped in the run game. This year has been his best ever. There is undoubtedly a challenge in front of us.
Special teams
Matt Araiza can shift field position with every punt, while Harrison Butker, the kicker for Kansas City, can hit from more than sixty yards out. Kansas City has an advantage on special teams when you add in the fact that Nikko Remigio has become a valuable returner and that K.C. has demonstrated their ability to block kicks, as demonstrated in their victory over Denver.
This squad has been unique to me because it has included everyone, Mahomes stated. If you look at our entire season, it seems like someone, whether it be on special teams, offense, or defense, makes a huge play at the most crucial time to win a game. I believe that the fact that it has involved every player on the team—not just the offense or defense—is what I will remember most about this season. Hopefully, we can execute it correctly and secure this last victory.
— AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta
What TV channel is Super Bowl 2025 on? Is Kansas City vs. Eagles streaming?
What: LIX (Super Bowl 59)
Who: Kansas City versus. Philadelphia Eagles | 2025 playoff bracket
Kendrick Lamar with special guests during the halftime show
When: February 9, 2025, Sunday. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT), with coverage starting at 2:30 p.m.
Where: New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome
TV network: Fox or on-demand streaming. By using the channel finders for well-known providers such as Comcast Xfinity, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, and Optimum/Altice, you may learn more about which channel Fox is on in your area.
You can watch this game locally on your Fox affiliate if you have an HDTV antenna (see the channel finder below). This HDTV antenna is now the best-selling HDTV antenna product on Amazon, so if you need one right away, purchase one. It ships fast with Prime and costs about $20.
How to watch live or on-demand streaming: You can still watch this game live for free without cable if you have DirecTV Stream or Fubo (free trial). You can watch the game on Fox Sports Live by logging in using your provider details if you currently have a cable or satellite subscription.
Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Eagles game spread, latest betting odds
Spread of points: PHI: +1.5 | KC: -1.5
Above/Below: 48.5
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