After 284 games, only one remains in the 2022 NFL season - Super Bowl LVII.
Two weeks of buildup, including seven days of analysis and intense media coverage from Arizona, have led to this. The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs are set to clash for the Lombardi Trophy and yet - despite all the speculation - the match is proving near-impossible to call.
Looking at the stats, it’s easy to see why this Super Bowl is difficult to call. Both teams had six players named to the All-Pro teams, while they each possessed a 14-3 record in the regular season. Both the Eagles and the Chiefs clinched the first seed in their respective conferences, and - remarkably - both teams scored 546 points this season.
It’s not just fans who are struggling to decide on their pick for the winner on Sunday. Current NFL stars, former players, coaches, personalities and journalists are all floundering in equal measure. At the iconic Radio Row throughout the week, Mirror Sport spoke to personalities from all corners of the NFL world to see who is the favourite when the 57th edition of the Super Bowl kicks off on Sunday.
Iconic former NFL head coach - and Super Bowl LV champion with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bruce Arians was strolling around wearing his signature flat cap as he soaked up the atmosphere of the event. He exclusively told Mirror Sport: “I like the Eagles - but I don’t like picking against Patrick Mahomes.”
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb, who joined the Florida franchise via trade before signing a monster five-year extension worth $110 million, backed the Chiefs - after declaring his Dolphins would beat both teams - while star Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James declared Hurts and the Eagles would take home the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields followed James’ lead in going for the Eagles. They proved to be a popular pick around Radio Row, with Buffalo Bills superstar Von Miller - a two-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl 50 MVP - backing Philadelphia to soar past Kansas City.
British NFL star Efe Obada might not be too fond of Philadelphia given they are rivals to his Washington Commanders in the NFC East, but he also felt the Eagles will win. ESPN presenter and former NFL linebacker Sam Acho - who played for the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears and Buccaneers across a nine-year career - believes in newly crowned two-time MVP Mahomes.
“I’m going Kansas City, mainly because everyone else is going Eagles!” Acho declared. “We’ve been overlooking Patrick Mahomes and you can’t underestimate what Andy Reid is going to do with that offence.”
NFL Network’s James Palmer is backing the Eagles, as is Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News. The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia is also going for Philly, while his colleague Kevin Clark even gave a score prediction, saying: “Eagles - and I picked the under, which was 50 right? I’ll go 24-20.”
Gridiron editor Ollie Connolly took it one further, picking the Eagles to win 31-27 while he backed Philadelphia star linebacker Haasan Reddick to claim Super Bowl MVP. Sebastian Milo, a sports content and management specialist for CABRA Sports, also went Eagles with quarterback Jalen Hurts his pick to be named the game’s MVP.
NFL UK general manager Henry Hodgson appeared somewhat taken aback when the question was put to him just 48 hours before kick off. After admitting he hadn’t yet been asked to give his prediction for the contest, he gave a considered reply in the way that only an ambassador for the global expansion of the NFL could, leaning towards the Eagles thanks to charismatic Australian offensive tackle Jordan Mailata.
“I feel it’s going to be an amazing game,” Hodgson exclusively told Mirror Sport in Arizona. “It’s not as often as you’d expect that you’ve got the two obvious number one seeds in the Super Bowl.
“I’m certainly not qualified to give a prediction, but I have a burning desire to see Jordan Mailata come out of this with a win because his story is unlikely and amazing. There are wonderful people with the Chiefs who I have loved working with, but in the end, there’s a part of me that wants Jordan to do it.”
While Hodgson opted for the more diplomatic route of backing the Eagles, Sky Sports presenter Hannah Wilkes went quite literally straight down the middle. She finally declared that it would be the sport of football, not the dynastic Chiefs nor the high-flying Eagles, that would win on Sunday.
“The Eagles are the more complete team, and I do believe defence wins championships and the Eagles defence is elite - but Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce can cook up magic and take the win,” Wilkes told Mirror Sport. “You can’t write off Patrick Mahomes - look what he did on one leg in the AFC Championship! I can’t call it. I’m sitting firmly on the fence. I know it’s pathetic - football is going to be the winner!”
The final numbers suggest perhaps Super Bowl LVII isn’t too tight to call after all. Of the 15 people quizzed, 12 backed the Eagles while just two believe Mahomes and head coach Reid will win a second ring. Wilkes was the sole responder to sit on the fence, giving the Mirror Sport Radio Row poll a final tally of 12-2-1.
The Eagles face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona on Sunday.
