The legendary coach breaks down the matchup and predicts Super Bowl 59.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β As the Super Bowl approaches, legendary NFL coach Tony Dungy shared his insights on the highly anticipated matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.Β
In an exclusive interview with WCNC Charlotte’s Eugene Robinson, Dungy highlighted the strengths of both teams and offered his predictions for the big game.
Super Bowl LIX (which stands for Super Bowl 59) kicks off Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, around 6:30 p.m. Eastern (5:30 p.m. Central Time, 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time and 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time). The game will air live on FOX.Β
“We have the two best teams in football,” Dungy said. “They’re on long winning streaks and playing good ball. Kansas City has just really found ways to win, week in and week out.”
However, Dungy pointed out that the Eagles have the formula to challenge the Chiefs, harkening back to the Super Bowl matchup between Tampa Bay and Kansas City that saw the Chiefs overwhelmed by a physical opponent.Β
“Philadelphia has a strong running game with [Saquon] Barkley and a great front four,” Dungy said. “It’s going to be an interesting matchup. Tampa had a real strong defensive front, got a lot of pressure on Patrick Mahomes and they ran the ball really well.”
Mahomes was sacked three times and Tampa Bay racked up 10 quarterback hits in a 31-9 victory in Super Bowl 55.
Kansas City defeated Philadelphia in a 38-35 shootout two years ago, but Dungy doesn’t expect that kind of game this time. Instead, he’s anticipating a close, low-scoring contest that will come down to avoiding mistakes.Β
“I think it’s going to be low-scoring, you know a 21-17 type of game,” Dungy explained. “I don’t think we’re going to see the 50 points that Philadelphia put up or 32 from Kansas City.”Β
And while the Eagles are well-suited to beat the Chiefs, Dungy says it’s tough to see Kansas City falling short of the first Super Bowl three-peat.Β
“I just don’t know how you pick against the Chiefs,” he said. “They’ve won so many close games.”
Dungy also offered advice to new viewers who want to sound like an expert at their watch party: pay attention to the kickers.Β
“Harrison Butker has been phenomenal, making 11 straight kicks in the playoffs,” Dungy said. “Jake Elliott’s a great kicker, but he’s had some trouble at distance.”
