NEW ORLEANS — Just days ahead of the Super Bowl, the NFL Honors took place at the Saenger Theater. But before Bills quarterback Josh Allen was crowned league MVP or Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels earned Rookie of the Year, dozens of current and former players (as well as some celebrities) walked the event’s red carpet.
NBC News polled some of them for their predictions for the Chiefs versus the Eagles.
J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers RB
I don’t have a score prediction but I do think the Chiefs win because it’s hard to beat Patrick Mahomes. They don’t know how to lose. Andy Reid and those guys are winners, so it’s going to be hard.
[A three-peat] would be legendary for sure. It’s great to see legendary things happen.
Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns DB
I got the Eagles taking it all. I don’t really want to see the Chiefs three-peat, but it would be cool. Philadelphia is a dominant team. They got balance across the board with receivers, a running back in Saquon [Barkley] and a good defense. I think they could do it.
[Barkley] is having a historic season. I personally think he should have gotten the rushing record, but he had a great year.
Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins LB
I want the Eagles to win because of [fellow Penn State alum] Saquon. We have the same agent and we talk to him from here and there. He’s been the difference every game this season. If I was a defensive coordinator, I would put everyone in the box, but then again everyone tried that and it didn’t work.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars WR
I got to go with the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes is a great player and I just feel like he’ll pull it out.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers WR
If I have to make a prediction, I’d say the Chiefs solely off pairing that really good defense — a top-five defense — with Pat Mahomes and Andy Reid. It’s tough to beat.
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals TE
I’m predicting both tight ends to have three touchdowns [laughs].
J.T. Gray, New Orleans Saints DB
I feel like it’ll be a great game. I’m rooting for both sides. I have friends on both sides and want everybody to be productive. All of the guys I’m rooting for are going to have a great game: Zack Baun, Darius Slay and Chris Jones.
Wendell Pierce, actor
It’s going to be a close game and I think Kansas City is going to win. Patrick Mahomes protects the ball and he’s a difference-maker.
Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers kicker
Eagles are going to smoke them. I’m pumped. I got a buddy playing for the Eagles so I’m rooting for him. Moro Ojomo is going to get a sack and it’s going to be awesome. Their defensive line is great, and with Saquon you have the running threat. If Jalen Hurts balls out, it’s going to be a great time.
Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers LB
Neither team wins, the stadium shuts down [laughs]. I just really dislike both teams so I could care less who wins.
Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins OT
Any playoff game, especially the Super Bowl, comes down to turnovers. I believe in a close game, it’ll be Kansas City. Their situational football is second to none, which is why they are consistent every time. But I do believe the Eagles have a chance to separate themselves.
It’s a great matchup. A close game? Kansas City. But the Eagles have a chance to win by two scores.
LaDainian Tomlinson, former Chargers RB and NFL Hall of Famer
I think Philly is the more talented team, but if the game is close, Kansas City is going to win.
Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings head coach
Chiefs. [I’ll be watching] how people defend Travis Kelce. We have Justin Jefferson in Minnesota and it’s always unique, the defenses we see. It’s a lot of the same with Travis. The rapport that he and Patrick have together is one of one. It’s going to be fantastic to watch.
Flavor Flav, musician
It’s hard, because Patrick Mahomes is my favorite quarterback and Saquon Barkley is may favorite running back. If I had to pick, I’d pick both. I want to see Saquon with a ring, but I also want to see Patrick Mahomes get that record of three Super Bowls in a row. That would be the biggest thing for his legacy.
Don Lemon, television host
Eagles 38-35. I lived in Philadelphia for a while. I don’t really have a dog in the fight. But Kansas City has won. Give someone else a chance! Plus you don’t want to piss off Eagles fans. They throw batteries, they climb up telephone poles. They are pretty rabid. [If they win the Super Bowl], you’re going to have to send police officers and emergency people from other cities. That’s what’s going to happen.
Chris Simms, former NFL QB and NBC Sports analyst
It’s “Clash of the Titans.” I’m one that’s not exhausted by this matchup. This is awesome to me because they’re both great. There’s greatness here.
The Chiefs are special. We know that. I’ve been calling it the “brain vs. brawn” matchup. The Eagles are brawn. They’re just like, ‘This is what we do. You know it. Screw you. You can’t stop it.’ The Chiefs are breaking the huddle and doing 9 million shifts and dance pirouettes, and the defense does all these crazy things with Spags. So that, to me, is kind of the cool theme of the football game.
But I’m taking the Eagles. I think the Eagles are significantly enough better than the Kansas City Chiefs. I went 38-28 Eagles. But I’m nervous with the Chiefs because they’re magical that way.
