Chris Berman picks the winner of Super Bowl 2023
Chris Berman is again for his NFL decide for Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5, 51)
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Super Bowl LVII must be nice. We say that rather a lot, however a pair of 16-3 data are by no means to be sneezed at. Nor is a pair of No. 1 seeds assembly within the Super Bowl for the primary time for the reason that 2017 season, when No. 1 Philadelphia beat No. 1 New England in Minnesota. The final time the Super Bowl was right here in Arizona, at Super Bowl XLIX, it was the Patriots and Seahawks, the place two No. 1s additionally squared off in one of the memorable Super Bowls. Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson on the 1-yard line and the Patriots rallied to beat the Seahawks for his or her fourth Super Bowl win. That sport modified the narrative of each franchises. New England, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, after beginning out 3-0 in Super Bowls, have been about to lose its third straight down-to-the wire Super Bowl sport. Instead, they grew to become 4-2, nobody questioned their potential to win the large one and relaxation is historical past. It would’ve been two straight for Seattle with a great probability to be the primary to win three straight Super Bowls, making them the staff of the 2010s. As good as Pete Carroll and the Seahawks have been that decade, they haven’t been again to NFC title sport since that loss.
Needless to say, the opposite Super Bowl on this constructing was maybe a fair greater one for the historical past books, because the Patriots have been going for the 19-0 excellent season. Eli Manning, David Tyree and Plaxico Burress had different concepts within the monumental upset by the G-Men. So, that is the third Super Bowl within the “Big Toaster” … yep, it appears to be like like one. I just like the stadium. Let’s put two English muffins in and have breakfast. We are calling this sport the “Roaster in the Toaster.”
For Kansas City coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, that is their third Super Bowl collectively in 4 years, which places them on a brief record. The incontrovertible fact that they’re perennials speaks volumes. What each do on a weekly foundation is famous. Reid’s sport planning and changes have been on full show as soon as Mahomes harm his ankle vs. Jacksonville and was compromised vs. Cincinnati. Mahomes’ run for the primary down vs. the Bengals — with out the late hit name — will go down as one in all his most interesting moments ever. He has had numerous moments, with extra to return. It helps Reid and Mahomes to have Travis Kelce there for the Super Bowl run. He has by no means been higher.
The Philly we noticed within the postseason appeared just like the 13-1 Eagles we noticed earlier than quarterback Jalen Hurts was injured. Yes, San Francisco was decreased to operating a single wing offense within the NFC title sport, however the mixed playoff scores have been 69-14. Teams which have gained each the divisional spherical and convention championship video games by 21 or extra make up one of the spectacular lists you may ever learn. ’89 San Francisco, ’88 San Francisco, ’85 Bears and ’78 Steelers. Yes, all of them gained the Super Bowl. Hurts is a part of a deadly operating sport, however Eagles large receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are issues. Can Kansas City’s younger secondary come up large prefer it did vs. the Bengals’ excellent wideouts? Brown’s addition was made by GM Howie Roseman, who deserves a lot credit score for a way he constructed up this Philadelphia powerhouse. Among others, he introduced in linebacker Haason Reddick and others on the D-line, which performs seven deep and has an unbelievable 78 sacks. Can Mahomes escape them? Roseman got here to Philly when Reid was the coach in Philadelphia. Reid’s final yr there was 2012, however three of his draft picks are nonetheless large contributors: Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox on that protection and heart Jason Kelce.
Will Kansas City’s entrance wall of Chris Jones and Frank Clark resolve they need the headlines as an alternative of the Eagles’ entrance? Both groups have three offensive lineman who have been named to the Pro Bowl. Mahomes and Hurts, who completed 1-2 within the MVP race, are entrance and heart, although neither is one hundred pc wholesome. They are extra like 85 p.c, however you’d take that on your staff in a heartbeat. When Philly beat the Niners within the championship sport, the Eagles have been the primary to beat San Francisco for the reason that Chiefs did method again in October. Yep, we certainly have the Roaster within the Toaster. I see a sport determined by a subject purpose. The Chiefs have had way more expertise than the Eagles in such video games this yr, which can finally play an enormous function within the consequence. As will Reid and Mahomes.
Okay.C. 29, Philly 26
Editor’s word: Last yr Berman picked the Rams by 3. The last rating of the sport was Rams 23, Bengals 20.