Super Bowl: Predictions vs. Reality

Who were correct or incorrect?

SPORTS | February 2025

The outcome of Super Bowl LIX was not one many news outlets predicted. FOX Sports football analyst, Geoff Schwartz, had no doubt the Chiefs would win the contest. However, he was wrong. Schwartz wasn’t the only famed analyst with botched predictions.

CBS Sports analyst Brian DeArdo claimed the Chiefs would win solely because of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who DeArdo considered better than seven-time champion quarterback Tom Brady. The truth is Mahomes didn’t even get his team a point in the first half. He completed just 6 of 14 passes for 33 yards and had two interceptions that led to the Eagles gaining 14 points. Although Brady has had disappointing first halves in Super Bowls, he always leads his team back to a win, which Mahomes did not do. On the other hand, there were analysts who had almost picture-perfect predictions, such as former National Football League safety turned ESPN reporter,

Ryan Clark said, "The Eagles have the better roster overall. The Kansas City Chiefs have the quarterback, the defensive coordinator, and the head coach I trust the most, but I am going to go with the Eagles. I am going with the underdog."

Despite the Chiefs having a 15-2 record this season and swept through the playoffs with ease, their flaws were revealed on football’s biggest stage. Kansas City’s tight end Travis Kelce, who is widely regarded as one of the best tight ends of all time, had a mere 39 yards off four receptions. Another reason for the Chiefs' humiliating loss was the absence of six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones, the head of the Chiefs’ defense. Kansas City is an example of how It doesn’t matter how a team performs in the regular season if they don’t show up when it matters.