After two years, the rivalry between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles reignited for the biggest sporting event in America.
In 2023, the Chiefs faced off against the Eagles at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona for the 57th Super Bowl. In a narrow victory, the Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. This year, both teams returned to the field for Super Bowl LIX (59) Sunday, Feb. 9. Yet, unlike the game two years prior, the Eagles beat the Chiefs 40-22.
Super Bowl LIX, which took place in New Orleans, was the most-watched Super Bowl in history, peaking at 137.7 million and averaging 127.7 million U.S. viewers. Among the audience was senior Parker Keston, who watched the game with her family. Keston runs the sports podcast Sport-Tea on The Oracle.
“My family always says that the Super Bowl is my grandpa’s favorite holiday. My grandparents always put together this celebration where they get food from the host city and from the cities of the two teams that are playing,” Keston said. “It’s cute. I mean, it’s small because it’s just my family, but it’s always fun and good energy.”
While Keston said she was not particularly drawn to either team, math teacher Matthew Bartha said he was rooting for the Chiefs.
“Kansas City has been good for a minute, and I think people like to hate on dynasties, but they definitely deserved to be there,” Bartha said. “As a Dodgers fan, I feel a loyalty to other dynasties that everyone loves to hate on. And so for that reason, I was pulling for the Chiefs.”
NFL experts’ predictions for the game were split, with some favoring the Chiefs and others favoring the Eagles. Alicia Flores (‘25) said although they were losing throughout the game, she expected the Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes to drive the ball for a touchdown and pull out a close victory for the Chiefs.
“I wasn’t necessarily surprised to see the Chiefs so down throughout the whole game because that was kind of how it was last year, and then last minute they came back and tied,” Flores said. “I was expecting something similar this year. I didn’t think Philly’s defense would dominate the way it did to win them the game.”
Bartha said he found this year’s Super Bowl to be disappointing, especially in comparison with those of previous years. By the third quarter, he was checked out of the game.
“For me, it’s all about gameplay because, you know, people talk about commercials or whatever it is, but really it is about the football,” Bartha said. “And the football was pretty awful this year.”
The Chiefs have played in five of the past six Super Bowls and won three of them. On the other hand, this year was the second time the Eagles have ever won the Super Bowl. Keston shared her hopes for the 2026 Super Bowl.
“I hope that my team, Buffalo Bills, makes it to the Super Bowl next year. And, you know what? If that doesn’t happen, then I just hope for a good game,” Keston said. “I think it would be fun to see some different teams in there because Kansas City has made the Super Bowl five times in the last six years, or something like that. I’d like to see some new faces — I think that’d be fun.”
![Laila Boodell ('28) gently hugs her show horse, Calvin, while on a walk around her barn. "[Calvin] is gigantic, but he's like a little puppy," Boodell said. "He's insanely obedient."](https://archeroracle.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/MG_0073-1200x800.jpg)
