The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are again battling for the NFL championship in Super Bowl 59, a rematch of Super Bowl 57.
The Chiefs are trying to win three consecutive Super Bowls and their fourth in the past seven seasons. The Eagles trying to get their second Super Bowl victory in eight seasons and avenge a 38-35 loss from two years ago.
This time, in New Orleans, there's only one Kelce brother still playing and everyone is well aware that Chiefs coach Andy Reid once coached the Eagles. While those and other themes have faded in 2025, plenty of other overhyped, overrated storylines are ready to take their places.
Here's going myth-busters on some of the worst such narratives as the buildup continues to the Sunday, Feb. 9 kickoff in the Superdome (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox).
SN's PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NFL scores | Full NFL schedule | Updated NFL bracket
1. "The NFL has once again conspired to put the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Taylor Swift in the Super Bowl"
This ties in with the ridiculous notion that the logo for Super Bowl 59 released a year ago, with its tinges of red and green, suggested the Chiefs and Eagles were locked to play in the game before the regular season started. It's just not the graphic artist, though. Commissioner Roger Goodell, the league officiating crews, and secret scriptwriters are also responsible for creating another dominant dynasty.
Sound familiar? It's much like when the Patriots were the supreme franchise with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. They got the vitriol then. Funny how some of those same Patriots fans are now crying shenanigans on Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. How about just giving credit for the consistently high level of big-game execution from a savvy, well-coached team? Just like other hated great teams in the past, the appreciation will come long after the skepticism born out of jealousy.
In regards to Swift's presence as the planet's most famous celebrity sports fan, the Eras Tour is over, and seeing her root on boyfriend Travis Kelce is just natural now. It's not her fault the team for which she roots already was a Super Bowl winner before her personal interest.
MORE: SN's Super Bowl 59 staff picks
2. "Saquon Barkley is the biggest reason the Eagles are in the Super Bowl again"
When the Eagles made Super Bowl 57 after the 2022 season, they had the NFL's No. 4 rushing offense, averaging 152 yards per game. They were No. 2 at 186.6 this season, but they also called running plays 50 percent of the time in '22 and increased that to 56 percent in '24. The team also dropped in total and scoring offense from 2022.
The Eagles got to New Orleans because of a huge upgrade in their defense, ranking No. 1 in average yards allowed per game and No. 2 in average points allowed per game. They were No. 26 and No. 30, respectively, in those categories last season before hiring coordinator Vic Fangio and making a lot of upgrades to their back seven personnel.
Barkley and the run-heavy play-calling of new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was a significant part of the rebound, but the defensive turnaround was much more necessary — and, therefore, much more impressive.
MORE SUPER BOWL 59: Halftime show | Location | Tickets
3. "The Chiefs' offense is not as dangerous as it was in 2022"
By the numbers, the Chiefs were the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense in 2022, averaging more than 29 points per game. In 2024, they were No. 15, at 22.6 points per game, or a touchdown less. It also took them until the 32-29 AFC championship game victory over the Bills to score more than 30 points in a game.
But Mahomes hinted at the Chiefs' offense flipping the switch to all systems go in the playoffs. and that's come to fruition. Mahomes is once again picking great spots to use his legs, and more receivers are getting involved beyond Kelce. They are also getting hard-running again from Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco. Because of veteran additions and rookie Xavier Worthy, the Chiefs' passing weapons are daunting, even without last year's rookie breakout star, Rashee Rice.
The Eagles showed many cracks on defense before they created turnovers and built a big lead vs. the Commanders. They have good young cover men and are active with their range, but there's still some inexperience and weak spots Mahomes can exploit. The Chiefs are more than capable of winning another high-scoring affair against the Eagles.
4. "Jalen Hurts isn't the same top quarterback he was in 2022"
Hurts didn't get mentioned in any MVP talk because he was battling through injuries in a run-heavier offense where newcomer Barkley stole the show. There were concerns that his passing was off downfield and he was too inefficient.
Hurts in reality, however, matched his yards per attempt (8.0) from two seasons ago and rated a career-high 103.7. He just didn't get the attention because he ended up with "only" 18 TD passes to five interceptions with much less than 3,000 yards passing. Nick Sirianni's full trust in a fully healthy Hurts paid off big-time as he ripped the Commanders downfield in the biggest game of the season. He also had to deal with multiple injuries to key targets A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert throughout the year.
Hurts' persevered with his mental and physical toughness, and in the end, his numbers were bettter despite limited volume. He will be ready for another sizzling duel with Mahomes.
5. "The Chiefs are more beatable than ever because of all their close games"
The Chiefs have also become like the Patriots in their uncanny ability to win one-possession games and make it feel like the outcomes were never in doubt. Part of that is knowing Mahomes will always come through in the fourth quarter, either to finish a comeback or put away an opponent.
Kansas City, with the exception of resting everyone of note in a meaningless Week 18 rout in Denver, isn't weaker for playing more tight games. The Chiefs are stronger because they get each team's best shot and still save something extra for the clutch. "So close and yet so far" is the familiar frustrating feeling the Eagles want to avoid after Super Bowl 59.
6. "The Eagles need to have a perfect game to beat the Chiefs"
The Bills got a rare fumble from the Chiefs to win the turnover battle, and that wasn't enough in the AFC title game. They were plus-24 in turnover margin to help their winning causes as a No. 2 seed. But they also made some mistakes of their own in not converting opportunities that were right there in front of them.
The Chiefs have offered the opportunity to many teams to walk through the winning door. The Bills did it once, but they couldn't do it a second time. Sure, it would help the Eagles if they eliminate giveaways, penalties, drops, and miscommunication, but that's true for any team in any game against any opponent.
Kansas City has flaws, much like Philadelphia. It can break against the run, and it is bound to struggle in tight end coverage vs. Dallas Goedert. It can be burned on deep balls by A.J. Brown. It also has had more red-zone woes than usual. The Eagles need to be aggressive, but they also need to consider game flow and realize every first down and point they can get can add up to a winning play.
7. "The Chiefs are going for the first three-peat in NFL history"
Professional football existed before the Super Bowl and the merger. The Packers were the first team to win three consecutive league championships from 1929-1931. Green Bay also technically pulled a three-peat after winning Super Bowl 1 (over the Chiefs) and Super Bowl 2, having also taken the NFL title in 1966 before playing a world championship vs. the AFL's best.
Yes, the Super Bowl era is a different beast. Previous dynasties from the Steelers, Cowboys, 49ers, and Patriots could not pull the triple after repeating. The Chiefs can do something no team has ever done, giving them a special place in the past 60 years of NFL play. This is a fair narrative — it's just too obvious and will be overstated.