The Philadelphia Eagles are set to take on the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a thrilling Super Bowl showdown on Feb. 9, 2025.
Patrick Mahomes and Co. are looking to secure their third straight Super Bowl win and become the only team in history to do so, and the Eagles will have to put their best foot forward to stop them.
In a conversation shared by Tubi, former NFL stars Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders discuss what the Eagles have to do to win the Super Bowl this year.
Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders Agree on Eagles’ Saquon Barkley Strategy Against the Chiefs
During the sitdown chat, Rice and Sanders discussed what the Eagles must do to secure the Super Bowl win against the Chiefs on Sunday. Rice emphasized that it’s going to be a big football game and that it’s up to the Eagles to beat the defending champs, especially using running back Saquon Barkley the right way.
Rice discussed how the Eagles have a better chance to win because of Barkley, who is among the finalists for the Offensive Player of the Year and NFL MVP awards this year. “I think it’s going to be a great football game, but it’s up to Philly to beat him.”
“I think Philly, at least with Saquon Barkley, has a much better chance where they can take some pressure off Jalen Hurts, where he doesn’t feel like he has to do everything, where he can hand the ball off to Saquon and he can do his thing, and then you got those receivers down, who can make plays, still, you know, it comes down to defense.
“If you can’t stop them, you aren’t going to win. From the second I came to the San Francisco 49ers, I feel like you won with defense,” Rice added.
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The former NFL wide receiver stated that Barkley’s talent takes the pressure off Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, making him feel like he doesn’t have to do everything and can comfortably hand the ball off to Barkley during Sunday’s matchup.
Rice also spoke about the importance of the Eagles wide receivers, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson, who will have to make the plays. However, Rice emphasized the defense’s capabilities and said it comes down to them. If they can’t stop Mahomes and the Kansas City offense, they will win.
The former San Francisco 49ers star shared that he learned this during his time with the franchise that you win with defense. Coach Prime agreed and said, “That’s right.”