Super Bowl LIX Could Set Stage For Not-So-Obvious MVP Winner

The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will meet for the second time in three years, this time in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will hunt the NFL’s first three-peat in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) while Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the Eagles are out for revenge. It’s hard to bet against Mahomes and the Chiefs, considering Kansas City has ruled the NFL for the past six-plus seasons, but for the many sports bettors out there submitting their last-minute wagers, perhaps going against Kansas City isn’t a bad idea.

“This game, if the Eagles are to shock the world and win it, is gonna be on Jalen Hurts,” Travis Thomas said on NESN’s “Boston Has Entered The Chat” podcast. “So, from a gambling perspective, plus-370, I would throw a little something-something on Jalen Hurts even though I’ve been critical of him. Because I think in order for the Eagles to pull this off, he must have a big game. Remember, just a few years ago, we watched him stand toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes. Jalen Hurts was unbelievable in that Super Bowl.”

Currently, the Chiefs are favored over the Eagles by 1.5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and Mahomes is favored to take home the MVP honors at +110 — followed by Barkley at +280 and then Hurts at +350. So, while Philadelphia is looking away from the Joel Embiid nightmare at Wells Fargo Center, the oddsmakers aren’t leaning toward Hurts being the sole reason the Eagles can pull off the upset this Sunday.

Hurts completed 20-of-28 passes for 246 yards with a passing touchdown during Philadelphia’s 55-23 blowout victory over Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game. Stumping Kansas City’s three-peat bid to bring a title back to Philadelphia — as Hurts’ first — would be a major legacy builder, at the very least.

You can watch the full episode of NESN’s “Boston Has Entered The Chat” here: