🎧Sports Brief: Star-Studded Super Bowl Spectacular

Take a shot at the final score of this Sunday’s Super Bowl, and the person who picks the right winner in our comments thread...

A Kansas City Chiefs helmet, the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and a Philadelphia Eagles helmet before the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's Super Bowl Press Conference ahead of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2025. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

What’s cookin’, sports fans? Welcome to the extra large and turbo-charged super-special Epoch Times Sports Brief Super Bowl Spectacular for Friday, February 7, 2025.

I’m Bill Thomas, and in just two days from right now, the greatest game in the history of the entire universe kicks off, and before we tell you all about this mega-massive media monstrosity—a brief note:

Take a shot at the final score of this Sunday’s Super Bowl, and the person who picks the right winner in our comments thread and gets closest to the final score wins a legendary, highly prized, gently used, almost authentic Sports Brief mug, extension cord not included.

Now, to the 50-yard line for the coin toss and here’s what’s up.

The two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs go for all-time glory as they try to make NFL history; the Philadelphia Eagles look to climb their way to the top by knocking the reigning kings off their perch; and on Sunday, all eyes will be glued to the NFL GOAT as he calls the biggest game of his career from the broadcasters’ booth at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Also, the league hands out their top personal awards and you won’t believe who won; and the smallest class in decades is heading for Canton—we’ll tell you who made the cut for this year’s Hall of Fame.

We’ll break down each one of these action-packed stories for you, and we kick off this edition of the Sports Brief by scoping out the K.C. Chiefs, who are barreling into uncharted territory with brutal determination, laser focus, and a ginormous chip on their shoulder, and here’s what’s goin’ down.

Chiefs Aim to Make History

On Sunday, Kansas City will try to do something that’s never been done before—win a third straight Vince Lombardi Trophy—when they collide with the Philadelphia Eagles at the Superdome in the Big Easy, New Orleans.

Their quest for a legendary three-peat begins with the man at the top, head coach Andy Reid, who knows how to use every player on his bench and schemes up a game plan as well as anyone in the history of the league. He’s backed by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, whose top-notch defense carried the team through the season and whose unexpected corner blitz locked up the AFC championship.

On offense, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is money in the bank whenever the game’s on the line, and he’s looking for his fourth Super Bowl MVP award. Meanwhile, the line gets the job done, the backs run hard, a variety of receivers always appear open, and all-world tight end Travis Kelce always seems to be in the right spot whenever the game’s on the line.

Sports Brief Host Commentary: Hey Kelce—don’t blow it or Swifty will dump you in the locker room, write a song about you, and start pallin’ around with Joe Namath. Back to the program.

On the defensive side of the ball, Chris Jones and George Karlaftis anchor a formidable D-line, linebacker Nick Bolton mans the middle, and cornerback Trent McDuffie anchors the back end. Additionally, on special teams, kicker Harrison Butker is absolutely clutch and a force to be reckoned with. (May the force be with you, Butker—it’s an entirely different kind of force.)

Basically, the defense carried this team all year long as the Chiefs snoozed through the entire season, struggled to score points, and eked out a dozen one-score victories. However, they only lost twice, they’re extremely confident, and they know how to crank it up several notches when the clock ticks down—and with history so close they can taste it, they’re gonna be absolutely bonkers.

We turn our focus now to the vastly improved Eagles, who maul, manhandle, and pummel anyone who gets in their way, and now there’s only one team left for this team to beat before they claim the throne for their own.

Eagles Fly Toward Glory

If the Chiefs hope to etch their names in the history books, they’re gonna have to knock off the toughest team they’ve faced yet.

To refresh your memory, these same teams squared off two years ago in Super Bowl 57, where the Chiefs edged out the Eagles 38–35 on a last-second field goal, following a hard-fought, back-and-forth contest; however, this time around, the Eagles are bigger, faster, and stronger, and top to bottom, they sport the best roster in the league.

Let’s start with their enormous defensive line, which is big enough to block out the sun for an entire city block. They’re led by second-year defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who’s an absolute menace, a one-man demolition machine, and a complete game wrecker. Stopping this wrecking machine will be like stopping Muhammad Ali in the first nine seconds of round one—highly unlikely.

By the way, the rest of the Eagles D is equally formidable, including a very strong defensive backfield featuring a pair of rookies, Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, along with Darius Slay Jr., C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Reed Blankenship, who are all among the league’s finest cover men. They’re joined in the middle by a pair of stellar linebackers, Zach Baun and Nolan Smith Jr., both of whom are having fabulous years.

On offense, underrated quarterback Jalen Hurts has been playing hurt, but he’s always clutch when it matters most. The positively bulldozing offensive front five opens up gaping holes for the best running back in the game, the legendary Saquon Barkley, who’s a threat to take it all the way to the house if you give him even the slightest crack of daylight.

Additionally, a trio of outstanding receivers, including A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, are all capable of going the distance in the blink of an eye. However, Smith is nursing a sore hamstring, which could potentially limit his effectiveness in the big game.

Meanwhile, volatile head coach Nick Sirianni is a huge question mark; revered veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is cooler than Fonzie; and sporadic kicker Jake Elliott is a significant cause for concern.

The Eagles are on one heck of a roll. They’ve steamrolled their way to 15 wins in their last 16 games; they’re as mean, rough, and brutal as the city that adores them; and they’re absolutely bursting with confidence as they head for a crucial chance at redemption in the biggest game on the planet.

More now on who’s calling the big game, what you can expect to see at halftime, and those absolutely insufferable commercials.

Brady Joins the Bunch in the Booth

This year’s game is going to be broadcast on FOX, meaning that Kevin Burkhardt’s gonna be handling the play-by-play while NFL legend Tom Brady provides detailed analysis and educates us with his vast knowledge of the game.

As a player, Brady led seven teams to Super Bowl victories, he won five Super Bowl MVPs, and he’s considered the greatest of all time for a reason, so he should know what he’s talking about. In case you haven’t listened to him call a game this year, he’s comfortable around the mic and reveals compelling insider information about what’s happening on the field.

In case you care, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will be reporting from the sidelines, and former ref Mike Pereira will occasionally be called upon to over explain the obvious and shamelessly defend the referees from all of the terrible calls they make.

Meanwhile, if you decide not to stretch your legs during the mid-game break (that’s football’s 7th-inning stretch), you’ll be subjected to the dulcet and melodious tones of rapper Kendrick Lamar, who ain’t like us and who headlines this year’s halftime show.

Hey, if you stick around during the overpriced commercials, you’re gonna see lots of highly recognizable, overpaid celebrities trying hopelessly to be funny in expensive ads for food products, service apps, and artificial intelligence (AI), among others.

In case you’re wondering, the price tag for some of these ads is $8 million for 30 seconds, and if you’re gonna fork out that kind of dough, you’re hoping to get your message across to more than a few of the estimated 120 million people who are gonna tune in to the big show.

Movin’ along now, and the NFL just announced the winners of this year’s top personal awards; they include a phenomenal rookie, a surprising defender, and a shocking upset for league MVP. Here’s how it all played out.

Bills QB Allen Wins First MVP Award

Last night in New Orleans, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen snagged his first MVP trophy in a huge upset over two-time winner Lamar Jackson.

In a very close score, Allen grabbed the big prize despite Jackson having the better statistical season and winning the starting spot on this year’s All Pro team, which is picked by the same voters. It may be small consolation for losing in the recent AFC championship game, but it’s well deserved and couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Also, Eagles running back Barkley was handed the Offensive Player of the Year award following his dominating season-long run in Philly, while Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II intercepted the Defensive Player of the Year trophy after a tremendous year in Denver.

Meanwhile, Washington’s likable rookie Jayden Daniels scrambled off as Offensive Rookie of the Year, merciless Rams edge rusher Jared Verse bagged the Defensive Rookie prize, and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell heads back to Minnesota as the NFL Coach of the Year. Now that’s a major accomplishment. (Craig T. Nelson, a pretend coach on that old TV sitcom “Coach” never won Coach of the Year, so good job, K O’C.)

Moving along now to Canton, the league just announced this year’s newest members of its hallowed Hall of Fame; it’s the smallest class in 20 years, and here’s who’s getting fitted for those coveted gold jackets.

NFL Adds 4 to Legendary Hall of Fame

Legendary tight end Antonio Gates is the first man up after revolutionizing the position for the Chargers. In case you never saw the undrafted, eight-time Pro Bowler in action, the former basketball player had soft hands, would haul in any pass within a country mile, and turn it into pure gold—and touchdowns.

Sports Brief Host Commentary: For those who didn’t know that Gates was a Pro Bowler, you’re not alone. I’m in a bowling league and even I didn’t know this. Back to the program.

They’re also in the process of sculpting a bronze bust for ferocious defensive end Jared Allen, who harassed opposing quarterbacks for 12 seasons, had his biggest years with the Chiefs and the Vikings, and is one of the league’s all-time sack leaders.

Longtime cornerback Eric Allen was dominant at his position throughout the 1990s, when he played for the Eagles, the Saints, and the Raiders.

Also making the cut is former Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe, who’s gonna be joining his brother Shannon in the legendary halls. He was absolutely unstoppable before his brief career was cut short by a neck injury back in 1994.

(This would be a great place for one of those injury accident attorney commercials, but unfortunately, we’re short on time, so we’ll have to skip that.)

By the way, a trio of notable first-year eligibles didn’t make this year’s cut, including former Patriots and Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, and quarterback Eli Manning, who led the New York Giants to a pair of surprising Super Bowl victories.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for—our Sports Brief prediction for this year’s big game, and we don’t mean Aunt Martha’s pinochle showdown with the ladies from Wing C up on the fourth floor of the retirement home.

Drum roll please. ... The Chiefs have to stop Barkley from running wild; the Eagles are eventually gonna have to air it out if they hope to win; nobody’s figured out how to stop Mahomes yet; and it just doesn’t seem fair to give one of the greatest coaches of all time, Andy Reid, two weeks to prepare for a game.

Like most of America, we’ve learned a valuable lesson here at the Sports Brief: Never underestimate the heart of a champion. Begrudgingly, we’re gonna be rooting for the Eagles to pull off the upset, but we expect to see history made and the Chiefs to be all smiles when the final whistle blows, the red and yellow confetti rains, and the Lombardi Trophy is hoisted high into the air once again by Mahomes and the gang on Sunday night in the Big Easy.

Final Sports Brief Host Commentary: Hey Kelce. After the win, if you don’t put a ring on Swifty’s finger, somebody else might. Chop, chop, man! Back to the program and let’s wrap this beast up.

Hey, we’re out of time now, but we’ll be back next week with another edition of The Epoch Times Sports Brief. Truth is, we’re not really out of time, we just want to go to the market and stock up Super Bowl vittles before they run out. Eighty-five count box of franks, a boatload of potato chips, and a couple of 10-gallon buckets of Dr. Pepper.

Yeah, the deal is we got money to spend, we wanna be fed, and the “drive-in-theater-sized” big screen TV on the wall is all warmed up—it’s gonna be a Super Bowl-icious weekend!

If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions about the Sports Brief program, we’d love to hear from you, but only if you have kind, gushing, complimentary kudos for the extraordinary, multi-talented, finely attired, well-coiffed and ill-behaved Sports Brief crew and you can find us at [email protected].

For all of us here at The Epoch Times Sports Brief, I’m Bill Thomas.

The Epoch Times Sports Brief program is written each week by Davey Ross and this Sports Brief reminder: Moving forward, the head writer of this program, Davey Ross will sign NO autographs. Not because he can’t be bothered (like Ringo Starr), but because nobody ever asks him for an autograph.

America: Thank you for making us your one-stop source for a concise, accurate, and engaging rundown of all the sports stories you absolutely need to know about.

Enjoy another great weekend of sports, stay safe, and remember, let’s all continue to watch out for one another, have a superb day today, and don’t forget to keep your eyes on the big Super Bowl game. Bye for now.