Football:

When Philadelphia and Kansas City meet up on Sunday afternoon in Arizona, the statistical comparison and odds would lead one to believe it’s going to be a very competitive and tight game.

And any NFL fan outside of Pennsylvania and Missouri would love for that to be the case.

The Eagles are a 1.5 favorite in Las Vegas, and they’ve outscored their postseason opponents (NYG & SF) by a combined margin of 69-14, as opposed to KC’s 50-40 in playoff victories over Jacksonville and Cincinnati.

KC has a recent advantage in SB appearances.

This Chiefs are playing for the sport’s biggest prize for the third time in four years.

Philly is making its third appearance since 2005.

Both teams are 1-1 over that stretch.

It doesn’t take a football afficionado to conclude that Philly is playing its best football, and they seem to be healthier.

But Patrick Mahomes is a tough guy to bet against, even though he won’t be playing at 100 percent.

Of the 28 players & coaches that sent in their predictions, 20 expect Philly to head home with the Lombardi Trophy.

While this site never makes predictions, here is what our area players and coaches project.

Super Bowl

By the Numbers:
Records: KC (16-3); Philly (16-3)
Passing Yards: Hurts (3,701); Mahomes (5,250)
Passing TD’s/Interceptions: Hurts (22/6); Mahomes (41/12)
Total Offense (in points): Philly (6,614); KC (7,032)

Super Bowl Odds:
Point Spread: Philly -1.5
Super Bowl Winner: Philly -125
Over-Under: 51 points
First Team to Score: KC TD (+200); Philly TD (+175)
First Kicker to Make FG: Harrison Butker (KC) -124; Jake Elliott (Philly) -102
Super Bowl MVP: Hurts; +125; Mahomes (+130)
Over-Under Passing Yards: Mahomes (293); Hurts (239)

Super Bowl Predictions:

Mt, SAC coach, Bob Jastrab:
Winner: Philly
Why: Both teams have great defenses, Philly has a great o-line & Mahomes’ health is in question
Score: 24-21

St. Francis quarterback, Jack Jacobs:
Winner: KC
Why: I don’t think the Eagles are ready for the SB vets
Score: 34-28

St. Francis running back, Devyn Turner:
Winner: Philly
Why: Patrick Mahomes is not healthy
Score: 31-17

La Salle defensive end/tight end, Andrew Boecking:
Winner: Philly
Why: They have something to prove, and I think they’re playing their best football
Score: 28-21

La Salle quarterback, David Mysza:
Winner: Philly
Why: Patrick Mahomes playing at 100-percent
Score: 35-33

Covina quarterback, Jacob Duronslet:
Winner: KC
Why: Mahomes is the NFL MVP & has been in SB
Score: 35-32

Covina defensive end/fullback, Jason Nwaka:
Winner: KC
Why: Chiefs, because they have been to the Super Bowl twice already, I know they didn’t like the outcome of Super Bowl 55. I feel they want it more and don’t want the same feeling they had the last time they went to the Super Bowl. Chiefs 35-21.
Score: 35-21

Citrus College quarterback, Adam Urena:
Winner: KC
Why: Mahomes can’t lose. He always finds a way to win, & the Chiefs defense is underrated
Score: 27-17

Citrus College running back, Jonathan Guerrero
Winner: Philly
Why: Because he hates KC
Score: 27-24

Ayala quarterback, Bryan Wilson:
Winner: Philly
Why: Philly’s defense is legit, especially their pass rush & Hurts will step up & have a big game both through the air and on the ground
Score:31-20

Ayala receiver, Dominic Alloway:
Winner: Philly
Why: The Eagles have been way too hot all season to come up short
Score: 28-7

Bonita linebacker/receiver/DB, Noah Mikhail
Winner: Philly
Why: They are on a hot streak right now & they got their QB back
Score: 31-24

Glendora tight end/defensive end, Decker DeGraaf
Winner: Philly
Why: Jalen Hurts is just too good
Score: 35-21

Northview quarterback, James Arellanes:
Winner: Philly
Why: KC defense isn’t good enough to stop their offense
Score: 34-21

Northview, running back, Angel Barraza:
Winner: Philly
Why: Jalen Hurts is playing great, defense is playing lights out & I’m a Chiefs hater, because I’m a Raiders fan
Score: 28-21

Arcadia coach, Antyone Sims:
Winner: Philly
Why: The Eagles have been the most complete team in the NFL, & their pass rush & ability to run the ball
Score: 30-27

Arcadia receiver, Derek Ganter Jr:
Winner: Philly
Why: The eagles have been the best team all season and are starting to play there best football right now with everyone taking there game to the next level
Score: 27-24

West Covina coach, Mike Maggiore:
Winner: Philly
Why: In what will be an even game, Philly seems to me more healthy
Score: 31-27

Claremont coach, Shane Hile:
Winner: Philly
Why: The Eagles are very talented & Chiefs are a little banged up
Score: 28-17

Covina AD/football coach, Kevin Glaspy:
Winner: Philly
Why: They’re healthy and playing the best football om all sides
Score: 24-14

Ayala coach, AJ Gracia:
Winner: KC
Why: Experience, Andy Reid, & Mahomes. When you have the best player on the planet, you don’t bet against him
Score: 31-28

Northview coach, Marcel Perez:
Winner: Philly
Why: They’re playing their best football
Score: 28-21

Charter Oak quarterback, Richie Munoz:
Winner: KC
Why: I believe KC wil win, because Mahomes will have an incredible game
Score: 31-28

Rio Hondo Prep coach, Mark Carson:
Winner: KC
Why: I can’t bet against Mahomes
Score: 27-24

Charter Oak coach, Dom Farrar:
Winner: Philly
Why: Eagles run game and a healthy quarterback, the defense specializes in takeaways and a banged-up quarterback, Philadelphia star receivers and just have too many weapons will exploit the Chief’s rookie corners, and the Eagles have a tight end too.
Score: 31-17

St. Francis coach, Dean Herrington:
Winner: KC
Why: Mahomes will win turnover battle
Score: 27-24

La Salle coach, Ben Buys:
Winner: Philly
Why: I like the confidence and team football they are playing
Score: 24-21

Maranatha linebacker, Carter Shupper:
Winner: Philly
Why: The Eagles have the best O-Line in the league, who will shut down the Chiefs pass rush. Along with that they have AJ Brown and Jalen Hurts who are an amazing duo.
Score: 27-24