It’s time for another Super Bowl rematch. The Eagles will travel to Kansas City, Missouri to take on the Chiefs for the first time since the Super Bowl LIX domination in which Philadelphia won 40-22.

Although the final score may indicate the game being somewhat close, the Eagles were in control from start to finish as they scored 34 unanswered points through the first three quarters. (Kansas City scored their first points with 34 seconds remaining in the third quarter.)

However, it’s a new year and the two teams do not have the same rosters as the Super Bowl matchup.

The Eagles are coming off of a 24-20 victory against the Cowboys in Week 1, while the Chiefs fell to the Chargers 27-21 in Brazil to open their season.

While it is easy to want to focus on the starpower in this game on offense with the likes of Saquon Barkley, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, A.J. Brown and more–the biggest factors of determining this game will come on the defensive side of the ball.

How the Chiefs handle Barkley this time around will help determine if this game will turn into a shootout or not. In their Super Bowl LIX meeting, Kansas City went all out on stopping the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year.

Barkley was held to just 57 yards on 25 carries in that game (2.3 ypc), while Jalen Hurts shined as the MVP throwing for 221 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs simply dared Hurts to beat them in that game and he did with not only his arm but his legs too, as he ran for 72 yards and a score in the game.

Ultimately, the dilemma Kansas City faces in this game is one the whole league has to face when it comes to Philadelphia. If you don’t watch Barkley, he will make you pay. But the same goes for Hurts and his talented receiving corps featuring Brown and DeVonta Smith.

The Chiefs showed their run defense is still a primary focus after they allowed 90 yards rushing to the Chargers in Week 1, while Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns. In that matchup, eight different receivers caught a pass from Herbert. The Chiefs struggled to get into a rhythm offensively in their opening game and didn’t find the end zone until the second half.

If the Eagles defense from the second half of the Dallas game (0 points allowed in second half) shows up, Kansas City could be in for a long, long day. (And that was without defensive tackle Jalen Carter.)

The Chiefs will also be without wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who injured his shoulder after colliding with Kelce early in Week 1. Without Rashee Rice and Worthy, this is a completely different Kansas City team that may not have enough firepower to hang with the Eagles once again.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Chiefs 17

This game could go any number of ways. Right now, it feels like the Eagles may be too much to handle for the Chiefs on paper. But if there’s one thing NFL fans have come to learn, it’s that Mahomes should never be counted out.

This game may be a defensive battle that starts slow as both teams find their footing, get over the emotional aspect of the Super Bowl rematch, and get going. If Mahomes can make some magic and keep the Chiefs within striking distance–it’s anyone’s ball game.

However, the Philadelphia defense paired with its dynamic playermakers on offense will be too much for Kansas City to keep up with for four quarters despite the home field advantage. This time, Barkley will find a way through the defense and break one off late to put the game away and move the Eagles to 2-0.