Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Ja’Marr Chase has a clear favorite in Super Bowl LIX. Chase said he is rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday. Chase had this hilarious take when asked about the upcoming game. “Everyone knows I’m not a KC fan, so I’m hoping Saquon Barkley rushes for like 200 this game.”
There is no love lost between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs. Cincinnati has lost three straight games to the Chiefs including in back-to-back regular season games and the 2022 AFC Championship Game. Kansas City is looking to make history and complete the first three-peat in the Super Bowl era. Cincinnati was the last team to beat Kansas City in the NFL Playoffs. They defeated KC in a 27-24 OT thriller in January 2022 to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. Will the Cincinnati Bengals be able to return to the postseason next year?
Cincinnati Bengals Season Summary
Ja'Marr Chase keeps it real 😅 💯 pic.twitter.com/Pa3WaoxYNR
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 1, 2025
The Cincinnati Bengals missed the NFL Playoffs for the second consecutive season. They had one of the league’s best offenses during the regular season but were upended by an awful defense. Quarterback Joe Burrow and Chase created a dynamic connection during the regular season. Burrow led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns and finished third in QBR this year. Chase had a career season as well finishing with the receiving triple crown. That means he led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
The Bengals offense finished ninth in the league in yards per game and sixth in points per game. Even with a tremendous performance from their offense, Cincinnati could not overcome one of the worst defenses in the National Football League. They fired Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo after the season and hired former Notre Dame DC Al Golden. Cincinnati needs Golden to come up sparkling for the team to reach its full potential in 2025.
Will Chase Get His Wish?
Chase’s recipe for the Philadelphia Eagles to win Super Bowl LIX is simple. Running Back Saquon Barkley must get going against one of the best defenses in the National Football League. The star running back had one of the best regular seasons in league history and has kept it going in the postseason. He has been the driving force behind Philadelphia’s run to the Super Bowl. Barkley has five rushing touchdowns in Philadelphia’s last two postseason games.
With 169 rushing yards in Super Bowl LIX, he will break the single-season postseason record for rushing yards. That honor is currently held by former Washington Redskins Running Back John Riggins. He set the mark in 1982 with 610 rushing yards. Barkley has rushed for 169+ yards three times this season, so that benchmark is not unobtainable for the MVP candidate. The Philadelphia Eagles have gone through Barkley all season and the Super Bowl should be no different.
Final Thoughts
The Cincinnati Bengals, and arguably every other AFC team, will be rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles to end Kansas City’s historic run next week. Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has had a stranglehold on the AFC with seven straight trips to the AFC Championship Game. He has won three Super Bowls over that span.
The entire conference needs the Eagles to win if they want to have any semblance of hope to compete in the AFC. If the Kansas City Chiefs win their third consecutive Super Bowl next week, a fourth straight championship will be on the board next season. The Cincinnati Bengals also must defeat the Chiefs for the first time since the 2022 regular season.
