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We’re still a few days away from Super Bowl 59, when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs, as you probably know by now, are going for history as no team has ever won three consecutive Super Bowls.
Not even Tom Brady and his New England Patriots won three in a row, though they did appear in three straight Super Bowls, the last team before the Chiefs to do that.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have willingly taken the baton from Brady and the Patriots as the NFL’s latest dynasty. Some people might be over K.C. being in the Super Bowl, we’re told. However, the Chiefs might have some serious staying power … Mahomes is 29 years old and already has three Super Bowl wins. Brady won his seventh and final Super Bowl when he was 43.
Ponder this … the Chiefs or Patriots have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl in eight of the last nine seasons, and since 2001 — 25 Super Bowls — the AFC has been represented by either the Chiefs or Patriots 14 times.
Before we take a deep dive into all of the storylines presented by the Chiefs-Eagles matchup in Super Bowl 59, it’s time for a little reflection. With Super Bowl Hype Week almost here (only three more sleeps until Super Bowl Opening Night!), USA TODAY Sports takes a look back at the 58 other Super Bowls that have been played. Nate Davis has done diligent film study work, poured over the highlights from every Super Bowl and has carefully constructed rankings of every ‘Big Game’ and every team to play in the Super Bowl. Which Super Bowl ranks No. 1? Spoiler: It doesn’t involve either of this year’s Super Bowl teams. Which was the greatest Super Bowl team? That’s neither the Chiefs nor Eagles, too.
NFL news, notes and analysis
➤ Justin Tucker accused of sexual misconduct by massage therapists: Several massage therapists have accused the Ravens kicker of inappropriate sexual conduct during appointments from 2012 to 2016. Tucker said in a statement Thursday the allegations are “unequivocally false.”
➤ Chiefs living on edge in Super Bowl run: The Chiefs began their dynasty as a high-scoring, overpowering force. This year has been quite different but the title-winning result could be the same, Jarrett Bell writes.
➤ Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes are living counters to wave of anti-Blackness: The quarterbacks for the Eagles and Chiefs made history in Super Bowl 57, as that Super Bowl was the first to feature two starting Black quarterbacks. They’re back and vital as ever, Mike Freeman writes.
➤ Concussions lowest since tracking began, per NFL: The NFL has made rule changes in recent seasons hoping to minimize head injuries across the sport. Based on the data collected by the league for the 2024 regular season, they are working.
➤ Super Bowl security to be ‘more visible’ after New Orleans attack, NFL says: The NFL has adjusted its security plans and received additional support for Super Bowl 59 after the deadly Jan. 1 vehicle attack in New Orleans.
Can’t wait for the commercials? Vote in USA TODAY Ad Meter
Register for USA TODAY Ad Meter to rate the best commercials! The cost for a 30-second ad is about $8 million in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl 59 with record viewership expected for the Chiefs-Eagles showdown. Expect surprises, laughs and celebrity cameos on the airwaves all night, with the 2025 Ad Meter winner announced on Monday morning.
Matthew McConaughey goes as Mike Dikta
Hailee Steinfeld set to make Super Bowl commercial debut
Willem Dafoe, Catherine O’Hara are pickleball hustlers in Super Bowl commercial
Sports Weekly’s special Super Bowl 59 preview
USA TODAY Sports Weekly’s 56-page special edition has matchup analysis and predictions and is packed with feature stories and information about Super Bowl 59 between the Chiefs and Eagles on Feb. 9 in New Orleans. Order the Super Bowl 59 preview edition today!
NFL classics: Straight from the YouTube algorithm
This is where we reprise some NFL lore and recall a classic, memorable game from yesteryear.
It was the Kansas City Chiefs’ first Super Bowl win — and the team’s only title for the next 50 years.
Despite the New York Jets’ stunning AFL-validating win a year earlier in Super Bowl III, the Chiefs were huge underdogs going into Super Bowl IV against the NFL representative, the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings entered the game as nearly a two-touchdown favorite. Instead, it was the underdog that made sure the AFL matched the NFL’s record in Super Bowls before the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
The Chiefs clobbered the Vikings, 23-7, with running back Mike Garrett scoring a touchdown (65 toss power trap!) and Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson and receiver Otis Taylor connecting for a 46-yard touchdown.
The game might be best remembered for NFL Films’ wiring of Chiefs head coach Hank Stram (this was a Super Bowl first). Stram was very entertaining and highly quotable (‘There’s too much leakage on that play’). It helped tremendously that the Chiefs won.
As an aside, Super Bowl IV had the most bizarre/incredible/chaotic pregame and halftime shows of all-time. This is not hyperbole. There was a hot-air balloon crash in the stands before the game and a halftime reenactment of the Battle of New Orleans from the War of 1812 that tore up the natural grass field at Tulane Stadium. Seriously, watch this, there’s cannons blasting, musket fire and smoke everywhere!
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