NFL legend Barry Sanders, widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time, shared his Super Bowl LIX prediction during his appearance on media row in New Orleans this week. Sanders, who made the Pro Bowl in each of his 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions and amassed 15,269 yards and 99 touchdowns before retiring at 31, has often cited his lack of Super Bowl opportunities with the Lions as a key reason for his early retirement.
In an interview on the “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast, Sanders humorously mentioned that while it was tough to bet against Taylor Swift, he ultimately chose Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles to win the big game. “It’s tough to bet against Taylor Swift. You know, it’s tough to bet against her,” Sanders laughed. “But let me go with Saquon. I feel like the Eagles might have more playmakers. I cringe and hesitate picking against a heavy favorite. I guess they’re the favorite, obviously they’re chasing history, and I’m pretty sure the Eagles are more aware of that than anyone else. Maybe they have more motivation this time around. So I’ll go with Saquon and the Eagles.”
The Kansas City Chiefs are aiming to make history by becoming the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Lombardi Trophies, which would place them alongside elite sports franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers, who achieved a three-peat from 2000-2002. Meanwhile, the Eagles are seeking their first title since their 2018 victory in Super Bowl LII with Nick Foles at quarterback. This year’s matchup also marks Saquon Barkley’s first Super Bowl appearance after an incredible season where he rushed for 2,005 yards, just shy of Barry Sanders’ 1997 single-season record of 2,053 yards—one of the greatest performances by a running back in NFL history. Sanders, despite consistently rushing for over 1,000 yards every season, never made it to the Super Bowl. The Lions remain the only NFC team to never reach the big game.
