Three-time champion makes prediction, talks Saquon Barkley ‘pressure’

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Three-time Super Bowl champion Jerry Rice has identified where the 2025 edition will be won and discussed Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Barkley and quarterback Hurts are hoping to emulate Rice’s achievement for the first time in their careers when the NFC champions take on AFC winners the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

“I think it’s going to be a great football game but it’s up to Philly to beat them,” 62-year-old former wide receiver Rice told Tubi.

“Philly, at least with Saquon Barkley, have a much better chance, where they can take some of the pressure off Jalen Hurts, where he doesn’t feel like he has to do everything.

“He can hand off the ball and Saquon can do his thing. Then you’ve got those receivers downfield who could make plays.”

Super Bowl 2025 ‘comes down to defense’

Reigning champions the Chiefs are warm favourites to retain the Super Bowl, but the Eagles’ impressive defense was in evidence again when they beat the Washington Commanders 55-23 on January 26 to reach the Super Bowl.

Nick Sirianni’s players recorded four turnovers in the NFC Championship Game, as well as a 71.4% rushing success rate – but their task is likely to be tougher against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his team-mates.

“It still comes down to defense,” said Rice, who won the Super Bowl in 1989, 1990 and 1995 with the San Francisco 49ers.

“If you can’t stop them, you’re not going to win. From the second I came to the San Francisco 49ers, I felt like you win with defense.”

2025 Super Bowl: When is the game?

The Super Bowl takes place on Sunday, February 9 at the 83,000-capacity Superdome, which is the home of the New Orleans Saints.

As usual for NFL games, the Super Bowl is split over four quarters of 15 minutes each, but clock stoppages and the half-time show mean that it usually takes at least three hours to complete.

Kansas beat the Buffalo Bills 32-29 on January 26 to win the AFC Championship and reach the Super Bowl, with Philadelphia earning their place in one of the most watched sporting spectacles of the year by defeating the Washington Commanders 55-23 on the same day.

Super Bowl: How to watch in the UK

In the UK, fans can tune in via ITV or Sky Sports at no extra cost, while the action is also available on NFL Pass on DAZN, starting at 99p.

UK TV Super Bowl coverage

Coverage on ITV1 starts at 10.45pm GMT and runs until 4am. Sky Sports Mix’s show starts 45 minutes earlier, ending at the same time.

Super Bowl stream: Where to watch online

Viewers can stream the action through ITV, Sky Sports or DAZN’s websites or use the broadcasters’ apps – ITVX, SkyGO and DAZN – to watch on a huge variety of devices.




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