Former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders is one of the greatest running backs of all time, so when he has a prediction about anything NFL related, people listen. So, it goes without saying that people want to know who he thinks will pull off a win at Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9.
Sanders appeared on on media row in New Orleans this week ahead of the big game. Pretty much every NFL legend was there, being interviewed by the various press at the event.
Barry Sanders Predicts Super Bowl LIX Winner
Sanders has some of the biggest numbers in football. He made the Pro Bowl every season of his 10-year NFL career and rushed for 15,269 yards and 99 touchdowns. He retired at 31 without a Super Bowl win, because the Detroit Lions just didn’t seem to build a team around him.
During an interview on the “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast on Saturday, February 8, Sanders joked about betting against Taylor Swift, which he said wasn’t a good idea. But, in the end, he’s going with his running back soulmate, Saquon Barkley and the Eagles, to win the big matchup.
“It’s tough to bet against Taylor Swift. You know, it’s tough to bet against her,” Sanders joked. “But let me go with Saquon. I feel like the Eagles might have more playmakers.”
He added, “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 probably not too happy to hear that prediction, but maybe it will motivate them even more. They’re trying to make history by becoming the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Lombardi Trophies. It’s wild to think that’s never been done before. If they do, the Chiefs will be one of the few American professional sports teams to do so, with the most recent being the Los Angeles Lakers with a three-peat from 2000 to 2002.
Eagles Running Back Saquon Barkley is the Wild Card
Barkley is really the wild card for this matchup. He’s proving himself to be one of the greatest running backs of all time, which is something Sanders would know about. After being traded from the Giants, he’s really been the difference-maker for the Eagles this season.
Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards this season, which was impressive but not quite enough to beat Sanders’ record. But, Barkley is already at the Super Bowl, which is something that didn’t look like it was going to happen with the Giants. It’s too bad Sanders never made it to the Super Bowl. The Lions are the only franchise to never make it to the big game, which is why this year’s Lions loss to Washington was so much more difficult for Lions fans. There’s always next year, but the team has a big change in staff, so time will tell.
Barry Sanders gives out his Super Bowl prediction ahead of the big game pic.twitter.com/7BcrD1Ci3B
— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) February 8, 2025