👋 GOOD MORNING

Happy Friday! I’m sure you’re gearing up for the Super Bowl, and whether you’re hosting, attending, or spending it low key checking out the game and/or commercials, I sure hope you enjoy the festivities. It’s always a bit bittersweet when the NFL season ends, but the beauty of living in The Valley also means Spring Training is right around the corner. I’m looking forward to previewing the baseball season in the coming weeks, and no, the D-Backs haven’t spent like the Dodgers, but they are going to be a really fun team to watch this season. It’s right around the corner!

Of course, the NBA season is in full swing, and the Suns made a move prior to yesterday’s trade deadline passing. Details of that deal are below the main story, but the team remains largely intact, despite the KD rumors that swirled recently.

If you need a joke to get you through to the weekend: How do trees access the internet? They log in!

Let’s run it back next week. On to the show!

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PHNX Staff Super Bowl LIX Predictions

The results are in! I asked our PHNX staffers to predict the outcome of the Super Bowl, and below is how it shook out. The Chiefs are favored (-1) according to bet365, but what’s your take? Sound off in our poll below! Here’s a quick breakdown before I post everyone’s full thoughts:

• 13 people picked the Chiefs, 3 picked the Eagles
• 12 votes for Mahomes to win MVP
• 2 votes for Barkley to win MVP
• 1 vote for McDuffie and Hurts to win MVP.

Let’s get to it!

Which Team Will Win Super Bowl LIX?

Name: Leah Merrall
Title: Head of Content
Who I think will win: The Chiefs, because it’s what I don’t want to happen and therefore it will happen.
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Who I want to win: The Eagles, but only because the only other option is the Chiefs.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 31 Eagles 27

Name: Pat Brown
Title: Editor, PHNX Daily
Who I think will win: Until the champs go down, it’s their title to lose. Mahomes and Co. have that championship DNA.
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Who I want to win: The Eagles, but really, does it matter? Let’s get some new teams in the mix.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 31 Eagles 24

Name: Emma Spotts
Title: Social Media Manager
Who I think will win: Is anyone even watching the Super Bowl this year? The Chiefs are going to win.
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Who I want to win: Josh Allen and the Bills, but here we are, so Eagles.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 24 Eagles 23

Name: Zach Bosse
Title: Account Manager
Who I think will win: Unfortunately, probably the Chiefs. I’m just happy the 49ers aren’t in the Super Bowl again this year.
Super Bowl MVP: Trent McDuffie
Who I want to win: The Lions or Bills would’ve been ideal, but between these two teams I’ll say Philly because the E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES Chant is really fun.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 27 Eagles 24

Name: Rome Kadi
Title: Production and Graphics Intern
Who I think will win: I’m going to go with my heart and say the Eagles. It’s getting annoying how great Patrick Mahomes has been.
Super Bowl MVP: Saquon Barkley
Who I want to win: I wanted the Commanders last week and since the Eagles beat them, I’m going to go with them to knock off Mahomes and the Swifties.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 34 Eagles 37

Name: Connor Cox
Title: Account Executive
Who I think will win: I am going to go with the Chiefs. Can’t bet against Reid & Mahomes.
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Who I want to win: I want the Chiefs to win because F*$% the Eagles, Cowboys, Commanders, Giants, Packers, Lions, Vikings, Rams, 9ers, Seahawks, Falcons, Saints, Bucs, and the Panthers. Go Cards & Da Bears *Caleb Williams voice*.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 31 Eagles 28

Name: Derek Montilla
Title: PHNX Diamondbacks Host
Who I think will win: I’m going with the Eagles because the refs are going to try extra hard to not look like they’re favoring the Chiefs.
Super Bowl MVP: Saquon Barkley
Who I want to win: Eagles. Philadelphia needs a win and everyone is sick of the Chiefs.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 27 Eagles 42

Name: Coein Kinney
Title: Digital Content Intern
Who I think will win: You can’t bet against the Chiefs until proven otherwise, and they’ve been dominant as ever in plucking away at the win column this season.
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Who I want to win: Watching the Chiefs control the league has been unbearable, but I don’t see it stopping until Mahomes and Reid achieve that elusive three-peat.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 24 Eagles 21

Name: Max Simpson
Title: Director of Partnerships
Who I think will win: Chiefs – like Thanos, they’re inevitable
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Who I want to win: Eagles. Who doesn’t love rooting against a dynasty (unless it’s your team)?
Score Prediction: Chiefs 31 Eagles 27

Name: David Bernauer
Title: Digital Writing Intern
Who I think will win: The Eagles, because I don’t want them to win
Super Bowl MVP: Jalen Hurts
Who I want to win: The Chiefs because I think it would be neat to see a three-peat
Score Prediction: Eagles 31 Chiefs 21

Name: Erik Ruby
Title: PHNX Host
Who I think will win: Unfortunately, the Kansas City Chiefs will, once again, pull out some devil magic and get the most insane call or play in their favor and Patrick Mahomes will walk away three-peating for the first time in NFL history
Super Bowl MVP: Kermit The Frog (Patrick Mahomes)
Who I want to win: THE EAGLES! For the love of all that is holy in the football world, I NEED Saquon Barkley to go off and power the birds to a championship.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 28 Eagles 24

Name: Aryton Temcio
Title: Production Intern
Who I think will win: Chiefs feel destined to win three. Dark Magic works…
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Who I want to win: Definitely not the Chiefs! Saquon had been a fun addition and its hard for me to hate Hurts.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 35 Eagles 31

Name: Gerald Bourguet
Title: PHNX Suns host/beat writer
Who I think will win: The Chiefs. They’ve entered that unfair New England Patriots territory where they feel inevitable. Even when they’re not playing well, you have to beat THEM. They rarely beat themselves, and even an opponent’s best shot might not compare to Pat Mahomes and whatever dark voodoo magic helps them continually squeak out wins no matter the circumstances.
Super Bowl MVP: Pat Mahomes
Who I want to win: The Eagles! I have great respect for Pat Mahomes, Andy Reid and the Chiefs. But I am so sick of their asses already. Let me see Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley get theirs.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 27, Eagles 23

Name: Kevin Thomas
Title: AZ Wildcats Co-Host and PHNX Producer
Who I think will win: It feels illegal to gamble against Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid no? The Eagles are the more talented team and have played to a higher level thus far, BUT, they are matched up with the universe’s favorite squad. Saquan will score, Hurts will score, and Philly will lose somehow. Chiefs win and cover the -1.5
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Who I want to win: I want the Cheifs to win because I love the idea of another dynastic team in the NFL. I also just can’t see Jalen Hurts lifting the Lombardi Trophy. Poor Saquan.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 24 Eagles 21

Name: Damon Fairall
Title: Host of AZ Wildcats Podcast; Producer of PHNX Cardinals Podcast
Who I think will win: Chiefs Kingdom. They win every close game they play in. I expect this one to be close, but the difference ultimately will come down to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo vs. Jalen Hurts and Spags wins that matchup every day of the week.
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes (4x winner)
Who I want to win: Chiefs, because I DESPISE Big Dom and Nick Sirriani. We can’t have those guys win the Bowl
Score Prediction: Chiefs 30 Eagles 24

Name: Bo Brack
Title: Host PHNX Cardinals
Who I think will win: the Chefs complete the three-peat. KC has the edge at QB and head coach with Mahomes and Reid. Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes because QBs get all the glory and he’s really, really good.
Who I want to win: Chiefs so former Cardinals tackle D.J. Humphries gets a ring and Philly fans are bad people.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 29 Eagles 22

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Musings From Around (and Sometimes Beyond) The Valley

Take Jusuf to Charlotte: The Suns made a deal on trade deadline day, shipping center Jusuf Nurkić and a 2026 first-round pick to the Hornets for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second-rounder. Durant was not moved, so this is your team for the rest of the season!

Give a Puck: ASU hockey hosts a critical home set against No. 5 Denver, and the Sun Devils are trying to maintain their first-place positioning in the NCHC. The Roadrunners, meanwhile, hit the road for San Jose, hoping to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Hoops They Did it Again: The ASU and UA women’s basketball teams clash in Tucson on Saturday (2 pm, ESPN+), the first of two meetings between the two. On the men’s side, the Sun Devils play at Oklahoma State on Sunday (noon, ESPN+), while the Wildcats host Texas Tech on Saturday (8:30 pm, ESPN).

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🧢 Tip of the Hat

Analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky joined the PHNX Cardinals crew in New Orleans, and it was must-see TV! Check out all of their ​amazing coverage from NOLA here​!

Kyler Murray NEEDS a better connection with Marvin Harrison Jr.#SUPRBWL @danorlovsky7 | presented by @bet365_us pic.twitter.com/qYiHYilWEm

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) February 6, 2025