Football season is upon us and Shaq’s in on the fun. The Lakers legend’s loyalty to the Dallas Cowboys remains unwavering but Taylor Swift has changed the game. This week on The Big Podcast, Shaquille O’Neal gave his predictions for the 2024-25 NFL season. Two teams are on his radar and neither of them is Charles Barkley’s fave. The 76ers legend is confident all the championship trophies are coming to Philadelphia, including the Super Bowl title. The Taylor Swift Effect stung Chuck’s wallet last season but he hasn’t learned the way Shaq has.

Shaq said on his podcast this week that he’s got the Cowboys by nine in the opening game, some strong odds, perhaps because of Dak Prescott. He splits his time between Dallas, Atlanta, and the many other cities he’s played and worked in. But the Cowboys remain his favorite team. However, another has emerged as his favorite.

“Kansas City won the Super Bowl last year right?” After Adam Lefkoe confirmed it, Shaq said, “I’m going with Kelce.” But Lefkoe had a better name for the team. “You’re going the Fighting Taylor Swifts.” As much as Shaq insisted that Travis Kelce was “my boy,” it’s undeniable that he too is swept in the Swift factor.

O’Neal was headlining the Baltimore Ravens tailgate last season when they played against the Kansas City Chiefs. Shaq urged the crowd to rile up Swift who was inside the stadium watching her beau play. The Ravens ended up losing and the Chiefs went on to win the Super Bowl. Shaq was at the championship game in Las Vegas and he had a cute interaction with Swift. So forgive him for splitting his loyalties between his favorite team and her.

So he’s got the Chiefs for 14 and with Patrick Mahomes, it’s easy to see why. But his predictions and reasons completely contradict Charles Barkley. Previously, Sir Charles hit the unofficial ‘Chuck Guarantee’ that the Philadelphia Eagles will win this season. (He also claims the 76ers and Phillies will take the titles too.)

He slightly changed his tune when he appeared on The Bill Simmons Podcast last month. He stated, “My Eagles are going to the Super Bowl.” He’s partially basing it on a Kelce too, Jason Kelce, who retired from the NFL last year. Even without Jason, Barkley is just as confident as he was last year. Barkley lost good money (in the six figures) betting against the Chiefs. By most predictions, discounting the ‘Fighting Taylor Swifts’ is going to cost Barkley again.

At least Chuck feels he’ll get a last laugh over Shaq.

Charles Barkley thinks Shaq’s team is doomed

The Cowboys’ bag is looking heavy since they re-signed Dak Prescott for a record-breaking $240 million contract. The big expectation comes with the extra pressure to lead the Cowboys to the playoffs and a Super Bowl win. The Cowboys haven’t been in the Super Bowl since 1995 and Shaq’s eagerly waiting for that day.

But Barkley doesn’t think that’s happening. He bluntly stated that Prescott’s massive contract will cost the whole team. “I’m sitting here watching for the last X amount of years, every quarterback that became the highest-paid player never won another championship because they can’t afford to pay other people,” he said on The Roc and Manuch Show.

Barkley cited the examples of Tom Brady and Mahomes, two winning quarterbacks who were historically underpaid. He called the teams and players “stupid” for not following their blueprint and going with agents demanding big contracts.

Now whether Barkley is right about Shaq’s team or will he regret dismissing the Swift factor again remains to be seen. Those will be interesting bragging rights.