The Chiefs and 49ers, both steeped in Super Bowl history, are facing off once more as the two meet in the NFL Championship game in Las Vegas on February 11th.
Super Bowl LVIII is a replay of the 2020 Super Bowl, where the Chiefs triumphed over the 49ers with a 31-20 win at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Kansas City, making their sixth appearance, have reached the Super Bowl four times in the last five years and a win would ensure the first Super Bowl defence since the Patriots in 2004 and 2005. Meanwhile, the 49ers, in their eighth Super Bowl, are seeking a sixth title.
Patrick Mahomes will set a record as the youngest quarterback in his fourth Super Bowl, while Andy Reid is behind only Belichick and Shula when it comes to Super Bowl coaching appearances.
If that wasn’t enough, the 49ers, who secured their spot in Las Vegas with a remarkable comeback victory over the Detroit Lions, overcoming a 17-point halftime deficit, are aiming to capture their first Super Bowl win since 1995.
Whatever happens, history is bound to be made at Super Bowl LVIII, then there’s the little matter of whether Taylor Swift will show up…
We’ve previewed the greatest show on earth, picking out some of our best sports bets based on the latest Super Bowl odds.
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How the 49ers Got Here
Regular season: 12-5 | NFC seed: No. 1
The formidable array of talent within San Francisco’s ranks is a key factor behind another Super Bowl appearance and their status as the season’s top offence.
According to ESPN’s receiver tracking data, the team’s leading receivers are at the forefront of their respective positions in various metrics.
Brandon Aiyuk is at the top with the highest catch score (96) and overall score (98) among receivers, Deebo Samuel excels in yards after catch (YAC) with a score of 83, George Kittle is the leading tight end with an overall score of 84, and Christian McCaffrey outshines all running backs with a catch score of 99.
Neutralising one of these playmakers might be feasible, but halting the collective force of this talented ensemble proves to be a formidable challenge.
How the Chiefs Got Here
Regular season: 11-6 | AFC seed: No. 3
In 2023, Patrick Mahomes experienced his least impressive statistical regular season, with his QBR on passing plays ranking 19th.
Despite this, the Chiefs still reached the Super Bowl, largely because Mahomes’ impact extends beyond just passing.
This year, despite leading a receiving group considered the least formidable in the league, Mahomes shone in other aspects of the game.
He demonstrated exceptional ability to evade sacks, boasting the second-lowest sack rate, only behind Josh Allen, and his scrambling was highly effective, securing the second-highest scramble EPA, also trailing Allen.
Of course, it goes without saying that the performance of the Kansas City defence played a crucial role in their road to Super Bowl LVIII.
San Francisco 49ers Strengths
The 49ers boast an unparalleled lineup of talent in football, highlighted by their league-leading nine Pro Bowl selections, 12 alternates, and seven players receiving first or second-team All-Pro accolades.
This team is not just about individual brilliance; it’s also rich in experience with deep playoff journeys. Among them, eight players played significant roles in Super Bowl LIV.
Their dominance is evident in their performance, with the 49ers winning their 12 regular-season games by an impressive average margin of 19 points, ranking them second in the league for their overwhelming victories.
San Francisco 49ers Weaknesses
The 49ers have had a challenging history against the Chiefs, especially in high-stakes games.
Their most recent Super Bowl clash four years ago ended in a loss for the Niners.
Since then, including a game on October 23rd, 2022, where they were defeated by three touchdowns, the 49ers have yet to secure a win against Kansas City with Mahomes as the quarterback.
Despite this, it doesn’t mean the Niners can’t change their fortunes. However, the notion that the Chiefs pose a particularly tough matchup for them cannot be ignored.
Kansas City Chiefs Strengths
Patrick Mahomes stands out as a key asset for the Chiefs and worryingly for the 49ers, he tends to raise his game for the big occasions.
In his last six playoff appearances, Mahomes has achieved a 70% completion rate, averaging 7.0 yards per attempt, and has thrown 11 touchdowns without a single interception.
What’s more, the offensive unit has recently been gaining momentum, managing to execute more significant plays. Notably, in their divisional round victory against the Bills, they recorded a season-high eight plays that exceeded 20 yards.
Kansas City Chiefs Weaknesses
Throughout the regular season, the Chiefs topped the charts in dropped passes, ranked second in offensive penalties, and were seventh in turnovers.
Despite these challenges, they’ve managed to secure playoff victories.
In the wild-card triumph against the Dolphins, their red zone performance was marred by a dropped pass, a mishandled shotgun snap, and a penalty negating a touchdown, resulting in three field goals instead.
Additionally, Mecole Hardman Jr.’s fumble near the goal line in the divisional round kept the Bills within striking distance.
The question is: how sustainable is this approach for the Chiefs when facing formidable opponents?
San Francisco 49ers Ones to Watch
Brock Purdy stands at the heart of the team’s success, with fans eager for the version of Purdy that orchestrated second-half comebacks in their playoff wins in Vegas.
Christian McCaffrey, a strong contender for the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, and the dynamic Deebo Samuel is also critical to the team’s performance.
In an offense brimming with talent, fullback Kyle Juszczyk plays a pivotal role, not just in creating opportunities for McCaffrey or safeguarding Purdy, but also in contributing to the passing game, as evidenced by his vital 23-yard reception in the first quarter.
Juszczyk’s versatile role and effectiveness will certainly pose strategic challenges for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in the lead-up to their next encounter.
Kansas City Chiefs Ones to Watch
There’s no need for a reminder that Patrick Mahomes plays a pivotal role, aiming for his third championship ring in his eighth season.
Similarly, Travis Kelce’s significance is undeniable, especially after his impressive performance of 11 catches for 116 yards against the Ravens.
But L’Jarius Sneed’s significant contributions cannot be overlooked as his key interventions were instrumental in halting Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
This includes a crucial tackle in the secondary to deny a first-quarter touchdown, preventing Zay Flowers from scoring at the end of the third quarter, and subsequently forcing a goal-line fumble from Flowers.
Sneed’s exemplary pass coverage, combined with his substantial physical prowess, positions him as a crucial figure in efforts to contain the 49ers’ offense.
Quarterback Matchup: Purdy vs. Mahomes
Chosen last in the 2022 NFL draft, Brock Purdy has defied the “Mr. Irrelevant” tag, becoming a linchpin for the 49ers with a commendable 21-5 record in 26 starts, reflecting a .808 winning percentage.
His knack for making smart plays has quickly won over coach Shanahan and the team’s skilled offensive lineup.
Purdy’s poise was on full display during a stunning comeback from a 17-point deficit against the Lions in the NFC Championship, securing the 49ers a Super Bowl spot for the second time in five years.
Patrick Mahomes, already a football legend, aims to join the elite circle of quarterbacks with at least three Super Bowl wins, a feat achieved by only four others.
With at least two Super Bowl titles and two AP MVP awards, he shares this distinction with icons like Brady, Manning, and Montana.
Under Mahomes, the Chiefs have made it to the AFC Championship for six straight years, second only to the Patriots’ eight-year streak.
Will Taylor Swift Make an Appearance?
The relationship between Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has captured NFL fans’ attention, with the “Shake it Off” singer often spotted at games, including Kansas’ AFC Championship win where she celebrated with Kelce on the field.
Despite her ‘The Eras Tour’ seeing her perform in Tokyo on the day prior to the game, the time difference between Japan and the U.S. west coast could allow her to make the 8,900km journey to Vegas in time to make the game.
As it turns out, her tour resumes in Melbourne, Australia, on February 16th, giving her plenty of time to make the return journey…
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