RECORD FROM TWO WEEKS AGO: 2-0
RECORD FOR THE PLAYOFFS 8-4
Sunday, February 11th, 5:30PM CT
San Francisco 49ers vs Kansas City Chiefs
The day has finally come, the bittersweet ending to the NFL season until September and what a matchup we have. The 49ers and Chiefs meet in the Super Bowl for the second time in five years and the first meeting the Chiefs won 31-20. The 49ers were very dominant throughout the regular season but during the playoffs they have shown cracks in their armor barely squeaking out wins over the Packers and Lions to reach this point. Meanwhile, Kansas City had a rough regular season, one that made people think they wouldn’t be able to make it to Las Vegas, but here they are looking for their third Super Bowl in five years and cementing themselves as a Dynasty.
Matchups to watch
Chiefs front 7 vs Chrisitian McCaffrey
It’s no secret what the Niners want to do, they want to run the ball with CMC and limit the Chiefs possessions. The Chiefs defense has been elite all season but if you can get them anywhere it’s the run game. The Niners best chance to victory offensively, is a big game from McCaffrey and a probable Super Bowl MVP, if he can have a great game. It’s vital for the Chiefs defense to get the 49ers in obvious passing downs where their elite secondary can do what they do best. Speaking of the Chiefs secondary…
L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie vs Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel
The Chiefs secondary is arguably the best and most physical group in football, but Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk can match their physicality if the Chiefs are able to tackle Deebo and limit the big plays from Aiyuk, it could be a long day for this Niners offense. But, if Deebo can be the battering ram and Aiyuk being the route running wizard, they can put a lot of pressure on this Chiefs defense to get out of the Spags blitz heavy scheme KC likes to run.
49ers D-line vs Patrick Mahomes
You can say this is more of a Chiefs offensive line matchup but Mahomes pocket presence and overall ability to avoid sacks and extend the play, is the best in football; and if San Francisco can’t get to him I’m expecting the two-time Super Bowl MVP to add a third to his trophy case. The Niners secondary, although not facing the best WR Core in the world, still isn't good enough to play the style they want to play, which is a static zone. Mahomes and Kelce will pick them apart similar to last year against the Eagles.
Spags vs Kyle Shanahan
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, is arguably one of the best defensive coordinators of all time and has built his amazing reputation in games like this shutting down Brady offenses two times in the Super Bowl, including keeping the legendary 2007 Patriots to 14 points in the Giants upset win over New England. Kyle Shanahan is one of the brightest offensive minds of our time and one of the best head coaches we have today, but he has had horrible luck in the Super Bowl in his previous two trips. Shanahan and his plan against the creative blitzes from Spags will be interesting to watch and whatever one of these amazing football minds win this battle should win the game.
In the end, I understand a lot of people wanted to see new teams make it, but there’s something to be said for when two teams have constant success and continue despite changes to coaching staffs and rosters, they thrive and make it back to this point. These are two of the best teams of the last 10 years and they face off again in a legacy defying game. Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy can hush up many of their doubters . Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs can solidify themselves as one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history and for Mahomes, this can put him at three rings before 30 inching him closer to Brady and making it hard to put any other QB in history above him.
The 49ers are said to have the better overall roster but as I have sat back and thought the last two weeks, I don’t know how true that is. The Chiefs have the better defense, the better offensive line, the better coaching staff and while San Fran has more high end talent, I think Mahomes and the Chiefs remember the last time they were in this position when they had the chance to repeat and were humiliated by the Bucs 31-9. I expect a Patrick Mahomes masterclass leading the Chiefs into the rarefied air of winning three titles in five years.
49ers 24 Chiefs 27
Confidence Level:6
Super Bowl MVP:Patrick Mahomes
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