Vincent’s Pick: San Francisco 49ers Win 28-27
We get a rematch from Super Bowl LIV. However, this 49ers team has improved. Since their loss back in 2019, the Niners have gotten arguably the best running back of this generation Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey led the NFL in rushing yards, totaled over 2,000 scrimmage yards and scored 21 touchdowns. Along with McCaffrey, San Francisco has their franchise quarterback in Brock Purdy. Purdy was the last pick in the 2022 draft, but with injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppollo suffering injuries, Purdy got his chance. Since then, he’s run with it, leading the 49ers to back-to-back NFC Championship games, and as he was able to stay healthy for the whole game this year, Purdy led the Niners to the Super Bowl.
Along with the newcomers to the Niners dynasty, returning from the previous Super Bowl run is the powerhouse defense, led by Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Offensively, the trio of Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle return, with aspirations of getting the job done this year.
Across the other side of the field is the same team that handed them the loss before and win back-to-back Super Bowls, led by the same superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, as well as mastermind coach Andy Reid. Though the offense has changed, Kansas City has longtime star tight end Travis Kelce, who brings a new set of fans with him, as his relationship with Taylor Swift has all of the Swifties rooting for Kansas City. Returning from last year’s championship team, running back Isiah Pacheco, defensive end Chris Jones and kicker Harrison Butker, who drained the game-winning kick in Super Bowl LVII. Mahomes has a new receiving weapon in rookie wideout Rashee Rice.
With that being said, the Niners will get over the hump. Despite Mahomes leading Kansas City to six straight AFC Championship games, the Niners have been deprived of a Super Bowl for too long. The Niners will bring home their sixth Lombardi Trophy.
Super Bowl MVP: Brock Purdy
Felix’s Pick: Kansas City Chiefs Win 31-27
Both teams’ seasons have been filled with a lot of highs and lows. For the 49ers, injuries have been a major part. Trent Williams and Samuel have been hurt a lot during the regular season and it factored in the team’s three-game losing streak. Star safety Talanoa Hufanga has been out since November with a torn ACL which was a big blow for the Niners’ secondary.
The Chiefs on the other hand had a completely different story in the regular season. Dropped passes was the major concern for the reigning Super Bowl champions heading into the playoffs. They led the league with 44 dropped passes which cost them multiple games. Ever since the team entered the postseason, the offense looks completely different. Mahomes has revived his deadly connection with tight end Kelce. The two have been outsmarting opposing defenses and making big plays all over the field.
Two weeks ago, the Chiefs only allowed 10 points to the MVP front runner Lamar Jackson and his explosive offense. Then, the 49ers only allowed a late touchdown in the second half after a comeback win against the Lions. However, both teams have offensive players that can change the atmosphere of the game in seconds. It is going to be exciting to watch Chiefs’s All-Pro Trent McDuffie line up against 49ers speed demon, Samuel. The 49ers also have a much better rushing attack then the last time these teams met in the Super Bowl. McCaffrey has been playing on a MVP type season and quarterback Purdy has escaped the pocket to pick up a lot of yardage. On the flip side, the Chiefs are coming off a game where they only allowed 81 rushing yards against the run heavy Ravens.
Another factor more people should be looking out for is special teams. 49ers Rookie kicker Jake Moody had his ups and downs this year. Moody has constantly missed clutch field goals in big games. He is coming off a performance where he missed a kick in a close battle against the Lions. For the Chiefs, Butler established himself as a trusty kicker for his consistency over the years.. It is very likely that Mahomes and the Chiefs can find a way to figure out the Niners defensive scheme and win another Super Bowl. Kansas City is ready for great pressure but the young 49ers may not be.
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Jack’s Pick: San Francisco 49ers Win 24-21
Quarterback Brock Purdy has been inconsistent throughout this postseason. On some plays he’s shown why he is an MVP candidate, but he’s also had his fair share of errant throws that, if they continue, could cost the Niners on the big stage. Dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant” due to his being picked last in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy has help from the best running back in the NFL in McCaffrey and a very solid receiving trio in Aiyuk, Samuel, and Kittle. Defensively, the 49ers are equally as great, with both units placing 3rd in the league in points scored and allowed per game respectively. Warner headlines a dominant linebacker group, and lockdown cornerback Charvarius Ward will be eager to beat his old team. However, the game may be decided in the trenches. San Francisco boasts arguably the best defensive line in football, with Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Javon Hargrave wrecking the game upfront.
Kansas City, meanwhile, are on the last chapter of their “Cinderella story,” if that phrase can be used to describe a potential dynasty. The Chiefs have looked dead in the water at points this season, but the Mahomes-led squad battled back and now find themselves in their fourth Super Bowl in the past five seasons. The defense has been spectacular, but the offense has been lackluster. Pacheco has been a proficient runner during the season, but mistakes from receivers have put a ceiling on the Chief’s explosive capacity. Rice has had a standout rookie season, but the rest of the receiver core has ranged from inconsistent to invisible. Even Kelce, one of the best tight ends in NFL history, has had a down year by his standards.
Both teams average just over 17 points-per-game, leading to a more defensive matchup than many viewers may expect. San Francisco’s consistency on offense and defense will ultimately prove to be too much for Kansas City to keep up. The 49ers will get their revenge in Allegiant Stadium and bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay Area.
Super Bowl MVP: Christian McCaffrey
John’s Pick: Kansas City Chiefs Win 31-28
Despite the teams being so dominant once again there’s been a few major changes that could be the difference this time around. The Chiefs as we know have a different identity on the offensive side of the ball led by Pacheco who’s been a revelation for a team that has lacked that potent rushing attack throughout Mahomes career. The struggle was real this year with the Chiefs but they got into the playoffs and haven’t looked back as they’ve been led by Mahomes and have gotten help from Rice and Kelce with no other pass catcher really stepping up.
As we know the 49ers have changed quarterbacks since the last time these teams matched up in this game but no one would have thought Purdy would be that guy. His story has been well documented and if it wasn’t for him many believe this team would be in the position they are today but can Purdy silence the doubters one more time and that is the thing that makes me hesitate on going with the 49ers because of who they are going up against and all of that experience.
Super Bowl LVlll will for sure live up to the hype in my opinion and in the end in the great city of Vegas, Butker will just like last year nail the game winning kick that crowns the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl champions for the third time in the Mahomes era.
Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes
All stats are from NFL.com as of February 9
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