The Chiefs have been rolling since they laid an egg on Christmas Day in a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. On that same day, the 49ers were hammered by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football and since then, they have been getting it done and here they are back in the Super Bowl for the first time in four years.
The last time they made it here, the Chiefs beat them, 31-20 in come from behind fashion to win their second Super Bowl in franchise history. But that was then and this is now and both teams have strong defenses coming into this one. The Chiefs have only been giving up 14 points per game since the Christmas Day debacle against the Raiders.
The 'Niners had a huge 34-31 comeback win against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game while Kansas City disposed of the Baltimore Ravens, 17-10 with the defense getting it done. The key to this one will be which team can continue to step it up on defense and make the difference in the final outcome.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is playing his best football when it matters most (post-season) and so is tight end Travis Kelce, who made eleven receptions in the AFC title win two weeks ago. Meanwhile, San Francisco QB Brock Purdy has been like the Rodney Dangerfield of pro quarterbacks, getting no respect even though he led the offense to 27 consecutive points in their big win against the Lions to get to the Super Bowl. The key to the win was the fourth quarter drives that put the 'Niners in command as they opened up a 34-24 lead late in the game. Getting tight end George Kittle more involved in this game (he was not a factor at all in the NFC title game) would go a long way for the San Francisco offense.
The running games for both teams are strong with Christian McCaffrey (NFL's leading rusher in regular season) leading the charge for the 49ers while Isiah Pacheco has been a beast for the Chiefs, especially in recent weeks when the chips are down. San Francisco has a big X factor with wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who can make things happen whenever he gets his hands on the ball.
As for the defenses, the 49ers have Nick Bosa and (linebacker) Fred Warner leading the way while the Chiefs rely on the talents of defensive tackle Chris Jones and a secondary that has been solid, especially in the playoffs. Kansas City will be missing DE Charles Omenihu (knee injury) and that could be something that makes a difference this Sunday.
Both of these teams have excellent head coaches and Andy Reid has won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs and is attempting to become the seventh head coach in NFL history to repeat as a Super Bowl winner in his fourth trip to the Super Bowl with the Chiefs. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan is in his second Super Bowl (as a head coach) and would love to get his first ring with the team he has been coaching since the 2017 season.
As long as neither team has multiple turnovers and does their thing on both sides of the football, look for a close game that will most likely come down to the final possession. If Mahomes and the Chiefs get that opportunity, they are winning the game. If it comes down to San Francisco needing the last minute score to tie or win it, the Chiefs defense has shown they can get the job done.
PREDICTION - Chiefs 27, 49ers 21
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