On Sunday, the big game everyone has been waiting for is finally here. That’s right, the Nuggets play the Pistons at 12:30! Oh, and there is some football game on, I think. Whatever. Of course, we kid, we kid. Super Bowl LIV is here with a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
Kansas City has remained favored throughout the weeks, currently at 1.5 points, leading into the matchup. An explosive offense lead by the reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes. On the other side, no one wants to face Nick Bosa and the rest of the 49ers defense, which ranked as one of the top defenses in the league.
The key to this game is mostly going to be in the trenches. If KC’s offensive line can hold up and give him time to do what he can, Mahomes will put on a show. The 49ers pass defense, however, was the best in football this year allowing just 2,707 passing yards. Then again, San Francisco running game has been the talk of the postseason. We saw what Raheem Mostert, virtually unknown, until a few weeks ago, did against Green Bay in the NFC title game. To remind every, he only rushed for 220 yards with 4 touchdowns. Not to mention, Tevin Coleman, who we thought would be out for this game after his shoulder injury he suffered in that game, says he’s should be ready to go.
The other key to this game is the QB matchup. San Francisco threw the ball 8 times in NFC championship game! Look, they dominated that game and did not have to throw it to be honest, but that’s not going to happen this game. So the question is, does San Francisco Head Coach Kyle Shanahan not trust Jimmy G to throw it in these pressure filled games? We know he can sling it and win a shootout after the show he put on in New Orleans late in the season. On the other side, I have no questions about Mahomes. He has the faith and trust of KC Head Coach Andy Reid. He’s going to put the game in Mahomes’ hands and let the cards fall where they may. He is arguably the best in the game.
Another factor to think about is that Super Bowls tend to be close and come down to special teams; Robbie Gould has been dreadful for the 49ers this year with just a 74% field goal completion percentage (23 made FG on 31 attempts.) Kansas City’s, Harrison Butker, on the other hand, went 33 for 34 on FGs, good for 90%.
I’m torn with a prediction because I fully believe defense wins championships which would lead me to pick San Francisco. However, I also believe that great QBs always find a way to win the big games as we’ve seen many times in the past. At the end of the day, I’m going to stick with my gut and say I think we’ll be seeing Magic Man Mahomes on that podium holding the Lombardi Trophy high in Miami.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, 49ers 27
