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Kansas City Chiefs
San Francisco 49ers (14-5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (14-6)
So this will be a rematch of the Super Bowl four years ago, when Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and this edition of the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl against the 49ers.
Only, it will be a little different.
First of all, the Chiefs have almost cemented their status as a dynasty. They have become only the third team in NFL history to have reached the Super Bowl four times in a five year span (the others being the Buffalo Bills, who made it to four straight from 1990 – 1993, and the New England Patriots, from 2014 – 2018).
As much as a model of consistency as the Chiefs have become since then, the 49ers have also been a model of consistency to a lesser degree. They made it to that Super Bowl (and nearly won), and have made it to four of the last five NFC Championship Games. This marks the second time that they won the NFC crown, earning them the right to make this second Super Bowl appearance in five seasons. And this team is most likely better than that one was, with more experience, as well as better talent both on offense and defense. They still have some stars from that last Super Bowl team, including George Kittles and Nick Bosa, for example. And head coach Kyle Shanahan has more years of experience under his belt now. They had some tough tests in both playoff games, against the Packers and again versus the Lions. Yet, they survived and are back in the Super Bowl, where they wanted and expected to be from the beginning this year.
On offense, this Niners team is probably better than the last time that they were here. They still have a solid offensive line and receivers. However, they also have added a terrific running back, Christian McCaffrey. Brock Purdy appears to be their quarterback of the future. They are a dangerous and physical football team, so KC’s defense will have to be up for the challenge.
For Kansas City, this was a very different kind of season than the previous five seasons, all of which saw them win the AFC West and host the AFC title game. They still won the AFC West and reached the AFC Championship this season, but their offense was not nearly as explosive. This resulted in a subpar (by their standard) regular season record, and that in turn forced them to go on the road for a couple of playoff games this time around. Yet, they still won those, even away from Arrowhead, and are not back where they wanted and expected to be. Namely, the Super Bowl.
Mostly, that is off the strength of the defense, which was one of the tops units in the league this season. Indeed, just as KC’s offense seemed to sputter, the defense came to life in a big way. This was a tough unit. They struggled a bit against Buffalo, particularly that running game. Yet they persevered in the end. And they held the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens – both of which have explosive offenses – to a combined 17 points total in those two games.
Yes, that defense can play ball. With Chris Jones leading the way and really anchoring the defense, that unit has become on of the true elite defenses in the league. They have stepped up in a big way, saving a season that otherwise might have been not only less than spectacular, but perhaps even lost. It is hard to imagine that the enormous, big name talent on offense takes a back seat to the defense, but that feels like it has been the case this year. They were one of the stingiest defenses in the entire league. Only the Ravens allowed fewer points this season.
And yet, the Chiefs suddenly seem to have gotten back their explosive offense. Patrick Mahomes has typically looked phenomenal so far in these playoffs. Travis Kelce is breaking records this postseason, as well. Isiah Pacheco looks dangerous and explosive every time he gets the ball. KC has been running the ball effectively, and their passing game is once again very dangerous. If they can play that way again in this Super Bowl, the 49ers defense will have their hands full, to say the least. They may even be seriously stretched.
However, the 49ers also have one of the league’s best, and most physical, defenses. That was the strength of their unit when these two teams squared off in that Super Bowl a few years ago, and they very nearly won. This time around, they will look to hold off KC’s offense, which may still be suspect. After all, while Kansas City’s offense has looked good again in this postseason, they looked like they were having a hard time against tough defenses, particularly the second half against Buffalo, as well as in the AFC Championship Game against Baltimore.
This should be a good, tough, close game. It might be a lot like the last time that these two teams squared off in the Super Bowl, in fact. Expect a tight game, with both teams showing why they have managed to get to this point this far in the playoffs. These are two heavyweights, and they will not hold back. Yet, I suspect that the 49ers have just a little bit more, and should emerge victorious.
My pick: San Francisco 49ers
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