Sean Selby

So, the Super Bowl is here which is bittersweet as it means we won’t have football for another 6 months. What it leaves us though, is a great matchup between two high powered offenses that is splitting the country on who they think will take home the Lombardi.

The 49ers have arguably been the best team in the NFC, if not the NFL for most of the season. With the dangerous attack of Christian McCaffery, Debo Samuel, Brandon Ayuik, and George Kittle, they can score at any time. They go up against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has matured very quickly in the secondary, and a formidable pass rush that hopes to get after Brock Purdy often. That last part is key. Purdy has been shaky at times in the postseason when the pressure has been on, so if KC can get in his face and force some bad throws, it could be a difference maker.

On the other side of the ball, it’s harder to faze Patrick Mahomes. He has been here before, and he rarely shows a lack of composure in big moments. He will likely dink and dunk his way down the field, and with a reborn Isiah Pacecho running the ball, it should keep a very good Niners defense scrambling around trying to stop them.

I’m taking the team that’s been here before. Mahomes is cool as a cucumber, and Andy Reid has shaken off the ghosts of the past as he will be looking for his third title. He’ll get it in a close one.

Chiefs 27, Niners 24

Mike Sliwinski

Normally when I am predicting Eagles games, I pull up some stats and offensive and defensive rankings. For this game quite frankly, I don’t think the stats matter much at this point.

Leaving aside or annoyance for one reason or another with both teams playing here in Philly, the fact is, these are two very good teams meeting for the championship. These were two of the most popular teams at the beginning of the season as well. Let’s take a quick look at both sides of the ball.

On offense for the Chiefs is the best player in the league and one that has been for a few years now, in Mahomes. He also comes in healthy and confident. The drops that his WRs made throughout the year did not seem to be an issue in the playoffs thus far. On top of that Kelce slept walked through most of the year, but like a sleeping giant has woken up big time in the playoffs. I expect another TD from him Sunday night. San Frans defense is stout though, all 3 levels have pro bowlers and they have been dominant. More dominant than the Ravens team the Chiefs beat at home, 2 weeks ago..hard to say. It’ll be fun watching to find out.

On offense for SF is the best non QB offensive weapon, Christian McCaferty. They also have boy wonder Brock Purdy. Brock has continued to prove naysayers wrong, he was Mr. Irrelevant he can’t be that good. He wins a few games. Ok but do it against good teams and in the playoffs. He wins a couple last year but gets hurt in championship game. Ok but can he do it again when the book is out on him. He leads SF to top seed in NFC. Yeah, but he just manages the game, how will he do if the team doesn’t have a lead? Last game he brings the team back from a double-digit halftime deficit. What else does the guy have to do? Oh…just outduel Mr. Mahomes,. Meanwhile, while not their calling card in the past, KC’s defense kind of came out of nowhere to carry the Chiefs throughout the year.

Teams are pretty evenly matched and formidable on both sides of the ball. Should be a good one. But here are other factors. The eye test in the playoffs. Chiefs easily dismantled Miami and beat the 2nd seed Bills in Buffalo as underdogs, then they beat the Super Bowl favorite Ravens in their stadium and made league MVP Lamar Jackson look mediocre at best. Meanwhile, SF only had two games, one against the last team in that upset Dallas (hahahaha) that they struggled in, perhaps a late made FG by Green Bay and the game turns out differently. Then down double digits at half, they need to fight back and got fortunate drops, bounces (that Aiyuk catch…crazy), and questionable 4th down decisions to move on. Advantage Chiefs, who put their midseason struggles to rest. Experience factor also plays into the Chiefs. They have been there 3 of past 4 years and already won 2 of those. SF is probably going to be a bit overhyped, which plays into KCs favor. Lastly, as well as Purdy has played, as many questions as he’s answered, he’s going against Mahomes this week, and you don’t want to bet against him.

Chiefs 24 49(whine)ers 17

Pat Mulranen

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense has been pretty solid this season, and came up big in the AFC Championship Game. Granted, the Baltimore Ravens did go away from the run, especially with Lamar Jackson. But the Chiefs deserve some credit for stopping the Ravens offense like they did.

But can they stop the San Francisco 49ers offense?

To an extent, I think they can hold them off enough to win. If they can somewhat take Deebo Samuel out of the game, it would change everything. Look how the 49ers looked against the Green Bay Packers when Deebo went out. The Chiefs won’t stop the 49ers completely, and no doubt Christian McCaffrey will do his thing, but the Chiefs defense will make plays, especially late in the game.

On the other side of the ball, you can’t count out Patrick Mahomes anymore. It’s like with Tom Brady. As long as Brady was healthy, we knew the New England Patriots were contenders. Mahomes is becoming the new Brady, and WHEN he wins, Mahomes will be about halfway to Brady. 

Yes, I am going with the Chiefs here. They will be the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowl championships since Brady and the Patriots. Listen, I am so sick and tired of them winning. I am still not over the Chiefs beating the Eagles last year in the Super Bowl. I am still mad at the Chiefs for winning. But guess what? They are good! And the 49ers could have easily lost to the Packers and should have lost to the Detroit Lions.

With that said, I expect the game to be close. Brock Purdy is the best game manager out there. He will be carried by his offensive weapons and will help the 49ers score, but so will Mahomes, Travis Kelce and South Jersey’s own Isiah Pacheco, who I think will have a monster game.

This should be a fun game to watch, even though most of the country didn’t want this matchup (including me). But let’s enjoy the last football game until September, shall we?

Chiefs 33, 49ers 29