Raven Moore
In the last few showdowns between high-powered offenses versus stingy defenses, it seems that defenses have consistently gotten the better of their opposition, but I see this as a year to change that.
The Kansas City Chiefs have an offense that’s completely different than others around the league because they have a multitude of weapons that can burn you.
The 49ers have had a great season, but it is proven that when their pass rush can not get home, their secondary becomes a liability. Even with all the trash that Richard Sherman talks, I do not see him slowing down Tyreek Hill.
Then factor in Travis Kelce, who is arguably the top tight end in the league, and Damien Williams who works best in short yardage situations and you have a recipe for disaster.
This does not even factor what it will take for the 49ers offense to stay competitive if the Chiefs are able to pull away. Jimmy Garoppolo is no Patrick Mahomes, and after throwing just eight passes in the NFC Championship, I suspect it is going to be hard for him to establish a groove.
They can try to run the ball as much as they want, but that will not get the job done on Sunday, which is why the Chiefs will walk away as Super Bowl 54 Champions.
Score Prediction: Kansas City 58-17 San Francisco
Reggie Reed
Super Bowl 54. I cannot believe that the end of the 100th season of the NFL will commence on Sunday, but here we are. Chiefs and 49ers are set to take center stage in Miami in what is supposed to be a high-scoring affair.
The Chiefs are the AFC Champions by defeating the Titans by a score of 35-24. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a great day running the ball - a plus for him considering his magic arm talent. Tight end Travis Kelce is another player on offense to keep your eye on because of the ability to win one-on-one matchups. The big key for the Chiefs is their defense. Frank Clark and Chris Jones need to get after Jimmy Garoppolo and force him to make bad throws.
On the other hand, the 49ers are one of the most complete teams in the league. They also have a tier-one tight end in George Kittle. They have a better defense than the Chiefs as well with Nick Bosa, likely Defensive Rookie of the Year, collecting nine sacks this year.
With all that being said, I will pick the 49ers to win the Super Bowl because I honestly struggled with this pick. Chiefs are good team, but they beat my Tennessee Titans.
Score Prediction: San Francisco 38-35 Kansas City
Frank Ramirez
I, for one, will let my bias get the best of my decision here. While I respect how Andy Reid's Chiefs have taken care of business and Mahomes has recovered well from his leg injuries, I would not be happy to see them win their second Super Bowl. (I am a Las Vegas Raiders fan.)
I see the Chiefs owning the first half with Tyreek Hill's Olympic-worthy speed getting the better of Richard Sherman and Frank Clark adding a sack or two to get Garoppolo shaky. But after Shakira and Jennifer Lopez have a memorable halftime performance, Kyle Shannahan's team and his lucky small logo hat will change the momentum for the 49ers in order to prolong Kansas City's Super Bowl drought.
Either Nick Bosa, Greg Kittle or Garoppolo will win MVP, and it will be a memorable Super Bowl to end the NFL's 100th season.
Score Prediction: San Francisco 42-35 Kansas City
Jacob Rice
After such a wild AFC side of the playoffs, the NFC was less than shocking and sent their number one seeded team into the Super Bowl. The AFC had all kinds of fireworks - until the Chiefs ran out of them.
The Chiefs played the fourth-seed Texans who squeaked by the Bills. Then they beat the sixth-seed Titans. Both opponents were good teams - but not great. San Francisco beat a sixth-seed Vikings and a two-seed Packers team. I have no doubt that the NFC is represented by the best possible team, but I think if the 49ers had to play the best AFC team, San Francisco would lose. The Titans made the job easier for the 49ers.
The Chiefs will have their hands full of challenges. The 49ers will have their hands full with opposition talent. Patrick Mahomes is playing incredibly and controls a team with some of the most alarming speed across an offense.
Jimmy Garoppolo has to balance his offense and not rely on the running attack to carry this game. Any hint of a repeat in the NFC championship, and it is over for San Fran. For the Chiefs, just play like normal and do not get caught getting comfortable.
I speak for quite a few people when I say it is pleasing to not see the Patriots in this. But in all seriousness, I think the Chiefs are finally relieved to be here. They have been kicked of the playoffs in shocking and disappointing ways over recent years, so they should not let this one slip. The 49ers have not been in the postseason in years. Most of the team is gone after the last playoff appearance.
I want to say San Francisco, but Kansas City just has more to get from this for their program.
Score Prediction: Kansas City 37-28 San Francisco
Zach Thompson
The stage is set. The epicenter of the sports world will be Miami this Sunday when the Chiefs and 49ers square off in Super Bowl 54. The clash of styles between San Francisco’s dominant defense and Kansas City’s explosive offense will make for what should be a compelling matchup.
The key to this game is the play of 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garroppolo. Everyone knows how dangerous Patrick Mahomes is on the other side. It will be crucial that Kyle Shanahan gets the run game going and puts his quarterback in a position to succeed. If San Francisco can control the time of possession and keep Mahomes on the sidelines for as much of the game as possible, it will be difficult to overcome that mighty defense that features playmakers at every level.
Kansas City has shown that while they may get down, they are never fully out of any game. Their run defense is suspect at times, but Andy Reid’s offense has the type of quick-strike ability to where they can turn a game upside-down in a matter of minutes.
While I expect the 49ers to keep it close, I think Mahomes will have too many weapons and Reid will finally win that much-deserved championship that has eluded him all these years.
Score prediction: Kansas City 27-14 San Francisco
Josh Rivera
Patrick Mahomes, in his second season, has already established himself as a one of the best players in the NFL. Kansas City's offense is lethal and unpredictable. Mahomes' arm is a rocket, and I expect the Chiefs to make the ultimate statement in Miami.
As for the 49ers, it's their defense that can make all the difference. Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa is fresh off his first Pro Bowl as well, and the stage is set for him to lead his stellar defense to a championship.
If the Chiefs can slow down San Francisco's run game like they did with Derrick Henry and the Titans, the 49ers defense should win that battle. San Francisco's pass defense, anchored by Richard Sherman, might be the best in the league. It will definitely be a toss-up.
