Matchup Preview: Chiefs vs. 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII

Defending Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Kansas City was crowned champions last season as well after they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in a nail-biter 38-35. Coming out victorious this Sunday would mark a repeat championship for the first time in 18 seasons for the NFL. The last time this occurred was in 2005 when the New England Patriots won back-to-back Super Bowls.

The San Francisco 49ers have five Super Bowl Championships in franchise history and are looking to tie the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England for the most in the National Football League with six. Twenty-nine years ago was the last time San Francisco hoisted the Lombardi Trophy when they annihilated the San Diego Chargers 49-26. Since then, they have lost their last two Super Bowl Appearances after going 5-0 in their first five.

The San Francisco 49ers during the regular season went 12-5, won the NFC West, clinched home field advantage. They took on the Green Bay Packers in the divisional-round beating Green Bay 24-21. The NFC Championship game featured an epic 17-point comeback from the 49ers en route to them beating the Detroit Lions 34-31 and punching their ticket to Las Vegas.

Kansas City was 11-6 during the 2023 regular season and won the AFC West for the eighth-straight season. In the playoffs, they beat the Miami Dolphins during wildcard weekend 26-7. The next weekend in the divisional-round they knocked out the Buffalo Bills on the road 27-24. The AFC Championship took place in Baltimore against the number-one seeded Ravens and the Chiefs upset them 17-10.

Now back to Sunday’s showdown.

Both teams are led by winners at the quarterback position. San Francisco’s Brock Purdy since entering the league has a .808 winning percentage. Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City is a two-time Super Bowl winner and this will be his fourth Championship game he will be playing in. The offenses that will hit the field on Sunday features multiple elite players on both sides. Kansas City along with Mahomes will have All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, emerging star at running back Isaiah Pacheco, and rookie sensation wide receiver Rashee Rice. Offensive guru and head coach of San Francisco Kyle Shanahan has offensive stars are his disposal. From one of the best running backs in the game with Christian McCaffrey, two elite playmakers at wide receiver with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, and an offensive line anchored by 11-time pro bowler Trent Williams. San Francisco’s offense ranked third in points per game, second in yards per game, and third in total points scored all season. Both offenses look to stay hot and put on a show for the world to see.

The two groups trying to stop the offenses are the defenses. Both are strong groups that can take over games and shut down offenses trying to score. The San Francisco 49ers led by Pro Bowl Latino linebacker Fred Warner and All-Pro edge rusher Nick Bosa look to give Andy Reid’s offense problems. After a close loss in 2020, both players come into this game looking for revenge. San Francisco’s defense was top ten in the fewest yards per gain allowed. The top three in fewest points per game and rushing yards per game given up. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has his defense firing on all cylinders. The defense ranked second in fewest yards per game given up, fewest points per game given up, and in total yards. The Chief’s defense features defensive tackle Chris Jones, Safety Justin Reid, and lockdown cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed. All are key players at every level of the field.

The last notable group of the game is special teams. We have seen teams lose and win championships because of special teams. San Francisco’s kicker is rookie Jake Moody. Who has missed two field goal attempts this postseason. That can be something to monitor. Whether he can shake it off or let it continue in Vegas. The Kansas City Chiefs kicker is Harrison Butker. He enters his seventh playoffs for the Chiefs and fourth Super Bowl. Boasting an 87.5 field-goal percentage in his playoff career, and an 83.3 percent in his three Super Bowl games.