After 18 grueling weeks and three weeks of playoff games, we have arrived at the pinnacle of the football world with the Super Bowl LVIII. The big game is right around the corner and we now have our matchup: the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
For many, it isn’t a surprise that either team is here. But there is a lot of ground to cover as we take a look at the matchup and find out exactly how they got here, and how this game could potentially shake out in the end.
Who Is Playing In Super Bowl LVIII?
In the 58th edition of the Super Bowl, Kansas City Chiefs will play against San Francisco 49ers, after the Chiefs beat the Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC Conference and the 49ers beat the Detroit Lions to win the NFC one.
This is a rematch of Super Bowl LIV which saw both teams facing each other in Florida, with the Chiefs coming back on top (20-31). Patrick Mahomes was the MVP of that game.
Mahomes and the Chiefs are in the Super Bowl game for the 3rd time in the last 4 seasons. The Chiefs, who won last year, can win back to back Super Bowls. Eight different NFL teams have won back-to-back Super Bowls, but the last time it happened was in 2005 (with the New England Patriots).
WE GOT A REMATCH IN SUPER BOWL LVIII 🍿🏆 pic.twitter.com/afsNtYFCEA
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 29, 2024
What The Odds Predict For Super Bowl LVIII?
Currently ClutchBuzz sees San Francisco 49ers as slight favorites, with -118 on the moneyline, while the Chiefs are priced at +100.
This is mostly due to the fact that no team wins back to back Super Bowls since 2005.
You can also bet in the state of Colorado in the Super Bowl. Check how Denver sports betting works here.
[clutchbuzz_betnow id=’288273′]
About the Chiefs
What can be said about the Chiefs that hasn’t already been said? This is the fourth Super Bowl appearance in the last five years for them. Even though they had some surprising defeats during regular season, like the one against the Broncos, they keep their consistency once again. Meanwhile, Denver Broncos playoff history has been non-existent since 2015.
Anyway, in the six years that Patrick Mahomes has been quarterback, they have made it to at least the AFC Championship Game.
But this isn’t the same old Chiefs team. They’ll always have a chance offensively with Mahomes at the helm. This year, however, the defense has been the catalyst. Even when the offense failed to score any second-half points against the Ravens, the defense kept the home team limited to just three points. The secondary is one of the best in the league and a major reason why Kansas City is here.
Dancing our way into Super Bowl LVIII like 🕺 pic.twitter.com/LUrkGbyqaB
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 30, 2024
About the 49ers
The 49ers were called the best team in the league to start the season and it has largely been the case. They were the top seed in the NFC, though the path through the playoffs has been anything but easy. They needed to come back against both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to win.
The defense has a plethora of stars but as both the Packers and Lions have shown, they can be run on. QB Brock Purdy has acquitted himself very well, an important part in both wins. The offense also continues to lean on Christian McCaffrey, who was recently named a finalist for NFL MVP.
A legendary performance in the presence of greatness. #FTTB pic.twitter.com/HiOfqDLVrv
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 30, 2024
What the Chiefs Do Well
As covered above, the Chiefs are great defensively. Chris Jones has the ability to wreck any drive by getting to the quarterback. The run defense is largely quite good though the Bills did have some success on the ground in the divisional round. The secondary makes life extremely difficult for quarterbacks and receivers alike.
Offensively, the Chiefs are different for another reason. Though Mahomes can make any throw – and has made some big ones so far in these playoffs – the driving force is the ground game. Isaiah Pacheco has been a force for the Chiefs, extending drives and providing relief for Mahomes and the passing game.
The QB standing in the way of Patrick Mahomes’ 3rd title: pic.twitter.com/Ryorm3PZ4F
— ClutchBet (@ClutchBetSB) January 29, 2024
What the 49ers Do Well
The 49ers have looked much different in the playoffs than they had in the regular season. Defensively, they have a lot of talent that can change a game. Fred Warner is arguably the best linebacker in the league. Charvarius Ward is one of the better corners in the league, but they are missing safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Offensively, the 49ers are clearly the better of the two. McCaffrey is the key factor both out of the backfield and on the ground. He’s an MVP candidate for a reason. Purdy, who has battled accusations of being a system quarterback, has been a key figure in both comebacks. He is a legitimate player and the 49ers wouldn’t be here without him.
In Colorado, due to the AFC West rivalry with the Chiefs, the football fans should be supporting the 49ers. Another reason Colorado is supporting San Francisco in the Super Bowl LVIII is Christian McCaffrey, the running back who was born in Castle Rock.
Who Has the Edge?
When comparing the Chiefs defense vs. the 49ers offense, the battle is fairly even. The Chiefs’ secondary can shut down the best of them but they also haven’t faced a team with this many weapons before. Their depth will be put to the test for certain.
When talking about the Chiefs offense vs. the 49ers defense, there is one clear advantage here for the Chiefs. They can run the ball with Pacheco, gutting out tough, physical yards. The Lions ran all over the 49ers in the first half of the NFC Championship Game before turning things around.
The difference in Super Bowl LVIII QB contracts 🤯💰
(h/t @FOS) pic.twitter.com/ZNq7q9tQM4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 29, 2024
Who Comes Out on Top On Super Bowl LVIII?
Either team winning would not be a surprise. The 49ers have all of the talent in the world but it feels stupid to bet against Mahomes at this point. He’s catching up to Brady and the Patriots even though it’s been just six years since he first started.
For now, the Chiefs feel like the safest pick. The 49ers have the personnel to bother him but until someone beats him (other than Brady), it’s Mahomes and the Chiefs all the way.
View of Allegiant Stadium as Las Vegas is set to host Super Bowl LVlll in 2024. Las Vegas, Nevada on December 15, 2021. Credit: DeeCee Carter/MediaPunch /IPX
Frequently Asked Questions About Super Bowl LVIII
When Is The Super Bowl LVIII?
- Super Bowl LVIII will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Where Can I Watch The Super Bowl LVIII On TV?
- If you live in the USA you can watch the Super Bowl LVIII on CBS. If you have Paramount+ you can also watch it there, as the streaming service will show all the live action of the big football game.
Who Is Super Bowl LVIII Pre-Game And Interval Act?
- This year’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime show will be headlined by R&B star Usher. During pre-game artists Post Malone and Andra Day will be performing. Post Malone will sing “America the Beautiful” and Andra Day will be performing the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcRLTbQxgcI
Who Will Sing The National Anthem In Super Bowl LVIII?
- On this year’s edition of the Super Bowl country music half of fame legend Reba McEntire will sing the Star Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States Of America.
Conclusion
No matter how this game shakes out, this is going to be a defining matchup. Should the Chiefs win, there will be no shortage of comparisons between Mahomes and Tom Brady. If Purdy and the 49ers can win, it only adds to an already legendary franchise’s history. Either way, this is going to be a great matchup, a great time to invest in NFL prop bets.
Check out how to bet on the Super Bowl LVIII here.
