Jude Magnotti ’26
EE Sports Columnist
Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived. The precipice of a whole season of blood, sweat, and tears all culminated in one final matchup. Chiefs vs 49ers. The Swifties vs the Purdys. KC vs San Fran.
If we rewind back just four years ago to 2020 (before the Covid meltdown) the fate of the NFL was to be determined by this very same matchup. San Fran is best known in that Super Bowl for choking a ten point lead in the 4th quarter to give Patrick Mahomes his first ring. However, things are different now. That was then and this is now and instead of a bum QB in Jimmy G, the Niners have a budding superstar in Brock Purdy.
If you keep up with my articles you will know that I am a full believer in the skill and talent of Purdy. To come in as the last pick in the draft and do what he has done is truly remarkable. However, Purdy’s first Super Bowl matchup will be no easy task going up against the grim reaper himself, Patrick Mahomes (Eli Manning vs Tom Brady vibes?). Luckily for Purdy, if you look deeper into the rosters of these two teams, San Fran has a better all around team and it is not even close. In addition to the aforementioned Purdy, the Niners have the best offensive line in the league, the best running back in the league, and the best linebacker in the league. Combine this with a menagerie of offensive weapons at Purdy’s disposal and the Chiefs run down receiving core of Rashid Rice and Travis Kelce looks like a pee-wee team.
Nevertheless, the Chiefs somehow still have the advantage in the matchup and it is all because of one man –Patrick Mahomes. Statistically, Mahomes had the most disappointing season of his career this year. However, when playoffs came around we should have known that Mahomes would drag a disgruntled Chiefs team to his 4th Super Bowl appearance. So without further ado, let’s get down to prediction time!
Now, a prediction would not be a prediction if I did not break down these teams side by side. While rosters on paper aren’t always the deciding factor, more often than not a discrepancy in talent between two teams can be the death of a lesser one. As I have already mentioned, the Niners have a clear discrepancy in talent in favor of their team. While Mahomes may be more talented than Purdy at QB, do not underestimate Purdy’s ability to make plays in clutch moments.
At the running back spot I don’t think I even need to say anything about this one. McCaffrey is without a doubt the best running back in the league and while Isiah Pacceco may run like Donald Trump on his way to a McDonalds, that still does not make him better. At the tight end spot, Travis Kelce should be the obvious choice here, but it is a lot closer than you might think. While Kelce has been dominant in the playoffs, George Kittle was overall far better in the regular season. If Kelce goes cold and Kittle gets hot, it could be a very long night for the Chiefs.
As for receivers, this is not close either. Kansas City notoriously has had a complete lack of competent receiver play this season and Kadarius Tony and MVS can not hold a candle to the explosiveness of Brandon Ayiuk and Deebo Samuel.
For the offensive line the trend only continues in the 49ers direction. San Fran has easily one of the best offensive lines we have ever seen, and while Creed Humprhey and the Chiefs are certainly competent as well, there still is a significant gap between the two.
Now, it is on defense when this matchup gets a little closer. In terms of the secondary, the Chiefs take just their second win of the night. LaJarius Sneed has been absolutely phenomenal this season and the work he has done to shut down some of the best receivers in football does not get the credit it deserves.
If the Chiefs want a shot at winning they will have to rely on their strengths in QB play by Patrick Mahomes and effective play in the secondary by Sneed. Next up in the D-Line we have our closest battle yet between the brute force of Nick Bosa and the skill and finesse of Chris Jones. At the end of the day, I am still going to have to give this to KC. Bosa is incredible but Chris Jones has been on another level for the past 2 years and I believe he will stop at nothing to earn KC another super bowl title this year.
At linebackers this is not close again. The impact that Fred warner has made of the 49ers difference is out of this world and with Dre Greenlaw complimenting him nicely on the outside this one is no doubt.
Last and most certainly least we have special teams. While both units are pretty equally matched I will give the edge once again to KC for the rocket in a leg that is Harrison Butker. I have a feeling that this game could come down to less than three points and if I need someone to make a 56 yard field goal for the win I am choosing Harrison Butker. The final tally is 5-4 in favor of the 49ers. While these sides do seem more evenly matched then I previously thought, I believe that the gap between KC and San Frans defense is far smaller than the gap between San Fran and KCs offense.
This is it. It is my time. I am calling my shot now, the winner of Super Bowl 58 will be………….. the San Francisco 49ers 35-32!!
I know, I know, you were expecting me to make the Swifties happy by giving Patty Mahomes his third ring. WELL NOT THIS TIME! As dangerous as Patrick Mahomes is, the Chiefs have never been in a more vulnerable position than they are right now. Their receiving core is hot garbage, they are dealing with injuries on the offensive line and on defense. If a team wants the chance to take advantage of the Chiefs in a Super Bowl, the time ‘s right NOW.
After all, Mahomes may be a god, but he is not invincible. We saw what happened when he went up against Brady and the Bucs. The key to defeating Patrick Mahomes is forcing him to do everything himself. Force him to get out of the pocket, force him to constantly have to make crazy throws, force him to play hero ball. I have no doubt that this is the game plan that the niners defense will bring on Sunday and if they can execute effectively, they have a solid shot at a super bowl.
At the end of the day, us fans have no control over what happens in the game. It is up to the players and coaches to have the grit and resolve necessary to win a super bowl and all we can do is try to inspire them to play the best game they have ever played. No matter what happens, only one thing is for certain: We’re in for a heck of a show this Sunday!