The matchup for Super Bowl LVIII (58) is set as the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers (14-5) open up a two-point favorites over the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs (14-6) Sunday, February 11.
San Francisco made the game with back-to-back second-half comebacks. Against the Packers in the Divisional Round, the 49ers trailed Green Bay 21-14 in the second half of the game.
But a late Christian McCaffrey TD secured San Francisco’s berth into the NFC Championship game. Trailing 24-7 against Detroit in the second half, the 49ers scored 27 unanswered points to win 34-31 over the Lions.
Kansas City’s path to the Super Bowl was longer as the Chiefs dominated Miami 26-7 in the Wild Card matchup. A back-and-forth battle with Buffalo in the Divisional Round saw Kansas City take the lead for the final time with 14:20 remaining in the fourth quarter as the Chiefs prevailed 27-24 over the Bills. Finally, the AFC Championship was a defensive battle as the Chiefs secured a 17-10 victory over Baltimore last week.
In a rematch of Super Bowl LIV (54), can San Francisco win its sixth championship this year? Or will Kansas City win its third Super Bowl in five years? Read on as we discuss the keys to victory for each team in Super Bowl LVIII.
Why San Francisco Should Win
Last season, starting QB Brock Purdy emerged from seemingly nowhere after being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Since earning the nod midway through the 2022 season, Purdy is 21-5 as a starter including four playoff wins in five playoff contests.
His ascent to one of the game’s top signal callers has benefitted a 49ers offense with multiple weapons. McCaffrey led the league with 1,459 rushing yards and 21 total TDs.
WR Brandon Aiyuk was seventh in the league with 1,342 receiving yards while TE George Kittle led his position with 1,020 receiving yards. Even WR Deebo Samuel logged over 1,100 total yards this year.
With an offense geared to score in bunches, the 49ers are primed to have a big day against Kansas City. San Francisco’s top five defense can keep the Chiefs’ offense from scoring big, giving the 49ers fans and bettors alike reason to believe this game will not be as close as the initial odds indicate.
Why Kansas City Should Win
For the first time in his career, QB Patrick Mahomes went on the road during the NFL playoffs. And like every other challenge presented to one of the game’s best athletes, Mahomes led his team to a pair of victories to return to the Super Bowl for the second straight season.
Unlike the previous three trips, the Chiefs are not reliant solely on Mahommes and his offensive prowess. This season, Kansas City ranks among the top defenses in the league for the first during the Chiefs’ incredible five-year run.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has authored his best job to date as Kansas City ranks second in yards allowed (289.8) and points allowed (17.3) this season.
With a difference-making defense, the Chiefs are primed to secure their fourth overall Lombardi trophy February 11. Kansas City needs only a minimal amount of offense from Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce and company in order to secure their position as a potential dynasty with third Super Bowl victory in five years.
Best Bet: 49ers (-2)
The 49ers opened as a two-point favorites immediately after the matchup was determined. Oddsmakers advanced the spread as public money was heavily moving toward San Francisco in opening wagers.
Spreads less than three reveal that oddsmakers aren’t quite sure who will ultimately secure the victory. But the best wager bettors can make entering the final NFL contest of the season is to choose the team that has faced the most adversity this season, giving the 49ers the early-betting edge and making them the best bet.
