Tremendous Bowl LVIII, hosted in Las Vegas, kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. ET. For the second time in 5 years, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will meet on the largest stage.
A number of legacies will likely be on the road on this rematch of Tremendous Bowl LIV, with most of the sport’s taking part gamers and coaches hoping to go away their mark on NFL historical past. Listed below are the ten individuals who have essentially the most at stake in Sunday’s sport, ranked in inverse order.
10. Chiefs OT Jawaan Taylor
Loads of eyes will likely be on Taylor, the participant many will keep in mind for getting away with a number of pre-snap violations throughout Kansas Metropolis’s season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions. Whereas Taylor’s infractions went unnoticed in that sport, officers have made positive to implement them all through the season, as he was essentially the most penalized lineman within the NFL (19). It will be intriguing to see whether or not Taylor can hold issues clear towards San Francisco, particularly after 49ers edge-rusher Nick Bosa informed reporters he and fellow Chiefs sort out Donovan Smith “maintain rather a lot.”
9. 49ers DE Chase Younger
Younger, the second total decide by the Washington Commanders within the 2020 NFL Draft, goals to make a much-needed assertion in his final sport earlier than hitting free company. As soon as touted as a generational prospect, Younger’s NFL profession has been marred by accidents and he is made little influence since being acquired by San Francisco on the commerce deadline. Along with his effort not too long ago coming beneath query, Younger could have the chance to point out that he’s value taking a flier on this offseason if he impresses towards the Chiefs.
8. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce
Though enjoying in entrance of your international popstar girlfriend is sufficient strain by itself, Kelce is one in every of a number of Chiefs vying to determine himself as one of the best at his craft. Regardless of failing to succeed in 1,000 receiving yards for the eighth consecutive season, Kelce has returned to his dominant methods within the playoffs. Over the past three video games, Kelce has hauled in 23 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns, setting the NFL postseason document for profession receptions within the course of (156).
7. 49ers LT Trent Williams
The 35-year-old is already a sure-fire Corridor of Famer, however including a Tremendous Bowl title to his illustrious resume would additional solidify his standing as one of many best tackles of all time. Williams is one in every of 4 offensive tackles in NFL historical past to earn 11 Professional Bowl nods and with a win over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, can be the second participant on the place to earn that many picks whereas securing a Tremendous Bowl victory.
6. Chiefs DT Chris Jones
One other participant whose efficiency has vital contractual implications, Jones might reset the defensive sort out market this offseason and a dominant outing towards San Francisco would just about assure it. The 2-time first-team All-Professional choice is the top-ranked impending free agent, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus, which initiatives Jones to signal a four-year, $120 million deal within the coming months. On a bittersweet be aware, such an consequence may outcome on this being the ultimate sport in a Chiefs uniform for Jones, who has the fifth-most sacks in workforce historical past (75.5).
5. 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey
Maybe crucial participant on this Tremendous Bowl rematch, McCaffrey continues to show he is lower from a distinct material in an age the place the working again place is taken into account as dispensable as ever. If McCaffrey can benefit from Kansas Metropolis’s 18th-ranked run protection (113.2 yards per sport allowed), he might in the end be the primary working again for the reason that 1997 season to be named Tremendous Bowl MVP. Moreover, with a 49ers win, McCaffrey and his father Ed would grow to be the second father-son duo in league historical past to win a Tremendous Bowl with the identical franchise, per ESPN.
4. Chiefs HC Andy Reid
Already probably the most profitable coaches ever, Reid has the chance to proceed closing the hole between him and Invoice Belichick as the best coach of all time. Solely 4 coaches have received at the least three Tremendous Bowl titles and happily for Reid, historical past is on his aspect to grow to be the fifth. Sunday’s sport marks the fourth-ever Tremendous Bowl rematch amongst head coaches and within the earlier three cases, the coach who received the primary matchup prevailed within the second assembly (h/t NFL Analysis).
3. 49ers QB Brock Purdy
One of the unbelievable – and memorable – success tales in NFL historical past, the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant would be the first seventh-round decide to start out at quarterback in a Tremendous Bowl. Purdy nonetheless hasn’t misplaced a playoff sport he has been wholesome sufficient to complete and his second-half heroics in the course of the 49ers’ run to Tremendous Bowl LVIII are a serious cause why the workforce is enjoying on Sunday. Ought to he information San Francisco to victory, Purdy would grow to be the second-youngest quarterback to win a Tremendous Bowl and dispel the notion that he is nothing greater than a sport supervisor.
2. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is attempting to maintain tempo with Tom Brady in his quest to cement himself as the best quarterback of all time by successful his third Tremendous Bowl in his sixth season as a starter. Whereas this can be the largest storyline of Tremendous Bowl LVIII, Mahomes nonetheless has much less at stake than the individual holding our No. 1 spot, contemplating he has already misplaced two head-to-head postseason matchups towards Brady and is barely 28. Even so, knocking off the 49ers with a receiving corps that led the league in drops this season (44) can be Mahomes’ most spectacular title to this point and would already set up him as a top-five quarterback in NFL historical past.
1. 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan
After being part of two distinguished Tremendous Bowl collapses – none extra notable than Tremendous Bowl LI – it feels prefer it’s now or by no means for Shanahan to show he is an all-time nice coach. Shanahan is arguably one of the best coach in North American sports activities but to succeed in the top of success. In keeping with OptaSTATS, Shanahan has the best profession postseason successful share of any head coach or supervisor in MLB/NBA/NFL/NHL historical past and not using a championship (.727). If Shanahan can lastly exorcise his late-game demons, he and his father, Mike, would grow to be the primary father-son duo to guide a workforce to a Tremendous Bowl victory.
