On Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers in Tremendous Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Here is why Kansas Metropolis will win its third championship in 5 years.
Patrick Mahomes is chasing Tom Brady — and motivated
At 28, Mahomes already has 14 playoff wins, tied for third all-time behind Brady and Corridor of Famer Joe Montana, per CBS Sports activities. Nevertheless, he insists he is not centered on comparisons between himself and Brady — a seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion.
“I imply, I am not even near midway, so I have never put a variety of thought into it,” the two-time MVP stated Monday, through The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. “After which when you ask me that query in 15 years, and I will see if I can get near seven. However seven looks like an extended methods away nonetheless.”
Whereas Mahomes is much from threatening Brady’s report, the two-time Tremendous Bowl champion will be a part of uncommon firm if the Chiefs beat the Niners. Solely 4 quarterbacks have three or extra rings (Brady, Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Troy Aikman).
Tight finish Travis Kelce is again
Through the common season, the star tight finish failed to achieve 1,000 receiving yards for the primary time in eight seasons. He is rebounded within the playoffs, although, as he has the second-most receiving yards (262) and is tied for probably the most receiving TDs (three).
Kansas Metropolis can grow to be the seventh workforce to win back-to-back Tremendous Bowls. Kelce acknowledged this offers him extra motivation.
On Monday, he informed the media, “I wish to win this Tremendous Bowl greater than I’ve ever needed a Tremendous Bowl in my life.”
In Tremendous Bowl LVII in opposition to the Eagles, he led the workforce in receiving with 81 yards and a TD on six receptions. Anticipate him to show in one other glorious efficiency.
Chris Jones will exploit 49ers offensive line
Jones admitted San Francisco’s explosive offense — which is second within the league in factors (28.9 PPG) — presents a serious problem. He referred to as it “the perfect [he’s] ever seen” on Tuesday.
Nonetheless, the All-Professional defensive sort out might exploit San Francisco’s shaky move safety. Per Professional Soccer Focus, 49ers QB Brock Purdy has been pressured on 39 % of his dropbacks, properly above the league common. Jones, in the meantime, has the fourth-most pressures (85) within the league.
Do not be shocked if Jones is without doubt one of the greatest difference-makers for the Chiefs and rattles the 24-year-old.
Surprising hero: WR Rashee Rice
The rookie out of SMU has emerged as one in every of Kansas Metropolis’s high playmakers. In response to CBS Sports activities, the fifty fifth choose of the 2023 NFL Draft has 223 receiving yards within the postseason, the fourth-most by a rookie in playoff historical past.
On Wednesday, Mahomes indicated Rice is on the verge of stardom, saying, “He can proceed to get higher and be one of many high receivers within the league.”
Per StatMuse, Mahomes has thrown for 4,802 yards (282.5 YPG) and 39 touchdowns in 17 postseason video games. Anticipate Kansas Metropolis to air it out, which means Rice might have a large affect.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 27, 49ers 24
