Key occasions
Email from Jenifer Divine:
Hi Hunter,
sixth gen SF Bay Area native & lifelong 49ers fan, i believe the Niners take this going away, 27-10.
That would require a bit extra scoring than we’ve had up to now on this first half but when any two groups are able to that, it’s these two.
Fumble! 49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 11:59, 2nd quarter
Rice picks up 4 yards, the ball comes out but it surely’s recovered my Kansas City. That permits Mahomes to throw deep to Mecole Hardman for a 53-yard acquire! They are on the San Francisco 9!
They are at San Francisco’s doorstep… and Pacheco fumbles! Oh my stars! Javon Hargrave will the restoration that stops an virtually sure landing! The 49ers will begin at their very own eight-yard line!
49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 14:15, 2nd quarter
Jake “Not Jack, Hunter” Moody’s kick is a touchback. The Chiefs will begin at their 25. Mahomes’s cross to Pacheco is sweet for a seven-yard acquire. 2nd and three, it’s Pacheco once more. He picks up two yards. It’s third and 1 at their very own 34.
Field goal! 49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 14:38, 2nd quarter
Another wasted alternative for San Francisco, Purdy throws to Samuel ultimately zone, however Trent McDuffie knocks the cross away stopping a certain landing. This is a 55-yard field goal try for Jake Moody, not an automated kicker.
He makes it! That’s a Super Bowl file for longest made field goal. Who would have had that being the primary rating of the sport? The 49ers take an early lead.
Email from Geoff Wignall
Hello Hunter
That fumble however, the 49ers appear to have acquired their run recreation up and working good and early. Must be a great ploy in opposition to a blitz heavy defence just like the Chiefs.
49ers are completely outplaying the Chiefs on either side of the ball, however a number of pricey errors have meant that that is nonetheless a nil-nil recreation. This will not be normally a great signal when a workforce doesn’t take benefit of early alternatives and convert them into factors.
I may very well be flawed although.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, finish of the first quarter
Another large acquire, Purdy to Ray-Ray McCloud: a 19-yard acquire. The 49ers are in Kansas City territory. Purdy throws to the tip zone on the subsequent play but it surely’s approach too excessive. 2nd and 10, McCaffrey will get the ball but it surely’s for a loss, Felix Anudike-Uzomah takes him down for 4 yards to the Kansas City 37. We’re scoreless after a single quarter!
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 1:51. 1st quarter
Purdy finds McCaffrey for a yard, then throws incomplete to Samuel. On third and 9, nonetheless, Purdy finds Chris Conley for an 18-yard acquire! That’s positively a primary down they usually’re practically at midfield!
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 4:36, 1st quarter
McCaffery picks up seven yards on first down. Well, there’s a five-yard defensive offside name right here, so it’s now 1st and 5 on the San Francisco 22, McCaffrey picks up three yards. On 2nd and a couple of, McCaffrey picks up 4 for one more first down. 49ers are at their 29.
Timely e-mail from William Preston:
Hey Hunter!
I’m under no circumstances satisfied by the KC offence, right here (or is it offense?). The 49ers appeared like they have been getting a correct stomp on over them. To prevail, they’re going to wish some thrilling heroics out of the QB, and keep away from these quick passes.
Why is Paul Rudd?
Have a terrific one!
True, though credit score have to be given to the 49ers’ protection right here as effectively.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 3:53, 1st quarter
Pacheco picks up 10 yards right here. On the subsequent play, Chase Young chases down Mahomes for a four-yard loss. 2nd and 14 at their very own 17. Mahomes finds Rashee Rice, who’s taken down by Fred Warner for no acquire. On third and 14, Mahomes has to scramble and solely picks up 4 yards. What a sequence by the 49ers protection!
Townsend’s subsequent punt pins the 49ers at their 17.
Email from Justin Kavanagh:
Watching all of the build-up, the fireworks, and the razzmatazz in Vegas tonight, I can’t assist however image a sullen-faced Roy Keane at house on his sofa watching on and silently…FUMING. For American
handballsoccer exclusivists, Keane is the soccer participant that Roy Kent relies on within the Ted Lasso collection, a person who believes trophies must be introduced to the successful captain within the dressing room. In personal. Well after the sport. How Roy should hate the Super Bowl!
It’s principally a vastly industrial enterprise, with a soccer recreation tacked on. I imply, a literal industrial enterprise: it’s the world largest day within the commercial world.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 6:39, 1st quarter
Mitch Wishnowsky is on to punt. There’s one other false begin penalty that pushes them again 5 yards. Not nice for San Francisco. Richie James catches the deep punt and takes it 5 yards to the Chiefs’ personal 11.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 6:42, 1st quarter
2nd and 17. Purdy passes to George Kittle for a primary down acquire! Except there’s a holding penalty, that’s back-to-back penalties on Williams who will get referred to as by holding. That’s a 10-yard penalty. It’s now 2nd and 27. Purdy passes to McCaffrey, for an eight-yard acquire. third and 19. What a promising drive this might have been if not for Williams two penalties.
Purdy finds Samuel and that’s solely 12 yards. 49ers should punt.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 8:59, 1st quarter
Purdy finds Brandon Aiyuk for an 18-yard acquire. They’re on the San Francisco 49.
On the subsequent play, Deebo Samuel will get taken for a two-yard loss. 2nd & 12. Then they get knocked by a false begin penalty on Trent Williams. That’s a five-yard penalty.
Email from Joe Pearson:
Zardoz?
Wow! That is a deep lower.
Since that is my final day, I’m permitting myself a number of references only for me.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 10:16, 1st quarter
McCaffrey has solely fumbled twice all season. What a horrific time for a 3rd! On the primary carry, Isiah Pacheco will get taken for a three-yard loss. On 2nd & 13, Patrick Mahomes finds Travis Kelce however he can solely choose up a single yard. third & 12, Mahomes finds McKinnon for eight yards which isn’t sufficient right here after that opening sack. Tommy Townsend punts, which is caught by Ray-Ray McCloud on the San Francisco 24. Good job by San Francisco’s protection to guarantee that the opening fumble didn’t harm them.
Fumble! 49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 12:15, 1st quarter
Brock Purdy finds McCaffrey for 11 yards and one other first down. They’re on the Kansas City 40. Another play, one other McCaffrey first down. They’re already as much as the Kansas City 29.
On the subsequent play, McCaffrey fumbles and it’s recovered by Kansas City’s George Karlaftis. San Francisco fumbles away a golden scoring alternative on the primary drive of the sport! Chiefs can have the ball at their very own 27.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 14:24, 1st quarter
The 49ers begin at their very own 25. McCaffrey picks up six yards, On 2nd & 4, fullback Kyle Juszczyk picks up 18 yards to get to their very own 49.
Opening kickoff
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 15:00, 1st quarter
The opening voice saying the Vince Lombardi trophy is solely too loud and booming, it sounds just like the stone head from Zardoz.
Harrison Butker’s opening kick goes into the tip zone for a touchback. For one final time this season, we’re prepared for some soccer!
Coin toss
It’s time for each higher’s favourite a part of the sport: the coin toss! It’s heads, the Chiefs win they usually select to defer. Always the proper determination! The 49ers can have the ball first. We’re about to get began!
Reba McEntire sings the nationwide anthem
Here we’re. I normally like nation artists performing the anthem, not as a result of I’m a large nation fan however as a result of they have a tendency to not oversing an excessive amount of. I’m a fan of subtlety and McEntire does a really good job, solely actually letting her voice go lengthy on “free” and “brave”. Of course, she hits “brave” twice which feels a bit showboat-y. Otherwise a really good rendition. 7/10.
Literally, everyone is worked up for the Super Bowl.
Will keep up all evening to see
Super Bowl— Michael Caine (@themichaelcaine) February 11, 2024
Oh no, is that this Post Malone doing America the Beautiful? Can we fast-forward to Reba McEntire doing the nationwide anthem?
Email from Shaun Coward:
Hi Hunter,
Longtime 49ers fan right here, developing on 40 years so not my first time watching the 49ers within the large one. What feels bizarre this time is simply what number of media commentators are selecting a detailed recreation however are additionally sure of a Chiefs win, as a result of Mahomes. This is the last word workforce recreation and it’s the very best workforce that can win, not the very best quarterback. Obviously you may by no means depend out Mahomes’ affect and talent however I feel the 49ers have the expertise to make this an unsightly evening for the Chiefs, similar to we did for the Cowboys and the Eagle throughout the common season – however provided that our protection turns up. It will come all the way down to turnovers and giving the ball to CMC. I’m nervous but additionally optimistic! Bold prediction: 49ers win and DEEBO for MVP with three touchdowns!
Cheers,
Shaun
I’ll give this prediction: if Deebo scores three touchdowns, San Francisco will win and he will certainly be MVP.
The 49ers and the Chiefs have each taken to the field! We’re getting nearer and nearer to precise soccer right here! Will the Chiefs win back-to-back titles or will the 49ers win their first Super Bowl for the reason that 1994 NFL season?
More emails:
Alright, you’ve been sending me a variety of emails. I recognize all of them and I’ve completed my greatest to attempt to get to most of them throughout the pregame right here.
From Desmond Barry:
Hello Hunter,
I’m from Wales. I turned onto American Football within the 80s once I moved to San Francisco. Got my first writing break there 1988 National Poetry Week Life on the Water Theatre. Worked at UCSF hospital throughout the Earthquake so I noticed Joe Montana live when video games moved to Stanford. A yr or so later I noticed Steve Young live once I moved throughout to Massachusetts. Both video games have been in opposition to the Patriots that the 9ers gained. I’m nervous about in the present day however I’m trusting to unpredictable circumstances to deliver the 9ers the win in the present day. Visions of Deebo.
Cheers,
Des Barry
Email from Damian Durrant:
Hi Hunter, the Gunners 6.0 shellacking of West Ham clearly foreshadows a 49ers win, as a result of I’m Gooner expat 49ers fan who has lived within the Bay for 12 years. That’s a couple of rational a foundation for a prediction as any, all the cash ball stats and Vegas bookmaker odds be darned. Anything can occur on large bowl day.
Regards,
Damian Durrant
The Taylor Swift Backlash?
Email from Michael Thomas:
Please, for the love of god, can we’ve some type of Taylor Swift-less model of the match thread? Like, one with all of the updates AND the TS stuff, and one with simply those concerning the match?
I’ve nothing in opposition to her, however that is getting absurd.
Are you suggesting Super Bowl Thread (Non-Taylor’s Version)? My reply to that is that the Super Bowl, even in an everyday yr, is simply 50% concerning the soccer itself in an everyday yr. However, you aren’t alone in being a little bit Taylor’d out, in response to Tom Lutz at Allegiant Stadium:
The in stadium commentary workforce simply requested for cheers from the group. It was a lot louder for the Chiefs, though numerous that noise gave the impression to be boos. The fightback in opposition to Taylor Swift’s psy-ops operation has begun!
On the field, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Cam Heyward has simply gained the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Here’s additional pregame studying for everybody. Resident NFL knowledgeable Oliver Connolly just lately got here up with his predictions on what would decide the end result of this Super Bowl. He additionally predicts a trick play:
Once derided as gimmicks, trick performs are actually a vital a part of postseason game-planning. Fun truth: Reid even dedicates one member of his employees to trawl by means of highschool, worldwide tape, and social media to search out the whackiest most imaginative designs, together with a film-sharing program with a space-age offense from Japan.
Given their issues on offense, the Chiefs appear ripe to uncork one thing wonky on Sunday.
While the Super Bowl is the largest sporting occasion of the yr right here within the States, it additionally does double-duty as the largest tv occasion of the yr. That means loads of non-sports followers all over the world watch only for the commercials, the halftime present and the truth that it’s the final remnants of pre-internet monoculture.
As an instance, take this e-mail from Paul Griffin:
I don’t comply with this intently, however I benefit from the razzmatazz, and the athleticism. My prediction: the Chiefs by a number of. And I’m anticipating they’ll rating a minimum of three house runs.
With that in thoughts, the Guardian has a second liveblog up concurrent to this one simply holding monitor of all of the non-football issues occurring. We’ll remind you of this when it’s time for Usher’s halftime present. (Which is sweet as a result of my data of Usher doesn’t go a lot past “Yeah!”)
Tom Lutz on the scene:
Some excellent news for the Chiefs: Running again Jerick McKinnon and large receiver Skyy Moore are energetic for KC for the primary time since December – each performed essential roles of their workforce’s win over the Eagles in final yr’s Super Bowl, even when they weren’t nice earlier than getting injured earlier this season. Another receiver who hasn’t distinguished himself this season for the Chiefs, Kadarius Toney, is inactive for in the present day’s recreation. For the Niners, defensive linemen TY McGill and Alex Barrett, linebacker Jalen Graham, large receiver Ronnie Bell, cornerback Samuel Womack III and offensive lineman Matt Pryor are all inactive.
More predictions!
Email from Tanya Cotter:
Chiefs and the 49ers go 49ers I consider it’s an superior comeback. I might like to see them win simply because I’m from Santa Cruz space.
Email from Rowan Sweeney:
San Francisco are available with the momentum of the (*chokes again, salty, blue, lion-shaped tears*) 27-0 run. Whereas the Chiefs type of fell over an imploding Ravens workforce. But then Mahomes gonna Mahomes, and Kelce gonna Kelce? I don’t know … 49ers by a 2 level conversion.
Email from Richard Hirst:
Hi Hunter
Given lots of my household live in St Louis, and there’s no longer a workforce there, I should assist Kansas City because the Missouri representatives, however I at all times appreciated the Joe Montana 49ers, so I’ll go with them. And in fact I’ve a fallback place if the Chiefs are on prime!
These emails are coming in quick and livid, which is nice as a result of it means much less work making an attempt to fill in these hours earlier than the sport itself begins. The pregame crew has reached the purpose the place they’ve began to make their predictions! Several of them have talked about Kansas City having the sting with kicker Harrison Butker. You comprehend it’s a detailed matchup when specialists have determined that the distinction would be the placekicker.
Email from Charles Lee:
Super Bowl!!!
Cowboys aren’t in it, how are you going to name it Super Bowl?
When I used to be rising up, the Dallas Cowboys have been just about at all times within the Super Bowl (with the Buffalo Bills typically appearing as their Washington Generals). These days, they have a tendency to bow out a lot earlier within the NFL postseason. In my final common column for the Guardian, I wrote about their woes within the twenty first century.
Tom Lutz at Allegiant Stadium:
The gamers are out on the field for warmups. It’s exceptional sufficient to see how simply Mahomes and Purdy hurl it 40 yards proper into the fingers of a receiver when there’s no stress on them. It’s much more exceptional to see another person do it – and realise it’s one of many coaches.
Longtime e-mail contributor Roger Kirkby:
Hi Hunter, I’ve adopted and contributed to your live blogs and it has been a pleasure. Don’t have a great NFL clip to share with you, however that is my all time favorite baseball story. There’s loads of time so that you can share it, if that’s not sacrilege on Super Bowl Sunday.
Enjoy.
Since I gained’t have one other time to speak baseball right here, I’ve taken the freedom of linking it to this. Thanks a lot for offering me with emails over the years, Roger, particularly throughout the occasions once I’ve been just about alone right here (in the present day will not be going to be a kind of days). I’ll miss your wealth of information!
We’re a little bit over an hour away from kick-off, however the Guardian has produced a variety of pregame studying for all of you to take up your time from at times.
Here, for example, is Graham Searles’s profile on Chiefs defensive again L’Jarius Sneed, who may very well be a key for Kansas City slowing down this Niners offense.
My trustworthy editor Tom Lutz is in Las Vegas to supply on-the-field updates! Here’s his first.
Hello from Vegas the place it’s an exquisite sunny day. I suppose that’s the benefit of holding a Super Bowl within the desert (not that it issues when the stadium has a roof). Allegiant is a couple of quarter full with an hour or so to go to kick-off. It’s arduous to inform which followers are within the majority when each groups play in pink. But from nearer commentary within the days main as much as the sport, I’d say the Chiefs have barely extra assist on the bottom (loads of Steelers jerseys too, I suppose they purchased their tickets when Mason Rudolph acquired scorching).
More predictions!
Email from Charlie Bird:
I’m trying ahead to which completely surprising performs are going to be unveiled within the recreation tonight.
Both head coaches being who they’re they may have issues up their sleeves for simply this event.
The likes of Kyle Juszczyk and Clyde Edwards-Helaire making large catches out of the backfield are at all times enjoyable.
I might love an onside kick to begin the second half, just like the one the New Orleans Saints used to ambush the Indianapolis Colts
Email from Joe Pearson:
MVP would possibly find yourself being CMC, however you may get 20-1 on Deebo. Just saying.
Do-it-all 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel can also be a main candidate for MVP though it’s time for a parting confession as I wrap up my time right here: I’ve by no means as soon as wager on a sporting occasion and for those who’ve been holding monitor of my predictions over the years, you’ll know that I’ve made the proper determination!
Email from Mark Moran:
Hi Hunter,
I’m going to go in opposition to your writers on this one and predict that the Niners squeak this one by a field goal. I feel a stellar efficiency from Christian McCaffrey, the standard of the ever-underrated Brandon Aiyuk and the versatile Deebo Samuel, and a comparatively environment friendly and error-free show from Brock Purdy must be sufficient; it’s troublesome to wager in opposition to Mahomes and Reid, although.
I feel the Chiefs’ over-reliance on Travis Kelce could come again to chew them. With Kadarius Toney out (arguably a bonus for Kansas), maybe a show of high quality from MVS might assist to show the tide and take some stress off KC’s star tight finish and rookie receiver Rashee Rice? KC has the benefit at OL and within the secondary, however I feel the star high quality of Trent Williams and Nick Bosa give SF the benefit outdoors of the talent positions. L’Jarius Sneed and Creed Humphrey could have one thing to say about that, nonetheless.
As a Panthers fan, I might like to see CMC and 49ers DC Steve Wilks, two guys who gave a lot to our organisation, win a hoop. Either approach, let’s hope for a decent, high-scoring recreation. 24-21 San Francisco.
Enjoy the sport!
Someone else agrees with my prediction! I’m at all times a fan of this!
And sure unhealthy information for Toney, the inconsistent Chiefs receiver will not be anticipated to play within the Super Bowl. Toney has had only a single landing on the season and has been liable to make errors all season lengthy, together with an offside penalty in opposition to the Buffalo Bills that took a landing off the board.
Super Bowl quiz
Looking for a approach to cross the time earlier than the Super Bowl begins? Why don’t you take your possibilities at filling out Bryan Armen Graham’s Super Bowl quiz!
I, uh, acquired a mere 12/20 regardless of masking Super Bowls being my literal job for practically a decade. Perhaps it is rather a lot time to maneuver on!
Taylor Swift arrives at Allegiant Stadium
Taylor Swift is within the constructing. The pop star has arrived at Allegiant Stadium after wrapping up the final of 4 exhibits in Japan on Saturday evening, hopping on a personal aircraft at Haneda airport for a flight throughout 9 time zones and the worldwide date line, then making the fast journey from Los Angeles after touchdown on Saturday afternoon.
Here she is introducing Ice Spice to Jason Kelce, certainly one of many outcomes we couldn’t have imagined again in September.
I really feel as if I’ve been confirmed flawed for selecting in opposition to Patrick Mahomes just about each single time I’ve completed so, so this very effectively may very well be proper.
I’ll say this: ought to San Francisco win, count on working again Christian McCaffrey to win MVP.
Predictions
Cool. Good luck to you! I’m certain no matter it’s, you may knock it out the park.
Cheifs or 49ers tonight? I’d love Shanahan/McCaffrey to win (being a Broncos fan), however Mahomes and Reid are Mahomes and Reid.
— Owen Ravenscroft (@Dakotadc47) February 11, 2024
It seems like everyone is selecting the Chiefs! It feels bizarre to me as a result of I genuinely consider San Francisco is clearly the higher workforce and has a slight edge assuming that Brock Purdy doesn’t have one of many Bad Brock Purdy Games.
Now, that’s fairly the likelihood! I simply assume that the Chiefs have been relying an excessive amount of on Mahomes and that if he simply has a human recreation, the Niners can take benefit of that.
It can be a detailed recreation. I’m predicting the 49ers squeak by on a field goal, perhaps 49ers 31-28 Chiefs? Feel free to supply your individual prediction, both by way of e-mail (to hunter.felt.freelance@theguardian.com) or X (@HunterFelt).
Bryan Armen Graham
The solely factor tougher than successful the Lombardi trophy is defending it. Only eight groups have managed to win back-to-back Super Bowls and three of these repeats occurred within the first decade of the sport’s existence.
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Green Bay Packers (1966-67); defeated Kansas City and Oakland
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Miami Dolphins (1972-73); defeated Washington and Minnesota
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Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-75); defeated Minnesota and Dallas
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Pittsburgh Steelers (1978-79); defeated Dallas and the LA Rams
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San Francisco 49ers (1988-89); defeated Cincinnati and Denver
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Dallas Cowboys (1992-93); defeated Buffalo and Buffalo
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Denver Broncos (1997-98); defeated Green Bay and Atlanta
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New England Patriots (2003-04); defeated Carolina and Philadelphia
Not solely can Kansas City be part of this elite class by defeating San Francisco tonight, however the Chiefs might change into the primary ever repeat champions to win each video games as underdogs. Each of the earlier eight groups to do the double have been betting favorites in a single or each video games.
Hello I have to be going
One factor I’ve realized within the final 12-plus years I’ve been masking sports activities is that it’s higher to depart a yr too early than a yr too late. In that spirit, I need to announce that in the present day is my final day writing for the Guardian US.
It’s a choice I didn’t make flippantly! This has been essentially the most enjoyable job an individual might presumably have, significantly when writing these liveblogs. You have been a tremendous viewers. It, nonetheless, was time for me to search out one thing new. I’m undecided what that can be but, however I didn’t wish to stick round for too lengthy when it began simply being a Thing I Did For Money. It’s time for recent blood right here, I do know for a proven fact that whoever can be changing me can be doing a tremendous job. I’ll nonetheless be studying for sure!
I don’t wish to make this all about me; these blogs are concerning the recreation. I simply needed to make that clear upfront. I’ll save my closing goodbyes till the tip. We have many, many hours collectively earlier than then. I’ll cherish all of them.
Preamble
Hello all, welcome to the conclusion of the NFL season. If this seems like a well-recognized matchup, it’s as a result of we have been right here earlier than! It was over 4 years in the past when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 again in 2020. I keep in mind it prefer it was yesterday however solely as a result of I additionally keep in mind yesterday very poorly!
This 49ers have been in all probability essentially the most full workforce in soccer all season lengthy. While the Chiefs have the sting at quarterback, Brock Purdy has a greater set of offensive weapons. Even after they fell behind early to the Detroit Lions within the NFC Championship Game, they have been in a position to put collectively an ideal second half to mount a formidable comeback. They can’t afford to fall behind that early to the Chiefs, however one suspects that they comprehend it.
However, the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is an important participant within the league for a motive and he’s proved it in what might be his most spectacular season thus far. The Chiefs have had a depleted receiver core that means that he’s needed to do extra heavy lifting than in seasons previous. It’s a load he’s confirmed greater than able to lifting. Plus, he nonetheless has Travis Kelce at tight finish who have to be feeling fairly invincible now that he has the Most Famous Pop Star on the Planet rooting for him.
So, it’s the very best workforce v the very best quarterback within the yr’s largest recreation. That seems like will probably be enjoyable to me. For one closing time, you may contribute to our live protection of this NFL season. If you’ve got e-mail, and also you in all probability do because it’s 2024, you may ship your ideas to hunter.felt.freelance@theguardian.com. If you’re nonetheless on Twitter or X or no matter Elon needs to name it, you may shoot them off to @HunterFelt. We’ll publish them all through in the present day’s protection.
It’s Super Bowl LVIII that includes the San Francisco 49ers v the Kansas City Chiefs at Nevada’s Allegiant Stadium! The recreation is scheduled to begin at 6.30pm ET, however that is the Super Bowl! It’s not going to begin on time! We will proceed to supply updates earlier than then as we will get you up to the mark till the beginning of the Big Game.
It’s two and a half hours till kick-off and Allegiant Stadium is already filling up.
Hunter can be with you shortly, within the meantime listed here are our writers’ predictions for in the present day’s recreation (49ers followers could wish to cease studying right here):
49ers 24-27 Chiefs. This is a kind of heart-mind picks. The Niners are a greater all-around workforce. The Chiefs have an distinctive protection, however few solutions to the particular pressure the Niners’ offense places on opponents. But additionally they have essentially the most proficient participant strolling the Earth on the recreation’s most dear place. This is a Mahomes choose. The Chiefs shouldn’t be right here; they’re a flawed workforce, with the worst offensive group Mahomes has labored throughout his profession. But he’s nonetheless Mahomes – and it’s powerful to select in opposition to the quarterback persevering with his dynastic run. Oliver Connolly
49ers 24-30 Chiefs. Purdy performs effectively, however the Chiefs D will get the higher of him ultimately. Andrew Lawrence
49ers 14-31 Chiefs. It could be enjoyable to see the Niners win, simply because they haven’t claimed a title this century/millennium whereas the Chiefs are already a contemporary dynasty. But this gained’t be shut: the Niners have been fortunate to get previous the Packers and would have misplaced to the Lions if it wasn’t for a number of doses of fortune. In each video games, the protection was unimpressive and the consequence turned on performs that might have gone both approach. The Ravens wiped the ground with San Francisco over Christmas, and the Chiefs will do the identical on Sunday. Tom Lutz
49ers 33-28 Chiefs. Heart or head? Well, ego trumps each. The 49ers have been my preseason darlings and also you simply have to stay, don’t you. (I additionally should attempt to claw again credibility for suggesting the Ravens would miss the playoffs.) Shanahan goes to prepare dinner up one thing actually particular to get his first ring. Next yr’s trilogy combat goes to be spicy. Graham Searles
You can learn our full rundown of predictions for the sport, from the MVP to how every workforce can win, right here:
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