Super Bowl LVIII | Five reasons why the Chiefs will win

Here we are. For two weeks, analyses, predictions, statistics, the strengths and weaknesses of each team have flooded all platforms. We arrived at choice time and The Press has spoken: the Chiefs will win the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season. Here’s why.

Patrick Mahomes in control

How many times in the past week have you read or heard that Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL? It’s become cliché and redundant, but it’s true. Currently, betting against Mahomes would be heresy. Just like betting against Tom Brady in his glory years. The Chiefs captain will have the upper hand over his rival Brock Purdy, notably because he is a better leader of men, he is used to playing the main character on the biggest stage in the world and above all because he has never falters when his team needs him. He has also managed to save himself since the start of the playoffs, never reaching the plateau of 300 passing yards. In the NFL, no one is able to control the clock like him and get upfield as quickly as needed. Especially since the 49ers are struggling against the aerial game. We are going to see a master at work. Enjoy it.

Travis Kelce’s instincts

Joe Montana had Jerry Rice. Tom Brady had Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. Peyton Manning had Reggie Wayne. You see the rest coming… Patrick Mahomes has Travis Kelce. We will say what we want about it Kelcemania outside the world of football, but number 87 remains the most reliable tight end in the league, Patrick Mahomes’ right-hand man and the big-time player for the Chiefs. He has caught 23 of the 27 passes thrown his way since the start of the playoffs. The most spectacular will be the confrontation between Kelce and Fred Wagner, linebacker of the 49ers, in the center of the field. The 34-year-old tight end was dominated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers three years ago. But against Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen two weeks ago, he performed admirably. Kelce is hungry and it will be dangerous.

The Chiefs defense will give nothing

It’s rather absurd to suggest that a defense will get the better of the offensive player of the season and two receivers who have accumulated more than 1,000 yards, but the Chiefs defense is that dominant. Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle could find a way to stand out at times, let’s not be fooled. There is too much talent in the 49ers offense for it to be completely downgraded. However, it will be through attrition and in trench battles that Steve Pagnuolo’s defense will get the better of the dynamic attack of its rivals. Chris Jones and George Karlaftis will have to work hard to break through the powerful 49ers offensive line, but they will get there. They will constantly be on the back of Brock Purdy, and each of the two players will collect at least 1.5 sacks. There shouldn’t be 1,000 turnovers, but expect to see 49ers players exhausted once they return to the bench.

Andy Reid knows how to win

With the departure of Bill Belichick, it is safe to say that Andy Reid is the best, most competent and most prolific head coach still working in the NFL. He knows how to win, he knows how to manage a match and above all he knows how to use all his resources at the right times. All season, he helped his quarterback find solutions when his offense was fragile and at the end of its resources. If things go wrong, no one in the Chiefs camp should panic, because with Andy Reid at the helm, no one will hit an iceberg. On the other hand, with the 49ers, it’s very different. Kyle Shanahan has great qualities, certainly, but he has neither the flair nor the judgment of his counterpart. The 44-year-old head coach has benefited from a good squad since his arrival in the Californian bay, but on the field, sometimes, things go wrong. He can be impulsive and his decision-making is sometimes erratic.

The experience

We end this exercise as we started it: with a cliché. Nothing is more dangerous than experience. This is the case in all areas. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Tom Brady became winners because they learned how to be. Mahomes knows the drill to winning a championship. He knows how to handle the pressure coming from the most important night of the season. Kelce too. Jones too. Reid too. The Chiefs have an opportunity to turn their team into a dynasty, with a third title in five years. Among their rivals, Brock Purdy will be in his first Super Bowl. Same thing for Christian McCaffrey. Kyle Shanahan lost on his only attempt. Love them or despise them, the Chiefs are good enough to find a way to win. In the world of sport, some things are just as simple to explain. The Niners are still a little too fragile. If they allow 24 points in the first half, like in their last game against the Lions, the carrots will be cooked prematurely.