With two Super Bowl victories in four years, the Chiefs are already considered one of the great teams of their era. With a third coronation, they would clearly establish themselves as a dynasty. Will the powerful 49ers, hungry and looking for their first title since 1994, instead honor their status as favorites and win? The time has come to speak out.
• Read also: Everything you need to know about the Super Bowl
• Read also: The Super Bowl of excess in Las Vegas
• Read also: [VIDÉO] At the heart of the media party at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas
It is difficult to officially establish what a dynasty is, but historically, teams that have won three or more championships in close succession have de facto inherited this honor.
The Packers were the first dynasty with three straight championships between 1929 and 1931.
The following decade saw the Bears respond in force with three championships between 1940 and 1943. The Browns took possession in the following years with three conquests, between 1950 and 1955.
The 1960s were the Packers’ three NFL championships in 1961, 1962 and 1965, in addition to the first two Super Bowls in 1966 and 1967.
Four clubs each won the Super Bowl at least twice between 1970 and 1980, but the Steelers are remembered as the true dynasty of the lot with four triumphs.
The three Super Bowls of the 49ers in the 1980s, then those of the Cowboys in the 1990s, established the new dynasties, before the Patriots took over in the 2000s.
You see the picture. The Chiefs, with championships in 2019 and 2022, are knocking on the door of dynastic consecration, regardless of their detractors. And there are more and more of them, when a team experiences repeated success.
What works in favor of the Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is looking for a third Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Getty Images via AFP
Now, what suggests the Chiefs can make it happen?
There’s Patrick Mahomes, obviously. Already monstrous in the regular season, he has the gift of propelling himself into an unattainable stratosphere in the playoffs.
There is also Travis Kelce. He slowed down this season, but played damn well in the playoffs and for those who don’t know, he’s much more than Taylor Swift’s Prince Charming.
The other Chiefs receivers don’t put opposing defenses on their heels and Rashee Rice risks having his hands full against Charvarius Ward, but the 49ers’ tertiary is not a strength.
We must not forget the energetic ball carrier Isiah Pacheco. The 49ers, usually solid against the ground game, showed flaws in the playoffs. Aaron Jones of the Packers, along with the Lions with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, demonstrated that the Niners’ front is not infallible.
As for the Chiefs defense, everyone has seen how suffocating it can be on several occasions this season. We are no longer talking about a unit that relies solely on its opportunism with key turnovers like in past years.
The defensive line can do some damage with Chris Jones and second-year wing George Karlaftis. The defense’s 57 sacks in the regular season were the second-highest total in the league. The 49ers offensive line, with the exception of Trent Williams, is serviceable.
Where the match risks being played out is between the underrated tertiary of the Chiefs and the dangerous receivers of the 49ers. Difficult to award an advantage. As much as Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are excellent, cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie are less known, but very effective.
What works in favor of the 49ers
Christian McCaffrey is the centerpiece of the 49ers offense.
Photo AFP
If the Chiefs are banking on the best player in the league in the playoffs in Mahomes, the 49ers have a bunch of star players at their disposal. Nine of them were invited to the Pro Bowl, a record in the circuit. Seven earned spots on the first or second all-star team.
This therefore means that on paper, the 49ers have a more complete alignment. We talked to the offense about their receivers, but we can’t forget about tight end George Kittle. The league’s quintessential bon vivant has a flair for long games.
The real path to salvation for the 49ers is running back Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers went after him last year because he was the missing piece in offensive guru Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Now is the time to let go of the beast! It should be used without the slightest care, both on the ground and in the air. The Chiefs’ vulnerability on defense is against the run.
On defense, the extraordinary Nick Bosa may not have had a season up to his standards, but he can explode at any time, especially since the Chiefs’ two blockers are vulnerable, particularly the indigestible Jawaan Taylor.
And the champions will be…
Getty Images via AFP
The Chiefs will win with a few traditional timely plays from Mahomes, but what should be remembered from their victory is that this Super Bowl will be that of their defensive brigade. It is high time that this group, masterfully led by Steve Spagnuolo, is recognized for its true value.
The 49ers are an excellent team, but we no longer bet against the Chiefs, even neglected. They just became the ninth team in the last 20 seasons to win their second and third round matches despite not being favored. Six of the last eight underdogs who have achieved such a double have gone on to win the Super Bowl.
The dynasty of the 2020s will be that of the Chiefs. And for those who already can’t smell them anymore, it’s not over.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 23 – 49ers 20
SERIES PREDICTIONS: 6 in 12 (50%)
TOTAL THIS SEASON: 180 in 284 (63.4%)