We are a little over 24 hours away from witnessing two red hot teams compete in Super Bowl 54 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Chiefs, led by reigning MVP quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, will go into Super Bowl Sunday as 1 point favorites. This will be the first time each of the starting quarterbacks will be competing for their first Super Bowl victories as starting QBs since Super Bowl 47, when the Joe Flacco-led Ravens defeated the Colin Kaepernick-led 49ers.
With a clean injury report, both teams are expected to have all players at full-go. This allows for each team to have all of their key players on the field with no limitations. That being said, there are three very intriguing match-ups Super Bowl 54 has to offer.
Match-up #1: Andy Reid vs Kyle Shanahan
The two masterminds behind these conference champion teams are polar opposites. For starters, they have an age difference of 21 years. The far-more experienced Andy Reid, will be appearing in his second Super Bowl as a head coach. In his 20 years of being a head coach, he has yet to win it all. Some are going so far as to say his legacy is on the line going into Super Bowl Sunday.
As for his counterpart, Kyle Shanahan will be appearing in his first Super Bowl in his third year as a head coach. Shanahan has completely turned this San Francisco team around, as they went from a four-win team in the 2018 season to a 12-win, Super Bowl team in 2019. His legacy is just getting started.
The two coaches, however, have one thing in common. They are offensive geniuses. Before becoming a head coach in 1999, Reid began his career as an offensive line coach for various college teams over an 8-year period. Reid, then spent seven years an offensive assistant for the Green Bay Packers.
As for Shanahan, he spent a season as the offensive-quality control coach for Tampa Bay during the 2005 season. He then went to Houston, where he was coaching the quarterbacks and receivers, before ultimately becoming their offensive coordinator in 2008. Shanahan would be given the offensive coordinator title for the next six years for Washington, Cleveland, then Atlanta. He was eventually named head coach for the 49ers in 2017.
A win for Reid may define his legacy, where as a win for Shanahan may begin his.
Matchup #2: Mahomes vs 49ers Defense
Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes has certainly been sensational to watch. His 27-yard touchdown vs Tennessee in the AFC Championship was just one example of the many phenomenal plays Mahomes makes on a weekly basis. Just one season after winning MVP and leading his team to an AFC championship appearance, he has now led his team to the big stage. It will be no walk in the park as he is going to be facing a monstrous 49ers defense.
49ers defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh has done an exceptional job running the San Francisco defense, which ranks 2nd in the league in yards allowed per game. Saleh has stars at each level of his defense who have certainly made an impact. The D-Line has been a problem for quarterbacks all season long. It has been anchored by rookie, Nick Bosa, who has a case for being named 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year, as he enters Sunday with 47 solo tackles, nine sacks, a forced fumble, and a pick. DeForest Buckner has also been a sensation on that defensive line. The two edge rushers will certainly be putting Mahomes under pressure all night.
As for the secondary, cornerback, Richard Sherman, who was named to the 2020 Pro-Bowl, has shocked the league after tearing his Achilles in 2017. He has had a chip on his shoulder ever since he was cut by Seattle, where he was the leader of their "Legion of Boom". It will be interesting to see if he gives Mahomes' weapons any trouble.
Last, but not least, we have arguably the biggest match-up of the game.
Match-up #3: Battle of the Tight Ends: Kittle vs Kelce
You probably knew this would be one of the matchups to watch for when reading the title. 49ers tight-end, George Kittle and Chiefs tight-end, Travis Kelce are undoubtedly two of the most dynamic tight-ends in the NFL. Kelce ranks 2nd of all tight-ends in receptions. Kittle ranks third. Kittle ranks first of all tight-ends in yards. Kelce ranks second. They also both rank in the top 10 in touchdowns among all tight ends, Kelce being second and Kittle coming in seventh. Both Kittle and Kelce are very similar players, as they both can block exceptionally well, make key catches, and have speed. Needless to say, they have both been vital pieces to their offenses and key targets for their respective quarterbacks.
Prediction: I love the match-up between these two teams. You are looking at two very respectable, brilliant, offensive-minded coaches. Both teams' offenses have dynamic weapons, who are a thrill to witness. We also get to witness a reigning MVP under center for Kansas City compete against monstrous 49ers defense. Two weeks after holding Derrick Henry, who had been tormenting defenses, to less than 70 yards, I can see the Chiefs defense shutting down Raheem Mostert, who has been vital for the 49ers lately. This will force Jimmy Garoppolo, who threw the ball only eight times, and I repeat, eight times in the NFC championship game, to throw the ball more. This will be a problem for the 49ers offensively. Yes, I have praised the 49ers defense tremendously, but the Kansas City offense will wear them out with their plethora of weapons. Patrick Mahomes will have a monster day, both with his legs, and his arm. Andy Reid will finally get that Super Bowl victory, as the Chiefs win 31-23.