49ers Path
Regular season (12-5): The 49ers were the dominant team in the NFC wire to wire, clinching the #1 seed after week 17 allowing them to rest their starters for the last game of the regular season.
Wild Card: Bye
Divisional Round: Playing the seventh-seeded Packers, the Niners struggled, trailing 21-14 entering the fourth quarter. However, behind a touchdown run from Christian McCaffrey and an interception by Dre Greenlaw, the 49ers were able to escape with the victory.
Conference Championship game: Playing the third-seeded Lions, San Francisco once again struggled out of the gates. The Lions led 24-7 at halftime, but the 49ers were able to prevail 34-31 behind two rushing touchdowns from McCaferey and a rushing touchdown from Elijah Mitchell.
Chiefs Path
Regular Season (11-6): Despite winning the AFC West for the eighth straight year, the Chiefs uncharacteristically struggled on offense. Their 371 points (21.8 per game) was their lowest total since 2014.
Wild Card: Playing the sixth-seeded Dolphins in below-zero temperatures, the Chiefs’ offense found its stride scoring 26 points in a 19-point win. Kansas City’s defense continued their dominance, holding the second-best scoring offense to just seven points.
Divisional Round: In a rematch of the 2022 thriller that changed playoff overtime rules, the Chiefs faced the Bills in Buffalo. Behind two receiving touchdowns from Travis Kelce and no turnovers from the Kansas City offense, the Chiefs defeated the Bills 27-24.
Conference Championship: Playing the number 1 seed Baltimore Ravens, the Chiefs started strong, scoring touchdowns on both of their first two drives. After that, the offense went quiet, only scoring three more points for the remainder of the game. This lack of offense was sufficient for the Chiefs, as they forced a fumble on the 1-yard line, intercepted Lamar Jackson in the end zone, and strip-sacked Lamar in field goal range.
Offensive Comparison:
By all metrics, the 49ers offense was far superior to the Chiefs offense during the regular season. San Francisco has four First Team All-Pro’s on offense (the best player at every position) compared to Kansas City’s one.
The only position where Kansas City has a clear advantage is at quarterback, with two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes leading the Chiefs as opposed to second-year, seventh-round quarterback Brock Purdy signal-calling for the Niners.
Defensive Comparison
Both top-10 defenses, the Chiefs and 49ers allowed under 18 points a game during the regular season. The Chiefs are led up front by Chris Jones who recorded double-digit sacks for the third time in his career and on the back end by All-Pro Trent McDuffie who had three sacks and five forced fumbles this year.
Whether you’re watching to see Taylor Swift, Usher or Patrick Mahomes this Super Bowl should be a close, exciting game.
