This year, much to many fans dismay, we will be getting a rematch of the 2020 Super Bowl. However, instead of Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm, the 49ers have the new and exciting QB in Brock Purdy, last year's "Mr. Irrelevant" who has led the 49ers to two straight top-2 seeds.
On the other side, not much has changed for the Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs. Despite losing star receiver Tyreek Hill, Mahomes has stayed consistent with an ever-changing WR core. He has found a new #1 guy with rookie Rashee Rice, and has remained steady with Travis Kelce at TE.
In the regular season, San Francisco looked unbeatable through 5 weeks before dropping 3 straight. They once again found their stride in the middle weeks, and stayed strong as their top NFC competitor at the time, the Eagles, walked into a freefall. In week 17, they clinched the NFC #1 seed with a win over the Commanders, and were able to rest their starters 2 straight weeks before the divisional round.
For the Chiefs, they rolled through the early season games, starting 6-1, with their only loss coming week 1 against the Lions (without Travis Kelce). They fell into some sort of a mid/late season slump, however, dropping games they would normally win easily, and entered the playoffs with a bit of uncertainty on how far they could go.
In their divisional round matchup vs. the Packers, the 49ers fell into a late-game hole, trailing 21-14 entering the 4th quarter, and 21-17 at the two minute warning. Despite this, a Christian McCaffrey touchdown and quick forced turnover guaranteed the team a second straight NFC Championship appearance. There, against the Lions, they would once again fall into a hole, as they trailed 24-7 at halftime. Once again, however, they would mount a big comeback and an Elijah Mitchell touchdown put them up 10 with just over 3 minutes to go. Although the Lions put up a good fight, the experience of this 49ers team shown through in the 2nd half, as they clinched another Super Bowl Appearance.
The Chiefs playoff run started off strong, taking down the once mighty Dolphins 26-7 in the Wild Card. Their Divisional Round matchup against the Bills proved to be another instant classic, going back and forth all game, and the Chiefs were able to hold Buffalo from scoring the entire 4th quarter on the way to victory and another AFC Championship appearance in the career of Patrick Mahomes. Against the #1 seed Ravens, they started off strong in the 1st half, taking a 10 point lead into the locker room. The next score would come 30 seconds before the 2 minute warning, as a Justin Tucker 43 yard field goal put the Ravens within a score. Mahomes and Pacheco organized a shutdown drive to end the game, and they reached yet another Super Bowl in their soon-to-be dynasty.
If you go position by position, it appears as though the 9ers have the edge, but KC has looked significantly calmer in the postseason. However, as with every Super Bowl (and playoff game for that matter), anything can happen. If Brock Purdy can play his role and get the ball to playmakers, San Francisco will be set up for success. On the other side, if Patrick Mahomes is able to elevate the players around him, the Chiefs could be well on their way to another Super Bowl.
-Eli Knight
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