Storylines to keep an eye on for Super Bowl LVIII

Simply 4 years faraway from the traditional Tremendous Bowl LIV that noticed the Chiefs come again to win 31-20, the 49ers and Chiefs have a rematch within the large recreation. Most of the faces are the identical, together with head coaches Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan.

Some would argue the Chiefs are already a dynasty after reaching six straight AFC Championships and now showing of their fourth Tremendous Bowl throughout that interval. Successful a 3rd Tremendous Bowl would nearly assuredly seal that title.

Shanahan’s Tremendous Bowl historical past has been very forgettable. The San Francisco head coach notoriously noticed his crew hand over a 28-3 result in the Patriots because the Falcons offensive coordinator in Tremendous Bowl LI. Historical past repeated itself in some methods three years later, when Shanahan’s 49ers relinquished a 20-10 lead within the fourth quarter of Tremendous Bowl LIV. He’d like nothing greater than to place these two experiences behind him and win a hoop.

Reid is nicely on his strategy to the Corridor of Fame as one of many biggest head coaches in NFL historical past, and hypothesis persists that he may grasp up his headset if he wins his third Tremendous Bowl in 4 years. Turning 66 in March, the hypothesis will not finish till Reid places it to mattress.

Purdy has been a spectacular quarterback since he took the reins final season, however he has but to quiet the narrative that he struggles in large video games. He tore his elbow in final season’s NFC Championship, was blown out by the Ravens earlier this season, and performed poorly vs. Inexperienced Bay within the Divisional Spherical. Purdy can create a brand new story by main his crew to Tremendous Bowl victory.

The 28-year-old Mahomes is already thought of one of many biggest gamers in NFL historical past, with an opportunity to win his third Tremendous Bowl. Successful the sport would tie Troy Aikman for fourth all-time and path solely Tom Brady (seven), Terry Bradshaw (4), and Joe Montana (4).

San Francisco has prioritized their move rush over the previous yr, giving Javon Hargrave large cash in free company and buying and selling for Randy Gregory and Chase Young. Including them to Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead to make a scary line of defense that might wreak havoc on Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs offensive line has confronted its share of struggles this season, with a excessive fee of penalties from new tackles Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor. The standing of All-Professional left guard Joe Thuney can also be up within the air because of harm, so the microscope can be on the Chiefs offensive line.

Tight ends Travis Kelce and George Kittle are founding members of “Tight Finish College,” an offseason program for gamers on the place. The duo are among the many greatest gamers within the league at their place, and can matchup in a Tremendous Bowl for the second time.

The Tremendous Bowl options gifted defenses which were moving into reverse instructions not too long ago. San Francisco has allowed at the least 20 factors in 5 of their final six video games, whereas the Chiefs protection has been at its greatest within the playoffs, permitting fewer than 14 factors per recreation. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the current developments proceed within the playoffs.

Christian McCaffrey’s father, former NFL wideout Ed McCaffrey, gained three Tremendous Bowls throughout his 13-year NFL profession. They’d be solely the sixth father-son duo to each win Tremendous Bowls if the 49ers emerge victorious.

Spagnuolo has put his title among the many all-time nice defensive coordinators along with his three Tremendous Bowl rings between the Giants and Chiefs, and he has an opportunity so as to add to his resume. This yr’s Chiefs protection is arguably his greatest since being employed in 2019.

Omenihu has been a key addition to the Chief’s protection this season, together with a strip-sack within the AFC Championship. Sadly, he suffered a torn ACL in the course of the recreation and can miss the Tremendous Bowl. His absence will power first-round rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah into motion.

The drops among the many Chiefs vast receivers have been a large story in the course of the common season, however the receivers have been very dependable in the course of the playoffs. It stays to be seen how the unit will react on the most important stage.

There was no larger off-field NFL story this season than the romance between Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Many sportsbooks are accepting bets on a post-game marriage proposal. Both method, NFL followers are more likely to see the duo on their televisions all through the sport.

The Chiefs could possibly be set to lose important expertise on protection following Sunday’s recreation, with pending free brokers Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed main the best way. In addition to Kansas Metropolis’s protection has performed this season, followers may see the final of the crew’s defensive stars in crimson.

With each groups taking part in in current Tremendous Bowls, expertise within the large recreation is current all through the rosters. After all, Kansas Metropolis has extra expertise taking part in within the recreation extra not too long ago, however the expertise of the gamers which were below the lights already may play a consider early nerves.

For what it is value, the Chiefs are visiting the house of the AFC West division rival Raiders. Kansas Metropolis could be very aware of Allegiant Stadium, taking part in there as soon as yearly and going 4-0. In the meantime, San Francisco has visited Allegiant Stadium solely as soon as, defeating the Raiders in extra time in the course of the 2022 season.